PUBLIC MINUTES

STANDING POLICY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

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

The Chair called the meeting to order on Treaty 6 and the Traditional Homeland of the Métis people and confirmed roll call of the members in attendance via teleconference.

  • Moved By:Councillor Donauer
    1. That the letter submitting comments from Yanique Williams, Uber Canada, dated June 7, 2021 be added to items 7.1.2 and 7.1.3;
    2. That the letter submitting comments from Brent Penner, Downtown Saskatoon, dated June 6, 2021 be added to item 7.1.4;
    3. That the following letters be added to item 7.3.2:
      • Requesting to Speak
        • Joseph Bristow, Pedal Pub Saskatoon, dated June 4, 2021;
      • Submitting Comments
        • Brent Penner, Downtown Saskatoon, dated June 6, 2021;
    4. That the following item with a speaker be moved up on the agenda to be considered immediately following Unfinished Business;
      • Item 7.3.2 - Joseph Bristow
    5. That the agenda be confirmed as amended. 
    In Favour: (6)Councillor Dubois, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Gough, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Kirton, and Mayor Clark
    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 declared a conflict of interest for Item 7.1.2, 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 advised that although she was not a member of the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation, she was participating in the meeting today and declared a conflict of interest for Item 7.1.3, 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 Gough

    That the minutes of the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation meeting held on May 3, 2021 be adopted.

    In Favour: (6)Councillor Dubois, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Kirton, Councillor Gough, and Mayor Clark
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

    Item 7.3.2 was considered next.


A letter from Marjorie Konecsni dated May 12, 2021 was provided.

Director of Transportation Magus spoke to the concerns outlined in the letter.

  • Moved By:Councillor Gough

    That the information be received. 

    In Favour: (6)Councillor Dubois, Councillor Kirton, Mayor Clark, Councillor Gough, Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Jeffries
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Deputy City Clerk Bryant reported that the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation, at its meeting held on April 6, 2021, considered an update report of the Administration regarding sidewalk width standards on local roads and resolved that the Administration consult with the Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee for feedback prior to undertaking the next steps as outlined in the report.

The Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee had reviewed the report with Administration and provided its feedback on the matter as provided.

Director of Transportation Magus addressed questions of the Committee related to implementing a wider standard for specific land uses.

  • Moved By:Councillor Gough

    That the information be received.

    In Favour: (6)Councillor Dubois, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Gough, Councillor Kirton, and Mayor Clark
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Deputy City Clerk Bryant reported that the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation, at its meeting held on April 6, 2021, considered a report of the Administration regarding a review of electric scooter framework viability and resolved, in part, that the report be forwarded to the Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee for feedback.

The Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee had reviewed the report and provided its feedback.

  • Moved By:Councillor Gough

    That the information be received and attached to the Escooter file.

    In Favour: (6)Councillor Dubois, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Gough, Councillor Kirton, and Mayor Clark
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
  • Moved By:Councillor Gough

    That the reports contained in Items 7.1.1 to 7.1.4 and 7.1.6 be received as information.

    In Favour: (6)Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Gough, Councillor Kirton, and Mayor Clark
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

General Manager, Transportation & Construction Schmidt introduced the report.

A letter submitting comments from Yanique Williams, Uber Canada, dated June 7, 2021 was provided.

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 provided a PowerPoint.

General Manager, Transportation & Construction Schmidt introduced the report.

A letter submitting comments from Yanique Williams, Uber Canada, dated June 7, 2021 was provided.

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 provided a PowerPoint.

General Manager, Transportation and Construction Schmidt presented the report.

A letter submitting comments from Brent Penner, Downtown Saskatoon, dated June 6, 2021 was provided.

Director of Transportation Magus addressed questions related to external consultation. 

General Manager, Transportation & Construction Schmidt introduced the report.

Director of Roadway, Fleet and Support Saric provided a PowerPoint and addressed questions related to the options provided and staffing and overtime costs.

The Committee recessed at 4:05 p.m., and reconvened at 4:12 p.m. with all members of the Committee in attendance.

  • Moved By:Councillor Donauer

    That the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation recommend to City Council that the Administration include the following information in the report to the Governance and Priorities Committee budget options meeting:

    1. The implications of setting a service standard similar to Option B but having city-wide snow removal occur only when a certain threshold is met (perhaps when snowfall is average, or above average).  This means that city-wide snow removal would not necessarily occur annually (when snowfall is less than the threshold).  This may include the establishment of a reserve;
    2. That the Administration assess the FTE’s required for this seasonal work; and
    3. That the Administration prepare a funding plan (similar to the Roadways asset management plan) that would see us reach our funding level within 4-5 years.
    In Favour: (6)Councillor Kirton, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Gough, and Councillor Dubois
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
  • Moved By:Councillor Gough

    That Standing Policy Committee on Transportation recommend to City Council through the appropriate meeting, that the current practices be adopted as formal Level of Service for snow and ice management on separated cycling facilities and that the level of service outlined for bike boulevards be adopted.  

    In Favour: (6)Councillor Dubois, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Gough, Councillor Kirton, and Mayor Clark
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

General Manager, Transportation & Construction Schmidt introduced the report.

Director of Saskatoon Transit provided a PowerPoint and addressed questions related to the on demand service areas. 

Mayor Clark excused himself from the meeting at 4:47 p.m. during consideration of this matter.

  • Moved By:Councillor Gough

    That the matter be forwarded to City Council for information. 

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

This matter has been moved to item 7.3.2

General Manager, Community Services introduced the matter.

Director of Building Standards Fagnou provided a PowerPoint presentation and alone with General Manager, Community Services Lacroix addressed questions of the committee related to provincial grant supports and capital grant fund. 

  • Moved By:Councillor Gough

    That the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation recommend to City Council that Option 2 – City of Saskatoon Accessibility Grant be approved. 

    In Favour: (3)Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Gough, and Mayor Clark
    Against: (3)Councillor Dubois, Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Kirton
    DEFEATED ON A TIED VOTE
  • Moved By:Councillor Gough

    That the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation recommend to City Council that Option 1 – Increase Education and Awareness, be approved.

     
    In Favour: (6)Councillor Dubois, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Gough, Councillor Kirton, and Mayor Clark
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

A report of the General Manager, Community Services was provided.

Letters from the following were also provided:

Request to speak

Joseph Bristow, Pedal Pub Saskatoon, dated June 4, 2021

Submitting Comments

Brent Penner, Downtown Saskatoon, dated June 6, 2021

Joseph Bristow, Pedal Pub Saskatoon spoke in support of the Party Bicycle Pilot Program.

General Manager, Community Services Lacroix addressed questions of the committee related to the pilot program framework and procedure. 

Solicitor Kowalski addressed questions related to the bylaw amendment.

City Manager Jorgenson advised as to the possible pilot project operation start date.

  • Moved By:Councillor Donauer

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

    1. That Option 1- Party Bicycle Pilot Program be approved and that the City Solicitor be directed to prepare bylaw amendments as set out in this report and to work with Transportation Department to prepare a formal operating agreement to enable a party bicycle pilot program, as outlined in Option 1; and
    2. That Option 2 – Research into Party Bicycle Regulations be approved, to allow for further research and reporting on bylaw amendments to allow for the operation of party bicycles following the pilot program in 2021.
    In Favour: (6)Councillor Dubois, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Gough, Councillor Kirton, and Mayor Clark
    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

    Item 6.1.1 was considered next.


The meeting adjourned at 5:43 p.m.

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