16th Regular Meeting of 2009 - October 5

Soccer Centre Supporters & Silly Season Soapboxes

ABSENTEES: Councillor Shawn Williams

BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS: 138 pages

PUBLIC GALLERY: Rick Sawa, Brian Clavier, Susan Holbird, Steve Lawrence, and 5 others

START: 7:02 PM


Fire Chief Recognition

Fire Chief Les Karpluk was recognized for the award he received from his peers - 2009 Fire Chief of the Year. He has been with the PA fire department for twenty-seven-and-a-half years, and chief since 2006. The award was partly due to the youth mentoring program that the department runs.

7:07 PM Three members of public gallery leave.


Golf Course Less Deserving of Heritage Designation than Other Facilities

- Brian Clavier spoke against giving the golf course municipal heritage designation. His remarks are reproduced below.

This bylaw isn’t needed, or warranted. I can think of several other properties that deserve municipal heritage designation for their architectural, historical, or natural value. Unlike the golf course, these are properties that don’t consume millions of liters of treated water every year, don’t use thousands of taxpayer dollars for pesticides and herbicides to maintain an unnatural landscape, don’t have a mobile beer cart, and they don’t take up a huge tract of valuable land for a pastime with minimal health benefits.

Five deserving municipal heritage properties that quickly come to mind are:
- the Bank of Ottawa building on 1st Avenue West;
- Bryant Park - now assigned the bland label of “Kinsmen Park;”
- the old North Park Centre property - in spite of the demolition of the historically-important main building 10 years ago; and
- the old public library, at 56-12th Street West - in spite of the mis-matched, incomplete, decade-long renovations underway there.

Then there’s the old railway bridge, which is also 100 years old this year. But I don’t recall any effort by council this year to formally recognize its historical significance.

- THE VOTE (to refer to the bylaws portion of the meeting): 7 - 0 in favour, Councillor Atkinson initially abstaining. When the Mayor asked about his vote, Atkinson raised his hand and said, "Whatever."


Marquis Rd. / 4th Ave. West Development Vague and Unsustainable

- Brian Clavier spoke in opposition to the 15-unit, 37-parking-space development permit application for 3601-4th Ave. West. His comments are reproduced below.

I hope you have a lot more information from your in camera meetings about this application than what the public can see, because what’s on pages 61 to 70 of the meeting documents shows multiple outstanding issues that were not resolved at the September 15 meeting with the developer.

For example: the size and precise layout of the 37 parking spaces is unknown (and yes, “37” is an excessive number of parking spaces for a 15-unit building); the type of housing unit is not specified anywhere; there’s no mention of traffic impacts from the development, or a bus stop location; and, most significantly, there’s no evidence of environmental sustainability. This last point is supposed to be important to council - you did, after all, give unanimous support to a motion about sustainability of new housing developments, at your July 20, 2009 council meeting. For these reasons, I suggest you refer this item back to administration - for much more information.

- Councillor Zurakowski noted that the need for a buffer strip was recognized, but he wondered if the developer would do it. He said the city should ensure this happens, and asked for detail about the design and implementation timeline. Director Corneil deferred to Community Services Director Greg Zeeben, who said the buffer would be done first thing in the spring of 2010.

- Councillor Dionne asked if trees would be planted on Marquis Road this year at this site. Zeeben replied, "Yes."

- THE VOTE (to approve the development permit): 8 - 0, in favour.


7:21 PM Steve Lawrence arrives, one person leaves public gallery.


BAD Nuclear! (Good Renewable)

- Rick Sawa talked about the provincial Uranium Development Partnership (UDP) study, saying that the participants were proponents of nuclear power, and thus not impartial. Dan Perrins' report, on the other hand, supports research into energy alternatives. Sawa asked council to forward his resolution (which was critical of the UDP for "propping up the uranium industry," and supported an energy needs study and renewable energy assessment for Saskatchewan) to the provincial government. [The presentation was largely a repeat of Sawa's September 21 public forum commentary.]

- Councillor Atkinson led off the responses. He said there was merit in Mr. Sawa's proposal. He moved a motion to have the city lobby the province to explore green energy options, and the feasibility of pursuing these in tandem with the city's [so far, extraordinarily nebulous] green industrial park [see the September 21 blog post for Brian Clavier's public forum comments on this initiative]. After a pregnant pause, Councillor Swystun seconded the motion, "to get it on the floor."

- Councillor Gervais asked Atkinson to explain the motion.

- Councillor Atkinson replied that there are alternatives to nuclear power; we have manufacturing capacity and technological expertise in the city; there are industrial properties that are idle; we can be a leader in alternate energy; and there are alternatives to atomic fusion [sic - fission] in this province. He concluded by saying that we need to look at the future, and think about long-term sustainability.

- Councillor Matheson said the motion was premature, given initiatives that are "ongoing as we speak." He maintained that nuclear facilities were not in the green industrial park plans, and said that things similar to what Atkinson talked about will come forward.

