PUBLIC MINUTES

STANDING POLICY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Tuesday, June 06, 2023 at 2:00 P.m. - 5:30 P.m.

Council Chamber, City Hall

PRESENT:

• Councillor B. Dubois, Chair
• Councillor D. Kirton, Vice Chair
• Councillor R. Donauer
• Councillor S. Gersher
• His Worship Mayor C. Clark (Ex-Officio)

ABSENT:

• Councillor D. Hill

ALSO PRESENT:

• General Manager, Transportation & Construction T. Schmidt
• Solicitor D. Kowalski
• Deputy City Clerk S. Bryant
• Committee Assistant H. Thompson

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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.

2.

CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer
  1. That the letter requesting to speak from Ray Bourner, General Manager, Riide Holdings Inc, dated May 31, 2023, be added to item 7.2.1
  2. That the letter requesting to speak from Tyrell Harder be withdrawn from item 7.2.1;
  3. That the items with speakers be heard following Unfinished Business:
     • 6.1.1
       • Cary Tarasoff;
     • 7.2.1
       • Ray Bourner; and
  4. That the agenda be confirmed as amended.

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

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

3.1

Councillor Gersher - Taxi Fare Review [TS2023-0602]

Councillor Gersher declared a conflict of interest on the above item due to a member of family being in business with something that can be perceived to be in conflict with the taxi and TNC industry.

3.2

Councillor Gersher - Bylaw Amendments to Support e-Permitting for Business Licenses [TS2023-0601]

Councillor Gersher declared a conflict of interest on the above item due to a member of family being in business with something that can be perceived to be in conflict with the taxi and TNC industry.

4.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

• Moved By: Councillor Gersher

  That the minutes of the regular meeting held on May 2, 2023, of the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation, be adopted.

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

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

6.

COMMUNICATIONS (requiring the direction of the Committee)

6.1

Requests to Speak (new matters)

6.1.1

Cary Tarasoff - 1st Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Concerns with Proposed Arena [CK. 4130-14]

A letter requesting to speak from Cary Tarasoff, dated May 30, 2023, was provided. 

A letter requesting to speak from Cary Tarasoff, dated May 30, 2023, was provided.

The Committee received a video presentation from Cary Tarasoff.

General Manager of Transportation and Construction Schmidt along with Director of Technical Services Willems and City Manager Jorgenson responded to questions.

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer

  That the information be received and forwarded to the Administration to be attached to the file on Bus Rapid Transit. 

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

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  Item 7.2.1 was considered next. 

  
  

6.2

Delegated Authority Matters

6.3

Matters Requiring Direction

7.

REPORTS OF THE ADMINSTRATION

7.1

Decision Reports

7.1.1

Accessible Transit and Bus Stop Signage [TS2023-0603]

A report of the Transportation and Construction Division was provided and presented by General Manager of Transportation and Construction Schmidt.  Together with Director of Transportation Magus they responded to questions related to the selection of the location for the pilot project and Audible Pedestrian Signals and future funding.

Access Transit Manager Waldenberg responded to questions related to the strategic locations for implementation and the Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee involvement. 

Operations Manager responded to questions related to the status of audible stop announcements.

• Moved By: Councillor Gersher

  That the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation recommend to City Council:

  That Option 3 to be taken forward to the 2024/2025 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget as a budget option for one-time funding of $25,000 for City Council consideration.

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

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• Moved By: Councillor Gersher

  That the matter be referred to the Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee for information.

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

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.1.2

Action Plan and Funding Strategy Options for Required Upgrades to the City of Saskatoon’s Fueling Infrastructure [TS2023-0606]

A report of the Transportation and Construction Division was provided and presented by General Manager of Transportation and Construction Schmidt.  Together with Director of Roadways, Fleet and Support Saric responded to questions related to fuel management.

• Moved By: Councillor Gersher

  That the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation recommend to City Council:

  That Option 2 – Address All Above Ground Fueling Infrastructure Deficiencies in 2023 to bring all above ground fuel infrastructure up to code and add overfill valves to all above ground fuel tanks be approved and funded from the Reserve for Capital Expenditures.

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

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  Item 7.2.2 was considered next.

  
  

7.2

Approval Reports

7.2.1

Taxi Fare Review [TS2023-0602]

Councillor Gersher declared a conflict of interest on this item due to a member of family being in business with something that can be perceived to be in conflict with the taxi and TNC industry. She excused herself from discussion and voting on the matter and left the Council Chamber.

A report of the Community Services Division was provided and presented by Licensing and Permitting Manager Wilson.  He responded to questions of the Committee related to implementation timelines.

A request to speak was provided from Ray Bourner, General Manager, Riide Holdings Inc, dated May 31, 2023.

The Committee heard from Ray Bourner on the matter.

It was noted that a request to speak from Tyrell Bourner, dated June 1, 2023 had been withdrawn.

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer

  That the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation recommend to City Council that the City Solicitor be requested to prepare bylaw amendments to Bylaw No. 9651. the Vehicles for Hire Bylaw, 2019, to:

  1. Increase the minimum taxi fare of $3.75 to $4.75;
  2. Increase the minimum vehicle-for-hire fare of $3.75 to $4.75; and
  3. Clarify how wait time is calculated in Schedule “B”.

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

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  Councillor Gersher re-entered the Council Chamber.  Item 7.1.1 was considered next.

  
  

7.2.2

Bylaw Amendments to Support e-Permitting for Business Licenses [TS2023-0601]

A report of the Community Services Division was provided.

It was noted that this report had also been provided to the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services, to be considered on June 7, 2023 with the recommendation:

That the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services recommend to City Council:

1. That the proposed amendments to Bylaw No. 9746, The Business Licence Bylaw, 2021; Bylaw No.9525, The Cannabis Business Licence Bylaw, 2018; and Bylaw No. 9011, The Adult Services Licensing Bylaw, 2012, as outlined in this report, be approved; and
2. That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the approved amendments to Bylaw Nos. 9746, 9525 and 9011.

Councillor Gersher declared a conflict of interest on this item due to a member of family being in business with something that can be perceived to be in conflict with the taxi and TNC industry. Councillor Gersher was not present for the matter.

The report of the Community Services Division was provided and presented by Licensing and Permitting Manager Wilson.

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer

  That the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation recommend to City Council:

  1. That the proposed amendments to Bylaw No. 9651, The Vehicles for Hire Bylaw, 2019, as outlined in this report, be approved; and
  2. That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the approved amendments to Bylaw No. 9651.

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

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.3

Information Reports

• Moved By: Councillor Kirton

  That the reports contained in Items 7.3.1 and 7.3.3 be received as information.

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

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.3.1

Committee Referrals – Standing Policy Committee on Transportation – June 2023 [TS2023-0604]

A report of the Transportation and Construction Division was provided and presented by General Manager of Transportation and Construction Schmidt.

7.3.2

2023 Asset Management Plan Updates – Roadways and Sidewalks [TS2023-0605]

A report of the Transportation and Construction Division was provided and presented by General Manager of Transportation and Construction Schmidt. Together with Engineer Manager Grabowski responded to questions related to the roadway and sidewalk surface life and condition inspections.

General Manager of Community Services Lacroix responded to questions related to the cross divisional team for asset management. 

Chief Financial Officer Hack responded to questions related to financial forecasting.

• Moved By: Councillor Kirton

  That the information be received.

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

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• Moved By: Mayor Clark

  That when these plans are brought forward to budget a report be included that best quantifies the dynamics of inflation in the short and long term for our local market.

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

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.3.3

Asset Management Plan Update - Bridges and Structures [TS2023-0607]

A report of the Transportation and Construction Division was provided and presented by General Manager of Transportation and Construction Schmidt. 

8.

MOTIONS (Notice Previously Given)

9.

URGENT BUSINESS

10.

GIVING NOTICE

11.

IN CAMERA SESSION (if required)

12.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 3:52 p.m.