PRESENT:

Mayor N. Nenshi

Councillor G-C. Carra

Councillor A. Chabot

Councillor S. Chu

Councillor D. Colley-Urquhart

Councillor P. Demong

Councillor D. Farrell

Councillor S. Keating

Councillor J. Magliocca

Councillor B. Pincott

Councillor R. Pootmans

Councillor J. Stevenson

Councillor W. Sutherland

Councillor E. Woolley

ALSO PRESENT:

City Manager J. Fielding

Deputy City Manager B. Stevens

Chief Financial Officer E. Sawyer

General Manager S. Dalgleish

General Manager K. Hanson

General Manager M. Logan

General Manager R. Pritchard

General Manager R. Stanley

City Solicitor G. Cole

City Clerk S. Gray

1.

OPENING

Mayor Nenshi called for a moment of quiet contemplation at today’s Meeting to reflect on community.  Last week, Mayor Nenshi had the opportunity to participate in a Government of Canada visit to Sweden to talk about the Canadian experience in diversity and pluralism.  Sweden is the second country to accept multiculturalism as an official national tenant, the first being Canada.  In a world where the lights are going out, it is important for Canadians to remain beacons of light and hope throughout the world community.  Mayor Nenshi stated that as we contemplate the decisions that we make today, we reflect on how we can continue to be beacons of light and hope in the community.

2.

PRESENTATION(S) AND RECOGNITION(S)

2.1

FREEDOM TO READ WEEK

Mayor Nenshi, on behalf of Members of Council, recognized 2017 February 26 – March 4, as Freedom to Read Week. The Mayor stated that the 33^rd annual Freedom to Read Week affirms our right as Canadians to decide for ourselves what we choose to read.  

Mayor Nenshi welcomed Bill Ptacek, Chief Executive Officer of the Calgary Public Library, and called upon him to say a few words.

Bill Ptacek thanked Mayor Nenshi and Members of Council for their support, and introduced colleagues from The Calgary Board of Education:  Jeannie Everett, Superintendent of Learning, Joy Bowen-Eyre, Calgary Board of Education Chair Wards 1 and 2, Julie Hrdlicka, Calgary Board of Education Trustee Wards 11 and 13; and Shereen Samuals, Director of Student Services at Mount Royal.  The Calgary Public Library has an incredible partnership with the School Board, highlighted by 150,000 students in the Calgary Board of Education having access to digital resources of the Calgary Public Library.

On behalf of the Calgary Public Library and the 600,000 public library cardholders, staff and board, and in the celebration of Freedom to Read Week, Mr. Ptacek presented the Mayor with a special edition of the book “When Everything Feels Like the Movies” by author Raziel Reid.

As Reid’s debut novel, When Everything Feels Like the Movies is inspired in part by the 2008 murder of gay teenager, Lawrence Fobes King, winning the 2014 Governor General’s Literary Award for Children’s Literature.  When Everything Feels Like the Movies was the first young adult book selected for inclusion in the 2015 edition of Canada Reads and was a finalist for both the Lambda Literary Award LGBT Children’s/Young Adult category and the Publishing Triangles Ferro-Grumley Award for LGBT Fiction.

Mr. Ptacek indicated that Freedom to Read Week underscores the importance of creating spaces for books and resources which create opportunity for the human mind to soar.  Calgary Public Library staff and Board members are committed to removing physical and financial barriers, to creating the best public library in the world, and to building a city of readers.  Mr. Ptacek encourages all Calgarians to join the challenge to read 150 books this year in celebration of Canada’s 150^th birthday.

