Community and Public Services Committee - Minutes

Monday, February 10, 2025

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

Council Chamber, 2nd floor, City Hall

Present:

• E. Rutherford, 
• A. Salvador, 
• S. Hamilton, 
• A. Sohi, 
• and A. Stevenson 

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1.

Call to Order and Related Business

1.1

Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement

Councillor E. Rutherford called the meeting to order at 9:31 a.m., Monday, February 10, 2025, and acknowledged that Community and Public 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 E. Rutherford conducted roll call and confirmed the attendance of Members of Community and Public Services Committee.

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

Councillors T. Cartmell, M. Janz, A. Knack, A. Paquette, K. Principe, J. Rice, K. Tang and J. Wright; E. Robar, City Manager; and E. Norton, A. Karbashewski, R. Zheng, T. Orbell, J. Taves, M. Friesen and T. Day, Office of the City Clerk, were also in attendance.

1.3

Adoption of Agenda

• Moved by: A. Salvador

  That the February 10, 2025, Community and Public Services Committee meeting agenda be adopted.

  In Favour (5)

  S. Hamilton, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  Carried (5 to 0)

1.4

Approval of Minutes

• Moved by: A. Salvador

  That the January 20, 2025, Community and Public Services Committee meeting minutes be approved.

  In Favour (5)

  S. Hamilton, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  Carried (5 to 0)

1.5

Protocol Items

1.5.1

Glenora Elementary School (E. Rutherford)

Councillor E. Rutherford, on behalf of Community and Public Services Committee, welcomed the Grade 6 class from Glenora Elementary School in Ward Nakota Isga and their teacher, J. Walczak.

1.5.2

St. Elizabeth Elementary School (E. Rutherford)

Councillor E. Rutherford, on behalf of Community and Public Services Committee, welcomed the Grade 6 class from St. Elizabeth School in Ward Karhiio and their teacher, M. Mann.

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 Community and Public Services Committee hear from the following speakers, in panels when appropriate:

  • 7.1 Bylaw 20700 - Public Spaces Bylaw - Additional Information

  Panel 1:

  1. A. Dowsey
  2. R. Vaugeois, John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights
  3. J. Garber
  4. C. Martin, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
  5. H. Thomson, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
  6. C. Watson, Downtown Revitalization Coalition
  7. R. Kirchner, Independent Jewish Voices Canada, Edmonton Chapter
  8. D. Kahane
  9. L. Huebscher, Edmonton Rowing Club
  10. A. Hryciw, Downtown Revitalization Coalition
  11. H. Paranich
  12. K. MacDonald
  13. K. Heroux
  14. J. Samson
  15. T. Dell, Edmonton Youth for Climate
  16. S. Mikla
  17. L. Baroldi, Building Owners and Managers Association of Edmonton and North
  18. H. Gelderman, Climate Justice Edmonton
  19. J. Gale, Bear Claw Beaver Hills House
  20. J. Levine, Independent Jewish Voices Canada, Edmonton Chapter 

  Panel 2:

  1. S. Falconer, Edmonton Cold Weather Animal Rescue
  2. R. McBeth, Inner City Health and Wellness Program
  3. K. Ingraham, Each + Every
  4. L. Schmunk
  5. I. O'Donnell
  6. C. Pearen, Pride Corner on Whyte
  7. T. Chappell
  8. A. Faiz
  9. H. Ali
  10. N. Chalifoux, Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness
  11. K. Kowalchuk, Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition
  12. R. Feroe, Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition
  13. P. Morton, Edmonton Committee Against War and Racism
  14. K. Fath
  15. M. Edwards de la O, Women for Rights and Empowerment
  16. Earth, Bear Claw Beaver Hills House
  17. L. Moon
  18. F Locock, Food Not Bombs - Edmonton Chapter
  19. B. Smith
  20. J. Mckenna, Climate Justice Edmonton

  Panel 3:

  1. R. Gladue
  2. J. Zhu
  3. Y. Yan
  4. F. Tabladillo
  5. D. McGeown, Arcadia brewing co. 
  6. R. Hanf
  7. B. Magalnick
  8. A. Young
  9. S. Heschuk
  10. D. Plamondon, Alberta Avenue Business Association
  11. E. Estrada
  12. A. Zoud
  13. J. Cardinal
  14. M. Joyce
  15. S. Der, Women for Rights and Empowerment

  In Favour (5)

  S. Hamilton, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

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

  That Community and Public Services Committee hear from the following additional speaker in Panel 2:

  • 7.1 Bylaw 20700 - Public Spaces Bylaw - Additional Information

  21. S. Wasi, YEG Muslim Vote

  In Favour (5)

  S. Hamilton, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  Carried (5 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

