11th Regular Meeting of 2009 - June 23

"Green Space" Distortion, and Tree-Cutting Faux Pas


ABSENTEES: Councillors Martin Ring and John Swystun

BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS: 535 pages

PUBLIC GALLERY: 29 in the chamber, and another 70 in the foyer.

START: 7:01 PM


Recognition of Girl Guides (Pathfinders)

The Mayor congratulated Chelsea Lehner and Sarah Bilyk for receiving their "Canada Cord." Chelsea will be one of 11 individuals representing Canada at a gathering in London, England later in the summer.

7:07 PM Chelsea, Sarah and their families (total of 8 people) leave.



Public Hearing: To Change the Zoning at 1203 Central Ave., to Allow a Diamond-Cutting School

- Brian Clavier spoke in favour of allowing the contract zone for ten years, rather than the five that are the norm, and repeated his hope that the sidewalks would now be cleared of snow and ice in winter [something not done for the four years the property has been owned by the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC)].

- THE VOTE (to refer the bylaw to the bylaws portion of the meeting): 7 - 0 in favour.



Public Hearing: to Change the Zoning at the former Prince Charles School Site to R3 (Two-unit Dwelling), Creating 36 Lots

- Brian Clavier was again the only speaker. He lamented the loss of "green space" at this site, and noted that none of the West Hill residents who would be speaking later [in opposition to the Northern Spruce duplexes planned for the south edge of the Angus Mirasty School site] were opposed to the loss of this large tract of green space. He said there had been a major opportunity lost at the Prince Charles site, which should have been turned into a "green showcase" housing project, one that could have applied for funding from the Prince Charles Trust. He opposed the re-zoning.

- THE VOTE (to refer to the bylaws portion of the meeting): 7 - 0 in favour.



Public Hearing: To Re-zone Part of the West Hill Community Club Park, Giving the New St. Anne's School 46 Parking Spaces [up from the current 36]

- Brian Clavier, again, was the only person who spoke about the loss of green space here; the West Hill residents opposed to Northern Spruce building on PAGC-owned land at the Angus Mirasty School were again silent [even though this was a direct loss of city-owned green space, located in their own back yard . . . .] He repeated his oft-stated view that parking [the lowest-value use to which municipal land can be assigned] for every employee should not be necessary, and said that there was lots of room on 5th Ave. West for buses to drop children off safely. He opposed giving part of the city-owned park to the school for parking spaces.

- THE VOTE (to refer to the bylaws section of the meeting): in favour.




Public Hearing: to Allow Baron Land Company to Build Four Townhouse Condos at 211-20th St. West

- Brian Clavier spoke against the proposal outlined in David Bach's letter, citing the large part of the property that would be consumed by asphalt for driveways and parking (amounting to 84% of the total square footage devoted to living area, with four parking spaces for each residence, giving a total of 16); the absence of detailed drawings of the development; and the lack of conformance with the character of the neighbourhood, including the heritage homes on 20th Street.

- THE VOTE (to delay consideration until council's next meeting): 7 - 0 in favour.


7:27 PM


Public Hearing: to Change Zoning at the Angus Mirasty School Site to Allow Northern Spruce Housing to Build Up to Five Duplexes [on about 20% of the property, currently owned by PAGC]

- Kelly Skiffington, Manager of Northern Spruce, explained that PAGC was selling this excess land to Northern Spruce, for housing, for less than market value. The duplex housing, which would be market value rental accommodation, is needed by individuals who are members of the twelve PAGC First Nations.

- Jim Bahr, speaking on behalf of himself and the writers of 14 other letters to council [as well as half the public gallery, and almost all of the foyer], was opposed to the re-zoning due to the loss of green space [albeit, space that is privately owned, which PAGC permits area residents unrestricted use of . . . .]