Mayor Nenshi thanked Mr. Ptacek and the representatives from the Calgary Public Library and the Calgary Board of Education.   Mayor Nenshi stated that he was proud of the work the library does in remaining tremendously relevant in the community.  An important part of that is to raise the profile and awareness for the Freedom To Read Week.  The week underscores that our freedom to read should never be taken for granted.  It is a foundation of our democracy.   Throughout the world, where we see the loss of this simple freedom, where we see citizens without the opportunity to explore new ideas, to defend their passions and to challenge injustice, we must always stand up for that freedom.  In honour of this week and in recognition of those who have been denied that freedom, Mayor Nenshi encouraged all Calgarians to visit their local library.  Reading opens up amazing worlds, worlds that motivate us to wonder, to seek, to discover and share brave new ideas. 

The Mayor thanked Mr. Ptacek for his comments and for providing Members of Council with copies of the Great Reads for 2017 Reading Guide, which is also available free to all Calgarians online and in libraries throughout the city.

RECOGNITION

The Polar Plunge, a fundraiser to support Special Olympics athletes, took place in Calgary last weekend, raising $40,000 for our Special Olympians.  Councillor Magliocca thanked the Calgary Police Service officers, specifically Deputy Chief Paul Cook, the City of Calgary firefighters and correctional officers for taking the plunge.  The Olympians are on their way to Europe to bring back medals for Canada. 

3.

QUESTION PERIOD

1.    Ice Safety Near Water (Councillor Pootmans)

In light of the awful tragedy in Airdrie where a young child lost his life falling through ice, and as we near the timing of normal spring runoff; what are the hazards in Calgary with respect to storm water retention ponds, lakes and canals and what are the precautions that we should be taking? In addition, why isn’t the ice safe on storm water retention ponds?

General Manager, Community Services, Kurt Hanson, responded that Calgary Community and Protective Services are always eager to help the community through public demonstrations and educating the public in community safety. The Calgary Fire Department is using different opportunities to teach the public about ice and water safety through the Calgary.ca website, media stories and community events. The City also keeps the Ice Safety Near Water website with up to date information with respect to staying safe near bodies of water, for example, what to do if you fall through ice into water; and what to do if you witness a person falling through ice. GM Hanson also stated that regular patrols on dangerous sites such as the Glenmore Reservoir are being increased during this time of the year as the spring thaw comes. Community Services in collaboration with Environmental Protection updates the Water Safety website about safe access to Calgary water ways and also serves as a general information source.

GM Hanson warned that citizens should be aware of the dangers involved in the water ways and discouraged skating on anything but community rinks or ponds such as  Bowness Park that has been identified as a safe area to skate on because The City monitors it. Local storm retention ponds are not safe because it is very difficult to assess the thickness of the ice.

2.    Current Expenditures on the Green Line Project (Councillor Sutherland)

Over the last year and a half, what is the current spend or burn rate on the Green Line project including the land purchases?

General Manager, Transportation, Mac Logan advised that as of December 2016, the expenditure is at $101 million in total. Approximately one third of that total is related to land acquisition expenses and the balances are on things such as the engineering and pre-design work on the north, central and southeast legs. GM Logan also noted that some of the early quick win projects, such as the transit only lane near the Sheppard Industrial area, are included in the total. Other expenses included environmental investigations, looking for contaminations on potential sites, geotechnical investigations, utility relocations, hazardous building assessments, and finally the communications, financial consulting and project management works that had been done for the project.

3.     Bylaw Expelling Radon-Contaminated Indoor Air Skyward (Councillor Chu)

Radon is an odourless, tasteless and colourless radioactive gas found naturally in the environment.  To expel excess radon from the indoors, a plastic pipe is installed through the basement floor with an exit through the roof or a wall.  There is concern about the exit point being in a wall that may release the gas into neighboring homes.  Calgary does not seem to have a bylaw requiring this procedure to exit through the roof.  What can we do about that?

General Manager, Utilities and Environment Protection, Rob Prichard advised that he is not aware of a significant radon risk in the City of Calgary from the point of view of environmental management.  GM Pritchard advised that the City would research the issue with the bylaw group, planners, and environmental management group.  GM Pritchard committed to preparing a written response to this issue for Members of Council.

