PUBLIC MINUTES

GOVERNANCE AND PRIORITIES COMMITTEE

Monday, April 20, 2020 at 1:00 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.

Via Teleconference Hosted in the Council Chamber, City Hall

PRESENT:

• His Worship Mayor C. Clark, Chair
• Councillor C. Block
• Councillor T. Davies
• Councillor R. Donauer
• Councillor B. Dubois
• Councillor S. Gersher
• Councillor H. Gough
• Councillor D. Hill
• Councillor A. Iwanchuk
• Councillor Z. Jeffries
• Councillor M. Loewen

ALSO PRESENT:

• City Manager J. Jorgenson
• City Solicitor C. Yelland
• City Clerk J. Sproule
• Committee Assistant J. Hudson

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:01 p.m. on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis People.

He acknowledged the recent shootings in Nova Scotia, noted Saskatoon's municipal flags would be lowered to half mast, and a moment of silence was held in recognition of those affected by this tragedy and in remembrance of those whose lives were lost.

2.

CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois
  1. That correspondence from the following be considered with Item 8.1.6:
     - Dr. Kristopher Wells, MacEwan University, dated April 15, 2020;
     - Trisha Little, SSUC Saskatoon, dated April 16, 2020;
     - Dr. Fran Forsberg, Grosvenor Park United Church, dated April 17, 2020;
     - James Komar, dated April 18, 2020;
     - Rev. Nobuko Iwai, submitted April 18, 2020;
     - Hudson Byblow, dated April 20, 2020; and
     - Florence Paquette, dated April 20, 2020;
  2. That a Verbal Update from the Administration regarding Covid-19 be included as Item 12.2.1 and considered following adoption of the minutes;
  3. That an In Camera report of the City Manager regarding an update on potential infrastructure funding be added as Urgent Business and considered as Item 13.6; and
  4. That the agenda be confirmed as amended.
  
  

  In Favour (11)

  Mayor Clark, Councillor Block, Councillor Davies, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Hill, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Jeffries, and Councillor Loewen

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

4.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

• Moved By: Councillor Gersher

  That the minutes of the following meetings of the Governance and Priorities Committee be adopted:

  • Regular meeting held March 16, 2020; and
  • Special meetings held March 25 and April 6, 2020
  
  

  In Favour (11)

  Mayor Clark, Councillor Block, Councillor Davies, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Hill, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Jeffries, and Councillor Loewen

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  Item 12.2.1 was considered next.

  
  

5.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

5.1

Official Community Plan Redesign – Proposed Content (File No. CK. 4350-69)

Report of the City Clerk:

"The Governance and Priorities Committee, at its meeting held on March 25, 2020, deferred consideration of the attached Administrative report to this meeting."

Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning & Development, was in attendance via teleconference to present the report.  She answered questions of Committee and advised that Tyson McShane, A/Manager of Long Range Planning, was also in attendance on the call.

• Moved By: Councillor Gersher

  That the report of the General Manager, Community Services Department dated March 25, 2020, be received as information.

  
  

  In Favour (11)

  Mayor Clark, Councillor Block, Councillor Davies, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Hill, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Jeffries, and Councillor Loewen

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.

COMMUNICATIONS (requiring the direction of the Committee)

6.1

Request to Defer Property Taxes and Utility Payments (CK 270-1)

A letter from Darla Lindbjerg, President & CEO of the Saskatoon Chamber dated April 9, 2020, regarding the above, was provided.

City Manager Jorgenson provided comment on the request and similar ones received by the Administration.

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer

  That the letter be referred to the Administration and attached to the file for a future report.

  
  

  In Favour (11)

  Mayor Clark, Councillor Block, Councillor Davies, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Hill, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Jeffries, and Councillor Loewen

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.2

Municipal Planning Commission - Suspension of Meeting Procedures (CK 175-16)

A letter from Diane Bentley, Chair of the Municipal Planning Commission dated April 14, 2020, regarding the above, was provided.

City Clerk Sproule spoke to the letter.  She answered questions of the Committee along with City Manager Jorgenson.

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

  That the Governance and Priorities Committee recommend to City Council that the relevant provisions of Bylaw No. 9170 be suspended to provide for member attendance at meetings of the Municipal Planning Commission via teleconference, for the immediate future during the current COVID-19 Pandemic. Additionally, that the measures remain in place until recognized public international, federal, or provincial health authorities advise that the pandemic is no longer a threat to public safety and the social distancing protocols have been lifted by them.

