PUBLIC MINUTES

STANDING POLICY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT,

UTILITIES AND CORPORATE SERVICES

-
Via Teleconference Hosted in the Council Chamber, Saskatoon City Hall
PRESENT:
  • Councillor S. Gersher, Chair
  • Councillor H. Gough, Vice Chair
  • Councillor T. Davies
  • Councillor D. Hill
  • Councillor M. Loewen
  • His Worship, Mayor C. Clark (Ex-Officio) at 12:08 p.m.
ALSO PRESENT:
  • Councillor D. Donauer
  • General Manager, Utilities & Environment A. Gardiner
  • Solicitor B. Bleakney
  • Deputy City Clerk S. Bryant, in Council Chamber
  • Committee Assistant D. Sackmann

1.
CALL TO ORDER
 

The Chair called the meeting to order on Treaty 6 Territory and the Traditional Homeland of the Métis people and confirmed roll call of the members in attendance via teleconference. It was noted that Councillor Donauer was also present.

2.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
This item has attachments. 

1.SPC EUCS - 7.1.1 - Email - J. Blythe C. Savage - Inquiry Swale Edt_Redacted.pdf
2.SPC EUCS - 7.2.1 - Request to Speak - D. Stevens - Flood Control Strategy - Churchill_Redacted.pdf
3.SPC EUCS - 7.2.1 - Email - D. Hockley - Flood Control Strategy - Churchill_Redacted.pdf
4.SPC EUCS - 7.2.2 - Letter - Brent Penner - Urban Forest.pdf
5.SPC EUCS - 7.2.2 - Letter - L. Moskalyk, SOS Trees Coalition - Urban Forestry_Redacted.pdf
  • Moved By:Councillor Gough
    1. That the following letter be added to Item 7.1.1:
      1. Joanne Blythe and Candace Savage, Wild about Saskatoon, dated February 26, 2021;
    2. That the following be added to Item 7.2.1:
      1. Request to Speak:
        1. Deb Stevens, dated February 28, 2021
      2. Submitting Comments:
        1. Deborah Hockley, dated February 28, 2021
    3. That the following letters be added to Item 7.2.2:
      1. Brent Penner, Executive Director, Downtown Saskatoon BID, dated February 26, 2021;
      2. Linda Moskalyk, SOS Trees Coalition Inc., dated February 27, 2021;
    4. That the items with speakers be considered immediately following Unfinished Business:
      1. Item 7.2.1 - Deb Stevens; and
    5. That the agenda be confirmed as amended.
    In Favour: (5)Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, and Councillor Loewen
    Absent (1)Mayor C. Clark
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.
DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
 

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

4.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
This item has attachments. 

1.Post-Meeting Minutes - EUCSP_Feb01_2021 - English.pdf
  • Moved By:Councillor Loewen

    That the minutes of the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services meeting held on February 1, 2021 be approved.

    In Favour: (5)Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, and Councillor Loewen
    Absent (1)Mayor C. Clark
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
 

Pursuant to earlier resolution, Item 7.2.1 was considered following Item 5.

6.
COMMUNICATIONS (requiring the direction of the Committee)
 

6.1
Delegated Authority Matters
 

6.2
Matters Requiring Direction
 

6.2.1
Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee 2020 Annual Report and 2021 Work Plan [CK 175-9]
This item has attachments. 

1.SEAC 2020 Annual Report and 2021 Work Plan - Final.pdf

The Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee 2020 Annual Report and 2021 Work Plan was provided.

  • Moved By:Councillor Gough

    That the 2020 Annual Report and 2021 Work Plan of the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee be received as information and forwarded to City Council for information.

    In Favour: (5)Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, and Councillor Loewen
    Absent (1)Mayor C. Clark
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.3
Requests to Speak (new matters)
 

7.
REPORTS FROM ADMINISTRATION
 

7.1
Information Reports
 

7.1.1
Inquiry on Swale Education, Communications and Partnerships [CK 4205-40]
This item has attachments. 

1.Admin Report - Inquiry on Swale Education, Communications and Partnerships.pdf
2.Append 1 - Swale Education, Communications and Partnerships.pdf
3.SPC EUCS - 7.1.1 - Email - J. Blythe C. Savage - Inquiry Swale Edt_Redacted(1).pdf

General Manager, Utilities & Environment Gardiner provided an overview of the report.

A letter from Joanne Blythe and Candace Savage, Wild about Saskatoon, dated January 26, 2021 was added to this item.

Director of Sustainability South and General Manager, Transportation and Construction Schmidt responded to questions of the Committee.

  • Moved By:Councillor Loewen

    That the report be forwarded to City Council for information.

    In Favour: (5)Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, and Councillor Loewen
    Absent (1)Mayor C. Clark
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
  • Moved By:Councillor Gough
    1. That the information be received;
    2. That the report be forwarded to the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee for information; and
    3. That the reporting on implementation plan for the Green Infrastructure Strategy include specific consideration of the collaborative work of administrative departments to protect the Swale and Small Swale as important and valued natural assets in our city.
    In Favour: (5)Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, and Councillor Loewen
    Absent (1)Mayor C. Clark
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.1.2
Hydrant Inspection Report [CK 7558-1]
This item has attachments. 

1.Admin Report - Hydrant Inspection.pdf
2.Append 1 - Hydrants Inspected and Frozen Connections Per Year.pdf

General Manager, Utilities & Environment Gardiner introduced the report.

Councillor Donauer was in attendance for this item. He noted that the report was a follow-up to an inquiry made by him at City Council's meeting in June 2020 requesting the Administration to report back on the current maintenance plan for fire hydrants.

