TAMRMS#: B06
9.2
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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2024-25 Council Advocacy Priorities
Presented by: Monty Killoh, Advisor, Government Relations
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
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That the Council 2024-25 Advocacy Priorities, entitled “Council Advocacy Priorities 2024-25”, provided as Attachment 1 to the Agenda Report entitled 2024-25 Council Advocacy Priorities, be approved.
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SUMMARY
The purpose of this report is for Council to approve their 2024-25 Advocacy Priorities, thereby actioning the facilitated discussion held In-Camera at the City Council meeting on July 16, 2024.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On April 16, 2024, City Council approved the following motions:
That the updated version of Council Policy C-CG-02 City of St. Albert Council Strategic Plan, including the updated Schedule A, provided as attachments to the April 16, 2024 agenda report entitled “Updated 2022-2025 City of St. Albert Council Strategic Plan and Corporate Business Plan,” be approved.
That the updated Corporate Business Plan 2022-2025, provided as an attachment to the April 16, 2024 agenda report entitled “Updated 2022-2025 City of St. Albert Council Strategic Plan and Corporate Business Plan” be received as information.
On September 5, 2023, City Council approved the following motion:
That the 2023-24 Council Advocacy Priorities provided as an attachment to the September 5, 2023, Agenda Report entitled “2023-24 Council Advocacy Priorities” be approved.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Advocacy is the process through which the City works to advance the City’s interests with other orders of government. Advocacy priorities are projects and outcomes that require assistance or decisions outside of the City of St. Albert’s direct control and involve partnerships, funding or policy development with other orders of government.
Council reviews their advocacy priorities annually to ensure they reflect the most current needs and priorities of the community, and to ensure associated resources are being directed to needed areas. As part of this process, Administration facilitated an in-camera discussion to this effect with Council at the July 16, 2024 City Council meeting.
Stemming from the discussion, “Attachment 1, Council Advocacy Priorities 2024-25" has been created. This document contains Council’s Advocacy Priorities for the next year, with Lakeview Business District Servicing and Advance Mixed Market Housing Development identified as the current top two advocacy priorities for Council.
All advocacy priorities listed in “Attachment 1” will be worked on by Administration, however Council’s top two advocacy priorities will be more foundational in supporting strategies and tactics and will be prioritized in their implementation.
City Administration will develop strategies and tactics to support Council in achieving the outcomes for each approved priority. It is recommended that Council's advocacy-related engagements with other orders of government focus on issues directly related to their advocacy priorities and associated strategies and tactics, as advocacy on issues that Council has not referenced within their advocacy priorities could risk interference with ongoing advocacy efforts associated with their approved advocacy priorities.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
Once Council approves their Advocacy Priorities, relevant communications and engagement tactics will be developed and implemented to work to achieve the stated outcomes.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
None at this time.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
The intention of this report is to focus on high-level themes and priorities. Should Council wish to discuss more detailed tactics and actions, it is recommended Council move in-camera. Not doing so could harm the execution of the City’s strategy with relevant stakeholders.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Initiatives aligned with Strategic Plan:
Lakeview Business District Servicing - Expand opportunities for employment and economic growth with land development that attracts a mix of industries and businesses. This strategy includes advancing the development of Lakeview Business District and completing the plans for the recently annexed lands.
Advance Mixed Market Housing Development - Support development of mixed housing choices including market, attainable, and transitional housing types. This strategy includes advancing development on 22 St. Thomas Street and youth transitional housing.
Enhance Housing Options - Support development of mixed housing choices including market, attainable, and transitional housing types. This strategy includes advancing development on 22 St. Thomas Street and youth transitional housing.
Long-Term Debt Strategy - Continue to explore opportunities to diversify revenue sources, advance investment in long-term, net positive revenue generating infrastructure, and support alternative service delivery.
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
Advocacy Planning: develop a Corporate Advocacy Plan to execute corporate priorities that involve decision-making by other government stakeholders.
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternative could be considered:
ALTERNATIVE 1:
That Council move in-camera to discuss their advocacy priorities and related tactics. The following motion could be used:
That Council move in camera to discuss a matter pursuant to sections 21(1)(a) and 24(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Financial:
None at this time.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
Should Council consider Alternative 1, it is recommended Council move in-camera. Not doing so could harm the execution of the City’s strategy with relevant stakeholders.
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Report Date: September 17, 2024
Author(s): Monty Killoh
Department: Government/Indigenous Relations and Environment
Department Director: Trevor Duley
Chief Administrative Officer: Bill Fletcher