City Council Public Hearing - Minutes

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Council Chamber, 2nd floor, City Hall
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 9:31 a.m., Thursday, June 26, 2025, and acknowledged that City Council 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.

*Clerk's note: The June 26, 2025, City Council Public Hearing was held over two days: June 26, 2025, and June 27, 2025.

1.2
Roll Call

 

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

Councillor S. Hamilton was absent with notice for a portion of the meeting.

E. Robar, City Manager; and N. Jacobsen, A. Karbashewski, T. Orbell, M. Moussa, E. Norton, R. Zheng, B. Tyson and J. Taves, Office of the City Clerk, were also in attendance.

1.3
Adoption of Agenda

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

    That the June 26, 2025, Special City Council Public Hearing agenda be adopted.

    In Favour (13)A. Sohi, T. Cartmell, S. Hamilton, M. Janz, A. Knack, A. Paquette, K. Principe, J. Rice, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, A. Salvador, K. Tang, and J. Wright
    Carried (13 to 0)
  • Moved by:S. Hamilton
    Seconded by:A. Paquette

    That Attachment 5 be added to the June 26, 2025, Urban Planning and Economy report UPE03001.

    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
Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (A. Sohi)

 

Mayor A. Sohi, on behalf of City Council, welcomed His Excellency, Ambassador Tewodros Girma Abebe, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

2.
Explanation of Public Hearing Process

 

2.1
Call for Persons to Speak

 

Mayor A. Sohi explained the public hearing process. N. Jacobsen, Office of the City Clerk, asked whether there were any persons present to speak to the following bylaw, in panels:

Bylaw 21158 

The following speakers registered in favour:

1. D. Griffiths, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
2. H. Thomson, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
3. K. Anderson, BILD Edmonton Metro
4. I. Orefuja, Black Business Edmonton
5. A. Usenik, Strata Developments
6. B. Murray, BILD Edmonton Metro
7. A. MacIsaac, RIVR Solutions Ltd.
8. R. Jespersen
9. B. Leonard, KV Capital
10. K. Schneider, BILD Edmonton Metro
11. A. Somji, Jaffer Group Inc.
12. G. Pilgrim, Stream-Flo
13. R. Holstein, NAIOP Edmonton
14. C. Yeung, Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels
15. R. Cherlet
16. A. Benedict, 880 CHED Santas Anonymous
17. P. McBryan, Edmonton Downtown Business Association
18. L. McClelland, MacEwan University
19. T. Adams, Free Play for Kids
20. C. Wosnack
21. T. Morton, NorQuest College
22. K. Bull
23. P. Manchanda, Council of India Societies of Edmonton
24. A. Banister
25. S. Sejutee
26. J. Ouellette, Edmonton Youth Basketball Association and Alberta Basketball
27. J. Lenius, Oilers Entertainment Group
28. S. Weber, BHE1 Sports Management
29. C. Kaufman, BHE1 Sports Management
30. M. Stelter, Ben Stelter Foundation
31. J. Ghandour
32. T. Pasma, Hope Mission
33. B. Bacchus
34. V. Nguyen, Boodang Music Canada
35. R. Hay, Oilers Entertainment Group
36. C. Probert, Downtown Edmonton Community League
37. A. Draper
38. G. Gao, Immigration Community Alberta Network Association
39. A. Petrov, Francis Winspear Centre for Music and Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
40. T. Boyd, Oilers Entertainment Group
41. M. Caricari, Armco Captial Inc.
42. C. Dulaba, Rohit Group
43. C. Watson, Downtown Revitalization Coalition
44. H. Au
45. R. Jacques
46. G. Aboughoche
47. T. Shipton, Oilers Entertainment Group

The following speakers registered in opposition:

1. M. Frechette
2. S. Bradshaw, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 569
3. R. Marr
4. G. Mady, Working Families Edmonton
5. E. Tam, City of Edmonton Youth Council
6. T. Phan, City of Edmonton Youth Council
7. B. Magalnick, City of Edmonton Youth Council
8. N. Jalkanen
9. K. Lee, The Secret Garden Studios and The Well Network
10. C. Campbell, Club 97
11. B. Lafortune, Public Interest Alberta
12. K. Joel
13. C. Tessier
14. J. More
15. A. McIntosh
16. M. Katz, City of Edmonton Youth Council
17. A. McDonald
18. E. Estrada, Alberta Avenue Business Association
19. J. Oginski
20. K. Sims, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
21. H. Ali
22. P. Govenlock
23. J. Rockwell
24. A. Ritchie
25. B. Martin, Grindstone Theatre Society
26. A. Ages
27. K. Fong
28. P. Lineker
29. D. Plamondon
30. H. Pukanski, Climate Justice Edmonton
31. W. Day
32. J. Johnson
33. G. Hofs
34. E. Lorberg

3.
Bylaws and Related Reports

 

