PUBLIC MINUTES

STANDING POLICY COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Monday, August 17, 2020 at 2:00 P.m. - 6:00 P.m.

Via Teleconference Hosted in the Council Chamber, City Hall

PRESENT:

• Councillor A. Iwanchuk, Chair
• Councillor C. Block, Vice Chair
• Councillor R. Donauer
• Councillor B. Dubois
• Councillor M. Loewen
• His Worship Mayor C. Clark (Ex-Officio)

ALSO PRESENT:

• Chief Financial Officer K. Tarasoff
• Solicitor C. Bogad
• 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 performed roll call of those in attendance via teleconference.

2.

CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA

• Moved By: Councillor Block
  1. That the request to speak from Alex Fallon, SREDA on item 7.2.1 be withdrawn;
  2. That the letter from Todd Holmquist -  Saskatoon Wildlife Federation, dated August 14, 2020 be added to item 7.2.3; and
  3. That the agenda be confirmed as amended.
  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, 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 Dubois

  That the minutes of Regular Meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Finance held on June 15, 2020 be adopted.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Loewen

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

6.

COMMUNICATIONS (requiring the direction of the Committee)

6.1

Delegated Authority Matters

6.1.1

Meeting Procedures for The Art Gallery of Saskatchewan (Remai Modern) [File No. CK. 175-27]

A letter dated June 17, 2020 from Brenda McLean, Executive Assistant, Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan, regarding the Meeting Procedures for the The Art Gallery of Saskatchewan Inc. was provided.

It was noted that a representative of the Remai Modern was not present to address questions of the Committee. 

Deputy City Clerk Bryant and Solicitor Bogad addressed questions of the Committee related to Section 55.1 of the Cities Act and of Committee procedures. 

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer

  That the information be received and forwarded to City Council for information.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Loewen

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

  That the matter be deferred to the September Standing Policy Committee on Finance meeting and to have a representative of the Remai Board available to respond to questions.

  
  

  In Favour: (3)	Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Dubois
  Against: (3)	Councillor Block, Councillor Loewen, and Mayor C. Clark

  
  DEFEATED

6.2

Matters Requiring Direction

6.2.1

Meewasin Valley Authority Financial Statements - March 31, 2020 [File No. CK. 1870-10]

The Meewasin Valley Authority Financial Statements - March 31, 2020 were provided.

 

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer

  That the Meewasin Valley Authority Financial Statements, March 31, 2020 be received and forwarded to City Council for information.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Loewen

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.3

Requests to Speak (new matters)

7.

REPORTS FROM ADMINISTRATION

7.1

Information Reports

• Moved By: Councillor Loewen

  That the reports contained in Items 7.1.1 to 7.1.3 be received as information.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Loewen

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.1.1

2020 Update – Accessibility at Persephone Theatre [File No. CK. 620-5]

A report from the General Manager, Community Services Department was provided.

Chief Financial Officer presented the report.  General Manager, Community Services Lacroix addressed questions of the Committee related to the corridor.

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

  That the report be forwarded to the Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee for information.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Block, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Loewen, and Mayor C. Clark

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.1.2

Semi-Annual Report – Builder and Developer Lot Supply – 2020 Mid-Year [File No. CK. 4110-1]

A report from the Chief Financial Officer was provided. 

Chief Financial Officer Tarasoff presented the report.  Director of Saskatoon Land Long addressed questions of the Committee. 

7.1.3

Update on Sale and Redevelopment – 321 Avenue C North – Former Saskatoon Transit Maintenance Facility [File No. CK. 4110-43 X 665-1]

A report from the Chief Financial Officer was provided.

Chief Financial Officer Tarasoff presented the report.  Director of Saskatoon Land Long addressed questions of the Committee.

7.2

Approval Reports

7.2.1

Incentive Application – ABC Canada Technology Group Ltd [File No. CK. 3500-13]

A report from Chief Financial Officer Tarasoff was provided and presented by him.

It was noted that a request to speak from Alex Fallon, SREDA, dated July 22, 2020 had been withdrawn.

• Moved By: Councillor Loewen

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

  1. That the application from ABC Canada Technology Group Ltd. for a five-year tax abatement on the incremental portion of taxes at 522 38^th Street East, as a result of its development in 2020, be approved as follows:
     • 100% in Year 1;
     • 80% in Year 2;
     • 70% in Year 3;
     • 60% in Year 4;
     • 50% in Year 5; and
  2. That the City Solicitor be instructed to prepare the appropriate agreements.
  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Loewen

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.2.2

Request to Sell City-Owned Property – 2321 11th Street West [File No. CK. 4215-1]

A report from Chief Financial Officer Tarasoff was provided and presented by him.

