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| The Days of Zoom behind them, City Council members returned to the Council Chamber for their final session for February |
Prince Rupert Council members returned this week to the Council Chamber on Third Avenue, marking a break from the times of past Zoom sessions and the first opportunity for 2022 to welcome residents back to the civic chamber to engage with their elected representatives.
The Monday session made for over two hours of civic work, the first hour from the Committee of the Whole session provided for some community engagement from four guests on the evening.
The topics included a look at the BC Transit plan for the future in Prince Rupert, a presentation related to a designation of a dangerous dog for a Prince Rupert resident, a look at a proposal for a new recreation pursuit for the community and a presentation on housing issues from two local poverty and housing advocates.
The final hour of the Regular Session, was one which tackled a number of Property Variance and housing related themes, the introducing of contract awards for the early stages of the new RCMP detachment, along with the reveal of the new Civic brand, the first revision to the imagery in over 100 years.
Some background on the work of Council for the night, can be reviewed from the Regular Agenda Package for the February 28th session.
Council also hosted a Closed meeting, marking the third of the in camera sessions for 2022.
The details related to the reasons for the in camera session can be reviewed here.
The Committee of the Whole session provided the forum for the range of presentations on the night, the Agenda notes from that element can be reviewed here.
Further information from our overview and placement in the video archive can be found below, with the permanent record of the council minutes added as they are posted to the city website.
In attendance Monday, February 28, 2021
(Council proceedings have returned to the Council Chamber)
Mayor Lee Brain -- Present
Councillor Nick Adey -- Present
Councillor Barry Cunningham -- Present
Councillor Blair Mirau -- Present
Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven -- Present
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa -- Present (by remote option)
Video Archive for Monday, February 28, 2022
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Committee of the Whole Session( 0:00 -- 2:00 ) Committee of the Whole Session for Monday, February 28, 2022
Mayor Lee Brain called the session to order, adopting the Agenda for the session, along with the statement of the Chair which explained the Committee process.
( 2:00 -- 20:00 ) The First Presentation was from Aaaron Thompson, a Transit Planner from BC Transit, their twenty minute overview explored a range of material with a focus on some of the changes ahead for the Transit System.
Some of the challenges for Transit were noted with recent decrease in ridership, particularly during the COVID period of the last few years, with an estimated annual ridership on the Prince Rupert System that of 150,000 per year, generating 214,000 dollars per year.
Their consultation also observed of community interest in seeing more bus shelter infrastructure, as well the presentation made note of plans for something to be called the Prince Rupert Downtown Exchange project which should go to tender shortly.
Towards transit need, their community engagement findings noted how there was a desire in the community for additional service during the week on many routes, with the 53 Crestview route one of particular interest by residents. As well as to introduce Sunday service, along with an expanded service to the Container Terminal area.
Councillor Cunningham spoke to some of the statistical review as being somewhat out of date and irrelevant and also advocated for a bus route to serve the Seniors Residences at Cedar Village on 7th Avenue East.
He also suggested that BC Transit reach out to the College to see if there are opportunities to partner with Coast Mountain College towards building bus shelters in the community. He also cautioned about rising transit fares and the impact that could have on ridership.
Councillor Mirau spoke to the priorities BC Transit has for the region and how they determined how to act on those, as well as to what the cost of annual service to the community would be to act on some of the service plan recommendations.
The presenters did note for Council, that there was no approval for many of their initiatives in the most recent budget, and any expansion initiatives would be in the future.
We previewed the presentation earlier on Monday, a copy of their Report is available as part of that report.
( 20:00 -- 35:00 ) Kendal Standring, presented next, his topic for the evening was a Vicious dog designation assigned to his family's pet which he disagreed with. The main focus of his commentary for Council involved highlighting the relationship of the dog in question and his family, while also noting of some of what he believes are the unfair expectations of the city towards required measures and modifications to his yard as a result of a recent incident between his dog and a child.
Mr. Standring, outlined his remorse when it came to the incident, while also expressing some of his frustration in his dealings with city staff and the city's bylaw officer as a course of the Vicious dog designation and the measures now required by his family related to that.
While sympathetic to his plight, Mayor Brain observed that the process as outlined was one which the City had to follow due to the injury that was received by the child in interaction with the dog in question.
