Prince Rupert City Council members moved into February with the prospects hopefully high towards progress on two major areas of note of late, that of downtown parking and the use of shipping containers around the community.
But progress was put on a shelf for a bit, that following a Public Hearing on shipping containers which attracted no participation from the public. The disappoint turnout for the hearing, along with discussion to the two key bylaws saw both items deferred to later pending further consultation for staff with residents, or a new report from staff.
On those two high profile areas, the City's council membership for the most part spun a lot of wheels on the night.
Those items that they found agreement on passed quickly and usually with few comments.
The Regular session, was one which continued to feature some new elements towards brevity of the proceedings, while also providing for the newly introduced opportunity for public comment.
Some background on the work of Council for the night can be reviewed from the Regular Council Session Agenda here.
Council also hosted a Closed Meeting, making for the third of the in camera sessions for 2023.
The details related to the behind doors gathering can be reviewed here.
Further information from our overview and placement in the video archives can be found below; with the permanent record of the Council minutes added as they are posted to the city website.
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In attendance: Monday, February 6, 2023
Mayor Herb Pond -- Present
Councillor Nick Adey -- Present
Councillor Barry Cunningham -- Present
Councillor Teri Forster -- Present
Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven -- Absent
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa -- Present
Video Archive for Monday, February 6, 2023
For a review of the Public Hearing of 6 PM on Shipping Containers in the community, see our item here.
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REGULAR SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL
( 0:00 -- 1:45 ) Adoption of Agenda -- The Mayor reviewed the Agenda for the evening, which included two additional late items, which Council members then approved
( 1:45 -- 7:15 ) Public Comments regarding Agenda items -- New to the Council procedures, this period offered a chance for those in attendance to speak to any items to be addressed on the Agenda for the evening.
Mayor Pond noting that he knew what the topic would be from the delegation, noted that the issue had been subject of a Public Hearing in January. Then observing of the rules related to how Council cannot receive information once that Hearing has concluded.
To that he asked the resident approaching the microphone to limit comments to the process.
On Monday, the one member who took advantage of the opportunity was Bruce Wishart speaking to concerns of a number of residents towards the city's downtown parking plans.
Mr. Wishart observed that he had not been following municipal events as closely as he once had and from that the city's plans for changes to downtown parking was unknown to him and many others until just recently.
He observed of a petition that has been started among those on Third Avenue West that had attracted sixty signatures, as well as another door to door initiative that he stated had found a number of others on the downtown street that were unaware of some of the elements of the bylaw requirements.
To that he asked that Council table the bylaw and give business owners, customers and residents more time to make their concerns known.
( 7:15 -- 8:00 ) Consent Agenda -- Another element new to the Council Session, the Mayor explained how the Consent Agenda will work with the option for Council members to ask for items to be removed towards further discussion or offering additional review.
Towards the Consent Agenda on the night, the elements included:
Council minutes -- Council reviewed and adopted the minutes of the January 23rd session, as well of those of the Public Hearing, the Committee of the Whole Session and the Special Council session all held on the same evening.
Correspondences -- Board Highlights for North Coast Regional District for January 2023 (see page 11 from the Agenda)
Correspondences -- Letter form Lax Kw'alaams Band to Honourable Justin Trudeau re: support for City's water supply infrastructure (see page 13 from the Agenda)
Correspondences -- Letter form Metlakatla Governing Council to Honourable Justin Trudeau re: support for City's water supply infrastructure (see page 14 from the Agenda)
Correspondences -- Information and request for Municipal Proclamation for Heritage BC (see page 15 from the Agenda)
Correspondences -- Thank you letter to the Prince Rupert Fire Department from the District of Port Edward (see page 16 from the Agenda)
Release of Closed Meeting Items -- Council had no items from Previous Closed Sessions to release
Recommendation
The Council members adopted the Consent Agenda without any removals, comments or observations.
Staff Reports
( 8:00 -- 11:20 ) Report from Planning Manager: Re Style Guideline Policy for Way finding Signage -- A report from Planning Manager Myfannwy Pope, provided details towards the wayfinding sign style guide developed by Tourism Prince Rupert and seek Council's approval of the guidelines as an official style guide for all community way finding signage moving forward.
