Community and Public Services Committee Minutes

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

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

Council Chamber, 2nd floor, City Hall

Present:

• A. Paquette,
• J. Dziadyk,
• A. Knack,
• and M. Nickel

---

1.

Call to Order and Related Business

1.1

Call to Order

Councillor A. Paquette called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m., Wednesday, March 24, 2021, and acknowledged that Community and Public Services Committee meets on the traditional land of Treaty 6 Territory. 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 Metis and Inuit, and now settlers from around the world.

1.2

Roll Call

Councillor A. Paquette conducted roll call and confirmed the attendance of Members of Community and Public Services Committee.

*Mayor D. Iveson is a Committee Member pursuant to section 15(3), Council Committee Bylaw 18156

Mayor D. Iveson; and Councillors J. Dziadyk, A. Knack, M. Nickel and A. Paquette participated electronically.

Councillors M. Banga, T. Cartmell, T. Caterina, B. Esslinger, S. Hamilton, B. Henderson, and S. McKeen; S. McKerry, L. Kjorlien and R. Zheng, Office of the City Clerk, were also in attendance.

1.3

Adoption of Agenda

• Moved by: M. Nickel

  That the March 24, 2021, Community and Public Services Committee meeting agenda be adopted with the following change:
  
  Addition:
  7.1 Extreme Weather Protocol (D. Iveson)

  In Favour (4)

  A. Paquette, J. Dziadyk, A. Knack, and M. Nickel

  Carried (4 to 0)

1.4

Approval of Minutes

• Moved by: A. Knack

  That the minutes from the following meetings be approved:

  • February 25, 2021, Community and Public Services Committee - Non-Regular
  • March 3, 2021, Community and Public Services Committee

  In Favour (4)

  A. Knack, J. Dziadyk, M. Nickel, and A. Paquette

  Carried (4 to 0)

1.5

Protocol Items

There were no Protocol Items.

2.

Items for Discussion and Related Business

2.1

Select Items for Debate

• The following items were selected for debate: 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.5, 6.7, 6.8, 7.1 and 9.1.

  In Favour (4)

  A. Knack, J. Dziadyk, M. Nickel, and A. Paquette

  Carried (4 to 0)

2.2

Vote on Reports not Selected for Debate

• That the recommendations in the following reports be approved:

  • 5.1 Edmonton Public School Board - Pool Operating Cost Sharing
  • 5.2 Weed Control Program - Reduction in Funding
  • 6.4 Peace Officer Statistics - 2020 Year-end Report
  • 6.6 Castle Downs Family YMCA Funding Agreement

2.3

Requests to Speak

• Moved by: A. Paquette

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

  • 6.5 Bylaw 19580 - Amendments to the Fire Rescue Services Bylaw 15309
    1. J. Adria (previously approved at the March 3, 2021, Community and Public Services Committee meeting)
    2. T. Wilson (previously approved at the March 3, 2021, Community and Public Services Committee meeting)
    3. P. Logan, Canadian National Fireworks Association (previously approved at the March 3, 2021, Community and Public Services Committee meeting)
    4. R. Schnitzler (previously approved at the March 3, 2021, Community and Public Services Committee meeting)
    5. B. Schnitzler (previously approved at the March 3, 2021, Community and Public Services Committee meeting)
    6. N. Bhardwaj, Bhartiya Cultural Society of Alberta
  • 6.7 Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues - Request to Reallocate Council-approved Funds
    1. L. Cunningham-Shpeley, Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues
  • 6.8 Vehicle for Hire Annual Report - 2021 Update
    1. L. Burtic
    2. S. Burtic
    3. J. Waterman
    4. P. Strong, Greater Edmonton Taxi Service Inc.
    5. S. Vezina

  In Favour (4)

  A. Knack, J. Dziadyk, M. Nickel, and A. Paquette

  Carried (4 to 0)
• Moved by: A. Knack

  That Community and Public Services Committee hear from the following speaker:

  • 6.1 Transit Tickets and No Fixed Address
  • 6.2 Transit Fare Fines
  • 6.3 Community Safety and Well-being - Bylaw Review
    1. P. Gorsak, Free Transit Edmonton

  In Favour (4)

  A. Paquette, J. Dziadyk, A. Knack, and M. Nickel

  Carried (4 to 0)
• Moved by: A. Paquette

  That Community and Public Services Committee hear from the following speaker:

  • Extreme Weather Protocol (D. Iveson)
    
    1. R. Houle

  With the unanimous consent of Community and Public Services Committee, the motion carried.

  
  
• Moved by: A. Paquette

  That Community and Public Services Committee hear from the following speaker:

  • 6.1 Transit Tickets and No Fixed Address
  • 6.2 Transit Fare Fines
  • 6.3 Community Safety and Well-being - Bylaw Review
    1. J. Vargas, Free Transit Edmonton

  With the unanimous consent of Community and Public Services Committee, the motion carried.

