CITY OF FORT SASKATCHEWAN

MINUTES

REGULAR COUNCIL

Tuesday, December 13, 2016 - 6:00 PM

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:

Kelly Kloss, City Manager

John Dance, General Manager, Corporate Services

Troy Fleming, General Manager, Infrastructure & Planning Services

Brenda Rauckman, General Manager, Community & Protective Services

Brenda Molter, Director, Legislative Services

Jeremy Emann, Chief Financial Officer

Wendy Kinsella, Director, Corporate Communications

Marshall Wight, Finance Intern

Reade Beaudoin, Digital Media Coordinator

Sheryl Exley, Recording Secretary

1.   Call to Order

Mayor Katchur called the regular Council Meeting of December 13, 2016 to order at 6:00 p.m.

2.   Approval of Minutes of November 21, 2016 Regular Council Meeting

R211-16

MOVED BY Councillor Garritsen that the minutes of the November 21, 2016 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.   Approval of Minutes of November 22, 2016 Regular Council Meeting

R212-16

MOVED BY Councillor Hennig that the minutes of the November 22, 2016 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

4.   Delegations

The following were in attendance to speak in regard to the 2017 Budget:

·         Dale Dach, Fort Saskatchewan Minor Hockey

·         Lisa Makin, Fort Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce

·         Brent Kellington, Fort Saskatchewan Minor Football

·         Howard Johnson, business owner

·         Brian Kelly, business owner and member of the Fort Saskatchewan Chamber of   Commerce

5.   Unfinished Business

5.1   2017 Budget Adoption

        Presented by:  Jeremy Emann, Chief Financial Officer

R213-16

MOVED BY Councillor Blizzard that Council approve the 2017 Operating Budget dated December 13, 2016, establishing total operating revenues and expenditures at $74,225,560, which includes $16,971,982 for the Utilities Budget.

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

                        Sheldon Bossert

Against:            Arjun Randhawa, Ed Sperling

CARRIED

R214-16

MOVED BY Councillor Blizzard that Council approve the 2017 Capital Budget dated December 13, 2016 establishing total capital revenues and expenditures at $19,922,433.

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

                        Sheldon Bossert

Against:            Arjun Randhawa, Ed Sperling

CARRIED

R215-16

MOVED BY Councillor Blizzard that Council approve the Fort Saskatchewan Public Library’s 2017 Operating and Capital Budget dated June 8, 2016, establishing total revenues and expenditures at $1,341,143.

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

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

R203-16

MOVED BY Councillor Blizzard that Council approve an equal distribution of tax reductions between the residential and non-residential sectors.

In Favour:        Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Birgit Blizzard

Against:            Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

DEFEATED

Mayor Katchur called a short recess at 7:12 p.m.

The regular Council Meeting reconvened at 7:18 p.m.

R216-16

MOVED BY Councillor Hennig that Council approve a fixed tax split of 58.5% for non-residential and 41.5% for residential.

In Favour:        Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa, Ed Sperling

Against:            Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert

DEFEATED

R217-16

MOVED BY Councillor Bossert that Council approve a fixed tax split of 58% for non-residential and 42% for residential.

In Favour:        Stew Hennig, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

Against:            Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Arjun Randhawa, Birgit Blizzard

DEFEATED

R218-16

MOVED BY Councillor Sperling that Council maintain the tax split of 59% for non-residential and 41% for residential.

In Favour:        Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa, Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert,

                        Ed Sperling

Against:            Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen

CARRIED

5.2   Quarterly Variance Reports - Progress Update

        Presented by:  Jeremy Emann, Chief Financial Officer

R219-16

MOVED BY Councillor Garritsen that Council refer consideration of the following motion made at the November 14, 2016 regular Council meeting to the January 24, 2017 regular Council meeting:

"That Administration bring a report forward to the December 13, 2016 regular Council meeting:

1.    a report outlining what resources are needed to transition from the current variance reporting process to a new analysis, by department of the monthly actual income and expense reporting as compared to the actual budget for the same period;

2.    the revised variance reporting analysis is to be reviewed quarterly with Council; and

3.    the feasibility of beginning the new process as of March 31, 2017."

