Jul 28, 2025 Council Meetings

[00:00:07]

GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY. WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE COUNCIL MEETING FOR JULY 28TH TO ORDER, AND I´LL ASK

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

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

THANK YOU. THERE WERE NO AWARDS OR CEREMONIES OR PRESENTATIONS FOR THE AGENDA.

[ Items 3 & 4]

COUNCIL MCLENNAN? I MOVE THAT THE MINUTES OF COUNCIL FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF MONDAY, JUNE 9TH, 2025 BE PRESENTED FOR ADOPTION. OKAY. COUNCILLOR FOOTEE SECONDS.

ALL IN FAVOR? OKAY. MOTION CARRIED. THANK YOU.

MINUTES OF COUNCIL FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF MONDAY, JUNE 9TH, 2025 ARE PRESENTED FOR ADOPTION. COUNCIL MCLENNAN?

[ Items 5 & 6]

COUNCILLOR MCGURK SECONDS. ALL IN FAVOR? OKAY.

MOTION CARRIED. THANK YOU. AND THE MINUTES OF COUNCIL FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF MONDAY, JUNE 16TH,

[ Items 7 & 8]

COUNCIL ARDEN-SMITH SECONDS. ALL IN FAVOR? OKAY.

MOTION CARRIED. THANK YOU. AND LAST SET, MINUTES OF COUNCIL FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF MONDAY,

[ Items 9 & 10]

I MOVE THE MINUTES OF COUNCIL FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF MONDAY, JUNE 24TH, 2025 BE PRESENTED FOR ADOPTION.

COUNCILLOR COCHRANE SECONDS. I THINK WE WERE ABLE TO PASS THAT AROUND COMPLETELY.

AWESOME. ALL IN FAVOR? THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIED.

DOES ANY MEMBER HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN ANY MATTER BEFORE COUNCIL TODAY? AND FOR ANYONE WHO WASN'T AT THE LAST MEETING, IF YOU HAD A CONFLICT OF INTEREST AT THAT MEETING.

HEARING, SEEING NONE. THANK YOU. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS.

[12. A letter from Kevin O'Reilly regarding Artic Security Corridor. ]

YEAH, AND SO, ACCORDING TO OUR COUNCIL PROCEDURES BY-LAW WE'VE ALL HAD A CHANCE TO READ IT.

WE DO HAVE THREE OPTIONS. WE CAN REFER TO ADMINISTRATION OR A STANDING COMMITTEE IF WE WISH.

WE CAN CONSIDER ANY MOTIONS ON THE CORRESPONDENCE, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NONE MADE OR DEVELOPED.

OR WE CAN GIVE OTHER INSTRUCTIONS ON THE CORRESPONDENCE OR PETITION. SO DO ANY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR DIRECTION THEY WISH TO PRESENT AT THIS TIME? COUNCILLOR COCHRANE? THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I SO MOVE THAT WE TAKE THIS AS INFORMATION.

OKAY. SEEING NODDING HEADS AROUND THE TABLE. WE'LL MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.

THANK YOU. OKAY. THERE WERE NO STATUTORY PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR THE AGENDA, AND THERE WERE NO DELEGATIONS PERTAINING TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.

THERE WERE NO STATEMENTS FOR THE AGENDA. ARE THERE ANY MEMBER STATEMENTS FROM THE FLOOR? OKAY.

SEEING NONE. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF COMMITTEE REPORTS.

[ Items 17 - 25]

THERE WAS NO BUSINESS AND SIMILARLY FOR THE GPC REPORT FOR JUNE 16TH.

AND I GUESS WE'RE DOWN TO THE PRESENTATION, ADOPTION OF GOVERNANCE PARTIES COMMITTEE MEETING FOR JUNE 24TH, 2025 COUNCILLOR MCLENNAN? I MOVE THAT COUNCIL, ONE, ACCEPT FOR INFORMATION, THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINAL REPORT OF THE WATER AND SEWER RATE STRUCTURE REVIEW BY INTER GROUP CONSULTANTS, AND TWO, DIRECT ADMINISTRATION TO RETURN TO COUNCIL WITH AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND TIMELINE, FOLLOWING A FURTHER EXPLORATION OF OPTIONS THAT CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING.

