May 24, 2022 Council Meetings

>> GOOD EVENING. WE WILL CALL OUR COUNCIL MEETING FOR TUESDAY,

[00:00:04]

OPENING STATEMENT, COUNCIL MUFANDAEDZA.

[1. Councillor Mufandaedza will read the Opening Statement.]

>> THANK YOU. THE CITY OF YELLOWKNIFE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT WE'RE LOCATED IN CHIEF DRAGHI'S TERRITORY.

FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL, IT HAS BEEN THE TRADITIONAL LAND OF THE HELLENIZED IN A FIRST NATION.

WE RESPECT THE HISTORIES, LANGUAGES, AND CULTURES OF ALL OTHER INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, INCLUDING THE NORTH SLAVE, MEI TI AND ALL FIRST NATIONS, MEI TI AND MINUIT, WHOSE PRESENCE CONTINUES TO ENRICH OUR VIBRANT COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MORSE. AWARD CEREMONIES AND PRESENTATIONS.

THERE WERE NO AWARD CEREMONIES OR PRESENTATIONS FOR THE AGENDA.

ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS.

[Items 3 & 4]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH YOUR WORSHIP.

I MOVE THAT MINUTES OF COUNCIL FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF MONDAY, MAY 9TH, 2022 BE PRESENTED FOR ADOPTION.

>> DO WE HAVE A SECONDER? THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL MORSE.

ALL IN FAVOR? THAT [OVERLAPPING] PASSES.

THANK YOU. DISCLOSE YOUR PECUNIARY INTERESTS IN THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF.

[5. Does any Member have a pecuniary interest in any matter before Council tonight?]

>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. YEAH. I'D LIKE TO DECLARE FOR ITEMS 26 THROUGH 29, I BELIEVE. LET ME JUST CHECK MY NOTES.

26 - 29, FROM MY WIFE'S POSITION AT THE DEPARTMENT OF LANDS. THANKS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. PRESENTATIONS AND PETITIONS.

THERE WERE NO CORRESPONDENCE, NOR WERE THERE ANY PETITIONS FOR THE AGENDA.

STATUTORY PUBLIC HEARING.

THERE ARE NO STATUTORY PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR THE AGENDA.

DELEGATIONS PERTAINING TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.

THERE ARE NO DELEGATIONS PERTAINING TO ITEMS, NOT ON THE AGENDA.

MEMBER STATEMENTS.

THERE WERE NO MEMBER STATEMENTS FOR THE AGENDA.

ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS STATEMENTS FROM THE FLOOR? INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF COMMITTEE REPORTS.

[Items 11 - 14]

GOVERNANCE AND PRIORITIES COMMITTEE REPORT FOR MAY 9TH, 2022.

THERE WAS NO BUSINESS ARISING FROM THIS MEETING.

GOVERNANCE AND PRIORITIES MEETING REPORT FROM MAY 16TH, 2022. COUNCIL MUFANDAEDZA.

>>THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP.

I MOVE THAT COUNCIL APPOINT DEBBIE [INAUDIBLE] CITY CLERK AS THE REGISTRAR OF THE ENUMERATION AND RECRUITING OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF YELLOWKNIFE FOR THE 2022 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION.

>> THANK YOU, SECONDER. THANK YOU, COUNCIL WILLIAMS. ALL IN FAVOR? [OVERLAPPING] THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

ENACTMENT OF BYLAWS.

[NOISE] SORRY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MEMORANDUM REGARDING WHETHER TO APPOINT WAHID JOHNSON AS A BY-LAW OFFICER.

[Items 15 & 16]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, YOUR WORSHIP.

I MOVE THAT PURSUANT TO SECTION 137 OF THE CITY, TOWNS, AND VILLAGES ACT SNWT 2003 C22.

WAHID JOHNSON BE APPOINTED AS A BY-LAW OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF YELLOWKNIFE, AND THE TERM OF APPOINTMENT SHALL EXPIRE UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY OF YELLOWKNIFE AS A BY-LAW OFFICER.

>> SECONDER? THANK YOU COUNCILORS, ALL IN FAVOR.

>> IN FAVOR.

>> THAT MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

ENACTMENT OF BYLAWS.

[Items 17 - 19]

COUNCIL MUFANDAEDZA.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP.

I MOVE FIRST READING OF BYLAW NUMBER 5059.

>> DO I HAVE A SECONDER? THANK YOU, COUNCIL MORSE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THAT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

[00:05:01]

>> I COULD PUT THE BUTTON AT THE WRONG TIME. IN FAVOR.

>> THANK YOU. THAT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCIL MUFANDAEDZA.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP.

I MOVE SECOND READING OF BYLAW NUMBER 5059.

>> FIRST.

>> NO, WE'RE IN SECOND.

>> DO WE HAVE A SECONDER? THANK YOU, COUNCIL MORSE.

ALL IN FAVOR. COUNCIL PAYNE.

[NOISE]

>> IN FAVOR.

>> THANK YOU. AND THAT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

[NOISE] THE BIG ONE. ALL RIGHT.

[Items 20 - 22]

>> THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP.

