City Council Preview: Monday, December 13, 2021

Tonight marks what should be the final public gathering for Prince Rupert Council for 2021, one last session before the Auld Lang Syne's sing out, the last minute addition to the 2021 schedule announced at last Monday's Regular Council Session, the plan of attack on the day divided into two segments. 

Today's work features an afternoon Committee of the Whole Format where a range of civic department heads will make their case for capital spending in the year ahead, followed by an evening session to approve the spending plans as well as to tie up the loose ends on the regimen of increased fees and charges ahead for 2022.

Depending on how chatty they are in the evening session, it may not make it much longer past the mark of sixteen minutes from last week, though it's likely the Committee of the Whole process may take up some time to deliver on the full range of  planning for the year ahead.

The City continues to make note of their COVID related measures, with the explanation towards the process outlined on the City of Prince Rupert website.

In accordance with current Provincial Orders, scheduled Regular Council Meetings have moved to a remote format for public access – available on Citywest Cable Channel 10/310, and live streaming at www.princerupert.ca/live. 

Videos of the City’s Council meetings are also posted to YouTube in the days following the meeting. 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.

As for the agenda, the Committee of the Whole will make for a information session starting at 3PM for the public on the city's Capital projects and plans for 2022, with Council members to receive a revolving list of department officials to outline their capital plans for the year ahead.

The Councillors then return to the Chambers at 7PM for a Special Regular Council Session, which will see them hear once more from the Chief Financial Officer and  provide their approval for those Capital Plans and spending that they wish to carry on with in 2022.

Ms. Bomben also provides a Financial Variance Report for the month of October

Council members will also provide Final reading and approval for the  Recreation Fees and Charges Bylaw and Cemetery, Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw.

Council will also do the same for the Revitalization Tax Exemption plan they set in motion on December 6th, to create a tax exemption for development of a parcel of industrial land for use towards logistical purposes.

This afternoon and evening Council sessions can viewed by way of the Live Feed from the City website, or on Cable Television from CityWest Cable Channel 10/310.

You can review the Regular Council Session Agenda here. 

The Committee of the Whole Agenda is available for review here.

The outline of Councils work ahead can be reviewed below:

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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL (3 PM)

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

The Committee of the Whole process also allows for Questions from the public and Reports, Questions or Inquiries from the members of Council

The Council will then adjourn until 7PM and the Regular Council session.

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REGULAR SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL (7 PM)

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

Reports and Resolutions

Report from the Chief Financial Officer -- October Financial Variance Report -- Ms. Corinne Bomben will outline the notes from the review of the October Financial Variances (see page  3 of the Agenda package)

Report from the Chief Financial Officer  -- 2022 Financial Plan Capital Works, Purchases and Special Projects  -- Ms. Bomben will review the themes from the Committee of the Whole Capital Budget work and ask Council approve the 2022 plans. (see page 8  of the Agenda package)

Bylaws

Report from Corporate Administrator -- Recreation Fees and Shares -- Fourth and Final Reading for the Fees and Charges Bylaw (see page 11  of the Agenda package)

Report from Chief Financial Officer -- Revitalization Tax Exemption Program -- Fourth and Final Reading for the Revitalization Tax Exemption Program   (see page 29  of the Agenda package)

Report from Chief Financial Officer -- Cemetery Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw - Fourth and Final Reading  Readings for the Fees and Charges Bylaw (see page 40  of the Agenda package)

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 December 13th  session can be reviewed here.  

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