Oct 04, 2021 Governance & Priorities Committee

[1. Opening Statement]

[00:00:03]

I WILL CALL OUR GOVERNANCE AND PRIORITY SORRY, CALL WHEN READY.

YOU KNOW.

I WILL CALL OUR GOVERNANCE AND PRIORITIES COMMITTEE MEETING FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 4TH, 2021 TO ORDER. AND I'D LIKE TO BEGIN BY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE CITY OF YELLOWKNIFE IS LOCATED IN CHIEF DRYGEESE TERRITORY.

FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL, IT'S BEEN THE TRADITIONAL LAND OF THE YELLOWKNIFE DENE FIRST NATION. WE RESPECT THE HISTORIES, LANGUAGES AND CULTURES OF ALL OTHER INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, INCLUDING THE NORTH SLAVE METIS AND ALL FIRST NATIONS AND INUIT, WHOSE PRESENCE CONTINUES TO ENRICH OUR VIBRANT COMMUNITY.

[2. Approval of the agenda]

ANYTHING FURTHER ADD MS. BASSI-KELLETT? THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR.

NO, NOTHING ELSE TO ADD.

THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST IN THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF,

[3. Disclosure of pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof]

ANYTHING FURTHER FROM.

COUNCIL? SEEING NONE.

NEXT, WE HAVE A PRESENTATION REGARDING THE 2022 BUDGET.

[4. A presentation regarding the 2022 Budget]

SO AS COUNCIL MEMBERS KNOW, THE BUDGET CYCLE IS AN ONGOING CYCLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WHERE WE'RE CONSTANTLY FEEDING INTO IT AS WE PREPARE TO BRING FORWARD DRAFT BUDGETS FOR COUNCIL'S REVIEW.

IN THE FALL, THE PLANNING COMPONENT OF BUDGET DEVELOPMENT RAMPS UP AS WE PREPARE THE DRAFT BUDGET FOR COUNCIL DELIBERATIONS IN EARLY DECEMBER.

THIS YEAR, THERE'S A LITTLE BIT MORE UNCERTAINTY AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR THAN WE TYPICALLY HAVE GIVEN WHERE WE WERE AT IN THE AQUATIC CENTRE PROCESS.

NONETHELESS, MS. WOODWARD AND MS. SU AND THEIR TEAM HAVE LED ADMINISTRATION IN A PRUDENT BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS THAT SEEKS TO BALANCE THE NEEDS WITH SERVICE LEVELS WITH COMMUNITY CAPACITY. AND AS COVID CONTINUES, WE FEEL HOW CHALLENGING THIS BALANCING ACT REALLY IS.

I WILL TURN THINGS OVER NOW TO MS. WOODWARD, WHO WILL PROVIDE HIGHLIGHTS FOR BUDGET 2022 AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE TIME WHEN DELIBERATIONS WILL GET UNDERWAY.

OVER TO YOU, SHAROLYNN. THANK YOU, MS. BASSI-KELLETT, AND THANK YOU, EVERYONE FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO UPDATE YOU ON BUDGET 2022.

AS COUNCILLORS ARE AWARE, THE BUDGET 2022 PROCESS HAS BEEN UNDERWAY IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE REALM FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.

THE PURPOSE, AS MS. BASSI-KELLETT SAID, OF TODAY'S PRESENTATION, IS TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE SUMMARY OF THE OUTCOMES OF THIS WORK AND A BIT OF A PREVIEW OF WHAT BUDGET 2022 WILL LOOK LIKE.

AS COUNCILLORS ARE ALSO AWARE, BUDGETING ALWAYS INVOLVES UNCERTAINTY.

THIS TIME LAST YEAR, WHEN ADMINISTRATION PROVIDED AN UPDATE ON BUDGET 2021, THE UNCERTAINTY INTRODUCED BY COVID WAS FRONT AND CENTER.

AND ALTHOUGH THERE WAS AN UNDERSTANDING THAT THE IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC WOULD LINGER IN THE FUTURE, IT'S DOUBTFUL THAT ANY ONE OF US EXPECTED TO BE BACK UNDER STRICT GATHERING RULES, WEARING MASKS MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, AND MEETING VIRTUALLY FOR THE BUDGET 2022 UPDATE. BUT HERE WE ARE.

IN ADDITION TO THE UNCERTAINTY SWIRLING AROUND COVID, THE CITY OF YELLOWKNIFE IS AT A PIVOTAL POINT IN THE AQUATIC CENTRE PROCESS, AN INITIATIVE WHICH, AS THE LARGEST CAPITAL PROJECT EVER ENTERTAINED BY THE CITY, WILL POTENTIALLY HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THIS AND MANY FUTURE FINANCIAL PLANS.

NEVERTHELESS, TOGETHER, ADMINISTRATION AND COUNCIL MUST DEVELOP THE MOST REASONABLE POLICY DOCUMENT AND FINANCIAL PLAN POSSIBLE BASED ON CURRENTLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION.

TODAY'S PRESENTATION WILL START WITH A QUICK REVIEW OF SOME OF THE KEY CONCEPTS THAT PROVIDE THE FOUNDATION FOR BUDGET 2022 AND ESTABLISH THE CONTEXT FOR ITS CONTENTS, THEN PROVIDE A SUMMARY OF WHAT'S BEEN DONE SO FAR.

AFTER THAT, IT WILL PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE KNOWN STAFFING CHALLENGES.

LOOK AT THE ANTICIPATED CAPITAL AND O&M HIGHLIGHTS AND GIVE A QUICK PEEK AT WHAT'S AHEAD . AS COMMITTEE SAW EARLIER THIS YEAR, BUDGET2022IS BASED ON FOUR KEY PILLARS.

THE FIRST IS ADHERING TO THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD BUDGET PROCESS AS DEFINED BY THE GFOA. THIS INCLUDES A LONG TERM PERSPECTIVE, LINKAGES TO BROAD ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS, A FOCUS ON RESULTS AND OUTCOMES, AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION.

THE SECOND PILLAR IS FOLLOWING THE KEY PLANNING PRINCIPLES THAT COUNCIL ADOPTED LAST SPRING TO GUIDE FISCAL DECISION MAKING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COVID PANDEMIC.

THESE INCLUDE PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMPLYING WITH RULES INHERENT IN LEGISLATION, BYLAWS, POLICIES, PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS, AND COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS.

[00:05:01]

CONSIDERING THE BROADER COMMUNITY ECONOMY USING DATA AND EVIDENCE, NOT EMOTIONS, TO MAKE DECISIONS. AND OF COURSE, BALANCING THESE COMPETING PRIORITIES.

THE THIRD PILLAR REMINDS US OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ADDRESSING FUNDAMENTALS SO THAT CORE SERVICES CAN BE MAINTAINED TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR CITIZENS, SO THAT FACILITIES ARE OPEN WITH OPTIONS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE, AND SO THAT PROGRAMS ARE DELIVERED TO OFFER A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES FOR OUR DIVERSE POPULATION.

AND THE FOURTH PILLAR IS CONSULTATION, REACHING OUT TO STAKEHOLDERS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS THAT INCLUDE THE CITY'S OPEN DOOR POLICY THAT INVITES STAKEHOLDERS TO DISCUSS THE CITY'S BUDGET WITH ADMINISTRATION AT ANY TIME DURING THE YEAR.

ENCOURAGING ELECTED OFFICIALS TO ENGAGE WITH CITIZENS AT EVENTS LIKE THE FARMER'S MARKET.

THE RECENT COUNCIL MEETING, WHERE THE PUBLIC HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE REFERENCE OR MAKE PRESENTATIONS ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE BUDGET.

AND THE MEETING NEXT MONTH, WHEN COUNCIL WILL HEAR PUBLIC FEEDBACK ON THE BUDGET.

NOW THAT WE'VE LOOKED AT THE CONTEXT WITHIN WHICH BUDGET 2022 PLANNING HAS TAKEN PLACE AND WITHIN WHICH INFORMED DECISIONS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE MADE MOVING FORWARD.

LET'S TURN NOW TO THE BUDGET 2022 PROCESS AND SEE HOW THAT IS PLAYED OUT SO FAR.

FOLLOWING THE BASIC CYCLICAL NATURE OF THE CITY'S BUDGET PROCESS, STARTING IN JANUARY WHERE BUDGET 2022 PLANNING WAS RAMPING UP IN THE BACKGROUND, ADMINISTRATION PROVIDED COMMITTEE WITH ITS SEMIANNUAL UPDATE THAT SUMMARIZED PROGRESS ON COUNCIL'S GOALS AND OBJECTIVES AND OUTLINED THE HIGH LEVEL PRIORITIES OF THE 2020 YEAR PLAN.

RUNNING CONTINUED THROUGH INTO APRIL AND EARLY IN THE MONTH, ADMINISTRATION PROVIDED COMMITTEE WITH AN UPDATE CONFIRMING THAT THE FUNDING ASSUMPTIONS MADE WHEN APPROVING BUDGET 2021 HAD IN FACT PLAYED OUT.

AT THE SAME MEETING, ADMINISTRATION MADE A PRESENTATION REGARDING MILL RATE CONSIDERATIONS, THE COMMITTEE DIRECTED ADMINISTRATION TO ESTABLISH 2021 MILL RATES TO KEEP THE COMMERCIAL TO RESIDENTIAL RATIO OF TWO POINT TWO SETS.

