OPENING PRAYER/MEDITATION Councillor Bussey will read the Opening Prayer/Meditation. We are grateful for our city, for our homes, for our neighbours, and for our freedom. We are grateful for the opportunity we have to meet here and to serve our fellow citizens. May we bring both the strength of our convictions, and the willingness to listen and learn, to our discussions. May we consider the needs and aspirations of all our fellow citizens in our decisions. And may we always represent our constituents with dignity, integrity, and honesty.
3. Minutes of Council for the regular meeting of Monday, December 11, 2017 are presented for adoption. 4. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, That Minutes of Council for the regular meeting of Monday, December 11, 2017 be presented for adoption.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF Does any Member have a pecuniary interest in any matter before Council tonight?
DELEGATIONS PERTAINING TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA There were no delegations pertaining to items on the agenda.
MEMBER STATEMENTS A request to proclaim the month of January 2018 as “Alzheimer Awareness Month” in the City of Yellowknife.
Councillor Bussey will introduce the following reports: 11. Municipal Services Committee Report for December 11, 2017. 12. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, That Council direct Administration to designate Lot 3, Block 500, commonly referred to as an area behind the Fieldhouse, as an off-leash dog area.
Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, That Council direct Administration to continue with communications on safety factors while snowmobiling, in consultation with the Great Slave Snowmobile Association, including speed limits and using precautions for trip-planning or ice-safety.
Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, That Council allocate the new Social Infrastructure Funding for 2018/2019 as recommended by the Community Advisory Board on Homelessness as follows: $130,000 for Coordinated Access, $125,000 for Prevention/Rapid Rehousing, $30,000 for Training, and $15,000 for Administration.
15. By-law No. 4946 A by-law to amend Dog By-law No. 4755 for the purpose of restricting persons from walking dogs adjacent to motorized vehicles, is presented for First, Second and Third Reading. 16. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, First Reading of By-law No. 4946. 17. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, Second Reading of By-law No. 4946. 18. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, That By-law No. 4946 be presented for Third Reading. 19. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, Third Reading of By-law No. 4946.
20. By-law No. 4947 A by-law to amend Tax Administration By-law No. 4207, as amended, to exempt the Islamic Society of North America-Canada (ISNA Canada), Lots 12 & 13, Block 72, Plan 1252 from property taxation is presented for First, Second and Third Reading. 21. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, First Reading of By-law No. 4947. 22. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, Second Reading of By-law No. 4947. 23. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, That By-law No. 4947 be presented for Third Reading. 24. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, Third Reading of By-law No. 4947.
Are there any notices of motion from the floor?
NEW BUSINESS 32. A memorandum regarding whether to present resolutions to the Northwest Territories Association of Communities (“NWTAC”) for adoption at its annual general meeting (“AGM”). 33. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, 1. That the following resolutions be presented for adoption by Council and forwarded to the NWT Association of Communities in response to its call for resolutions: 1. Resolution regarding the Highway Rescue and Ambulance Services; WHEREAS the City of Yellowknife operates a full?time fire and ambulance service through the City of Yellowknife Fire Division; AND WHEREAS the City of Yellowknife Fire Division also responds to calls for service outside of the municipal boundary; AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has initiated a review of highway rescue and ground ambulance services within the territory; AND WHEREAS community governments across the territory must prioritize their services with the funding available to them; AND WHEREAS the cost recovery for emergency services provided outside of municipal boundaries may be difficult for a number of NWT community governments; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that until such time as the GNWT has reviewed the strategy for Highway Rescue Services (RA 17 13 05) and conducted a feasibility study towards a Territorial Ground Ambulance Service (RA 17 15 03), that the GNWT should adequately fund those communities conducting ground ambulance or highway rescue services outside of their respective community boundaries. 2. Resolution regarding the Fire Prevention Act; WHEREAS the City has recently approved a Planning & Development Operational Review; AND WHEREAS the Operational Review recommends that the City should work towards delegated authority from the GNWT for fire safety reviews as a means of improving coordination and overall customer services; AND WHEREAS the GNWT is currently reviewing the Fire Prevention Act to update the legislation; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the GNWT consult with communities when reviewing the Fire Prevention Act to ensure that support to community government permitting and review processes be prioritized to either 1. Transfer the authority and resources to community governments to undertake the responsibilities as outlined in the Act or, 2. That additional dedicated resources be provided to the Office of Fire Marshall to ensure community governments are provided with effective and consistent service. 