PUBLIC MINUTES

GOVERNANCE AND PRIORITIES COMMITTEE

Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 9:30 A.m. - 5:30 P.m.

Council Chamber, City Hall

PRESENT:

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

ALSO PRESENT:

• City Manager J. Jorgenson
• City Solicitor C. Yelland
• City Clerk A. Tittemore
• Deputy City Clerk S. Bryant

---

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

  That the agenda be confirmed as presented.

   

  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (1)	Councillor Jeffries

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

4.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

• Moved By: Councillor Davies

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

  • Regular Meeting - June 14, 2023
  • Special Meeting - June 22, 2023
  • Special Meeting - July 25, 2023 
  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (1)	Councillor Jeffries

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

6.

REQUESTS TO SPEAK (new matters)

7.

COMMUNICATIONS (requiring the direction of the Committee)

8.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGISLATIVE REPORTS

8.1

Decision Reports

8.1.1

2024 – 2035 Major Capital Funding Plan [GPC2023-0307]

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

Chief Financial Officer presented the report and responded to questions of Committee.   

Councillor Jeffries entered the meeting at 9:39 a.m. during discussion of this matter.

• Moved By: Councillor Gough

  That the Governance and Priorities Committee approve in principle the 2024 – 2035 Major Capital Funding Plan as presented (Option 1).

  
  

  In Favour (11)

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.1.2

Regulation of Municipal Lobbying [GPC2023-0803]

A report of the City Solicitor's Office was provided.

City Solicitor Yelland presented the report.

• Moved By: Councillor Block

  That the Governance and Priorities Committee recommend to City Council that Option 1 – Status Quo be approved.

  
  

  In Favour (11)

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.2

Approval Reports

8.3

Information Reports

• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That the reports submitted as Items 8.3.1 to 8.3.4 be received as information.

  
  

  In Favour (11)

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.3.1

2024/2025 Business Plan and Budget Options [GPC2023-0809]

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

Director of Finance Smith presented the report and responded to questions along with Strategy and Transformation Officer Anger, Director of Information Technology Bell and General Manager, Utilities and Environment Gardiner.

8.3.2

2022 Snow Response Financial Information [GPC 2023-0101, GPC 2023-0617 and CC 2023-0203]

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

Chief Financial Officer Hack presented the report and responded to questions of Committee.

8.3.3

Downtown Event and Entertainment District – Update on Upcoming Reports and Decision Milestones (August 2023) [DEED2023-01]

A report of the Transportation and Construction Division was provided.

Director of Major Projects and Preservation Willems presented the report and responded to questions of Committee. 

8.3.4

Council Communication and Constituency Relations Allowance - Update January 1 to June 30, 2023 [GPC2023-0805]

A report of the City Clerk's Office was provided.

City Clerk Tittemore presented the report.

9.

MOTIONS (notice previously given)

10.

URGENT BUSINESS

11.

GIVING NOTICE

11.1

Councillor M. Loewen - Saskatoon's Business Tax Ratio and Other Related Business Property Tax Measures [GPC 2023-0810]

Councillor Loewen gave the following Notice of Motion:

"TAKE NOTICE that at the next meeting of the Governance & Priorities Committee, I will move the following motion:

'That the Administration provide a report to the special budget meeting process regarding Saskatoon’s business tax ratio and any other related business property tax measures, including comparisons to other jurisdictions.'"

• Moved By: Councillor Gough

  That Notice be waived.

  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton
  Against (1)	Councillor Hill

  
  
  
  CARRIED

  In accordance with Section 129 (3) of The Procedures and Committee Bylaw, there was not unanimous consent of the members present and therefore Notice was not waived.

  
  

12.

VERBAL UPDATES

12.1

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

Mayor C. Clark

He updated the Committee on his plans to attend the Implementing Healthy Urban Policy Workshop  in Copenhagen, Denmark, September 2023 put on by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

12.2

Administration

13.