- Brian Clavier spoke in support of the re-zoning, noting the additional parking spaces added to the area were minimal; only about 20% of the school property was being proposed for housing development; there is ample green space available to the area's residents (at the Angus Mirasty School site, St. Anne's school - one block away from the proposed duplexes, West Hill playground/park - two blocks away, Arthur Pechey School - four blocks away, Kinsmen Park - five blocks away, and 18th St., between 2nd Ave. West and 6th Ave. West - four blocks away), whereas his nearest green space is the Midtown playground - six blocks from his home; the full, five-duplex build-out would take several years; and Northern Spruce was a landlord with a long history in the city [over 25 years, with 193 rental units now in its portfolio].

- Cathy Borrowman spoke in opposition to the re-zoning.

- Ron Burns, a founding board member of Northern Spruce, spoke in favour of the proposal. He mentioned the history of opposition from neighbours - wherever Northern Spruce proposed to build accommodation.

- Councillor Zurakowski [the councillor for the area - and expected to speak first on this] was opposed to the re-zoning, and moved a motion to deny.

- Councillor Atkinson talked about the amount of green space in different areas of the city: 19 acres/1000 people in Crescent Acres, 15 acres/1000 in the West Hill, and just 0.16 acres/1000 Midtown residents [where he lives, as does Brian Clavier]. He noted that, while the development would change the demographic makeup of the West Hill, the City had signed on to the Coalition of Canadian Cities Against Racial Discrimination [public speakers who were opposed to the re-zoning had all proclaimed their non-discriminatory attitude at the podium . . . .] If green space was the issue, he said we should start by creating some for the "least-serviced" area of the city.

- Councillor Zurakowski replied that green space needs to be within a certain range of residents. According to him, the core of the Community Services Master Plan is managing open space, and this includes "pocket" parks. If the developer in this case comes back with a proposal to reduce the loss of green space, council could re-visit the development. Pocket parks need to be sustained, and these should "rise up in all areas of the city," not "just take away from one and give to another."

- Councillor Dionne called it a "no-win situation," saying he had received more information in the previous 48 hours than in the last two weeks. He suggested a joint meeting with Northern Spruce, the owner [PAGC], and the residents. He asked people to put their biases aside. The answer, he suggested, might be selling part of the land to the city. He wanted to delay consideration for two months.

- Councillor Zurakowski repeated his request that the developer bring another proposal, and reaffirmed his motion to deny consideraton of Bylaw #8 of 2009.

- Councillor Gervais wished Northern Spruce had promoted the project more. He would like to "get them in a room to hammer out an agreement," and noted that Zurakowski is "between a rock and a hard place."

- Mayor Scarrow [still unfamiliar with council meeting procedures, after almost three years . . . .] asked if a tabling motion supercedes Zurakowski's motion to deny. City Clerk Skauge replied, "yes." Zurakowski repeated that his motion still stands, stating that his sole concern is with the lack of green space, not with the developer. Dionne conferrred with Atkinson, then asked if a delay would affect funding. Kelly Skiffington answered that Sask. Housing is funding other projects, and, as an aside, that the amount of green space on the property would not change in a new proposal. She reminded everyone that this is a small development.

- Councilllor Zurakowski said he sensed he was not getting the votes needed to deny the bylaw, and would defer to Dionne's tabling motion.

- Councillor Dionne moved to defer the bylaw for two months (to the August 18 meeting).

- THE VOTE: 6 - 1, Councillor Zurakowski opposed, in favour of deferring the bylaw for two months.


8:16 PM About 65 people leave the foyer and council chamber.



[A meeting of PAGC representatives (including Grand Chief Ron Michel, the chiefs of the Sturgeon Lake First Nation, James Smith Cree Nation, and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation), Northern Spruce staff (Janita Kohlruss and Kelly Skiffington), the architects, West Hill residents (about 70), and a dozen other interested individuals, with the Mayor and three councillors in attendance, was held at at the PA Inn on July 28. It lasted almost two-and-a-half hours. After review of the architect's drawings and initial presentations from Chief Michel, the architects, and Kelly Skiffington, about 20 people spoke at the microphones. West Hill residents re-affirmed their concerns about the loss of [the PAGC-owned] "green space" and their lack of discrimination. Supporters of the proposal included two single mothers who benefitted from Northern Spruce housing, Chief Wes Daniels, Chief Darrell McCallum, Chief Wally Burns, and Brian Clavier.]


