BC's Daily COVID count continues to show declines, province nears 70 percent of first dose vaccinations

The work of British Columbians to reduce the curve of COVID continued to show results over the weekend with Monday's update from Doctor Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix making note of 708 new cases of the coronavirus, making for an average of 236 per day of the three day review period.

“Today, we are reporting on three periods. From May 28 to May 29, we had 258 new cases. From May 29 to May 30, we had 238 new cases and in the last 24 hours, we had a further 212 new cases. 

This results in a total of 708 new cases, for a total of 144,289 cases in British Columbia. 

There are 2,953 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and a further 139,562 people who tested positive have recovered. 

Of the active cases, 249 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 78 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. 

There have been 11 new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 1,703 deaths in British Columbia. Our condolences are with the family, friends and caregivers of the people who have died as a result of COVID-19."

Across the province, the COVID count was as follows: 140 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 394 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 18 in the Island Health region, 113 in the Interior Health region, 

There were  42 new cases of COVID reported  in the Northern Health region that brings the British Columbia total to 7,683 since January of 2020.

As well one new case of COVID was recorded in British Columbia by a person who resides outside of Canada.

The provincial vaccination program has continued to add to the listings of those who haver received their first  COVID shot: 3,250,161 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 179,954 of which are second doses. 

This means 69.7% of all adults and 66.1% of those 12 and older have received their first dose. 

While progress is being made, Doctor Henry also cautioned about the need to maintain awareness and the need to follow the health measures still in place, that as variant cases continue to develop.

 “While we are making significant headway in our immunization efforts, this is a time of caution for all of us. New strains continue to circulate and outbreaks are still occurring in all regions of the province. 

Immunizations are an extremely effective tool. But it takes time for them to fully protect us, which is why it is important we all stay vigilant to prevent further virus transmission in our communities."

Doctor Henry also took note of the revelations from Kamloops of last week and the discovery of the gravesites of 215 children who attended the Indian Residential School in that community.

“While there is much that is positive and encouraging on the horizon with the COVID-19 vaccination progress, we pause and mourn the 215 children whose remains were found at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School. 

We stand with the families of children buried at Indian Residential Schools and honour the strength and resilience of those who survived. 

Let’s take this time of sadness to connect with our children, our grandchildren and families to honour those we have lost.”

The full statement for Monday can be reviewed here.

BC CDC data for Northern Health Region for Monday, May 31

BC CDC data for British Columbia for Monday, May 31

The BC Centre for Disease control has some valuable Coronavirus notes related to COVID-19 you can explore that information here.

You can learn more about the outbreak from both the Province and the Federal government from the links below:

Federal Government site

British Columbia Government site

The World Health Organization website also offers up the latest advisories on the global situation.

More from  Northern Health can be reviewed here 

You can review our archive of past statements and local information here.   

Local governments and organizations have also provided for increased awareness of COVID-19 issues, those past advisories  can be reviewed here.

For notes from across Canada and British Columbia we have been archiving the latest items through our political portal Darcy McGee

Ottawa Observations

Victoria Viewpoints

 

Region's cycling enthusiasts may get glimpse of future plans for Prince Rupert area tonight

Mountain Bike enthusiasts in Prince Rupert hope to see a project  similar
to this one in Terrace put in place locally in the future

With Go By Bike week off to a somewhat soggy start, Prince Rupert's cycling community will want to make note of a guest at tonight's City Council Committee of the Whole Session, with Craig Rimmer from the North Coast Mountain Bike Association to deliver a presentation to Council.

The ambitious plans for the Association most likely will be the subject of tonights conversation with Council, including the plans of the Association to develop a Pump Track for the use of cycling enthusiast in the community, a project which as we noted in January would be similar in style to a course that has been created in the Terrace area.

The association launched their fundraising efforts at the start of the year and tonight will provide a chance for Mr. Rimmer to perhaps update council on how that is going and what the any course development plans may look like for Prince Rupert.

Later in the evening, Council will receive a report from Corporate Administrator Rosa Miller, which will ask for Council to provide a letter of Support for the North Coast Mountain Bike Association as they seek out further funding for the track proposal.

In February, we outlined some of the early investigative work on the track concept that had taken place, with the North Coast Mountain Bike Association picking up some valuable allies to their cause along the way.

Tonight's Committee of the Whole appearance is set for shortly after 7PM, you can watch the live stream from the City website here.

More notes on this evening's Council session can be explored here.

While items of interest on cycling in the region can be reviewed from our archive page.

Seal Cove Salt Marsh work approaches midway mark on timeline of mid summer opening

PRPA Project and Field Services Technologist Khalid Elmourci exploring
the work area of the Seal Cove Marsh project
(photo from PRPA Twitter feed)

The Seal Cove area has been the centre of activity for a number of months now as crews from the Coast Tsimshian Northern Contractors Alliance began to lay out the footprint of the much anticipated Seal Cove Salt Marsh project, a habitat restoration program that will create the regions next recreation area.