INTRODUCTION

Councillor Sutherland introduced a group of 19 Grade six students from River Valley School, in attendance in the public gallery, accompanied by their teacher. He thanked the class for attending and for their interest in City Council.

4.

CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA

AMENDMENT, Moved by Councillor Stevenson,  Seconded by Councillor Pootmans, that the Agenda for today's meeting be amended by bringing forward and tabling Item 10.1, Advice on Adoption of Code of Conduct Re: Member Election and Campaign Activities, C2017-0213, to be dealt with, In Camera, at the Call of the Chair, when Ms. Woolley, Ethics Advisor, is in attendance.

CARRIED

CONFIRM AGENDA, AS AMENDED, Moved by Councillor Keating, Seconded by Councillor Woolley, that the Agenda for the 2017 February 27 Regular Meeting of Council be confirmed, as amended, as follows:

BRING FORWARD AND TABLE TO BE DEALT WITH, IN CAMERA, AT THE CALL OF THE CHAIR:

10.1     ADVICE ON ADOPTION OF CODE OF CONDUCT RE: MEMBER ELECTION AND CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES, C2017-0213

CARRIED

5.

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

5.1

MINUTES OF THE STRATEGIC MEETING OF COUNCIL, 2017 FEBRUARY 06

CONFIRM MINUTES, Moved by Councillor Chabot, Seconded by Councillor Demong, that the Minutes of the Strategic Meeting of Council, held on 2017 February 06, be confirmed.

CARRIED

5.2

MINUTES OF THE COMBINED MEETING OF COUNCIL, 2017 FEBRUARY 13 AND 14

CLERICAL CORRECTIONS

At the request of Councillor Chabot, the following clerical corrections were noted to the Minutes of the Combined Meeting of Council, held 2017 February 13 and 14:

·     On page 16 of 70, line 7, following the name “G-C Carra” by inserting the name “A. Chabot”.

·     On page 30 of 70, under AUTHORIZATION to read Bylaw 55D2017 a third time, following the words “Seconded by Councillor”, and substituting with the name “Woolley”

CONFIRM MINUTES, Moved by Councillor Chabot, Seconded by Councillor Demong, that the Minutes of the Combined Meeting of Council held on 2017 February 13 and 14, be confirmed, as corrected.

CARRIED

6.

TABLED REPORT(S)

(including additional related/supplementary reports)

There were no Tabled Reports on today’s Agenda.

7.

ITEMS FROM ADMINISTRATION AND COMMITTEES

7.1

CITY MANAGER'S REPORT(S)

7.1.1

2017 SUPPLEMENTAL PROPERTY ASSESSMENT AND TAX BYLAWS,

C2017-0192

ADOPT, Moved by Councillor Sutherland, Seconded by Councillor Woolley, that the Administration Recommendation contained in Report C2017-0192 be adopted, as follows:

That Council give three readings to the 2017 Supplementary Property Assessment and

Supplementary Property Tax Bylaws.

CARRIED

INTRODUCE, Moved by Councillor Sutherland, Seconded by Councillor Woolley, that Bylaw 11M2017, Being a Bylaw of The City of Calgary to Authorize the Preparation of Supplementary Assessments in The City of Calgary During 2017, be introduced and read a first time.  

CARRIED

SECOND, Moved by Councillor Sutherland, Seconded by Councillor Woolley, that Bylaw 11M2017 be read a second time.

CARRIED

AUTHORIZATION, Moved by Councillor Sutherland, Seconded by Councillor Woolley, that authorization now be given to read Bylaw 11M2017 a third time.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

THIRD, Moved by Councillor Sutherland, Seconded by Councillor Woolley, that Bylaw 11M2017, Being a Bylaw of The City of Calgary to Authorize the Preparation of Supplementary Assessments in The City of Calgary During 2017, be read a third time.

