[8:47] Tonsay, dot in the stada, unbalwa, stitch, okay, and good morning, everyone. Welcome to the December 19 strategic meeting of council. Madam Clerk, could we do a roll call please.

[8:58] Thank you, Mayor, on the Councilor Demolk. Councilor Dolly Wall.

[9:02] Here. Councilor McLean.

[9:05] Uh.

[9:06] Councilor Mayan.

[9:07] Morning.

[9:07] Councilor Pena.

[9:08] Here.

[9:09] Councilor Pupens.

[9:10] Here.

[9:10] Councilor Sharpe.

[9:11] Councilor Spencer.

[9:13] Here.

[9:14] Councilor Walcott. Here.

[9:15] Councillor Wong, Councillor Wyness, Councillor Corraw.

[9:19] I am here.

[9:20] Councillor Shibou.

[9:21] Present.

[9:22] Councillor Chu.

[9:23] And Mayor Gondick.

[9:24] I'm here.

[9:25] Thank you, Mayor.

[9:25] All right.

[9:26] I will turn to Councillor Putman's please.

[9:28] Thank you, Mayor.

[9:29] The city of Calgary, where the bow and elbow rivers meet, what's historically a place of

[9:33] confluence, where the sharing of resources, ideas and opportunities naturally come together.

[9:39] Long before the Scottish settlers named Calgary, the original indigenous nations of

[9:44] this area had their own names for the land. In the Blackfoot language, it is known as Majinstus.

[9:49] He is Ithka Nakoda, with Skatabi Frisnations, referred to this place as Wojade, and the people

[9:56] of the Sotina Sotina Nation call it, Gutsis. The Maiti called the area Otus Kuani.

[10:03] We would like to take this opportunity to appreciate and acknowledge that we are gathered on the

[10:14] Omni, Scarb, BB, Gunni, and Genai.

[10:18] Frist nations, and the Iaithka, Nakoda,

[10:20] with Skatabi First Nations,

[10:22] comprised of the Chiniki,

[10:24] there's Pa and Goods, Doni First Nations,

[10:26] and the Soutana First Nation.

[10:28] The city of Calgary is also homeland to the

[10:30] historic Northwest Métis, and to the Opied Mess,

[10:33] Sua, Métis Government, Métis Nation,

[10:36] Battle River Territory, No Silmaity District 5,

[10:39] and the Abu Métis District 6.

[10:41] We acknowledge all indigenous people

[10:42] have made Congress their home. With apologies, no disrespect intended if the

[10:46] Plunc stations were that mangled at all. Thank you very much.

[10:51] Thanks. Thank you, Councillor Povins. With that, I will turn to our recognition today.

[10:58] On September 21st, we traditionally observe the winter solstice, which is the start of winter.

[11:03] In Calgary, this day has an additional and more somber significance. The longest night of the

[11:08] is a memorial service to honor those who've lost their lives during the past year while experiencing homelessness.

[11:15] The people we remember were mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, and good friends.

[11:21] These individuals may not have had a proper funeral or grave site, so the longest night of the year memorial is a way

[11:27] for community to mourn and pay respects. This event was created in 2015 by the Calgary homeless

[11:33] Foundation's client action committee, a group of dedicated people who consult with the Calgary

[11:37] homeless foundation to provide the voice and perspective of lived experience. Life on the streets

[11:43] can be demeaning, it can be humiliating, and a dehumanizing reality. Homelessness combined

[11:50] with social isolation significantly increases a person's risk of premature death from all causes.

[11:56] Although we are brought together by loss, this annual event gives us hope, gives us healing

[12:03] and it inspires us to bring about change.

[12:05] This year, the City of Calgary has committed to make affordable housing a priority.

[12:10] Providing equity deserving populations with access to affordable housing contributes to their

[12:15] mental and physical health, social integration, as well as maintaining community safety.

[12:20] And while I would like to think that we will accomplish our big goals quickly, I am also aware

[12:25] that it comes to late for too many.