MID-APRIL ADMINISTRATION MADE A PRESENTATION TO A COMMITTEE THAT OUTLINED THE ROLE THAT FEES AND CHARGES PLAY AND EXPLAINED HOW THEY ARE DETERMINED ACROSS THE BROAD RANGE OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CITY.

AT THE END OF APRIL, COUNCIL APPROVED THE 2020 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, WHICH SHOWED THAT THE CITY CAME ON PRETTY MUCH ON BUDGET LAST YEAR.

IN EARLY MAY, ADMINISTRATION BROUGHT FORWARD RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING COVID RESTART FUNDING AND COUNCIL DIRECTED ADMINISTRATION TO UTILIZE THE 2021 FUNDING TO MAXIMIZE THE BENEFITS TO YELLOWKNIFE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.

THE FOLLOWING WEEK, ADMINISTRATION BROUGHT FORWARD THE TAX LEVY BY US TO SET THE MINIMUM RATES NEEDED TO GENERATE TAXATION REVENUES INHERENT IN BUDGET 2021.

AND TO MEET THE ANTICIPATED 2.5 PERCENT TAX INCREASE.

MAY WAS PARTICULARLY BUSY AS COUNCIL ALSO APPROVED FEES AND CHARGES, [INAUDIBLE] TO REFLECT COMMUNITY SERVICE USER FEE CHANGES APPROVED IN BUDGET TWENTY TWENTY ONE.

AND AT THAT, MONTH'S CARD ADMINISTRATION GAVE A PRESENTATION EXPLAINING ASSET MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS, DESCRIBING HOW ASSET MANAGEMENT IS BEING FORMALIZED AT THE CITY.

IN JUNE, THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM TOOK A LONG, HARD LOOK AT THE REQUIREMENTS AROUND ADDITIONAL STAFFING FOR THE UPCOMING THREE YEAR BUDGET PERIOD AND REVIEWED ALL OF THE CAPITAL PROJECTS BEING CONTEMPLATED FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND BEYOND.

AS WELL, PLANNING GOT UNDERWAY FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS OF OPERATING BUDGETS AND ADMINISTRATION PROVIDED COMMITTEE WITH AN UPDATE ON THE ACTION PLAN RELATED TO COUNCIL'S

[00:10:01]

THE ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW AND EVALUATION OF KEY REQUIREMENTS AND PROPOSED CAPITAL PROJECTS CONTINUED OVER THE SUMMER AND CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT WAS STEPPED UP WITH OPEN INVITATIONS FOR STAKEHOLDERS TO DISCUSS BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS WITH ADMINISTRATION AND MESSAGING ACROSS VARIOUS PLATFORMS AS WELL.

ELECTED OFFICIALS WERE ENCOURAGED TO ENGAGE WITH CITIZENS.

IN SEPTEMBER, THE ADMINISTRATION BROUGHT FORWARD THE Q2 FOR VARIANCE AND FORECAST REPORT.

AND THE PUBLIC HAD AN OPPORTUNITY AT LAST WEEK'S COUNCIL MEETING TO PRESENT THEIR REQUESTS ABOUT ANY SPECIAL INITIATIVES THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE UPCOMING BUDGET.

TODAY'S PRESENTATION WILL INCLUDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGET 2022 HIGHLIGHTS AND LATER THIS MONTH, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL PROVIDE COMMITTEE WITH A SUMMARY OF PUBLIC INPUT AND FEEDBACK RECEIVED SO FAR, ALONG WITH THE THIRD QUARTER VARIANCE REPORT.

THE DRAFT BUDGET DOCUMENT WILL BE UNVEILED ON NOVEMBER EIGHT, AND TWO WEEKS LATER, COUNCIL WILL HEAR PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS RELATED TO THE DOCUMENT.

HAS COUNCILLOR'S REVIEWED THE BUDGET 2022 DRAFT? THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT THEIR QUESTIONS IN WRITING SO THAT ADMINISTRATION CAN PROVIDE FULSOME RESPONSES TO BE POSTED ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE.

THEN COMES DECEMBER AND BUDGET DELIBERATIONS.

SPECIAL GPC MEETINGS ARE SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 6TH, 7TH, AND 8TH.

DECEMBER 9TH BEING SET ASIDE JUST IN CASE.

THIS WILL SET THINGS UP FOR FINAL APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET ON DECEMBER 13TH.

AND IF BUDGET DECISIONS REQUIRE FEES AND CHARGES ALONE, THEN THEY WILL BE APPROVED ON THIS DATE AS WELL.

AND THEN THE CYCLE BEGINS AGAIN.

SO THAT WAS A VERY HIGH LEVEL REVIEW OF WHAT'S BEEN DONE SO FAR AND A QUICK LOOK AT WHAT'S AHEAD. THE OUTCOMES OF THE WORK TO DATE CAN BE CATEGORIZED INTO THREE DISTINCT, BUT DEFINITELY INTERWOVEN CATEGORIES.

STAFFING CHALLENGES, CAPITAL INITIATIVES AND OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS.

LET'S START WITH A LOOK AT STAFFING CHALLENGES.

STEPPING BACK IN TIME BRIEFLY, SOME COUNCILLORS MAY RECALL THAT WHEN ADMINISTRATION FIRST INTRODUCED BUDGET 2019, IT IDENTIFIED A SIGNIFICANT STAFFING SHORTAGE, EQUIVALENT OF ALMOST 13 FULL TIME POSITIONS, WHICH DEMONSTRATED THE CONSEQUENCES OF MANY YEARS OF STAFFING REQUIREMENTS BEING BURIED AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE LEVEL IN ANTICIPATION OF COUNCILLOR RELUCTANCE TO ADD TO THE WORKFORCE.

WELL, THE EXPECTATION AT THAT TIME WAS NOT TO SEEK COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE FULL COMPLEMENT, THE ENTIRE LIST WAS BROUGHT FORWARD TO DEMONSTRATE THE EXTENT OF THE STAFFING GAP. SINCE THEN, PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN NARROWING THE GAP.

BUT INFRASTRUCTURE, SERVICE AND PROGRAM DEMANDS, LEGAL AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND STAKEHOLDER EXPECTATIONS DON'T STAND STILL.

THEY HAVE ALL CONTINUED TO INCREASE AND INCREASE THE NEED FOR STAFF ADEQUATELY AND SAFELY DELIVER THE REQUIRED SERVICES.

IN ITS ONGOING EFFORT TO MEET THESE GROWING REQUIREMENTS LAST YEAR, AT THIS TIME, ADMINISTRATION IDENTIFIED THE NEED FOR THE EQUIVALENT OF SEVEN AND A HALF ADDITIONAL POSITIONS. BUT GIVEN THE UNCERTAINTY SURROUNDING THE PANDEMIC AND ITS ECONOMIC IMPACTS, THESE WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE DRAFT BUDGET 2021 DOCUMENT.

HOWEVER, DURING DELIBERATIONS, COUNCIL DID DIRECT ADMINISTRATION TO PROCEED WITH THE SAFETY OFFICER POSITION.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE NEEDS WENT AWAY.

SO FOR BUDGET 2022, AS IN RECENT YEARS, THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM CAREFULLY REVIEWED THE IDENTIFIED NEEDS FOR ADDITIONAL STAFF AND EVALUATED THEM USING A STRUCTURED MATRIX THAT CONSIDERED HOW THE ROLES ALIGN WITH THE CITY'S MANDATE AND COUNCIL'S PRIORITIES, AND CONSIDERED ASPECTS LIKE IMPACT AND STAKEHOLDER PRIORITY, AS WELL AS RISK AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT FACTORS.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE AN UNUSUALLY HIGH NUMBER OF MOVING PARTS IMPACTING THIS YEAR'S STAFFING PICTURE, AND ADMINISTRATION IS STILL WORKING ON A FINAL ASSESSMENT TO DETERMINE WHICH NEW POSITIONS WILL PROVIDE THE MOST OVERALL BENEFIT TO THE ORGANIZATION AND ITS ABILITY TO DELIVER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

[00:15:03]

SO TURNING NOW TO THE CAPITAL COMPONENT OF THE BUDGET.

DURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF BUDGET 2022, ADMINISTRATION IDENTIFIED THE CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT WILL BE NECESSARY TO ACQUIRE, MAINTAIN, ENHANCE AND DISPOSE OF ASSETS TO SUPPORT THE DELIVERY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

RECOGNIZING THAT NOT EVERYTHING IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE, THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM AGAIN USED A STRUCTURED EVALUATION MATRIX TO DETERMINE WHICH PROJECTS ARE MOST IMPORTANT WHEN VIEWED THROUGH AN ADMINISTRATIVE LENS.

SOME PROJECTS, LIKE THOSE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN THE CITY'S WATER LICENSE ARE CONSIDERED MUST DO, BUT THE REMAINDER WERE EVALUATED IN TERMS OF THEIR ALIGNMENT WITH THE CITY'S MANDATE AND COUNCIL'S PRIORITIES.

THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE CITY'S CORE SERVICES, THEIR POTENTIAL IMPACT AND THE RISK AND ASSET MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS.

