MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE REPORT

Transcription

1 Monday, at 12:05 p.m. Report of a meeting held on Monday, at 12:05 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. The following Committee members were in attendance: Chairman: Mayor M. Heyck, Councillor A. Bell, Councillor L. Bussey, Councillor N. Konge, Councillor S. Morgan, Councillor J. Morse, Councillor S. Payne (12:21 p.m.), and Councillor R. Silverio. The following members of Administration staff were in attendance: S. Bassi Kellett, D. M. Gillard, D. Kefalas, D. Marchiori, N. Naidoo, K. Penney, C. Vaughn, G. White, S. Woodward, and S. Jovic. Item Description 1. Committee agreed unanimously to amend the agenda to include a presentation from Mr. Greg Herdier and Louise Elder regarding the Planning and Lands Operational Review; to include an in camera personnel matter; and to move item # 7 a memorandum regarding whether to appoint an Assistant Deputy Mayor for the City of Yellowknife to the end of the agenda.

2 Committee heard a presentation from Mr. Greg Herndier, a representative of the YK Property Holdings Corp., regarding the 2017 Planning & Development Operational Review. 2. Committee heard a presentation from Jason Perrino regarding the NWT Liquor Act. Mr. Perrino stated that he would like changes to the Act to permit under aged persons in Class A establishments that have a full menu kitchen. Mr. Perrino requested the City's support in putting this request forward to the Legislative Assembly. 3. Committee deferred a presentation from the Yellowknife Farmers Market regarding bringing the Yellowknife Food Charter to action by building the case for a Yellowknife local food strategy. 4. Committee heard a presentation from Ms. Louise Elder, a representative of the NWT Construction Association, regarding the 2017 Planning & Development Operational Review. 5. Committee heard a presentation regarding information on Click Fix YK service utilization. 6. Committee read a memorandum regarding whether to adopt the 2017 Planning & Development Operational Review for information. Committee noted that the City engaged the services of Dillon Consulting to conduct an Operational Review of the Planning & Development Department. The consultants presented their findings and recommendations at the July 24, 2017 Municipal Services Committee meeting. Committee noted that Council s policies, resolutions or goals include: Council Goal #1: Better Engagement with Stakeholders Council Goal #2: Downtown Revitalization Council Goal #3: Strengthen and Diversify the Economy Council Goal #4: Community Sustainability Council Goal #5: Stronger Internal Working Relationships and Accountability Committee noted that applicable legislation, by laws, studies or plans include: 2017 Planning & Development Operational Review Committee noted that an Implementation Strategy will be brought forward for consideration following adoption of the Operational Review by Council. Committee noted that a review of the Planning and Development Department was initiated in 2016 through the issuance of a Request for Proposals. The contract was awarded to Dillon Consulting who completed their review and presented their findings, and recommendations, at the July 24, 2017 Municipal Services Committee. Upon adoption of DM# Page 2

3 the report by Council, Administration will review the recommendations and bring forward an Implementation Strategy for Council s consideration. Committee recommends that Council adopt the 2017 Planning & Development Operational Review for information. MOVE APPROVAL 7. Committee read a memorandum regarding whether to support the City s application to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Sustainable Communities Award Committee noted that upon completion in 2018, the new Centralized Biomass Boiler will use lowcarbon biomass to heat several municipal facilities. It is one of the City s most ambitious energy projects and serves as a strong example of municipal sustainability leadership and Council commitment to climate action. Set to annually displace approximately 325,000 L of heating oil while reducing facility heating costs by $140,000 per year, the initiative has the potential to bring the City national recognition. Each year the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) honours cities, town and villages that have championed innovative and sustainable initiatives. The award recognizes proactive municipalities that have integrated sustainability into planning and operations while also providing a platform to share challenges and lessons learned from the implementation of current and ongoing initiatives. Given the track record of sustainability and energy projects undertakings of the City along with its northern perspective and climate commitment, City Administration is confident that the Centralized Biomass Boiler is a noteworthy candidate for the award. Eligibility for the award requires a letter of support from Council to be submitted with the application. This letter would acknowledge that the initiative deserves recognition. Applications must be submitted by Friday, September 15 th, Applicants will be notified in October whether they have been selected for an award. If the City of Yellowknife s Centralized Biomass Boiler project is selected for an award, the initiative would be added to FCM s online collection of national sustainability projects. Award recipients are invited to present their winning initiatives at FCM s 2018 Sustainable Communities Conference, taking place February 6 to 8, 2018, in Ottawa. The Centralized Biomass Boiler is a suitable initiative for nomination for several reasons. Primarily, it is the approved corporate project with the highest financial savings and the largest GHG reduction. Furthermore, easy access to fuel invoices make data monitoring and comparison simple. It is also a particularly northern solution to sustainable heating and will surely serve as a reference project to future endeavours both in the territory and across the North. Committee noted that Council s policies, resolutions or goals include: DM# Page 3

4 Council Goal #4 Community Sustainability. Committee noted that applicable legislation, by laws, studies, or plans include: None. Committee recommended that Council provide a letter of support to accompany the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Sustainable Communities Award Application form. Committee noted that this item will be discussed at that evening s Council meeting. 8. Councillor Bell moved, Councillor Bussey seconded, That Committee move in camera at 12:49 p.m. to discuss a matter under negotiation, a financial matter and a personnel matter. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 9. Committee discussed a matter under negotiation. 10. Committee discussed a financial matter. 11. Committee discussed a personnel matter. 12. Councillor Morse moved, Councillor Morgan seconded, That Committee return to an open meeting at 2:07 p.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 13. There was no business arising from the in camera session. 14. Committee read a memorandum regarding whether to appoint an Assistant Deputy Mayor for the City of Yellowknife. Committee noted that pursuant to the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, it is the practice of the City of Yellowknife to appoint a Deputy Mayor, on the recommendation of the Mayor, on an annual basis. Where both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are absent or unable to act, Council may appoint a Councillor to be the Acting Mayor. DM# Page 4

5 Committee noted that Council s policies, resolution or goals include: Goal #5 Stronger Internal Working Relationships and Accountability Committee noted that applicable legislation, by laws, studies, or plans include: Council Procedures By law No. 4250, as amended; and Cities, Towns and Villages Act. Committee noted that section 40 of the Cities, Towns and Villages Act states that when both the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor are absent or unable to act, Council may appoint a Councillor to be the acting mayor. For efficiency purposes, it would be beneficial to appoint an Assistant Deputy Mayor and review the appointment annually in conjunction with the appointment of the Deputy Mayor. Committee noted that the Deputy Mayor performs the duties of the Mayor during absences and the Assistant Deputy Mayor would perform those duties as Acting Mayor in the absence of both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. This will ensure that Committees and Council can continue to meet and conduct business without delay and that there is coverage during the Mayor and Deputy Mayor s absences. Committee opted to not recommend the appointment of an Assistant Deputy Mayor at this time. 15. The meeting adjourned at 2:11 p.m. DM# Page 5