PUBLIC MINUTES

STANDING POLICY COMMITTEE ON PLANNING,

DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

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Council Chamber, City Hall
PRESENT:
  • Councillor M. Loewen, Vice-Chair
  • Councillor C. Block
  • Councillor S. Gersher
  • Councillor H. Gough
  • His Worship, Mayor C. Clark (Ex-Officio)
ABSENT:
  • Councillor T. Davies, Chair
ALSO PRESENT:
  • Councillor B. Dubois, via teleconference
  • General Manager, Community Services L. Lacroix
  • Solicitor J. Manastyrski
  • Deputy City Clerk S. Bryant, in Council Chamber
  • Committee Assistant M. Lasby

The Vice-Chair called the meeting to order on Treaty 6 Territory and the Traditional Homeland of the Métis People and confirmed roll call.

  • Moved By:Councillor Gough
    1. That the letter submitting comments from Candace Savage, Wild about Saskatoon, Swale Watchers, CPAWS Saskatchewan, dated September 11, 2022 be added to Item 6.3.1; 
    2. That the letter requesting to speak from Steph Clovechok, Discover Saskatoon, dated September 12, 2022 be added to Item 7.1.1; and
    3. That the agenda be confirmed as amended.

    In Favour: (5)Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, and Councillor Gersher
    Absent: (1)Councillor Davies


    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

  • Moved By:Councillor Gersher

    ​That the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services held on August 15, 2022 be approved.


    In Favour: (5)Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, and Councillor Gersher
    Absent: (1)Councillor Davies


    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

A letter from the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, dated June 29, 2022 was provided.

General Manager, Community Services Lacroix presented the correspondence.

  • Moved By:Councillor Gough

    That the information be received.


    In Favour: (5)Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, and Councillor Gersher
    Absent: (1)Councillor Davies


    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The following letters were provided:


Requests to speak:

  • Laurel Carlton, Parks Canada, dated September 2, 2022 
  • Mike Velonas, Meewasin Valley Authority, dated September 1, 2022 

Submitting Comments:

  • Candace Savage, Wild about Saskatoon, Swale Watchers, CPAWS Saskatchewan, dated September 11, 2022

General Manager, Community Services Lacroix introduced the item. Laurel Carlton, Parks Canada and Mike Velonas, Meewasin Valley Authority addressed the Committee regarding the matter and responded to questions.

  • Moved By:Mayor C. Clark

    That the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services request Administration work with the Meewasin Valley Authority and other partners involved in the National Urban Park Exploration on the potential of including a table of elected representatives to be included in the governance process, and report back. 


    In Favour: (5)Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, and Councillor Gersher
    Absent: (1)Councillor Davies


    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

A report of the Administration dated September 12, 2022 was provided, as well as a request to speak from Steph Clovechok, Discover Saskatoon, dated September 12, 2022.

General Manager, Community Services Lacroix presented the report. Steph Clovechok, Discover Saskatoon indicated she did not need to address Committee but was available to answer questions from the Committee. 

  • Moved By:Councillor Gough

    That the information be received.


    In Favour: (5)Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, and Councillor Gersher
    Absent: (1)Councillor Davies


    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

A report of the Administration dated September 12, 2022 was provided.

General Manager, Community Services Lacroix presented the report and responded to questions of the Committee. 

  • Moved By:Councillor Gough
    1. That Committee validate the breadth of exploration outlined in Appendix 2, with minimal focus on Housing Operations, while recognizing the value of publicly owned social housing for long-term affordability;
    2. That as engagement on the City’s future role in Housing is undertaken, the Administration maintain heightened focus on pursuing strong and progress-focused leadership related to areas where other partners cannot lead due to jurisdictional constraints – specifically in Land Use Planning, Advocacy, and Development Support;
    3. That consideration of the need for specific attention to the market rental segment of the housing continuum be included and engaged upon, including but not limited to efforts to increase rental housing supply, promoting housing stability, and preventing eviction; and
    4. That all exploration consider opportunities to leverage the City’s role toward long-term stability and affordability in existing or future affordable housing in our community.

    In Favour: (5)Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, and Councillor Gersher
    Absent: (1)Councillor Davies


    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
  • Moved By:Mayor C. Clark

    That Administration report further on how Saskatoon Land can potentially become a more active leader in the development of housing solutions, including in the category listed on Appendix 2 of “create/explore new models (Community Land Trust, cooperative housing)” or other roles listed in Appendix 2.


    In Favour: (5)Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, and Councillor Gersher
    Absent: (1)Councillor Davies


    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The meeting adjourned at 11:28 a.m.