CITY OF FORT SASKATCHEWAN

MINUTES

REGULAR COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 23, 2017 - 6:00 p.m.

Council Chambers – City Hall

Present:

Members of Council:

Mayor Gale Katchur

Councillor Birgit Blizzard

Councillor Sheldon Bossert

Councillor Frank Garritsen

Councillor Stew Hennig

Councillor Arjun Randhawa

Councillor Ed Sperling

Administration:

Troy Fleming, Acting City Manager

John Dance, General Manager, Corporate Services

Brenda Rauckman, General Manager, Community & Protective Services and Fire Chief

Brad Ward, Director, Protective Services

Mark Morrissey, Director, Economic Development

Diane Yanch, Director, Culture Services

Brenda Molter, Director, Legislative Services

Wendy Kinsella, Director, Corporate Communications

Reade Beaudoin, Digital Media Coordinator

Sheryl Exley, Recording Secretary

1.   Call to Order

Mayor Katchur called the regular Council meeting of May 23, 2017 to order at 6:00 p.m.

2.   Approval of Minutes of May 9, 2017 Regular Council Meeting

R101-17

MOVED BY Councillor Hennig that the minutes of the May 9, 2017 regular Council meeting be adopted as presented.  

In Favour:        Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa,

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.   Delegations

None.

4.   Presentations

4.1  West River’s Edge Lions Community Pond Floating Dock Update

Don Westman, Fort Saskatchewan Lions Club was in attendance to provide an update on the West River’s Edge Lions Community Pond Floating Dock, and to announce a date for the dock’s grand opening, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 24, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.  Mr. Westman also presented a cheque to the City in the amount of $66,000 representing the balance owing for the dock.

4.2  Truth and Reconciliation Indigenous Awareness Event

Gerald Auger was in attendance to provide information on a proposed intensive, all-inclusive three-day education and teaching program aimed to highlight awareness of Indigenous people, the culture and land based teachings that focus to pre-colonization days.  Mr. Auger requested a fee waiver for the use of the North West Mounted Police Fort for the event.

R102-17

MOVED BY Councillor Garritsen that Council waive the fees for the rental of the North West Mounted Police Fort Program Space and Grounds for 3 x 12 hour days, costs not to exceed $3,142.83 for the Truth and Reconciliation Awareness Week activities. 

In Favour:        Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa,

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.   Unfinished Business

None.

6.   New Business

6.1  RCMP 2017/2018 Annual Performance Plan Priorities

Presented by Brad Ward, Director, Protective Services and Inspector Chris Culhane, Fort Sask. RCMP Detachment

R103-17

MOVED BY Councillor Sperling that Council approve the RCMP 2017/2018 Annual Performance Plan Priorities as identified in the May 23, 2017 Council Report.

In Favour:        Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa,

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.2  Edmonton Metropolitan Region Economic Development Entity

Presented by:  Mark Morrissey, Director, Economic Development

R104-17

MOVED BY Councillor Blizzard that the City of Fort Saskatchewan subscribe for a share in the Part 9 Company to be incorporated for Regional Economic Development in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, and agree to a 3-year funding commitment to the Company with such annual payout not to exceed $50,000 for 2017 to be funded from the Financial Stabilization Reserve, $100,000 in 2018 and $150,000 in 2019 to be funded from the ongoing operating budget.

In Favour:        Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Stew Hennig, Birgit Blizzard,

                        Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

Against:  Arjun Randhawa

CARRIED

R105-17

MOVED BY Councillor Blizzard as required by the Articles of Association of the Company, that Council appoint the Mayor to serve as the elected representative of the City of Fort Saskatchewan and in the event that the Mayor is unable to attend any meeting of the shareholders that Council appoint the Deputy Mayor to serve as the alternate elected representative. 

In Favour:        Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa,

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.3  Shell Theatre Housing Lighting

Presented by:  Diane Yanch, Director, Culture Services

R106-17

MOVED BY Councillor Sperling that Council amend the 2017 Capital Budget and approve $87,412 to replace existing house lighting fixtures with LED fixtures at the Shell Theatre from the Self-Financing Infrastructure Reserve.

In Favour:        Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa,

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.   Bylaws

None.

8.   Notice of Motion

8.1  Residential Property Rebates

R107-17

MOVED BY Councillor Randhawa that Council direct Administration to create an implementation strategy to take $1,000,000 of the total 2016 surplus funds and distribute a rebate evenly to all residential properties in the City of Fort Saskatchewan.  The implementation strategy is to be prepared and presented at the June 13, 2017 regular Council meeting.

In Favour:        Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

Against:            Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Birgit Blizzard

CARRIED

8.2  Purchase or Lease of Land

Councillor Hennig gave notice that he will introduce the following motion at the June 13, 2017 regular Council meeting:

“I will introduce a motion to be discussed in-camera which falls under an exception to disclosure in Section 23(1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) relating to the purchase or lease of land.”

8.3  Amend Procedure Bylaw C1-16

Councillor Sperling gave notice that he will introduce the following motion at the June 13, 2017 regular Council meeting:

“That Council direct Administration to amend Procedure Bylaw C1-16, Section 12.7 to state:  During a Council meeting the Chair shall invite members of the public to speak to any matter that is considered relevant to the City of Fort Saskatchewan.  The speaker shall be granted a maximum of five minutes to speak to an item, followed by clarifying questions of Council.  In the event that all persons who expressed an interested to speak cannot be heard within the allotted thirty minutes at the beginning of the Council meeting they will be invited to attend the next Council meeting.  Dialogue that pertains to a public hearing shall only be heard during the public hearing portion of the Council meeting.”

9.   Points of Interest

Members of Council were given the opportunity to bring forward information that would be of interest to the public.

10.   Councillor Inquiries

Members of Council were given the opportunity to ask questions and provide concerns and comments.

11.   Adjournment

The regular Council meeting of May 23, 2017 adjourned at 8:43 p.m.