ONE, THE FIVE-YEAR PHASED APPROACH SET OUT IN THE CONSULTANT'S FINAL REPORT.

TWO, A BALANCED RATE ACROSS ALL CATEGORIES, INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON TRUCKED SERVICES.

THREE, A SUBSIDY FOR AGRICULTURAL USES. FOUR, A SUBSIDY FOR MULTI-RESIDENTIAL USES.

AND FIVE, OTHER OPTIONS THAT ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES WILL ACHIEVE PROGRESS TOWARDS THE STRATEGIC DIRECTION OF THE CITY.

THANK YOU. CAN I GET A SECONDER? COUNCILLOR COCHRANE?

[00:05:04]

SO ESSENTIALLY THE REPORT HAD LOTS OF GREAT SUGGESTIONS FOR SIMPLIFYING BILLS.

A LOT OF THOSE, COUNCIL WAS IN FAVOR OF THE OVERALL APPROACH OF THE 38% INCREASE TO TRUCKED SERVICES.

COUNCIL ASKED STAFF TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT OPTIONS AND TO COME BACK.

AND I BELIEVE THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN SOMETIME IN SEPTEMBER. SO JUST SO PEOPLE ARE CLEAR ON THOSE TIMELINES AND WHAT THAT MOTION IS INTENDED TO MEAN.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? IF NOT, CAN I CALL THE QUESTION? ALL IN FAVOR? OKAY. THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

AND COUNCILLOR MCLENNAN. ITEM 23. I MOVE THAT COUNCIL APPROVES THE DISCRETIONARY USE TO ALLOW A SIMILAR USE TO A HOTEL ON LOT 31, BLOCK 512 AND PLAN 4740, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 346.

BORDEN DRIVE. THANK YOU. CAN I GET A SECONDER FOR THAT? COUNCILLOR MCGURK. ANY COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? I KNOW YOU'VE DISCUSSED THIS AT LENGTH.

THEN I'LL CALL THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? GREAT.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. AND THE GOVERNANCE AND PRIORITIES COMMITTEE MEETING FOR JULY 14TH, 2025. COUNCIL MCLENNAN. I MOVE THAT MAYOR AND COUNCIL, ONE, AUTHORIZE ADMINISTRATION TO APPLY TO THE CANADIAN RADIO AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL TO IMPLEMENT 311 SERVICE FOR THE CITY OF YELLOWKNIFE AND TO DIRECT ADMINISTRATION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A 311 SERVICE FOR THE CITY OF YELLOWKNIFE AS PART OF MODERNIZATION EFFORTS.

THANK YOU. CAN I GET A SECONDER, PLEASE? COUNCILOR ARDEN-SMITH.

ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? AGAIN, ANOTHER ONE STEMMING FROM GPC.

SO WE TALKED ABOUT A LOT. SO I'LL CALL THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? PERFECT. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU. OKAY. NEW BUSINESS. IT'S A MEMORANDUM REGARDING WHETHER TO APPOINT ELI SMITH AS A

[Items 26 & 27]

5045, AS AMENDED, ELI SMITH BE APPOINTED AS A DEVELOPMENT OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF YELLOWKNIFE, AND TWO, THE TERM OF THE APPOINTMENT SHALL EXPIRE UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY OF YELLOWKNIFE.

CAN I GET A SECONDER PLEASE? COUNCILLOR COCHRANE.

ALL IN FAVOR? OKAY. THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

OKAY. ITEM 28. ENACTMENT OF BY-LAW NO. 5110. IT'S A BY-LAW AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF YELLOWKNIFE TO ACQUIRE FEE SIMPLE TITLE OF ROAD R1

[Items 28 - 39]

AND JUST A FRIENDLY REMINDER TO EVERYONE HERE OR LISTENING.

THESE DECISIONS TONIGHT ARE ABOUT ACQUIRING THE LAND, SO WE CAN HAVE THE CHOICE ABOUT WHETHER TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT OR NOT.

SO THIS IS ABOUT JUST ACQUIRING THE LAND. NOT ANYTHING TO DO WITH HOW IT WILL BE USED.