THE HIGHEST RANKING PROJECTS, THAT IS THOSE THAT WILL PROVIDE THE MOST OVERALL BENEFIT TO THE CITY AND ITS CITIZENS WILL BE INCLUDED IN BUDGET 2022.

THERE IS, OF COURSE, ONE INITIATIVE THAT IS PRETTY MUCH FRONT AND CENTER FOR MANY OF YOU AND FOR MANY STAKEHOLDERS RIGHT NOW.

THE PROPOSED AQUATIC CENTRE PROJECT.

COMMITTEE RECEIVED AN UPDATE ON THE PROJECT LAST WEEK, AND WE'LL HEAR THE FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS LATER THIS MONTH, AT WHICH TIME MORE DEFINITIVE COSTING INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE. BUT THE AQUATIC CENTRE ISN'T THE ONLY INITIATIVE ON OUR COLLECTIVE RADARS RIGHT NOW. AS COMMITTEE SAW A FEW MINUTES AGO, ONE OF THE KEY PILLARS OF THE BUDGET PROCESS IS THE IMPORTANCE OF FUNDAMENTALS, THE NEED TO MAINTAIN CORE SERVICES TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR CITIZENS, THE NEED TO SUSTAIN OUR FACILITIES WITH OPTIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS AND THE NEED TO DELIVER PROGRAMS THAT OFFER A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES.

BUDGET 2022 WILL RECOMMEND PROJECTS THAT SUPPORT EACH OF THESE FUNDAMENTALS.

IT WILL CONTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS THAT FOCUS ON THE CITY'S CORE SERVICES, WATER AND SEWER, ROADS AND SIDEWALKS, IRON AMBULANCE, SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND ASSET MANAGEMENT.

INVESTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS TO SUPPORT THE PROVISION OF SAFE WATER AND SEWER SERVICES WILL INCLUDE ANNUAL ALLOCATIONS OF ABOUT $4 MILLION IN EACH OF THE NEXT TWO YEARS AND JUST UNDER $3 MILLION IN 2024 TO REPLACE FAILING UNDERGROUND WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE AND TO COMPLETE THE ASSOCIATED PAVEMENT.

FURTHER INSTALLMENTS ANTICIPATED TO BE $1 MILLION IN EACH OF 2022 AND 2023,, WITH $10 MILLION SET ASIDE IN 2024 FOR THE SUBMARINE WATER INTAKE LINE REPLACEMENT.

FUNDING OF 125 THOUSAND DOLLARS NEXT YEAR TO COMPLETE THE WORK REQUIRED TO REPLACE FAILING CONTROL STRUCTURES ON TRAPPER'S LAKE.

AND INVESTMENTS OF 950 THOUSAND IN 2022 AND 2.8 MILLION DOLLARS IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING TWO YEARS FOR LAGOON SLUDGE REMOVAL, BOTH OF WHICH ARE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CITY'S WATER LICENSE.

THERE'LL BE AN INVESTMENT OF 750 THOUSAND IN 2022 TO IMPROVE THE CONDITION OF THE FORCE MEAN PIPELINE, WHICH TRANSPORTS SEWAGE TO THE LAKE LAGOON, TO THE TREATMENT SYSTEM AND AN ALLOCATION OF 150 THOUSAND NEXT YEAR TO COMPLETE THE PUMP HOUSE NUMBER FOUR WATER TRUCK FILLED SAFETY PROJECT.

EXPENDITURE RECOMMENDATIONS TO SUPPORT ROADS AND SIDEWALKS WILL BE IN THE FORM OF THE ANNUAL KEEPING PROGRAM INVESTMENTS OF ABOUT FOUR MILLION DOLLARS AND ANNUAL ALLOCATIONS OF $70,000 TO INCREMENTALLY IMPROVE TRAFFIC LIGHTS AT SIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS.

INVESTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS TO SUPPORT THE PROVISION OF FIRE AND AMBULANCE SERVICES WILL INCLUDE AN EXPENDITURE OF ALMOST $300,000 NEXT YEAR TO FINALIZE THE DESIGN OF THE FIRE HALL EXTENSION AND AN INVESTMENT OF ABOUT $3.3 MILLION OVER FUTURE YEARS TO PROCEED WITH ITS CONSTRUCTION AND A ONE TIME EXPENDITURE OF 53 THOUSAND NEXT YEAR TO ACQUIRE AND DEPLOY SOFTWARE TO IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EMERGENCY DISPATCH PROCESSES.

[00:20:08]

AND IT'S ONE THAT'S SURPRISINGLY COMPLEX TO MANAGE, PARTICULARLY WITH INCREASINGLY STRINGENT RULES AND REGULATIONS.

BUDGET 2022 WILL INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AN INVESTMENT OF 4.5 MILLION DOLLARS IN 2023 TO DEVELOP A NEW LANDFILL STYLE DESIGN AND AN ALLOCATION OF $75000 TO DEVELOP A LANDFILL CLOSURE PLAN IN 2024.

THE DELIVERY OF EVERY CITY PROGRAM AND SERVICE DEPENDS ON ASSETS, AND IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THESE ASSETS BE PROPERLY MANAGED.

THEREFORE, BUDGET 2022 WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS.

ANNUAL ALLOCATIONS RANGING FROM THREE TO JUST OVER FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS IN SUPPORT OF BIG PICTURE WORK TO FORMALIZE AND ADVANCE ASSET MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF THE CITY TO HELP ENSURE THAT EXISTING AND NEW ASSETS ARE MANAGED TO SUPPORT SAFE AND COST EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY.

NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.

THIS WILL BE AUGMENTED BY ONGOING, PREDICTABLE, SUSTAINABLE ALLOCATIONS TO MAKE TO MAINTAIN AND REMOVE MAJOR ASSET GROUPS, INCLUDING ANNUAL INVESTMENTS OF BETWEEN THREE AND FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND IN THE CITY'S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE.

ANNUAL INVESTMENTS OF BETWEEN 1.1 AND 1.7 MILLION DOLLARS TO REPLACE AND REDEPLOY FLEET UNITS, ACCORDING TO THE CITY'S FLEET MANAGEMENT FUND.

AND ANNUAL INVESTMENTS TO RENEW FIRE HALL EQUIPMENT.

BUDGET 2022 WILL ALSO CONTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS THAT FOCUS ON THE CITY'S FACILITIES, BOTH MUNICIPAL AND RECREATIONAL, AND ON ENABLING THEM TO CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR CITIZENS.

[INAUDIBLE] WILL INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONTINUE INVESTMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY ENERGY PLAN INITIATIVES INCLUDING AN ALLOCATION OF TWO AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS NEXT YEAR TO INSTALL A WATER TREATMENT, A PLANT BOILER AT THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT.

AND ONGOING ALLOCATIONS TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR.

IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EXPERTISE TO CONDUCT HIGH WATER LEVEL IMPACT STUDY TO ASSESS ITS EFFECT ON MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE, MUNICIPAL PROPERTY AND PUBLIC ACCESS TO WATER IN ORDER TO HELP THE CITY PLAN TO MITIGATE AND ADAPT TO THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

BUDGET 2022 WILL ALSO INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PUBLIC FACING IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING ANNUALLY INVESTING BETWEEN ONE AND TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND IN THE MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE CITY'S PARKS AND THE REFURBISHMENT AND REPLACEMENT OF PARK AND PLAYGROUND AMENITIES.

UPGRADING THE RANGE LAKE TRAIL NEXT YEAR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ROTARY CLUB AT A COST OF 210 THOUSAND. PAVING THE NIVEN LAKE TRAIL IN 2023 AND 2024 AT A COST OF SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. INVESTING 150 THOUSAND DOLLARS NEXT YEAR TO REPLACE THE CURLING CLUB ROOF AND A FURTHER 50000 IN 2024 TO REPLACE THE DOCK.

AND OF COURSE, NONE OF THE FACILITIES OR ANY GROWTH OF DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT LAND.

THE CITY'S LAND DEVELOPMENT FUND SUPPORTS THE ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF LAND FOR RESALE. WHEN THE CITY SELLS OR LEASES LAND, THE REVENUES GO INTO THIS FUND AND ARE IN TURN USED TO PURCHASE AND DEVELOP LAND FOR FUTURE RESALE.

AS USUAL, BUDGET 2022 WILL INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ANNUAL EXPENDITURES, FROM THIS FUND FOR THE CREATION OF AREA DEVELOPMENT PLANS, LAND ACQUISITION AND INITIAL LAND DEVELOPMENT. AS WELL.

BUDGET 2022 WILL ALSO INCLUDE ANNUAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO USE CAPITAL FUNDS TO TACKLE THE SERVICING ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMMISSIONERS LAND TRANSFER TO THE CITY WHERE THE CITY'S OWN PURPOSES.

BUDGET 2022 WILL ALSO CONTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS THAT FOCUS ON SUPPORTING DELIVERY OF THE CITY'S PROGRAMS TO OFFER A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES FOR OUR DIVERSE POPULATION.

THESE INCLUDE ANNUAL ALLOCATIONS OF BETWEEN FIVE AND SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR

[00:25:02]

AN IMPORTANT PIECE IN FULFILLING THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO CREATE AN ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE CITY.

