Special Infrastructure Committee - Minutes

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

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

Council Chamber, 2nd floor, City Hall

Present:

• A. Sohi, 
• A. Salvador, 
• T. Cartmell, 
• S. Hamilton, 
• and M. Janz 

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1.

Call to Order and Related Business

1.1

Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement

Mayor A. Sohi called the meeting to order at 9:33 a.m., Wednesday, June 25, 2025, and acknowledged that Infrastructure 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 Isga, as well as Métis and Inuit, and now settlers from around the world.

1.2

Roll Call

Mayor A. Sohi conducted roll call and confirmed the attendance of Members of Infrastructure Committee.

Mayor A. Sohi and Councillor S. Hamilton were absent with notice for a portion of the meeting.

Councillors A. Knack, A. Paquette, J. Rice, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, K. Tang and J. Wright; E. Robar, City Manager; and N. Jacobsen, R. Yusuf and M. Friesen, Office of the City Clerk, were also in attendance.

1.3

Election of Vice-Chair

Mayor A. Sohi called for nominations for the position of Vice-Chair, Infrastructure Committee.

Councillor M. Janz nominated Councillor A. Salvador for the position of Vice-Chair, Infrastructure Committee.

Mayor A. Sohi asked if there were any further nominations. There being no other nominations, Mayor A. Sohi declared nominations closed.

• Moved by: A. Sohi

  That Councillor A. Salvador be elected as Vice-Chair, Infrastructure Committee.

  In Favour (5)

  S. Hamilton, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, and M. Janz

  Carried (5 to 0)

1.4

Adoption of Agenda

• Moved by: A. Salvador

  That the June 25, 2025, Special Infrastructure Committee meeting agenda be adopted.

  In Favour (5)

  S. Hamilton, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, and M. Janz

  Carried (5 to 0)

1.5

Protocol Items

1.5.1

Canadian Multiculturalism Day (A. Sohi)

Mayor A. Sohi, on behalf of Infrastructure Committee, recognized June 27 as Canadian Multiculturalism Day. Canadians have long understood that many different languages, traditions and beliefs are a source of shared strength and resilience. Canada was the first country in the world to adopt an official multiculturalism policy over 50 years ago.

1.5.2

Indigenous Survivors' Day (A. Sohi)

Mayor A. Sohi, on behalf of Infrastructure Committee, recognized that June 30 is Indigenous Survivors’ Day. Indigenous Peoples across Canada have endured historical injustices as a result of colonization, the Sixties Scoop, the residential school system and forced assimilation.

2.

Items for Discussion and Related Business

2.1

Select Items for Debate

The following items were selected for debate: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4.

2.2

Vote on Reports not Selected for Debate

All items were selected for debate.

2.3

Requests to Speak

• Moved by: A. Sohi

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

  • 3.1 Integrated Infrastructure Services Capital Projects - Verbal report

  1. 1. R. Glen, Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association
     2. D. Johnson, Edmonton Construction Association

  • 3.2 Cost Benefit Analysis and Cost Drivers on Comparative Capital Project
  • 3.3   Capital Projects Planning and Design - Processes and Resources

  1. 1. L. Butterfield, BILD Edmonton Metro
     2. S. Keating, BILD Edmonton Metro
     3. J. Komar, Energy Transition and Climate Resilience Committee
     4. D. Dodge
     5. P. Amerongen
     6. M. Mellross, Alberta Ecotrust Foundation
     7. S. Kaba
     8. J. Sandercock 

  In Favour (5)

  S. Hamilton, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, and M. Janz

  Carried (5 to 0)

2.4

Requests for Specific Time on Agenda

• Moved by: A. Sohi

  That the following item be dealt with at a specific time on the agenda:

  • 3.4 Capital Infrastructure Program - Delivery Model Overview - Second item of business

  In Favour (5)

  S. Hamilton, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, and M. Janz

  Carried (5 to 0)

3.

