3rd Regular Meeting of 2009 - February 23

Mayoral Uncertainty, Spycams, and Wingy Water Woes

START: 7:06 PM

ABSENTEES - none

PUBLIC GALLERY: Brian Clavier, Pearl Morin, Rick Potratz, and Steve Lawrence. Ingrid Mateen, Jess Camalari, Claudia Camalari, and two others left after 28 minutes. Special recognition guests Mr. & Mrs. Winter Festival (Arnold & Merle Chester), the Winter Festival Queen (Lori Hannah-Fiddler) and Festival Princesses (Justine Antoine-Roy and Kate McKelvic) also left after 28 minutes.

BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS: 275 pages [a remarkably small pile, considering that the last council meeting was 28 days previous. The number of complex subjects up for discussion by council shrinks dramatically when the Mayor is out of town - as he was for a large part of February 2009. Apparently, when he's not here, nothing important should happen.]


Recognition - Times Six
[This is becoming a permanent feature of council meetings.]

Stephanie Sasakamoose, the Prince of Wales Scholarship winner, was not present. For the benefit of Shaw cable viewers, the Mayor interviewed Mr. and Mrs. Winter Festival, the Festival Queen, and the two Festival Princesses. First Princess Justine Antoine-Roy - who confidently referred to herself as "numero uno" - asked her interviewer, "Are you really the Mayor?" Mayor Scarrow's guilty reply was drowned out by loud laughter from throughout the chamber.


7:14 PM


Submission of Pecuniary Interest Forms

For the eleventh consecutive meeting, the Mayor requested members of council to submit forms detailing what financial interests they have in the city that might affect their actions as municipal counillors. Again, no explanation was given for this request.

[The public now has reason to believe that someone on council is buying and selling properties so often that they need to submit a new form at every council meeting - or that the tape of this remark is looped to repeat indefinitely. To clarify: the procedure defined in section 116 of The Cities Act refers to the submission of these forms just after councillors are elected or re-elected, or when there is a change in either their municipal property holdings or their corporate involvement with the city coffers.]


Bylaw 47 Public Hearing - to Allow a District Development Plan Amendment to Create Country Residential Lots, at Aspen Estates (25 lots north of highway 302, east of the city) and Boyer Estates (17 lots, west of highway 2, north of the city)


- Brian Clavier [as expected] spoke against the bylaw, on the basis of the city's and RM's failure to respect section 5.4.8.1.viii of the District Development Plan (which requires country residential proposals, such as Boyer Estates, to be located more than 500 meters from the commercial area on the east side of highway 2 at Red Wing); the documentation's failure to assess traffic impacts generated by the two developments; the increased danger, in particular, at the main Red Wing access road intersection with highway 2, from additional traffic at a location that already has too many accidents and close calls; and long-term unsustainability of residential developments on the edge of the city that have no energy- or resource-reduction components.

- Councillor Williams explained that the Red Wing development is intended to attract young families, who are needed if the elementary school at Red Wing is to survive.

- Councillor Atkinson questioned the approval of two more projects that will affect traffic to and from the city, and the impact the developments will have on the Rural Water Utility, which is supplied by the city's water network.

- THE VOTE (to refer to bylaw section of the meeting): 8 - 1 in favour, Councillor Atkinson opposed.


7:24 PM


Development Permit Application Public Hearing - to Approve a "Breakfast Restaurant" in the Proposed Confectionery at 1928 Central Avenue (formerly the Grand Central Cafe, Pat's Place, and the Hillside Grocery, going back to 1945)

- letters of opposition from the operator of the Earth Spa business (located next door to the proposed restaurant/confectionery, in the same building) and the tenant living above the proposed restaurtant/confectionery space were posted to the city's web site on February 23.

- Brian Clavier spoke in favour of granting the permit, on the basis of the location's history as a restaurant, although he was concerned about how "commuter" is defined in Prince Albert, since it might mean an excessive number of additional cars parked in the area in the morning, rather than walking, cycling, or bus commuters being patrons of the restaurant. He said that the four existing parking spaces were enough, rather than the nine called for by the city's bylaw.

- Jess Camalari, the permit applicant, spoke about his arrival in the city in July 2000, his four children (all of whom speak three languages), and his experience running the concession at the Buckland arena.

- Councillor Zurakowski responded to Mr. Camalari, saying that "your excitement is contagious." He also noted that parking will need to be monitored, just as it is for the restaurant at 6th Avenue West and 22nd Street [which is in his ward].

- THE VOTE: 9 - 0, to approve the development permit.