3. Resolution regarding the Transfer of Lands to Community Governments; WHEREAS the City of Yellowknife is seeking ownership and regulatory control of lands within the municipal boundary; AND WHEREAS there are outstanding land applications on Commissioner’s lands within the municipal boundary; AND WHEREAS the City of Yellowknife is beginning a statutory review of the General Plan pursuant to the Community Planning & Development Act, AND WHEREAS the City is required to accommodate for land, growth and facilities over the next 10 years during this review; AND WHEREAS the uncertainly around land prevents the City from taking a comprehensive approach to land use, infrastructure, utilities and zoning; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the GNWT expedite and prioritize land transfers to community governments for the purpose of comprehensive and sustainable community planning and development. 4. Resolution regarding the Making Homelessness a Priority; WHEREAS the unprecedented increase in homelessness for all Member Communities is recognized as a multifaceted problem exasperated by a shortage of affordable housing and an increase in need for social housing that is the responsibility of the Government of the Northwest Territories; AND WHEREAS the NWT Association of Communities has previously reaffirmed its resolution RS 17 14 02 on homelessness resolving that the GNWT fully fund Homeless Shelters within the boundaries of it communities and direct funds to its department to end homelessness; AND WHEREAS the City of Yellowknife Community Advisory Board on Homelessness and Yellowknife City Council have adopted Everyone Is Home – Yellowknife’s 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness to find a way forward in ending homelessness; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Northwest Territories Association of Communities urge the Government of the Northwest Territories to consider adopting the City of Yellowknife’s 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness and further, that the NWTAC reaffirm resolution RA 17 14 02. 5. Resolution regarding the Health Act; WHEREAS disinfecting pool water continues to be of prime importance for the safety and comfort of pool patrons, AND WHEREAS the current Act relies on manual pool chemistry readings that requires approximately 2 hours of staff time to carry out testing procedures once per hour during operating day for hot tub and every 4 hours for main pool, AND WHEREAS pool automation has been developed such that the pool chemistry readings are carried out continuously and those readings are verified daily through a manual test to verify calibration and therefore should be acceptable to ensure bather safety and comfort, AND WHEREAS safeguarding the pool patrons is of utmost importance, AND WHEREAS there are several nationally recognized regulatory bodies that provide certification of lifeguards and further that facilities are required to train lifeguard staff to their specific facility standards, AND WHEREAS relying on only one nationally recognized regulatory body for lifeguard certification restricts the number of individuals to be considered for employment, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Northwest Territories Association of Communities urge the Government of the Northwest Territories to consider amending the Health Act to reflect the benefits of swimming pool automation in the maintaining pool water disinfection as well as bather comfort, and further, to recognize all national lifeguard certification programs. 6. Resolution regarding the Property Assessment and Taxation Act; and WHEREAS the Property Assessment and Taxation Act requires the Senior Administrative Officer of a municipal taxation area to cause a notice of assessment to be mailed to each assessed owner of each property each year; AND WHEREAS the Property Assessment and Taxation Act requires the Senior Administrative Officer of a municipal taxation area to cause a notice of tax payable to be mailed to each assessed owner of each property each year; AND WHEREAS the Property Assessment and Taxation Act requires the Senior Administrative Officer of a municipal taxation area to cause other written documents relevant to the assessment and taxation processes to be mailed to assessed owners; AND WHEREAS the Property Assessment and Taxation Act currently requires the notice of assessment, notice of tax payable and other documents to be paper documents; AND WHEREAS the Property Assessment and Taxation Act currently requires the notice of assessment, notice of tax payable and other documents to be mailed to the address shown on the certified assessment roll; AND WHEREAS municipal governments have successfully adopted computerized methods to streamline the management of their assessment and taxation processes; AND WHEREAS these computerized methods are capable of producing electronic versions of a notice of assessment, a notice of tax payable, and other related documents in accordance with the regulations stipulated in the Property Assessment and Taxation Act; AND WHEREAS a growing number of property owners are increasingly managing their financial affairs using electronic means; AND WHEREAS many financial institutions and service providers successfully communicate with customers using solely electronic means; AND WHEREAS municipalities communicate extensively with citizens using electronic means; AND WHEREAS electronic distribution of information is more timely and more cost effective than paper distribution; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NWTAC lobby the Government of the Northwest Territories to amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act to allow municipalities the option of providing notices of assessment, notices of tax payable, and other documents relevant to the assessment and taxation processes electronically, using electronic delivery methods. 2. And that Council recommend that NWTAC reaffirm reaffirmation of Resolution RA 17 15 05 Community Funding Review.
34. A memorandum regarding whether to appoint Philip Rough as a Development Officer for the City of Yellowknife. 35. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, That: 1. Pursuant to s. 2.2 of Zoning By-law No. 4404, as amended, Philip Rough be appointed as a Development Officer for the City of Yellowknife; and 2. The term of appointment shall expire upon termination of employment with the City of Yellowknife.