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

Against:            Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED

6.   New Business

6.1   Cancellation of January 10, 2017 Regular Council Meeting

        Presented by:  Brenda Molter, Director, Legislative Services

R220-16

MOVED BY Councillor Blizzard that Council cancel the Tuesday, January 10, 2017 regular Council Meeting.

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

                        Sheldon Bossert

Against:            Arjun Randhawa, Ed Sperling

CARRIED

7.   Bylaws

7.1   Bylaw C18-16 – Establish 2017 Fees, Rates and Charges for Services – 3 readings

        Presented by:  Brenda Molter, Director, Legislative Services

R221-16

MOVED BY Councillor Hennig that Council give first reading to Bylaw C18-16, which establishes fees, rates, and charges for services provided by the City of Fort Saskatchewan.

R222-16

MOVED BY Councillor Bossert that Council amend Schedule “A” to Bylaw C18-16 by including the additional new family fees as follows:

·         Harbour Pool:  1 Month Pass ($92.67), and Annual Pass ($926.67)

·         Dow Centennial Centre:  1 Month Pass ($94.75), and Annual Pass ($1,042.25)

·         Multi Facility:  Single Admission ($20.00), Punch Pass-10 Visits ($180.00),

      1 Month Pass ($120.00), and Annual Pass ($1,320.00)

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

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Councillor Resolution #221-16 was voted on, as amended; and

CARRIED

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

                        Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

Against:            Arjun Randhawa

R223-16

MOVED BY Councillor Hennig that Council give second reading to Bylaw C18-16, which establishes fees, rates, and charges for services provided by the City of Fort Saskatchewan.

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

                        Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

Against:            Arjun Randhawa

CARRIED

R224-16

MOVED BY Councillor Hennig that Council provide unanimous consent to proceed with third and final reading to Bylaw C18-16, which establishes fees, rates, and charges for services provided by the City of Fort Saskatchewan.

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

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

R225-16

MOVED BY Councillor Hennig that Council give third reading to Bylaw C18-16, which establishes fees, rates, and charges for services provided by the City of Fort Saskatchewan.

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

                        Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

Against:            Arjun Randhawa

CARRIED

Mayor Katchur called at short recess at 8:15 p.m.

The regular Council Meeting reconvened at 8:21 p.m.

7.2   Bylaw C19-16 - Debenture Sewer Service Reline Construction – 1^st reading

        Presented by:  Marshall Wight, Finance Intern

R226-16

MOVED BY Councillor Sperling that Council give first reading to Bylaw C19-16 to incur indebtedness by the issuance of Debentures to the Alberta Capital Finance Authority for the purpose of sewer service reline construction, in an amount not to exceed $1,200,000.

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

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.   Notice of Motions

8.1  Review of Policies and Processes for Project Management

R227-16

MOVED BY Councillor Randhawa that due to the multi-million dollar budget overages seen for the High Performance Sports Field and Curling Rink Revitalization projects, that Council direct Administration to prepare a report for Council:

1.    to review policies and processes related to project management, including cost estimation, budgeting, risk mitigation plans, including contingency policies, and construction management best practices;

2.    which includes information regarding project deadline policies and best practices from comparable municipalities; and

3.    to be presented to Council in the 2nd Quarter of 2017.

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

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.2  Traffic Lights – Pineview Commercial Site Development

R228-16

MOVED BY Councillor Blizzard that prior to installation, Council approve any future traffic lights along Highway 21 resulting from the Pineview commercial site development.