Councillor Cunningham observed as to how the project was not costing the city any money and had no implications to the budget. Councillor Randhawa noted of the good feedback he has received from the initiative. Councillor Adey offered up one question asking towards if the program would include the replacement of Street signs. Ms. Pope noted that at the moment it was limited towards just tourism related themes.
Mr. Adey followed up with an observation of the improvement of the Welcome to Prince Rupert sign, Councillor Cunningham noted that some people in the community may like it, others may not. Adding that he too believes it's an improvement. (see page 17 from the Agenda)
( 11:20 --12:10 ) Report from The Communications Manager -- Application to UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for Emergency Support Services Capacity Funding -- Council received the report detailing the opportunity to apply for funding towards the UBCM Emergency Preparedness Fund for Emergency Support Services Capacity funding. Council accepted the report with no comment or discussion. (see page 34 from the Agenda)
( 12:10 -- 15:00 ) Report from The Corporate Administrator -- Request for Support for Tourism Prince Rupert -- Council received a report with details related to a request for a letter of support for Tourism Prince Rupert towards their Kayak and Canoe Launch project. The City's support contingent upon approval of the 2023 City of Prince Rupert Budget.
Towards comments and Questions, Councillor Cunningham asked to the nature of the 500 dollars that would be required for annual maintenance asking if it shouldn't be under Community Enhancement grants. Ms. Miller observed that the request had not been received in time this year for that option, which is why it was placed in the budget for 2023.
Councillor Adey asked where the launch area would be placed, in reply Ms. Miller advised that it was planned for the Marina area of Cow Bay, with plans to put some information on line as to the location.
Councillor Randhawa provided some further background towards the location choices, Mr. Cunningham asked if the city was potentially creating a precedent by moving it into the Budget, with other groups potentially asking for the same.
City Manager Buchan did note that it was a risk, though Mayor Pond observed that approval is required as part of the Budget process and Council can say No at that time. From that the motion was carried (see page 36 from the Agenda)
( 15:00 -- 16:15 ) Late Item D: Request from North Coast Ecology Society -- Mayor Pond provided some background to the request for a letter of support, that towards their quest for a Grant through the Prince Rupert Port Authority. That related to their plans to convert a shipping container as an Ecology Centre for placement as part of the shipping container marketplace on the waterfront area of CowBay. Councillor Adey observed of their efforts last summer, while also noting how this initiative was a positive thing to support.
Council approved support towards the letter.
( 16:15 -- 18:30 ) Late Item E: Request from UFAWU on salmon escapement concerns -- Mayor Pond provided some background to the issue, as well as a request that the city write a letter to a number of parties. The focus of the letter writing to ask that they abide by the science of advice to hold the Skeena Management Strategy Evaluation and follow the Wild Salmon policy which requires DFO to consider impacts on all users.
Councillor Cunningham expanded on the UFAWU concerns, observing how this is damaging to the commercial gill net and seine fishery, noting of how the escapement becomes a commercial fishery for people in the interior and which is not as good a product as that found near the mouth of the Skeena.
He outlined how it is damaging to the economy of the town in many ways, with the fishery beat up to to the point of being on its last legs. He strongly recommended that Council send the letter noting how anything that Council can do to encourage DFO to wake up and start looking at the fact that they aren't managing, but mismanaging the fishery the city should be involved with.
Council approved support towards the letter.
Bylaws
( 18:30--20:00 ) City of Prince Rupert Zoning Amendment Bylaw -- No. 3504, 2022 -- Council had been asked to provide third reading to the City of Prince Rupert Bylaw for the proposed City of Prince Rupert Zoning amendment bylaw related to waiving parking requirement for new buildings, with the exception of residential only buildings in the parking specific area.
However, Councillor Cunningham recommended that they defer the third reading to allow for staff to meet with the interested parties and get back to Council with their findings. The decision coming following the presentation previous in the evening from Bruce Wishart who was speaking for a number of downtown merchants and customers.