Public Reports

3.1

Integrated Infrastructure Services Capital Projects - Verbal report

The following members of Administration's delegation made a presentation:

• C. Walbaum, Acting Deputy City Manager, Integrated Infrastructure Services
• C. Zerebeski, City Operations
• J. Meliefste, Integrated Infrastructure Services
• P. Ladouceur, Integrated Infrastructure Services
• B. Ferguson, Integrated Infrastructure Services
• N. Wolfe, Integrated Infrastructure Services

The following public speakers made presentations and answered questions:

• R. Glen, Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association
• D. Johnson, Edmonton Construction Association

The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

• C. Walbaum, Acting Deputy City Manager, Integrated Infrastructure Services
• J. Meliefste, Integrated Infrastructure Services
• P. Ladouceur, Integrated Infrastructure Services
• N. Wolfe, Integrated Infrastructure Services
• C. Zerebeski, City Operations
• B. Ferguson, Integrated Infrastructure Services

• Moved by: A. Salvador

  That Administration incorporate into the Integrated Infrastructure Services report IIS03137 an accounting of infrastructure assets acquired since the last report, including: 

  1. the quantity and type of infrastructure added,
  2. the associated replacement value; and 
  3. a historical summary of the growth in quantity of infrastructure assets owned by the City, going back as far as data allows.

  In Favour (4)

  S. Hamilton, T. Cartmell, A. Salvador, and M. Janz

  Carried (4 to 0)

3.2

Cost Benefit Analysis and Cost Drivers on Comparative Capital Projects

Items 3.2 and 3.3 were dealt with together.

The following member of Administration's delegation made a presentation:

• P. Ladouceur, Integrated Infrastructure Services

The following public speakers made presentations:

• S. Keating, BILD Edmonton Metro
• P. Amerongen

The following public speakers made presentations and answered questions:

• L. Butterfield, BILD Edmonton Metro 
• J. Komar, Energy Transition and Climate Resilience Committee 
• D. Dodge 
• M. Mellross, Alberta Ecotrust Foundation
• S. Kaba 
• J. Sandercock

The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

• P. Ladouceur, Integrated Infrastructure Services
• C. Walbaum, Acting Deputy City Manager, Integrated Infrastructure Services
• K. Snyder, Urban Planning and Economy
• C. Tomaras, Urban Planning and Economy
• D. Lazenby, Community Services 
• D. Tilroe, Integrated Infrastructure Services
• S. Allers, Integrated Infrastructure Services

• Moved by: A. Sohi

  Climate Resilience Policy C627A Review

  1. That Administration prepare amendments to Council’s Climate Resilience Policy C627A that include:

  1. a Sustainable Return on Investment analysis validation with thresholds before proceeding with climate resilience design decisions; and
  2. the opportunity to explore options for cost reductions that still meet the intent of the emissions neutral policy intent 1.

  Due Date: Second Quarter 2026, Infrastructure Committee

  2. That Administration provide a memo to Council with an update on the next steps identified, including lessons learned, as part of reviewing the City policies, bylaws, standards and processes identified as cost drivers in Attachment 4 of the June 25, 2025, Integrated Infrastructure Services report IIS02537rev, with the aim to reduce construction and operating costs of new City facilities.

   

  In Favour (4)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, and M. Janz

  Carried (4 to 0)

3.3

Capital Project Planning and Design - Processes and Resources

Items 3.2 and 3.3 were dealt with together.

• Moved by: A. Salvador

  That the June 25, 2025, Integrated Infrastructure Services report IIS02538rev, be received for information. 

  In Favour (4)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, and M. Janz

  Carried (4 to 0)

3.4

Capital Infrastructure Program - Delivery Model Overview

The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

• C. Walbaum, Acting Deputy City Manager, Integrated Infrastructure Services
• J. Meliefste, Integrated Infrastructure Services

• Moved by: T. Cartmell

  Review of Potential Public/Private City Building Opportunities

  1. That Administration review priority capital investments, in consideration of currently available infrastructure growth plans, as well as City land holdings, and provide a report with a recommendation on potential future unfunded capital investments that may be suitable for collaboration with public and/or private partners.

  Due Date: Fourth Quarter 2026, Infrastructure Committee

  City Building Opportunities - Expression of Interest - Results

  2. That Administration, following the presentation of the report required by Part 1, conduct a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) to solicit market interest for any land holdings or capital investments identified through Part of 1 and provide a report on the evaluation of RFEOI submissions received, including any potential constraints, challenges, and alignment with the growth of City services and other City-Building objectives.

   Due Date: Second Quarter 2026, Infrastructure Committee

  In Favour (4)

  S. Hamilton, T. Cartmell, A. Salvador, and M. Janz

  Carried (4 to 0)

4.

Private Reports

There were no Private Reports on the agenda.

5.

Motions Pending

There were no Motions Pending on the agenda.

6.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 4:42 p.m., Wednesday, June 25, 2025.