From those early days of February, the project has now moved forward significantly with the installation of services and restoration work now underway at the mouth of the freshwater creek at recreation site that will be the focus point for the city's east side.

The next phase of the work will see eelgrass transplanted into the internal and mudflats area, along with some landscaping around the shoreline and the installation of a new pedestrian bridge, along with benches and lighting.

The design drawing for the Seal Cove Salt March project
on the east side of Prince Rupert

In an update on the project posted to the Prince Rupert Port Authority website today, Ken Veldman, the Port's Vice President of Public Affairs and Sustainability  made note of the changes that residents and visitors will see once the project reaches its end later this summer.

“These enhancements will bring new life to a part of Prince Rupert’s waterfront that’s been historically impacted by human and industrial activity.We are committed to ensuring the future of Seal Cove is cleaner, greener and more welcoming for the many species that call it home, as well as providing people with a safe place to take a stroll or sit and relax with family and friends.”

We most likely will hear more about the project later next month when the Prince Rupert Port Authority hosts its Annual Public Meeting, a virtual online event set to take place on Wednesday, June 16th at 5PM.

The four million dollar restoration project has been fully funded by the Prince Rupert Port Authority and is being developed on land provided by the City of Prince Rupert. 

Some of our previous notes on the project can be reviewed here.

For more items of note related to Port Development see our archive page here.

Pandemic related disruptions making for challenges for City's landfill expansion program

Council will hear of some challenges towards the expansion of
the City's landfill site tonight
(maps from City of PR website)

The progress for the city's expansion of the Ridley Island Landfill site is finding a few impediments owing to the COVID pandemic, a subject that will see Richard Pucci the City's Director of Operations providing an update for Council tonight, as well as a request for the green light to purchase some materials immediately.

The items of note from Mr. Pucci are the liner and HDPE piping material required for the landfill project, with the Operations Director to review the current situation as part of his report noting how without immediate action the result may be delays to completing the expansion this year. 

The cost of the materials somewhat unknown it seems owing to the fluctuation of prices and ability to access the supplies, the Director notes he will provide a memo later on for the council members as to the cost of purchase.

You can review below from the City's Agenda Package for tonight.

If his presentation is an in person (or by way of Zoom) report, Council members may have some questions to ask toward the landfill work and may want to take advantage of the Directors public availability to follow up with a few questions on the other major infrastructure project of the moment, that being the Woodworth Dam construction work.

There hasn't been an update on that work in many months, so tonight would make for a good opportunity to share some notes on whether it too has suffered from COVID related delays and where in the timeline for completion of it may be at; as well as if the cost of the work has increased and if so why.

The Woodworth Dam project was one of the first items on
the to do list from the Hays 2.0 timeline  of Spring 2018

The Woodworth Dam work which made for just one of many items from the Hays 2.0 presentation of April 2018 saw its first delay later that year, with the original plan to have most of the work take place in 2020

As they await the conclusion of that work, Prince Rupert residents remain on a  Water Quality advisory with recommendations that some residents will want to continue to boil water for some uses. 

Updates on the status of the Water Quality situation for residents are not something that are frequentl provided to the city website.

More notes on tonight's Council Session can be reviewed from our archive page here.

A wider overview of the city's infrastructure work is available here.

Adventure Paving set to be back in the driver's seat for 2021 Prince Rupert paving program

Prince Rupert's 2021 Paving project is set to be awarded
tonight, with Prince Rupert's Adventure Paving set to lay the
blacktop for the summer paving season

Tonight's Prince Rupert City Council session will signal the start of the 2021 paving program, with Council members to review a report and recommendation from Operations Director Richard Pucci who will outline the results of the City's recent call for tenders for the work.

In his report to Council, the Operations Director notes that the City received only one compliant bid for the work for 2021, with a recommendation to award the work to Adventure Paving with the cost for the roadwork ahead to come to 863,682.44 plus taxes.

The recommendation may be welcomed by City Councillor Barry Cunningham who had offered up a range of concerns over last years awarding of the paving contract to an out of town competitor, a topic that has re-appeared from time to time at Council sessions since that work was completed in the fall of 2020.

We  outlined some of the concerns over last year's paving work, as well as to list the areas to be paved for 2021 with this blog item of May 13th.

More notes on what's on the Agenda for tonight's Council session can be explored here.

A wider overview of past Council discussions can be reviewed here.

A look at some of the past work on infrastructure by the city is available here.

City Council Preview: Monday, May 31, 2021

It's report night for Prince Rupert City Council, with the majority of the evening's work load focus directed towards reports from planning, finance and Operations Departments.

The City's Financial Officer Corinne Bomben has requested some time to deliver a presentation to council tonight, though no hint as to the topic is included in the Agenda for the evening.

