City Council looks to be Lookie-Loos on grant prospects for 24 hour public loo

The City of Prince Rupert
is applying for a grant towards
a public washroom facility

Prince Rupert City Council members will move forward on an application for a Federal program to provide funding for a 24 hour standalone public washroom facility, the councillors instructing staff to follow up on the grant opportunity following a report from the City's Chief Financial Officer Corinne Bomen.

In her Presentation to Council, Ms. Bomben provided an overview of the Grant Opportunity available  through the the Prince Rupert Aboriginal Community Services Society, that could provide for a standalone 24 hour access public washroom somewhere in the downtown area of the city. 

The new structure would be of assistance to the homeless and general public in the downtown area and provide for improve hygiene options in the community.

"Assisting the most vulnerable in obtaining basic hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity to help our entire community do as much as possible to stop the spread of the virus. Beyond that making available a facility that gives those who most need it including the general public a dignified space to utilize restroom facilities is a compassionate service to offer and will hopefully help all those impacted" -- CFO Corinne Bomben on a public washroom initiative

As part of her review of the grant opportunity, Ms. Bomben noted that while the funding would cover the estimated $200,000 cost of the installation of the public washroom structure, the city would need to find suitable city owned land to host the site and that it would also  require annual funding for Operational purposes. 

She estimated that cost at 30,000 dollars,  the figure considered a mid range estimate depending on requirements.

She further observed that could require a potential 0.15 percent property tax increase if alternative forms of revenue are not available, something  which could have an impact on Budget planning for 2021 and 2022. 

She did note that if other new sources of revenue are available that can be utilized there would be no impact to taxpayers.

Towards discussion Councillor Randhawa revisited the annual cost for operating the facility seeking confirmation of the required civic financial input. 

Councillor Cunningham spoke in favour of the project calling it a long overdue service that would benefit more than the most vulnerable residents and would add to the service required. He also observed that  some community members may step up to assist. 

"I think this a good idea, it's long overdue. It's going to provide a service to not just people that are vulnerable, but people that are downtown and have to use a washroom ... It might be something that can be utilized by tourists. As far as funding for maintenance ... I know that the Port has agreed to fund the first year maintenance to it from what I understand. And Community Futures is looking at finding funding for it too, so I think it's a win win"

Council then directed Staff to apply for the grant opportunity, with Council to hear more about the project should the grant application be approved.

As we outlined on Monday, Ms. Bombens report is available from Monday's Agenda package, noting how the style of structure under consideration is similar to that known as the Portland Loo, a popular urban washroom facility that is found in many communities across North America.

You can review the discussion of the proposal from the City's Video archive, starting at the 2 minute mark.

For more notes on Monday's Council Session see our Council Timeline feature here.

Further items of interest from the Council session can be reviewed here.

A wider overview of Council Discussion themes can be explored from our archive page here.