[12:28] As we grieve the deaths of Trent Ryder, Linda many wounds, and another person who is yet

[12:33] unnamed, let's remember that all three of these folks were loved by their families, and

[12:38] they lost their lives in a tragic fire because they were in positions of vulnerability and

[12:42] crisis.

[12:43] We must carry forward with compassion and remember that our policies and actions can save lives.

[12:49] I invite all of you, members of Council and Calgaryens, to join the longest night of the

[12:54] memorial event, either in person at decidedly jazz dance works or virtually on Thursday, December

[13:00] the 21st at 430 p.m. I also invite you to join me now in a moment of silence for lives

[13:06] that have been lost.

[13:19] Thank you very much, everyone. Let's move to question period and first

[13:23] questions from Councilor Long.

[13:25] Thank you, Mayor. Most recently, over the weekend, I was in our various communities in

[13:32] And one of the questions was raises in light of the city of Toronto, just suspending charging for single use of plastic bags that there's the way in light of the federal court decisions around the government count as legislation around plastic bags.

[13:47] And perhaps our administration can explain the federal court decision to rational for Toronto's decision and whether or not our administration will be changing our practice or recommending something different.

[14:01] Thanks for the question, maybe just for some background, each week, 15 million single-used

[14:06] items are thrown in the garbage in Calvary.

[14:10] Our by-law is not specific to plastic, it's focused on single-used plastics, and these include

[14:15] things like napkins, condiments, and utensils, so it's really about those single-use

[14:20] items.

[14:21] We did reach out to Toronto, they did approve a by-law last week, it is very similar to ours

[14:26] with the exception, they don't make mention of plastic bags.

[14:30] There assumption was that the federal regulations would be in place

[14:33] and they would not have to regulate.

[14:35] So our understanding is the federal regulations are still

[14:39] on track and they're processing the court decision

[14:41] on plastics to determine what changes need to be made.

[14:45] So we don't anticipate any changes.

[14:47] At this point, to our bile, our direction on reducing

[14:50] single use items.

[14:51] We will continue to monitor the situation,

[14:54] talk to our partners across Canada and make sure

[14:56] If any adjustments to the bile are needed, we would come back to Council.

[15:02] Thank you very much. Let's go to confirmation of the agenda. Can I get a move for please? Councilor Putman, seconded by Councilor Mian.

[15:09] Madam Clerk, do we have changes to this?

[15:12] Not to the agenda, Mayor Gondick, but we do have one procedural motion to follow.

[15:17] All right. I don't see anybody in the queue with questions on the agenda. So please go to eScribe to vote.

[15:35] Councilor Chu, your vote please. Thank you. Councilor Wong, your vote please. Thank you. Councilor Panor, your vote please.

[15:42] Thank you. Councillor McLean, your vote, please.

[15:45] Yes.

[15:45] Thank you, Mayor Gondick, all the votes are in.

[15:47] Could you display the results, please?

[15:51] That's carried unanimously.

[15:53] Madam Clerk, the procedural motions.

[15:56] There is one procedural motion, Mayor Gondick, and that is to set the standard recess

[15:59] time for today's strategic meeting of council to be modified and set to the call of the chair.

[16:05] And this is for the rationale that we might be running a little bit later, short,

[16:09] and that way we can break and go back into closed session,

[16:11] coming in here. Councillor Petters going to move that. Seconded by Councillor

[16:15] Wynus. Thank you. I don't see anybody in the queue for that. Please go to

[16:19] e-scribe to vote.

[16:30] Councillor Trey, are you all pleased?

[16:32] Councillor Trey, may I go on to call the vote sign?

[16:34] Could you just play the results, please?

[16:38] That's carried 13 to 1 with Councillor

[16:39] Shabo voting against. Let's now go to the motion to go into closed session.

[16:48] All right, so we're going to close session for these two items. There is also an

[16:52] and all consultant who will join us.

[16:54] Can you get a mover for this please?

[16:56] Councillor Cura.

[16:56] Seconded by Councillor Mian.

[16:59] I don't see anybody in the queue for this one.

[17:01] So, e-scribe to vote, please?

