REVISED PUBLIC AGENDA - SPECIAL MEETING
GOVERNANCE AND PRIORITIES COMMITTEE

Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 9:30 A.m. - 5:30 P.m.

Council Chamber, City Hall

Committee Members:

• 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 D. Kirton
• Councillor M. Loewen

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

2.

CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA

• Recommendation
  1. That the following letters be added to Item 4.1
     1. Submitting Comments
        • Janelle S. Unrau, dated August 14, 2023;
     2. Request to Speak
        • Keith Moen, NSBA, dated August 10, 2023;
        • Jory Vermette, Saskatoon Climate Hub, dated August 12, 2023;
  2. That the request to speak from Robert Clipperton, Bus Riders of Saskatoon, dated August 12, 2023 be added to Item 4.2.1;
  3. That the following letters be added to Item 4.2.4:
     • Submitting Comments 
       • Nancy Howse, dated August 10, 2023;
       • Tim Quigley, dated August 11, 2023;
       • Glen Wright, dated August 12, 2023;
       • Mark Bigland - Pritchard, dated August 12, 2023;
       • Mary Uzelman, dated August 12, 2023;
       • Carroll Chubb, dated August 13, 2023;
       • Julia Boughner, dated August 13, 2023;
       • Joanne Blythe, Chad Hammond and Candace Savage, Wild About Saskatoon, dated August 14, 2023;
       • Caylin Lee, dated August 14, 2023;
       • Peter and Verna Gallen, dated August 14, 2023;
       • Ines Sanchez Rodriguez, dated August 14, 2023;
       • Jason Hanson, dated August 14, 2023;
       • Jody Busch, dated August 14, 2023;
       • Joel Van Impe, dated August 14, 2023;
       • John Krowina, dated August 14, 2023;
       • Justin Fisher, dated August 14, 2023;
       • Romualdo Zwolinski, dated August 14, 2023;
       • Margret Asmuss, Bob Halliday, Glenn Wright, Saskatchewan Environmental Society, dated August 14, 2023; 
       • Mackenzie Burnett, dated August 14, 2023; and
  4. That the agenda be confirmed as amended.

3.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

4.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGISLATIVE REPORTS

4.1

2024/2025 Budget Information Update – August 2023 [GPC2023-0802]

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided along with the following letters:

Submitting Comments

• Janelle S. Unrau, dated August 14, 2023;

Request to Speak

• Keith Moen, NSBA, dated August 10, 2023; and
• Jory Vermette, Saskatoon Climate Hub, dated August 14, 2023.

• Recommendation

  That the information be received.

4.2

Business Line Reports

4.2.1

Transportation Business Line Information [GPC2023-0703]

The City Clerk reported that the Governance and Priorities Committee considered this item at its special meeting held on July 25, 2023 and passed numerous resolutions as outlined in the minutes here under item 4.3.1.   Consideration for Options 8.c, 9, 10, 11, 12.c, 14.b, 15 and 16 in the report were deferred to the August 15, 2023 special meeting.   A copy of the report and following communications that were presented at the July 25, 2023 meeting was provided to this meeting:  

• Robert Clipperton, Bus Riders of Saskatoon, dated July 20, 2023;
• Mackenzie Burnett and Ines Sanchez-Rodriguez, Saskatoon Climate Hub, dated July 24, 2023; and
• DeeAnn Mercier, Broadway Business Improvement District, Brent Penner, Downtown Saskatoon and Randy Pshebylo, Riversdale Business Improvement District, dated July 24, 2023.

A request to speak from Robert Clipperton, Bus Riders of Saskatoon, dated August 12, 2023 was provided.

Option 13a - Eliminate Soft Surface Media Sweep was added to the list for consideration.  

• Recommendation

  That the 12% inflationary impact on required maintenance of its assets in the amount of $268,700 in 2024 be removed from the budget.   

• Recommendation

  That Administration bring forward a transit fare increase in the amount of 7.5% to the 2024/25 budget deliberations.   