I MOVE FIRST READING FOR BYLAW NUMBER 5060.

>> SECONDER? THANK YOU, COUNCIL MORSE. ALL IN FAVOR.

>> IN FAVOR.

>> THANK YOU. THAT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

COUNCIL MUFANDAEDZA.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP.

I MOVE SECOND READING OF BYLAW NUMBER 5060.

>> DO I HAVE A SECONDER? COUNCIL MORSE. OPENING IT UP TO DISCUSSION, I BELIEVE. COUNCIL MORSE.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

I'D LIKE TO MOVE AN AMENDMENT.

IF THERE'S A SECONDER, I'LL READ IT OUT.

I MOVE THE BYLAW NUMBER 5060, BE AMENDED BY STRIKING PARAGRAPH 4 AND REPLACING THEIR WIDTH.

MUNICIPAL TAXES SHALL BE LEVIED BY APPLYING THE FOLLOWING MILL RATES TO EACH SPECIFIC CLASSIFICATION.

RESIDENTIAL 5.81 MILS, MULTI RESIDENTIAL 6.59 MILS, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL 13.13 MILS, MINING AND QUARRYING16.21 MILS, HIGH DENSITY PARKING 7.46 MILLS, AGRICULTURAL 5.87 MILS AND I'LL SPEAK TO IT IF I HAVE A SECONDER.

>> DO WE HAVE A SECONDER? THANK YOU, COUNCIL MORGAN.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I'M BRINGING THIS FORWARD BECAUSE I'VE HEARD FROM A FEW RESONANCE AND ALSO JUST DUE TO MY OWN POSITION ON THIS MATTER WHEN IT CAME FORWARD TO COUNCIL LAST WEEK.

MY GENERAL FEELINGS ON THIS AS I UNDERSTAND THAT COUNCILORS WANT TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE OBTAINING A BALANCE BETWEEN COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL TAXATION.

I FELT THAT THE MAYOR'S POINT THAT WITH A LARGE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMING FORWARD NEXT YEAR, THAT PERHAPS NEXT YEAR MAYBE THE BETTER TIME TO CONSIDER THIS AND THAT COUNCIL TAKE THE TIME TO ENSURE THAT ADJUSTMENT OF MIL RATES DOESN'T UNNECESSARILY BURDENED ONE ASPECT OF THE CLASSES THAT WE TAX WORSE THAN ANOTHER.

WE'RE ALREADY IN A YEAR WHERE THERE'S A FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT TAX RAISE OCCURRING, RESONANCE ARE GOING TO SEE POTENTIALLY ARRAYS AROUND 5 PERCENT.

IF [NOISE] THE MIL RATES AS PROPOSED IN THE BYLAW THAT IS GOING FORWARD RIGHT NOW WITHOUT THIS AMENDMENT, GO FORWARD, RESONANCE WILL BE SEEING A 9 PERCENT TAX RATE, WHICH I THINK IS QUITE A HIGH RAISE IN ONE YEAR.

THIS IS A WAY TO BALANCE THINGS OUT.

DOING THIS WILL MEAN THAT COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL RECEIVE A RELATIVELY EQUAL TAX RAISE.

IF THE FUTURE COUNCIL THAT'S COMING NEXT WANTS TO LOOK AT MIL RATES.

LOOKING AT THEM THROUGH THE LENS OF TRYING TO ESTABLISH A POLICY ON MIL RATES WOULD GIVE COUNCILORS THE TIME AND INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS AT THAT TIME.

AT A BETTER TIME. I'VE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE 9 PERCENT IS WHAT I'M TRYING TO PREVENT HERE.

THAT'S THE REASON I BROUGHT THIS MOTION FORWARD OR THIS AMENDMENT FORWARD AND I'M HOPING IT'S SUPPORTED BY MY COLLEAGUES. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MORSE.

DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? SEEING NONE. COUNCIL MORGAN.

>> THANKS. I'LL BE SUPPORTING COUNSELOR MORSE'S AMENDMENT.

I KNOW THAT WHEN WE TOOK A LOOK OVER THE YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN THIS WIDENING GAP WITH A FEW TIMES OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS,

[00:10:03]

I KNOW WE IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM AND THAT WE NEED TO STOP WIDENING THAT GAP AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE MAIN THING THAT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WAS ASKING FOR ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER POINTS ABOUT BEING MORE TRANSPARENT ABOUT WHAT OUR POLICIES ARE AND MAKING SURE IT MAKES SENSE.

I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE DON'T FURTHER WIDEN THE GAP ESPECIALLY NOT UNTIL WE COME UP WITH MORE REASONING OR POLICY BEHIND IT.