3.1
Bylaw 21158 - To amend Bylaw 16521, Capital City Downtown Community Revitalization Levy Bylaw, Amendment No. 2

This item has attachments. 
1.Report - UPE03001 - Bylaw 21158 - To amend Bylaw 16521, Capital City Downtown Community Revitalization Levy Bylaw.pdf
2.Attachment 1 - UPE03001 - Bylaw 21158 - To amend Bylaw 16521.pdf
3.Schedule A_ Bylaw 21158 Capital City Downtown Community Revitalization Plan.pdf
4.Attachment 2 - UPE03001 - Independent Analysis of Economic Impact.pdf
5.Attachment 3 - UPE03001 - Economic Impact and Public Benefit Study.pdf
6.Attachment 4 - UPE03001 - Catalyst Project Timing and Enhancement.pdf
7.ADDENDUM Attachment 5 UPE03001.pdf
8.3.1 Presentation - UPE03001 - Bylaw 21158 - To amend Bylaw 16521, Capital City Downtown Community Revitalization Levy Bylaw.pdf
9.3.1 - P. McBryan presentation.pdf
10.3.1 - L. McClelland presentation.pdf
11.Signed Bylaw 21158 - published on July 2, 2025.pdf

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

  • K. Petrin, Deputy City Manager, Urban Planning and Economy
  • A. Laliberte, Urban Planning and Economy
  • B. Latchford, Urban Planning and Economy
  • S. Padbury, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy City Manager, Financial and Corporate Services

Panel 1

The following speakers made presentations in favour:

  • R. Jespersen
  • B. Leonard, KV Capital
  • K. Schneider, BILD Edmonton Metro

The following speakers made presentations and answered questions in favour:

  • D. Griffiths, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
  • H. Thomson, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
  • K. Anderson, BILD Edmonton Metro
  • I. Orefuja, Black Business Edmonton
  • B. Murray, BILD Edmonton Metro
  • A. Somji, Jaffer Group Inc.
  • G. Pilgrim, Stream-Flo
  • R. Holstein, NAIOP Edmonton
  • R. Cherlet

The following speakers made presentations in opposition:

  • E. Tam, City of Edmonton Youth Council
  • T. Phan, City of Edmonton Youth Council
  • K. Lee, The Secret Garden Studios and The Well Network
  • B. Lafortune, Public Interest Alberta
  • K. Joel
  • J. More
  • A. McIntosh

The following speakers made presentations and answered questions in opposition:

  • M. Frechette
  • C. Campbell, Club 97
  • M. Katz, City of Edmonton Youth Council
  • A. McDonald
  • G. Mady, Working Families Edmonton
  • N. Jalkanen 
  • C. Tessier
  • E. Estrada, Alberta Avenue Business Association

Panel 2

The following speakers made presentations in favour:

  • A. Benedict, 880 CHED Santas Anonymous
  • T. Morton, NorQuest College
  • J. Ouellette, Edmonton Youth Basketball Association and Alberta Basketball
  • S. Sejutee
  • S. Weber, BHE1 Sports Management
  • C. Kaufman, BHE1 Sports Management

The following speakers made presentations and answered questions in favour:

  • P. McBryan, Edmonton Downtown Business Association
  • T. Shipton, Oilers Entertainment Group
  • P. Manchanda, Council of India Societies of Edmonton
  • L. McClelland, MacEwan University
  • K. Bull
  • G. Aboughoche
  • C. Wosnack
  • T. Adams, Free Play for Kids

The following speakers made presentations in opposition:

  • H. Ali
  • K. Fong
  • P. Lineker
  • D. Plamondon
  • H. Pukanski, Climate Justice Edmonton 

The following speaker made a presentation and answered questions in opposition:

  • G. Hofs

Panel 3

The following speakers made presentations in favour:

  • V. Nguyen, Boodang Music Canada
  • R. Hay, Oilers Entertainment Group
  • C. Probert, Downtown Edmonton Community League
  • A. Draper
  • G. Gao, Immigration Community Alberta Network Association
  • H. Au

The following speakers made presentations and answered questions in favour:

  • J. Ghandour
  • B. Bacchus
  • A. Petrov, Francis Winspear Centre for Music Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
  • T. Boyd, Oilers Entertainment Group
  • C. Watson, Downtown Revitalization Coalition

Panel 4

The following speakers made presentations in favour:

  • C. Yeung, Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels
  • M. Stelter, Ben Stelter Foundation
  • R. Jacques

The following speakers made presentations in opposition:

  • B. Magalnick, City of Edmonton Youth Council
  • K. Sims, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
  • J. Rockwell
  • E. Lorberg

The following speaker made a presentation and answered questions in opposition:

  • J. Johnson

The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

  • K. Petrin, Deputy City Manager, Urban Planning and Economy
  • S. Padbury, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy City Manager, Financial and Corporate Services
  • C. Ashmore, Employee and Legal Services
  • B. Jarocki, Financial and Corporate Services
  • T. Girvan, Urban Planning and Economy
  • B. Latchford, Urban Planning and Economy
  • A. Laliberte, Urban Planning and Economy
  • C. Watt, Financial and Corporate Services
  • A. Szabo, Financial and Corporate Services
  • M. Bohn, Employee and Legal Services
  • M. Gunther, Acting City Solicitor

A. Giesbrecht, City Clerk, answered questions.

Mayor A. Sohi asked if Council Members had any clarifying questions of anyone registered to speak.