- Councillor Ring spoke in support of Atkinson's motion, saying the original proposed by Mr. Sawa was a "slap against uranium." He said we want to "prop up" the people who live here who are involved in the uranium industry. Besides, if you have 50 experts opposed to nuclear power, you can find 50 who support it. Atkinson's motion allows us to explore alternatives that fit in with the green industrial park.

- Councillor Swystun agreed, calling Atkinson's motion a positive one, that "avoids the controversy of the nuclear debate."

- THE VOTE (on Atkinson's motion): 7 - 1 in favour, Matheson opposed.


7:32 PM


Skating Club Ice Rental Reduction Left in the Lurch

- The Prince Albert Figure Skating Club is hosting a competition in February 2010. In a September 22 letter, they had asked for a reduction in the expected total fees of $9,200 for ice time at the Art Hauser Centre and the Dave Steuart Arena.

- Susan Holbird said the competition would involve about 300 skaters, with at least $350 spent in the city for each skater, for a total of more than $100,000 in expenditures at local businesses. The ice time expenditure she cited was $10,000.

- Mayor Scarrow said this should be decided by the next council, although past profits from PA Figure Skating Club events had been turned over for ice arena needs.

- Councillor Zurakowski [who was acclaimed in ward 8, so is returning to council in November] said this will be on the agenda in November, and the speaker would be invited back then.

- Councillor Atkinson said a "destination marketing fee," charged by hotels for the city, would help with this kind of request. City administration needs to explore this.

- Councillor Swystun said such a fund has been pursued for two years [in private, obviously, since this was the first public mention of such an effort . . . .] He said the Tourism Bureau has been involved in these negotiations.

- Councillor Gervais asked how much the club spends for ice time. Susan said about $76,000 per year.

- THE VOTE (to refer to Community Services for a report): 8 - 0 in favour.

7:41 PM One person remains in the public gallery.


Mayor & Councillors Attended/Were Feted by . . . .

- Mayor Scarrow's calendar included attendance at Tapestrama, the Treaty 6 Adhesion Ceremony in La Ronge (the 120th anniversary of that signing), the United Way campaign launch at Berezowsky School, and the Cemetery Columbaria dedication.


Inquiries: $occer Centre Soapbox Supplants Street Concerns

- Councillor Ring asked about the intersection of Marquis Road and Central Avenue: the northbound lanes' manhole cover sticks up too high above the road surface.

- Councillor Matheson thanked Scott Golding for helping with the pedestrian light at Holy Cross School. He then praised the soccer centre, describing it as "very impressive" and "nice to drive by now." [As if this were relevant to "inquiries" . . . .] He went on to say that those who talk of the soccer centre being over budget should remember that this "came to us in February 2007 as an $11 million dream," it wasn't a budgeted item, and "we added $4.6 million with some extras." With fund-raising and provincial help, the project is "on target." He claimed the project is "costing the tax base $6.8 million" [actually, it's $8 million . . . .] and has given us a fantastic facility that will keep people in, and bring others to the community. He finished by saying it is NOT a "white elephant." [Pom-pom-waving cheerleaders were absent when Matheson grandiloquently led off the soccer centre support speeches with this prepared piece . . . .]

- Mayor Scarrow continued on the same topic, saying that the soccer centre was approved by council in July 2008 at $15.7 million. [He crowed about it being given the go-ahead at $11 million in his January 24, 2008 State of the City address . . . .] The tax notices, he affirmed, identify the levy for each property owner [thanks to a request by Councillor Atkinson in early 2008 . . . .]

- Councillor Swystun chimed in, stating that soccer centre critics allege extravagance and safety issues. He said keeping youth active means they don't get into trouble, the numbers of participants exceed those for hockey, and soccer is a year-round activity. The number of soccer participants exceeds 1400 in the city, of which females constitute more than 50% [including his grandaughter, a skilled teenage player whose father is Police Chief Dale McFee]. He summed up by saying this is probably the most important project the city has undertaken in the past few years.

- Councillor Zurakowski added that the 7 AM meetings, twice a month, were worth it, because this is a multi-purpose facility - which is why the city bought in [even if it started as simply a $3 million soccer facility]. He said that $5.3 million of the $16 million cost was coming from taxpayers [apparently, he did not hear Matheson say "$6.8 million" a few minutes earlier - or maybe the centre's supporters found a $1.5 million error during the time Matheson, Scarrow, and Swystun were speaking]. He spoke next of getting "our heads out of the sand" and preparing for the city's growth.

- Councillor Atkinson commented that amenities in the city help employers attract people. This is "wonderful and good," but what are the centre's operating costs [a question he has asked at least ten times at council meetings - without ever receiving an answer] ? People frequently ask him this. Council should be given these numbers, plus those for expected revenue, and then there won't be criticism of the soccer centre.