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois
  1. That the Administration be authorized to sell 2321 11^th Street West (Lot 2, Block 183, Plan 80S31337, ISC Parcel No. 119977082) in the South West Industrial area to the highest bidder through a public tender process with reserve bid price, as outlined in the report to the Chief Financial Officer dated August 17, 2020;
  2. That if the parcel does not sell through the tender process, it be placed for sale over-the-counter on a first-come, first-served basis for a period of six months;
  3. That the Administration be authorized to entertain acceptable market price offers on the parcel if it remains unsold after the six-month period following the public tender closing date through the open market (standard terms) sales approach; and
  4. That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the appropriate agreement and that His Worship the Mayor and the City Clerk be authorized to execute the agreement under the Corporate Seal.
  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Loewen

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.2.3

Disposal of Former Saskatoon Police Service Outdoor Firing Range Auxiliary Training Building [File No. CK. 600-5]

A report from Chief Financial Officer Tarasoff was provided and presented by him.

A letter from Todd Holmquist, Saskatoon Wildlife Federation, dated August 14, 2020 was provided. He addressed questions of the Committee.

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

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

  1. That the Administration be authorized to dispose of the former Saskatoon Police Service Firing Range auxiliary building for $1 via an agreement with the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation to relocate the building to the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation at their sole expense; and 
  2. That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the appropriate agreements and that His Worship the Mayor and the City Clerk be authorized to execute the agreements under the Corporate Seal.
  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Loewen

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.3

Decision Reports

8.

URGENT BUSINESS

9.

MOTIONS (notice previously given)

10.

GIVING NOTICE

10.1

Councillor. M. Loewen- Representation at Meetings from Controlled Corporations and Other External Entities [File No. CK. 175-1]

Councillor Loewen put forward the following notice of motion:

"TAKE NOTICE that I will move the following motion at the next regular Standing Policy Committee on Finance meeting:

‘That the Administration report back regarding the possibility of refining Committee procedures in order to ensure that when necessary, representatives from controlled corporations and other external entities with business before a City Committee are available to answer questions of Committee. This could be achieved either by indicating committee’s wishes prior to the meeting regarding attendance, making attendance a standard requirement, or through other mechanisms.’”

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

  That the motion be waived.

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• Moved By: Councillor Loewen

  That the Administration report back regarding the possibility of refining Committee procedures in order to ensure that when necessary, representatives from controlled corporations and other external entities with business before a City Committee are available to answer questions of Committee. This could be achieved either by indicating committee’s wishes prior to the meeting regarding attendance, making attendance a standard requirement, or through other mechanisms.

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

11.

IN CAMERA SESSION

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer

  That the following items 11.1 to 11.3 be considered In Camera.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Block, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Loewen, and Mayor C. Clark

  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• 11.1. Audit Matter [File No. CK. 1610-9]
  [In Camera - Economic, Financial and Other Interests - Section 17 of LAFOIPP]

  11.2. Land Matter [File No. CK. 4110-46]
  [In Camera - Economic/Financial - Land, Sections 17(1)d and (e) LAFOIPP]

  11.3. Fraud Risk Program Assessment – Quarterly Update [File No. CK. 1600-1]
  [In Camera - Economic, Financial and Other Interests - Section 17 of LAFOIPP]

   

  The public portion of the meeting recessed at 3:15 p.m.

  
  

12.

RISE AND REPORT (OPTIONAL)

The Standing Policy Committee on Finance convened In Camera at 3:18 p.m. via teleconference hosted in the Council Chamber with Councillors Iwanchuk (Chair), Block (Vice Chair), Donauer, Dubois, Loewen, and Mayor Clark present.

The following members of the Administration were also present: Chief Financial Officer Tarasoff, Solicitor Bogad, Deputy City Clerk Bryant, and City Manager Jorgenson.

The following Administration were also present for the following items:

Item 11.1 - Director of Finance Reynolds and Director of Corporate Revenue Voth

Item 11.2 – Director of Saskatoon Land Long and Finance and Sales Manager Meinema

Item 11.3 – Director of Finance Reynolds and Director of Corporate Revenue Voth

The In Camera portion of the meeting concluded at 4:19 p.m.

The Committee reconvened publicly at 4:30 p.m. with all members of Committee present.

The Committee reported further as follows:

11.1 Audit Matter [File No. CK 1610-9]
Moved by: Councillor Block
That the information be received and the discussion remain In Camera under Section 17 of LAFOIPP.

In Favour: (6): Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Block, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Loewen, and Mayor C. Clark

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

11.2 Land Matter [File No. CK. 4110-46]
Moved by: Councillor Block
That the discussion and information remain In Camera under Sections 17(1)(d) and (e) of LAFOIPP.

In Favour: (6): Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Block, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Loewen, and Mayor C. Clark

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

11.3 Fraud Risk Program Assessment – Quarterly Update [File No. CK. 1600-1]
Moved by: Councillor Block

1. That the information be received and the discussion remain In Camera under Sections 17 of LAFOIPP; and
2. That the Administration report back on a plan to implement the recommendations on a more timely basis to further bolster the City’s resilience to fraud risk, specifically addressing all aspects of the audit report and other initiatives identified by the Administration.

In Favour: (6): Councillor Iwanchuk, Councillor Block, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Loewen, and Mayor C. Clark

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

13.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 4:31 p.m.