  
  

2.4

Requests for Specific Time on Agenda

• Moved by: M. Nickel

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

  • 6.5 Bylaw 19580 - Amendments to the Fire Rescue Services Bylaw 15309 - Second item of business
  • 6.7 Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues - Request to Reallocate Council-approved Funds - First item of business

  In Favour (4)

  A. Knack, J. Dziadyk, M. Nickel, and A. Paquette

  Carried (4 to 0)

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

5.1

Edmonton Public School Board - Pool Operating Cost Sharing

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 April 14, 2021, be approved.

Revised Due Date: April 14, 2021

5.2

Weed Control Program - Reduction in Funding

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 May 28, 2021, be approved.

Revised Due Date: May 28, 2021

5.3

Hosting Events and Festivals in the City

R. Smyth, Deputy City Manager, Citizen Services, answered questions.

• Moved by: A. Knack

  That the revised due date of June 30, 2021, be approved.
  
  Revised Due Date: June 30, 2021

  In Favour (4)

  A. Knack, J. Dziadyk, M. Nickel, and A. Paquette

  Carried (4 to 0)

6.

Reports

6.1

Transit Tickets and No Fixed Address

Items 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 were dealt with together.

R. Smyth, Deputy City Manager, and D. Aitken, Citizen Services; and C. Hotton-MacDonald, City Operations, made a presentation.

J. Vargas, Free Transit Edmonton, made a presentation and answered questions.

D. Aitken and J. Foord, Citizen Services; C. Hotton-MacDonald, City Operations; and N. Jacobsen, Office of the City Manager (Legal Services), answered questions.

• Moved by: A. Paquette

  That Community and Public Services Committee recommend to City Council:

  1. That Administration prepare amendments to the Conduct of Transit Passengers Bylaw 8353 provisions regarding loitering, including recommendations for exempting helping agencies and organizations, their corresponding social workers and anyone accessing these services in transit stations as part of a whole systems approach to community safety and transit.
  2. That Administration work with community partners including but not limited to Boyle Street, REACH, Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, Bissell Centre, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mosaic Centre, iHuman, Native Counselling Services of Alberta and YESS to increase referrals to 24/7 Crisis Diversion, and return to Committee with program and/or delivery proposal(s) for agencies to provide access to supports and services within transit stations.

  Due Date: First Quarter 2022

  In Favour (4)

  A. Paquette, J. Dziadyk, A. Knack, and M. Nickel

  Carried (4 to 0)

6.2

Transit Fare Fines

Items 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 were dealt with together.

• Moved by: A. Paquette

  That Community and Public Services Committee recommend to City Council:

  1. That Administration prepare amendments to the Conduct of Transit Passengers Bylaw 8353 to reduce the current fine amount for fare evasion from $250 to $150, to be in line with other jurisdictions as outlined in Attachment 3 of the March 24, 2021, City Operations report CR_7813.
  2. That Administration work with social agency partners to co-create equitable fine repayment options, including options to allow for proof of purchase of a monthly transit pass within a two week period, and conduct an anti-racism review of current low income fare programs to remove barriers and support equitable participation from those who need support, and provide a report back.

  Due Date: First Quarter 2022

  In Favour (4)

  A. Paquette, J. Dziadyk, A. Knack, and M. Nickel

  Carried (4 to 0)

6.3

Community Safety and Well-being - Bylaw Review

Items 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 were dealt with together.

• Moved by: J. Dziadyk

  That the March 24, 2021, Citizen Services report CR_8484, be received for information.

  In Favour (4)

  A. Paquette, J. Dziadyk, A. Knack, and M. Nickel

  Carried (4 to 0)

6.4

Peace Officer Statistics - 2020 Year-end Report

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

That the March 24, 2021, Citizen Services report CS00185, be received for information.

6.5

Bylaw 19580 - Amendments to the Fire Rescue Services Bylaw 15309

R. Smyth, Deputy City Manager, Citizen Services; and J. Zatylny, Edmonton Fire Services, made a presentation.

R. Schnitzler, made a presentation.

J. Adria; T. Wilson; P. Logan, Canadian National Fireworks Association; and N. Bhardwaj, Bhartiya Cultural Society of Alberta, made presentations and answered questions.

R. Smyth, Deputy City Manager, Citizen Services; J. Zatylny and R. Croome, Edmonton Fire Services; and L. Ramaswamy, Office of the City Manager (Legal Services), answered questions.

• Moved by: A. Knack

  That Community and Public Services Committee recommend to City Council:

  1. That Bylaw 19580 be amended as follows:
     1. Delete section 3
     2. Delete section 2(a) from Schedule B
  2. That Bylaw 19580, as amended, be given the appropriate readings.
  3. That Administration, in consultation with appropriate stakeholders, review requirements related to fireworks and provide draft amendments to ensure the safety of Edmontonians while removing barriers/costs.