CARRIED

INTRODUCE, Moved by Councillor Sutherland, Seconded by Councillor Woolley, that Bylaw 12M2017, Being a Bylaw of The City of Calgary to Authorize the Council of The City of Calgary to Impose a 2017 Supplementary Property Tax, be introduced and read a first time.  

CARRIED

SECOND, Moved by Councillor Sutherland, Seconded by Councillor Woolley, that Bylaw 12M2017 be read a second time.

CARRIED

AUTHORIZATION, Moved by Councillor Sutherland, Seconded by Councillor Woolley, that authorization now be given to read Bylaw 12M2017 a third time.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

THIRD, Moved by Councillor Sutherland, Seconded by Councillor Woolley, that Bylaw 12M2017, Being a Bylaw of The City of Calgary to Authorize the Council of The City of Calgary to Impose a 2017 Supplementary Property Tax, be read a third time.

CARRIED

7.2

REPORT OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE SPC ON PLANNING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

7.2.1

DESIGNATION OF THE WHITE RESIDENCE AS A MUNICIPAL HISTORIC RESOURCE, PUD2017-0081

ADOPT, Moved by Councillor Chabot, Seconded by Councillor Woolley, that the Administration Recommendation contained in Report PUD2017-0081 be adopted, as follows:

That Council give three readings to the proposed Bylaw 13M2017 (Attachment 1) to designate the White Residence as a Municipal Historic Resource.

CARRIED

INTRODUCE, Moved by Councillor Chabot, Seconded by Councillor Woolley, that Bylaw 13M2017, Being a Bylaw of The City of Calgary to Designate the White Residence as a Municipal Historic Resource, be introduced and read a first time.  

CARRIED

SECOND, Moved by Councillor Chabot, Seconded by Councillor Woolley, that Bylaw 13M2017 be read a second time.

CARRIED

AUTHORIZATION, Moved by Councillor Chabot, Seconded by Councillor Woolley, that authorization now be given to read Bylaw 13M2017 a third time.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

THIRD, Moved by Councillor Chabot, Seconded by Councillor Woolley, that Bylaw 13M2017, Being a Bylaw of The City of Calgary to Designate the White Residence as a Municipal Historic Resource, be read a third time.

CARRIED

7.2.2

RUNDLE STATION MASTER PLAN – DEFERRAL REQUEST, PUD2017-0100

ADOPT, Moved by Councillor Chabot, Seconded by Councillor Pincott, that the Administration Recommendation contained in Report PUD2017-0100 be adopted, as follows:

That Council defer the Rundle Station Master Plan to return to the SPC on Planning and Urban Development no later than the end of Q4 2017.

CARRIED

8.

ITEMS DIRECTLY TO COUNCIL

(related to Regular Meeting issues)

8.1

NOTICE(S) OF MOTION

8.1.1

TAX BURDEN OF CALGARY GOLF COURSES (COUNCILLOR SUTHERLAND), NM2017-04

REFER, Moved by Councillor Carra, Seconded by Councillor Keating, that Councillor Sutherland’s Notice of Motion, NM2017-04, be referred, as follows:

That NM2017-04 be referred to the Administration and that in advance of executing the resolution contained in NM2017-04, Council directs Administration to review the state of golf and golf courses within The City of Calgary and propose a framework for addressing golf course retention and redevelopment and report back to Council through the SPC on Community and Protective Services and/or the SPC on Planning and Urban Development by Q3 2017.

ROLL CALL VOTE

For: 

G-C. Carra, S. Chu, P. Demong, D. Farrell, S. Keating, R. Pootmans, J. Stevenson,

N. Nenshi

Against: 

E. Woolley, W. Sutherland, A. Chabot, J. Magliocca, B. Pincott

CARRIED

INTRODUCTION

Councillor Farrell introduced a group of 28 Grade nine students in the GATE Program from Queen Elizabeth High School, in attendance in the public gallery, accompanied by their teacher. Councillor Farrell advised that this week, at City Hall School, the class would be exploring the questions “How is power organized in the municipal government?” and “How do you plan a neighborhood?”

