The city remains confident in its municipal naming policy, following an after-action review held during the June 10 standing committee of the whole meeting.
A report written by city administration, accessible through the June 10 Standing Committee of the Whole meeting agenda, details its findings in a review of the process after council's experience with the renaming of the Grandin neighbourhood. The process frustrated a number of residents in the neighbourhood and on the streets affected.
The review follows a council vote last month to suspend portions of the policy. The motion — brought forward by Coun. Shelley Biermanski — failed by a vote of 4-3 with councillors Biermanski, Sheena Hughes, and Ken MacKay in favour.
Although the report found the policy was clear and easy to understand, it said the contentious and sensitive nature of the application eroded some confidence in the process "as is evidenced by concerns raised by one or more council members and some members of the community," the report said. It highlights the main concerns as:
- The number of signatures or letters of support required for an application to be reviewed;
- Suggestions that name removal-applications should be handled similarly to a plebiscite;
- Uncertainties surrounding the definition of a “substantial connection” to St. Albert;
- Interpretation of public engagement within the process.
In previous council meetings and interviews with the Gazette, Biermanski expressed concerns the 50 names required to sign an application were anonymous and unknown to the public. During the committee of the whole meeting, Coun. Natalie Joly said the process worked as intended, but communication around what the 50 names triggered led to misunderstandings.
"I think one of the biggest challenges was there was a misconception from the public that the number of signatures was what was dictating that the recommendation come to council," Joly said. "I think there was that assumption that signatures equals name change, which is just not true."
Biermanski also pointed to the interpretation of those having a "substantial connection" to St. Albert, and said she heard from some residents that being connected to the city was not equal to a substantial connection. It was an idea that Coun. Mike Killick pushed back on slightly, pointing to students who move away from home for school or if someone moved to a seniors home in Edmonton, but lived in St. Albert for 50 years. He added that if they wanted to amend the definition of "substantial connection" to be very black and white, "that would be OK too."
One of the biggest points of contention for residents was a perceived lack of public consultation of those living on affected streets or in the affected neighbourhood.
The report said concerns emerged about the terms "notified" and "consulted."
"Administration interpreted consultation and notification activities as a means of informing affected community members about the potential municipal asset name change, consulting them on its potential impacts, and notifying them of the decision-making process – including the opportunity to provide input to council through public presentations at a council meeting — rather than soliciting public validation of the decision," the report said.
The report said consultation with Indigenous partners was seen as highly impactful, and that there was a high level of support for the name removal from Equity Deserving groups. The city held information sessions for residents of Grandin and those living on affected streets. Killick said he was "shocked" council did not know the timing of those meetings.
"We could have attended and heard directly from residents," Killick said.
St. Albert Mayor Cathy Heron said the process was never going to be easy, and the first application was expected to be difficult. She agreed with an assessment from Hughes earlier in the meeting, who said disappointment comes when expectations aren't met, and maybe there was a lack of clarity for residents about the expectations.
"But when you do something that involves historical figures there's always going to be controversy about the process and the end result. And I think that is going to have to be accepted by the council of the day," Heron said.
St. Albert Chief Administrative Officer Bill Fletcher said administration would finalize the after-action review, and a discussion with council would take place if there are any alterations to the policy.