BUT TO CHANGE THE RATIO THIS YEAR, AS COUNSELOR MORSE MENTIONED, WOULD CREATE THIS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LEAP FOR RESIDENTIAL TAXPAYERS TO NINE PERCENT, WHICH IS FAR MORE THAN PEOPLE EXPECT AND IT WOULD BE QUITE SUDDEN AND QUITE A SHOCK, I THINK FOR PEOPLE I MEAN IF THEY HAVEN'T PLANNED FOR, SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVEN'T BUDGETED FOR AND SO I THINK IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA AT THIS POINT AND SO GOING FORWARD, IF I GUESS THE FUTURE COUNCIL WANTS TO CHANGE THE RATIOS, I DO THINK THAT THAT DISCUSSION SHOULD HAPPEN AROUND BUNCH OF TIME OR PERHAPS BEFORE SO THAT GO INTO BUDGET WHEN WE ARE ALL FOCUSED ON.

WHAT KIND OF PERCENT TAX INCREASES ARE WE LOOKING AT HERE AND TRYING TO SHIFT THINGS AROUND.

THE COUNCIL HAS A CLEAR SENSE OF WHAT THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE WOULD BE AND MAYBE IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT IF THE RATIO HAS CHANGED FOR DIFFERENT SECTORS, BUT WOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A BUDGET THAT [NOISE] COUNCIL FELT WAS ACCEPTABLE IN TERMS OF INCREASES TO ALL THE DIFFERENT SECTORS AND I THINK LAST YEAR, IT WAS A TRICKY BUDGET FOR SURE AND WE KNEW WE WERE DEALING WITH A TAX INCREASE, BUT WE REALLY WORKED HARD TO END UP WITH A NUMBER AROUND FIVE PERCENT THAT WE FELT THAT EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS AN INCREASE THAT THAT COULD BE MANAGEABLE ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE, WE WORKED HARD TO TRY TO BALANCE IT OUT OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND TO THROW OUT ALL THAT WORK NOW, TO THEN SUDDENLY COME UP WITH THIS NINE PERCENT NUMBER.

I JUST DON'T THINK REALLY MAKES SENSE.

I THINK WE SHOULD STICK WITH HAVING BOTH COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL HAVE THE SAME TAX INCREASE THIS YEAR AND IN THE FUTURE IF WE WANT TO PLAY WITH THAT RATIO OR CHANGE IT MORE IT SHOULD AT LEAST HAPPEN WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THAT YEAR'S BUDGET AND MAKING SURE THAT IT'S A REASONABLE INCREASE FOR ANY SECTOR.

>> THANK YOU. I'LL COME TO KONGE.

>> THANK YOU. I WON'T BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION.

THIS POLICY OF HAVING A COMMERCIAL MILL RATE IT TWICE WHAT THE RESIDENTIAL IS, I MEAN, IT'S REALLY A THROWBACK FROM THE GOLD MINING DAYS IN YELLOWKNIFE.

IT'S BEEN TWO OR OVER TWO PERCENT THE ENTIRE 10 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE.

FOR ME WHEN YOU LOOK IN THE SPREADSHEET THAT WE GOT FROM ADMINISTRATION, IF YOU HAVE AN ASSESSED VALUE OF A $0.5 MILLION IN COMMERCIAL, WITH THIS FIVE PERCENT INCREASE, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE AN INCREASE OF $315, WHICH DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A LOT.

BUT IF YOU HAVE A RESIDENCE THAT IS OF THE SAME VALUE, IT'S A $140, WHICH CERTAINLY ISN'T A LOT.

BUT IN ONE YEAR ALONE, YOU'RE LOOKING AT A $175 DIFFERENCE ON A $0.5 MILLION HOUSE AND NOW YOU COMPOUND THAT OVER A DECADE OR TWO AND EVERY YEAR IT'S $175 MORE THAN THE RESIDENTIAL ON THAT SAME ASSESSED VALUE AND THE SPREAD BETWEEN COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BECAUSE OF THAT, A $175 JUST GETS LARGER AND LARGER AND THAT'S WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING.

NOBODY WANTS TO SEE TAX INCREASE BUT IF WE DO THIS ADJUSTMENT TO 2.13, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE ON THAT SAME $0.5 MILLION OF ASSESSED VALUE.

RESIDENTIAL IS $250.

SO IT'S A $110 IN A YEAR.

IT'S LESS THAN $10 A MONTH OF A TAX INCREASE ON A $0.5 MILLION PROPERTY OF ASSESSED VALUE.

COMMERCIAL, IT GOES DOWN TO 170, SO IT IS LESS.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME TO TRY TO BALANCE THESE OUT BECAUSE IT'S BEEN SUCH AN EXTENDED PERIOD WHERE THE COMMERCIAL HAS BEEN PAYING FIVE PERCENT.

THE RAISE IS THE SAME, BUT THE DOLLAR VALUE IS THAT MUCH MORE.

FOR ME I THINK THAT [NOISE] FOR THE MOST PART,

[00:15:06]

IT'S NOT HUGE, BUT IT DOES HELP AND I THINK IT IS MY OPINION THAT AT THIS TIME, THE BUSINESSES IN THIS TOWN, THEY NEED MORE HELP THAN THE RESIDENTS.

I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THE AMENDMENT.

>> THANK YOU. ANYTHING FURTHER, COUNSELOR WILLIAMS?