He observed of the challenge for Council which has kicked into a legal process, the Mayor then committed to having staff review the process to see how it may move forward, and if there may be any changes required to the bylaw, advising that staff would be in touch with him.
( 35:00 -- 50:00 ) Kerianne Smith representing Swingsmith Cages spoke to council to provide her blueprint towards hopes to be a candidate to use the Canfisco Warehouse location at Rushbrook Floats for an Indoor batting cage activity centre.
As part of her presentation she observed how the location at the Canfisco Warehouse was one that offered her a good opportunity for success, located in a high traffic area for Sports fisherman and Cruise Ship passengers. Ms. Smith also observed as to how the size of space she hopes to set up in would allow for her proposal to offer another community activity for youth and those adults who play softball and baseball in the region.
Her proposal also included the inclusion of a pro shop which would sell baseball and softball equipment as well as an area which would offer customers pizza by the slice. She also highlighted some of the special events and opportunities that she hoped to offer to the community.
Towards financing she is anticipating the majority of her start up funding of 180,000 dollars to come through TriCorp and believes that her proposal would build towards the creation of a Multiplex Sports Complex use for the Warehouse location, noting how offering activities for the public was a better use of the space compared to just using the facility for storage uses.
With a nod to the Quality of Life principle of the City's Rupert 2030 Vision plan, Ms. Smith outlined how her proposal fits into the kind of social developments that the city seems to be seeking to set up in the community.
The presentation was well received by Council with the Mayor and Councillors Cunningham. Niesh, Randhawa and Adey all finding much to like from her overview of the proposed development.
The Mayor observed that Council would be chatting with staff and following how the proposal moves forward.
( 50:00 -- 1:10:00 ) Paul Lagace, Poverty Law Advocate and community advocate Arnold Nagy, brought the presentation parade to an end with a discussion on the challenges facing families and residents when it comes to single Family Dwelling Rentals.
Mr. Nagy provided some background on the scope of the clients coming to the Unemployed Action Centre which numbers close to 1,400 and how housing and income security are the two main themes that they are dealing with, observing how the situation in the community is one which is in need of more affordable housing for residents.
Mr. Lagace, spoke to the regulations in mind towards the City's ongoing work on plans to introduce a renoviction bylaw, among his comments were themes related to proposed exemptions and minimum maintenance standards.
He also observed on what he sees as property flipping in the community, as well as to some of the areas where he has seen problems with landlords in town, while also noting that some of the elements of the renoviction bylaw may have unanticipated consequences for some of the smaller landlords who may just be renting out space in their own primary residence.
He also had some reservations related to some of the elements that require landlords to cover the rent of tenants for the course of the renovations, noting of the inconsistent nature of timelines on construction and the lack of available space in the community.
The Mayor observed that his comments were insightful and recalled a meeting that they had a few years previous on themes of housing.
Councillor Niesh asked questions of the City Manager to clarify some of the themes raised from the presentation, Mr. Buchan provided a short synopsis of what the city's plans are when it comes to the renoviction Bylaw.
Councillor Cunningham also added some thoughts to the issues in the community, noting how he is strongly in favour of what the city has planned, but does have concerns for potential loopholes.
Mr Nagy rejoined the conversation to highlight the accelerating cost of housing and the challenges it is providing for younger residents and there is a need to address those concerns.
The Mayor observed that they would be discussing housing issues later in the evening.
With that the mayor Adjourned the session and move on to the Regular Council meeting
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Regular Council Session( 1:10.00 -- 1:11:00 ) Regular City Council Session for Monday, February 28, 2022
Mayor Lee Brain called the session to order, adopting the past minutes and Agenda for the evening's session with one addition to be included, that a resolution from a closed meeting session.