9.

URGENT BUSINESS

No items of Urgent Business were added to today’s Agenda.

IN CAMERA, Moved by Councillor Pootmans, Seconded by Councillor Chu, that, in

accordance with Section 197 of the Municipal Government Act and Sections 16(1), 17(1), 19, 23(1)(b), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 25(1)(c) and 27(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Council now move into the Committee of the Whole, In Camera, at  11:13 a.m., in the Council Boardroom, in order to consider several confidential matters.

CARRIED

The Committee of the Whole recessed In Camera and reconvened In Camera at 1:19 p.m. with Deputy Mayor Colley-Urquhart in the Chair.

Mayor Nenshi resumed the Chair, In Camera, at 1:26 p.m. and Councillor Colley-Urquhart returned to her regular seat.

The Committee of the Whole reconvened in the Council Chamber at 4:12 p.m. with Mayor

Nenshi in the Chair.

RISE AND REPORT Moved by Councillor Pincott, that the Committee of the Whole rise and report to Council.

CARRIED

10.

IN CAMERA ITEMS

10.1

ADVICE ON ADOPTION OF CODE OF CONDUCT RE: MEMBER ELECTION AND CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES, C2017-0213

ADOPT, Moved by Councillor Stevenson, Seconded by Councillor Pootmans, that with respect to Report C2017-0213, the following be adopted, as amended:

That Council:

1.    Not develop a Code of Conduct for all Members of Council, setting out guidelines and obligations in relation to the pre-election and campaigning period; and

2.    Keep the In Camera discussions confidential pursuant to Section 24(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

3.    Direct that Report C2017-0213 be released as a public document after Council rise and reports.

CARRIED

10.2

CALGARY POLICE COMMISSION – RESIGNATION AND APPOINTMENT, C2017-0217

TABLE, Moved by Councillor Sutherland, Seconded by Councillor Chabot, that with respect to Report C2017-0217, the following be adopted:

That Council:

1.    Table the report to the 2017 March 06 Strategic Meeting of Council; and

2.    Keep the report and discussions confidential pursuant to Sections 17(1) and 19 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act until Council appoints a new Member to the Calgary Police Commission.

CARRIED

10.3

MAJOR PROJECTS UPDATE (VERBAL), C2017-0216

TABLE, Moved by Councillor Woolley, Seconded by Councillor Colley-Urquhart, that with respect to Report C2017-0216, the following be adopted:

That Council:

1.    Table the Major Projects Update Verbal Report to the 2017 March 06 Strategic Meeting of Council; and

2.    Keep the presentation and In Camera discussions confidential pursuant to Sections 16(1), 23(1)(b), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 25(1)(c) and 27(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

CARRIED

RECEIVE FOR THE CORPORATE RECORD

With the concurrence of the Mayor, the City Clerk received for the Corporate Record, a copy of Pages 65 to 69 of the Major Projects Update PowerPoint presentation, entitled “Proposal for Public Engagement”, with respect to Verbal Report C2017-0216, to remain confidential pursuant to Sections 16(1), 23(1)(b), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 25(1)(c) and 27(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. .

11.

URGENT BUSINESS IN CAMERA

No items of Urgent Business, In Camera, were received at today’s Meeting.

12.

ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

No Administrative Inquiries were received at today’s Meeting.

13.

EXCUSING ABSENCE OF MEMBERS

No vote was taken on Excusing Absence of Members.

14.

ADJOURNMENT

ADJOURN, Moved by Councillor Stevenson, Seconded by Councillor Pootmans, that this Council adjourn at 4:20 p.m.

CARRIED

CONFIRMED BY COUNCIL ON 2017 March 13.

   Sgd. N. Nenshi                                                           Sgd. S. Gray

   MAYOR                                                                      CITY CLERK