SO, COUNCILLOR MCLENNAN I MOVE SECOND READING OF BY-LAW NO.

5110. SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR ARDEN-SMITH. QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? OKAY. THANK YOU. AND AGAIN, I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS AT LENGTH AT GPC.

CALL THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? OKAY. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU. COUNCILLOR MCLENNAN. I MOVE THIRD READING OF BY-LAW NO.

5110. CAN I GET A SECONDER, PLEASE? COUNCILLOR MCGURK.

ALL IN FAVOR? OKAY. THANK YOU. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

BY-LAW NO. 5111, A BY-LAW AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF YELLOWKNIFE TO ACQUIRE A FEE SIMPLE TITLE IN COMMISSIONER´S LAND DESCRIBED AS PARCEL A, QUAD 85/J8, AS IDENTIFIED IN SCHEDULE A OF BY-LAW NO.

5111 IS PRESENTED FOR SECOND AND THIRD READING.

COUNCILLOR MCLENNAN. I MOVE SECOND READING OF BY-LAW NO.

5111. CAN I GET A SECONDER? COUNCILLOR COCHRANE.

ANY QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? OKAY. CALL THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? OKAY. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL MCLENNAN. MOVE THIRD READING OF BY-LAW NO.

[00:10:02]

5112. A BY-LAW AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF YELLOWKNIFE TO ACQUIRE A FEE SIMPLE TITLE IN COMMISSIONER´S LAND DESCRIBED AS PARCEL B, A PORTION OF BLOCK 77A PLAN 512, AS IDENTIFIED IN SCHEDULE A OF BY-LAW NO.

5112, IS PRESENTED FOR A SECOND AND THIRD READING.

COUNCILLOR MCLENNAN. MOVE SECOND READING OF BY-LAW NO.

5112. SECONDED BY COUNCILOR FOOTE. ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? OKAY. HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? OKAY. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

COUNCILOR MCLENNAN. MOVE THIRD READING OF BY-LAW NO.

5112. CAN I GET A SECONDER? COUNCILLOR COCHRANE.

ALL IN FAVOR? THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

I THINK THIS MIGHT SET A RECORD FOR THE NUMBER OF TIMES YOU GUYS HAD TO RAISE YOUR HANDS WITHOUT HAVING TO SAY ANYTHING.

ITEM 37, BY-LAW NO. 5113. A BY-LAW AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF YELLOWKNIFE TO ACQUIRE FEE SIMPLE TITLE OF LOTS 26 AND 27 BLOCK 201 PLAN 4639, A COMMISSIONER´S LAND IS PRESENTED FOR SECOND AND THIRD READING.

COUNCILOR MCLENNAN. MOVE SECOND READING OF BY-LAW NO.

5113. SECONDED BY COUNCILOR ARDEN-SMITH. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? OKAY. SEEING. NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

COUNCILOR MCLENNAN. MOVE THIRD READING OF BY-LAW NO.

5113. SECONDED BY COUNCILOR FOOTE. ALL IN FAVOR? THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. OKAY. THERE WAS NO DEFERRED BUSINESS, AND THERE WERE NO TABLED ITEMS FOR THE AGENDA.

IS THERE ANY DEFERRED BUSINESS OR ARE THERE ANY TABLED ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR? OKAY. HEARING NONE. THERE WAS NO OLD BUSINESS FOR THE AGENDA.

IS THERE ANY OLD BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE.

THERE WERE NO NOTICES OF MOTION FOR THE AGENDA.

ARE THERE ANY NOTICES OF MOTION FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. DELEGATIONS PERTAINING TO ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.

[46. A presentation regarding NEST Building Fire Hydrant Requirement. ]

ALL DELEGATIONS SHALL ADDRESS THEIR REMARKS DIRECTLY TO THE PRESIDING OFFICER AND SHALL NOT POSE QUESTIONS TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OR ADMINISTRATION.

EACH PRESENTER SHALL BE AFFORDED FIVE MINUTES TO MAKE THEIR PRESENTATION. THE TIME CAN BE EXTENDED BY RESOLUTION OF COUNCIL FOR AN ADDITIONAL TWO MINUTES IF YOU NEED IT.