[17:14] Councillor Tuaia, vote, please?

[17:15] Yes.

[17:16] Thank you.

[17:16] Councillor Putman, is your vote, please?

[17:18] Thank you.

[17:19] Mayor Gondick, all the votes are in.

[17:20] Could you display the results, please?

[17:23] That is carried 12-2.

[17:24] We're counting for Sharpen Councillor Shubo voting against.

[17:27] So, we are now going to hang up from this team's call.

[17:31] you'll get a link to the confidential one as it's available and we will rise and report

[17:37] at the conclusion of the day. Thanks everyone!

[6:39:33] The strategic meeting of council will be resuming in public shortly. Please return to the council chamber.

[6:47:34] Hi, everybody welcome back to the December 19th Strategic meeting of Council Madame Clerk, can we have a roll call please?

[6:47:40] Thank you Mayor on the roll, Councillor McLain. Councillor Meain.

[6:47:44] Here. Councillor Panner. Here, Councillor Pupens. Here. Councillor Scherke.

[6:47:48] Here. Councillor Spencer. Here. Councillor Walcott.

[6:47:51] I'm here. Councillor Wong.

[6:47:53] Here. Councillor Wynas.

[6:47:55] Councillor Curo. I'm here. Councillor Scherbo.

[6:47:58] Councillor Chu. Here. Councillor Demong. Here.

[6:48:02] Thank you, Mayor.

[6:48:04] All right.

[6:48:05] We are going to rise and report that is being moved by Councillor Putman's,

[6:48:10] seconded by Councillor Panner.

[6:48:12] Anyone opposed to rising and reporting?

[6:48:15] Seeing and hearing none, that is carried.

[6:48:18] That takes us to item 6.1.1.

[6:48:23] And we'll just wait for it to come up.

[6:48:28] This is being moved by Councillor Thoughty.

[6:48:29] Well, it is seconded by Councillor Wong.

[6:48:34] We have an amended, do we do the amendmenters, this has amended?

[6:48:40] We do have an extra amendment.

[6:48:41] The one that's on the screen right now, only accounts for the confidential distributions.

[6:48:45] We have a separate amendment prepared by Councillor Sharpe and moved by it was going to be

[6:48:50] Councillor Shubo.

[6:48:51] So Sharpe and Shubo.

[6:48:53] Councillor Wyness.

[6:48:55] So we'll just replace the seconder and then the motion will be ready.

[6:48:58] Okay.

[6:48:59] Councillor Wyness.

[6:49:07] Perfect service amendment everyone is just to release a further confidential attachment to the public.

[6:49:19] If you would.

[6:49:20] Thanks, I was just going to say that I think it's important that we're transparent with our assistance regarding budget.

[6:49:26] And that these are both the confidential items that can be released to them.

[6:49:30] So they can understand the process that was undertaken for our 2023 adjustments and how that related to our strategic direction.

[6:49:41] Perfect. I just want to make sure there's nobody in the queue. Nope, I don't see anybody else.

[6:49:46] Let's go to eScribe to vote on the amendment, please.

[6:50:06] Councillor Demong your vote, please?

[6:50:08] Yes.

[6:50:09] Thank you.

[6:50:10] Americanda, call the votes, Aaron.

[6:50:12] Could you display the results, please?

[6:50:15] That is carried unanimously.

[6:50:17] Let's go back to the main motion as amended.

[6:50:26] This was moved by Councillor Bell.

[6:50:28] Well, seconded by Councillor Wong.

[6:50:30] The amendment is now included.

[6:50:32] Please go to eScribe to vote.

[6:50:47] Councillor Putments, your vote, please.

[6:50:50] Thank you.

[6:50:51] Mayor Conduct, all the votes are in.

[6:50:52] Could you display the results, please?

[6:50:56] That is carried unanimously.

[6:50:58] Let's go to item 6.1.2.

[6:51:03] This one is being moved by Councillor Demong.

[6:51:06] Seconded by Councillor Penner.

[6:51:07] Please go ahead, Hoover.