( 1:11:00 -- 1:11:30) Report from Planning -- Council received a report related towards a Development Variance Permit for a property at 885 Borden Street, Council approved the process towards notification (see page 10 of the Agenda package)
( 1:11:30 -- 1:12:00 ) Report from Planning -- Council received a report related towards a Development Variance Permit for a property at 945 Hays Cove Avenue, Council approved the process towards notification (see page 14 of the Agenda package)
( 1:12:00--1:14:30 ) Report from Planning -- Council received a report related towards a Development Variance Permit for the CBC offices on Third Avenue West. The city's planning department provided a review of the scope of the proposed marketing plans which will see window signs put in place at the CBC offices, the work requires a variance owing to the proposed size of the sign plans. Councillor Cunningham offered up his support for the CBC proposal, but also raised the topic of some of the plywood coverings around the city and how they are a violation of the policy. Council approved the process towards notification(see page 18 of the Agenda package)
( 1:14:30-- 1:18:00 ) Report from Planning -- Council received a report related towards a Development Variance Permit for a property at 1429 Overlook Street. Planning again provided an overview of the scope of the project and why it requires a variance. Councillor Mirau had some questions for the City Manager over elements of Council's process on the topic. Councillor Niesh provided some anecdotal notes related to the property in question, which he is familiar with through some work that he has done in the immediate area. Council approved the process towards notification (see page 22 of the Agenda package)
( 1:18:00 -- 1:19:30 ) Report from Planning -- Council received a report related towards a Development Variance Permit for a property on 1039 Hays Cove Avenue. Council approved the process towards notification (see page 38 of the Agenda package)
( 1:19:30 -- 1:21:00 ) Report from Chief Financial Officer -- Cost and Commissioning consultants Award: RCMP Detachment project -- Ms. Corinne Bomben outlined the scope of the contract award towards the first stage of the RCMP detachment project, which will be awarded to two different submissions. Contract awards will go to BTY Group for Cost Consulting, while CES Engineering Limited, will gain the award for the Commissioning element of the work.
While her written report did note of an overage of 16,000 dollars from the projected budget for the contracts, there was no discussion of that element during her presentation.
At the end of the presentation, Council members had no questions to ask of her from her report, then approving the motion.
We previewed the Agenda topic earlier on Monday, a copy of the Report is available as part of that report. (see the report at page 47 of the Agenda package)
( 1:21:00 -- 2:02:00 ) Report from Manager of Communications -- Consideration of a final brand package for the City of Prince Rupert -- The City's Communications Manager Ms. Veronika Stewart introduced some of the background to the new civic local design and Brand guidelines, turning the presentation over to representatives from Will Communication who outlined their work on the creation of the new brand.
The team from Will Communication, took the Council membership through the entire process that was taken on towards the project. Staring with the desire to create a new image for the community which leaves the previous brand and messaging to the past.
The new imagery will replace the previous look to incorporate a more modern image that engages with Indigenous themes that reflects the community along with rainbow symbolism that is a representation of the diverse communities found in Prince Rupert, along with an image that many associate with the community.
As part of the presentation, the Will group noted of the work with community stakeholders and how the project came out of past vision making exercises in the community
Also in attendance on the evening was Ts'msyen artist Russell Mather, who had collaborated with the team at Will through the creation process and provided some further input into his approach to the project and how he views the new logo and how it fits into the City's vision.
Ms. Stewart followed up with a few more observations on the two year process to develop the new logo to reach the point of the launch if approved.
When it came to the commentary, the Council members were somewhat effusive in their praise for the design and the opportunity that it offers the community.
Councillor Adey noting of some ambivalence at the start of the project and how it is now a much more accurate depiction of the cultural make up in the community and how it reflects a community looking forward and not back.
Councillor Cunningham provided similar themes to share his enthusiasm for the new look, noting he had been sceptical at the start but now loves the new look and how its an exciting and refreshing look that everyone can be very proud of.
Councillor Niesh concurred with those thoughts and how the logo had grown on him over time and now as he sees it with its different applications he understands the need for an update from the old logo and how the new branding will have may more applications for use.
Councillor Skelton Morven, thanked all of those involved with the project and noted towards how it can be used in the future.
Councillor Mirau made note of the participation of Mr. Mather and how the new logo is a much better representation and identify of the city from the old logo. Mr, Mirau spoke to his particular attachment to the concept of the City of Rainbows, looking to head off potential criticism, he noted how Prince Rupert is recognized for the rain and should lean into that and how the rainbow represents much for the community.
He also, observed to potential push back on the cost of the project and how the City could have spent the money on other area, noting how the medium and media has changed since 1910 and now the city is dealing with a range of different media and mediums and how the new brand will approach that.
He also offered up a Reminder that the city hasn't upgraded its brand since 1910 and that it shows, and wondered what value does the community place on inclusion and how the new look moves beyond colonial connotation and it was time for the community move past that.