AFTER A PERSON HAS SPOKEN, ANY MEMBER MAY, THROUGH THE PRESIDING OFFICER, ASK THAT PERSON OR OTHER QUESTIONS. AND NO DEBATE SHALL BE PERMITTED ON ANY DELEGATION TO COUNCIL, EITHER BETWEEN MEMBERS OR WITH AN INDIVIDUAL MAKING PRESENTATION. SO TAKE IT AWAY.

THANK YOU. YOU CAN HEAR ME OKAY? YEAH. THANKS FOR THIS TIME.

IT'S NICE TO BE HERE TONIGHT. MY NAME IS SCOTT PARKER.

I'M A LAWYER HERE IN YELLOWKNIFE AT LAWSON LUNDELL.

AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF BOREALIS DEVELOPMENT.

BOREALIS ARE THE DEVELOPERS BEHIND REVITALIZING THE OLD BELLANCA BUILDING INTO THE NEST, WHICH IS YELLOWKNIFE´S NEWEST APARTMENTS.

BOREALIS IS READY TO APPLY FOR AN OCCUPANCY PERMIT, BUT A CONDITION ON THEIR BUILDING PERMIT REQUIRING A FIRE HYDRANT VAULT TO BE INSTALLED IS BLOCKING THE OCCUPANCY PERMIT AT THE MOMENT.

AND THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO AND PUT FORWARD SOME SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

SO THE BELLANCA BUILDING, IT'S A FORMER OFFICE BUILDING SAT EMPTY SINCE 2012.

BOREALIS BOUGHT THE BUILDING IN 2021 AND REVITALIZED THAT UNUSED EYESORE INTO THE NEST, WHICH IS A MODERN 72 UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING WITH TWO COMMERCIAL UNITS ON THE MAIN FLOOR.

NOW, THIS ALIGNS WITH THE CITY'S VISION OF A VIBRANT DOWNTOWN CORE.

THE 72 UNITS CERTAINLY HELP ALLEVIATE YELLOWKNIFE´S CHRONIC HOUSING SHORTAGE, AND BOREALIS IS READY TO APPLY FOR AN OCCUPANCY PERMIT. BUT THERE IS A HITCH. THERE'S A DELAY DUE TO THE FIRE HYDRANT VAULT REQUIREMENT.

BOREALIS´ BUILDING PERMIT REQUIRES A FIRE HYDRANT VAULT TO BE BUILT.

THEIR DEVELOPMENT PERMIT DIDN'T REQUIRE THIS.

FINANCING WAS ARRANGED AFTER THE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT, BUT BEFORE THE BUILDING PERMIT.

SO THIS FINANCING WAS A DIFFICULT AND LENGTHY PROCESS FOR BOREALIS, BUT THEY PERSEVERED.

[00:15:06]

THAT INCLUDED PAYING OVER $400,000 IN PROPERTY TAXES WHILE THEY WEREN'T EARNING ANY INCOME.

THERE'S NO FINANCING AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRE HYDRANT VAULT CONSTRUCTION, WHICH IS ESTIMATED AT UP TO $750,000.

THE LENDER WILL NOT INCREASE THE LOAN AMOUNT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

INSTALLING THE HYDRANT IS A SIGNIFICANT COST AND DELAY.

SO THIS MATTER HAS BECOME MORE URGENT AS BOREALIS WORKS WITH LENDERS TO CONVERT THEIR FINANCING FROM A SHORT TERM CONSTRUCTION LOAN TO A TERM LOAN BEGINNING AUGUST 31ST. THE FINANCING IS CONTINGENT ON AN OCCUPANCY PERMIT BEING ISSUED NO LATER THAN AUGUST 15TH.

SO THERE'S SOME ALTERNATIVES TO THE HYDRANT VAULT THAT I WANT TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO.

THE NEST IS WHAT'S CONSIDERED A NONCOMBUSTIBLE BUILDING.

BOREALIS HAS UPGRADED THE NEST WITH A STATE OF THE ART ALARM SYSTEM, NEW SPRINKLER SYSTEM, NEW FIRE PUMP SYSTEM, AND A WALL HYDRANT. BOREALIS HAS, OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, MADE A NUMBER OF REQUESTS TO HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL TO THE HYDRANT VAULT REVIEWED. NOW, WITH HELP OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATION, THAT ALTERNATIVE IS NOW WITH THE CITY REGULATORY PROCESS, SO WE DON'T WANT TO GET INTO ANY OF THE DETAILS OF THAT ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION.