WILL ALSO INCLUDE FUNDING TO CONDUCT A STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT OF THE RUTHIN MEMORIAL POOL BUILDING AND IDENTIFY POTENTIAL USES FOR THE BUILDING SHOULD.

COUNCIL IN THE PUBLIC DECIDE TO PROCEED WITH THE NEW AQUATIC CENTRE.

SO THAT'S BEEN A THIRTY THOUSAND FOOT VIEW OF THE MAJOR INVESTMENTS THAT WILL BE RECOMMENDED FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A LOT GOING ON AT THE DAILY OPERATIONAL LEVEL.

LET'S LOOK NOW AT SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS.

AS MS. BASSI-KELLETT NOTED IN HER INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS, BUDGET ALWAYS INVOLVES UNCERTAINTY, AND THIS IS PARTICULARLY TRUE WHEN IT COMES TO O&M.

O&M'S ALWAYS BEEN A TOUGH PART, AND THE ONGOING UNCERTAINTY AROUND COVID AS A GAME RATCHETED UP A LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY.

NEVERTHELESS, ADMINISTRATION HAS SHARPENED ITS PENCILS AND LAID OUT THE BEST POSSIBLE PLANS, GIVEN WHAT IS CURRENTLY KNOWN.

ITEMS OF NOTE INCLUDE THE FACT THAT THERE HAS BEEN VERY LITTLE ASSESSMENT GROWTH THIS YEAR, SO WE CAN ONLY EXPECT ABOUT 82 THOUSAND IN NATURAL GROWTH AND TAXATION REVENUE NEXT YEAR. THE CITY'S CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS HAVE CREATED GROWING DEMANDS WITHIN THE TAX RELIEF PROGRAM. THEREFORE, AN INCREASE OF SIX PERCENT WILL BE NEEDED TO MEET THIS REQUIREMENT.

THERE WILL BE A ONE TIME ALLOCATION FOR EXTERNAL EXPERTISE TO ASSIST IN DEVELOPING A SUCCESSION PLAN.

AN ONGOING LINE ITEM AND ACTIVITY HAVE BEEN CREATED WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION BUDGET TO ACKNOWLEDGE FUNDS DEDICATED TO RECONCILIATION.

THIS ANNUAL ALLOCATION WILL INCLUDE MONEY FOR RELATED EDUCATION, OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF.

AND AS COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE NO DOUBT AWARE, NEXT YEAR IS AN ELECTION YEAR, AND SO THE BUDGET FOR THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK WILL INCLUDE AN ALLOCATION OF 161 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROCESS.

AN ALLOCATION OF ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE 2022 BUDGET FOR A CORPORATE REBRANDING INITIATIVE.

I NEED THAT MORE OR LESS AROSE OUT OF THE TRANSIT STUDY.

A ONE TIME INCREASE IN THE OFFICE EQUIPMENT BUDGET WILL BE RECOMMENDED FOR REFURBISHING THE LARGE STAIRS BOARD ROOM AREA AT CITY HALL, MOST LIKELY TO CONVERT IT TO MUCH NEEDED OFFICE SPACE. THE CITY DEPLOYED ITS FINANCIAL SOFTWARE IN 2002, AND THANKS TO ROUTINE UPGRADES AND DILIGENT MAINTENANCE, IT DOES CONTINUE TO SERVE AS THE CORE OF THE CITY'S SYSTEMS. HOWEVER, ITS CLIENT SERVER ARCHITECTURE IS BEING DEPRECATED, SO TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS WILL BE INCLUDED IN BUDGET 2022 TO MIGRATE THE APPLICATION TO A CLOUD BASED PLATFORM.

BUDGET 2022 WILL ALSO INCLUDE ANNUAL HONORARIUMS FOR THE ELDER IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM AT THE LIGHT. A ONE TIME ALLOCATION FOR AN EVALUATION OF THE CITY'S CURRENT ENERGY EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS VIS-A-VIS THE 2020 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE.

THERE'LL BE A ONE TIME JUMP IN STORM WATER TESTING COSTS IN ORDER TO FINISH THE CURRENT WATER LICENSE PROCESS.

AND THERE WILL BE AN INCREASE IN ACCESSIBLE TRANSIT SERVICE CONTRACT COSTS TO ACCOMMODATE SERVICE LEVEL CHANGES.

HIGHER CONTRACT COSTS.

AS WELL, THERE WILL BE A ONE TIME ALLOCATION IN 2022, SO ACCOUNT FOR COVID RELATED COSTS.

GIVEN THAT THE GNWT HAS SERVED NOTICE THAT IT WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY MORE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THIS PURPOSE.

THAT OVERVIEW OF THE EXPECTED ONLY HIGHLIGHTS CONCLUDES TODAY'S LOOK AT THE PLANNING ANALYSIS AND CONSIDERATIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE SO FAR WITH RESPECT TO BUDGET 2022.

WE'LL CONCLUDE WITH A QUICK RECAP OF WHAT'S NEXT.

THE DRAFT BUDGET WILL BE REVEALED AT THE NOVEMBER 8TH GPC MEETING, AND THE PUBLIC WILL BE INVITED BACK ON THE 22ND TO SHARE THEIR VIEWS ON THE DRAFT DOCUMENT.

DELIBERATIONS 2022 ON DECEMBER 13TH.

[00:30:02]

THAT'S THE BUDGET THAT WE ARE GOING TO JUMP INTO IN A MONTH'S TIME.

OPENING IT UP TO QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL.

NOTHING SO FAR.

YEAH, I GUESS FOR ME.

AND WE'LL GET INTO THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF THIS PROJECT.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ANOTHER PROJECT I REALLY LIKE.

I KNOW WE WILL HAVE SOME FULSOME DISCUSSIONS AND OF COURSE, LOOK FORWARD TO ADMINISTRATION SUBSTANTIATING ALL OF THOSE THOSE PROJECTS SO THAT FURTHER DETAIL IS TO COME IN JUST OVER A MONTH.

AND AS COUNCILLORS MAY HAVE NOTED, THE SCHEDULE WAS KIND OF PUSHED BACK ONE WEEK AS OPPOSED TO BEING PRESENTED THE FIRST MONDAY OF NOVEMBER.

IT'S GOING TO BE PRESENTED THE SECOND MONDAY OF NOVEMBER.

AND THAT'S JUST SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE STATUTORY PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE ZONING BYLAW ON THE SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH.

HAVE A DAY OF REST AND THEN KICK OFF BUDGET DELIBERATIONS ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH.

SO JUST SPREADING STUFF OUT A BIT.

IT ALSO WITH THE REFERENDUM FROM THE POOL, I THINK IT CLOSES SATURDAY, NOVEMBER, SORRY, NOT SATURDAY. NOT EVERYTHING CAN HAPPEN ON THE 27TH, BUT CLOSES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23RD.

SO IT JUST GIVES US A WEEK AND A BIT ALMOST TWO WEEKS, I GUESS, TO KIND OF FACTOR IN THE RESULTS OF THE REFERENDUM INTO THE BUDGET.

SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE SEEING SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT DATES, BUT STILL PRETTY IN LINE.

UH, ANYTHING FURTHER? COUNCILLOR MORGAN? HMM. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

AND THANKS TO SHAROLYNN AND ALL ADMINISTRATION FOR THE HARD WORK THAT GOES INTO THIS PROCESS ALL YEAR AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE GETTING INTO THE CRUNCH TIME HERE THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE THE ALL OF THE DILIGENCE AND THE EFFORT THAT GOES INTO IT. I JUST HAD A QUICK QUESTION.

IT WAS ONE OF THE LAST THINGS YOU MENTIONED ON ONE OF THE LAST SLIDES AROUND.

I THINK IT WAS ABOUT A HUNDRED THOUSAND DEDICATED TO COVID FUNDING, AND YOU'D MENTIONED THAT WE HAD BEEN RECEIVING FUNDING FROM THE GNWT, BUT THAT WOULD BE STOPPING.

CAN YOU JUST CLARIFY WHAT KIND OF WHAT WE'VE USED FUNDING FOR COVID RELIEF FOR SO FAR AND WHAT COSTS WILL BE CONTINUING INTO THE FUTURE? JUST TO GET A BETTER SENSE OF WHAT EXACTLY TO DO WITH COVID THOSE EXPENSES RELATE TO.

YOU KNOW [INAUDIBLE] WHICH CAME THROUGH THE GNWT BUT IT WAS A PART OF THE FED'S PART OF THE GNWT FUNDING TO MUNICIPALITIES, AND THERE WEREN'T A LOT OF CLAUSES PUT ON IT.

IT WAS JUST HOWEVER WE NEEDED TO ADDRESS.

SO WHETHER IT'S LOST REVENUE FROM FACILITIES OR HAVING TO ADD PLASTIC SNEEZE GUARDS EVERYWHERE. BUT IF NOTIFIED, AS FOLKS MAY HAVE SEEN IN THE MEDIA RECENTLY, WHERE COMMUNITIES WERE STILL EXPECTING TO GET FUNDING TO OFFSET COSTS OF COVID AND WAS SAYING THERE'S NO MORE FUNDING COMING.