Director of Water and Waste Stream Lemke along with Operations Superintendent, Water and Waste Operations Adhikari responded to questions of the Committee.

  • Moved By:Councillor Gough

    That the information be received and forwarded to City Council for information.

    In Favour: (5)Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, and Councillor Loewen
    Absent (1)Mayor C. Clark
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

    The meeting recessed at 10:56 a.m. and resumed at 11:10 a.m. with all members of Committee in attendance with the exception of Councillor Davies. Item 7.2.2 was considered next.


7.2
Approval Reports
 

7.2.1
Flood Control Strategy Update – Churchill Park [CK 7560-1]
This item has attachments. 

1.Admin Report - Flood Control Strategy Update - Churchill Park.pdf
2.Append 1 - Design Renderings for the W. W. Ashley Park Dry Pond.pdf
3.Append 2 - Churchill Park Dry Pond Feasibility Assessment.pdf
4.SPC EUCS - 7.2.1 - Request to Speak - D. Stevens - Flood Control Strategy - Churchill_Redacted(1).pdf
5.SPC EUCS - 7.2.1 - Email - D. Hockley - Flood Control Strategy - Churchill_Redacted(1).pdf

General Manager, Utilities & Environment Gardiner provided an overview of the report.

A letter from Deborah Hockley, dated February 28, 2021 was added to this item.

A request to speak from Deb Stevens, dated February 28, 2021 was added to this item.  Ms. Stevens addressed the Committee stating that she has been a resident of the Churchill Park area for over 30 years. She noted that the park area has two retention dry pond areas and wondered why a third was necessary and asked if any underground work was an option.  She also noted her concern over the lack of communication regarding the report before Committee. 

Storm Water Utility Manager, Saskatoon Water McMann responded to questions of the Committee.

  • Moved By:Councillor Davies

    That the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services recommend to City Council:

    That detailed design and construction of a dry storm water pond at Churchill Park proceed in 2022 to mitigate flood damage.

    In Favour: (5)Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, and Councillor Loewen
    Absent (1)Mayor C. Clark
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
  • Moved By:Councillor Loewen

    That prior to the March 22, 2021 City Council meeting, Administration expand notification and communications with the residents within the direct catchment area of the project site as well as communications efforts for those residents affected by flooding.

    In Favour: (5)Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, and Councillor Loewen
    Absent (1)Mayor C. Clark
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

    Item 6.2.1 was considered next along with the remaining items in order as presented on the agenda.


7.2.2
Urban Forestry Management Plan [CK 4200-4]
This item has attachments. 

1.Admin Report - Urban Forestry Management Plan.pdf
2.Appedix 1 - Urban Forestry Management Plan.pdf
3.SPC EUCS - 7.2.2 - Letter - Brent Penner - Urban Forest(1).pdf
4.SPC EUCS - 7.2.2 - Letter - L. Moskalyk, SOS Trees Coalition - Urban Forestry_Redacted(1).pdf

General Manager, Utilities and Environment Gardiner introduced the report.

Letters were added to this item from:

  • Brent Penner, Executive Director, Downtown Saskatoon BID, dated February 26, 2021
  • Linda Moskalyk, SOS Trees Coalition Inc., dated February 26, 2021

Director of Parks Crilly provided an overview of the report and responded to questions of the Committee.

His Worship Mayor C. Clark joined the teleconference at 12:08 p.m. during consideration of the matter.

  • Moved By:Councillor Hill

    That the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities, and Corporate Services recommend to City Council:

    That the Urban Forestry Management Plan be approved, in principle.

    In Favour: (5)Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Hill, Councillor Loewen, and Mayor C. Clark
    Absent (1)Councillor Davies
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.3
Decision Reports
 

7.3.1
Strategy for the Replacement of Lead Service Lines on Private Side Only [CK 7820-5]
This item has attachments. 

1.Admin Report - Strategy for the Replacement of Lead Service Lines on Property Side Only.pdf

General Manager, Utilities and Environment Gardiner introduced the report.

Director of Major Projects and Preservation Willems along with Asset Preservation Manager Wood provided a PowerPoint on the matter providing background to the Lead Replacement Program, noting the issue and highlighting program options and subsequently responded to questions of the Committee.

Solicitor Bleakney provided clarification regarding the changes to Bylaw No. 8880.

  • Moved By:Mayor C. Clark

    That the item be deferred to the August meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services in order for the administration to:

    • Engage the affected homeowners with regards to the options for the replacement of these remaining private lead lines and report back to this committee at its August meeting;
    • To provide an analysis of the risk of the introduction of lead into drinking water, both at the private side and into the general system, be included, both with and without line disruption; and
    • Provide additional information identifying how many of the 168 properties changed ownership after 2016.
    In Favour: (5)Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Hill, Councillor Loewen, and Mayor C. Clark
    Absent (1)Councillor Davies
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.
MOTIONS (NOTICE PREVIOUSLY GIVEN)
 

8.1
His Worship Mayor C. Clark - Options for the Design of a Home Energy Loan Program [CK 1870-1 x 1860-1]
 

Due to time constraints, this item was deferred to the next meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services.

His Worship Mayor C. Clark provided the following Notice of Motion at the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services held on February 1, 2021.

"That the Administration report to the appropriate committee on options for developing a consistent framework to address equity and accessibility to City Administered programs in place or in development such as Lead Service Line Replacements, Home Energy Loan Program, Property Tax-Deferral Program for Low Income Seniors, etc."

9.
GIVING NOTICE
 

10.
URGENT BUSINESS
 

11.
IN CAMERA AGENDA ITEMS
 

12.
ADJOURNMENT
 

The meeting was adjourned at 1:04 p.m.

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