Urban Planning Committee Minutes

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

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

River Valley Room, 1st floor, City Hall

Present:

• A. Stevenson, 
• K. Tang, 
• T. Cartmell, 
• E. Rutherford, 
• and A. Sohi 

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1.

Call to Order and Related Business

1.1

Call to Order and Land Acknowledgment 

Councillor K. Tang called the meeting to order at 9:31 a.m., Wednesday, October 11, 2023, and acknowledged that Urban Planning Committee 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

Councillor K. Tang conducted roll call and confirmed the attendance of Members of Urban Planning Committee.

Mayor A. Sohi is a Committee Member pursuant to section 15(3), Council Committees Bylaw 18156.

Councillor A. Stevenson was absent with notice for a portion of the meeting.

Councillors A. Knack, A. Paquette, K. Principe, J. Rice, A. Salvador and J. Wright; and J. Vizbar, J. Shearer and  B. Tyson, Office of the City Clerk, were also in attendance.

1.3

Adoption of Agenda

• Moved by: T. Cartmell

  That the October 11, 2023, Urban Planning Committee meeting agenda be adopted with the following changes:

  Additions:

  • 7.2 ETSAB: A Review of Winter Mobility and Accessibility of Pathways to Transit Stops
  • 7.3 Administration Response - ETSAB Report: A Review of Winter Mobility and Accessibility of Pathways to Transit Stops
  • 7.4 Youth Perspectives on Transit in Edmonton: An Analytical Report of Ongoing Transit Issues From the Youth Lens
  • 7.5 Administration Response Youth Perspectives on Transit in Edmonton - An Analytical Report of Ongoing Transit Issues from the Youth Lens
  • 9.1 High Speed Mobility Options     
    (Private pursuant to sections 16, 21 and 24 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act)
  
  

  In Favour (4)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, K. Tang, and E. Rutherford

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)

1.4

Approval of Minutes

• Moved by: T. Cartmell

  That the September 19, 2023, Urban Planning Committee meeting minutes be approved.

  
  

  In Favour (4)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, K. Tang, and E. Rutherford

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)

1.5

Protocol Items

1.5.1

Greenfield School (K. Tang)

Councillor K. Tang, on behalf of Urban Planning Committee, welcomed the Grade 5/6 class from Greenfield School in Ward papastew and their teacher, J. Yume Kinjo.

1.5.2

 Ministry of Niger Delta Development (A. Stevenson)

Councillor A. Stevenson, on behalf of Urban Planning Committee, welcomed the Nigerian delegation, visiting from the Ministry of Niger Delta Development.

2.

Items for Discussion and Related Business

2.1

Select Items for Debate

The following items were selected for debate: 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6 and 9.1.

2.2

Vote on Reports not Selected for Debate

• Moved by: K. Tang

  That the recommendations in the following reports be approved:

  • 5.1 Non-Market Affordable Housing Options
  • 5.2 Downtown Community Revitalization Levy (CRL) Financial Incentives Funding Program
  • 5.3 Office Tower Conversions
  
  

  In Favour (4)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, K. Tang, and E. Rutherford

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)

2.3

Requests to Speak

• Moved by: T. Cartmell

  That Urban Planning Committee hear from the following speaker:

  • 7.2 ETSAB: A Review of Winter Mobility and Accessibility of Pathways to Transit Stops
  • 7.3 Administration Response - ETSAB Report: A Review of Winter Mobility and Accessibility of Pathways to Transit Stops

  1. 1. 1. E. Lewis, Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 30
  
  

  In Favour (4)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, K. Tang, and E. Rutherford

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)

2.4

Requests for Specific Time on Agenda

• Moved by: T. Cartmell

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

  • 7.4 Youth Perspectives on Transit in Edmonton: An Analytical Report of Ongoing Transit Issues From the Youth Lens
  • 7.5 Youth Perspectives on Transit in Edmonton: An Analytical Report of Ongoing Transit Issues From the Youth Lens - 1:30 p.m.
  
  

  In Favour (4)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, K. Tang, and E. Rutherford

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)

3.

Councillor Inquiries

3.1

Licences for E-scooters and E-bikes (E. Rutherford)

That Administration provide a report to Committee summarizing the current licence(s) that are issued to vendors that provide services for e-scooters and e-bikes, as well as, a summary of the experience so far reported to the City, any areas for improvement for the launch of the program in the spring, and how program changes were reflected in contracts with vendors.

Due Date: First Quarter 2024

3.2

Arena Data Collection (T. Cartmell)

Can Administration provide the following information via memo:

A list of scheduled closures of all arenas, broken down by individual ice sheet, for the remainder of the 2023-2026 budget period. The memo should include seasonal closures and scheduled closures for maintenance?

Due Date: First Quarter 2024

3.3

Service Revenue/Expense Data Collection (T. Cartmell)

Can Administration provide the following information via memo:

Revenue and expense figures for each of the City’s lines of service / subservice, similar to the performance-based budgeting listing provided in November 2022, in a shareable format, such as a CSV or XLS document, and that these figures reflect the final approved 2023-2026 operating budget as at December 31, 2022?