BUT MS. BASSI-KELLETT FOR THEIR CLARITY ON THAT ONE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR, ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN WE HAVE GOTTEN TO ALLOCATIONS FOR THE GNWT AND AS CHAIR ALTY HAS SAID, IT DOES COMBINE FUNDING THAT COMES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS WELL.

THE FIRST ALLOCATION WE RECEIVED, WE PUT TOWARDS ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS THAT WE HAD, INCLUDING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR MANY OF OUR STAFF THAT ARE FACING THAT ARE PUBLIC FACING AND ALL THE WORK THAT THEY DO SUPPORT FOR A NUMBER OF OUR FACILITIES THAT NEEDED IT. THE SECOND ROUND OF FUNDING WE DID BRING FORWARD TO GPC AND COUNCIL AND DIRECTION WAS PROVIDED TO SUPPORT A RANGE OF THINGS, INCLUDING OH GOSH, I CAN'T REMEMBER EVERYTHING OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. I WILL ASK MS. WOODWARD IF SHE RECALLS MOMENTARILY, BUT WE DID BRING THAT FORWARD TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WAS A STRATEGIC USE OF THOSE FUNDS.

SINCE JUST RECENTLY, THE MINISTER OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS WROTE TO MUNICIPALITIES SAYING, WE'VE PROVIDED FUNDING PREVIOUSLY, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S BECOMING MORE OF THE NORM IN HOW GOVERNMENTS ARE OPERATING, SO YOU NEED TO PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

AND SO THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF US, INCLUDING THE $100000 IN HERE.

SHOULD WE BE REQUIRED TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT COMES UP THAT IS A LITTLE BIT OF A CURVEBALL FOR US THAT WE DON'T HAVE RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO COVER.

[00:35:03]

WE ARE CHANGING HOW WE'RE DOING ELECTIONS TO BE SURE THAT WE ARE SAFE IN A COVID CONTEXT.

NOW WE HAPPEN TO HAVE BUDGET ITEM BUILT IN WITHIN OUR OVERALL AQUATIC CENTRE FOR THE ELECTION ITSELF AND ARE ABLE TO COVER OFF THE ADDITIONAL COSTS THROUGH THAT BUDGET.

THE REALITY IS, THOUGH, THAT SHOULD ITEMS LIKE THAT COME UP IN THE FUTURE WHERE WE CAN'T ABSORB THROUGH ANOTHER BUDGET, WE DID WANT TO HAVE A LINE ITEM WHERE WE ARE ABLE TO SAY, OH, WE DIDN'T EXPECT THIS EXPENSE TO COME.

WE HAVE SOME REVENUE THAT WE HAVE PLANNED FOR THAT CAN ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE PRESSURES THAT ARE COMING UP. I WILL ASK MS. WOODWARD IF SHE HAS ANYTHING THAT SHE'D LIKE TO ADD.

SHE'S DEFINITELY OUR EXPERT ON THIS.

THANK YOU, MS. BASSI-KELLETT.

IN FOLLOW UP TO THE QUESTION ABOUT THE SECOND ROUND OF COVID RESTART FUNDING, AS COUNCIL DIRECTED ADMINISTRATION TO DO BACK IN MAY, THERE WAS 230 THOUSAND DOLLARS ALLOCATED FOR BUSINESS RELIEF.

230 THOUSAND DOLLARS ALLOCATED TO HELP OUT WITH PERMITTING.

65 THOUSAND TO KEEP THE SAMBA K WASHROOM OPEN LONGER.

80 THOUSAND TO HELP OUT WITH COMMUNICATIONS.

AND ANOTHER 80 THOUSAND IN TERMS OF POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE WORK.

AND 95 THOUSAND WHICH ENABLE THE ADMINISTRATION TO HIRE ADDITIONAL SUMMER STUDENTS.

THE RATIONALE BEHIND PUTTING AN ALLOCATION IN BUDGET 2022 IS THAT WE KNOW THAT IF ANYTHING, COVID HAS TAUGHT US THAT THERE IS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY AND THAT EVERYTHING TAKES MORE TIME AND MORE EFFORT.

THEREFORE, THE ASSUMPTION WAS THAT IT WOULD BE PRUDENT TO SAY WE KNOW THINGS WILL CONTINUE TO BE CUMBERSOME AS WE EMBARK ON TWENTY TWENTY ONE, AND WE WOULD RATHER LET COUNCIL AND CITIZENS KNOW THAT WE PLAN FOR THIS AND ARE PREPARED.

THANK YOU. OK, THANKS FOR CLARIFYING THAT AND THE INTENTIONS BEHIND IT.

FOLLOW UP, SORT OF RELATED QUESTION.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER MAJOR CHANGES IN GRANTS OR TRANSFER FUNDING FROM THE FEDS OR THE GNWT THAT WE'VE BECOME AWARE OF FOR 2022? THAT WILL THROW ANY CURVEBALLS INTO OUR BUDGET PLANNING? MS. BASSI-KELLETT? MM-HMM. AND I MEAN, VERY HIGH LEVEL.

SO IF YOU DON'T WANT DETAILS RIGHT NOW, WE CAN CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

WE LOVE IT WHEN WE GET GRANTS OR NEW FUNDING, AND SO WE WILL ALWAYS BE WELCOMING THAT WITH OPEN ARMS, OF COURSE, MAKING SURE THAT IT IS ALIGNED WITH WHERE OUR EXPENDITURE NEEDS ARE. WE DON'T WANT TO JUST GO AND CHASE DOLLARS.

SO WE KNOW THAT AND I HAVE A POSTER ON MY BULLETIN BOARD HERE.

MACK IS VERY GOOD ABOUT PROVIDING US WITH A SUMMARY OF THE FUNDING THAT THEY PROVIDE IN 2021-22. THERE HAVE BEEN THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCREASE ONE TIME TOP UP IN 2021-22 OF OUR COMMUNITY PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FROM THEM.

AND OF COURSE, WE ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO THE OTHER FUNDS THAT THEY PROVIDE THAT THEY ARE THE CONDUIT OF, EXCUSE ME, LIKE ASSETS FUNDING, SMALL COMMUNITIES FUNDING.

SO WE WILL ALWAYS, OF COURSE, BE OPEN AND AMENABLE TO WHAT FUNDING COMES DOWN.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE LOOK FOR AND CERTAINLY THERE'S ONE FUND THAT WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE THAT THE CITY MIGHT BE CONSIDERED IF OUR APPLICATION IS BEING CONSIDERED AND THAT IS GREEN FUNDING THAT WOULD BE RELEVANT TO THE AQUATIC CENTRE.

MS. WOODWARD, ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD? THANK YOU, MS. BASSI-KELLETT, I THINK YOU'VE CAPTURED IT.

THERE IS, OF COURSE, THE INCREASE OF 855 THOUSAND IN OUR MANDATE PLUNGING THAT CAME THROUGH APRIL.

AND IT'S OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS WILL BE CONTINUED AS A PERMANENT THING.

SO THAT'S A SMALL STEP IN CLOSING THAT INFRASTRUCTURE GAP OR FUNDING GAP THAT WE HAVE BEEN DRAWING ATTENTION TO OVER THE LAST.

WHILE WE'RE ALWAYS, OF COURSE, ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING, MUCH LIKE THE GREEN FUNDING THAT WAS JUST MENTIONED.

IT'S BEEN A BIT MORE DIFFICULT THIS YEAR, AS I'M SURE MANY ARE AWARE THAT OUR GRANT WRITER POSITION IS EMPTY RIGHT NOW.

IT'S A DIFFICULT POSITION TO FILL, SO WE'RE ALL DOING OUR BEST TO FILL IN AND KEEPING OUR EARS AND EYES OPEN FOR ANY OPPORTUNITIES THAT MIGHT BE BENEFICIAL TO THE CITY.

OK, AND THANKS FOR THAT, SO JUST FOR ME TO CLARIFY, BECAUSE I'M NOT IN THE THICK OF THIS, THE WAY YOU GUYS ARE IN TERMS OF OUR TRANSFER FUNDING FROM [INAUDIBLE] THE COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING.

WAS IT JUST A ONE TIME TOP UP LAST YEAR? BUT NOW IT'S GOING BACK DOWN TO WHAT IT WAS BEFORE, BUT I THINK I HEARD MS. WOODWARD SAY THAT OUR FUNDING FOR AMERICA HAS INCREASED AND WILL CONTINUE TO DECREASE TO

[00:40:07]

CAN I JUST SORT OF JUST GET CLARIFICATION ON THAT? I'M STILL A LITTLE CONFUSED.

MS. BASSI-KELLETT? THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR.

SO IN 2021-22, THERE WAS A ONE TIME TOP UP THAT MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS GOT, ACCORDING TO THE NEWLY NEWLY MY GOODNESS, TWENTY FOURTEEN FUNDING METHODOLOGY THAT IS REFLECTIVE OF COMMUNITY NEED.

THERE HAVE BEEN INCREASES THAT MUNICIPAL AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS HAS MADE OVERALL TO FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY GOVERNMENTS TO ADDRESS THE FUNDING DEFICIT THAT WE ARE VERY, VERY ACUTELY AWARE OF AND CERTAINLY THE ONE AREA THAT WE FEEL THE MOST AT THE CITY FOR THE 11 MILLION DEFICIT THAT WAS IDENTIFIED IN 2014, TEN MILLION OF THAT WAS CAPITAL.

