PUBLIC MINUTES

SPECIAL/JOINT GOVERNANCE AND PRIORITIES COMMITTEE WITH PARTY CAUCUS

Friday, March 13, 2020, 12:00 p.m. Hall E Meeting Room, Prairieland Park

PRESENT: His Worship Mayor C. Clark, Co-Chair Councillor C. Block Councillor T. Davies Councillor R. Donauer Councillor B. Dubois Councillor S. Gersher Councillor H. Gough Councillor M. Loewen

ABSENT: Councillor D. Hill Councillor A. Iwanchuk Councillor Z. Jeffries

ALSO PRESENT: A/City Manager L. Lacroix Chief Public Policy & Government Relations Officer M. Jordan Mayor's Office Chief of Staff M. Beveridge City Clerk J. Sproule

Saskatchewan Party Caucus Eric Olauson, University , , Saskatoon Willowgrove , Saskatoon Silverspring-Sutherland Lisa Lambert, Saskatoon Churchill-Wildwood Lori Carr, Estevan

1. CALL TO ORDER and OPENING REMARKS

Mayor Clark and Eric Olauson, MLA for Saskatoon University, provided opening comments.

2. JOINT ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

 Cities Act Amendments Discussion was held with respect to key pieces of legislation moving forward, including PACE financing, leave provisions for Council members, and language around conflict of interest provisions. Minutes - Special/Joint GPC Meeting w/Sask Party Caucus March 13, 2020 Page 2

 Community Safety Discussion was held with respect to community safety and a recent challenging situation in the community in the downtown. There is concern regarding the number of homicides for 2020 and ongoing challenges around addictions and property crime, not only in Saskatoon but also being seen across Canada and the Prairies.

It was noted that:

o stakeholders play a big role and have been working hard to make a case for everyone to work together and come up with the best strategy (Safe Community Action Alliance and Community and Well-being Partnership); o everyone should feel safe in their community

Brent Penner, Executive Director, Downtown Saskatoon, was present to observe the meeting. Mr. Penner was asked to comment. He spoke to the issues and concerns of business owners in the downtown and the safety issues in the city-centre district and the presence of the Lighthouse. He stressed the need for visibility and presence of Police.

An increased hiring of police officers and the move to a district model of policing to have more continuity to provide more consistent services and a greater impact on the hotspots was noted. In addition, the Safe Community Action Alliance has brought out a series of recommendations and agencies are working together to identify more places for youth to be in the evenings, better coordinated outreach programs and better coordinated treatment.

Discussion followed regarding the need for services provided by the Lighthouse, challenges of a central location and partner roles.

The public portion of the meeting ended at 1:04 p.m. and reconvened In Camera immediately thereafter. No further reports were made.

3. JOINT IN CAMERA SESSION

Discussion of the following matters occurred, exempt under Section 13 of The Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

 Infrastructure Funding  Security Matter

Minutes - Special/Joint GPC Meeting w/Sask Party Caucus March 13, 2020 Page 3 4. ADJOURNMENT

The session adjourned at 1:55 p.m.

______Mayor C. Clark, Co-Chair

______J. Sproule, City Clerk