Mayor Brain also added to the praise for the new look, first thanking the Will team and Mr. Mather, observing as to the journey the rebranding took during the COVID period and came out of one of a previous workshop.
He spoke to how the focus was to try and embrace the history of the community, calling it one of the most beautiful things he has seen as a brand, highlighting the areas he found attractive and how it works to develop the Rupert 2030 vision that council has.
The Mayor also observed how the new look and brand will help to bring the community together and how it represents all and is inclusive of all, noting how he had often noted that he had wanted to see a Bad Ass brand and how this reflects that desire for a Bad Ass Brand.
Mr. Mather noted of the opportunity the new design offers for a new beginning and how he appreciated the opportunity to be involved with the project.
Council then approved the new brand and logo program.
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa also shared some thoughts on the project noting of his enthusiasm for the design.
We previewed the Agenda topic earlier on Monday, a copy of Ms. Stewart's Report is available as part of that report.
Following the Council session on Monday, the City launched the new logo with an information piece and video presentation through social media which you can review here.
(see page 49 of the Agenda package)
( 2:02:00 -- 2:03:00 ) Report from Director of Operations -- Master Service Agreements - Award Colliers Project Leaders -- Mr. Richard Pucci provided a review of the city's plans towards its work on upcoming projects through a Master Service Agreement, which is part of the City's Strategic plan and how the award comes after a publicly posted bid call. Noting of the recommendation to award a contract to Colliers Project Leaders for those projects. Council members had no questions for Mr. Pucci (see page 51 of the Agenda package)
( 2:03:00 --2:03:30 ) Resolution from a Closed meeting -- Ms. Rosa Miller provided the background to the resolution, noting that Corinne Bomben would be appointed as Chief Elections Officer and that Corporate Adminstrator Rosa Miller will serve as the Deputy Elections Officer for the 2022 General Municipal election.
Bylaws
( 2:03:30 -- 2:05:00 ) Report from Approval Officer -- City of Prince Rupert Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw -- Council provided fourth and final reading for the bylaw. Councillor Cunningham called attention to one item of the Bylaw related to landscaping, seeking some clarification from Mr. Pucci. (see page 53 of the Agenda package)
( 2:05:00 -- 2:05:30 ) City of Prince Rupert Delegation Amendment Bylaw -- Council provided fourth and Final reading to the City of Prince Rupert Delegation Amendment Bylaw. Council members had no questions (see page 66 of the Agenda package)
( 2:05:30 -- 2:08:00 ) Business Regulations and Licensing Bylaw No. 3476, 2021 --- Council provided third meeting for the bylaw.
Councillor Niesh asked if there was anything to take away from the presentation earlier in the evening from Mr. Lagace and Mr. Nagy.
The City Manager noting of the support for the bylaw and some of the questions raised, observing to the area of property that is not up to standard and how that there could be a need for some education to create awareness of what people need to know to become involved, observing that once passed the city would have more opportunity to do that.
Mayor Brain spoke to the concerns raised about landlords having to relocate tenants and if there is a need for clarity, Mr. Bucahn observed that he would have an answer to that question at the next meeting.
Council Mirau also spoke to some of the guidelines references, another area which Mr. Buchan said he would check into to ensure its consistent. (see page 67 of the Agenda package)
( 2:08:00 -- 2:10:00 ) Questions, Comments, Reports or Inquiries from Council
Councillor Adey was the only participant as part of the comment opportunity, noting of the return to having the public in attendance at the Council session and some of the passion that was expressed through the evening and how it reflects on a sense of getting some form of normal back.
He also called attention to the events taking place far away from us here in Ukraine and offered his empathy towards those in the community who may be concerned to that situation, noting he shared that thought as to how it may be impacting on both those of Ukrainian and Russian heritage.
And with that the February 28th session came to an end.
You can access our Council Session page here, where a number of items regarding the Council session, including links to local media coverage can also be found.
As always, our Council Timeline is only a reflection of our observations from the Council Session of the night. Be sure to consult with the official minutes from the City, when posted to their website for further review.
Official minutes of the Regular Council Session from January 24h, 2021
(not available yet)
The Next session for Prince Rupert City Council is set for Monday, March 14, 2022.
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