SO WE DO SEE THAT AS A REAL.

WE'RE GLAD TO SEE THAT ONE TIME TOP UP AND CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING WORK THAT THE GNWT DOES TO ADDRESS AND DEAL WITH THAT INFRASTRUCTURE GAP.

THAT'S THERE, THE FUNDING GAP THAT'S THERE.

THANK YOU. OK.

I MEAN, I'M SURE WE'LL CONTINUE CONVERSATIONS ON THIS, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S STILL A HUGE GAP AND A HUGE DEFICIT THAT WE'RE WORKING TO CLOSE IN TERMS OF INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING. BUT OK, THANKS FOR YOUR UPDATE AT THIS POINT.

THANK YOU. ANYTHING FURTHER FROM COUNCIL? SEEING NONE, THANKS AGAIN, MR. WOODWARD, AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE THE FULL DOCUMENT IN THE EARLY NOVEMBER.

NEXT, WE HAVE A MEMORANDUM REGARDING THE ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE, TERMS OF

[5. A memorandum regarding the Accessibility Advisory Committee Terms of Reference]

SO PURSUANT TO THE ACCESSIBILITY POLICY, WHICH COUNCIL APPROVED FOR CONSULTATION EARLIER THIS SUMMER. SORRY, THIS PAST SUMMER.

YEAH, THE ADMINISTRATION IS PROCEEDING TO ESTABLISH THE ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL INCLUDE MEMBERS WHO REFLECT A DIVERSITY OF ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES FACED BY MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY SO THAT THEY CAN GUIDE THE WORK OF THE CITY AS WE MOVE TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS FACING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND AS WE WORK TO BECOME A MORE INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE COMMUNITY.

COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL REMEMBER THAT THIS IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE, NOT A COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL, GIVEN WE FORESEE THAT THE BULK OF THE WORK WILL BE LOOKING AT AND ADVISING ON OPERATIONAL ISSUES LIKE CITY PROGRAMS, SERVICES, FACILITIES, COMMUNICATION TOOLS, ET CETERA. WE DO PROPOSE TO COMPENSATE COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT COLLECTING A PAYCHECK FROM THEIR EMPLOYER TO BE ABLE TO REPRESENT ON THIS COMMITTEE.

AND SO ONE OF THE FIRST TASKS, OF COURSE, AT THE COMMITTEE WILL BE ASKED TO DO WILL BE TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON THE POLICY.

AND AFTER THAT, WE WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN TO COUNCIL WITH A, SEEKING COUNCIL'S APPROVAL OF THE FINAL VERSION.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR.

THANK YOU. I'LL BRING THAT UP TO COMMITTEE FOR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

COUNCILLOR MORGAN? THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD, I THINK THIS IS A GOOD NEWS STORY, THIS IS A POSITIVE STEP FORWARD.

AS YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN WORKING FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW TOWARDS MAKING THE CITY MORE ACCESSIBLE, SO I THINK THIS WILL BE ANOTHER BIG LEAP FORWARD.

I JUST HAD A COUPLE SUGGESTIONS FROM MY UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THIS COMMITTEE IS INTENDED TO DO AND ACCOMPLISH IN THE INTRODUCTORY PART OF THE TERMS OF REFERENCE.

IT DESCRIBES THAT THE COMMITTEE IS INTENDED TO GIVE INPUT ON NOT JUST INFRASTRUCTURE AND PHYSICAL CITY ASSETS, BUT ALSO CITY POLICIES, PRACTICES, SERVICES, PROGRAMS THAT THEN WHEN IT GETS TO DESCRIBING SPECIFICALLY THE SCOPE OF THE COMMITTEE AND NUMBER FIVE, THE WORDING JUST HAD IT TALK ABOUT CITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES.

SO I WONDER IF THAT WAS JUST AN OVERSIGHT AND IF THAT COULD BE CLARIFIED IN THE THE TERMS OF REFERENCE TO MAKE IT MORE CLEAR IN THE SCOPE OR IF THERE WAS A REASON FOR JUST PUTTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES IN TERMS OF THE SCOPE OF THE COMMITTEE'S ADVICE OR INPUT? MS. BASSI-KELLETT? THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE COMMENT, AND THANKS A LOT TO COUNCILLOR MORGAN ON THIS.

OUR INTENT IS THAT THE COMMITTEE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ADVICE ON A BROAD CROSS SECTION OF THINGS THAT THE CITY IS DOING.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THINGS LIKE ADVISING ON ACCESSIBILITY OF OUR WEBSITE TO BE ABLE TO GET INFORMATION, IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO BE DOING MORE TO DO, THEN THAT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD SEE AS BEING WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE COMMITTEE.

SO IF THE WORDING UNDER SECTION FIVE OF SCOPE IS NOT ADEQUATE TO REFLECT THAT, WE'RE MORE

[00:45:03]

OK, THANKS FOR THAT.

AND THEN NUMBER SIX DESCRIBES HOW THE MAKEUP OR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE, BUT I DIDN'T SEE ANY MENTION OF HOW EXACTLY THE MEMBERS WOULD BE CHOSEN, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT. YOU KNOW, IT'S WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE CITY MANAGER TO APPOINT PEOPLE TO THE COMMITTEE, BUT IN TERMS OF THE PROCESS, IS THERE GOING TO BE A PUBLIC ADVERTISEMENT AND PEOPLE APPLY OR? MY THOUGHT WAS THAT FOR BETTER TRANSPARENCY, WE SHOULD.

BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE, HOPEFULLY THROUGH THE TERMS OF REFERENCE, LIKE WHAT THE PROCESS IS FOR PEOPLE GETTING ON TO THE COMMITTEE? MS. BASSI-KELLETT? THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR, AND THANKS FOR THE QUESTION, COUNCILLOR MORGAN.

SO OUR INTENTION HERE IS LIKE ANY OTHER CITY COMMITTEE, WE DO GO OUT AND SEEK EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST. WE WOULD ADVERTISE PUBLICLY AND SAY, HEY, ARE YOU A PERSON WHO IS, HAS AN INTEREST, HAS A SKILL, HAS A KNOWLEDGE BASE DIRECTLY OR AS THE PARENT, COLLEAGUE, SUPPORT OR GUARDIAN, ET CETERA, OF SOMEONE WHO IS GOING THROUGH THIS? DO YOU HAVE THIS KIND OF DO REFLECT THE OVERALL DIVERSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY? IF SO, PLEASE WRITE IN AND WE WILL BE MAKING SELECTIONS BASED ON THAT.

WE ULTIMATELY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT, LIKE ALL OF THE CITY COMMITTEES WHERE WE DO GO OUT AND ADVERTISE AND SEEK EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET DIVERSITY OF PERSPECTIVES AND THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF THIS.

MUCH LIKE OTHER COMMITTEES, THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF OTHER COMMITTEES THAT THE CITY HAS DON'T INCLUDE THE PROCESS FOR HOW WE WILL SEEK.

IT'S A GIVEN THAT WE WILL GO OUT PUBLICLY AND SEEK EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST.

SO WE WERE OPERATING OFF OF THAT BASIS, WHICH IS HOW WE TYPICALLY ALWAYS DO BUSINESS.

THANK YOU. OK, WELL, THANKS.

THANKS FOR CLARIFYING THAT.

AND THEN I THINK THIS IS, SO I WAS READING NUMBER 21.

I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE LAST POINTS IN THE TERMS OF REFERENCE, AND I THINK THIS IS PRETTY STANDARD IN OUR COMMITTEES THAT.

THE POLICY IS THAT IF YOU DON'T GET QUORUM WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF THE TIME THAT THE MEETING IS SUPPOSED TO START, THEN THE CHAIR HAS TO JUST CANCEL THE MEETING AND RESCHEDULE FOR A WHOLE OTHER TIME. AND MY THOUGHT WAS THAT, I MEAN, I THINK EVEN FOR REGULAR COMMITTEES THAT CAN BE SOMEWHAT CONSTRAINING AND ESPECIALLY FOR A COMMITTEE WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED EXPERIENCE AND CURRENTLY MAYBE EXPERIENCING CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS AROUND ACCESSIBILITY, AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME FLEXIBILITY.

AND IN MY MIND, THE CHAIR, YOU KNOW, IF IF YOU GET A MESSAGE FROM SOMEONE SAYING, OH, I'VE JUST BEEN HELD UP OR I'M STRUGGLING WITH SOMETHING, I'LL BE THERE IN FIVE MORE MINUTES AS OPPOSED TO THE RULES, SAY YOU HAVE TO CANCEL THE MEETING AND, YOU KNOW, TRY FOR ANOTHER TIME THAT THERE COULD BE SOME DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR BASED ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE MOMENT TO SAY, OH, YOU KNOW, IF PEOPLE CAN HOLD ON JUST A FEW MORE MINUTES, WE'LL HAVE QUORUM, YOU KNOW, IN FIVE MORE MINUTES, JUST TO HAVE SOME MORE UNDERSTANDING AND BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE A LITTLE BIT MORE THE COMPLICATIONS AND.