A pair of variance requests mark the contribution of the city's contract planners at iPlan on the night, while Richard Pucci will be providing for a pair of reports for council with the Operations Manager to share notes on the landfill expansion project and the city's paving plan for 2021.

Council members will also consider a request for a letter of support for the work of the North Coast Mountain Bike Association as they look to raise funds for an asphalt pump track for the community.

It being a Committee of the Whole night, the city's elected officials will be able to learn more about the plans for that track, as Craig Rimmer, of the North Coast Mountain Bike Association speaks in the Committee session.

The COW Agenda is available here.

A chance for council members to share any reports, questions or make any inquiries will bring the evening's work to an end.

With Public Orders in place towards Social Gathering, a note posted to the Agenda Page for tonight's session indicates that this evening's meeting once again will once again be a remote participation affair, with no members of the public allowed into the Chamber.

"In accordance with current Provincial Orders, scheduled Regular Council Meetings have moved to a remote format for public access. - available on Citywest Cable Channel 10/310, and live streaming at www.princerupert.ca/live. Videos of the City’s Council meetings are also posted to YouTube in the days following the meeting. In the interests of public health and safety, at this time no one will be permitted into City Hall to view in the gallery, in order to ensure we can maintain physical distancing requirements. Staff and Council attendance is also limited, with most calling in via conference. Thank you for your understanding." -- An update on the process ahead for Council sessions from the Agenda Page for Prince Rupert City Council

Those with an interest in tonight's Public Hearing and council session can view the Live Feed from the City website, or on Cable Television from CityWest Cable Channel 10/310.

You can review the Regular Council Agenda here. 

Council will also host a Special Closed Session set for 5PM , the meeting closed to public owing to consideration of labour relations or other employee relations, acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements and negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages.

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REGULAR SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL

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

Petitions and Delegations

Report from the Chief Financial Officer  --  Ms. Corrine Bomben will make a Presentation to Council, no indication of the topic is listed on the agenda.  

Reports and Resolutions

Report from iPlan -- Council will receive a report from the city's contract planners at iPlan related to a variance permit request for a property on 7th Avenue East (see page 11 of Agenda package)

Report from iPlan -- Council will receive a report from the city's contract planners at iPlan related to a variance permit request for a property on 11th Avenue East (see page 20 of Agenda package)

Report from Director of Operations-- Council will receive a report from Richard Pucci, the City's Director of Operations who will outline a the details to the 2021 Capital Paving Program Award  (see page 27 of Agenda package)

Report from Director of Operations-- Council will receive a report from Richard Pucci, the City's Director of Operations who will outline a request resolution from Council towards purchase of items required for the Landfill Expansion project.   (see page 28 of Agenda package)

Verbal Report from the Corporate Administrator -- Council will receive a report from Ms. Rosa Miller who will outline the nature of a request for a letter of support for the North Coast Mountain Bike Association towards plans for an asphalt pump track for the community.

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 May 31, 2021 session can be reviewed here. 

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

City Council Session: Monday, May 31, 2021

Our archive of items from the session can be found below.

Regular Session of Council for  Monday, May 31, 2021

Home page and archive of sessions can be found here 

Live Broadcast of session can be found here

Agenda for the Regular Council Session for May 31, 2021

Agenda for Committee of the Whole Session for May 31, 2021

Notice of Closed Council meeting for May 31, 2021

Preview of Council Session for May 31, 2021

Attendance

Mayor Lee Brain -- Present by Zoom
Councillor Nick Adey -- Present by Zoom
Councillor Barry Cunningham -- Present by Zoom

Councillor Blair Mirau -- Present by Zoom
Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven -- Absent
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present by Zoom
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa -- Present by Zoom

Minutes of Regula  r Session of Council,  Monday, May 31,  2021
(not available yet)

Video Recording for Monday, May 31, 2021 Council Session

 

Council Timeline for Monday, May 31, 2021

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North Coast Review Items related to the Monday, May 31, 2021 Session of Council 

A can of worms ... and other conversation starters

Tax Time Tutorial with City of Prince Rupert CFO Corinne Bomben

Statements of Sympathy and concern; calls for action from Prince Rupert Council following news of the Kamloops School graves discovery

A need for more dialogue the takeaway for Councillor Nick Adey following Taylor Bachrach's Town Hall on Rail Safety

Spend what's required; details can come later

Prince Rupert's Black Top Challenges, City Council hears Prime on Paving

Pump Tracks, Trail Building and partnerships chart the course ahead for some potential recreation options in Prince Rupert 

Council looks towards potential shared partnership with residents on some infrastructure issues

Region's cycling enthusiasts may get glimpse of future plans for Prince Rupert area tonight

Pandemic related disruptions making for challenges for City's landfill expansion program

Adventure Pacing set to be back in the driver's seat for 2021 Prince Rupert paving program

Further notes, as well as any Media items from other sources for the May 31, 2021 session can be found in our Discussion Points from City Council feature.  

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