Are there any administrative enquiries from the floor? ADJOURNMENT
OPENING PRAYER/MEDITATION Councillor Bussey will read the Opening Prayer/Meditation. We are grateful for our city, for our homes, for our neighbours, and for our freedom. We are grateful for the opportunity we have to meet here and to serve our fellow citizens. May we bring both the strength of our convictions, and the willingness to listen and learn, to our discussions. May we consider the needs and aspirations of all our fellow citizens in our decisions. And may we always represent our constituents with dignity, integrity, and honesty.
3. Minutes of Council for the regular meeting of Monday, December 11, 2017 are presented for adoption. 4. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, That Minutes of Council for the regular meeting of Monday, December 11, 2017 be presented for adoption.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF Does any Member have a pecuniary interest in any matter before Council tonight?
DELEGATIONS PERTAINING TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA There were no delegations pertaining to items on the agenda.
MEMBER STATEMENTS A request to proclaim the month of January 2018 as “Alzheimer Awareness Month” in the City of Yellowknife.
Councillor Bussey will introduce the following reports: 11. Municipal Services Committee Report for December 11, 2017. 12. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, That Council direct Administration to designate Lot 3, Block 500, commonly referred to as an area behind the Fieldhouse, as an off-leash dog area.
Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, That Council direct Administration to continue with communications on safety factors while snowmobiling, in consultation with the Great Slave Snowmobile Association, including speed limits and using precautions for trip-planning or ice-safety.
Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, That Council allocate the new Social Infrastructure Funding for 2018/2019 as recommended by the Community Advisory Board on Homelessness as follows: $130,000 for Coordinated Access, $125,000 for Prevention/Rapid Rehousing, $30,000 for Training, and $15,000 for Administration.
15. By-law No. 4946 A by-law to amend Dog By-law No. 4755 for the purpose of restricting persons from walking dogs adjacent to motorized vehicles, is presented for First, Second and Third Reading. 16. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, First Reading of By-law No. 4946. 17. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, Second Reading of By-law No. 4946. 18. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, That By-law No. 4946 be presented for Third Reading. 19. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, Third Reading of By-law No. 4946.
20. By-law No. 4947 A by-law to amend Tax Administration By-law No. 4207, as amended, to exempt the Islamic Society of North America-Canada (ISNA Canada), Lots 12 & 13, Block 72, Plan 1252 from property taxation is presented for First, Second and Third Reading. 21. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, First Reading of By-law No. 4947. 22. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, Second Reading of By-law No. 4947. 23. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, That By-law No. 4947 be presented for Third Reading. 24. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, Third Reading of By-law No. 4947.
Are there any notices of motion from the floor?
NEW BUSINESS 32. A memorandum regarding whether to present resolutions to the Northwest Territories Association of Communities (“NWTAC”) for adoption at its annual general meeting (“AGM”). 33. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, 1. That the following resolutions be presented for adoption by Council and forwarded to the NWT Association of Communities in response to its call for resolutions: 1. Resolution regarding the Highway Rescue and Ambulance Services; WHEREAS the City of Yellowknife operates a full?time fire and ambulance service through the City of Yellowknife Fire Division; AND WHEREAS the City of Yellowknife Fire Division also responds to calls for service outside of the municipal boundary; AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has initiated a review of highway rescue and ground ambulance services within the territory; AND WHEREAS community governments across the territory must prioritize their services with the funding available to them; AND WHEREAS the cost recovery for emergency services provided outside of municipal boundaries may be difficult for a number of NWT community governments; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that until such time as the GNWT has reviewed the strategy for Highway Rescue Services (RA 17 13 05) and conducted a feasibility study towards a Territorial Ground Ambulance Service (RA 17 15 03), that the GNWT should adequately fund those communities conducting ground ambulance or highway rescue services outside of their respective community boundaries. 2. Resolution regarding the Fire Prevention Act; WHEREAS the City has recently approved a Planning & Development Operational Review; AND WHEREAS the Operational Review recommends that the City should work towards delegated authority from the GNWT for fire safety reviews as a means of improving coordination and overall customer services; AND WHEREAS the GNWT is currently reviewing the Fire Prevention Act to update the legislation; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the GNWT consult with communities when reviewing the Fire Prevention Act to ensure that support to community government permitting and review processes be prioritized to either 1. Transfer the authority and resources to community governments to undertake the responsibilities as outlined in the Act or, 2. That additional dedicated resources be provided to the Office of Fire Marshall to ensure community governments are provided with effective and consistent service. 