In Favour:        Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa, Birgit Blizzard, Ed Sperling

Against:            Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Sheldon Bossert

CARRIED

8.3  Notice of Motion – Council Meeting Times

Councillor Garritsen gave notice that he will introduce the following motion at the January 24, 2017 regular Council Meeting:

“Whereas regularly scheduled meetings of Council currently commence at 6:00 pm; and

Whereas the benefits of changing the start time of Council meetings include:

1.    A better work-life balance for Council members and staff;

2.    major decisions are deliberated at a time in which minds may be more alert;

3.    financial savings to the City;

4.    an increase in members of the public who may attend as it does not interfere with evening commitments; and

5.    allows additional time for the local media to meet production deadlines.

Therefore:

That effective the first Council meeting following the 2017 municipal election, regular Council meetings commence at 2:00 p.m.”

8.4  Notice of Motion – Liquor Store Restrictions

Councillor Randhawa gave notice that he will introduce the following motion at the January 24, 2017 regular Council Meeting:

“That Council direct Administration to prepare a Land Use Bylaw amendment for Council’s consideration regarding liquor store’s which would:

1.    Strike a balance between market choice and community safety.

2.    Create a distance requirement for all new liquor stores of 750m from previously established liquor store sites.

3.    Grandfather in existing liquor store locations.

4.    Come forward at the February 28, 2017 regular 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.   In-Camera

R229-16

MOVED BY Councillor Hennig that Council move in-camera at 9:07 p.m. to discuss two matters that fall within one of the exceptions to disclosure in Division 2 of Part 1 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP).

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

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

R230-16

MOVED BY Councillor Hennig that Council return to open session at 9:57 p.m.

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

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

R231-16

MOVED BY Councillor Sperling that the regular Council Meeting be extended past 10:00 p.m.

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

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

R232-16

MOVED BY Councillor Garritsen that the December 13, 2016 regular Council Meeting agenda be amended by adding:  "Appointment of Acting City Manager" as item #11.2.

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

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

11.1  City Boards and Committee Appointments

R233-16

MOVED BY Councillor Bossert that Council approve the following public-at-large appointments to the City’s municipal Boards and Committees, and as recommended by the Application Review Committee for terms commencing on January 1, 2017.

1.    Steven Hull be appointed to the Fort Saskatchewan Policing Committee for a three-year term expiring December 31, 2019.

2.    Cameron McCormick be re-appointed to the Fort Saskatchewan Policing Committee for a three-year term expiring December 31, 2019.

3.    Craig Blackmore be appointed to the Fort Saskatchewan Public Library Board for a three-year term expiring December 31, 2019.

4.    Miranda Brun be re-appointed to the Fort Saskatchewan Public Library Board for a three-year term expiring December 31, 2019.

5.    Nadia den Boon be appointed to the Fort Saskatchewan Public Library Board for a three-year term expiring December 31, 2019.

6.    Al Stewart be appointed to the Fort Saskatchewan Public Library Board for a three-year term expiring December 31, 2019.

7.    Danielle Currie be appointed to the River Valley Alliance Advisory Committee for a two-year term expiring December 31, 2018.

8.    Chris Davis be re-appointed as alternate to the Subdivision & Development Appeal Board for a two-year term expiring December 31, 2018.

9.    Howard Johnson be re-appointed as alternate to the Subdivision & Development Appeal Board for a two-year term expiring December 31, 2018.

10.  Richard Moser be re-appointed to the Subdivision & Development Appeal Board for a two-year term expiring December 31, 2018.

In Favour:        Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa, Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert,

                        Ed Sperling

Against:            Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen

CARRIED

11.2  City Manager Appointment

R234-16

MOVED BY Councillor Garritsen that Council appoint Troy Fleming as the Acting City Manager (CAO), in accordance with the City Manager’s Bylaw #C29-95, effective January 21, 2017.

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

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

R235-16

MOVED BY Councillor Garritsen that Council proceed with the next steps and/or process for selecting a City Manager for the City of Fort Saskatchewan.

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

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

12.   Adjournment

The regular Council Meeting of December 13, 2016 adjourned at 10:06 p.m.