>> YEAH. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

THIS IS ONE I'VE BEEN PRETTY SOFT ON, BUT IT'S MORE JUST THAT I'M APPROACHING IT AS WRITING A WRONG LIKE WHEN WE BECAME A COUNCIL SO THIS WHOLE IDEA OF PASSING THIS ON TO THE NEXT COUNCIL.

WELL, WE HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY BACK IN 2018 AND AT OUR FIRST CHANCE WE DID CHANGE.

WELL, I GUESS IT WAS 2019 AT THE TIME, BUT WE DID CHANGE THAT RATIO FROM 2.13-2.26.

WE DID THAT IN EFFORT TO MAKE THE TAX INCREASE HAD A LITTLE BIT LESS FOR RESIDENTS AT THE TIME AND SINCE WE WERE AN EAGER YOUNG COUNCIL, THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

NOW SITTING IN THE CHAIR FOR FOUR YEARS, BEING A BUSINESS OWNER MYSELF, I CERTAINLY DO GET A SENSE OF JUST THE BURDEN THAT'S ON SMALL BUSINESSES AND ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND THE RATIOS AND JUST HOW TAX IS BEING DISTRIBUTED, THAT'S THIS CONCEPT OF 40 PERCENT OF THE FOLKS PAYING 60 PERCENT OF THE LOAD.

I SEE THIS AS JUST THE MOST MINOR OF SHIFTS BACK TO WRITE A SHIP THAT WAS WRONGED A LONG TIME AGO.

VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT COUNSELOR KONGE IS SAYING THERE.

I THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A GOAL LIKE IF COMMERCIAL ENTITIES PAY TWICE AS MUCH AS RESIDENTS, THAT'S OKAY.

BUT HERE WE ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE IT'S TWICE AS MUCH AND THEN SOME AND WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS WRITE THE SHIP AN INCREMENTAL AMOUNT, NOT EVEN DRAMATICALLY BRINGING IT BACK TO TWICE AS MUCH.

AGAIN, WE'RE JUST GOING BACK TO WHERE WE WERE WHEN WE BECAME COUNSELORS AND I THINK THAT THE RESIDENTS OF YELLOWKNIFE HAVE HAD A PRETTY GOOD DEAL FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, YOU KNOW, WHERE IT WAS. THE OTHER THING TOO IS THAT I THINK WITH AN ELECTION COMING UP, THERE NEEDS TO BE A LOT MORE PRESSURE ON THE SURPLUSES.

WE AGAIN HAVE A WORK PLAN THAT WE DO EVERY YEAR.

WE TAX BASED ON THAT WORK PLAN AND WE'RE LEFT AT THE END OF THE YEAR WITH I THINK IT WAS A $7.8 MILLION SURPLUS AND THEN THE NEXT YEAR IS $15 MILLION SURPLUS.

HERE WE ARE QUIBBLING ABOUT A COUPLE OF PERCENTS HERE AND THERE, WHEN REALLY IF WE JUST HAD A BIT MORE OF A REASONABLE WORK PLAN, WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO TAKE AS MUCH TAX IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AGAIN, I THINK THAT COUNCILOR MORSE'S ARGUMENT IS SOMEWHAT COMPELLING, BUT AGAIN, I STILL THINK THAT IT IS A BIT OF STICKER SHOCK FOR THIS YEAR, BUT IT'S BEEN A GOOD DEAL FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS FOR MOST.

I DON'T WANT TO PUT MY FAITH IN THE FUTURE COUNCIL THAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE DID IT AND WE DID IT IN FAVOR OF THE RESIDENTS.

NOW WITH OUR PERSPECTIVE FOUR YEARS ON, I THINK IT'S TIME TO CORRECT THAT A LITTLE BIT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. COUNCILOR WILLIAMS. COUNCILOR MUFANDAEDZA?

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, YOUR WORSHIP.

I WON'T BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION AS AMENDED.

I THINK COUNCILOR KONGE AND COUNCILOR WILLIAMS SUMMARIZED WHAT MY THOUGHT WAS ON THIS MATTER, AND FOR THAT REASON I WOULDN'T BE SUPPORTING THE AMENDMENT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. COUNCILOR PAYNE, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD?

>> THANK YOU. I WILL BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION AS AMENDED.

I VOICED BY IT [INAUDIBLE] GPC LAST WEEK ABOUT FOR THE MOST PART, BUSINESSES HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE UP THAT DIFFERENCE.

I KNOW THE COST WOULD BE PASSED ALONG TO THE CONSUMER, BUT THERE'S THE WAY TO GET THAT MONEY BACK.

THERE'S A LOT OF OUR RESIDENTS RIGHT NOW, ESPECIALLY WITH THE HIGH COST OF LIVING THAT'S BEEN AND CONTINUES TO GO UP.

AS WE SPEAK, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO COME UP WITH EXTRA MONEY.

SO THAT'S WHY THIS IS NOT AGAINST THE BUSINESS OF YELLOWKNIFE.

I'M 100 PERCENT IN SUPPORT OF THE BUSINESSES IN YELLOWKNIFE AND I THINK

[00:20:04]

AS COUNCILOR WILLIAMS TALKED ABOUT WITH GETTING MAYBE A MORE DOWN TO EARTH WORK PLAN AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WILL WORK ON IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. END CLOSE? COUNCILOR MORSE.