  
  

  In Favour (11)

  Mayor Clark, Councillor Block, Councillor Davies, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Hill, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Jeffries, and Councillor Loewen

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.

REQUESTS TO SPEAK (new matters)

8.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGISLATIVE REPORTS

8.1

Information Reports

8.1.1

Council Communications and Constituency Relations Allowance - Update (January 1 - March 31, 2020 (CK 230-4)

A report of the City Clerk was provided.

8.1.2

2020 Local Government Election – Advance Polls (CK 265-2020-6)

A report of the City Clerk was provided.

City Clerk Sproule presented the report and noted Scott Bastian, Returning Officer, was in attendance via teleconference for the 2020 Local Government Election reports.

Returning Officer Bastian answered questions of the Committee.

8.1.3

2020 Local Government Election – Hours of Voting (CK 265-2020-6)

A report of the City Clerk was provided.

City Clerk Sproule presented the report.

8.1.4

2020 Local Government Election – Remuneration of Election Officials (CK 265-2020-6)

A report of the City Clerk was provided.

City Clerk Sproule presented the report.

8.1.5

Councillor H. Gough – Statutory and Other Council-Appointed Boards Reporting to Council and Committees (CK 175-1 x 225-1)

A report of the City Solicitor was provided.

City Solicitor Yelland presented the report and answered questions of the Committee.

8.1.6

Conversion Therapy (CK 100-26)

A report of the City Solicitor was provided, along with correspondence from the following:

• Pastor Keith Pankratz, Pleasant Hill Church, dated February 18, 2020 and February 26, 2020;
• Florence Paquette, dated February 18, 2020 and April 20, 2020;
• Dr. Kristopher Wells, MacEwan University, dated February 20, 2020 and April 15, 2020;
• Mary Riendeau, dated February 25, 2020
• Edwin and Ann Ralph, dated February 26, 2020; and
• Trisha Little, SSUC Saskatoon, dated March 16, 2020 and April 16, 2020;
• Dr. Fran Forsberg, Grosvenor Park United Church, dated April 17, 2020;
• James Komar, dated April 18, 2020;
• Rev. Nobuko Iwai, submitted April 18, 2020; and
• Hudson Byblow, dated April 20, 2020

The Administration answered questions of the Committee.

• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That a report be submitted to City Council recommending:

  1. That the report of the City Solicitor dated April 20, 2020, be referred back to the Administration to complete the original recommendation with respect to stakeholder engagement; and
  2. That a bylaw be drafted to prohibit conversion therapy as a business in Saskatoon.
  
  

  In Favour (8)	Mayor Clark, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Hill, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Jeffries, and Councillor Loewen
  Against (3)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Dubois

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• Moved By: Councillor Gough

  That the Governance and Priorities Committee recommend that City Council write to other orders of government expressing Saskatoon's support for tabled Bill C-8, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy), indicating that we intend to align our business license practices with the direction of the Federal Government on this issue once Bill C-8 is in effect.

  
  

  In Favour (11)

  Mayor Clark, Councillor Block, Councillor Davies, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Hill, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Jeffries, and Councillor Loewen

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• Moved By: Councillor Iwanchuk

  That the reports contained in items 8.1.1 through 8.1.5 be received as information.

  
  

  In Favour (11)

  Mayor Clark, Councillor Block, Councillor Davies, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Hill, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Jeffries, and Councillor Loewen

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.2

Approval Reports

8.2.1

2020 Local Government Election – Establishment of Polls and Polling Places (CK 265-2020-6)

A report of the City Clerk was provided.

• Moved By: Councillor Gersher

  That the Governance and Priorities Committee recommend to City Council:

  1. That the division of the municipality into polling areas as outlined in Appendix 1 be approved, and
  2. That the list of polling places as outlined in Appendix 2 be approved.
  
  

  In Favour (11)

  Mayor Clark, Councillor Block, Councillor Davies, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Hill, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Jeffries, and Councillor Loewen

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.3

Decision Reports

9.

MOTIONS (notice previously given)

10.

GIVING NOTICE

11.

URGENT BUSINESS

12.