Due Date: First Quarter 2024

3.4

Property Taxation Revenue Data Collection (T. Cartmell)

Can Administration provide the following information via memo:

A breakdown of Total Taxation Revenue estimates between growth and revenue from existing properties for the remainder of the 4 year operating budget period (2024, 2025, 2026)?

Due Date: First Quarter 2024

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

5.1

Non-Market Affordable Housing Options

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

That the revised due date of First Quarter 2024, Urban Planning Committee, for the Community Services report CS01384, Non-Market Affordable Housing Options, be approved.

Revised Due Date: First Quarter 2024, Urban Planning Committee

5.2

Downtown Community Revitalization Levy (CRL) Financial Incentives Funding Program

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

That the revised due date of October 31, 2023, Urban Planning Committee, for the Urban Planning and Economy report UPE01836, Downtown Community Revitalization Levy (CRL) Financial Incentives Funding Program, be approved.

Revised Due Date: October 31, 2023, Urban Planning Committee

5.3

Office Tower Conversions

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

That the revised due date of October 31, 2023, Urban Planning Committee, for the Urban Planning and Economy report UPE01864, Office Tower Conversions, be approved.

Revised Due Date: October 31, 2023, Urban Planning Committee

6.

Unfinished Business

There was no Unfinished Business on the agenda.

7.

Public Reports

7.1

Naming Committee: Moving Policy to Action Plan

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

• E. McDonald, Naming Committee
• M. Dance, Naming Committee

The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

• T. Pawlyk, Urban Planning and Economy
• C. Sousa, Urban Planning and Economy
• K. Stolarz, Acting City Clerk, Office of the City Clerk

• Moved by: K. Tang

  Naming Policy for the City of Edmonton

  That Administration provide a report on the progress of the recommendations outlined in EXT01996 Naming Committee: Moving Policy to Action Plan, and provide options, including resources and budget, to complete any outstanding recommendations.

  Due Date: Second Quarter 2024, Urban Planning Committee

  
  

  In Favour (3)

  K. Tang, T. Cartmell, and E. Rutherford

  
  
  
  Carried (3 to 0)

7.2

ETSAB: A Review of Winter Mobility and Accessibility of Pathways to Transit Stops

Items 7.2 and 7.3 were dealt with and voted on together (see item 7.3).

7.3

Administration Response - ETSAB Report: A Review of Winter Mobility and Accessibility of Pathways to Transit Stops

Items 7.2 and 7.3 were dealt with and voted on together (see item 7.3).

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

• E. Robar, Deputy City Manager, City Operations
• C. McKeown, Urban Planning and Economy
• C. Hotton-MacDonald, City Operations

The following members of the delegation made a presentation:

• S. Tang, Edmonton Transit Service Advisory Board
• G. General, Edmonton Transit Service Advisory Board

The following public speaker made a presentation and answered questions:

• E. Lewis, Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 30

The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

• C. McKeown, Urban Planning and Economy
• C. Hotton-MacDonald, City Operations
• S. Padbury, Deputy City Manager, Financial and Corporate Services
• K. Scott, Community Services
• E. Robar, Deputy City Manager, City Operations

The following members of the delegation answered questions:

• S. Tang, Edmonton Transit Service Advisory Board
• G. General, Edmonton Transit Service Advisory Board

• Moved by: A. Sohi

  That Urban Planning Committee recommend to City Council:

  1. That an exemption for the LRT Reserve be approved on a one-time basis for the purpose of using the LRT Reserve to fund the Snow and Ice Control program.
  2. That the Parks and Roads Services Branch budget be increased by $2.13 million in 2023, $2.08 million in 2024 and $904,000 in 2025, from the LRT Reserve, on a one-time basis to fund the Snow and Ice Control program.
  
  
  
  
  

• Amendment: 

  Moved by: E. Rutherford

  That a Part 3 be added as follows: 

  3. That a one-time multi-year funding (2024 - $840,000, 2025 - $842,000 and 2026 - $843,000) for the assisted snow program service package, be approved.

  
  

  In Favour (5)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (5 to 0)

• Motion as Amended, put: 

  Moved by: A. Sohi

  That Urban Planning Committee recommend to City Council:

  1. That an exemption for the LRT Reserve be approved on a one-time basis for the purpose of using the LRT Reserve to fund the Snow and Ice Control program.
  2. That the Parks and Roads Services Branch budget be increased by $2.13 million in 2023, $2.08 million in 2024 and $904,000 in 2025, from the LRT Reserve, on a one-time basis to fund the Snow and Ice Control program.
  3. That a one-time multi-year funding (2024 - $840,000, 2025 - $842,000 and 2026 - $843,000) for the assisted snow program service package, be approved.
  