3. Resolution regarding the Transfer of Lands to Community Governments; WHEREAS the City of Yellowknife is seeking ownership and regulatory control of lands within the municipal boundary; AND WHEREAS there are outstanding land applications on Commissioner’s lands within the municipal boundary; AND WHEREAS the City of Yellowknife is beginning a statutory review of the General Plan pursuant to the Community Planning & Development Act, AND WHEREAS the City is required to accommodate for land, growth and facilities over the next 10 years during this review; AND WHEREAS the uncertainly around land prevents the City from taking a comprehensive approach to land use, infrastructure, utilities and zoning; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the GNWT expedite and prioritize land transfers to community governments for the purpose of comprehensive and sustainable community planning and development. 4. Resolution regarding the Making Homelessness a Priority; WHEREAS the unprecedented increase in homelessness for all Member Communities is recognized as a multifaceted problem exasperated by a shortage of affordable housing and an increase in need for social housing that is the responsibility of the Government of the Northwest Territories; AND WHEREAS the NWT Association of Communities has previously reaffirmed its resolution RS 17 14 02 on homelessness resolving that the GNWT fully fund Homeless Shelters within the boundaries of it communities and direct funds to its department to end homelessness; AND WHEREAS the City of Yellowknife Community Advisory Board on Homelessness and Yellowknife City Council have adopted Everyone Is Home – Yellowknife’s 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness to find a way forward in ending homelessness; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Northwest Territories Association of Communities urge the Government of the Northwest Territories to consider adopting the City of Yellowknife’s 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness and further, that the NWTAC reaffirm resolution RA 17 14 02. 5. Resolution regarding the Health Act; WHEREAS disinfecting pool water continues to be of prime importance for the safety and comfort of pool patrons, AND WHEREAS the current Act relies on manual pool chemistry readings that requires approximately 2 hours of staff time to carry out testing procedures once per hour during operating day for hot tub and every 4 hours for main pool, AND WHEREAS pool automation has been developed such that the pool chemistry readings are carried out continuously and those readings are verified daily through a manual test to verify calibration and therefore should be acceptable to ensure bather safety and comfort, AND WHEREAS safeguarding the pool patrons is of utmost importance, AND WHEREAS there are several nationally recognized regulatory bodies that provide certification of lifeguards and further that facilities are required to train lifeguard staff to their specific facility standards, AND WHEREAS relying on only one nationally recognized regulatory body for lifeguard certification restricts the number of individuals to be considered for employment, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Northwest Territories Association of Communities urge the Government of the Northwest Territories to consider amending the Health Act to reflect the benefits of swimming pool automation in the maintaining pool water disinfection as well as bather comfort, and further, to recognize all national lifeguard certification programs. 6. Resolution regarding the Property Assessment and Taxation Act; and WHEREAS the Property Assessment and Taxation Act requires the Senior Administrative Officer of a municipal taxation area to cause a notice of assessment to be mailed to each assessed owner of each property each year; AND WHEREAS the Property Assessment and Taxation Act requires the Senior Administrative Officer of a municipal taxation area to cause a notice of tax payable to be mailed to each assessed owner of each property each year; AND WHEREAS the Property Assessment and Taxation Act requires the Senior Administrative Officer of a municipal taxation area to cause other written documents relevant to the assessment and taxation processes to be mailed to assessed owners; AND WHEREAS the Property Assessment and Taxation Act currently requires the notice of assessment, notice of tax payable and other documents to be paper documents; AND WHEREAS the Property Assessment and Taxation Act currently requires the notice of assessment, notice of tax payable and other documents to be mailed to the address shown on the certified assessment roll; AND WHEREAS municipal governments have successfully adopted computerized methods to streamline the management of their assessment and taxation processes; AND WHEREAS these computerized methods are capable of producing electronic versions of a notice of assessment, a notice of tax payable, and other related documents in accordance with the regulations stipulated in the Property Assessment and Taxation Act; AND WHEREAS a growing number of property owners are increasingly managing their financial affairs using electronic means; AND WHEREAS many financial institutions and service providers successfully communicate with customers using solely electronic means; AND WHEREAS municipalities communicate extensively with citizens using electronic means; AND WHEREAS electronic distribution of information is more timely and more cost effective than paper distribution; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NWTAC lobby the Government of the Northwest Territories to amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act to allow municipalities the option of providing notices of assessment, notices of tax payable, and other documents relevant to the assessment and taxation processes electronically, using electronic delivery methods. 2. And that Council recommend that NWTAC reaffirm reaffirmation of Resolution RA 17 15 05 Community Funding Review.
34. A memorandum regarding whether to appoint Philip Rough as a Development Officer for the City of Yellowknife. 35. Councillor Bussey moves, Councillor ____________ seconds, That: 1. Pursuant to s. 2.2 of Zoning By-law No. 4404, as amended, Philip Rough be appointed as a Development Officer for the City of Yellowknife; and 2. The term of appointment shall expire upon termination of employment with the City of Yellowknife.
Are there any administrative enquiries from the floor? ADJOURNMENT