City Council Preview: Monday, March 8, 2021

City Council members host the first of two Regular Council sessions for the month of March tonight, with the meeting set for a 7PM start. 

Planning makes for one of two key themes on the night, with a number of variance permits up for review, including one for a proposed new commercial development on Park Avenue which looks at some planning department concerns related to a proposed micro-Hotel for the area

Tonight also marks the first look at how the City plans to spend its money in the years ahead, with the City's Chief Financial Officer Corinne Bomben set to deliver the City's Budget presentation for the year.

Council will also provide confirmation of a number of appointments to the Prince Rupert Library Board and that of the Performing Arts Society.

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 for the councillors, 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

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 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

(k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public 

Tonight marks the fifth Closed Council session for 2021.

You can 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.

Petitions and Delegations

Budget Presentation -- Chief Financial Officer Corinne Bomben will speak to her 2021 Budget Presentation

Reports and Resolutions

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

1144 - 7th Avenue East

Report from Planning -- Council will receive a report from planning from their contract planners at iPlan related to a Development Variance Permit for a property at 1424 - 8th Avenue East . (See page 7 of the Agenda)

Report from Planning -- Council will receive a report from planning from their contract planners at iPlan related to a Development Variance Permit for a proposed Micro-Hotel on property along Park Avenue adjacent to the corner store at Smithers and Park . (See page 12 of the Agenda)

** Note item was removed prior to Council session at request of the proponent

Report from the Chief Financial Officer -- Council will receive  the 2021 Budget Presentation from Chief Financial Officer Corrine Bomben (Documentation to be posted following the presentation)

Report from the Corporate Administrator; Resolutions from Closed Meetings -- Corporate Administrator Ms. Rosa Miller will outline the details to two appointments to the Prince Rupert Library Board, with Chelsea Keyes and Chris Armstrong to serve on the Board.

Report from the Corporate Administrator; Resolutions from Closed Meetings -- Corporate Administrator Ms. Rosa Miller will outline the details to two appointments to the Performing Arts Centre Society, with Alison O'Toole and Margaret Cavin to serve on the Board.

Correspondences

Request for Support  -- Council will receive a request from the Northern First Nations Alliance Detox Centre in support of their efforts in the Northwest region.

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 March 8, 2021 session can be reviewed here. 

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