PUBLIC MINUTES

STANDING POLICY COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Monday, August 15, 2022 at 2:00 P.m. - 5:30 P.m.

Council Chamber, City Hall

PRESENT:

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

ABSENT:

• Councillor C. Block, Chair

ALSO PRESENT:

• Chief Financial Officer C. Hack
• Solicitor D. Kowalski
• Deputy City Clerk S. Bryant
• Committee Assistant H. Thompson

---

1.

CALL TO ORDER

The Vice Chair called the meeting to order on Treaty 6 Territory and the Traditional Homeland of the Métis people. Roll call was confirmed.

2.

CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois
  1. That item 7.2.5 be withdrawn;
  2. That the items with a speaker be heard following Adoption of Minutes:
     • 7.2.1 - Alex Fallon;
     • 7.2.2 - Alex Fallon; and
  3. That the agenda be confirmed as presented. 
  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of conflict of interest. 

4.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

• Moved By: Councillor Kirton

  That the minutes of regular meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Finance held on June 13, 2022 be adopted.

  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  Item 7.2.1 was considered next. 

  
  

5.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

6.

COMMUNICATIONS (requiring the direction of the Committee)

6.1

Delegated Authority Matters

6.2

Matters Requiring Direction

6.2.1

Meewasin Valley Authority - March 31, 2022 Financial Statements [CK 1870-10]

A letter dated July 8, 2022 from Andrea Lafond, Chief Executive Officer, Meewasin Valley Authority, providing the Meewasin Valley Authority Financial Statements, March 31, 2022 was provided.

Chief Financial Officer Hack introduced the matter.

Andrea Ziegler, Director of Operations, Meewasin Valley Authority was present in the gallery for questions. 

• Moved By: Councillor Kirton

  That the Meewasin Valley Authority Financial Statements dated March 31, 2022 be received and forwarded to City Council for information.

  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.3

Requests to Speak (new matters)

7.

REPORTS FROM ADMINISTRATION

7.1

Information Reports

• Moved By: Councillor Kirton

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

  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.1.1

Business Improvement Districts’ 2021 Financial Statements [CK. 1650-1]

A report of the Administration was provided.

Chief Financial Officer Hack presented the report and responded to questions related to the signatures authorizing the financial statements.

7.1.2

Indigenous Procurement Update and Next Steps [CK. 1000-5]

A report of the Administration was provided.

Chief Financial Officer Hack presented the report and along with Director of Supply Chain Management Eaton and City Manager Jorgenson responded to questions related to the status, timelines, and the proposed 5% Indigenous spend target. 

• Moved By: Mayor C. Clark
  1. That the Administration report back in 2022 outlining specific opportunities to direct awards or limited/closed competition projects for awards to indigenous and social enterprises.
  2. That the Standing Policy Committee on Finance recommend to City Council that a 5% Indigenous spend target be established and that the Administration report back on the time and path to achieve that.
  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.1.3

2022 Financial Forecast – City of Saskatoon’s Corporate Business Plan and Budget [CK. 430-72 x 1700-1]

A report of the Administration was provided.

Chief Financial Officer Hack presented the report and responded to questions related to the 2022 financial forecast.

• 
  
  
  

  Item 7.2.4 was considered next.

  
  

7.2

Approval Reports

7.2.1

Incentive Application – Crestline Coach Ltd. [CK. 3500-0]

A report of the Administration was provided along with a letter requesting to speak from Alex Fallon, Chief Executive Officer, Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority, dated July 26, 2022.

The Committee heard from Alex Fallon, Chief Executive Officer, Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority for this matter and for item 7.2.2.

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

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

  1. That the application from Crestline Coach Ltd. for a five-year tax abatement on the incremental portion of taxes at 126 Wheeler Street, as a result of its development in 2022, be approved as follows:
     1. 100% in Year 1
     2. 80% in Year 2
     3. 70% in Year 3
     4. 60% in Year 4
     5. 50% in Year 5
  2. That the City Solicitor be instructed to prepare the appropriate agreements.
  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.2.2

Incentive Application – Vital Metals Canada Ltd. [CK. 3500-0]

A report of the Administration was provided along with a letter requesting to speak from Alex Fallon, Chief Executive Officer, Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority, dated July 26, 2022.

The Committee heard from Alex Fallon, Chief Executive Officer, Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority, on this matter when item 7.2.1 was considered. 