[6:51:10] Nothing much to say other than what's on the screen.

[6:51:12] We're going to postpone it till we hear back from the province

[6:51:14] onto as to what their intentions are.

[6:51:17] And moved.

[6:51:18] and closed.

[6:51:21] Well, we're not going to close yet.

[6:51:22] Okay.

[6:51:22] Good try them.

[6:51:23] Good effort.

[6:51:24] Let's go to Councillor Spencer, please.

[6:51:27] Thank you, Mayor.

[6:51:29] Just want to...

[6:51:30] I will be voting in support of this.

[6:51:33] I'm happy to.

[6:51:35] I'm glad that we are going to be circling back to this conversation.

[6:51:38] But I know that some calgaryens are going to be a little frustrated

[6:51:41] with the delay of this conversation further.

[6:51:44] And I want to simply highlight that in this item

[6:51:46] and it says budget implications and Calgary and Impacts.

[6:51:49] And I want to highlight the fact that this had real impact

[6:51:52] over the last two years on families,

[6:51:54] but in particular,

[6:51:55] largely as it holders,

[6:51:57] that really care about this community

[6:51:58] and have worked incredibly hard to create programming

[6:52:00] and to really so into this community and make it amazing.

[6:52:06] And it really had a huge impact on their budgets.

[6:52:09] It has impacts for our budgets.

[6:52:11] Obviously, we're having really robust conversations

[6:52:13] about that.

[6:52:15] And I'm encouraged that we feel like we're headed in the right direction, but yeah, I want

[6:52:20] at Calgaryens to know that we're taking this very seriously.

[6:52:25] I don't personally love the fact that the variability of the local access fees had the

[6:52:31] kinds of impacts that it did over the last two years.

[6:52:34] It had real budgetary implications, personnel decisions that shook out from that.

[6:52:38] It had implications for the way the city was viewed.

[6:52:41] I particularly have distaste for how it's enabled the province in particular, but just larger

[6:52:48] conversations to look at the city and kind of point at something that we carried in the broader

[6:52:53] conversation of affordability and said, hey, you guys, you know, got it wrong. We care, this city

[6:52:59] cares. We work every day to try and mitigate those impacts. We try and make very smart investments.

[6:53:05] And I know the tone of this conversation has really put in front of mind for a lot of calgrance

[6:53:11] question mark on that, whether or not their council actually cares about the

[6:53:15] affordability challenges that they're facing. So he said again we care. We

[6:53:19] absolutely care and I mean I for one will be advocating for stability on the

[6:53:24] other side of this argument but there's a lot of factors that we're caring and

[6:53:30] a lot of things that we have to hold in tension at the same time as we have

[6:53:33] this conversation. So apologies that we don't have anything for you today but we

[6:53:38] we'll be giving this our first fruits full and attention as soon as possible.

[6:53:44] Thank you, Councillor Mean, please.

[6:53:47] Yeah, thank you.

[6:53:48] I won't be supporting this because I think we have the information to make a better decision

[6:53:53] for Calgaryens today.

[6:53:54] It's a value space decision and I don't think those values are going to change even with the information

[6:53:59] that may come down the pipe.

[6:54:01] I think I draw the example of mortgages.

[6:54:04] Most residents would choose stability over variability and I think it's time for the city to also

[6:54:08] So she's that stability over variability when it comes to local access fees.

[6:54:15] Thank you.

[6:54:15] Let's go to Councilor Piner.

[6:54:19] Thanks.

[6:54:19] Yeah, I think it is hard to stand here and say that we don't have an answer today.

[6:54:23] And I think part of the conversation is that there is no one right answer.

[6:54:30] And again, it goes back to what Councilor Means had.

[6:54:33] It's a values-based decision, but also talking about what Councilor Spencer said.

[6:54:37] that this actually has impact on people.

[6:54:41] I think this is the right move at the right time.

[6:54:43] And I think it doesn't mean that we don't have information.

[6:54:47] I think it's actually for those who need more information,

[6:54:50] giving those people the time, getting those answers.