Bylaw 20700 - Public Spaces Bylaw - Additional Information

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

• M. Plouffe, Chief People Officer and City Solicitor
• K. Buckley, Employee and Legal Services
• M. Gunther, Employee and Legal Services
• J. Lamarre, City Operations
• J. Wilson, Community Services

Panel 1:

The following public speakers made presentations:

• A. Dowsey
• R. Vaugeois, John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights
• J. Garber
• H. Thomson, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
• C. Martin, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
• C. Watson, Downtown Revitalization Coalition
• R. Kirchner, Independent Jewish Voices Canada, Edmonton Chapter
• A. Hryciw, Downtown Revitalization Coalition
• K. MacDonald
• T. Dell, Edmonton Youth for Climate
• L. Baroldi, Building Owners and Managers Association of Edmonton and North
• H. Gelderman, Climate Justice Edmonton
• J. Gale, Bear Claw Beaver Hills House

The following public speakers made presentations and answered questions:

• J. Levine, Independent Jewish Voices Canada, Edmonton Chapter
• H. Paranich
• L. Huebscher, Edmonton Rowing Club
• D. Kahane

Panel 2:

The following public speakers made presentations:

• R. McBeth, Inner City health and Wellness Program
• K. Ingraham, Each + Every
• I. O'Donnell
• H. Ali
• P. Morton, Edmonton Committee Against War and Racism
• M. Edwards de la O, Women for Rights and Empowerment
• Earth, Bear Claw Beaver Hills House
• L. Moon
• F. Locock, Food Not Bombs - Edmonton Chapter
• B. Smith
• J. Mckenna, Climate Justice Edmonton
• R. Feroe, Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition

The following public speakers made presentations and answered questions:

• S. Falconer, Edmonton Cold Weather Animal Rescue
• C. Pearen, Pride Corner on Whyte
• T. Chappell
• S. Wasi, YEG Muslim Vote

Panel 3:

The following public speakers made presentations:

• R. Gladue
• Y. Yan
• F. Tabladillo
• D. McGeown, Arcadia Brewing Co.
• B. Magalnick
• A. Young
• E. Estrada
• J. Cardinal
• S. Der, Women for Rights and Empowerment

The following public speakers made presentations and answered questions:

• J. Zhu
• S. Heschuk
• D. Plamondon, Alberta Avenue Business Association

The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

• M. Gunther, Employee and Legal Services
• J. Wilson, Community Services
• N. Jacobsen, Office of the City Clerk
• M. Plouffe, Chief People Officer and City Solicitor
• J. Flaman, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
• J. Lamarre, City Operations
• C. Zerebeski, City Operations
• D. Jones, Community Services
• R. Jevne, Community Services
• A. Hynes, Urban Planning and Economy

• Amendment 1:

  Moved by: S. Hamilton

  That Bylaw 20700 be amended by deleting and replacing section 61(3) with:

  61(3) This section does not apply to persons:

  1. on the Edmonton Riverboat; or
  2. operating racing canoes, racing kayaks, or rowing shells when exempted by and in compliance with the Small Vessel Regulations (Canada).

  In Favour (5)

  S. Hamilton, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  Carried (5 to 0)

• Amendment 2:

  Moved by: E. Rutherford

  That Bylaw 20700 be amended by deleting “or permanent” from section 6(g).

  In Favour (5)

  S. Hamilton, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  Carried (5 to 0)

• Amendment 3:

  Moved by: A. Sohi

  That Bylaw 20700 be amended by adding section 40(5):

  40(5) Nothing in this section will be applied or interpreted to prevent the exercise of fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

  In Favour (5)

  S. Hamilton, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  Carried (5 to 0)

• Amendment 4:

  Moved by: A. Salvador

  That Bylaw 20700 be amended by deleting and replacing section 78(1) with:

  78(1) A person must not ride a bicycle, e-bicycle, or e-scooter on a sidewalk.

  In Favour (5)

  S. Hamilton, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  Carried (5 to 0)

• Amendment 5:

  Moved by: E. Rutherford

  That Bylaw 20700 be amended by deleting and replacing “14” with “16” in section 78(2).

  In Favour (5)

  S. Hamilton, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  Carried (5 to 0)

• Amendment 6:

  Moved by: A. Sohi

  That Bylaw 20700 be amended as follows:

  1. renumbering section 16 as section 16(1);
  2. adding section 16(2): Subsection (1) does not apply to feral cats.

  In Favour (5)

  S. Hamilton, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  Carried (5 to 0)
• Moved by: S. Hamilton

  That Community and Public Services Committee recommend to City Council:

  That Bylaw 20700, as amended, be given the appropriate readings.

  In Favour (5)

  S. Hamilton, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, 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

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

Councillor E. Rutherford asked whether there were any Notices of Motion. There were none.

12.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m., Monday, February 10, 2025.