THINGS IN PEOPLE'S LIVES THAT MAY MAKE THEM A FEW MINUTES LATE.

AND I KNOW THAT IN PRACTICE, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN LIKE WHEN WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM ANYBODY AND IT GETS CANCELED VERSUS LIKE IF SOMEBODY TELLS YOU THEY'RE COMING, THEN THE MEETINGS HELD. BUT IT'S WHEN PEOPLE ARE MIA THAT WITHIN 10 MINUTES.

BUT MS. BASSI-KELLETT, THOUGHTS ON MAKING OUR PRACTICE MORE EXPLICIT IN OUR TERMS OF REFERENCE? THANKS VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR, AND THANKS FOR THE QUESTION, COUNCILLOR MORGAN.

YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. IF SOMEONE SAYS I PLAN TO BE THERE, WE CERTAINLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HOLD THE MEETINGS TO ENABLE SOMEONE TO BE ABLE TO COME AND BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THEIR VOICE. IT'S ALWAYS A BIT OF A BALANCING ACT BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE VERY RESPECTFUL OF EVERYBODY'S TIME AS WELL, SO THAT IF PEOPLE ARE, HEY, I'VE MADE TIME TO COME TO THIS MEETING AND YOU'RE GOING TO SORT OF MAKE ME SIT AROUND AND WAIT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME FOR SOMEONE WHO MAY OR MAY NOT SHOW UP.

WE DO WANT A BALANCE THAT THE PEOPLE SEND AN INDICATION, SAYING I'M ON MY WAY.

I INTEND TO PARTICIPATE.

WE'LL DEFINITELY WANT TO MAKE THIS SOMETHING THAT IS FLEXIBLE.

SO CONCEIVABLY, THIS COULD BE SOMETHING THAT'S MORE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR.

THE CHAIR, OF COURSE, BEING SOMEONE WHO IS SELECTED EXTERNALLY.

SO THAT COULD BE SOMETHING THAT COULD BE INCLUDED INTO THIS AS WELL.

I'LL ASK MS. THISTLE IF SHE'D LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING.

SHE WAS THE WIZARD BEHIND DRAFTING THIS.

THANKS. THANKS.

THE MAYOR AND MS.

[00:50:01]

BUT TO MAKE IT MORE CLEAR IN THE TERMS OF REFERENCE, WE DEFINITELY COULD ADD IN THAT IF AFTER 10 MINUTES FROM THE APPOINTED TIME OF A MEETING FORMS NOT PRESENT AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR, THE MEETING WILL BE TERMINATED TO REFLECT THE EXACT SITUATION WHERE IF WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM ANYBODY AND WE'RE 10 MINUTES IN, THE CHAIR COULD CANCEL THE MEETING.

BUT IF SOMEONE GETS A TEXT TO SAY I'M ON MY WAY OR MY INTERNET JUST CONNECTING, THEY DON'T NEED TO CANCEL THE MEETING BECAUSE AS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED, PRACTICE WOULD BE IF WE'VE HEARD FROM SOMEBODY TO WAIT FOR THEM.

BUT ON THE FLIP SIDE, TRYING TO BE RESPECTFUL OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT COULD BE POTENTIALLY SITTING ON THE PHONE CALL FOR 20 MINUTES, JUST WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO SHOW UP, BUT WE CAN DEFINITELY MAKE THAT CHANGE.

GREAT. I MEAN, THAT'S I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN SAID THERE, AND, YOU KNOW, THAT HAS BEEN OUR PRACTICE, BUT I JUST DIDN'T WANT THE TERMS OF REFERENCE TO BE SO NARROW THAT IT FORCED SOMEONE'S HAND.

OK. THAT'S ALL MY THOUGHTS OR SUGGESTIONS, I'M EXCITED TO SEE THIS MOVE FORWARD.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. THANK YOU.

COUNCILLOR WILLIAMS? THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. CAN YOU HEAR ME OK? PERFECT. SO FIRST QUESTION WAS THE KIND OF CAME TO MIND WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT THIS WAS THE KIND OF LIKE, YOU KNOW, LIKE A GRANT REVIEW COMMITTEE IN A WAY.

WHAT ABOUT BUSINESSES LIKE WILL IT BE A MANDATE FOR FOLKS THAT HAVE BUILDINGS AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT THEY'D LIKE TO TAKE IT UP OR AT LEAST DO SOME IMPROVEMENTS? IS THERE GOING TO BE ANY FUNDS AVAILABLE? AND IS THIS MAYBE A GOOD COMMITTEE TO HAVE THAT SCOPE TO SORT OF LOOK AT FOLKS THAT DO HAVE BUSINESSES OR BUILDINGS THAT WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP THEIR ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS AND WHETHER THERE'S ANY FUNDING THAT'S THERE? OR HAS THAT DISCUSSION HAPPEN? JUST SORT OF CURIOUS IF THE ADMINISTRATION HAS THOUGHT OUTSIDE OF THEIR OWN FACILITIES AND EXPANDING, SAY, ACCESSIBILITY INTO THE PUBLIC SPHERE? MS. BASSI-KELLETT? THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE QUESTION, IT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

THAT INVOLVES A LOT OF PLAYERS AND A LOT OF ORDERS OF GOVERNMENT OUTSIDE OF THE CITY TO BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING OF THAT ORDER.

THAT'S BEYOND WHAT IT IS THAT THE CITY DIRECTLY CONTROLS AND DIRECTLY MANAGES.

SO AT THIS POINT, THE ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS REALLY LOOKING TO GET THAT INPUT AND ADVICE FROM PERSONS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE, PERSONS WHO REPRESENT OTHERS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE AROUND HOW CITY FACILITIES AND CITY CITY PROGRAMS, SERVICES, ET CETERA, ET CETERA, CAN BE AS ACCESSIBLE AS POSSIBLE.

THE INTERESTING PART ABOUT THIS, OF COURSE, IS THAT WE'LL INCLUDE THINGS LIKE ZONING AND OUR DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES, WHICH ARE UNDER DEVELOPMENT RIGHT NOW, WHICH DO HAVE A WIDESPREAD IMPLICATION.

AND SO WE WILL WANT TO BE VERY MINDFUL OF, FOR EXAMPLE, HOW CROSSWALKS ARE PUT INTO PLACE OR HOW STREETLIGHTS AND PEDESTRIAN WALKING ACCESS THINGS ARE PUT INTO PLACE.

SO THESE ARE THINGS THAT WILL INFLUENCE HOW THE CITY DOES OUR BUSINESS THAT DOES FOR ME BEYOND THE COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF HOW THINGS IMPACT PRIVATE OWNERS, PRIVATE LANDOWNERS.

AGAIN, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE BEYOND THE PURVIEW OF THE CITY AT THIS TIME.

BUT I WILL SEE IF MS. THISTLE WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND TO THIS WITH OUR EXPERIENCE AND ACCESSIBILITY. SO CURRENTLY, IT'S ENVISIONED THAT THE ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE WOULD REALLY ONLY BE RELATED TO CITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS, AS HAS BEEN INDICATED PREVIOUSLY, THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES DOESN'T HAVE ACCESSIBILITY LEGISLATION. FOR EXAMPLE, IN ONTARIO, A COMMUNITY SUCH AS THIS IS MANDATED BY THEIR LEGISLATION, AND THEY DO HAVE LEGISLATION THAT AFFECTS PRIVATE BUSINESSES AND AND FACILITATES THOSE KINDS OF DISCUSSIONS.

THIS IS A BIG UNDERTAKING, EVEN JUST AT THIS BIG CITY MUNICIPAL LEVEL, BECAUSE IT GOES INTO EVERYTHING, EVEN SO MUCH AS OUR WAYFINDING STRATEGY, IMPLEMENTING SOME OF THOSE STEPS, MAKING SIGNS ACCESSIBLE.

IT'S EVERYTHING LIKE MS. BASSI-KELLETT INDICATED THE WEBSITE ATTENDING MEETINGS, TRANSIT.

IT'S EVERYTHING.

IT'S NOT JUST DOORS AT THE POOL OR DOORS AT THE FIELD HOUSE.

SO RIGHT NOW, THE SCOPE OF THE COMMITTEE WOULD BE FOR THE CITY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THESE KINDS OF DISCUSSIONS WITH RESIDENTS WHO ARE ACTUALLY AFFECTED AND HOPEFULLY GET THE INPUT TO ENSURE THAT MOVING FORWARD, WE'RE IMPLEMENTING THINGS THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE.

WE DID RECENTLY, AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS MIGHT REMEMBER HOW SOME MOTION THAT WENT TO THE END OF NWTAC WITH RESPECT TO ENCOURAGING THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GOVERNMENT TO PASS LEGISLATION WITH RESPECT TO ACCESSIBILITY, WHICH THEN PERHAPS COULD INCLUDE PRIVATE BUSINESSES. SO AT THIS POINT, IT'S NOT ANTICIPATED THAT THIS COMMITTEE WOULD REACH THAT FAR, AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY FUNDING THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE SPECIFICALLY TO IMPLEMENT

[00:55:05]

BUT I CAN'T SAY THAT NOT ANYTHING THAT WILL EVER COME IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE WHO KNOWS WHAT THE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT WILL COME FORWARD WITH IN THE FUTURE.

