City Council - Non-Regular - Minutes

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

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

Virtual Meeting

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., Wednesday, February 14, 2024, and acknowledged that City Council 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

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

Mayor A. Sohi and Councillors T. Cartmell, S. Hamilton, M. Janz, K. Principe, J. Rice and K. Tang were absent with notice for a portion of the meeting.

A. Corbould, City Manager; and C. Martin, Acting Deputy City Clerk, T. Orbell and A. Karbashewski, Office of the City Clerk, were also in attendance.

1.3

Adoption of Agenda

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

  That the February 14, 2024, City Council Non-Regular meeting agenda be adopted.

  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)

  Changes to Orders of the Day:

  With the unanimous consent of City Council, Lunch was changed from Noon to 1:30 p.m., to 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

  
  
• Moved by: A. Knack
  Seconded by: A. Salvador

  That the Orders of the Day for the February 14, 2024, City Council Non-Regular meeting be changed as follows:

  • Dinner - 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Adjournment - Upon completion of the agenda

  In Favour (9)	A. Knack, A. Paquette, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, J. Rice, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, and J. Wright
  Opposed (1)	S. Hamilton

  Carried (9 to 1)

1.4

Protocol Items

There were no Protocol Items.

2.

Items for Discussion and Related Business

2.1

Select Items for Debate

The following item was selected for debate: 6.1.

2.2

Vote on Reports not Selected for Debate

All items were selected for debate.

2.3

Requests to Speak

*Clerk's note: There was no vote to hear from speakers as item 6.1 was a non-statutory public hearing. The following names of speakers registered were read into the record.

Bylaw 20700

1. M. van der Giessen, Independent Jewish Voices - Edmonton
2. R. Kirchner, Independent Jewish Voices - Edmonton
3. D. Kahane
4. C. Pearen, Pride Corner on Whyte
5. C. Wiebe, Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association - Policing Committee
6. R. Freyja
7. R. Hohnstein, Communist Revolution
8. I. Runkle
9. C. Cottrell-McDermott
10. S. Weber
11. V. Fuentes
12. A. Hryciw, Downtown Recovery Coalition
13. S. Mason, Coalition for Justice and Human Rights
14. C. Schmunk
15. C. Wong
16. D. Griffiths, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
17. P. Schulz, Moms Stop the Harm
18. J. Garber, Independent Jewish Voices - Edmonton
19. E. Hyshka
20. L. Cunningham-Shpeley, Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues
21. J. Wolchansky, Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues
22. G. Mady, Edmonton & District Labour Council
23. L. Moon
24. P. Cotterill
25. R. Feroe
26. L. Cormier, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 569
27. S. Bradshaw, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 569
28. J. Svekla, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 569
29. K. Davis, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 569
30. P. McBryan, Edmonton Downtown Business Association
31. A. Dowsey
32. E. Phillips
33. T. LaRiviere, Accessibility Advisory Committee
34. D. Soneff, MADE - Media Architecture Design Edmonton
35. J. Key
36. K. Ingraham
37. J. Casault, Paths for People
38. N. Chalifoux, Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness
39. V. Daigle
40. K. Mpulubusi
41. P. Morton, Women for Rights and Empowerment
42. M. Edwards de la O, Women for Rights and Empowerment
43. J. Goldberg
44. K. McMorran, Climate Justice Edmonton
45. A. Shypanski
46. R. Arvikar, City of Edmonton Youth Council
47. A. Ahmed, City of Edmonton Youth Council
48. B. Magalnick, City of Edmonton Youth Council
49. T. Phan, City of Edmonton Youth Council
50. M. Katz, City of Edmonton Youth Council
51. T. Lee, Alberta Bicycling Association
52. R. Alhijawi, Palestinian Community
53. R. Gladue, Tawâw Outreach Collective
54. R. Nieuwenhuis
55. J. Gale, Bear Claw Beaver Hills House
56. J. Hoselton
57. S. Myllymaki
58. D. Abdulhameed
59. H. Ali

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.

2.5

Vote on Bylaws not Selected for Debate

All Bylaws were selected for debate.

3.

Reports to be Dealt with at a Different Meeting

There were no Reports to be Dealt with at a Different Meeting.

4.

Requests to Reschedule Reports

There were no Requests to Reschedule Reports. 

5.

Public Reports

There were no Public Reports on the agenda.

6.

Bylaws

6.1

Bylaw 20700 - Public Spaces Bylaw

Mayor A. Sohi explained the non-statutory public hearing process.

