Special Council Services Committee - Minutes

Friday, February 21, 2025

9:30 A.m. - 12:00 P.m.

Council Chamber, 2nd floor, City Hall

Present:

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

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1.

Call to Order and Related Business

1.1

Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement

Councillor A. Knack called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m., Friday, February 21, 2025, and acknowledged that Council Services 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 A. Knack conducted roll call and confirmed the attendance of Members of Council Services Committee.

Councillors T. Cartmell and M. Janz were absent with notice for a portion of the meeting.

Councillor S. Hamilton was absent with notice.

A. Giesbrecht, City Clerk, M. Moussa and D. Molloy, Office of the City Clerk, were also in attendance. 

1.3

Adoption of Agenda

A. Giesbrecht, City Clerk, answered questions.

• Moved by: E. Rutherford

  That the February 21, 2025, Special Council Services Committee meeting agenda be adopted.

  In Favour (10)

  A. Knack, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Salvador, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (10 to 0)

1.4

Protocol Items

1.4.1

St. Clement Catholic Elementary/Junior High School (A. Knack)

Councillor A. Knack, on behalf of Council Services Committee, welcomed the Grade 6 class from St. Clement Catholic Elementary/Junior High School in Ward Karhiio and their teacher, K. Patry. 

2.

Items for Discussion and Related Business

2.1

Select Items for Debate

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

2.2

Vote on Reports not Selected for Debate

All items were selected for debate.

2.3

Requests to Speak

There were no Requests to Speak.

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.

Public Reports

3.1

Council Services Committee Requests Fourth Quarter 2024 Update

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

• A. Giesbrecht, City Clerk 

The following members of Administration’s delegation answered questions: 

• V. Hinderks, Office of the City Clerk 
• K. Buckley, Employee and Legal Services

• Moved by: A. Stevenson

  Bylaw XXXXX - Amendments to Council Code of Conduct Bylaw 18483

  1. That Administration bring forward amendments to Council Code of Conduct Bylaw 18483 that highlight a duty on member of City Council to become familiar on topics that address systemic barriers, including participation in training related to the City of Edmonton Respectful Workplace Policy and Art of Inclusion.

  Due Date: May 21, 2025, City Council

  2. That as part of the 2025-2029 Council Term, Administration coordinate/offer additional training related to topics such as indigenous awareness, anti-racism, respectful and inclusive workplace, diversity and inclusion and inclusive language.

  In Favour (11)

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

  Carried (11 to 0)

3.2

Attending Events (Outside of Ward) - Verbal report

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

• B. Rathgeber, Ethics Advisor

• Moved by: K. Tang

  That the February 21, 2025, Office of the City Clerk verbal report OCC02938, be received for information.

  In Favour (9)

  A. Knack, A. Paquette, A. Salvador, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (9 to 0)

3.3

Use of City Crest / Recognition Certificates - Verbal report

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

• A. Giesbrecht, City Clerk 

The following member of the delegation answered questions:

• B. Rathgeber, Ethics Advisor

• Moved by: K. Tang

  Use of the City Crest (Coat of Arms)

  That Administration provide a report with potential guidelines related to the Use of City Crest (Coat of Arms) by individual Councillors and Ward Offices.

  Due Date: May 6, 2025, Council Services Committee 

  In Favour (9)	A. Knack, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Salvador, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe
  Opposed (1)	J. Rice

  Carried (9 to 1)

4.

Private Reports

There were no Private Reports on the agenda.

5.

Motions Pending

5.1

Councillors' Travel and Conferences Expense Limitations (A. Stevenson)

The following member of Administration’s delegation answered questions: 

• A. Giesbrecht, City Clerk 

• *Clerk’s note: With the unanimous consent of Council Services Committee, Councillor A. Stevenson restated the motion to the following:

  Moved by: A. Stevenson

  That Administration review existing policies and processes to introduce cost guidelines for travel expenses to be covered by the Common budget, with the option for Councillors to supplement through their Ward budgets or at personal expense.

• *Clerk's note: With the unanimous consent of Council Services Committee, the motion was amended.

  Moved by: A. Stevenson

  Motion as Amended, put:

  Councillors' Travel and Conferences Expense Limitations

  That Administration review existing policies and processes to introduce cost guidelines for travel expenses to be covered by the Common budget including revised disclosure requirements (including transportation, food, accommodation and miscellaneous), with the option for Councillors to supplement through their Ward budgets or at personal expense.

  Due Date: May 6, 2025, Council Services Committee

  In Favour (10)

  A. Knack, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Salvador, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (10 to 0)

6.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 11:52 a.m., Friday, February 21, 2025.