  

  In Favour (5)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (5 to 0)

7.4

Youth Perspectives on Transit in Edmonton: An Analytical Report of Ongoing Transit Issues From the Youth Lens

Items 7.4 and 7.5 were dealt with and voted on together. (see item 7.5)

7.5

Administration Response Youth Perspectives on Transit in Edmonton - An Analytical Report of Ongoing Transit Issues from the Youth Lens

Items 7.4 and 7.5 were dealt with and voted on together. (see item 7.5)

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

• E. Robar, Deputy City Manager, City Operations
• S. Feldman, City Operations

The following members of the delegation made a presentation:

• A. Humura, City of Edmonton Youth Council
• T. Phan, City of Edmonton Youth Council

The following members of the delegation answered questions:

• A. Humura, City of Edmonton Youth Council
• T. Phan, City of Edmonton Youth Council
• B. Magalnick, City of Edmonton Youth Council
• A. Sharma, City of Edmonton Youth Council

The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

• C. Hotton-MacDonald, City Operations
• S. Feldman, City Operations

• Moved by: K. Tang
  1. That the October 11, 2023, City of Edmonton Youth Council report EXT02022, be received for Information.
  2. That the October 11, 2023, City Operations report CO02029, be received for information.
  
  

  In Favour (5)

  A. Stevenson, K. Tang, T. Cartmell, E. Rutherford, and A. Sohi

  
  
  
  Carried (5 to 0)

7.6

Regional Agriculture Master Plan (RAMP) Regional Context Statement 

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

• I. Gallagher, Urban Planning and Economy

The following member of Administration's delegation answered questions:

• G. Davis, Urban Planning and Economy
• K. Petrin, Acting Deputy City Manager, Urban Planning and Economy

• Moved by: A. Sohi

  That Urban Planning Committee recommend to City Council:

  That the Regional Agriculture Master Plan (RAMP) Regional Context Statement as set out in Attachment 1 of the October 11, 2023, Urban Planning and Economy report UPE01950 be approved and that Administration be authorized to refer it to the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board for information.

  
  

  In Favour (5)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (5 to 0)

8.

Responses to Councillor Inquiries

There were no Responses to Councillor Inquiries on the agenda.

9.

Private Reports

9.1

High Speed Mobility Options

• Moved by: A. Stevenson

  That Urban Planning Committee meet in private pursuant to sections 16 (disclosure harmful to business interests of a third party), 21 (disclosure harmful to intergovernmental relations) and 24 (advice from officials) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the discussion of item 9.1.

  Urban Planning Committee met in private at 2:31 p.m., Wednesday, October 11, 2023.

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

  • R. Toohey, Urban Planning and Economy

  The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

  • K. Snyder, Urban Planning and Economy
  • K. Petrin, Acting Deputy City Manager, Urban Planning and Economy
  • A. Laughlin, Acting City Manager
  
  

  In Favour (5)

  A. Stevenson, K. Tang, T. Cartmell, E. Rutherford, and A. Sohi

  
  
  
  Carried (5 to 0)
• Moved by: A. Stevenson

  That Urban Planning Committee meet in public.

   

  
  

  In Favour (5)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (5 to 0)

  Urban Planning Committee met in public at 2:56 p.m., Wednesday, October 11, 2023.

  
  
• Moved by: K. Tang
  1. That the October 11, 2023, Urban Planning and Economy report UPE01616, be received for information.
  2. That the October 11, 2023, Urban Planning and Economy report UPE01616 remain private pursuant to sections 16 (disclosure harmful to business interests of a third party), 21 (disclosure harmful to intergovernmental relations) and 24 (advice from officials) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. 
  
  

  In Favour (5)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (5 to 0)

10.

Motions Pending

10.1

Licenses for E-scooters and E-bikes (E. Rutherford)

Councillor E. Rutherford stated that they would not be making the motion for which they had given notice at the September 12/13, 2023, City Council meeting.

11.

Notices of Motion and Motions without Customary Notice

11.1

Construction Site Safety and Accountability - Impact Assessment report - Attachment (E. Rutherford)

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

That Administration provide as an attachment, to the UPE01993 Construction Site Safety and Accountability - Impact Assessment report, the specific roles and responsibilities involved in the construction process (i.e. from permitting to occupancy) and identify what changes or improvements have taken place in the last 20 years for the following: 

1. 1. a permit applicant (owner), 
   2. associated professionals and parties with the project, and 
   3. the City, as the Authority Having Jurisdiction for the administration of the Safety Codes Act.

• Notice of Motion Given: October 11, 2023, Urban Planning Committee

11.2

Castledowns Pointe and Construction Accountability (E. Rutherford)

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

That Administration provide a report including: 

1. A review of the Castledowns Pointe construction documents, timelines and any other historical information that is relevant and share any lessons learned on construction accountability and development and monitoring processes. 
2. An advocacy strategy to other orders of government to strengthen construction accountability.

• Notice of Motion Given: October 11, 2023, Urban Planning Committee

12.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 11, 2023.