>> THANK YOU. YEAH. NO. JUST MADE MY INITIAL COMMENTS.

THE ONLY THINGS THAT I'D ADD HERE IS JUST THAT I THINK WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE AROUND THE WAY THAT WE DO TAXATION, WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE, I THINK IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT COUNCILS IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONSIDER DOING AT THE SAME TIME AS SETTING THE BUDGET SO THAT THIS CONVERSATION DOESN'T END UP CREATING SHOCKS IN THE SYSTEM LATER SO THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT'S COMING WHEN IT'S COMING.

I THINK THAT A USEFUL EXERCISE, IT WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE ABLE TO BE DONE IN TIME FOR NEXT YEAR'S TAXATION RUN.

BUT FOR COUNCIL TO ARTICULATE A POLICY ABOUT THIS AS A COUPLE OF COUNCILORS HAVE ALLUDED TO.

WE'RE EFFECTIVELY DISCUSSING A PHILOSOPHY HERE, AND THE TOUGH THING IS THAT COUNCIL AS A WHOLE HASN'T AGREED UPON A PHILOSOPHY THAT WE FEEL BEST REPRESENTS ALL THE FEELINGS OF THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES OF YELLOWKNIFE SAYING, BASED ON THESE REASONING, WE'VE ARTICULATED A VISION THAT WE'D LIKE TO PUT FORWARD.

WE'D LIKE COMMERCIAL TO PAY TWICE AS MUCH AND WE'RE GOING TO BRING THAT RATIO DOWN OVER TIME IN ORDER TO GET IT THERE, OR WE FEEL THAT THE RATIO THAT EXISTS IS GOOD.

I THINK THE TOUGH THING IS THAT WE JUST DEBATE THIS AS INDIVIDUALS EACH YEAR.

FOR ME, THE THING IS THAT I'M NOT REALLY IN FAVOR OF HITTING RESIDENTS WITH A HIGHER RAISE THAN WE NEED TO IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS.

AS THE MAYOR POINTED OUT AT THE LAST MEETING, WE COULD REDUCE THE RATIO NEXT YEAR WITH A LARGE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMING FORWARD WITHOUT SHOCKING THE SYSTEM LIKE THIS.

I THINK THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY, IT'S NOT SO MUCH KICKING IT DOWN THE LINE TO ANOTHER COUNCIL.

I SUPPOSE IT IS EFFECTIVELY, BUT THAT'S JUST BECAUSE ELECTIONS COME ABOUT AND NEW COUNCIL IS COME ABOUT.

I DON'T KNOW WHO'S GOING TO BE ON THE NEXT ONE, BUT THE POINT BEING THAT THIS ISN'T NECESSARILY THE BEST YEAR TO DO IT.

A FEW RESIDENTS HAVE REACHED OUT TO US AND SAID, WELL, NINE PERCENT RAISE IS A LOT FOR ONE YEAR AND I WOULD AGREE.

I THINK A FIVE PERCENT RAISE IS A LOT FOR ONE YEAR.

IDEALLY, I'VE SAID THIS BUDGET AFTER BUDGET, I'D LIKE TO SEE US RAISING TAXES IN LINE WITH INFLATION AS MUCH AS WE CAN AND DOING IT YEAR AFTER YEAR AS OPPOSED TO HAVING THESE PHILOSOPHICAL DEBATES WHERE WE END UP WITH A ZERO PERCENT WHEN YOU RAISE ONE YEAR, WE END UP LOW ON MONEY THE NEXT AND WE END UP HAVING TO RAISE IT A WHOLE BUNCH THE NEXT TIME.

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, THE FIVE PERCENT RAISES, IT TURNS OUT, IS PRETTY CLOSE TO INFLATION, AS INFLATION IS SKYROCKETING RIGHT NOW, BUT NINE PERCENT IS ABOVE IT.

ON ANY GIVEN YEAR, I DON'T THINK IT'S VERY FAIR TO RAISE RESIDENCE TAXES WELL ABOVE THE INFLATION RATE.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY NEED TO DO THAT TO RESIDENTS.

AND I THINK THAT WE CAN DEBATE THESE THINGS WITHOUT UNNECESSARILY SHOCKING THE SYSTEM.

THAT'S MY FEELING, MY REASON FOR BRINGING THE AMENDMENT FORWARD.

OF COURSE I RESPECT TO THE ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVES OF MY COLLEAGUES.

I'LL STILL VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT. THANKS.

>> THANK YOU. TO END.

ALL IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDED MOTION AS PRESENTED.

>> WAIT. IT'S AN AMENDMENT, NOT AN AMENDED MOTION.

>> SORRY. PARDON?

>> SAY ALL IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT

>> ALL IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT?

>> IN FAVOR.

>> THOSE OPPOSED? THAT IS DEFEATED WITH COUNCILOR MORGAN, MORSE AND PAYNE IN FAVOR.

BACK TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION AS PRESENTED. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> [OVERLAPPING] OPPOSE.

