City Council Preview: Monday, March 23, 2020

Following a weekend of Facebook posts from Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain, the stage is set for a most unusual City Council session for tonight, with much anticipation of a shoe to drop when it comes to Civic measures in response to the COVID-19 situation.

Over the course of three days, Mayor Brain hinted towards plans to declare a local State of Emergency, announcing through his social media platform on Sunday that he would bring such a motion to Council tonight.

Whether the Council membership will be in attendance or participating by way of other electronic measures won't be known until the 7PM start, but when it does begin, the meeting may be like no other in recent history for the community.

There is an actual Agenda in place for the night, and the notice of motion of the Local State of Emergency isn't on the current version posted to the City Website.

However with Mr. Brain having already telegraphed the major talking point on the night, it would seem that the prospect of the three items listed for the night will make for quick work before Council addresses the main item for attention.

The Budget Presentation process will most likely make for a reduced portion of the night, and as we outlined on Sunday, the city is now encouraging members of the public to use alternative methods to share their observations.

As part of the revised public engagement process the city has suggested that anyone with items of interest towards the Financial plan for 2020 to direct them in writing to the City's Chief Financial Officer, or to make use of the Rupert Talks community engagement page on the city website.

The other items of note are two Development Variance issues that will make for the remainder of the Agenda listings for the night.

As it is a last meeting of the month, tonight's session was supposed to be a Committee of the Whole session, where normally there would have been a public comment period set aside for the night.

However Council cancelled the Committee of the Whole last week and as part of the City's Statement of Saturday issued a notice towards tonights gathering.

Any person who violates the Provincial Order for social distancing or acting improperly will be expelled from the meeting.

Towards the goal of social distancing, those with an interest in tonight's council session can view the Live Feed from the City website.

Council members will also meet in a Closed Session at 5 PM, citing two items from the Community Charter as the reason to exclude the public.

90.1 (e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality 

 (k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are 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.

You can review the short notes of the Agenda Package for tonight 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.

Reports and Recommendations 

Report from the City Planner related to a Development Variance Permit Application for a property on Eighth Avenue East (See page 5 of the Agenda)

Report from the City Planner related to a Development Variance Permit Application for a property on Jamaica Avenue (See page 16 of the Agenda)

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 23rd session can be viewed here.

While our archive of all sessions for 2020 for Council is available here.


To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

City Council Preview: Monday February 24, 2020

Presentations will make for much of the course for tonight's Prince Rupert City Council session, with  a number of information sharing themes to be explored on the night.

The first will come as part of the Committee of the Whole process, when School District 52 will make a presentation to Council, with the District noting at its own meeting of earlier this month, of plans to share some notes on the plans for replacement of Prince Rupert Middle School at tonight's Council session.

During the Regular Council Session, the Councillors will receive a string of reports from the City Planner related to a number of property variance permit requests.

Council will also hear two reports from the City's Financial Officer, the first related to the request for a  Loan Authorization Bylaw for the Woodworth Dam Replacement project; the second report a request for a Loan Authorization Bylaw for work on the Solid Waste infrastructure project at the Ridley Island Landfill site.

As well, The City's CFO, Ms. Corinne Bomben will request a delay of any direction to staff from City Council when it comes to the 2020 Budget until after public consultation and the release of the final BC Assessment values.

You can review the Full Agenda Packages for the Regular Council Session from the City Website options below:

Regular City Council Session
Committee of the Whole Session

As part of the Committee of the While Session, members of the public will be able to ask questions or deliver comments to the City Council members.

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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 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 -- Representatives from School District 52 will make a presentation to City Council.

Question Period from the Public -- Members of the public with Questions or comments for council will have an opportunity to present them to the members of Council.

Reports, Questions and Inquiries from members of Council -- Members of Council have opportunity to raise topics of note if they wish.

Adjournment to reconvene at Regular Council Session


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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.

Reports and Recommendations 

Report from the City Planner related to a Development Variance Permit Application for a property on Eighth Avenue East (See page 10 of the Agenda)

Report from the City Planner related to a Development Variance Permit Application for a property on 7th Avenue East (See page 22 of the Agenda)

Report from the City Planner related to a Development Variance Permit Application for a property on 5th Avenue West (See Page 30 of the Agenda)

Report from the Chief Financial Officer related to a request to delay any direction to staff on the 2020 Budget until after public consultation and the Final BC Assessment values are released.

Report from the Chief Financial Officer related to a Loan Authorization Bylaw for the Woodworh Dam Replacement Project. (See Page 39 of the Agenda)

Report from the Chief Financial Officer related to a Loan Authorization Bylaw for the Solid Waste Infrastructure project. (See page 46 of the Agenda)

Correspondences for Action 

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 February 24th session can be viewed here.

While our archive of all sessions for 2020 for Council is available here.


To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

City Council Preview: Monday, August 19, 2019

Prince Rupert City Council reaches the midway point of its more leisurely summer pace of once a month meetings from July through September, with tonight's session marking the only public Council meeting for the month of August.

And once again, it's a fairly light agenda on the horizon, one which shouldn't keep the city's Council members indoors from a North Coast late summer's night for very long.

The evening will get underway with the Public Hearing for proposed zoning changes for properties on Biggar Place up for public comment.