BUT UNTIL THERE'S SOME MORE LEGISLATION OR MORE FUNDING, THIS RIGHT NOW IS LIMITED TO THE CITY TRYING TO MAKE ITS OWN THINGS ACCESSIBLE.

AND REALLY, THAT'S WHERE OUR FOCUS HAS TO BE BECAUSE BETWEEN THE ACCESSIBILITY, AUDIT AND VARIOUS STRATEGIES, THIS IS A BIG UNDERTAKING ON ITS OWN, AND WE'RE REALLY HOPEFUL THAT THIS WILL BE A GREAT STEP FORWARD FOR THE CITY ITSELF.

AND MAYBE IT'LL SET A GREAT EXAMPLE FOR OTHER LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.

GREAT. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

CERTAINLY WITH SOME OF THE AGE OF SOME OF THE BUILDINGS OUT THERE, IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S DEFINITELY NEEDED FROM OUR TERRITORIAL PARTNERS TO STEP IN A LITTLE BIT THERE.

MY NEXT QUESTION WAS SIMILAR TO COUNCILLOR MORGAN'S ON ITEM NUMBER SIX.

I THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO SAY IT, BUT SORRY, I DON'T HAVE THE SCREEN HERE ANYMORE, BUT IT WAS ABOUT THE FOLKS THAT WERE THERE.

I WAS JUST SURPRISED TO NOT SEE A MEMBER OF AN ORGANIZATION SERVING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND IT WAS JUST SORT OF INTERESTED IN WHY THAT WAS MISSING FROM THE GROUP.

I SAW LOTS OF DIVERSE TITLES AND THINGS, BUT AGAIN, PEOPLE WITH LIKE SHEILA BASSI-KELLETT HAD SAID WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE AS OPPOSED TO JUST BEING PART OF AN IDENTITY GROUP, I THINK WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO GET GOOD RECOMMENDATIONS.

SO JUST CURIOUS AND HOW THE CITY IS APPROACHING THAT AND WHETHER IT WOULD BE PRUDENT FOR THEM TO ACTUALLY CALL OUT MAYBE SOME MEMBERS FROM ORGANIZATIONS BECAUSE I KNOW IN OTHER COMMITTEES WE ACTUALLY SPECIFICALLY SAY TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO CURIOUS WHY THAT'S MISSING ON, LIKE YOU SAY, SUCH AN IMPORTANT FILE.

THANK YOU. YEAH, AND JUST TWO YOUR POINTS ON THE FUNDING THERE, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFFERS SOME ACCESSIBILITY FUNDING GRANTS AND IT'S OPEN TO SMALL BUSINESSES UP TO NINETY NINE EMPLOYEES AND THEN NOT FOR PROFITS AND COMMUNITY GOVERNMENTS.

SO IF INDIVIDUALS ARE INTERESTED, THEY CAN.

IT'S AN ANNUAL BASIS. IT'S CLOSED THIS YEAR, BUT IT'LL OPEN UP AGAIN NEXT YEAR, AND YOU CAN GET UP TO ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR WHEELCHAIR RAMPS, MAKING YOUR DOORS ACCESSIBLE AND STUFF. SO IF PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES HAVE SOME FUNDING.

MS. BASSI-KELLETT THE QUESTION ON COMMITTEE COMPOSITION? THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE QUESTION.

COUNCILLOR WILLIAMS. WE THOUGHT LONG AND HARD AROUND THIS AND WHAT WE REALLY WANTED, AND SO THE WORDING IS VERY CRISP.

MEMBERSHIP WILL BE LIMITED TO PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE OR ACCESSIBILITY CHALLENGES, AND MAY ALSO INCLUDE INDIVIDUALS REPRESENTING A BROAD RANGE OF UNDERSERVED AND EQUITY SEEKING GROUPS.

SO THAT IS A VERY BROAD UMBRELLA THAT WE DID NOT INTEND TO JUST SAY WE WANTED REPRESENTATION FROM GROUPS REPRESENTING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

WE WANT TO OPEN IT UP.

AND IN DOING SO, WE INCLUDE THOSE, THOSE ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE UMBRELLA.

BUT WE GO VERY BROAD AS WELL SO THAT IF IT IS A PARENT OF A CHILD GOING THROUGH SOMETHING, AND IF THERE'S SOMEONE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE DIRECTLY, AS WELL AS SOMEONE REPRESENTING A NUMBER OF PEOPLE THROUGH AN ORGANIZATION, WE WILL LOOK FOR THAT KIND OF REPRESENTATION ACROSS THE BOARD.

IS THE STORY JUST AS A FOLLOW UP WITH THAT SO LIVED EXPERIENCE THAT THE QUOTATION OF LIVED EXPERIENCES THAT DEFINED SOMEWHERE IN A BYLAW OR DOES THAT PART OF THE NEW DEFINITIONS THAT THE CITY IS ROLLING WITH OR IS? I GUESS I'M JUST TRYING TO GET A SENSE OF, YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED PARENTS AND I THINK THAT'S A GREAT SPOT. BUT JUST WHAT THE SCOPE OF THAT LIVED EXPERIENCES IS THAT DEFINED ANYWHERE IN THE IN THE BYLAW? MS. BASSI-KELLETT? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS.

BUT WHAT WE'RE SEEKING IS FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO COME FORWARD AND SELF-IDENTIFY AND SAY, I'M A PERSON WHO IS A PARENT OF A CHILD WITH A PHYSICAL OR A MENTAL DISABILITY.

I AM A PERSON WITH SOMETHING SO THEY COME FORWARD IN THEIR APPLICATION AND ABLE TO SAY, I BRING THIS PERSPECTIVE AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO BE ABLE TO BRING FORWARD.

SO WE WOULDN'T WANT TO DEFINE IT.

THAT WOULD BE VERY.

IF I, YOU KNOW, WE WOULD WANT IT TO BE CERTAINLY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING CHALLENGES TO BE ABLE TO COME FORWARD AND REPRESENT THAT DIRECTLY.

THE ONLY OTHER THOUGHT THAT I HAD ABOUT THE MAKEUP IS ENSURING TALKING ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES, THERE'S SUCH A WIDE ARRAY, THERE'S HEARING DISABILITIES, THERE'S MOBILITY DISABILITIES.

IS THERE ANY KIND OF MAKEUP OR SOMETHING WILL BE DEFINED THAT SAYS THAT THERE NEEDS

[01:00:03]

MS. BASSI-KELLETT? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT'S A REALLY GREAT QUESTION, BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T BE A GREAT THING IF WE HAD WE ENDED UP IN A SITUATION WHERE WE HAD QUORUM WITH PEOPLE WHO ONLY HAD AN EXPERIENCE OF THE PHYSICAL DISABILITY IF WE WERE LOOKING TO SOMETHING THAT WAS, AGAIN, FOR EXAMPLE, HEARING RELATED OR SOMETHING THAT WAS AROUND ACCESSIBILITY OF THE WEBSITE.

SO WE DEFINITELY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE AS MUCH DIVERSITY AND REPRESENTATION AS POSSIBLE ON THE COMMITTEE AND THAT WE'RE ABLE TO REALLY BE INCLUSIVE AND REALLY MAKE SURE THAT WHETHER IT IS THE POOL DOORS AS MS. THISTLE LAID OUT.

IF IT'S OUR PUBLIC TRANSIT, IF IT IS ACCESSING THE WEBSITE, IF IT IS CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND COMMITTEES AND APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL THAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT HOW IT IS THAT THIS WORKS FOR EVERYBODY AND HOW WE CAN MAKE IT AS ACCESSIBLE AS POSSIBLE.

SO DIVERSITY IS GOING TO BE A BIG THING THAT WILL BE CONTINUING TO JUGGLE AND TO CONTINUE TO REALLY SEEK TO ENSURE THROUGH THE REPRESENTATION THAT COMES FROM THE PUBLIC.

AND IF WE'RE FINDING OUT, GEE, WE'RE NOT GETTING ANYONE WHO HAS REPRESENTING A CERTAIN KIND OF AREA, WE MAY WANT TO THEN BE VERY PROACTIVE AND TRY TO SEEK OUT PEOPLE WHO WOULD POSSIBLY LET THEIR NAME STAND.

THANK YOU. YEAH, THANKS FOR THAT.

YEAH, SIX WILL BE A BIT OF A PICKLE.

THERE'S JUST SUCH A VARIETY IN THERE, YOU KNOW, AND THERE'S JUST SO MANY FOLKS THAT SUCH A DIVERSITY OF EXPERIENCE THERE.

ANYWAY, THANK YOU FOR THE ANSWERS.

THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL? SEEING NONE, STAFF WILL PICK THAT FEEDBACK AND TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

IT DOESN'T GO FOR A VOTE OF COUNCIL BECAUSE IT'S FOR INFORMATION STAFF COMMITTEE, SO THEY WILL TAKE ALL THOSE COMMENTS UNDER ADVISEMENT.

[IN CAMERA]

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WILLIAM, SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR PAYNE.

ANYBODY OPPOSED? SEEING NONE. WE CAN LOG OFF AND SEE YOU ALL MOMENTARILY.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.