7:34 PM


Shaw Cable Present - Despite the Lack of Such a Requirement in Their Broadcast License

- a letter from Shaw Cable [page 4 of the background documents] explains why Shaw's presence at council meetings may be inconsistent, but not why the picture was unavailable to viewers of the January 26, 2009 meeting. It also refers to the possibility of a "broadband service" Request for Proposals that it hopes will be produced by the city in spring 2009.

- Councillor Zurakowski said he was "pleased to hear [that] Shaw is committed to being here."

[Note: Brian Clavier wrote to council in 2006, then subsequently spoke at a council meeting in early 2007, about live internet broadcasts and online archiving of city council meetings. A report (with incomplete research) was produced in mid-2007 that served to justify council's failure to act on Brian's suggestions. There is no explanation for the continued presence of Shaw-produced videos of the September 10, 2007; September 24, 2007; and December 3, 2007 council meetings at http://www.citypa.ca/TheCity/CityCouncil/CouncilVideos/tabid/424/Default.aspx , under the heading "Recent City Council Meetings."]


Year-end Safety Report - New to the Public Eye

- the Occupational Health and Safety Report for the city for the year ended December 31, 2008 is presented in the meeting documents, beginning at page 29. A summary of city employee accidents has not been made available online before this.

Councillor Atkinson pointed out that the numbers of accidents for prior years [which, surprisingly, are not in the report] would be valuable, in order to create a context for the current year numbers.

- City Manager Cotterill excused the absence of this important information, stating that the individual who prepared the report "is new to the position."


7:42 PM


Time-saving Sypcams Will NOT Cost $240,000


- the Transportation Project Manager's report on obtaining three video cameras (two for the Diefenbaker bridge, plus one for the Riverside Drive overpass) described the full cost for these cameras, their installation and maintenance, and two message boards to allow the information they gather to be relayed to the motoring public as approximately $240,000 [at page 90 of the background documents]. There is no mention of right-to-privacy issues in the report. [Council's discussion of this item also neglected to address privacy issues.]

- Mayor Scarrow apologized for missing the Executive Committee meeting where this item was discussed in detail. His thoughts on this topic were not provided to members of council at that time. He stated that the message boards, a $200,000 expense, were not required, and that the $15,000 for monitoring was also not needed. He claims the cameras would give 5 to 20 minutes of additional warning to the police service of dangerous situations. The Police Commission [of which he is the Chair] has alrady reviewed this item, and the cost totals about $45,000.

- Councillor Zurakowski expressed his opposition to the expenditure, asking whether safety would be increased. The Mayor replied, "Yes."

- Councillor Dionne [a member of the Police Commission] told council that the Riverside Drive overpass was again hit by a truck on Friday night [February 20, 2009] , but the truck in question was fund due to the degree of damage. Cell phone callers, he said, do not give emergency services operators enough detail about incidents that happen on the bridge. He supports buying the cameras.

- Councillor Williams asked where the money is coming from, and whether the province was contributing any funds (since the bridge and overpass are on provincial highways).

- City Manager Cotterill replied that the costs would be included in the 2009 budget, and the province might contribute.

- Councillor Atkinson noted that there were an average of 6.3 accidents per year on the bridge and at the overpass, over a ten-year period, and that the delays at the two spots represented "less than point zero-one percent" of that time. He maintained that the cameras should be added to the police service capital budget.

- Mayor Scarrow countered that the cost should be in the public works budget, and that the police would monitor the cameras at no cost.

- Councillor Zurakowski asked if additional staff would be needed to monitor the cameras. The Mayor said, "No."

- THE VOTE (to include the three cameras in the 2009 budget): 7 - 2 in favour, Councillors Atkinson and Williams opposed.


7:51 PM


Indoor Hockey Season - "You play, you (might) pay"

- Mayor Scarrow noted, after again apologizing for missing the Executive Committee meeting where this item was discussed in detail, that the individual cost for extending the season at each of the three arenas in the city was not included in the report from the Recreation Manager.

- Councillor Zurakowski explained these numbers would be in the next report from Community Services.

- Councillor Williams reminded council that other arena users, such as the lacrosse players, would be affected if the hockey season is extended.

- Councillor Ring said the cost recovery rate should be set at 70% or higher.

- Councillor Dionne said that the RM of Buckland should be contacted, to see if they are extending their arena's hockey season. [It was not clear why the rural rink's hockey season was relevant.]

- Councillor Zurakowski remarked that the language of full cost recovery "is a slippery slope" that limits recreational facility access for youth.

- Mayor Scarrow [taking the discussion to uncharted lows] affirmed that sports are the "best anti-gang program."

- Councillor Williams clarified: the arenas' hockey programs are elite programs - not part of an anti-gang program for at-risk youth. What's more, if "you're gonna play, you pay" should be the operative principle.