BUT TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE FOR A DECISION ON THIS ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL.

SO IF THE HYDRANT IS STILL REQUIRED AFTER REVIEWING THIS ALTERNATIVE, IT'S NOT REASONABLE THAT BOREALIS ALONE PAYS FOR THIS, THE FULL COST OF THE HYDRANT. OTHER NEARBY PROPERTIES AND SOME OF THESE PROPERTIES CERTAINLY HAVE LESS MODERN FIRE PROTECTION THAN THE NEST. THEY'RE ALSO GOING TO RELY ON THAT HYDRANT.

SO GIVEN THE HIGH COST AND THE SHARED ACCESS TO THE HYDRANT, BOREALIS PROPOSES EITHER THE CITY ABSORB THE COST TO INSTALL THAT HYDRANT, OR THERE'S SOME SORT OF A MAJOR COST SHARING AGREEMENT.

IF YELLOWKNIFE WANTS TO KEEP RENTS REASONABLE, THEN HAVING THIS REVITALIZED APARTMENT BUILDING SHOULDER 100% OF THE HYDRANT VAULT COST, THAT'S REALLY NOT GOING TO HELP KEEP THOSE RENTS REASONABLE.

CITY ADMINISTRATION HAS ALREADY POINTED OUT THERE MAY BE SOME FUNDING OPTIONS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE CITY, BUT WE NEED SOME MORE CONCRETE ADVICE ON THOSE OPTIONS.

AND WE NEED ALL THIS SOON. SO WHAT ARE WE REQUESTING FROM COUNCIL? WELL, CONSIDER REFERRING THIS MATTER TO CITY ADMINISTRATION AS AN URGENT MATTER TO BE RESOLVED.

I'M JUST ABOUT DONE. NOTABLY PROVIDING TIMELINES RELATED TO DECISIONS ON THE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION AND AVAILABLE FUNDING OPTIONS.

AND THIS COULD INCLUDE A SOLUTION LIKE ISSUING AN OCCUPANCY PERMIT WITH A CONDITION THAT BOREALIS PUT A FIRE WATCH IN PLACE UNTIL THIS MATTER IS RESOLVED.

AND FINALLY, CONSIDER A MOTION TO FUND ALL OR PART OF THE FIRE HYDRANT INSTALLATION BY THE CITY.

THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. I'LL DO MY BEST TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. PARKER. I THINK. LOOK AT THAT, RIGHT UNDER FIVE MINUTES.

GOOD JOB. YEAH. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE WAS A REQUEST FROM BOREALIS THAT WAS RECEIVED IN JULY, AND THAT IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE REGULATORY PHASES OF BOTH THE CITY AND THE OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL.

SO UNDERSTANDING THAT'S GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS.

AND I CAN TELL YOU FOR SURE THAT OUR CITY MANAGER YOU KNOW, AT LEAST THREE TIMES TODAY HAS BEEN POKING THE BEAR AND CHECKING.

SO THIS IS DEFINITELY ON STAFF'S, YOU KNOW, HIGH PRIORITY LIST.

I'LL JUST OPEN IT TO ANY QUESTIONS FOR MY COLLEAGUES, IF THEY HAVE ABOUT THE PRESENTATION.

I KNOW SEVERAL OF THEM GOT TO, WE'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GO ON THE TOUR THAT YOU GUYS HELD RECENTLY, WHICH THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR INVITING US. AND SOME OF THE MLA'S GOT TO DO THAT AS WELL.

COUNCILLOR MCLENNAN. AND THEN COUNCILLOR MCGURK.

THANKS VERY MUCH, MR. CHAIR. CAN WE ASK QUESTIONS OF ADMIN OR IS IT JUST THE PRESENTER? OKAY, A QUESTION FOR ADMIN JUST ON THAT. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE COME UP BETWEEN THE DEVELOPMENT PERMITTING AND THE BUILDING PERMITTING.