- Mayor Scarrow needed to get in a few more thoughts on this topic, stating that this will spur development on the west side of the city, and to watch what happens south of 28th St. in the next 10 to 15 years.

- Councillor Gervais was thankful Matheson brought this up. The soccer centre was in his pamphlets last time [the 2006 election], soccer is a sport that lower-income people can participate in, the road to it is "like the autobahn," and it is "within walking distance from my area" [Ward 1 , which Gervais represents, actually includes both the soccer centre and the hospital: everything west of 9th avenue, south of the river, is in that ward]. He said when you try and give people opportunities, "you never seem to win," and we have to give kids something to do.

- Councillor Dionne said, "I know we're in the silly season," then added that he would like to say "I love the soccer centre." Instead, he reminded council about the communications tower that was removed from 27th St. and 2nd Ave. West, thanks to the city solicitor.

- Councillor Ring [returning everyone to his original query about the manhole cover] asked if the Director of Public Works could reply. Colin Innes said, as a temporary fix, the edges could be ground down now, and that a layer of white-topping would be applied next year.

8:10 PM

- Councillor Atkinson inquired about the cost of a second "lift" for the new 28th St. West asphalt, and whether that amount was included in the 2010 budget. Innes said: over $200,000, they had always planned on doing the road surface this way because of the lousy soil, and the budget is there for 2010. Atkinson continued, asking if there was a program to help homeowners replace their lead pipes in conjunction with the city's replacement of its lead pipes. He suggested the program could emulate what was done for West Hill residences subject to repeat flooding, which was cost-effective. Scarrow replied, "This council took up flooding" as an issue that needed to be addressed. Atkinson countered that there was a budget item for a lead service replacement program.

- Councillor Zurakowski asked if Innes was aware of water coming from the street at 2nd Ave. and 24th St. West. Innes said yes, but there was no immediate drop in pressure, and they were looking for the best place to correct this problem.

Giving Notice (of cancelling public council meetings)

- Mayor Scarrow said that often the last meeting before a civic election was cancelled, as "there is little for council to do." [Although this happened in 2006, the meeting immediately prior to the election was not cancelled at the last minute - it was done at the September 18, 2006 regular meeting. Moreover, no "special meetings" were held between October 10 and November 6, 2006, and the October 10 meeting had a 13-page agenda (including six reports from administration). As for there being "little for council to do," this circumstance is by design - of the Mayor and City Manager, the individuals who move things onto council's meeting agendas.] He asked City Manager Cotterill what items remained for council to do on October 19. Cotterill replied "a small number," that could be delayed until November, plus a rezoning. Zurakowski said the agenda for today was thin, with only one report, and "the public may trip over soapboxes if we have a meeting [if they didn't trip over the soccer centre soapbox from minutes earlier . . . .] He moved to cancel the October 19 meeting, Dionne seconded the motion. City Clerk Skauge said they needed a 2/3 majority to deal with the motion immediately. Atkinson could not recall ever cancelling an October council meeting in an election year, and was opposed to having a special meeting if anything urgent came up. He asked if committee meetings were also going to be cancelled, and if council would "go into hibernation." Information should be delat with at a regular council meeting, he maintained. Skauge could not remember if such meetings were cancelled [though the sole occupant of the public gallery, Brian Clavier, shook his head repeatedly]. Dionne piped up, "We should not bind the new council. We should be at home or campaigning" [if not attending to city business . . . .]

- THE VOTE (to consider a motion to cancel the October 19 regular meeting): 5 - 2 in favour, Councillor Gervais abstaining, Councillors Ring and Atkinson opposed.

- Councillor Swystun asked if the October 12 executive committee meeting would be cancelled. Skauge replied, "yes," and Zurakowski clarified that the motion was to cancel both meetings. Atkinson said, if the intent was to "stop the soapboxes," then are committee meetings also to be cancelled? If the intent is to cancel council activity, then these should be cancelled as well. Scarrow said it wasn't about soapboxes, it was that there wasn't going to be any agenda [maybe he didn't want an actual council agenda interfering with campaigning . . . .] Dionne went overboard, saying he seconded the motion in appreciation of the City Clerk's work on the election, and the need to organize for that election: "We should give the clerk's office some relief." Gervais called out, "Soapbox!"

- THE VOTE (to cancel the October 12 executive and October 19 regular meetings): 6 - 2 in favour, Councillors Ring and Atkinson opposed.

8:31 PM

Oh Please, NOT AGAIN!!

- Councillor Zurakowski again cancelled his motion to rename the three fields at Prime Ministers Park after John Diefenbaker, Mackenize King, and Wilfrid Laurier . [This was the fifth time he has cancelled consideration of this (non-contentious) motion.]


Same Old, Same Old Last Words

- Mayor Scarrow thanked Shaw Cable, administration, and city staff for their work.

END: 8:32 PM