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

• M. Plouffe, Chief People Officer and City Solicitor
• E. Pote, City Operations
• N. Jacobsen, Employee and Legal Services
• D. Jones, Acting Deputy City Manager, Community Services

Panel 1

The following public speakers made presentations:

• I. Runkle
• C. Cottrell-McDermott
• A. Hryciw, Downtown Recovery Coalition
• C. Schmunk
• P. Schulz, Moms Stop the Harm

The following public speakers made presentations and answered questions:

• C. Pearen, Pride Corner on Whyte
• C. Wiebe, Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association
• S. Weber
• S. Mason, Coalition for Justice and Human Rights
• C. Wong
• D. Griffiths, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
• J. Garber, Independent Jewish Voices - Edmonton
• E. Hyshka

Panel 2

The following public speakers made presentations:

• L. Cunningham-Shpeley, Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues
• J. Wolchansky, Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues
• P. Cotterill
• R. Feroe
• A. Dowsey
• E. Phlllips
• J. Key
• J. Casault, Paths for People

The following public speakers made presentations and answered questions:

• G. Mady, Edmonton & District Council
• L. Moon
• S. Bradshaw, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 569
• P. McBryan, Edmonton Downtown Business Association
• T. LaRiviere, Accessibility Advisory Committee
• D. Soneff, MADE - Media Architecture Design Edmonton
• K. Ingraham
• L. Cormier, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 569

Panel 3

The following public speakers made presentations:

• N. Chalifoux, Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness
• V. Daigle
• K. Mpulubusi
• P. Morton, Women for Rights and Empowerment
• M. Edwards de la O, Women for Rights and Empowerment
• J. Goldberg
• K. McMorran, Climate Justice Edmonton
• A. Shypanski
• R. Arvikar, City of Edmonton Youth Council
• T. Phan, City of Edmonton Youth Council
• A. Ahmed, City of Edmonton Youth Council
• M. Katz, City of Edmonton Youth Council
• T. Lee, Alberta Bicycling Association
• R. Gladue, Tawâw Outreach Collective
• R. Nieuwenhuis
• J. Gale, Bear Claw Beaver Hills House
• J. Hoselton
• S. Myllymaki
• H. Ali
• D. Kahane

The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

• M. Plouffe, Chief People Office and City Solicitor
• D. Jones, Acting Deputy City Manager, Community Services
• E. Pote, City Operations
• N. Jacobsen, Employee and Legal Services

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

  1. That Bylaw 20700 - Public Spaces Bylaw be referred back to Administration to complete further research and analysis and to incorporate the following into the bylaw report, including any potential further recommended amendments for consideration when this report comes back:

  1. comprehensive GBA+ analysis including data and research including, but not limited to, anti-racism, criminalization of poverty, LGBTQ2S+ specific considerations with public spaces and how these findings were or were not integrated into the proposed bylaw and why;
  2. a climate review with options to support better environmental stewardship in public spaces, including but not limited to, the River Valley;
  3. comprehensive rationale for any fine changes in the proposed bylaw;
  4. a jurisdictional scan of municipal fine amounts for the same infraction where the fine is not the same as current policy or is a new offence; and
  5. a detailed review of the 50 person gathering permit requirement and amplification systems to ensuring the rights to protest and gather are not infringed through this bylaw.
     

  2. That Administration prepare the following amendments to Bylaw 20700 - Public Spaces Bylaw and return to a future Committee meeting:

  1. clarify that “herbicides” are included in section section 44;
  2. refine the definition of “temporary shelters” in section 46 to include for the purpose of sheltering;
  3. delete section 54;
  4. clarify that sidewalk chalk is not included in section 62;
  5. change all minimum fine amounts to specified fines;
  6. remove reference to “inappropriate use of transit spaces” throughout the bylaw;
  7. remove the exception for feeding birds and feral cats in public spaces in section 16; and
  8. clarify that the definition of weapon includes, but is not limited to, the listed items in section 28.

  Due Date: Third Quarter 2024

• Amendment 1:

  Moved by: A. Salvador
  Seconded by: A. Sohi

  That the following be added to Part 2:

  • i. revise the relevant sections of Part XIV to allow bicycles, e-bicycles, e-scooters, inline skates, roller skates, and skateboards in park spaces provided the use does not cause damage; and
  • j. revise the relevant sections of Part XIV to allow bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, inline skates, roller skates, and skateboards in areas where protected active transportation infrastructure does not exist.