• Recommendation

  That, ahead of the final 2024/25 budget meetings, the Administration report on the impact of eliminating fares for children 5 to 13 years of age (13 under).  The report should incorporate details from Regina Transit related to their elimination of fares for children under 13.

• Recommendation

  That Transportation Services inflationary impact for painting and signing be reduced by $96,400.

• Recommendation

  That back lane grading service level be reduced to grading back lanes only when conditions deteriorate to the point that light vehicles have difficulty travelling them, for an associated savings of $150,000.  

• Recommendation

  That snow clearing service level on sidewalks, multi-use pathways, and cycle tracks be reduced to extend the timeline for snow clearing on the facilities to 96 hours, instead of the current 48 hours, with an associated savings of $75,000.  

• Recommendation

  That soft surface median sweeping be reduced to one sweep every two years, resulting in a projected $200,000 annual savings.  

• Recommendation

  That replacement of Doves of Peace cross streetlights on 2nd Avenue (2024) and replacing the non-illuminated Christmas-themed banners on 20th Street and on 2nd Avenue (2025) amounting to $48,000 in each of 2024 and 2025 be deferred.

• Recommendation

  That Administration report back to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation on service level options and associated revenue/expense impacts on:

  • Introduction into new neighborhoods by adjusting the population density from 25% to a higher percentage.
  • Elimination of low ridership routes and/or replacement with on-demand service.
  • Decreasing frequencies on low ridership routes (e.g., if a low ridership route is currently a 30-minute service review impacts of a 60-minute service).
  • Currently Saskatoon Transit offers service during the week (Monday to Saturday) until 1:00 a.m., review impacts if service is discontinued at 12:00 a.m., 11:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m. on those days.
  • Reduction of service on Sundays and statutory holidays.

  Reporting should include consultation with current partners who may have a vested interest in the resulting impacts.  

• Recommendation

  That Administration report back to Standing Policy Committee on Transportation, and separate from the 2024/25 budget process, on transit service options such as on demand transit on low ridership routes and/or at low ridership times while maintaining service levels.

• Recommendation

  That addition of approximately 130 paid on-street parking spaces occur at the following locations:

  - 24th Street from Idylwyld Dr to 1st Ave N;

  - 200 and 300 block of Wall Street;

  - 300 bk of Pacific Ave up to 25th St E;

  - 300 bk of Ontario Ave up to 25th St E;

  - Northern section of 400 bk of 1st Ave N up to 26th St E; and

  - 100 bk of 26th St E.

4.2.2

Community Support Business Line Information [GPC2023-0616]

The City Clerk reported that due to time constraints at the July 25, 2023 Governance and Priorities Committee Special meeting, this matter was deferred to the August 15, 2023 Special meeting.  

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

• Recommendation

  That the Governance and Priorities Committee direct Administration to include the following options in the 2024/2025 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget:

  1. Option 1 – A further 10% increase in all pet licenses
  2. Option 2 – A further 3% increase to Cemetery Rates and Fees
• Recommendation

  That contribution to the special event reserve be reduced by $200,000 for 2024 and increased by $68,700 for 2025.  

• Recommendation

  That the proposed increases for grants and community support be eliminated from the 2024/25 budget as outlined below, which excepts those that fall within the tax abatement policy as outlined:

  Transfer to heritage reserve $3,400 in 2024 and 2,900 in 2025

  Culture participation grant

  Green gardening fund $1,500

  Cash grants $15,800 in 2024 and $8,800 in 2025

  Youth sports subsidy $137,500 in 2025

  Tourism $15,000 in 2024 and $14,900 in 2025; and

  MVA $42,800 2024 and $36,900 in 2025

4.2.3

Saskatoon Fire Business Line Information Report [GPC2023-0618]

The City Clerk reported that due to time constraints at the July 25, 2023 Governance and Priorities Committee Special meeting, this matter was deferred to the August 15, 2023 special meeting.

A  report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

• Recommendation

  That the Governance and Priorities Committee direct Administration to include the following options in the 2024/2025 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget:

  1. Option 1A – Defer the Fire Services Asset Management Position to 2025; and
  2. Option 1B – Defer the Communications Consultant.
• Recommendation

  That the Operations Dispatch Manager Position be implemented halfway through 2024 with half of the funding added in 2024 and the other half in 2025.  

