THE CITY OF SPRUCE GROVE

Minutes of the Governance and Priorities Committee

Monday, April 15, 2024 at 6:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

3rd Floor - Council Chambers

315 Jespersen Ave

Spruce Grove, AB T7X 3E8

Members Present:

• Mayor Acker
• Councillor Carter
• Councillor Gillett
• Councillor Houston
• Councillor Oldham
• Councillor MacDonald
• Councillor Stevenson

Also in Attendance:

• Dean Screpnek, City Manager
• David Wolanski, General Manager of Community and Protective Services
• Mark Hussey, Acting General Manager of Sustainable Growth and Development Services
• Wendy Boje, General Manager of Strategic and Communication Services
• Zeeshan Hasan, General Manager of Corporate Services
• Anthony Lemphers, Director of Finance
• Carol Bergum, Director of Planning and Development
• Deborah Comfort, Director of Recreation and Culture
• Dave Walker, Director of Economic and Business Development
• Rae-Lynne Spila, Acting Director of Engineering
• Scott Rodda, Director of Community Social Development
• Marlin Degrand, Manager of Enforcement Services
• Jennifer Maskoske, Deputy City Clerk
• Karen Majeau, Senior Development Officer
• Kathy Van Wyk, Planning and Development Coordinator
• Lori Kustra, Supervisor of Development
• Lindsay O'Mara, City Clerk
• Karie Nothof, Recording Secretary

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Acker called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and acknowledged that Committee meets on the traditional land of Treaty 6 territory.

Councillor Oldham proclaimed April 22 - 26, 2024 as Hydrogen Week.

1.1

Introduction - General Manager of Corporate Services - Zeeshan Hasan

Dean Screpnek, City Manager, introduced the new General Manager of Corporate Services, Zeeshan Hasan. 

2.

AGENDA

• Resolution: GPC-012-24
  Moved by: Councillor Houston

  That the agenda be adopted as presented.

  Unanimously Carried

3.

PRESENTATIONS

There were no Presentations on the agenda. 

4.

DELEGATIONS

There were no Delegations on the agenda.

5.

ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES

5.1

2024 Capital Projects - Engineering Update

Rae-Lynne Spila

Rae-Lynne Spila, Acting Director of Engineering, provided an update on the 2024 Capital Projects - Engineering Update.

Committee thanked Rae-Lynne Spila for the presentation. 

5.2

2023 Protective Services Annual Report

Chad Priebe

Chad Priebe, Fire Chief, and Marlin Degrand, Manager of Enforcement Services, provided an update on the 2023 Protective Services Annual Report.

Committee thanked Chad Priebe and Marlin Degrand for the presentation.

• Mayor Acker called a recess at 7:16 p.m.

  Mayor Acker reconvened the meeting at 7:23 p.m.

6.

BYLAWS

6.1

C-1281-23 - Election Sign Bylaw

Jennifer Maskoske

Jennifer Maskoske, Deputy City Clerk, presented on C-1281-23 - Election Sign Bylaw.

Committee thanked Jennifer Maskoske for the presentation.

Mayor Acker called a recess at 8:02 p.m. 

Mayor Acker reconvened the meeting at 8:08 p.m.

• Resolution: GPC-013-24
  Moved by: Councillor Stevenson

  That administration be directed to amend C-1281-23 - Elections Sign Bylaw so that the permitted election sign distance of the same candidate be 30m in both medians and boulevards. 

  Unanimously Carried
• Resolution: GPC-014-24
  Moved by: Councillor Gillett

  THAT administration be directed to amend the C-1281-23 - Election Sign Bylaw to allow up to 1m signs on private property 60 days in advance of the election day.

  In Favour (6)	Councillor Houston, Mayor Acker, Councillor Oldham, Councillor Stevenson, Councillor Carter, and Councillor Gillett
  Opposed (1)	Councillor MacDonald

  Carried (6 to 1)
• Resolution: GPC-015-24
  Moved by: Councillor MacDonald

  THAT administration be directed to amend C-1281-23 - Election Sign Bylaw so that upon nomination day/election writ day signage be allowed over 1m on private buildings, fences, and non-residential areas and in a standing form. 

  Unanimously Carried

6.2

C-1313-24 - Hens Bylaw and Program

Lee Ann Beaubien

Lee Ann Beaubien, Planner II, Kathy Van Wyk, Planning and Development Coordinator, and Carol Bergum, Director of Planning and Development, presented on C-1313-24 - Hens Bylaw and Hen Program.

Committee thanked Lee Ann Beaubien, Kathy Van Wyk, and Carol Bergum for the presentation.

• Resolution: GPC-016-24
  Moved by: Councillor Stevenson

  THAT Committee recommend to Council to implement a pilot project for two years for the Hens Program. 

  Unanimously Carried

7.

BUSINESS ITEMS

There were no Business Items on the agenda.

8.

CLOSED SESSION

• Resolution: GPC-017-24
  Moved by: Councillor MacDonald

  THAT Committee go into Closed Session at 9:26 p.m. under the following section(s) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act:

  Item 8.1 - Economic Development Update 

  Section 25: Disclosure harmful to economic and other interests of a public body
  

  Item 8.2 - Re-Imagined Central Park

  Section 24; Advice from officials

  Section 25: Disclosure harmful to economic and other interests of a public body

   

  Unanimously Carried

8.1

Economic Development Update

Dave Walker

The following persons were also in Closed Session to provide information or administrative support for item 8.1 Economic Development Update:

Dean Screpnek, David Wolanski, Mark Hussey, Wendy Boje, Zeeshan Hasan, and Dave Walker.

8.2

Re-Imagined Central Park

Deborah Comfort, Rae-Lynne Spila

The following persons were also in Closed Session to provide information or administrative support for item 8.2 Re-Imagined Central Park:

Dean Screpnek, David Wolanski, Mark Hussey, Wendy Boje, Zeeshan Hasan, Deb Comfort, and Rae-Lynne Spila.

8.3

Return to Open Session - April 15, 2024

• Resolution: GPC-018-24
  Moved by: Councillor Oldham

  THAT Council move out of Closed Session at 10:18 p.m.

  Unanimously Carried

9.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM CLOSED SESSION

There was no Business Arising from Closed Session.

10.

ADJOURNMENT

• Resolution: GPC-019-24
  Moved by: Councillor Gillett

  THAT the Governance and Priorities Committee meeting adjourn at 10:20 p.m.

  Unanimously Carried