Next up will be the Committee of the Whole session and included in the Agenda for that segment of the evening's work is an update from the Lester Centre of the Arts, with Michael Gurney set to chart the course of past events and future plans for the city's Arts and Culture facility.

The Committee of the Whole will also feature the regular opportunity for the public to ask questions or make inquiries of the members of Council.

The Full Committee of the Whole Agenda can be viewed here. 

The Agenda for the Regular Council Session makes for a fairly light document, with the City's Financial Officer to provide for a Financial Variance report for June and the City Planner making note of a request for a Development variance permit for a property on Seventh Avenue East.

Council will consider two correspondences for Action, one from CN Rail on Rail Safety Week, the other from the Metis Nation in Prince Rupert seeking proclamation of Metis Awareness Week.

A resolution from the Closed Council session of July 22nd will be released related to the Library Board of Trustees.

And with the Public Hearing on the Biggar Place property having been held earlier in the evening, Council will then consider third reading for the zoning change request.

The evening wraps up with Council Members offered the opportunity to raise in public forum,  any items of interest or concern that they may have.

Prior to the Regular Council session of Monday evening Council members will also host a Closed Session  planned for 5PM,  the Council membership cites four elements of the Community Charter making for the necessity for the closed session.

(c) labour relations or other employee relations

(e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality.


(f) law enforcement, if the council considers the disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the conduct of an investigation under or enforcement of an enactment

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

The Closed session for this evening, marks the thirteenth Closed Session that has been scheduled/advertised so far in 2019.

You can review the Full Agenda Packages for the Regular Council Session from the City's Website here.


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PUBLIC HEARING

Introduction of the Public Hearing process related to a properties located on Biggar Place, adjacent to Five Corners.


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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Adoption of Agenda and Past minutes -- Mayor Brain will call the meeting to order and then will review the COW agenda for the evening and Council will adopt the minutes of past meetings.

Petitions and Delegations

Presentation from Mr. Michael Gurney, General Manager of the Lester Centre of the Arts, with an update on recent events and future plans of the Centre.

Question Period from the Public

The Public can speak to any issue they wish.

Reports, Questions and Inquiries from members of City Council

Adjournment to reconvene to the regular Council Meeting

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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

Unfinished Business

Reports and Recommendations

Report from the City Planner, related to an application for Development Variance Permit for a property on 7th Avenue East. (see pages 9-19 of the Agenda)

Report from the Chief Financial Officer   -- Council will hear a report from Ms. Corinne Bomben that outlines the details of the June 2019 Financial Variance Report (see page 20 of the Agenda)

Correspondences for Action 

Council has two correspondences to review on the evening.

The First, a request from CN Rail's Corporate Services seeking the proclamation of Rail Safety Week for September 23-29. (see Page 25)

The Second letter, is also a request, this one from the Metis Nation BC, with the Prince Rupert and District office of the society seeking a proclamation  for Metis Awareness Week from November 11 to 16 this year. (See Page 27)

Resolutions from Closed Meetings

Council will release information from a previously held closed meeting,  with Council members set to announce the reappointment of Mr. Cary Dalton to the Prince Rupert Library Board for a two year term

Bylaws

Report from the City Planner: Re: Biggar Place

Council will hear a report from the City Planner related to a proposed rezoning for a portion of property located on Biggar Place, near the Five Corners area of the city. ( See Page 29 of the Agenda)

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 also 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 August 19th session can be found here.

While our archive of all sessions for 2019 for Council is available here.


To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

City Council Preview: Monday, June 10, 2019

Fresh from a weekend of celebrations from the annual Seafest, Prince Rupert City Council will host their first of two Regular Council sessions for June, the last of the twice a month gatherings until October, with Council adopting a more relaxed timeline of one meeting a month for July, August and September.

For the most part, Monday is presentation night, with a number of reports ahead for the Council members to take in.

Among the documents for review, the Statement of Financial Income Reports which feature the salary listings of council members, city staff and unionized employees, as well as the vendor and supplier payments for the year that ended on December 31, 2018.

Council will also get a look and hear more about this years City of Prince Rupert Annual report for 2018.

Two reports on the current status of some cannabis retail applications will also be received, as well as a request for a letter of support from the City from the  Gitga'at  Development  Corporation as they look to access some funding from the Northern Development Initiative Trust for renovations to their downtown community space on Third Avenue West.

Council will also hear a request for a rezoning of a property on Biggar Avenue, with Marogna enterprises looking to move it from residential to commercial status.

The evening will come to an end with the Inquiries from members of Council portion of the night which may offer the opportunity for Council members to share some comments with residents on any issues of concern or interest from the membership.

Also participating in this evening's council session will be Kathleen Palm and Evelyn Basso who return once again to share some thoughts on the status of CBC broadcasting in the community and to seek the help of the City Council in their efforts to influence the national broadcaster when it comes to its decisions for the Northwest.

Council will also meet in a closed session this evening at 5 PM. Council has cited one section of the Community Charter for the closed door session:

90.1 b -- personal information about an identifiable individual who is being considered for a municipal award or honour, or who has offered to provide a gift to the municipality on condition of anonymity.

You can review the Full Agenda Packages for the Regular Council Session from the City's website here.


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

Mrs. Kathleen Palm and Mrs. Evelyn Basso to speak on CBC Radio in the Northwest -- With the CBC's licence renewal ahead in 2010, the two presenters plan to discuss the influence that Prince Rupert City Council can have with the national radio broadcaster and what contributions that residents of the city may want to make to the national conversation on the CBC.  (See page 10 of the Agenda)

Unfinished Business

Reports and Recommendations

Report from the Manager of Community Development on the restatement of referral to the cannabis retail store proposed for Park Avenue   -- Mr. Hans Seidemann will outline the details of his report for council, providing an update on the status for the High Culture proposal at Five Corners. (See page 11 of the Agenda)

Report from the Manager of Community Development on the recommendation for a Cannabis Retail store at 100 2nd Avenue West --  Mr. Hans Seidemann will outline the details of his report for council, providing an update on the status for the BC Cannabis  proposal at 2nd Avenue West and McBride (See page 25 of the Agenda)

Report from the Chief Financial Officer -- April 2019 Financial Variance Report --  Ms. Corinne Bomben will make note of the from the province of 8.12 million dollars in funding to the city's reserves, with the funding coming from the province's Northern BC Capital grant. ( See page 28 of the Agenda)

Report from the Chief Financial Officer -- 2018 Statement of Financial Information -- The City's CFO will also deliver her statements on council remuneration, staff remuneration over 75.000 dollars and the listings of payments to vendors and suppliers over 25,000 dollars or more in the year just ended.  (See page  33 of the Agenda)

Report from the City Manager -- Council will receive an Overview of this years 2018 City of Prince Rupert Annual report (see page 76 of the Agenda)

Correspondences for Action 

Gitga'at Development Corporation -- seeking letter of support for NDIT grant application  -- Council will review a request for the letter of support from Norma Stumborg, a Grant writer working with the Giga'at Development Corporation. The Gitga'at are looking access NDIT funding towards renovations of their Community building located at 2rd Avenue and 6th Street (Page 140 of the Agenda)

Resolutions from Closed Meetings

Council will release information related to appointments to the Prince Rupert Airport Board -- From their closed meeting of the 27th of May, City Council has selected the following to serve on the Board.

Cody Smith, Emerald Murphy and Antonio Vera will all serve a two year term on the Board.

Bylaws

Revision  of bylaw towards the Quality of Life Official Community Plan for a property at 1051 Chamberlin Avenue (Neptune Inn property) --  Council will be asked to give Third Reading and adopt the revision bylaw ( See page 142 of the Agenda)

Report from the City City Planner -- Official Community Plan for a portion of property on Biggar Place --   Mr.. Krekic will outline the details of an application from Marogna Enterprises  to  have a segment of Biggar Place (near Five Corners) rezoned from residential to commercial ( See page 144 of the Agenda)

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 also 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 June 10th session  can be found here.

While our archive of all sessions for 2019 for Council is available here.


To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

City Council Preview: Monday, March 26, 2018

Prince Rupert City Council comes together tonight 
with a busy Agenda for their final meeting for March

With the passing of Councillor Nelson Kinney over the weekend, the mood most likely will be somewhat subdued at Prince Rupert City Council this evening, as the city's Council members look to tackle a fairly extensive agenda of items that include a range of different themes.

Tonight's Council session will feature four presentations in total, spread out over both the Regular Council Session and Committee of the Whole process.

In the COW, Council will hear details of the community approach to  Child Youth Mental Health and Substance Use from Joyce Charlton, who will outline the work of a Local Action Team in the community.

As well, the Committee of the Whole session will offer the final look at the city's budget plans for 2018, with the City's Chief Financial Officer Corinne Bomben  set to review the financial blue print, followed by Council opening up the opportunity for final comments from the public on  this years budget process.

In the Regular Council Session, Council members will also hear two reports, one from members of Ecotrust Canada who will update Council on the organizations plans for a North Coast Innovation Lab.

Council will also receive a report from the Director of Recreation and Community Services, who will review the Imagine Grant program hosted by Northern Health and how the City may be able to access funding for replacement of items at the Civic Centre Arean.

Another element that has been added to this evening's council session is a Public Hearing related to a zoning request for a property on 11th Avenue East.

The City's Planning Department will outline the various elements of the proposal for a supportive housing residence, followed by questions from the public, should they wish to weigh in on the topic.

Council will then decide the fate of the proposed use for the residence later in the Regular Council session.

The City's note related to the Public Hearing can be reviewed here.

Council Members will also meet in a Closed Session at 5 PM, with Council choosing to close the doors for the following criteria: personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality; and negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are 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.

The range of Agendas for the Regular Council session, Committee of the Whole and Public Hearing for March 26th can be accessed here.

PUBLIC HEARING

Council will review the Zoning Amendment Bylaw to all a Special Care Residential Zone at 333 - 11th Avenue East 

The City Planners Report will be reviewed, which includes 6 written comments from residents of the City related to the proposed development.

The Public will then be asked to provide any comments if they wish.

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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

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

Joyce Charlton - Re: Child Youth Mental Health and Substance use and the work of the Local Action Team.

Corrine Bomben -- Chief Financial Officer -- Final Public consultation session for the 2018 Budge process, allowing for questions and comment from the public.

As it is the Committee of the Whole, those in attendance will then be asked to deliver any Questions or concerns that they may have for the regular business of council.

Reports, Questions and Inquiries from Members of Council

Adjournment and return to Regular Council Meeting

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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  
Devlin Fernandes and Nathan Randall, representing Ecotrust Canada, with an update on the North Coast Innovation Lab and Northern Development Initiative Trust Grant Application

Any Notes on Unfinished Business will follow that presentation.

Reports and Recommendations -- Report from the Director of Recreation and Community Services, regarding Northern Health's Imagine Grant Application, seeking the support of City Council towards an application for funding towards skating supplies for the Arena and the City's drop in skating program,. (see page 8 of the Agenda)

Correspondences for Action follows

Resolutions from Closed Meetings makes for the next element should Council have anything to disclose.

Bylaws 

Zoning Amendment Bylaw to allow a special care residential zone at 333 - 11th Avenue East -- With Council having hosted a Public Hearing on the topic earlier in the night, members will then review the application and provide for approval or denial of the final reading and Adoption of the Zoning amendment (See Page 9 of the Agenda Package)

Report from the City Planner -- A review of the updated City of Prince Rupert Development Procedure Bylaw (See page 13 of the Agenda Package)

Correspondences for Action

The evening will come to an end with Reports, Questions and Inquiries from Members of Council.

Council members can also 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 26th session can be found here.

While our archive of all sessions for 2018 for Council is available here.


To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

City Council Preview: Monday, February 26, 2018

Prince Rupert City Council comes together tonight for their final
meeting for February.

If the Agenda posted for this evening is any indication, Prince Rupert's Mayor and Council members won't be facing a very hectic workload on the night, that as the City's elected officials head into the fourth public Council meeting of the year, set for a 7 PM start.

Depending on how chatty the public gallery may be with the Committee of the Whole session, the line up for the night may not break the 42 minute mark that has been the benchmark so far, when it comes to wrapping up the city's business in public sessions.

Monday night features a pair of reports, one zoning amendment review from Community Planner and the other from the City's Financial Officer, who will speak on the schedule ahead for the 2018 Budget presentation, those two elements making up for the early portion of the night's workload.

Some Bylaw work related to the proposed Supportive Housing facility on 11th Avenue East is also to be reviewed, a segment that will bring the listed items for the evening to an end.

In addition to those notes, Councillor Cunningham will once again seek the approval of his partners on Council to develop a schedule for community presentations.

With invitations to be appear at Council to be offered to a number of taxpayer funded organizations, as well as a range of services provided to the City of Prince Rupert, including Police and Fire operations.

As mentioned, tonight is also a Committee of the Whole Night, which offers the opportunity for interested citizens to appear at the public forum to ask questions, or provide their comments of issues of concern to them.

Council Members will also meet in a Closed Session at 5 PM, with Council choosing to close the doors as they consider personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality, or another position appointed by the municipality. 

The Agenda for the Regular Council session for February 26th can be accessed here.

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 make for the first item of business on the evening, with none indicated for the Monday session to this time.

Any Notes on Unfinished Business will follow that presentation.

Reports and Recommendations is next on the Agenda listings.

Report from the Community Planner -- Council will receive a report related to a request for a variance permit for a property on 9th Avenue East.
( Page 7 of the Agenda Package)

Report from the Chief Financial Officer -- Council will hear the background to the 2018 Budget Presentation and the timeline for consultation with the public on Budget themes.


Correspondences for Action follows

Resolutions from Closed Meetings makes for the next element should Council have anything to disclose.

Bylaws

Report from the City Planner  -- Council will review the Report related to a Zoning amendment for a special care residential zone at 333 11th Avenue East
( Page 19 of the Agenda Package)

Report from the City Planner -- Housing Agreement Bylaw -- Council will review the elements of the proposed Housing Agreement bylaw between the City of Prince Rupert and the proponents of the Supportive Housing facility on 11th Avenue East
(Page 39 of the Agenda)

The evening then moves on to Additional Items 

The evening will come to an end with Reports, Questions and Inquiries from Members of Council.

Council members can also take advantage of the period to offer up any items or concerns that they have for consideration on the night.

One item listed on the Agenda for that portion of the evening will be for Council to consider a recommendation fro Councillor Barry Cunningham to invite a range of taxpayer funded organizations as well as the RCMP and Fire Service to provide regular updates to Council as part of the Committee of the Whole process.
(See page 49 of the Agenda Package)

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 February 26th session can be found here.

While our archive of all sessions for 2018 for Council is available here.


To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

City Council Preview, Monday, January 25, 2016

Prince Rupert City Council wraps up their January deliberations with a Committee of the Whole Session and a Regular Council Session set for this evening.

The Committee of the Whole Agenda offers an opportunity for the Public to comment on items of interest or concern, taking place prior to the start of the Regular Council agenda on the evening.

As for the Regular Session, Council members have a fairly light list of things on the to do list for the evening.

They will receive a Report from the City Planner, following up on a request from Councillor Cunningham for background information related to the City's regulations when it comes to the 1 kilometre rule for Wine Stores in Grocery Stores.

Council will consider two recommendations on the topic, the first to proceed with an amendment to the Zoning Bylaw, the second a recommendation to make no changes and maintain the current status quo, which has the Liquor Licensing Board regulating the liquor sales in grocery stores.

The City Planner will also provide a report for a Development Variance Permit for a property on Conrad Street.

A pair of Bylaw issues will require some attention from Council and they will also hear a review of the status of the Housing committee from the Mayor.

To wrap up the night, both Mayor Brain and Councillor Mirau will outlined a string of Terms of References for a number of Committees for the year ahead.

The full review of the evening ahead can be found from the Agenda for the Regular Council Session for Monday, January 25, 2016.

Prior to the Regular Council session, Council members will conduct a Closed Session of Council at 5 PM, where they will hold discussions related to  a topic that Council believes requires the exclusion of the public for the following reason:

the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality.

Below we'll highlight the different elements of this evenings work from the Regular session Agenda, for further background on each item, the page number from the Agenda is listed in red.

Committee of the Whole Session opens the evening at 7 PM.

Adoption of Agenda

Question Period from the Public

Reports, Questions and Inquiries from Members of Council

Adjournment to reconvene Regular Council Meeting

The Regular  Council session starts off with the adoption of agendas and minutes.

Petitions and Delegations

Any Unfinished Business is then up next on the Agenda.

Followed by Reports and Recommendations

Zeno Krekic, the City Planner,  provide a report on the 1 kilometre rule for Wine Stores in Grocery Stores, with two recommendations for Council to consider. ( Page 9 of the Agenda Package)

The City Planner will also provide a Report on an application for a Development Variance Permit for a property on Conrad Street. (Page 16 of the Agenda Package)

Requests follow next in the night's timeline.

Correspondence For Action

Resolutions from Closed meetings and Resolutions from Closed Meetings

Bylaws mark the next item of the Agenda on the night.

Report from the City Planner -- Proposed Zoning Amendment for a proposed housing development on Drake Crescent  (page 27 of the Agenda)

Report from the Corporate Administrator  -- Background on items related to the General Local Election Bylaw ( See page 56 of Agenda)

The evening then moves on to Additional Items from Council members, as well as Reports, Questions and inquiries from Members of Council.

Council will hear an update from the Housing Committee providing the latest developments from their efforts.

The evening wraps up with a look at the Terms of References for a number of Committees for 2016.

Mayor Brain will then outline the Terms of References for two Committees; the 2030 Sustainable City Mayoral Select Standing Committee (Page 62 of the agenda) and The Planning for Major Projects, OCP and Affordable Housing Policy Development Special Committee (Page 64 of the Agenda)

Councillor Mirau will outline the Terms of Reference for the Community Services/Small Business Advisory Committee (Page 66 of the Agenda)

The Live broadcast of the City Council session can be found here, a video archive of past sessions is available here.

Our archive of the January 25th session can be found here.

While our archive of all sessions of 2016  for council  is available here.

City Council Preview, Monday, April 7 2015

The Easter break at an end, Council returns to the Council chamber on a Tuesday evening, the first meeting of the month and one which provides one final look at the financial requests of the City's Finance department.

The City's Chief Financial Officer Corrine Bomben, has completed  a bit more number crunching and will add a dollar to the tax tab tonight, bumping up the tax request to rate payers to two percent at tonight's council meeting.

Council will also hear a presentation from Barb Gruber and Sandra Greer as both ladies update the City on how plans are coming along for the Prince Rupert Homecoming Weekend in May.

Council will also hold a Special Closed session of Council.

While not specific in nature, the City provided a short synopsis of the nature of the Monday evening plan of action, Closing the meeting under Section 90 of the Community Charter, considering the following items:

a -- personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality.

c-- labour relations or other employee relations

You can review the notice of Special Meeting Closed to the Public here.

The full review of the evening ahead can be found from the Agenda Package for April 7 .

The notification posted to the City's website suggests that the Regular meeting is set to take place at 5 PM on Monday evening, with the Closed session set for 7 PM.

That however is most likely an error, with the times perhaps reversed on the two notifications.  We imagine we'll all find out once we look in at tonight's broadcast.

Below we'll highlight the different elements of this evenings work, for further background on each item, the page number from the Agenda is listed in red.

The session starts off with the regular adoption of agendas and minutes.

Petitions and Delegations A presentation from the Prince Rupert Homecoming Committee, with an update on how preparations are coming along for this May's event and a request for a reduction on rent for use of the Civic centre.

Any Unfinished Business is then up next on the Agenda.

Followed Reports and Recommendations where the City's Financial Officer will deliver her final Report and recommendations for the 2015 Budget process.


Requests and Correspondences for Action, as well as any Resolutions from previous Closed Meetings of Council.

Bylaws mark the next item of the Agenda on the night.

The evening then wraps up with Additional Items from Council members, as well as Reports, Questions and inquiries from Members of Council.

The Live broadcast of the City Council session can be found here, a video archive of past sessions is available here.

Our Archive of the April 7th session can be found here.

While our archive of all sessions of 2015  for council  is available here.

City Council Preview, Monday, March 23, 2015

The Final Council Session of March, offers up one more opportunity for the public to offer up some comment on the City's Budget plan for 2015.

With council holding a public comment period as part of tonight's Committee of the Whole session, one of a number of items on the Agenda for the evening ahead.

As well as that public comment opportunity, Council will receive a presentation from the Chief Financial Officer, who is to offer a Response to Public Inquiry.

Council will also receive a report from the City Planner regarding a proposed Amendment Bylaw for a section of Park Avenue, related to a potential housing development for the area.

The remainder of the Council meeting will feature the usual listings of items from the Agenda for Regular Council sessions.

Prior to the Regular Council Session, Council will then hold a Special Closed session of Council at 3:30 PM.

While not specific in nature, the City provided a short synopsis of the nature of the Monday evening plan of action, Closing the meeting under Section 90 of the Community Charter, considering the following items:

c -- labour relations or other employee relations;

e -- the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality;

k -- negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are 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.

You can review the notice of Special Meeting Closed to the Public here.

The full review of the evening ahead can be found from the Agenda Package for March  23.

Below we'll highlight the different elements of this evenings work, for further background on each item, the page number from the Agenda is listed in red.

The session starts off with the regular adoption of agendas and minutes.

Petitions and Delegations
A presentation from the Chief Financial Officer -- Regarding a Response to Public Inquiry.

Following that presentation, Council will then suspend the Regular Meeting and Convene a Committee of the Whole meeting.

Once that business has been completed, Council returns to the Regular Agenda for the night.

Any Unfinished Business is then up next on the Agenda.

Followed Reports and Recommendations, Requests and Correspondences for Action, as well as any Resolutions from previous Closed Meetings of Council.

Bylaws mark the next item of the Agenda on the night.

With the City Planner providing a Report on an Application for a Proposed Amendment Bylaw and Zoning Amendment Bylaw for a section of Park Avenue.  (See pages 3 to 26 of the Agenda Package)

The evening then wraps up with Additional Items from Council members, as well as Reports, Questions and inquiries from Members of Council.

The Live broadcast of the City Council session can be found here, a video archive of past sessions is available here.

Our Archive of the March 23rd session can be found here.

While our archive of all sessions of 2015  for council  is available here.

City Council Preview for Monday, March 9 2015

City Council takes the show on the road this evening, with the first session of March taking place at the Lester Centre of the Arts.

The purpose of the shift to the larger venue is to allow for public consultation on the 2015 Budget Process.

With Corinne Bomben, the City's Chief Financial Officer, delivering a presentation on the 2015 Budget, followed by a consultation period with the public on budget related issues.

As well, the City is introducing an opportunity to provide input by way of electronic voting through computers and cellular phones this evening.

The full review of the evening ahead can be found from the Agenda Package for March 9th.

Below we'll highlight the different elements of this evenings work.

The session starts off with the regular adoption of agendas and minutes.

Petitions and Delegations come up next featuring  the Presentation from the Chief Financial Officer

Following Ms. Bomben's presentation, Council will then provide opportunity for Public Comment and input related to the 2015 Budget.

Any Unfinished Business is then up next on the Agenda.

Followed Reports and Recommendations.

Requests and Correspondences for Action, as well as any resolutions from previous Closed Meetings of Council will then be provided.

Bylaws mark the next item of the Agenda on the night.

The evening then wraps up with and Additional Items from Council members, Reports, Questions and inquiries from Members of Council.

The Live broadcast of the City Council session can be found here, a video archive of past sessions is available here.

Our Archive of the March 9th session can be found here.

While our archive of all sessions of 2015  for the newly installed council  is available here.

City Council Preview for Tuesday, February 10, 2015

The first public session of Prince Rupert City Council for February will start off with Council members receiving two presentations on the night.

Rhoda Witherly will provide an update to Council on developments with the City's Heritage Committee offering up some recommendations for the year ahead.

The topic of LNG development will also be featured at Tuesday's session, as representatives from Pacific NorthWest LNG bring City Council up to speed on some of the recent developments with the proposed LNG terminal project for Lelu Island.

Council members will also receive a report from the City's Engineering Coordinator, who will provide some background on a number of Grant Applications that the City is in the process of making regarding infrastructure issues in the community.

Council's proposed Housing Committee will move forward a bit this evening, as the City Manager outlines the Terms of Reference for that council initiative.

The Council will also be asked for support on a request from Skeena Taxi for an amendment to the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw.

The City Planner will provide a report on a zoning amendment for a property on India Avenue, which would see the old church property on that street redeveloped for multi use housing.

Following the night's work, Council will then hold a Special Closed session of Council, the fourth for this council since they took office in December.

While not specific in nature, the City provided a short synopsis of the nature of the Tuesday evening plan of action:  Closed session will involve the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, an item which Council by using Section 90 of the Community Charter, believes could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality.

You can review the notice of Special Meeting Closed to the Public here.

The full review of the evening ahead can be found from the Agenda Package for February 10.

Below we'll highlight the different elements of this evenings work, for further background on each item, the page number from the Agenda is listed in red.

The session starts off with the regular adoption of agendas and minutes.

Petitions and Delegations come up next featuring  the two Presentations from Ms. Witherly and then from Pacific NorthWest LNG.

Any Unfinished Business is then up next on the Agenda.

Followed Reports and Recommendations , which provides for a number of topics on the evening.

Report from the Engineering Coordinator -  Re: Grant Application Submissions to the Building Canada Fund and to Gas Tax General Strategic  Priorities Fund  (see Page 12 of the Agenda)

Report from the City Manager- Re:  Terms of Reference for the Prince Rupert housing Committee (see page 14 of the Agenda)

Following those appointments Council then moves on to other business from the Agenda including:

Requests and Correspondences for Action, which will focus on a request from Skeena Taxi Lt.d Seeking an amendment to the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw (see page 17 of the Agenda)

Any resolutions from previous Closed Meetings of Council will then be provided.

Bylaws mark the next item of the Agenda on the night.  with a Report from the City Planner regarding a Zoning amendment application for a property on India Avenue (see page 18 of the Agenda)

The evening then wraps up with and Additional Items from Council members, Reports, Questions and inquiries from Members of Council.

The Live broadcast of the City Council session can be found here, a video archive of past sessions is available here.

Our Archive of the February 10th session can be found here.

While our archive of all sessions of 2015  for the newly installed council  is available here.

Final Approval on fee increases and review of Community Enhancement Grants on Council Agenda tonight

Prince Rupert City Council heads back into its second special session of the week tonight, as the City government looks to wrap up a bit of work before the Holiday season gets into full swing.

A review of the full agenda for tonight's meeting can be found here.

As part of their work tonight Council will look to give final approval to a pair of Fee Increases proposed to Council on Monday evening, as we outlined on the blog earlier this morning, Council moved forward the plan to increase Recreation Fees for Recreation programs and facility use for 2015.

As well, Council will have the opportunity to put in place new Landfill fees for Non residents for the year ahead.

A third motion from Monday, which would have seen Council approve an increase to the Airport Ferry crossing fees was tabled for further study.

Beyond the Fee Increase motions to be voted on, Council will also hear a number of updates from a range of organizations which make use of Community Enhancement Grants.

Scheduled to speak this evening include:

Mr. Paul Venditelli from the Prince Rupert and Port Edward Economic Development Corporation
Ms. Crystal Lorette, the General Manager of the Lester Centre for the Arts
Mr. Joe Zelwietro the Chief Librarian of the Prince Rupert Library
Mr. Scott Farwell, the Chairman of Tourism Prince Rupert
Ms. Susan Marsden, the Curator of the Museum of Northern B. C.

Following those presentations, Council will then review a report from Staff on the topic of the 2015 Community Enhancement Grant process.

You can review the listings of the Grant requests that Council will consider from the agenda from pages 3-5.

Council will also consider a report from the City's Chief Financial Officer on the theme of Service Provider Agreements for both the Special Events Society and the Lester Centre of the Arts.

A property on 7th Avenue West that has been damaged by fire will be under review as well tonight, with a recommendation from the Building Inspector that the house be declared a nuisance and ordered destroyed.

Those interested in following the developments of the night can watch Council sessions through the City's Video stream starting at 5 PM tonight.

For more items related to City Council developments see our archive page here.

City Council Preview, Monday, November 24, 2014

And then there was but one more session for the old gang.

Tonight marks the final gathering for the current roster of Prince Rupert Council,  as the Mayor and Councillors work on their final Agenda for this session of Municipal governance.

For the farewell night for Mayor Mussallem, Councillors Garon, Carlick-Pearson and Ashley, as well as those councillors who will return to the new Council next week, a fairly evening night beckons.

Included on the night is a Public Hearing on the city's plans for Wantage Road the opening act to the evening's activities. Once that review is complete, Council then turns its attention to the the Regular Council Agenda.

One which features a string of reports to be reviewed for the session, the full overview of the Council Agenda can be found here.

A guide to the night's content can be found below, the corresponding page number from the Agenda listed in red.

Prior to the Regular Session of Council, The city will hold a Public hearing related to a proposal for development of land on Wantage Road, part of the old landfill site. (see our item on that proposal here)

Once the Public Hearing has come to an end, Council will address the items on its Agenda for the Evening.

The session starts off with the regular adoption of agendas and minutes.

Petitions and Delegations come up next featuring a Civic Awards Presentation.

Any Unfinished Business is then up next on the Agenda.

Followed by Reports and Recommendations, which features reviews on the following:

Report from the Chief Electoral Officer - A review of the results of the 2014 Municipal election (see Page 10 of the Agenda)

Report from the Corporate Administrator -- A recommendation that the start time of the Regular Council Meeting for December 1st be moved to 5 PM from the regular start time of 7 PM (see page 12 of the Agenda)

Report from the Economic Development Officer -- Seeking support for the community to host a Local Government Management Intern (see page 13 of the Agenda)

Requests, Correspondences for Action and any resolutions from previous Closed Meetings of Council.

Under Bylaws, Council will consider:

Report from the City Planner regarding Amendments to the Quality of Life Official Community Plan to Accommodate Ancillary uses to Construction Phases of Major Projects (Wantage Road area) (see page 22 of the Agenda)

Report from the City Manager regarding an application for a Variance Permit for a property on Atlin Avenue (page 48 of the Agenda)

The evening then wraps up with and Additional Items from Council members, Reports, Questions and inquiries from Members of Council, as well as the Mayor's Report.

With adjournment for the night following Mayor Mussallem's presentation.

The incoming council will be sworn in at the December 1st Council meeting, the first session of the newly elected and returning council members.

The Live broadcast of the City Council session can be found here, a video archive of past sessions is available here.

Our Archive of the November 24th session can be found here.

While our archive of all sessions of council this year is available here.

City Council Preview, Monday, November 3, 2014

And then there was but one more session for the old gang.

Tonight marks the final gathering for the current roster of Prince Rupert Council,  as the Mayor and Councillors work on their final Agenda for this session of Municipal governance.

With all of the incumbents, with the exception of Councillor Judy Carlick-Pearson seeking re-election on November 15th, there is the chance that some around the chamber tonight won't be coming back to Third Avenue on civic business.

The voters of course, will make that decision on election day and depending on the results, we could see some new faces arrive on the municipal scene when the new Council take their seats later this month.

As for this evenings final session, Council may be one person short for the proceedings, as Councillor Carlick-Pearson is shifting her focus towards School District matters and tonight features the public forum for the School District election, something we imagine that the Councillor is inclined to attend.

For those that do settle in for the evening however, a fairly full night of work awaits, with the listings on the Regular Council Agenda, featuring a string of reports to be reviewed on the night, the overview of which can be found here.

A guide to the night's content can be found below, the corresponding page number from the Agenda listed in red.

The session starts off with the regular adoption of agendas and minutes.

Petitions and Delegations come up next.

Any Unfinished Business is then up next on the Agenda.

Followed by Reports and Recommendations, which features reviews on the following:

Report from the Engineering Coordinator -- Landfill Development Phase 2 - contract awarded to Coast Industrial Construction (see Page 6 of the Agenda)

The Corporate Administrator will provide a Report recommending the rescheduling of the November 17th Council session to November 24th (see page 11 of the Agenda)

The Corporate Administrator will also review the 2015 Council Meeting Schedule (see page 12 of the Agenda)

Report from the Engineering Coordinator on the Digby Island Refit Contract -- The Digby Island Ferry will be heading north for a refit at Ketchikan's Alaska Ship and Drydock (see page 15 of the Agenda)

Requests, Correspondences for Action and any resolutions from previous Closed Meetings of Council.

Under Bylaws, Council will receive and review a Report from the City Planner regarding  Amendments to the Quality of Life Official Community Plan Bylaw -- for the Approved Prince Rupert Border Extension (see page 16 of the Agenda)

Report from the City Planner regarding Amendments to the Quality of Life Official Community Plan to Accommodate Ancillary uses to Construction Phases of Major Projects (Wantage Road area) (see page 37 of the Agenda)

The evening then wraps up with and Additional Items from Council members, Reports, Questions and inquiries from Members of Council, as well as the Mayor's Report.

With adjournment for the night following Mayor Mussallem's presentation.

The meeting is the final one for this session of Council, should the recommendation to shift the next Council session be adopted, the newly elected Council of November 15th will meet on November 24th.

The Live broadcast of the City Council session can be found here, a video archive of past sessions is available here.

Our Archive of the November 3rd session can be found here.

While our archive of all sessions of council this year is available here.

City Council Preview, Monday, October 20 2014

The countdown is on towards the end of the current Prince Rupert City Council term in office and to use a sporting metaphor adapted from baseball, these would be the dog days of governance.

Those dwindling games of a regular season, with the playoffs (council election) on the horizon.

For this evening, the work load should be quite light, with few items up for review on the evening.

A presentation from the Northwest  BC Resources Benefits Alliance providing the opening block of time for Council, as they receive more information on what the group of communities to the east of Prince Rupert is hoping to achieve, as the ride the burst of current economic development  and what Prince Rupert may realize from membership in the group.

Other than that presentation, for the most part it's basic housekeeping for the Mayor and his Council to bring October's work to an end.

Interestingly, for the first time this year, there is no Closed Session listed on the City Agenda, bringing an end to the streak of some 23 closed sessions that this current council has hosted in 2014

That will leave Council with just their Regular Council Agenda to work from this evening, the listing of which can be found here.

A guide to the night's content can be found below, the corresponding page number from the Agenda listed in red.

The session starts off with the regular adoption of agendas and minutes.

Petitions and Delegations come up next, with a Presentation from Dr. Bruce Bidgood and Mr. Andrew Webber, who will provide their Northwest BC Resources Alliance review.

Any Unfinished Business is then up next on the Agenda.

Followed by Reports and Recommendations, Requests, Correspondences for Action and any resolutions from previous Closed Meetings of Council.

Under Bylaws, Council will receive and review a Report from the Chief Financial Officer: With Ms. Corinne Bomben providing background on the 2014 Five Year Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw (Page 7 of the Agenda)

The evening then wraps up with and Additional Items from Council members, Reports, Questions and inquiries from Members of Council, as well as the Mayor's Report.

With adjournment for the night following Mayor Mussallem's presentation.

Following tonight's session Council takes one more session of municipal governance prior to election day , with the next and final public open meeting for this current group of Council taking place on November 3rd.

The Live broadcast of the City Council session can be found here, a video archive of past sessions is available here.

Our Archive of the October 20th session can be found here.

While our archive of all sessions of council this year is available here.