City Manager Buchan recommended postponing the Third reading until staff had a chance to meet with the interested parties, the Bylaw then to return to Council at some future date. (see page 37 from the Agenda)
( 20:00 -- 36:30 ) City of Prince Rupert Zoning Amendment Bylaw -- No. 3505, 2022 -- Council was asked to give third reading to the City of Prince Rupert Bylaw for the proposed City of Prince Rupert Zoning Amendment Bylaw towards Container use in the community.
Councillor Adey led off the discussion, providing an observation on some situations that may arise, asking towards requests for containers for an immediate need which may go longer than the 60 day provisions and which may require a bit more time.
In reply Doctor Buchan observed that the city tries to be reasonable on such issues, offering up the concept of delegating Temporary Use permits to staff so they could be more nimble in matters such as that.
The Mayor offered up some thoughts towards how building permit requirements may serve that need as well.
Councillor Niesh and Councillor Adey had differing interpretations related to a waiting period, with Planning Manager Pope observing that Mr. Adey's interpretation that the applicant would have to wait thirty days to put another container back in was the correct one.
Councillor Cunningham expressed concerns over some of the areas where containers could be used outside of zones they are allowed to be placed. He expressed particular concerns over the encroachment that could come into residential areas.
Councillor Cunningham noted of his preference for a Second Public Hearing, noting that the Hearing previous that evening attracted no participation, expressing some frustration that there is a lack of awareness of the issues that Council wants to hear from the public on.
Councillor Niesh recommended passing the existing Bylaw and to have further discussions of concerns under a different bylaw.
The City Manager provided a review of what the original bylaw request had hoped to achieve.
Council members decided to postpone final reading of the bylaw to a future meeting, requesting a report from staff towards use of the shipping containers in other zones. Staff will also provide guidance to Council as to how staff could have more authority towards approvals in an emergency requirement. (see page 46 from the Agenda)
( 36:30 -- 37:30 ) City of Prince Rupert Fire Control and Protection Amendment Bylaw -- No. 3515 , 2023 -- Council provided first, second and third reading to the City of Prince Rupert Bylaw towards the use of containers for storage allowing for measures to mitigate the risks. There were no comments or questions related to the motion. Mayor Pond noted as to the thorough nature of the reports from staff which provide much information related to the topics at hand. (see page 48 from the Agenda)
Business Arising
( 37:30 -- 45:25 ) Council Round Table and Comment Period
Councillor Adey led off the evening noting of a tragic death on Highway 16 in recent days, outlining how the City needs to continue to advocate to the province for whatever can be done to improve the safety of the roads in the winter months. Observing how clearly there are times when the highway isn't safe and sometimes needs to be closed, which called better than the alternative.
He also called attention to some dangerous slope areas in the Industrial park with slippage on the steep hillside and if the city is monitoring those circumstances.
The Councillor also asked if the recent rains had provided any surprises to the city's infrastructure.
In reply the Director of Operations Richard Pucci, observed of an upcoming meeting with the new head of the region for Transportation and that the concerns would be raised at that time on highway safety.
Towards the issue of the slopes, he noted that they are not an area for the city to take care of and they would bring it up with the province and its contractors.
As to the city's infrastructure surprises, Mr. Pucci noted that overall the recent rains were not a key concern, though they do have a saturation impact on the roads, wearing everything down, explaining how his teams do try to keep up with the issues of water pooling and such.
Councillor Cunningham provided a report of a tree blown down on one of he pathways leading to downtown, which Director Pucci noted he would look into.
Mr. Cunningham also expressed a concern over some missing information on the city's on line website directory. To that Mayor Pond directed the City Manager to provide the phone numbers for those councillors who wish to have them included on the website.
Councillor Randhawa raised the issue of potholes around the community, noting of the growing volume around the city.
Mr. Pucci outlined how the weather was playing a role in the creation of the potholes as well as to how the city can tackle them. Observing as to the efforts that the city has put in towards them in recent weeks, noting as to how the water leak issues of late have drawn staff away from the road repair work at times. He also noted of the phone number available for the public to report areas of concern.
Adjournment -- The Mayor brought the session to a close with a call to adjourn
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.
With February 20th part of the Family Day weekend, Council next meets in a Public Regular Session on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.
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