Former City Councillor Pans for Fee Waivers for [Yet Another] Ball Tournament


8:27 PM


- Jim Bristowe spoke to a request to waive fees for kiosks and a stage for the 2009 Canadian Midget Boys Fast Pitch Championships. He said this was the seventh time the city has hosted this event, and it brings "$1.2 million back into the community."

- Mayor Scarrow said that, although funds for such things were already expended, "we should approve" the request.

- Councillor Dionne said council should have been given more [than seven weeks'] notice.



8:33 PM City Clerk Skauge asks Stuart North if he had something to say [he had left, and was not in the chamber when the issue of moving the Crescent Heights skating rink was dealt with.] Mr. North realizes he missed his chance.


Spend, Spend, Spend on the Fieldhouse . . . .


8:36 PM



- An update on the fieldhouse refers to an additional $800,000 spent on it, including $100,000 for an accountant for the construction project.

- Councillor Atkinson asked why the $100,000 for the accountant was needed, and if the Finance Department is not funded to do this work.

- City Manager Robert Cotterill [nonchalantly ignoring the question] replied "It is the funds you approved."

- Councillor Atkinson then asked about the charge on the tax bill for the fieldhouse: why had the mill rate increased from 0.8443 to 0.8450, without any notice? Finance Director Joe Day replied that that this mill rate had been "rounded up to 0.845." Atkinson said this hurts the bottom line of housing organizations like Northern Spruce and the PA Community Housing Society.

- Mayor Scarrow asked how long the debt elimination levy has been in place. Day
responded, "Since 1997." Scarrow said it has been used for a variety of porjects, and that "this council" clarified it [only after Atkinson requested that be done, on the 2008 tax bills . . . .]


2008 Year-end Financial Report

- Councillor Atkinson wondered why the city was borrowing from reserves set aside for the CUPE members' "vested sick leave," and whether it was the intention to pay back this money. Cotterill deferred to Assistant Director of Financial Sservices Tammy McKay, who evaded the question by simply stating "We've utilized that funding source." Atkinson continued, asking if the police service was really $36,000 over [its annually hyper-inflated] budget. Cotterill replied, "yes," then added that the $8 million to pay for the city's share of water purification plant upgrades was coming from "existing rates," as opposed to debt that is paid for from property assessments [which means that residential properties will pay all of the $8 million, since business water and sewer rates have not increased in the past eight years].

8:46 PM


Princess Margaret Telecom Tower Goes Ahead - Aesthetics Irrelevant

- The information in the June 17 report from the planning department was no different from that in the May 5 report.

- Mayor Scarrow moved that the tower be permitted.

- Councillor Williams complained that the latest report did not contain the information he had asked for. He said the residents want to work with the school board to resolve the issue. The suggestion he had would be less intrusive: building the tower on the school, adding 18 feet to the existing 30-foot-tall building, rather than constructing the tower on the edge of the playground. In any case, he "would like to see (his) questions answered [about alternative technologies and possible placements of the tower] before we approve this in any form."

- Director Joan Corneil said she expected somebody from the school board to reply to Williams' questions, the tower would be the same height as most [highway] streetlights, and the tower conforms to industry standards. Atkinson said the roof structure was not designed to support a tower.

- Councillor Zurakowski said a roof-mounted tower was not an option, and the "students will be so lucky" to have this bandwidth. He understands the concerns, but it is a 48-foot tower, and when technology changes in 7 or 8 years, it can be taken down.