  In Favour (9)

  A. Knack, A. Paquette, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (9 to 0)

• Amendment 2:

  Moved by: A. Paquette
  Seconded by: A. Knack

  That 2.f. be replaced with the following:

  • 2.f. remove (or modify) reference to “inappropriate use of transit spaces” throughout the bylaw”.

  In Favour (8)	A. Knack, A. Paquette, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, and K. Principe
  Opposed (1)	J. Wright

  Carried (8 to 1)

• Amendment 3:

  Moved by: K. Principe
  Seconded by: E. Rutherford

  That the following be deleted:

  • 2.c. delete section 54;

  In Favour (2)	A. Paquette, and K. Principe
  Opposed (7)	A. Knack, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, and J. Wright

  Defeated (2 to 7)

• Amendment 4:

  Moved by: K. Principe
  Seconded by: A. Sohi

  Thatthe following be deleted:

  • 2.f. remove (or modify) reference to “inappropriate use of transit spaces” throughout the bylaw”;

  In Favour (1)	K. Principe
  Opposed (8)	A. Knack, A. Paquette, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, and J. Wright

  Defeated (1 to 8)

• Motion as Amended, put:

  Moved by: E. Rutherford
  Seconded by: A. Salvador

  Bylaw 20700 - Public Spaces Bylaw - Additional Information

  1. That Bylaw 20700 - Public Spaces Bylaw be referred back to Administration to complete further research and analysis and to incorporate the following into the bylaw report, including any potential further recommended amendments for consideration when this report comes back:

  1. comprehensive GBA+ analysis including data and research including, but not limited to, anti-racism, criminalization of poverty, LGBTQ2S+ specific considerations with public spaces and how these findings were or were not integrated into the proposed bylaw and why;
  2. a climate review with options to support better environmental stewardship in public spaces, including but not limited to, the River Valley;
  3. comprehensive rationale for any fine changes in the proposed bylaw;
  4. a jurisdictional scan of municipal fine amounts for the same infraction where the fine is not the same as current policy or is a new offence; and
  5. a detailed review of the 50 person gathering permit requirement and amplification systems to ensuring the rights to protest and gather are not infringed through this bylaw.
     

  2. That Administration prepare the following amendments to Bylaw 20700 - Public Spaces Bylaw and return to a future Committee meeting:

  1. clarify that “herbicides” are included in section section 44;
  2. refine the definition of “temporary shelters” in section 46 to include for the purpose of sheltering;
  3. delete section 54;
  4. clarify that sidewalk chalk is not included in section 62;
  5. change all minimum fine amounts to specified fines;
  6. remove reference to “inappropriate use of transit spaces” throughout the bylaw;
  7. remove the exception for feeding birds and feral cats in public spaces in section 16; and
  8. clarify that the definition of weapon includes, but is not limited to, the listed items in section 28;
  9. revise the relevant sections of Part XIV to allow bicycles, e-bicycles, e-scooters, inline skates, roller skates, and skateboards in park spaces provided the use does not cause damage; and
  10. revise the relevant sections of Part XIV to allow bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, inline skates, roller skates, and skateboards in areas where protected active transportation infrastructure does not exist.

  Due Date: Third Quarter 2024, Community and Public Services Committee

  In Favour (9)

  A. Knack, A. Paquette, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (9 to 0)
• Moved by: A. Sohi
  Seconded by: A. Stevenson

  Bylaw Enforcement - Current Practices and Alternative Approaches

  That Administration provide a report to Committee outlining current practices and alternative approaches to ticketing and banning for offences under Bylaw 20700 - Public Space Bylaw that could disproportionately affect unhoused Edmontonians, including but not limited to, diversion strategies that improve unhoused peoples’ situations while maintaining appropriate behaviour in public spaces, such as:

  • options to expunge tickets when services are sought at designated social services or medical facilities;
  • referral to detox or treatment programs for substance use; 
  • referral to a conversation with an Elder; or
  • participation in community service.

  Due Date: To be determined, Community and Public Services Committee

  In Favour (9)

  A. Knack, A. Paquette, A. Sohi, A. Salvador, M. Janz, E. Rutherford, A. Stevenson, J. Wright, and K. Principe

  Carried (9 to 0)

7.

Private Reports

There were no Private Reports on the agenda.

8.

Motions Pending

There were no Motions Pending on the agenda.

9.

Notices of Motion and Motions without Customary Notice

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

10.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m., Wednesday, February 14, 2024.