[6:54:53] And I think doing ourselves the justice

[6:54:55] of having robust conversations as a collective,

[6:54:58] and as a group is really important.

[6:55:00] And I think that actually is about that is good governance

[6:55:03] and saying that maybe this isn't a decision

[6:55:05] that we can make in three hours based on the information

[6:55:07] that we had. And then maybe we need a second look and we need a little bit more information

[6:55:11] and we also need to have further conversations with the province about what this really

[6:55:14] means and with our partners at NMAX. And so I think this is an okay decision for today.

[6:55:19] And I do know that it's going to lead to a lot of questions, but I think we can stand behind

[6:55:22] the fact that we also want to be able to give Tuggarians information that they need to

[6:55:26] understand the decisions that we're making on their behalf. So I can support this today.

[6:55:32] Thank you. Let's go to Councillor Wong.

[6:55:34] Thank you, Mayor.

[6:55:35] I think it's important to understand that all 15 members of the Council spend the year

[6:55:39] in order to, in order to amount time talking about affordability as well as protectability

[6:55:44] and variability.

[6:55:45] I think the most important thing is that we owe to our constituents to ensure that we have

[6:55:50] the best information and coming back, as we know what the province is going to do with

[6:55:54] RO or not, coming back in the later springtime, gives us a better opportunity to explain

[6:56:01] in this and a better way to our constituents.

[6:56:04] But haven't said that you write to this a values-based decisions,

[6:56:07] and there are different ways of resolving this,

[6:56:09] whether it's about using the current method

[6:56:12] or different methods or different mitigations,

[6:56:15] or whatever the value-based decisions is what we will challenge

[6:56:18] with when we come back in this spring time.

[6:56:23] So therefore, I do support this.

[6:56:24] But again, I recognize that the

[6:56:29] then our project fees and local local access fees are just a different form of taxation on utilities and and so again we talk about taxation we we're talking about affordability and what we're putting it burden on people.

[6:56:42] Thank you.

[6:56:44] Thank you. Let's go to Councillor Performance please.

[6:56:47] Thank you Mayor. I'd love it to be able to make a decision today.

[6:56:50] In the face of incredible complexity we need a few more months to get it right.

[6:56:54] I don't think there's so many implications on what the outcome will come be at the end

[6:56:58] We don't know that yet, but I think a few more months to get this exactly right. It's probably the most Putin thing we can do with the money. Thank you

[6:57:07] Thank you very much. I'm not seeing anybody else in the queue or do you to close counselor demand lots been said?

[6:57:13] I'll just close

[6:57:15] Oh, I can. What would you like called separately

[6:57:23] if you could just turn on your mic so that I'm just like

[6:57:25] Sorry. I'm okay with all the confidential pieces. I don't want to say that I don't want to vote against keeping things confidential

[6:57:32] So that's essentially I'd like those to be pulled out

[6:57:34] So I think at that

[6:57:35] Three four five and six can can be called separately from I'm from one and two

[6:57:40] Okay, so madam clerk if we get put one and two together

[6:57:43] We're working on it. Okay perfect. Thank you

[6:58:19] Mayor conduct the first vote is ready for a recommendation one and two together

[6:58:23] Thank you. Please go to e-scribe everyone for one and two

[6:58:36] Miracondic all the votes are in.

[6:58:38] Could you show the results, please?

[6:58:42] That's carry 12 to 1 with Councilor Me in voting against.

[6:58:46] Let's go to the rest of it.

[6:59:03] All right, so 3, 4, 5 and 6 are before you.

[6:59:06] Please go to eScribe.

[6:59:16] Miracondic all the votes are in.

[6:59:19] Could you display the results, please?

[6:59:24] And that's carry unanimously.

[6:59:26] Madam Clerk are there any other items for today?

[6:59:29] No other items, Mayor.

[6:59:30] Can I get a motion to adjourn, please?

[6:59:32] Councilor Putman, seconded by Councilor Sharp, anyone opposed to adjournment seeing and hearing none that is carried. Thank you

Strategic Meeting of Council

Agenda

Transcript