VERBAL UPDATES

12.1

Council Members - His Worship the Mayor, FCM/SUMA, Boards, Committees and Commissions

Councillor Hill provided an FCM related update, that he reached out to Councillor Tom Taggart in Nova Scotia to offer assistance in any way possible.

Mayor Clark provided an update on his involvement in Covid-19 discussions with many federal, provincial, and faith leaders.  He acknowledged the concerns of citizens and businesses, as well as the incredible relationships forming and support systems in the city.

Item 13 was considered next.

12.2

Administration

12.2.1

Covid-19 (CK 270-1)

Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Management Organization, was in attendance via teleconference to provide an update on the City's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the three key objectives for this planning cycle and the impending recovery process.

She noted the City is also ensuring its emergency management processes are prepared for the spring storm season.

Item 5.1 was considered next.

13.

IN CAMERA SESSION

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

  That the Committee move In Camera to consider the following items.

  
  

  In Favour (11)

  Mayor Clark, Councillor Block, Councillor Davies, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Hill, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Jeffries, and Councillor Loewen

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  The public meeting recessed at 2:31 p.m.

  
  

13.1

Appointments - Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee (CK 225-70)

[In Camera - Consultations/Deliberations; Personal Information - Sections 16(1)(b) and (d) and 28 LAFOIP]

13.2

Appointment - Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee (CK 175-9)

[In Camera - Consultations/Deliberations; Personal Information - Sections 16(1)(b) and (d) and 28 LAFOIP]

13.3

Appointment - Development Appeals Board (CK 175-21)

[In Camera - Consultations/Deliberations; Personal Information - Sections 16(1)(b) and (d) and 28 LAFOIP]

13.4

Appointment - SaskTel Centre Board of Directors (CK 175-31)

[In Camera - Consultations/Deliberations; Personal Information - Sections 16(1)(b) and (d) and 28 LAFOIP]

13.5

Verbal Updates (if required)

13.5.1

Council Members - His Worship the Mayor; FCM/SUMA; Boards, Committees & Commissions; Personnel Subcommittee

13.5.2

Administration

13.6

Urgent Business - Update on Potential Infrastructure Funding (CK 1860-1)

[In Camera - Information from Other Governments - Section 13 LAFOIP]

14.

RISE AND REPORT

The Committee convened In Camera at 2:42 p.m. with all members of Council and City Manager Jorgenson, City Solicitor Yelland and Committee Assistant Hudson in attendance via teleconference. The City Clerk was present in the Council Chamber.

Mike Jordan, Director of Public Policy and Government Relations and Michelle Beveridge, Chief of Staff - Mayor's Office, were in attendance for Item 13.6.

The Committee moved to rise and report at 3:46 p.m. and reconvened publicly via teleconference immediately thereafter to report as follows:

Agenda Items 13.1. to 13.4. - Boards/Committees Appointments (SAAC, SEAC, DAB, SaskTel Centre) (CK 175-1 X 225-1)

Moved By:  Councillor Jeffries

1. That the information be received and that the recommended appointments regarding the Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee, as noted by the City Clerk, along with a recommendation for advertising for appointment to the Development Appeals Board be forwarded to City Council; and
2. That the submitted documentation and discussion remain In Camera under Sections 16(1)(b) and (d) and 28 of LAFOIP.

In Favour (11): Mayor Clark, Councillor Block, Councillor Davies, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Hill, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Jeffries, and Councillor Loewen

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Agenda Item 13.5. – Verbal Updates - Council Members (13.5.1.) and Administration - City Manager (13.5.2.)

Moved By: Councillor Jeffries

That the verbal updates of the Members of Council and the City Manager be received as information; and that the discussion remain In Camera under Sections 13, 14(1), 15(1), 16(1), 17(1), 18(1), 19, 20 and 28 of LAFOIP.

In Favour (11): Mayor Clark, Councillor Block, Councillor Davies, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Hill, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Jeffries, and Councillor Loewen

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Agenda Item 13.6 – Update on Potential Infrastructure Funding (CK 1860-1)

Director of Public Policy & Government Relations Jordan and Chief of Staff, Mayor's Office Beveridge were in attendance In Camera for this item.

Moved By:  Councillor Jeffries

That the information be received and remain In Camera under Section 13 of LAFOIP.

In Favour (11): Mayor Clark, Councillor Block, Councillor Davies, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Gough, Councillor Hill, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Jeffries, and Councillor Loewen

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

15.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 3:XX p.m.