PUBLIC MINUTES

STANDING POLICY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

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Via Teleconference Hosted in the Council Chamber, Saskatoon City Hall
PRESENT:
  • Councillor Z. Jeffries, Vice Chair
  • Councillor R. Donauer
  • Councillor H. Gough
  • Councillor D. Kirton
  • His Worship Mayor C. Clark (Ex-Officio)
ABSENT:
  • Councillor B. Dubois, Chair
ALSO PRESENT:
  • Councillor S. Gersher
  • Councillor D. Hill
  • General Manager, Transportation & Construction T. Schmidt
  • Solicitor D. Kowalski
  • Deputy City Clerk S. Bryant, in the Council Chamber
  • Committee Assistant J. Fast

The Vice-Chair called the meeting to order on Treaty 6 Territory and the Traditional Homeland of the Métis people.

  • Moved By:Councillor Gough
    1. That the additional information provided by Benjamin Quattrini, dated January 31, 2021, be added to Item 6.3.1;
    2. That the email from Robert Clipperton, Bus Riders of Saskatoon dated January 28, 2021, requesting to speak, be added to Item 7.1.1;
    3. That the email from Mahmood Shafqat dated January 31, 2021, submitting comments, be added to Item 7.1.2;
    4. That the email from Peter Gallen dated January 30, 2021, submitting comments, be added to Item 7.2.1;
    5. That the following be added to Item 7.2.2:
      1. Submitting Comments:
        1. Email from Norma Briskar dated January 28, 2021;
        2. Email from Jan Norris dated January 31, 2021;
    6. That the following be added to Item 7.3.1:
      1. Requesting to Speak:
        1. Email from Kelly Frie dated January 29, 2021;
        2. Email from Yanique Williams, Public Policy Manager, Uber Canada dated January 29, 2021;
        3. Email from Katherine Luneng dated January 30, 2021;
      2. Submitting Comments:
        1. Letter from Khodr Bardouh received January 29, 2021, rescinding request to speak and replacing with comments;
        2. Email from Mark Gill, Executive Director, Captain Taxi Ltd., dated January 31, 2021;
        3. Email from Scott Suppes, President, Riide Inc., dated February 1, 2021;
    7. That the items with speakers be considered immediately following Unfinished Business:
      1. Item 6.3.1;
      2. Item 7.1.1;
      3. Item 7.3.1; and
    8. That the agenda be confirmed as amended.

    In Favour: (5)Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Gough, Councillor Kirton, and Mayor Clark
    Absent (1)Councillor Dubois

    Vote Type: Majority (Voted), Recorded

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Councillor Gersher advised that although she was not a member of the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation, she was participating in the meeting today and would leave the call for Item 7.3.1. Councillor Gersher therefore declared a conflict of interest for Item 7.3.1, due to her family being involved in a business that could be seen to be in conflict with the Taxi and TNC industries. 

 

 

  • Moved By:Councillor Donauer

    That the minutes of the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation meeting held on January 11, 2021 be approved.


    In Favour: (5)Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Gough, Councillor Kirton, and Mayor Clark
    Absent (1)Councillor Dubois

    Vote Type: Majority (Voted), Recorded

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

A letter from Benjamin Quattrini dated January 11, 2021 was provided, along with additional information dated January 31, 2021.

Benjamin Quattrini addressed the Committee regarding his proposal to bring e-scooters to Saskatoon as a means of efficient and cost-effective transportation.  Mr. Quattrini asked the Committee for municipal approval to develop the framework for the City of Saskatoon.

  • Moved By:Councillor Donauer

    That the Administration provide a report on the viability of a framework, outlining how a complete pilot project can be delivered, and that the Administration continue to engage with SGI and appropriate provincial counterparts for necessary steps to allow e-scooters in communities in Saskatchewan.


    In Favour: (5)Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Gough, Councillor Kirton, and Mayor Clark
    Absent (1)Councillor Dubois

    Vote Type: Majority (Voted), Recorded

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

A request to speak from Robert Clipperton, Bus Riders of Saskatoon, dated January 28, 2021 was added to this item.

General Manager, Transportation and Construction Schmidt presented the report.

Robert Clipperton, Bus Riders of Saskatoon, spoke in support of the report to move transit development forward. 

General Manager, Transportation and Construction Schmidt together with Director of Saskatoon Transit McDonald answered questions of the Committee. 

  • Moved By:Councillor Gough

    That enhanced reporting around Transit service levels be included in annual reporting to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation including predictability for new neighbourhood service and options and status around non-neighbourhood service level improvements.


    In Favour: (5)Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Gough, Councillor Kirton, and Mayor Clark
    Absent (1)Councillor Dubois

    Vote Type: Majority (Voted), Recorded

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

    The Committee recessed at 4:02 p.m., and reconvened at 4:10 p.m.

    Item 7.3.1 was considered following Item 7.1.1.


The hour of the meeting was 5:30 p.m., and therefore Committee referred this matter directly to the February 22, 2021 Regular Business meeting of City Council.

  • Moved By:Councillor Gough

    That Item 7.2.2 be forwarded to City Council for consideration.


    In Favour: (5)Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Gough, Councillor Kirton, and Mayor Clark
    Absent (1)Councillor Dubois

    Vote Type: Majority (Voted), Recorded

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

A report of the General Manager, Community Services was provided, along with a request to speak from Khodr Bardouh dated January 25, 2021.  

The following communications were added to this item:

Requesting to Speak:

  • Email from Kelly Frie dated January 29, 2021;
  • Email from Yanique Williams, Public Policy Manager, Uber Canada dated January 29, 2021;
  • Email from Katherine Luneng dated January 30, 2021;

Submitting Comments:

  • Letter from Khodr Bardouh, Hey Taxi, received January 29, 2021, rescinding request to speak and replacing with comments;
  • Email from Mark Gill, Executive Director, Captain Taxi Ltd., dated January 31, 2021; and
  • Email from Scott Suppes, President, Riide Inc., dated February 1, 2021.

Councillor Gersher previously declared a conflict of interest on this matter due to her family being involved in a business that could be seen to be in conflict with the Taxi and TNC industries.  Councillor Gersher was not present on the call.

Licensing and Permitting Manager Wilson reviewed the report and provided a PowerPoint.

Committee heard from the following speakers:

  • Kelly Frie, Riide
  • Yanique Williams, Public Policy Manager, Uber Canada 
  • Katherine Luneng

Licensing and Permitting Manager Wilson responded to questions of the Committee.

  • Moved By:Councillor Gough
    1. That the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation recommend to City Council that the City Solicitor be requested to prepare an amendment to the Vehicles for Hire Bylaw in order to implement Option 9, to align maximum vehicle age, as outlined in the report of the General Manager, Community Services dated February 1, 2021; 
    2. That the Administration report back on the implications and options of pursuing option 5; and
    3. That the Administration report back on wait times and other available data from the Taxi and TNC industries that resulted from bylaw amendments made in past.

    In Favour: (5)Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Gough, Councillor Kirton, and Mayor Clark
    Absent (1)Councillor Dubois

    Vote Type: Majority (Voted), Recorded

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

    Items 7.2.2, 7.1.2 and 7.2.1 were considered following Item 7.3.1.


The meeting adjourned at 5:31 p.m.

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