Special City Council - Minutes

Monday, February 12, 2024

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

Virtual Meeting

Present:

• A. Sohi, 
• T. Cartmell, 
• S. Hamilton, 
• M. Janz, 
• A. Knack, 
• A. Paquette, 
• K. Principe, 
• J. Rice, 
• E. Rutherford, 
• A. Salvador, 
• A. Stevenson, 
• K. Tang, 
• and J. Wright 

---

1.

Call to Order and Related Business

1.1

Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement

Mayor A. Sohi called the meeting to order at 9:34 a.m., Monday, February 12, 2024, and acknowledged that City Council meets on the traditional land of Treaty 6 Territory and Métis Homelands. 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

Mayor A. Sohi conducted roll call and confirmed the attendance of Members of City Council.

Councillor K. Tang was absent with notice for a portion of the meeting.

A. Corbould, City Manager; and T. Ward, M. de Guzman and A. Karbashewski, Office of the City Clerk, were also in attendance.

1.3

Adoption of Agenda

• Moved by: S. Hamilton
  Seconded by: J. Rice

  That the February 12, 2024, Special City Council meeting agenda be adopted with the following changes:

  Additions:

  • 3.1 Explore Edmonton - Financial Support Requests
  • 3.3 Actions to Respond to Housing and Houselessness Emergency

  In Favour (13)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (13 to 0)

1.4

Protocol Items

1.4.1

Lunar New Year (J. Rice)

Councillor J. Rice, on behalf of City Council, recognized the Lunar New Year, which began on February 10 - 2024 is the Year of the Dragon. The Lunar New Year occurs annually on the new moon of the first lunar month and to Chinese culture, it’s one of the most important holidays celebrated.

2.

Items for Discussion and Related Business

2.1

Select Items for Debate

The following items were selected for debate: 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6.

2.2

Vote on Reports not Selected for Debate

• Moved by: A. Knack
  Seconded by: A. Stevenson

  That the recommendation in the following report be approved:

  • 3.2 Al-Mustafa Academy and Humanitarian Society - Support with Outstanding Tax Balance

  In Favour (13)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (13 to 0)

2.3

Requests to Speak

Requests to Speak were not considered.

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.

2.5

Vote on Bylaws not Selected for Debate

• Moved by: T. Cartmell
  Seconded by: J. Rice

  That the following Bylaws be read a first time:

  • 4.1 Bylaw 20705 - 2024 Business Improvement Area Assessment, Supplementary Assessment, Tax, Supplementary Tax and Tax Rate Bylaw
  • 4.2 Bylaw 20737 - To authorize the City of Edmonton to undertake, construct and finance Integrated Infrastructure Services Project, 99 Street and Judy Padua Way Streetscape & Waterproofing
  • 4.3 Bylaw 20738 - To authorize the City of Edmonton to undertake, construct and finance Integrated Infrastructure Services Project, Beaver Hills House/Michael Phair Parks Upgrades

  In Favour (13)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (13 to 0)
• Moved by: T. Cartmell
  Seconded by: A. Stevenson

  That the following Bylaw be read a second time:

  • 4.1 Bylaw 20705 - 2024 Business Improvement Area Assessment, Supplementary Assessment, Tax, Supplementary Tax and Tax Rate Bylaw

  In Favour (13)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (13 to 0)
• Moved by: T. Cartmell
  Seconded by: J. Rice

  That the following Bylaw be considered for third reading:

  • 4.1 Bylaw 20705 - 2024 Business Improvement Area Assessment, Supplementary Assessment, Tax, Supplementary Tax and Tax Rate Bylaw

  In Favour (13)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (13 to 0)
• Moved by: T. Cartmell
  Seconded by: J. Rice

  That the following Bylaw be read a third time:

  • 4.1 Bylaw 20705 - 2024 Business Improvement Area Assessment, Supplementary Assessment, Tax, Supplementary Tax and Tax Rate Bylaw

  In Favour (13)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (13 to 0)

3.

Public Reports

3.1

Explore Edmonton - Financial Support Requests

The following members of Administration’s delegation answered questions:

• S. Padbury, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy City Manager, Financial and Corporate Services
• C. Watt, Financial and Corporate Services
• A. Szabo, Financial and Corporate Services
• A. Corbould, City Manager

The following members of the delegation answered questions:

• T. Bednard, Explore Edmonton
• B. Yerxa, Edmonton Destination

• Moved by: A. Salvador
  Seconded by: A. Sohi

  1. That 2024 operating budget for Explore Edmonton be increased by $6,011,000 on a one-time basis, with funding from the Financial Stabilization Reserve, as follows:

  • $991,000 to fund insurance, utilities, loan repayments and property taxes due to the City of Edmonton in the first quarter of 2024, and 
  • $5,020,000 to fund the base operations of Explore Edmonton in 2024.

  2. That the City of Edmonton enter into a grant funding agreement, not to exceed $6,011,000, between the City of Edmonton and Explore Edmonton with terms and conditions acceptable to the City Manager.

  In Favour (13)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (13 to 0)

3.2

Al-Mustafa Academy and Humanitarian Society - Support with Outstanding Tax Balance

This item was not selected for debate and was dealt with as part of item 2.2. The following motion carried:

That tax forgiveness for account 10290545 (Al-Mustafa Academy and Humanitarian Society) be approved in the amount of $73,863.40 along with associated penalties accrued since 2021.