>> THOSE OPPOSED. THAT MOTION CARRIES WITH COUNCILOR MORSE AND MORGAN OPPOSED-

>> PAYNE

>> -AND PAYNE SORRY.

>> [BACKGROUND]

>> I HEARD HIM IN FAVOR. COUNCILOR PAYNE CAN YOU [OVERLAPPING]

>> NOT IN FAVOR.

>> NOT IN FAVOR. WITH COUNCILOR MORGAN, MORSE AND PAYNE NOT IN FAVOR.

BYLAW NUMBER 5061.

[Items 23 - 25]

[00:25:01]

COUNCILOR MUFANDAEDZA.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP.

I MOVE FIRST READING OF BYLAW NUMBER 5061.

>> DO I HAVE A SECONDER? COUNCILOR MORGAN? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.

>> IN FAVOR.

>> THAT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILOR MUFANDAEDZA.

>> THANK YOU. YOUR WORSHIP.

I MOVE SECOND READING OF BYLAW NUMBER 5061.

>> DO I HAVE SECONDER? THANK YOU, COUNCILOR KONGE. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> IN FAVOR.

>> THAT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

[LAUGHTER] BYLAW NUMBER 5056,

[Items 26 & 27]

COUNCILOR MUFANDAEDZA?

>> THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. I MOVE THIRD READING OF BYLAW NUMBER 5056.

>> DO I HAVE SECONDER? THANK YOU COUNCILOR MORSE. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> IN FAVOR.

>> THAT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

BYLAW NUMBER 5057, A BYLAW TO ACQUIRE

[Items 28 & 29]

COUNCILOR MUFANDAEDZA.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP.

I MOVE THIRD READING OF BYLAW NUMBER 5057.

>> DO I HAVE SECONDER? COUNCILOR MORSE.

ALL IN FAVOR?

>> IN FAVOR.

>> THAT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

DO WE ASK COUNCILOR WILLIAMS TO COME BACK? [BACKGROUND] THERE HE IS.

>> YOU CAN REALLY HEAR OUT THERE[LAUGHTER] [BACKGROUND]

>> RIGHT.

>> [BACKGROUND] AT LEAST YOU'RE NOT TRYING TO PRESENT THE COUNCIL AS A CITIZEN [LAUGHTER]

>> DEFERRED BUSINESS AND TABLED ITEMS. THEY WERE NO DEFERRED BUSINESS AND THERE WAS NO TABLED ITEMS FOR THE AGENDA.

IS THERE ANY DEFERRED BUSINESS OR THERE ANY TABLED ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR? OLD BUSINESS. THERE IS OLD BUSINESS FOR THE AGENDA.

IS THERE ANY OLD BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR? NOTICES OF MOTION.

THERE WERE NO NOTICES OF MOTION FOR THE AGENDA.

ARE THERE ANY NOTICES OF MOTION FROM THE FLOOR? DELEGATIONS PERTAINING TO ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA,

[36. A presentation from France Benoit regarding the 2022 Farmers Market programs.]

[BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER] GOOD EVENING. I'M A FARMER IN ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE FARMERS MARKET.

I'M NOW A BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE.

I WANTED TO COME TO MAKE THIS PRESENTATION TO YOU SO THAT YOU DON'T FORGET THAT YOU HAVE AN AGRICULTURE AND LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION STRATEGY, AND I WANTED TO SHARE WHAT WE'RE DOING AT THE FARMERS MARKET TO INCREASE THE OFFER IN THE DEMAND OF LOCAL PRODUCE.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE NOW MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED TO LEARN HOW TO FEED OURSELVES.

JUST LOOK AT THE DEVASTATION OF FARMS IN HAY RIVER, WAR IN UKRAINE, THE HEAT AND FLOODS IN BC LAST YEAR AND THE WORST DROUGHT PROJECTED IN 1,200 YEARS IN CALIFORNIA.

SO WE HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO FEED OURSELVES.

THE WEEKLY MARKET IS GOING TO START ON TUESDAY, THE JUNE 7TH AT 5:15, AND IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT, WE ARE NOW IN OUR 10TH YEAR OF OPERATION.

WE HAVE 43 VENDORS, WHICH IS LARGER THAN THE PANDEMIC YEARS, BUT A LITTLE LESS THAN IN THE PAST, HALF THE VENDORS ARE NEW.

WHICH IS VERY INTERESTING, BRINGS ITS OWN CHALLENGES BECAUSE WE NEED TO BRING THEM UP TO SPEED AND MORE SUPPORT OF THEM AND SO ON.

THERE ARE ALSO MORE LOCAL ARTISANS THAN EVER BEFORE.

WITH FUNDING FROM HEALTH, WE HAVE VOUCHERS FOR LOWER-INCOME FAMILIES, SO THEY MAY COME TO EXPERIENCE THE MARKET.

ALL FOOD VENDORS NEED TO BE APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, WE NEED A FOOD SAFETY COURSE AND AN INSPECTION.

[00:30:05]

WE PROVIDE ADVERTISING ALLOCATION WHICH WE WENT FROM THE CITY, INSURANCE, AND SUPPORT.

