CITY OF FORT SASKATCHEWAN

MINUTES

REGULAR COUNCIL

Tuesday, April 25, 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

Brenda Molter, Director, Legislative Services

Jeremy Emann, Chief Financial Officer

Richard Gagnon, Director, Infrastructure Management

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 April 25, 2017 to order at 6:00 p.m.

R72-17

MOVED BY Councillor Garritsen that the April 25, 2017 regular Council Meeting agenda be amended by deleting item #11 "In-Camera."

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

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2.   Approval of Minutes of April 11, 2017 Regular Council Meeting

R73-17

MOVED BY Councillor Blizzard that the minutes of the April 11, 2017 In-Camera and 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

The following individual was in attendance to speak in favour of Property Tax Bylaw C8-17:

·         David Coleman, Fort Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce

The following individuals were in attendance to speak against Property Tax Bylaw C8-17:

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

·         Howard Johnson, business owner

Howard Johnson, business owner also spoke regarding the delegations portion of Council Meetings and felt that there should be no restrictions on the ability for residents to speak at Council Meetings.

The following were in attendance to speak in support of the proposed Governance Review:

·         Nicki Allan, resident

·         John Zabiuk, resident

·         John Mather, resident

·         Jennifer Lucas, resident

·         Heather Fex Verhoeven, resident

·         Tom Hutchison, resident

4.   Presentation

4.1   Friends of the Traders

Gord Thibodeau from Friends of the Traders was in attendance to provide a presentation on the feasibility of an Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) team relocating to the City of Fort Saskatchewan.

Councillor Bossert raised a “Point of Order” to the Chair and requested that item #8.1 Governance Review be the next item addressed.

The Chair ruled in favour of changing the agenda order to address the Governance Review.

8.   Notice of Motion

8.1   Governance Review

R74-17

MOVED BY Councillor Sperling that Council direct Administration to retain the services of Strategic Steps Inc., to conduct a comprehensive Governance Review of the City of Fort Saskatchewan, not to exceed $25,000 and to be funded from the Financial Stabilization Reserve. Ed Sperling

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

Against:            Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Birgit Blizzard

CARRIED

5.   Unfinished Business

5.1   Repealing of Council Policies

Presented by:  Brenda Molter, Director, Legislative Services

R66-17

MOVED BY Councillor Garritsen that Council repeal the following Council policies:

§  GEN-015-A – Internet Access

§  GEN-019-A – Use of Wireless Communication Devices While Operating Mobile Equipment

§  GEN-020-A – Computer and Network Resources Acceptable Use

§  HUM-001-A – Employee Recognition Award Program

§  HUM-015-A – Local Authorities Pension Plan

§  HUM-024-A – Respectful Workplace

§  HUM-026-A – Attendance Management

§  SAF-001-A – Health & Safety

§  SAF-016-A – Drug & Alcohol

§  SAF-017-A – Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee

§  GEN-004-C – Camping in Temporary/Overflow Locations

§  GEN-009-C – Memorials

§  GEN-018-C – Electronic Message Sign

§  HUM-002-C – Administrative Group Benefits

§  HUM-016-C – Service Awards

§  HUM-025-C – Opted Out and Excluded Group Benefits

§  GOV-003-C – Facility Users Insurance Requirements

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

                        Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.   New Business

6.1   2016 Audited Consolidated Financial Statements

Presented by:  Jeremy Emann, Chief Financial Officer and Carlie Persson, Lead Engagement Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

R75-17

MOVED BY Councillor Blizzard that Council receive and authorize for release the 2016 Audited Consolidated Financial Statements as presented.

In Favour:        Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa,                         Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.2   2016 Operating Budget Update

Jeremy Emann, Chief Financial Officer presented Council with information on the 2016 operating budget annual surplus.

6.3   Appointment of Assessment Review Board Members

Presented by:  Brenda Molter, Director, Legislative Services

R76-17

MOVED BY Councillor Randhawa that Council appoint the following individuals, as members of the Assessment Review Board for a term ending December 31, 2017:

Bennett, Judy

Chartrand, Darlene

Chauvet, Paul

Dennett, Jack

Graff, Russell

Groszko, Tina

Hennig, Stewart

Knowles, Richard

Normandeau, Guy

Ralph, Raymond

Ross, Dianne

In Favour:        Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa,                         Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.   Bylaws

7.1   Bylaw C8-17 - 207 Property Tax Bylaw - 3 readings

Presented by:  Jeremy Emann, Chief Financial Officer

R77-17

MOVED BY Councillor Sperling that Council amend the 2017 budget by allocating $219,493 of additional growth assessment revenue to the Financial Stabilization Reserve.

In Favour:        Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa,                         Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

MOVED BY Councillor Sperling that Council maintain the tax split of 59% for non-residential and 41% for residential as approved at the December 13, 2016 regular Council meeting.

Councillor Sperling withdrew is motion.

R78-17

MOVED BY Councillor Sperling that Council give first reading to Bylaw C8-17, providing for the collection of 2017 property taxes.

In Favour:        Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa,                         Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

R79-17

MOVED BY Councillor Sperling that Council amend Bylaw C8-17 to maintain the tax split of 59% for non-residential and 41% for residential as approved at the December 13, 2016 regular Council meeting.

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

Against:            Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Birgit Blizzard

CARRIED

R80-17

MOVED BY Councillor Sperling that Council give second reading to Bylaw C8-17, providing for the collection of 2017 property taxes, as amended.

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

Against:            Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Birgit Blizzard

CARRIED

R81-17

MOVED BY Councillor Sperling that Council provide unanimous consent to proceed with third and final reading to Bylaw C8-17, providing for the collection of 2017 property taxes.

In Favour:        Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa,                         Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

R82-17

MOVED BY Councillor Sperling that Council give third reading to Bylaw C8-17, providing for the collection of 2017 property taxes.

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

Against:            Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Birgit Blizzard

CARRIED

7.2   Bylaw C10-17 - Cemetery Bylaw - 3 readings

Presented by:  Richard Gagnon, Director, Infrastructure Management

R83-17

MOVED BY Councillor Blizzard that Council give first reading to Bylaw C10-17, which regulates the operation of the Fort Saskatchewan Cemetery.

In Favour:        Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa,                         Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

R84-17

MOVED BY Councillor Blizzard that Council give second reading to Bylaw C10-17, which regulates the operation of the Fort Saskatchewan Cemetery.

In Favour:        Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa,                         Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

R85-17

MOVED BY Councillor Blizzard that Council provide unanimous consent to proceed with third and final reading to Bylaw C10-17, which regulates the operation of the Fort Saskatchewan Cemetery.

In Favour:        Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa,                         Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

R86-17

MOVED BY Councillor Blizzard that Council give third reading to Bylaw C10-17, which regulates the operation of the Fort Saskatchewan Cemetery.

In Favour:        Gale Katchur, Frank Garritsen, Stew Hennig, Arjun Randhawa,                         Birgit Blizzard, Sheldon Bossert, Ed Sperling

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.   Notice of Motion

Councillor Garritsen gave notice that he will introduce the following motion at the May 9, 2017 regular Council meeting:

“That Council sanction Councillor Bossert in accordance with Bylaw C6-16 – Code of Conduct for failure to protect the reputation of the community and Council through his actions of submitting expense and honorarium claims to the City of Fort Saskatchewan that were not valid; and further that the following actions be taken:

1.    Limit travel/representation on behalf of Council.

2.    Removal from his Board and Committee appointments.”

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 April 25, 2017 adjourned at 9:02 p.m.