4.2.4

Environmental Health Business Line Information [GPC2023-0701]

The City Clerk reported that due to time constraints at the July 25, 2023 Governance and Priorities Committee Special meeting, this matter was deferred to the August 15, 2023 special meeting.

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided along with a letter submitting comments from Mackenzie Burnett and Ines Sanchez-Rodriguez, Saskatoon Climate Hub, dated July 24, 2023.

The following letters were also provided:

• Submitting Comments
  • Nancy Howse, dated August 10, 2023;
  • Tim Quigley, dated August 11, 2023;
  • Glen Wright, dated August 12, 2023;
  • Mark Bigland - Pritchard, dated August 12, 2023;
  • Mary Uzelman, dated August 12, 2023;
  • Carroll Chubb, dated August 13, 2023;
  • Julia Boughner, dated August 13, 2023;
  • Joanne Blythe, Chad Hammond and Candace Savage, Wild About Saskatoon, dated August 14, 2023;
  • Caylin Lee, dated August 14, 2023; and
  • Peter and Verna Gallen, dated August 14, 2023.
  • Ines Sanchez Rodriguez, dated August 14, 2023;
  • Jason Hanson, dated August 14, 2023;
  • Jody Busch, dated August 14, 2023;
  • Joel Van Impe, dated August 14, 2023;
  • John Krowina, dated August 14, 2023;
  • Justin Fisher, dated August 14, 2023;
  • Romualdo Zwolinski, dated August 14, 2023; and
  • Margret Asmuss, Bob Halliday, Glenn Wright, Saskatchewan Environmental Society, dated August 14, 2023.

4.2.5

Taxation and General Revenues Business Line Budgetary Information [GPC2023-0615]

The City Clerk reported that due to time constraints at the July 25, 2023 Governance and Priorities Committee Special meeting, this matter was deferred to the August 15, 2023 special meeting.

A revised report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided along with a letter submitting comments from DeeAnn Mercier, Broadway Business Improvement District, Brent Penner, Downtown Saskatoon and Randy Pshebylo, Riversdale Business Improvement District, dated July 24, 2023.

4.2.6

Land Development Business Line Information [GPC2023-0702]

The City Clerk reported that due to time constraints at the July 25, 2023 Governance and Priorities Committee Special meeting, this matter was deferred to the August 15, 2023 special meeting.

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

4.2.7

Arts, Culture and Events Venues Business Line Budgetary Information [GPC2023-0614]

The City Clerk reported that due to time constraints at the July 25, 2023 Governance and Priorities Committee Special meeting, this matter was deferred to the August 15, 2023 special meeting.

A revised report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

4.2.8

Recreation and Culture Business Line Information [GPC2023-0807]

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

4.2.9

Urban Planning and Development Business Line Information [GPC2023-0806]

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

4.3

FTE Reports

4.3.1

Full-Time Equivalent Municipal Comparison [GPC2023-0605]

The City Clerk reported that due to time constraints at the July 25, 2023 Governance and Priorities Committee Special meeting, this matter was deferred to the August 15, 2023 special meeting.

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

4.3.2

Impacts of Hiring Freeze or Not Adding Future Staff [GPC2023-0605]

The City Clerk reported that due to time constraints at the July 25, 2023 Governance and Priorities Committee Special meeting, this matter was deferred to the August 15, 2023 special meeting.

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

4.3.3

Temporary Workforce Report [GPC2023-0704]

The City Clerk reported that due to time constraints at the July 25, 2023 Governance and Priorities Committee Special meeting, this matter was deferred to the August 15, 2023 special meeting.

A report of the Human Resources Division was provided.

4.4

Comparing the Growth in Federal, Provincial, and Municipal Operating Budgetary Expenditures 2017 - 2023 [CC2023-0604]

The City Clerk reported that due to time constraints at the July 25, 2023 Governance and Priorities Committee Special meeting, this matter was deferred to the August 15, 2023 special meeting.

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

5.

ADJOURNMENT