WE'VE CREATED FIVE PART-TIME JOBS THIS SUMMER.

NOW I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT OUR LARGEST PROGRAM, WHICH IS THE HARVESTERS TABLE AND I'M THE LEAD ON THAT.

THE HARVESTERS TABLE AIMS TO INCREASE THE OFFER IN THE DEMAND OF VEGETABLES AT THE FARMERS MARKET.

BECAUSE THAT'S THE NUMBER 1 COMMENT THAT WE GET FROM PEOPLE.

WITH FUNDING FROM ITI THIS YEAR, WE HOPE TO ENCOURAGE BACKYARD GARDENERS TO COME AND GIVE US THEIR EXCESS PRODUCE SO THAT WE MAY SELL IT AT THE HARVESTERS TABLE ON THEIR BEHALF AT THE FARMERS MARKET.

THEY KEEP THE MOST OF THE REVENUES, WE KEEP A SMALL PORTION FOR ADMINISTRATION AND SO ON.

WE ARE HANDING OUT GIFT CARDS FROM LOCAL GARDEN CENTERS TO GARDENERS, TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO BRING THEIR PRODUCE TO THE MARKET.

THEY SIGN A FORM SAYING THAT THEY WILL BUY SEEDS AND SOIL AND STUFF LIKE THAT, IN EXCHANGE OF WHICH THEY WILL BRING THEIR EXCESS PRODUCE AT LEAST TWICE DURING THE SEASON.

IT'S A BIG CHANGE IN MINDSET BECAUSE A LOT OF THE PEOPLE WE APPROACH SAY, I DON'T HAVE EXCESS PRODUCE.

I HAVE ONLY A SMALL GARDEN.

WE ALWAYS HAVE EXCESS PRODUCE AT SOME POINT, IT COULD BE A ZUCCHINI OR A HEAD OF LETTUCE, BUT IF 10 PEOPLE BRING THEIR ONE ZUCCHINI, THEN WE HAVE 10 ZUCCHINIS.

WE'RE ALSO LATER ON IN THE SEASON HOPING TO CONNECT PEOPLE THAT HAVE BERRY BUSHES OR SASKATOON TREES IN THEIR YARDS THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO OR CAN'T HARVEST, SO WE WOULD GO TO HARVEST AND BRING THAT TO THE FARMERS MARKET.

WE ALSO HAVE A LANDSHARE PROGRAM, WHERE WE TRY TO CONNECT PEOPLE THAT WANT TO GROW FOOD BUT DON'T HAVE SPACE, CONNECT THEM WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE SPACE BUT DON'T WANT TO OR CAN'T GROW FOOD.

WE'VE ALSO HIRED WHAT WE CALL A GARDEN COACH, THAT PERSON WILL BE ONSITE WEEKLY BY THE HARVESTERS TABLE ANSWERING QUESTIONS ON GARDENING.

WE'RE HOPING THAT THIS COULD INCREASE [NOISE] THE PRODUCTION OF PRODUCE, IF PEOPLE HAVE ANSWERS TO THEIR QUESTIONS.

SHE WILL ALSO BE ORGANIZING A LUNCH AND LEARN SERIES AROUND GARDENING ISSUES.

WE'VE ALREADY HAD TWO OF THOSE.

WE'VE ALSO HIRED A GARDEN ANGEL, TALK ABOUT A GREAT TITLE FOR A SUMMER JOB.

WE WERE DONATED LARGE NUMBER, 10-12 RAISED BEDS IN THE DOWNTOWN CORE OF YELLOWKNIFE, INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS GOT IN TOUCH WITH US.

IT'S A BIT OF A CURSE PROBLEM BECAUSE NOW WE NEED TO MAINTAIN THOSE RAISED BEDS.

SO WE GET TO KEEP ALL THE PRODUCE AND WE CAN BRING THE PRODUCE TO THE FARMERS MARKET, BUT THE GARDEN ANGEL WILL BE MAINTAINING THOSE RAISED BEDS SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

THIS SUMMER, WE'VE ALSO PAIRED HER WITH A MENTOR.

SO SHE'S REALLY KEEN AND INTERESTED BUT LACKS A BIT OF A SKILL, SO WE'VE PAIRED HER WITH THE GARDEN COACH.

SHE WILL ALSO BE GOING ON TUESDAYS TO PEOPLE'S YARDS IF FOR WHATEVER REASON THEY CAN'T THEMSELVES BRING THEIR PRODUCE TO THE MARKET BECAUSE THEY'RE WORKING OR WHATEVER.

SO SHE WILL BE DOING THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP AN EYE ON HOURS WORKED AND SEE IF WE CAN FREE UP A LITTLE BIT THIS SUMMER.

AS I'M SURE YOU ALL ARE, THEY WILL BE I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE TRAVELING THIS SUMMER, AND SO IF WE CAN GO AND MAINTAIN PEOPLE'S GARDENS WHILE THEY'RE AWAY AND WE GET TO KEEP THE PRODUCE, SO THAT MIGHT BE A WIN-WIN.

