City Council Preview: Monday, February 22, 2021

City Council members host the second and final of the Regular City Council sessions for the month of February, set for a 7PM start this evening.

Planning appears to be the theme of the night for the Council members, with a number of Verbal reports on property themes set to be delivered, as well as a report on a Temporary Use Permit for unenclosed storage on land near the Miller Bay Area.

With housing becoming a significant focus for City Council this year, the city's contract planners from iPlan will also deliver a report on a proposed Interim Housing Development Strategy for the councillors to consider.

Council will also receive a report on the amendments for the Zoning Bylaw which includes two changes that to include Student Housing and to identify the New Marina District Zone as one for up to 500 new residential market housing units over the next ten years.

With Public Orders in place towards Social Gathering, a note posted to the Agenda Page for tonight's session indicates the this evening's meeting once again will be a remote participation affair, with no members of the public allowed into the Chamber.

"In accordance with current Provincial Orders, scheduled Regular Council Meetings have moved to a remote format for public access. In the interests of public health and safety, at this time no one will be permitted into City Hall to view in the gallery, in order to ensure we can maintain physical distancing requirements. Staff and Council attendance is also limited, with most calling in via conference. Thank you for your understanding." -- An update on the process ahead for Council sessions from the Agenda Page for Prince Rupert City Council

Tonight marks a return to opportunities for participation in what appears to be a modified Committee of the Whole, that after the public engagement element was not included as part of last month's meeting.

The details on how the Committee process will work and how the public can participate can be reviewed here.  

Though with the requirement of seven days notice to be provided from those who would like to be included in the evening's session; there may not be much in the way of public contribution, as there would be when the public was allowed to attend and comment or inquire on the same night.

"In accordance with Council Procedure Bylaw No. 3092, 2000, any persons wishing to present to Council must provide their request, in writing, at least seven (7) days before the date of the meeting to the Corporate Administrator. Physical attendance in Council Chambers is not currently permitted due to COVID-19 protocols and Provincial Health Orders."

Those with an interest in tonight's council session can view the Live Feed from the City website, or on Cable Television from CityWest Cable Channel 10/310.

Council members continue to make use of the Closed Council process this evening, with a Special Closed Council Session set for 5 PM the Council citing two items from the Community Charter as the reason to exclude the public.

90.1  (c) labour relations or other employee relations

(e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that such disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality

You can review the Review the Regular Council Agenda here.

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REGULAR SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL

Adoption of Agenda and Past minutes -- Mayor Brain will review the agenda for the evening and Council will adopt the minutes of past meetings.

Resolutions

Verbal Reports from Planning  -- Council will receive reports from planning related to four addresses in the community.

1147 - 7th Avenue East

220 9th Avenue East

975 11th Avenue East

1419 Sloan Avenue

Report from Planning -- Council will receive a report from planning related to a Temporary Use Permit for property near Miller Bay,  the use for the land that of a storage yard for construction and demolition waste for a temporary basis of up to three years. (See page 6 of the Agenda)

Report from Planning -- Proposed Interim Housing Development Strategy -- Council members will receive and review a report from contract planners from iPlan that will outline a civic strategy towards development of housing in the community. (See page 11 of the Agenda)

Bylaws

Report from Planning -- Re: Zoning Bylaw -- Council will review  the proposed changes and recommendations and then decide wither to proceed to Public Hearing with once health conditions permit  (See page 28 of the Agenda)

The evening will come to an end with any Additional Items as well as Reports, Questions and Inquiries from Members of Council.

Council members can  take advantage of the period to offer up any items or concerns that they have for consideration on the night. 

The Live broadcast of the City Council session can be found here, a video archive of past sessions is available here.

Our items of note related to the February 21, 2021 session can be reviewed here. 

While our archive of all sessions for 2021 for Council is available here.