IN CAMERA SESSION

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer

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

  
  

  In Favour (11)

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

13.1

Provincial Household and Paper Stewardship Program Plan - Update

[In Camera - Economic/Financial and Other Interests - Section 17 of LAFOIP]

13.2

Legal Matter

[In Camera - Solicitor/Client Privilege - Section 21 of LAFOIP]

13.3

Verbal Updates

13.3.1

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

13.3.2

Administration

13.3.2.1

City Manager Updates

[In Camera - Sections 13, 14(1), 15(1), 16(1), 17(1), 18(1), 19 and 20 of LAFOIP]

13.4

Appointments - Boards, Commissions and Committees [CK 225-4-3]

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

13.4.1

Resignation - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee

13.4.2

Appointment - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee

13.4.3

Downtown Saskatoon - Board of Management Appointments

13.4.4

Composition - Collaborative Assessment of Budget Recommendations Team [GPC2023-0605]

14.

RISE AND REPORT

The Committee convened In Camera at 10:49 a.m. The following were in attendance as noted: 

• All Committee members (Councillor Dubois virtual)
• City Manager Jorgenson
• City Solicitor Yelland
• City Clerk Tittemore
• Deputy City Clerk Bryant
• Chief Financial Officer Hack
• A/General Manager, Transportation and Construction Magus
• General Manager, Environment and Utilities Gardiner
• General Manager, Community Services Lacroix
• Chief of Saskatoon Fire Hackl
• Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Anger
• Chief of Staff Beveridge (virtual)
• Chief of Public Policy and Government Relations Officer Jordan
• The following were present for item 13.1 only:

• • Director of Sustainability South
  • Director of Water and Waste Stream Lemke
  • Environmental Projects & Protection Manager Gauthier
  • Education and Environmental Performance Manager Burns (virtual)

All members of Administration were excused following item 13.3.2.1, with the exception of the City Solicitor, City Manager, City Clerk and Deputy City Clerk.

Councillor Dubois excused herself from the meeting at 12:46 p.m.

The Committee moved to rise and report. The In Camera portion of the meeting recessed at 1:09 p.m.

Committee reconvened publicly, and reported as follows:

• 13.1    Provincial Household and Paper Stewardship Program Plan - Update

  [In Camera - Economic/Financial and Other Interests - Section 17 of LAFOIP]

  Moved By: Councillor Block
  1. That the information and discussion remain In Camera under Section 17 of LAFOIP; and
  2. That Mayor Clark and Councillors Dubois and Donauer be authorized to share the In Camera report with the SUMA City Mayors Caucus and SUMA in confidence.   
  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

• 13.2    Legal Matter

  [In Camera - Solicitor/Client Privilege - Section 21 of LAFOIP]

  Moved By: Councillor Block

  That the information and discussion remain In Camera under Section 21 of LAFOIP.  

  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

• 13.3    Verbal Updates

  13.3.1 Council Members - His Worship the Mayor; FCM/SUMA; Boards, Committees & Commissions; Personnel Subcommittee (if required)

  Moved By: Councillor Block

  That the information and the discussion remain In Camera under Sections 13, 14(1), 15(1), 16(1), 17(1), 18(1), 19, 20 and 21 of LAFOIP.  

  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

• 13.3.2.1  City Manager Updates

  Moved By: Councillor Block

  That the information be received and the discussion remain In Camera under Sections 13, 14(1), 15(1), 16(1), 17(1), 18(1), 19 and 20 of LAFOIP.

  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

• 13.4    Appointments - Boards, Commissions and Committees [CK 225-4-3]

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

  13.4.1 Resignation - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee

  Moved By: Councillor Block
  1. That the information be received and remain In Camera under Sections 16(1)(b) and (d) and 28 of LAFOIP; and
  2. That the City Clerk advertise for the vacancy.
  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

• 13.4.2 Appointment - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee

  Moved By: Councillor Block
  1. That Tasnim Jaisee be appointed as a civic representative to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee to the end of 2025; and
  2. That the information be received and remain In Camera under Sections 16(1)(b) and (d) and 28 of LAFOIP.
  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

• 13.4.3 Downtown Saskatoon - Board of Management Appointments

  Moved By: Councillor Block

  That Gord Burgess, Caswell’s and George McQuitty, Colliers International be appointed to the Downtown Saskatoon Board of Management and the information and discussion remain In Camera under Sections 16(1)(b) and (d) and 28 of LAFOIP.

  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

• 13.4.4 Composition - Collaborative Assessment of Budget Recommendations Team [GPC2023-0605]

  Moved By: Councillor Block

  That the information be received and remain In Camera under Sections 16(1)(b) and (d) and 28 of LAFOIP.

  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

15.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 1:13 p.m.