AND AFTER THE PROJECT GOT FINANCING, HOW ARE WE GOING TO AVOID THIS IN THE FUTURE? MR. VAN DINE? WELL THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION, MR.

[00:20:01]

YOU ALSO NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT EVOLUTION AND CHANGES TO REGULATORY ENVIRONMENTS THAT OCCUR.

THINGS LIKE THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE, WHICH THE CITY HAS ADOPTED, AND THAT HAS GONE THROUGH MANY ITERATIONS SINCE 2017 AND INCLUDING UP UNTIL 2023. SO WHAT WE CAN DO IS MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE VIGILANCE ON THESE SORTS OF THINGS.

I MUST ADMIT, IN THE JUST ABOUT A YEAR SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, I'VE HAD MORE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT FIRE HYDRANTS THAN I EVER IMAGINED I WOULD HAVE. AND I BELIEVE THAT COLLEAGUES AROUND HERE ON THE ADMINISTRATION SIDE, I WANT TO REASSURE RESIDENTS AND DEVELOPERS THAT FIRE PROTECTION AND FIRE SAFETY IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT. IN FACT, IT'S CRITICAL WHEN WE MOVE THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, WHAT WE ARE LOOKING TO DO AS, AS AN ADMINISTRATION, AS A DOCUMENT, AS KEY ISSUES FOR IDENTIFICATION EARLY ON IN THE DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS FIRE HYDRANTS, SUCH AS SETBACKS SUCH AS OTHER ACCESS POINTS, ARE KNOWN WELL IN ADVANCE TO AVOID DEVELOPERS INCURRING ANY UNNECESSARY COSTS THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN CONTEMPLATED AT THE FRONT END.

THANK YOU. THAT WAS MY QUESTION. COUNCILLOR MCGURK? THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. I, HOPE THAT WE CAN FIND A REASONABLE SOLUTION TO THIS QUICKLY.

OBVIOUSLY, EVERYONE I THINK DOES HAVE ADMINISTRATION AND THE PRESENTER.

DOES THE ADMINISTRATION THINK IT WOULD SPEED UP THE CURRENT PROCESS IF COUNCIL DIRECTED THIS AS A PRIORITY ITEM? AND I GUESS A SORT OF A SECOND QUESTION TO THAT IS MAYBE A PROCESS QUESTION, WHICH IS, WOULD WE EVEN BE ABLE TO ISSUE THIS DIRECTION IN ADVANCE OF THE TIMELINE THAT THE PRESENTERS ARE REQUESTING, CONSIDERING OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING IS NOT SCHEDULED UNTIL AUGUST 18TH.

MR. VAN DINE. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I GUESS CERTAINLY IT'S BENEFICIAL TO HAVE THE PRESENTATION TODAY.

IT'S CERTAINLY BENEFICIAL TO HAVE THE INFORMATION IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO HAVE A LINE OF SIGHT ON THE CONSIDERATION OF A PROJECT THAT HAS SIGNIFICANCE IN OUR COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY IN THE DOWNTOWN.

WITH RESPECT TO COUNCIL'S ROLE AND DIRECTING ADMINISTRATION ON REGULATORY REVIEW PROCESSES.

I BELIEVE THAT I WOULD CAUTION AGAINST THAT AS A PATH TOWARDS MOVING THINGS ALONG.

OUR REGULATORS ARE OBLIGATED TO FOLLOW THE LEGISLATION AND VARIOUS BY-LAWS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE BY COUNCIL.

THEY ARE PROVIDING THEIR PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT, AND THEY REQUIRE DUE DILIGENCE, AND THAT DUE DILIGENCE NEEDS TO BE DONE. SO I BELIEVE IN THE FULLNESS OF THE PROCESS, HAVING AN AWARENESS OF THE SITUATION OF THE DEVELOPER, THE NEED FOR DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION, WHICH HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BY THIS COUNCIL AND PREVIOUS COUNCILS.

I BELIEVE WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE WILL NOT DILLY DALLY ON THIS MATTER, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR OFFICIALS HAVE THE FREEDOM TO APPLY THEIR FULL PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT.

I WOULD ADD THAT PART OF THAT HAS, I WOULD, OFFER HAS BEEN INCLUDED COORDINATION WITH OUR OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL.