3.3

Actions to Respond to Housing and Houselessness Emergency

The following member of Administration’s delegation made a presentation and answered questions:

• A. Corbould, City Manager

The following members of Administration’s delegation answered questions:

• C. Kjenner, Community Services
• S. Padbury, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy City Manager, Financial and Corporate Services
• K. Petrin, Deputy City Manager, Urban Planning and Economy 

• Moved by: A. Stevenson
  Seconded by: A. Sohi

  That Councillor E. Rutherford be appointed as Council’s representative on the Housing and Houselessness Task Force for a term ending October 19, 2025, as described in Attachment 1 of the January 30, 2024, Office of the City Manager report OCM02332.

  In Favour (12)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (12 to 0)

3.4

Intergovernmental Update - Integrated Encampment Response Process - Verbal report

The following members of Administration’s delegation made a presentation and answered questions:

• A. Corbould, City Manager
• D. Jones, Acting Deputy City Manager, Community Services

The following member of the delegation made a presentation and answered questions:

• D. Lazenby, Emergency Management and Communications

The following members of Administration’s delegation answered questions:

• C. Kjenner, Community Services
• C. Hotton-MacDonald, City Operations
• T. Courtoreille, Community Services

The following members of the delegation answered questions:

• K. Johnson, Edmonton Police Service
• E. Okere, Edmonton Police Service
  

• Moved by: J. Wright
  Seconded by: A. Stevenson

  That the January 30, 2024, Community Services verbal report CS02316rev, be received for information.

  In Favour (13)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (13 to 0)

4.

Bylaws

4.1

Bylaw 20705 - 2024 Business Improvement Area Assessment, Supplementary Assessment, Tax, Supplementary Tax and Tax Rate Bylaw

This item was not selected for debate and was dealt with as part of item 2.5. Bylaw 20705 received three readings.

4.2

Bylaw 20737 - To authorize the City of Edmonton to undertake, construct and finance Integrated Infrastructure Services Project, 99 Street and Judy Padua Way Streetscape & Waterproofing

This item was not selected for debate and was dealt with as part of item 2.5. Bylaw 20737 received first reading.

4.3

Bylaw 20738 - To authorize the City of Edmonton to undertake, construct and finance Integrated Infrastructure Services Project, Beaver Hills House/Michael Phair Parks Upgrades

This item was not selected for debate and was dealt with as part of item 2.5. Bylaw 20738 received first reading.

4.4

Bylaw 20741 - To amend Revised Bylaw 20036, City of Edmonton Integrated Infrastructure Services Project, Edmonton EXPO Centre Rehabilitation, Amendment #2

*Clerk's note: This item was not discussed and Bylaw 20741 received three readings.

• Moved by: T. Cartmell
  Seconded by: J. Rice

  That Bylaw 20741 be read a first time.

  In Favour (13)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (13 to 0)
• Moved by: T. Cartmell
  Seconded by: J. Rice

  That Bylaw 20741 be read a second time.

  In Favour (13)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (13 to 0)
• Moved by: T. Cartmell
  Seconded by: J. Rice

  That Bylaw 20741 be considered for third reading.

  In Favour (13)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (13 to 0)
• Moved by: T. Cartmell
  Seconded by: J. Rice

  That Bylaw 20741 be read a third time.

  In Favour (13)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (13 to 0)

4.5

Bylaw 20742 - To amend Bylaw 20392, City of Edmonton Integrated Infrastructure Services Project, Climate Resilient City Facility Upgrades, Amendment #1

*Clerk's note: This item was not discussed and Bylaw 20742 received three readings.

• Moved by: T. Cartmell
  Seconded by: J. Rice

  That Bylaw 20742 be read a first time.

  In Favour (13)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (13 to 0)
• Moved by: T. Cartmell
  Seconded by: J. Rice

  That Bylaw 20742 be read a second time.

  In Favour (13)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (13 to 0)
• Moved by: T. Cartmell
  Seconded by: J. Rice

  That Bylaw 20742 be considered for third reading.

  In Favour (13)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (13 to 0)
• Moved by: T. Cartmell
  Seconded by: J. Rice

  That Bylaw 20742 be read a third time.

  In Favour (13)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (13 to 0)

4.6

Bylaw 20678 - To Implement the Clean Energy Improvement Program

• Moved by: A. Stevenson
  Seconded by: A. Sohi

  That Bylaw 20678 be read a first time.

  In Favour (12)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (12 to 0)
• Moved by: A. Stevenson
  Seconded by: A. Sohi

  That Attachment 3 of the January 17, 2024, Urban Planning and Economy report UPE02134 remain private pursuant to section 27 (privileged information) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

  In Favour (12)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (12 to 0)
• Moved by: A. Salvador
  Seconded by: A. Stevenson

  That Administration provide a memo outlining when the Clean Energy Improvement Program’s funding has been 80 per cent allocated.

  In Favour (12)

  A. Knack, S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (12 to 0)

5.

Private Reports

There were no Private Reports on the agenda.

6.

Motions Pending

There were no Motions Pending on the agenda.

7.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m., Monday, February 12, 2024.