Utility Committee - Minutes

Monday, January 27, 2025

9:30 A.m. - 5:00 P.m.

Council Chamber, 2nd floor, City Hall

Present:

• T. Cartmell, 
• A. Paquette, 
• M. Janz, 
• A. Salvador, 
• A. Stevenson, 
• and K. Tang 

---

1.

Call to Order and Related Business

1.1

Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement

Councillor T. Cartmell called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m., Monday, January 27, 2025, and acknowledged that Utility Committee meets on the traditional land of Treaty 6 Territory and the Métis homeland. The Chair also acknowledged the diverse Indigenous peoples whose ancestors' footsteps have marked this territory for centuries such as: Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Nakota Sioux, as well as Métis and Inuit, and now settlers from around the world.

1.2

Roll Call

Councillor T. Cartmell conducted roll call and confirmed the attendance of Members of Utility Committee.

Councillors A. Knack, K. Principe, J. Rice, E. Rutherford and J. Wright; and N. Jacobsen, Meeting Clerk, M. Moussa and M. Friesen, Office of the City Clerk, were also in attendance.

1.3

Adoption of Agenda

• Moved by: M. Janz

  That the January 27, 2025, Utility Committee meeting agenda be adopted.

  In Favour (6)

  A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Salvador, M. Janz, K. Tang, and A. Stevenson

  Carried (6 to 0)

1.4

Approval of Minutes

• Moved by: A. Stevenson

  That the December 13, 2024, Utility Committee meeting minutes be approved.

  In Favour (6)

  A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Salvador, M. Janz, K. Tang, and A. Stevenson

  Carried (6 to 0)

1.5

Protocol Items

1.5.1

International Holocaust Remembrance Day (T. Cartmell)

Councillor T. Cartmell, on behalf of Utility Committee, recognized January 27, 2025, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This day commemorates the victims and pays tribute to the survivors of Nazi atrocities during World War II.

1.5.2

Lunar New Year (K. Tang)

Councillor K. Tang, on behalf of Utility Committee, recognized the Lunar New Year, marking the Year of the Wood Snake. This is an important occasion for the diverse Asian Diaspora and is celebrated across many communities.

1.5.3

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Elementary/Junior High School (T. Cartmell)

Councillor T. Cartmell, on behalf of Utility Committee, welcomed the Grade 6 classes from St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Elementary/Junior High School in Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi and their teachers, K. Koskinen and B. Sharkey.

2.

Items for Discussion and Related Business

2.1

Select Items for Debate

The following item was selected for debate: 7.1.

2.2

Vote on Reports not Selected for Debate

All items were selected for debate.

2.3

Requests to Speak

• Moved by: A. Stevenson

  That Utility Committee hear from the following speakers, in panels when appropriate:

  • 7.1 EPCOR Water Services - 2025 Operational Plan

  1. 1. L. Sidi
     2. F. Saleh
     3. N. Salem
     4. J. Winkelaar
     5. D. Kahane
     6. R. Normey
     7. N. Boustead

  In Favour (6)

  A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Salvador, M. Janz, K. Tang, and A. Stevenson

  Carried (6 to 0)
• Moved by: A. Stevenson

  That Utility Committee hear from the following additional speaker:

  • 7.1 EPCOR Water Services - 2025 Operational Plan

  1. C. Jasper

  In Favour (6)

  A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Salvador, M. Janz, K. Tang, and A. Stevenson

  Carried (6 to 0)

2.4

Requests for Specific Time on Agenda

There were no requests for items to be dealt with at a specific time on the agenda.

3.

Councillor Inquiries

There were no Councillor Inquiries.

4.

Reports to be Dealt with at a Different Meeting

There were no Reports to be Dealt with at a Different Meeting.

5.

Requests to Reschedule Reports

There were no Requests to Reschedule Reports.

6.

Unfinished Business

There was no Unfinished Business on the agenda.

7.

Public Reports

7.1

EPCOR Water Services - 2025 Operational Plan

The following members of the delegation made a presentation:

• S. Chaudhary, EPCOR
• S. Ancel, EPCOR

The following public speakers made presentations:

• L. Sidi
• F. Saleh 
• N. Salem
• D. Kahane
• R. Normey 
• N. Boustead 

The following public speakers made presentations and answered questions:

• J. Winkelaar
• C. Jasper

The following members of the delegation answered questions:

• M. Kennedy, EPCOR
• S. Chaudhary, EPCOR
• S. Ancel, EPCOR

The following member of Administration’s delegation answered questions:

• T. Esch, Employee and Legal Services.

• Moved by: T. Cartmell

  That the January 27, 2025, EPCOR Water Services report EXT02856, be received for information.

  In Favour (6)

  A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Salvador, M. Janz, K. Tang, and A. Stevenson

  Carried (6 to 0)

8.

Responses to Councillor Inquiries

There were no Responses to Councillor Inquiries on the agenda.

9.

Private Reports

There were no Private Reports on the agenda.

10.

Motions Pending

There were no Motions Pending on the agenda.

11.

Notices of Motion and Motions without Customary Notice

11.1

Air Products Franchise Fee Considerations (T. Cartmell)

Councillor T. Cartmell stated that at the next regular meeting of City Council, the following motion would be moved:

That Administration provide a report outlining the process, including any advantages and disadvantages, to forgive the requirement of Air Products to pay franchise fees on their new water supply pipe.

• Notice of Motion Given: January 27, 2025, Utility Committee

12.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 11:46 a.m., Monday, January 27, 2025.