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

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

  1. That the application from Vital Metals Canada Ltd. for a five-year tax abatement on the incremental portion of taxes at 2950 Miners Avenue, as a result of its development in 2022, be approved as follows:
     1. 100% in Year 1
     2. 80% in Year 2
     3. 70% in Year 3
     4. 60% in Year 4
     5. 50% in Year 5
  2. That the City Solicitor be instructed to prepare the appropriate agreements.
  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  Item 6.2.1 was considered next.

  
  

7.2.3

External Auditor Services Contract Award [CK. 1610-9]

A report of the Administration was provided.

Chief Financial Officer Hack presented the report.

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

  That the Standing Policy Committee on Finance:

  1. Approve the appointment of Deloitte LLP as the City’s external auditor; and
  2. That His Worship the Mayor and the City Clerk be authorized to execute the contract documents as prepared by the City Solicitor under Corporate Seal.
  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.2.4

Acquisition of Additional Land for Intersection at Neault Road/33rd Street West [CK. 4020-1]

A report of the Administration was provided.

Chief Financial Officer Hack presented the report.

• Moved By: Councillor Kirton

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

  1. That Administration be authorized to purchase a 0.01-acre portion of ISC Parcel No. 203746686 from Khalsa School Inc. for $52.50; and
  2. That the City Solicitors be requested to have the agreements executed by His Worship the Mayor and the City Clerk under the Corporate Seal.
  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.2.5

Lease of 123 Auditorium Avenue, Biktrix Enterprises Inc. [CK. 4020-1 x 600-3]

This matter was withdrawn and it was noted the Administration will submit a report directly to City Council for consideration.

7.2.6

Request to Sell City-Owned Property - Parcels S, U, T, V – Kensington Village Square [CK. 4215-1 x 4110-44]

A report of the Administration was provided.

Chief Financial Officer Hack presented the report and along with Director of Saskatoon Land Long responded to questions related to the timing of public engagement in the process. 

• Moved By: Councillor Kirton
  1. That the Administration be authorized to sell Parcels S, U, T, and V, Plan No. 102350540 (ISC Parcel Nos. 203839993, 203839971, 203840007, 203839960) in the Kensington neighbourhood through the open market (standard terms) sales approach with prices as listed in the report of the Chief Financial Officer dated August 15, 2022;
  2. That the Administration be authorized to administer architectural controls for these parcels; and
  3. 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: (5)	Councillor Jeffries, Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (1)	Councillor Block

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.3

Decision Reports

8.

URGENT BUSINESS

9.

MOTIONS (notice previously given)

10.

GIVING NOTICE

11.

IN CAMERA SESSION

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

  ​That the following items be considered In Camera.

  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

11.1

City of Saskatoon - 2021 Audited Financial Statements [CK. 1610-9]

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

11.2

City Internal Auditor Updates [CK 1600-3]

(In Camera - Audits and Tests, Section 19 of LAFOIP)

This is a standing item on the agenda. 

12.

RISE AND REPORT 

The Standing Policy Committee on Finance convened In Camera at 3:29 p.m. in the Council Chamber with all members of Committee present, with the exception of Councillor Block.

Also present were Chief Financial Officer Hack, Solicitor Kowalski, Deputy City Clerk Bryant, City Internal Auditor Saleem, City Manager Jorgenson, Director of Finance Smith, Corporate Accounting Manager Macfarlane (via teleconference), and Committee Assistant Thompson.

Matt Hladun, Bertrand Yew and Cameron Dube from Deloitte were present for item 11.1.

Members of the Administration, with the exception of City Internal Auditor Saleem, Solicitor Kowalski, Deputy Clerk Bryant, and Committee Assistant Thompson were excused for consideration of item 11.2. 

The In Camera portion of the meeting concluded at 4:45 p.m.

The Committee reconvened publicly at 4:46 p.m. with all members of Committee present, with the exception of Mayor Clark.

The Committee reported as follows:

11.1    City of Saskatoon - 2021 Audited Financial Statements [CK. 1610-9]

Moved By: Councillor Dubois
1.    That the information and the discussion remain In Camera under Section 17 of LAFOIP; and
2.    That the Administration submit the 2021 Audited Financial Statements publicly at the appropriate time. 

In Favour: (4): Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Jeffries, and Councillor Kirton
Absent (2): Councillor Block and Mayor C. Clark

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

11.2    City Internal Auditor Updates [CK. 1600-3]
Moved By: Councillor Dubois
That the information and discussion remain In Camera under Section 19 of LAFOIP.

In Favour: (4): Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Jeffries, and Councillor Kirton
Absent (2): Councillor Block and Mayor C. Clark

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

13.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 4:47 p.m.