- Councillor Williams again asked if there was an alternate location, such as the south side of the 1972 addition (which would hide part of the tower). Zurakowski says he asked if another location was available, and the answer he got was "no."

- Councillor Gervais wondered if Zurakowski had specifically asked if the tower had to be at this location. Zurakowski replied he had asked if there was any other acceptable location.

- THE VOTE (to permit the tower): 5 in favour, Williams opposed, Atkinson abstained.



9:12 PM


Mayor & Council Attended/Were Fed and Feted by . . . .

- Councillor Dionne attended the annual street fair, and the Firemen's Fitness Challenge (where there were teams from all three prairie provinces).
- Mayor Scarrow recited the usual litany: a photo op on June 10 at the 1548 Merivale Rd. Shell station in Ottawa, where Iogen's straw-based ethanol was being sold to the public, with an Iogen project coordinator who worked on the Thames windmill project [see http://www.londonarray.com/about/ ]; participated in the 5th Honouring Our Brothers & Sisters Walk; went to the Iogen information session; met with Iogen at City Hall; received a cheque for $67,638 for Little Red River Park from the Cosmos; attended the Credenda Virtual High School grad, Lionel Smith's 100th birdthday party, the CUPE Aboriginal Day barbecue, the PA Indian-Metis Friendship Centre pow wow grand entry, and events for the National Day of Reconciliation for residential school survivors.


Inquiries: Another West Hill Update, Public Notice of Council Activities, and Tree-cutting Criminals Spur Indignation

- Councillor Zurakowski asked for an update on the 6th Ave. & 28th St. West intersection. Public Works Director Innes replied that the work there was delayed by rain, so only north-south traffic was currently passing through. Access to the hospital via 25th Street would be available in a few days. Scarrow said the alley just south of 28th St. was open.
- Councillor Dionne asked for a review of council's public notice requirements. Councl voted in favour of preparing such a report: 4 in favour, Councillors Atkinson and Williams opposed, and Mayor Scarrow abstaining. He also asked for a meeting to explain to residents why the trees on the south side of River St. West, between 4th Ave. and 6th Ave., were cut down, and the subsequent construction schedule for replacing sewer and water connections in the area. Scarrow opined that cutting those trees was "a criminal act," and something else should have been done, since they were left at "four-foot height" [in fact, the stumps were 18-24" high . . . .]. He wanted a report on this event [though no vote on this took place, as is required by rules he initiated in 2007. . . .], and a policy to ensure this never happens again, since "trees make our city." [The fervour of his indignation made a positive impression on the West Hill residents who remained in the foyer: they gave him a quick round of applause - their first since Cathy Borrowman had spoken against the Northern Spruce housing project, two hours earlier. The next morning, the stumps were trimmed down to 2-6" high.]

9:35 PM

Public Forum: Pro (Co-gen) and Con (Nuclear Power)

- Jack Jensen gave an explanation of c0-generation (using industrial process steam to generate electricity). He gave $1.5 million to $2 million as the cost per megawatt of generating this type of power, and compared it to the $5 million per megawatt that Bruce Power's nuclear proposal cites for Saskatchewan. He went on to say that Moody's Investors Service lists $7.5 million per megawatt for nuclear power. There is an opportunity for 30 megawatts of co-generated power if Iogen takes over the former pulp mill.
[Jensen's microphone was cut off after he had spoken for 6 minutes and 15 seconds . . . .]

- Rob Kelly said that nuclear power was an economically unsound idea, and was "ethically bankrupt." Using full-cycle carbon accounting, nuclear power did not come out on the positive side. The bulk of power from a Saskatchewan nuclear plant would go to tar sands oil extraction, liability for the nuclear industry was being passed to the next generation, and nuclear waste keeps "giving and giving and giving." [Rob was allowed to speak for six minutes and 33 seconds . . . .]


I Get to Speak Last - Always

- Mayor Scarrow again thanked Shaw Cable and city administration.

END: 9:48 PM