TAMRMS#: H09
8.1
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Bylaw 3/2024 Millennium Park Borrowing Bylaw (2nd & 3rd Readings)
Presented by: Brenda Barclay, Manager of Financial Operations
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
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1. That Bylaw 3/2024, being a Borrowing Bylaw for Millennium Park, be read a second time.
2. That Bylaw 3/2024, be read a third and final time.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of this report is to bring forward an item from the January 23, 2024, Regular Meeting of Council. This Bylaw received 1st reading on January 23, 2024, and is being brought forward for 2nd and 3rd reading.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Bylaw 3/2024 received first reading on January 23, 2024. Due to March 29, 2024 being a statutory holiday, the last day of the petition period was revised from March 29, 2024 to April 2, 2024 (the next business day). See the “Revised Millenium Park Borrowing Bylaw Ad Timelines” document attached to this agenda report.
A petition in opposition to this bylaw was filed with the CAO on April 2, 2024. The petition is not sufficient as it did not have enough signatures and Council is therefore not required to take notice of it (s. 226(3), MGA). Accordingly, the Borrowing Bylaw is being presented to Council for 2nd and 3rd reading.
Please refer to the “Link to Previously Distributed (BL-24-01) Jan 23, 2024” document attached to this agenda report for further background and discussion.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
In accordance with section 251(3) of the MGA, a Borrowing Bylaw must be advertised, unless the term is five years or less (section 257), in which case advertising is not required. Therefore, Bylaw 3/2024, being the Borrowing Bylaw for Millennium Park was advertised in the local paper, with time given for the petition before the bylaw was presented for second and third reading.
Council Policy C-CAO-22 Borrowing Bylaw Advertising further stipulates that an initial advertisement of the bylaw will take place immediately after 1st reading and that the two mandated advertisements will be delayed such that electors are afforded a full 60 days to mobilize a petition if desired.
The Environmental Advisory Committee approved the following motion at their March 21, 2024 meeting:
That the Environmental Advisory Committee recommend to Council to consider that the conceptual design for the Millennium Park is contrary to the principles and objectives of the City's own Green Environment Strategy. Specifically, the Green Environment Strategy sets out goals for the protection of natural features, biodiversity, wetlands and urban forests.
Whereas the Strategy states that the community of St. Albert, which received designation as a "Tree City of the World" in 2021 and 2022, is committed to the preservation of our urban forest. The selected conceptual design for Millennium Park is in direct contradiction to these stated objectives because it requires the removal of 56% of the trees and most of the wetlands along the Sturgeon River that falls within the proposed park boundaries.
Now therefore, to ensure protection of the few natural areas remaining along the Sturgeon River within St. Albert the Environmental Advisory Committee respectfully recommends to Council, that Council not proceed with passage of the Borrowing Bylaw 3/2024 to provide the $20.8 million funding required for the Millennium Park.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Please refer to the Agenda Report previously distributed on January 23, 2024.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Council Strategic Plan (2022-2025)
Strategic Priority: Foster a downtown where people come to live, gather, celebrate, shop, and do business.
Strategy: Promote our heritage, arts, and culture by providing a variety of community events and gathering places that build connections and bring people together downtown. This strategy includes advancing planning for the development of Millennium Park.
Corporate Business Plan (2022-2025)
Strategy: Promote our heritage, arts, and culture by providing a variety of community events and gathering places that build connections and bring people together downtown.
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
Service: D.3.3 - Recreation Facility and Park Development
Description: Using identified and demonstrated community need to plan and construct new and redeveloped recreation facilities and park sites.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On January 23, 2024, Council passed the following motion:
BL-24-01
That Bylaw 3/2024, Millennium Park Borrowing Bylaw, be read a first time.
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternatives could be considered:
Alternative 1. Choose an alternate level of debt and identify sources for any potential funding shortfall.
Alternative 2. Cancel/Postpone the project.
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Report Date: April 16, 2024
Author: Brenda Barclay
Department: Finance and Strategic Services
Department Director: Anne Victoor
Managing Director: Diane McMordie
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher