Prince Rupert City Council members hosted the first of their two public Council Sessions for March with a fairly light agenda which made for a short gathering on Monday night.
The bulk of their discussions came towards the end of the session, when the Council members raised a range of topics of note from the last few weeks.
As for their Regular agenda work they had but four bylaws to take care of with only a couple of the items making for short discussions.
Some background on the work of Council for the night can be reviewed from the Regular Council Agenda here.
Council also hosted a Closed Meeting, making for the fifth of the in camera sessions for 2023.
There was no advisory posted to the City website related to the Closed Session prior to the meeting.
However Mayor Pond did advise at the close of the Public session that it was related to:
Consideration of information received and held in confidence relating to negotiations between the municipality and a Provincial government or the Federal government, or both. Or between Provincial Government and Federal government or both and a third party
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, March 6, 2023
Mayor Herb Pond -- Present
Councillor Nick Adey -- Present
Councillor Barry Cunningham -- Present
Councillor Teri Forster -- Present (participated remotely)
Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven -- Present
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa -- Present
Video Archive for Monday, March 6, 2023
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REGULAR SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL
( 0:00 -- 1:00 ) Adoption of Agenda -- The Mayor reviewed the Agenda for the evening, which Council members then approved, with one change that to adjourn to a closed council session at end.
( 1:00 -- 2:30 ) 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. One participant took advantage of the opportunity.
That was Mr. Michael Shore, the owner of 200 Sherbrooke, he spoke to his current negotiations towards the purchase of the road beside the Digby Tower which is required for Parking. Further noting how he believes housing is needed in the community.
( 2:30 -- 11:15 ) Consent Agenda -- Another element new to the Council Sessions the elements from Monday evening included: The Mayor observed of actions required by Council in a pair of items
Consent Agenda
Council minutes -- Council reviewed and adopted the minutes of the February 21st session, as well as those of the Public Hearing of that same night.
Staff Report: Prince Rupert Boulevard Land Sale information request (see page 8 from the Agenda)
Staff Report: City of Prince Rupert Application to UBCM Poverty Reduction Fund Planning streamer a $25,000 grant and staff support to oversee the project (see page 13 from the Agenda)
Staff Report: Letter of Support For Gitmanmak'ay Nisga'a Society, Re: Marketing initiatives program grant in the amount of $20,000 (see page 15 from the Agenda)
Staff Report: Proclamation requests from Anne Falco of the Prince Rupert Hospice Society proclaiming April 16 (National Advanced Care Planning Day) (see page 16 from the Agenda)
Correspondences
Correspondences -- Council reviewed a letter to Mayor Herb Pond from Dominic Leblanc the Federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. -- Councillor Adey spoke to the topic of the two letters related to infrastructure concerns. Noting of the good news nature of the correspondence from the FCM, while observing of what he viewed as the not so good news delivered by way of the letter from the Federal Minister.
In response Mayor Pond noted of the positive nature of the grant for the wastewater treatment plans, while he viewed the Federal response from Mr. Leblanc a little differently than the Councillor. Mr. Pond observing of a previous correspondence and how this one provided some direction. Though Mr. Pond noted it as a No from the Minister to the call for assistance of the time, while offering some hope for the future.
The Mayor also advised that he would be going to Ottawa to press the case further. Mr. Pond also observed on the efforts of MP Taylor Bachrach towards the file as well. (see page 17 from the Agenda)
Correspondences -- Council reviewed a News Release from Natural Resources and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, related to support for the City of Prince Rupert's Wastewater project. -- Comments related to the item were made as part of the discussion on the letter from the Federal Minister (see page 19 from the Agenda)
Correspondences -- Council received a letter to Mayor Herb Pond from Jay Chalke, Ombudsman for the Province of British Columbia, outlining some of the work of the Ombudsman's Office (see page 22 from the Agenda)
Correspondences -- Council reviewed an Information Release from Northern Health in celebration of the effort of foundations and Auxiliaries. -- Councillor Cunningham called attention to some missed notes related to fundraising in the Prince Rupert area, the Mayor also made note of some of the other elements that may have been missed by northern Health and advised that the City would be making inquiries to ensure that the work of local organizations is recognized. Councillor Forster also provided some thoughts on the issue. (see page 24 from the Agenda)
Correspondences -- Council received an Information Release related to a Northern Health text alert program for toxic drugs that is now available in the North. (see 33 page from the Agenda)
Release of Closed Meeting Items -- Council announced the appointment of Ms. Toni Carlson and Mr. Nick Adey to the Performing Arts Centre Society Board of Directors
The Council members adopted the Consent Agenda though Councillor Forster did make note of some errors in the previous minutes to be addressed. Before wrapping up the Consent Agenda, Mayor Pond directed residents to the report on the Prince Rupert Boulevard land sale, which he observed had a comprehensive explanation of the topic available for review.
Bylaws
( 11:15 -- 17:30 ) City of Prince Rupert Adjudication Bylaw -- No. 3497, 2023 -- Council provided first, second and third reading to the City of Prince Rupert Adjudication Bylaw. Towards discussion, Councillor Cunningham had questions related to the theme of Screening officers and potential conflict of interest.
In response, the Corporate Administrator noted how it would be an alternate bylaw officer would be serving as the screening officer, Councillor Cunningham then asked that the Bylaw officers be removed owing to the potential for conflict.
Council vote to accept Councillor Cunningham's amendment.
Mayor Pond had one question on the topic, asking if the current tickets are voluntary.
Ms. Miller advised that they are only voluntary, depending for ten days and whether the ticket is being challenged, it is not voluntary after ten days.
Councillor Cunningham noted that the wording which includes voluntary remains confusing.
On the theme of Parking tickets Councillor Cunningham suggested a provision that after three or four tickets the City should tow the vehicle and the owner won't get it back until they pay their tickets.
Ms. Miller advised of some of the regulations currently in place that outline what you can do as a bylaw infraction, she did note that the city could look at the suggestion and report back to Council for further discussion and decision.
She also observed of how the new process will take the issues of tickets to adjudication and are in the midst of contracting to a collections agency and those who do not pay their tickets will be subject to collections.
From that point Council then voted to adopt the bylaw. (see page 26 from the Agenda)
( 17:30 -- 18:45 ) City of Prince Rupert Fire Control and Protection Amendment Bylaw -- No. 3515, 2023 -- Council provided third reading to the City of Prince Rupert Fire Control and Protection Amendment Bylaw. Councillor Cunningham asked if there was any grandfathering of the use of containers.
He was advised by the Corporate Administrator that there would be no grandfathering, red circling or legacying of the containers on property.
Council then provided fourth and final reading to the Bylaw. (see page 32 from the Agenda)
( 18:45 -- 21:30 ) City of Prince Rupert Road Dedication Bylaw -- No. 3512, 2023 -- Council provided third reading to the City of Prince Rupert Bylaw for the roadway near the Digby Tower.
Towards discussion Councillor Cunningham asked about the nature of some of the landscaping in the area in the road area in question, as well as a review of the road access areas in place.
Councillor Adey offered up his appreciation for the work provided on the information package provided to Council.
Council then voted to provide reading of the bylaw. (see page 35 from the Agenda)
( 21:30 -- ) City of Prince Rupert Road Dedication Bylaw -- No. 3513 , 2023 -- Council provided fourth and final reading to the City of Prince Rupert Bylaw for the roadway noted between Park Avenue and Second Avenue West. The bylaw was approved with no further discussion (see page 38 from the Agenda)
Business Arising
( 22:00 -- 42:36 ) Council Round Table and Comment Period
The first topics for discussion from the Council membership came from Councillor Cunningham, who had a list of items to share.
His first mention, was to congratulate the organizers of the Children's Festival noting of the success of the Saturday event at the Civic Centre.
He also spoke to the recent snow events and asked how many notices were handed out for people not clearing their snow. Director Rosa Miller advised she would have to consult with bylaw and get back to Council.
Councillor Cunningham's third issue of note was to observe on the upcoming tourism season and the state of the downtown core, particularly the Third Avenue area and its stretch of fire debris and boarded up windows and doors on some buildings.
He noted how some element so that is against the city's current bylaws and how there should be some enforcement on the issue.
Mr. Cunningham also called attention to an issue near the Credit Union area where there is a strong smell in the visiting, expressing concern over the nature of the smell and how the city should address them.
Mayor Pond observed on the buildings that staff is active on those files and there are some issues that prohibit the city from speaking to the topic which limit the opportunity for comment.
Ms. Miller followed up by noting in the area of property maintenance and noxious odours, the bylaw office has received complaints and is working on the issue.
Councillor Nick Adey was next, he took a moment to thank the City workers for their efforts during the recent heavy snowfall period and how he has noted some positive messages for the workers on social media.
Director Miller noted of the challenges the storms provided and how the city took an all hands on deck to take on the roads, sidewalks and walkways.
Councillor Adey's second note was to reflect on a recent Regional District forum on Housing, with the all day workshop exploring the challenges of housing in the area. Noting of what could be the guiding message of the session was that housing required a regional approach and how it seems that is the direction that the the communities of the area will be taking. With a Regional Coordinator a possibility to help move forward on local housing issues.
Councillor Randhawa also paid tribute to the work of city workers during the snow of the last few weeks, he also called attention to some challenges for aviation and the need for the City to stress the need for reliable flight movements in and out of Prince Rupert find out what happened over the weekend.
Both Mayor Pond and Councillor Forster shared some of their experiences these last few days when they became part of the large volume of travellers who had their plans changes because of the situation in trying to fly in and out of Prince Rupert.
Mr Pond then noted that before his return to Prince Rupert he had charged the Acting City Manager, Director Miller to find out what's going on and that she will be working on a report for Council. Mr, Pond noted that the MLA was involved win the file described the situation as an absolute failure and one beyond just whether and how there were implications related to health care through medevacs.
The Mayor also added that the City may not have been directly at fault in any of that, but it is our airport and that he takes it personally and he takes responsibility observing how the service in and out of the city's airport needs to be as high a quality service as can possibly be had and how the city won't settle for anything else.
Councillor Niesh noted of an upcoming Airport Board meeting in the week ahead and he would report back to Council on the themes at a future session. He also added his accolades to city staff for their work on the snow removal planning.
Councillor Skelton Morven also had notes on the city's work on snow removal.
He also observed on the macro economic elements of the local air travel industry and how labour shortages have left the industry strained.
Mr Skelton-Morven also offered some thoughts on the Housing conference that the Council members attended, also embracing the concept for a Regional Coordinator for Housing and noting of the opportunities that First Nations Stakeholders could present towards housing solutions.
Councillor Forster outlined her attendance at a fisheries conference and that she would er brining a full report back to Council.
Mr. Pond then provided a short overview of his discussions at a meeting of the Resource Benefits Alliance in Victoria, observing that the impression was that the group had moved the dial. Noting of the meetings that they had with the Premier, Government ministers and opposition members to make the case towards more of a return of resource money to the communities.
The Mayor also offered up a snap shot of a fisheries conference he attended that explored issues related to the Fishery, with his take away from the event that of the nature of Federal fishery policy and how it's implemented between the East and West coast and how they provide for completely different outcomes.
Adjournment -- The Mayor brought the session to a close with a call to adjourn and then to reconvene in a Closed Session.
Prior to the adjournment the Mayor outlined the nature of the upcoming Closed Session
"Consideration of information received and held in confidence relating to negotiations between the municipality and a Provincial government or the Federal government, or both. Or between Provincial Government and Federal government or both and a third party"
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.
Council next meets in a Public Regular Session on Monday, March 20th.
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