- Councillor Zurakowski believes "at-risk" youth are increasingly middle class youth who cannot afford to participate in organized hockey.

- Councillor Atkinson brought the discussion back to extending the hockey season at the arenas, saying that there is less money available for at-risk youth if money is spent on extending the arenas' hockey season.

- THE VOTE (to have an in-depth report prepared): 9 - 0 in favour.


7:59 PM


Water Utility Budgets Drip Red Ink

- Councillor Atkinson reminded council that the water and sewer operating fund was supposed to be self-supporting, that it had a positive balance of $2 million in 2007, and that it now shows a $4.6 million deficit. The fund is "funded on the backs of residential users," not business or rural customers. There are minimum-usage rates that subsidize larger users, and no conservation elements. The more one uses, the less one pays. He said council should not wait to make changes to the fund's budget, municipalities across the country have already dealt with this problem, and if nothing is done, the $4.6 million deficit will get worse.

- Mayor Scarrow said the rate increases were passed by this council, council ignored a required $700,000 expenditure in March 2006 [seven months before this council was elected], and this council met with the treatment plant employees, who would "no longer come in at all hours." He claimed residential charges were below the provincial median, business charges were at the median, and there will be a profit inthe fund. This is an enormous ($19 million) issue, and the penalty of not doing things is "the price we're paying now."

- Councillor Swystun said the recommendations call for a review.

- Councillor Atkinson explained that when he wasn't in favour of the current pricing methodology, he voted against the rate strucure because he wanted everyone to pay more (not just residential customers). The report from administration is very late, the deficit has doubled, expenses have been limited to the bare essentials, and we should not have to wait another year for a detailed report.

- City Manager Cotterill said an "extremely complicated review" was being requested. He stated the federal and provincial governments have to step forward, and the city is applying within the next 60 to 90 days to the BCF [Building Communities Fund] - the city of "Yorkton got $12 million last week," and we will be applying for about that amount.

- Councillor Swystun [a former City Engineer] said that water system improvements are a "moving target." Saskatchewan Environment [SE] , for example, wanted $7 million in immediate system improvements two years ago. However, the interjection of "sanity" into the negotiations between the city and SE produced the current cost estimates.

- Councillor Atkinson said the waste water treatment plant in the east end was built solely with city funding [including the issue of debentures] ten years ago, while the problems in North Battleford a few years later resulted in the province coming to the rescue with "bags of money."

- Councillor Williams said he spoke out about the lack of conservation measures when the rates were changed two years ago; we're still washing cars and watering lawns with potable water, and we should educate citizens about this in order to change that way of thinking. In addition, he said that fire hydrant water is also potable, simple measures can save money, and a vast review of what we can do is needed.

- Councillor Zurakowski agreed, indicating that the city should look at some of these conservation measures - dealing with "the possible" now and "the perfect" later. He called for the question [an immediate vote on the motion].

- THE VOTE (to approve the budgets for the water utility and give the City Manager until December 31, 2009 to provide a report on the rates): 6 - 2 in favour, Councillors Atkinson and Williams opposed. Councillor Ring [the chair for today's Committee-of-the-Whole meeting segment] did not vote. When asked about this by the Mayor, he replied that he would have voted in favour of the motion.


New Emergency Radio System - Project Employee to Cost $60,000

- Councillor Dionne objected to hiring someone for a short period of time for $60,000. He suggested seconding an employee from the fire or police departments.

- City Manager Cotterill said the fire and police chiefs told him that the relevant expertise could not be found among their employees, and we have to "put pressure on the province for a system we can use." On the other hand, he also said that the province will be testing a system in Prince Albert next month.

- Mayor Scarrow said that the selection of a radio system by the province to replace Fleetnet was almost complete. To add more confusion to the issue, the Mayor also said that the city can't hire someone for $60,000 with the relevant expertise.

- THE VOTE (to refer the report to 2009 budget deliberations): 5 - 1 in favour, Councillor Dionne opposed. Vote was too quick to see who was in favour of the motion (other than the Mayor's supporting vote).


It's ONLY 3.7 million dollars . . . .

- Councillor Swystun moved that the city prioritize the expenditures that will be covered by MEEP [the Municipal Economic Enhacement Program] in 2009 - see the Public Forum section below, and refer to pages 247, 248, 249, and 259 of the meeting documents.


Saskatchewan Lotteries Funds Clock and Cabinet (but no couch)

- council voted to approve the 2009 Community Grant Program recommendations to Saskatchewan Lotteries. The recommended project grants include $3500 towards a new time clock at the East End Community Club, as described on page 270 of the meeting documents, and a $2000 grant to the Prince Albert Skating Club for the full cost of a display cabinet at the Dave Steuart arena, as described on page 271.