SO WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL IN A COORDINATED FASHION TO DO A COORDINATED REVIEW, WHICH IS ARGUABLY SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD BE DOING MORE OF ANYWAY ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS.

BUT WE'RE CERTAINLY DOING IT IN THIS CASE. THANK YOU.

THAT'S ALL MY QUESTIONS. COUNCILLOR ARDEN-SMITH? THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. MY QUESTION IS FOR ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT KIND OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE WITH THE CITY? THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES THAT WERE ALLUDED TO BY THE PRESENTER.

WE DO HAVE THE DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES BY-LAW AND THAT HAS A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROPONENT, THERE ARE TWO VERSIONS OF THAT PROGRAM, DEPENDING ON WHICH POINT IN TIME THEY WOULD LIKE TO ACCESS THAT AND THAT WOULD MAKE SOME RESOURCES AVAILABLE THROUGH THAT PROGRAM. THAT WOULD BE THE PRINCIPAL ONE.

[00:25:01]

THOSE ARE OPTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR.

OKAY. AND WITH THE DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE BY-LAW, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL COST COULD POSSIBLY BE COVERED BY THAT? THAT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO TODAY.

BUT IT IS A SOURCE OF FUNDS THAT IS AVAILABLE TO THE DEVELOPER, AND HOW THEY CHOOSE TO APPLY THOSE FUNDS WOULD BE AT THEIR DISCRETION.

PERFECT, THANK YOU. JUST DOUBLE CHECKING.

STEVE'S HAND IS NOT UPRIGHT. OKAY. YEAH, I THINK, I MEAN, I THINK OBVIOUSLY HOUSING IS THE COLLECTIVE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY OF THIS COUNCIL, SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME. AND LIKE I SAID, I KNOW ADMINISTRATION IS ON THIS AS FAST AND COORDINATING EVERYTHING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. YEAH. SO I GUESS REFERRING IT TO ADMINISTRATION.

I MEAN, THAT'S ONE OF OUR TWO OPTIONS. SO, I MEAN, YOU'VE HEARD FROM AN ADMINISTRATION THAT THEY'RE AWARE OF IT.

SO IF WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THAT REFERRAL RIGHT NOW, WE CAN CHOOSE THAT JUST REFERRING THIS MATTER TO ADMINISTRATION TO CONTINUE TO MANAGE WITH UTMOST URGENCY, AS MR. PARKER SUGGESTED.

SO IF PEOPLE ARE FINE WITH THAT, JUST PUTTING ON THE RECORD.

WE HEAR YOU. WE'LL FIND A WAY AND TO COUNCILLOR MCGURK´S EARLIER POINT TOO, IF FOR SOME REASON EVEN THOUGH WE'RE IN SUMMER SCHEDULE, IF A MEETING OF COUNCIL OR THE LACK OF A MEETING OF COUNCIL BEING IN THE CALENDAR WOULD BE A BARRIER TO THIS GOING AHEAD, WELL, OBVIOUSLY FIGURE THAT OUT AS WELL. SO YEP.

LOOKING FOR NODDING HEADS. AND WE'LL REFER THAT TO ADMINISTRATION, PLEASE.

AND THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. PARKER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OKAY. ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES. THERE WAS NONE FOR THE AGENDA.

ARE THERE ANY ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES FROM THE FLOOR? OKAY.

SEEING, HEARING NONE. LOOK FOR A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

COUNCILOR ARDEN-SMITH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND AGAIN, I KNOW THAT MANY PEOPLE IN THE GALLERY AND LISTENING TONIGHT ARE YOU KNOW, VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THE LANDS AND HOW WE DEVELOP THEM WITHIN THE CITY BOUNDARIES.

SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO BE PART OF THE ONGOING PLEASE SPEAK SURVEY AND MEETINGS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT THAT'S TAKING PLACE ON YK 50.

WHAT YOU WANT OUR NEXT COMMUNITY PLAN TO LOOK LIKE.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT. WE WANT ALL YOUR FEEDBACK ACROSS THE BOARD.

SO PLEASE DON'T MISS OUT ON THAT. THANKS, EVERYONE.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.