  In Favour (4)

  A. Knack, J. Dziadyk, M. Nickel, and A. Paquette

  Carried (4 to 0)

6.6

Castle Downs Family YMCA Funding Agreement

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

That the funding agreement between the City of Edmonton and the YMCA of Northern Alberta for one-time funding of up to $1 million, as outlined in Attachment 1 of the March 24, 2021, Citizen Services report CS00256, be approved, and that agreement be in form and content acceptable to the City Manager.

6.7

Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues - Request to Reallocate Council-approved Funds

R. Smyth, Deputy City Manager, Citizen Services, made a presentation.

L. Cunningham-Shpeley, Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, made a presentation and answered questions.

• Moved by: M. Nickel

  That Community and Public Services Committee recommend to City Council:
  
  That the Edmonton Federation of Community League’s request to reallocate $78,000, as outlined in the March 24, 2021, Citizen Services report CS00199, be approved.

  In Favour (4)

  A. Paquette, J. Dziadyk, A. Knack, and M. Nickel

  Carried (4 to 0)

6.8

Vehicle for Hire Annual Report - 2021 Update

S. McCabe, Deputy City Manager, and K. Petrin, Urban Form and Corporate Strategic Development, made a presentation.

L. Burtic made a presentation.

S. Burtic; J. Waterman; P. Strong, Greater Edmonton Taxi Service Inc.; and S. Vezina, made presentations and answered questions.

• Moved by: M. Nickel

  That Community and Public Service Committee recommend to City Council:

  1. That the 2021 fees within Vehicle For Hire Bylaw 17400, for dispatch and vehicle licences, be waived by 50 percent.
  2. That the 2021 fees within Vehicle For Hire Bylaw 17400, for dispatch and vehicle licenses for limousines, be waived by 100 percent.
  3. That Administration provide amendments to Vehicle For Hire Bylaw 17400 to remove the requirement to provide trip logs for limousines.

  In Favour (4)

  A. Knack, J. Dziadyk, M. Nickel, and A. Paquette

  Carried (4 to 0)

7.

Responses to Councillor Inquiries

7.1

Extreme Weather Protocol (D. Iveson)

R. Smyth, Deputy City Manager, Citizen Services; and A. Kemp, Edmonton Police Service, made a presentation.

R. Houle, made a presentation and answered questions.

R. Smyth, Deputy City Manager, J. Foord, and D. Aitken, Citizen Services; A. Kemp, Edmonton Police Service; and N. Jacobsen, Office of the City Manager (Legal Services), answered questions.

• Moved by: D. Iveson

  That the March 24, 2021, Citizen Services report CS00443, be received for information.

  In Favour (4)

  A. Knack, J. Dziadyk, M. Nickel, and A. Paquette

  Carried (4 to 0)

8.

Motions Pending

There were no Motions Pending on the agenda.

9.

Private Reports

• Moved by: M. Nickel

  That Community and Public Services Committee meet in private pursuant to section 16 (disclosure harmful to business interests of a third party) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the discussion of item 9.1.

  In Favour (4)

  A. Paquette, J. Dziadyk, A. Knack, and M. Nickel

  Carried (4 to 0)

  Community and Public Services Committee met in private at 11:38 a.m., Wednesday, March 24, 2021.

  
  
• Moved by: M. Nickel

  That Community and Public Services Committee meet in public.

  In Favour (4)

  A. Paquette, J. Dziadyk, A. Knack, and M. Nickel

  Carried (4 to 0)

  Community and Public Services Committee met in public at 11:45 a.m., Wednesday, March 24, 2021.

  
  

9.1

Major Event License Agreement

Community and Public Services Committee met in private at 11:38 a.m., Wednesday, March 24, 2021.

Rob Smyth, Deputy City Manager, and R. Jevne, Citizen Services, answered questions.

Community and Public Services Committee met in public at 11:45 a.m., Wednesday, March 24, 2021.

• Moved by: A. Knack
  1. That the Recommended Actions, as outlined in Attachment 2 of the March 24, 2021, Citizen Services report CS00389, be approved.
  2. That the March 24, 2021, Citizen Services report CS00389 remain private pursuant to section 16 (disclosure harmful to business interests of a third party) and 25 (disclosure harmful to economic and other interests of a public body) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act until after a public announcement of the event has been made by the promoter.

  In Favour (4)

  A. Knack, J. Dziadyk, M. Nickel, and A. Paquette

  Carried (4 to 0)

10.

Notices of Motion and Motions without Customary Notice

Councillor A. Paquette asked whether there were any Notices of Motion. There were none.

11.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 5:04 p.m., Wednesday, March 24, 2021.