TAMRMS#: B06
9.2
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Bylaw 20/2024 Council Committee Bylaw Update (1st, 2nd, 3rd Readings)
Presented by: Marta Caufield, Director, Legal, Legislative and Records Services
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
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1. That Bylaw 20/2024, being a bylaw to amend the Arts Development Advisory Committee Bylaw, Community Services Advisory Committee Bylaw, Environmental Advisory Committee Bylaw, Seniors’ Advisory Committee Bylaw, Youth Advisory Committee Bylaw and Assessment Review Board Bylaw, be read a first time.
2. That Bylaw 20/2024 be read a second time.
3. That unanimous consent be given for consideration of third reading of Bylaw 20/2024.
4. That Bylaw 20/2024 be read a third time.
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SUMMARY
The Council Committee Bylaw amendments are being brought forward as a result of a Council motion indicated below. The amendments include the addition of a Committee Code of Conduct providing a foundation for members while serving on these committees.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On June 11, 2024, Standing Committee of the Whole passed the following motions:
(AR-24-208)
That Administration implement the recommended recruitment and onboarding process improvements for Council Committee appointments as outlined in AR-24-208 beginning during the fall 2024 intake.
That Administration update the relevant Council Committee bylaws as outlined in AR-24-208 and present them to Council for approval by Q4 2024.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
As part of a holistic review of the recruitment and onboarding process for Council Committees, Administration reviewed all Council Committee bylaws to ensure consistency. Administration determined that not all Council Committee bylaws made it clear that Committee members must not be employees of the City of St. Albert and must be residents of the City. Additionally, some Council Committee bylaws did not require the Committee members to adhere to a Committee Code of Conduct.
Attached to this report is an omnibus amending bylaw 20/2024, which amends the following Council Committee bylaws:
- Arts Development Advisory Committee;
- Community Services Advisory Committee;
- Environmental Advisory Committee;
- Seniors Advisory Committee; and
- Youth Advisory Committee.
For these committees, a new updated Committee Code of Conduct is being attached as Schedule A. Other amendments include the provision that all members of Council Committees must be residents of the City of St. Albert and that they must not be employees of the City.
The Committee Code of Conduct now clearly outlines the purpose of the rules and the core ethical principles for conduct of Committee members. For example:
- members are required to preserve the integrity and impartiality of the Committees on which they sit;
- members are required to keep in camera discussions confidential;
- members are required to attend and actively participate in meeting;
- there are provisions regarding speaking to the media and posting on social media related to Committee business; and
- there is a requirement for members to abstain from participating in any discussions in which have a conflict of interest.
Additionally, the amending bylaw also updates the Assessment Review Board Bylaw. During Administration’s review, it was determined that the provincial legislation now requires that a member of the Land and Property Rights Tribunal be appointed as the Chair to the Composite Assessment Review Board (CARB); therefore, the bylaw is being updated to reflect this change.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
N/A
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
None at this time.
Compliance & Legal:
The amending bylaw is brought for Council’s approval as a result of a motion passed by Standing Committee of the Whole with respect to a holistic review of the recruitment and onboarding process for Council Committee members.
The amendment to the Assessment Review Board Bylaw is required in order to align with the requirements of provincial legislation.
Program or Service:
The new, updated Committee Code of Conduct, if approved, will form the basis of the orientation training given by Legislative Services to new and returning Committee members in January 2025.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks:
If the Assessment Review Board Bylaw is not updated, the City’s bylaw will not align with provincial requirements.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
None at this time.
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
None at this time.
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
None at this time.
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Report Date: October 1, 2024
Author(s): Cheryle Wong
Department: Legal, Legislative and Records Services
Chief Administrative Officer: Bill Fletcher