THE LAST THING I'LL MENTION IS WE'VE DEVELOPED A MANUAL ON HOW TO START A HARVESTERS TABLE AND ITI IS DISTRIBUTING THAT MANUAL TO ALL COMMUNITIES IN THE NWT, SO A BIT OF A TRAILBLAZER IN THAT WAY AND OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT HOW WE DID THIS.

WE'RE HOPING FOR A GOOD SEASON AND I HOPE TO SEE EVERYBODY STARTING JUNE 7TH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ANY QUESTIONS OR? YES, ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL, COUNCILLOR MUFANDAEDZA? THANK YOU WORSHIP. NO QUESTIONS.

WELL, I DO HAVE A QUESTION ACTUALLY BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

[00:35:02]

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I REALLY LIKE IS THE EXCESS PRODUCE, BECAUSE MANY YEARS I HAVE A LOT OF EXCESS LETTUCE AND I'VE NEVER KNOWN WHAT TO DO WITH IT AND [OVERLAPPING] ABSOLUTELY SO EXCITED FOR THAT.

I KNOW YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU OFFERED A LUNCH AND LEARN PROGRAM, LIKE HOW WOULD RESIDENTS SIGN UP FOR THAT? YOU DON'T NEED TO. THERE'S NO REGISTRATION.

YOU CAN JUST COME WE ADVERTISE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.

SO IF YOU FOLLOW THE YELLOWKNIFE FARMERS MARKET, YOU WOULD GET THE NOTIFICATION. THEY ARE FREE.

SO USUALLY THEY'RE HANDS-ON.

I THINK WE AVERAGE 10,12 PEOPLE AT EVERY SESSION.

AWESOME. THAT'S EXCITING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON JUNE THE 7TH.

OF COURSE. THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, COUNCIL MORGAN? THANKS FIRST FOR COMING TONIGHT.

I'M REALLY EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU'VE DEVELOPED THE HARVESTERS TABLE.

BECAUSE I KNOW THERE'S LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO MAYBE THEY'RE GARDENING ON THE SIDE, BUT YEAH, PULLING TOGETHER ALL THAT LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE LANDSHARE PROGRAM OR THAT IF PEOPLE HAVE LAND AVAILABLE IN THEIR YARDS OR WHATEVER AND THEY WANT TO OFFER IT TO SOMEONE ELSE TO GARDEN.

ARE THERE LIKE MINIMUM SIZES THAT YOU WOULD REQUIRE OR JUST SPACE? WOULD SOMEONE NEED TO HAVE ALREADY CREATED RAISED BEDS OR MAYBE YOU CAN JUST EXPLAIN.

THE PROGRAM IS SOMEWHAT SUCCESSFUL IN YELLOWKNIFE, AND I DON'T MEAN THAT IN A NEGATIVE SENSE.

IT'S JUST THAT MANY CITIES HAVE SUCH A PROGRAM BUT YELLOWKNIFE BECAUSE OF ITS SIZE, SO THERE'S MORE OF THE SHARING THAT TAKES PLACE INFORMALLY WHERE SOMEBODY GOES, I KNOW MY NEIGHBOR DOWN, AND THIS IS HOW MOST OF IT HAPPENS.

THERE'S NO MINIMUM OR A MAXIMUM SIZE.

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY ISSUES.

PEOPLE BUY A HOUSE AND THERE'S A GREENHOUSE, THEY DON'T HAVE A GREEN THUMB, SO THEY'RE WILLING TO SHARE IT.

WE'VE DONE A LITTLE TEMPLATE AGREEMENT BECAUSE SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GO ON YOUR PROPERTY AND USE YOUR WATER TO WATER THE GARDEN.

WE'VE GOT A TEMPLATE.

MOST OF THE TIME IT'S PEOPLE THAT KNOW EACH OTHER OR THERE'S A FRIEND OR A NEIGHBOR THAT HAS CONNECTED PEOPLE.

SO INFORMAL, ALLOWING SOME FLEXIBILITY.

SOMEONE WOULD SIGN UP FOR THAT PROGRAM BY CONTACTING YOU, LIKE BY E-MAIL OR? THERE IS ON THE WEBSITE OF THE FARMERS MARKET.

THERE'S A LINK THERE, AND JUST A GENERAL OR SEND AN E-MAIL TO THE MARKET MANAGER.

THANKS FOR THAT.

PERFECT. ANY FURTHER? SEEING NONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[OVERLAPPING] I'M SUPER EXCITED TO GO WITH MYSELF AND THE NEW ARTISANS, COVID JUST CREATED MORE ARTISANS.

THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE WALMART CRAFT SECTION.

[LAUGHTER] PERFECT.

THANK YOU. ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES? THERE ARE NO ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES FOR THE AGENDA.

ARE THERE ANY ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES FROM THE FLOOR? SEEING NONE. CAN I GET A MOTION TO ADJOURN? THANK YOU. ALL IN FAVOR. PARDON.

[INAUDIBLE].

SORRY [INAUDIBLE].

[LAUGHTER] WE'LL SEE EVERYBODY LATER.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.