The following speaker answered questions: 

  • T. Shipton, Oilers Entertainment Group

Mayor A. Sohi asked if Council Members had any clarifying questions of anyone registered to speak. There was no one.

  • Motion 1:

    Moved by:A. Knack
    Seconded by:J. Wright

    That Bylaw 21158 be referred back so that:

    • Administration seeks confirmation in writing from the Government of Alberta (GOA) what projects (Schedule A of Bylaw 21158) must be included within the revised Downtown CRL so that it will be approved; and
    • the Mayor, on behalf of Council, seeks confirmation in writing from Government of Alberta what projects (Schedule A of Bylaw 21158) must be included within the revised Downtown Community Revitalization Levy,

    and return to Council with a Bylaw that includes all mandatory projects as per the Government of Alberta, and if no response is received from the Government of Alberta by July 31, 2025, that Administration return to Council with Bylaw 21158 as presented at the June 26, 2025, Special City Council Public Hearing.

  • Moved by:S. Hamilton
    Seconded by:K. Tang

    That the above-noted Motion 1 on the Floor be postponed.

    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)

  • Motion 2:

    Moved by:J. Wright
    Seconded by:A. Knack

    That Bylaw 21158 be referred back to Administration to return when City Council considers the Master Agreement between the City of Edmonton and Oilers Entertainment Group.

  • Moved by:A. Paquette
    Seconded by:E. Rutherford

    That the above-noted Motion 2 on the Floor be postponed.

    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)

  • Motion 1 on the Floor, put:

    Moved by:A. Knack
    Seconded by:J. Wright

    That Bylaw 21158 be referred back so that:

    • Administration seeks confirmation in writing from the Government of Alberta (GOA) what projects (Schedule A of Bylaw 21158) must be included within the revised Downtown CRL so that it will be approved; and
    • the Mayor, on behalf of Council, seeks confirmation in writing from Government of Alberta what projects (Schedule A of Bylaw 21158) must be included within the revised Downtown Community Revitalization Levy,

    and return to Council with a Bylaw that includes all mandatory projects as per the Government of Alberta, and if no response is received from the Government of Alberta by July 31, 2025, that Administration return to Council with Bylaw 21158 as presented at the June 26/27, 2025, Special City Council Public Hearing.

    With the unanimous consent of City Council, Councillor A. Knack withdrew the motion.

    Withdrawn


  • Motion 2 on the Floor, put:

    Moved by:J. Wright
    Seconded by:A. Knack

    That Bylaw 21158 be referred back to Administration to return when City Council considers the Master Agreement between the City of Edmonton and Oilers Entertainment Group.

    In Favour (4)A. Knack, A. Salvador, M. Janz, and J. Wright
    Opposed (9)S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, and K. Principe
    Defeated (4 to 9)

  • *Clerk's note: There was no seconder for the following motion:

    Moved by:M. Janz
    1. That Bylaw 21158 be referred back to Administration to remove all references to Event Park and prepare any necessary amendments to the financial analysis, advertise the updated bylaw and return to a future City Council Public Hearing.
    2. That Administration provide a report to the July 2/4, 2025, City Council meeting with the following information:
      1. The potential to add a question on a ballot for the municipal election related to the public’s support for Event Park as outlined in Bylaw 21158 (Schedule A).
      2. Wording options for the question on the ballot.
      3. Outline implications to the MOU between City of Edmonton, Government of Alberta, Oilers Entertainment Group.
      4. Outline costs and other impacts to the municipal election.
      5. Any other considerations.
  • Moved by:K. Tang
    Seconded by:A. Paquette

    That the Public Hearing on Bylaw 21158 be closed.

    In Favour (12)A. Knack, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe
    Carried (12 to 0)
  • Moved by:A. Stevenson
    Seconded by:A. Sohi

    That Bylaw 21158 be read a first time.

    In Favour (9)S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, J. Rice, K. Tang, A. Stevenson, and K. Principe
    Opposed (4)A. Knack, M. Janz, E. Rutherford, and J. Wright
    Carried (9 to 4)
  • Moved by:A. Stevenson
    Seconded by:A. Sohi

    That Bylaw 21158 be read a second time.

    In Favour (9)S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, J. Rice, K. Tang, A. Stevenson, and K. Principe
    Opposed (4)A. Knack, M. Janz, E. Rutherford, and J. Wright
    Carried (9 to 4)
  • Moved by:A. Stevenson
    Seconded by:A. Sohi

    That Bylaw 21158 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:A. Stevenson
    Seconded by:A. Sohi

    That Bylaw 21158 be read a third time.

    In Favour (9)S. Hamilton, A. Paquette, T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, J. Rice, K. Tang, A. Stevenson, and K. Principe
    Opposed (4)A. Knack, M. Janz, E. Rutherford, and J. Wright
    Carried (9 to 4)

4.
Notices of Motion and Motions without Customary Notice

 

Mayor A. Sohi asked whether there were any Notices of Motion. There were none.

5.
Adjournment

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m., Friday, June 27, 2025.

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