- the grant guidelines at http://www.bbcsask.ca/pdfs/toolkit/Districts-Annual-Funding-GuidelinesDec07.pdf have not changed for the 2009 grant year. The fourth and fifth pages of the document explain that capital expenditures (construction, renovation, or upgrading of facilities are specified) are ineligible for grants. The primary eligibility requirement is to"encourage participation in sport, recreation and cultural programs and in particular, to encourage participation by economically disadvantaged people, new Canadians, older adults, persons with a disability, single parent families, or youth at risk."

- The 2009 Prince Albert Community Grant Guidelines are on pages 205 and 206 of the document http://www.citypa.ca/Portals/0/PDF2/Council_Agenda/2008/2008%2012%2015%20-%20Order%20of%20Business/Agenda%20-%20Pages%201%20-%20423.pdf The City of Saskatoon elaborates on ineligible 2009 expenditures on the fourth and fifth pages of http://www.city.saskatoon.sk.ca/org/leisure/facilities/pdfs/CGApplication.pdf


AND the Mayor and Councillors Attended/Will Attend/Congratulate . . . .

- Councillor Matheson advertised the Kinsmen "Mini-Miracle" at the Rawlinson Centre on March 2 - musician Donny Parenteau will play there - and ate at Amy's Restaurant during a Francophone Culture Awareness Week event.
- Councillor Swystun said a UNESCO representative from Ottawa and the Saskatchewan Lieutenant-Governor will be in Prince Albert for the March 20 sign-on to the Cities-Against-Racism-and-Discrimination group.
- Councillor Dionne praised the Heart Health Olympics, and encouraged all of us to attend the next edition of "R U Tuff Enuff." He said 3100 people attended the most recent one, and that the "ladies" bout was the best.
- Councillor Ring filled in for the Mayor at many events - the city's long-service-awards dinner, the Winter Festival juried art show, a Prince Albert Grand Council inter-agency conference, a River Bank Development Corporation award ceremony, and a non-embarassing dog sled ride at the Canadian Sled Dog Challenge.
- Mayor Scarrow met Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies construction students; attended the Art Hauser posthumous Citizen-of-the-Year tribute, the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association convention, and the Shore Gold open house. He congratulated the City Manager for creating a new honour for civic employees (an award of appreciation for volunteer work performed), then asked the Director of Financial Services how many employees the city has, speculating that there were about 500. There was no reply.


8:37 PM


Inquiries - Snow Removal and Problems Resulting from the 28th St. West Construction

- Councillor Atkinson asked whether the recent snow removal near Arthur Pechey school would be repeated at other schools in the city. The Acting Director said he would look into this.

- Councillor Zurakowski asked about snow removal and weight limits on the 24th Street temporary route to the hospital during the continued closure of 28th Street, in response to stuck vehicles and excessive road wear. Scott Golding said there was a 5000-kilogram limit on 24th Street, and that it now had "priority one" status for snow removal.


8:46 PM


Motion to Re-name Soccer Fields

- Councillor Zurakowski's motion to re-name three soccer fields [see the posting for the January 26, 2009 council meeting] was postponed.


Public Forum - Mis-spent Survey Money, An Errant Calculator, and Nuclear Power is a No-No

- Brian Clavier complained about the $10,000 the city was spending on a badly-composed, age- and education-biased survey about Bruce Power's proposal for a nuclear power plant. He also gave a scathing comparison of the details for spending the $3.7 million in provincal MEEP money on pages 247-249 of the meeting documents with the spending summary found on page 259.

- Steve Lawrence [the Green Party candidate for the Prince Albert constituency in the October 2008 federal election] spoke against locating a nuclear power plant in the Prince Albert area, citing larger-than-predicted construction and operating costs; kilowatt-hour generation costs that are three-and-a-half times those for windpower, and double the cost of solar-generated electricity; increasingly cheaper solar- and wind-generated electricity; the need to have taxpayers assume 100% of the risks of a nuclear power plant; the fixed cost of wind-generated power (for 20 years); Germany's current plan to shut down all 16 of its nuclear power reactors; the potential for biomass-generated electricity; and a report by Moody's Investor Service that gives 25 to 30 cents per kilowatt hour as the cost of nuclear-generated power, versus the 9.38 cents we now pay. He also said that city residents should make their wishes on the question of nuclear power clear to the provincial government.

Always the Final Word

- The Mayor thanked administration and Councillor Dionne for their work. He admonished the Deputy-Mayor of the day, noting that "the Chair votes as well, Councillor Ring."

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:58 PM.
[The meeting's length was not due to a long agenda, but to lengthy discussions on three reports and councillors' attendance at a month's worth of noteworthy events.]