As the first month of 2022 draws near to a close, investigators with a number of RCMP detachments across the Northwest and on Haida Gwaii are finding an increase in their case files for the near first 31 days.
Earlier this week we noted the growing concern over Break and Enters for the Haida Gwaii community of Masset, and the case files have increased for the detachment, with a pair of additional notes for the public to review and hopefully lend a hand towards.
And the RCMP in Kitimat have also added to their excellent reporting of the work of their detachment, with the most recent Service Report providing Kitimat residents with some valuable information on crime in their community.
The Prince Rupert detachment has not made as much use of their website or Social Media platforms to relay information to the community. At least not at the same level as their counterparts across the Northwest or on the Islands this month.
All good things, particularly seasonal light displays, must come to an end.
And this week, workers with CityWest have been bringing an end to the Court House Holiday Light Display with bucket trucks and ladders the tools of the trade.
CityWest crews were busy this week, disconnecting the power supply and attending to the annual Holiday lights display at the Court House
The lights making for a peaceful refuge for the Holiday period, one enjoyed by many residents who wandered the Court Houser area this winter.
CityWest became even more involved in the community lighting program this year, taking on sponsorship of the Annual Event and joining the Prince Rupert Regional Community Foundation with a donation towards the Prince Rupert Special Events light spectacular.
As it has been the last few years owing to COVID, the Lighting of the Court House was a low key affair, with public gathering measures putting the night of festivities on the back burner for another year.
The lights are off for another year as the annual Court House display goes dark until December
Hopefully, when the CityWest team pulls out the lights and power cords and flips a switch at the end of 2022, the Festival experience will return with the annual public celebration.
From west side to the east of Prince Rupert, City Hall has reported a rise in the sightings of rats across the city (photo from City of PR)
They scurry down back lanes, prowl the sewers and look for any opportunity to find a way into our homes and in January, the Rats of Prince Rupert have apparently been very active.
Such it seems is the volume of calls to City Hall, that the City's communication office has released some guidance for residents as to how they can take measures around their homes to keep the rodent incursions at bay.
The notes for the public don't identity any particular area of the city facing the largest incursions and the rodents do like to travel in search of food sources, as well as to keep residents up at night should they hear an unusual sound.
Who me? Where? (photo from National Geographic website)
Not mentioned in the civic update is that if an area is seeing increased calls on rodents, the City does take some acton itself beyond helpful home advice.
Dispatching crews from the Operations Department to gauge the level of the situation and offer some further guidance to residents as to what additional measures may be required.
You can always give City Hall a call with your reports and questions at 250-627-1781
As well, if there are bylaw concerns when it comes to neighbours in your neighbourhood where you may believe a rodent problem exists, contacting the Bylaw office would be a good start towards seeking solutions to your troubles.
As well, contacting local Pest Control businesses can help bring a bit of peace of mind on any concerns over rodents, making sure that there are no welcome mats in place for them to mis-interpret.
Council moved zoning for a property on 11th Avenue forward on Monday, addressing a clerical error from their first effort of two weeks ago
A clerical error in the original Zoning document from January 10th, brought a previously approved property development back to Prince Rupert City Council on Monday, with City Council members making use of a change to provincial legislation to help speed up the approval process in order to see some rental properties become available.
As the topic involved a property owned by Councillor Wade Niesh, the Councillor recused himself from the proceedings.
City Manager, Rob Buchan opened the discussion with a few notes on the topic, observing that the item was back up for consideration owing to an error in the description of the Bylaw draft which did not specify the proper zoning.
Mr. Buchan also noted of new legislation in place that allows for properties that fit into the Official Community Plan do not have to make use of a public hearing.
The new legislation features three areas of note for municipalities looking to improve the timelines from consideration to final approval.
The proposed changes will remove the default requirement for local governments to hold public hearings for zoning bylaw amendments that are consistent with the official community plan.
The amendments will also enable municipalities and regional districts to delegate decisions on minor development variance permits to local government staff, which will help decrease the amount of time it takes for approval.
Together, these proposed changes will provide the authority for local governments to improve their processes and help get homes built faster throughout the province.
In the case of the subject property, the opportunity to move forward without need of another public hearing was highlighted by City Council members, who are looking forward to seeing the structure take shape.
The path ahead for the housing proposal is that of a First and Second Reading of the new bylaw, with a letter then to be sent to area residents advising that a Public hearing would not be taking place.
Mayor Brain noted that the situation was that of a clerical error and the recommendation is appropriate, as council has found no major issues relayed during the previous review.
Councillor Adey made note of one concern that had been brought forward over parking at the proposed development, Mr. Buchan observed that there is the required number of parking stalls in place for the proposed development and that no variance will be required.
Councillor Mirau followed up on the opportunity to make use of the new provincial legislation that will save time in moving forward housing in the community.
"I just wanted to make the point following up on Mr. Buchan there, that this is our first opportunity to obviously take advantage of the province's recent legislative changes. And to my reading you know not only is it supposed accelerate proposals that are already consistent with the Official Community Plan, but their main motivation to me was to speed up development approvals for more housing supply. Which is obviously relevant in this particular case where we can save weeks and you know in other cities s months of processing time.
Mr. Mirau also noted how developments such as the one under consideration meets Council's goals for housing.
"The significant modernization to our Official Community Plan that multiple years of public engagement, its very clear that additional housing density is a shared goal in this community so that we can build more housing supply across the entire spectrum"
Councillor Cunningham noted how they were ready to pass a housing proposal that will actually happen, noting how some previous approvals have yet to see any housing developed.
"Well it's nice to see where we're passing something like this that we know it's going to happen. We've passed a lot of other things and they've cleared land or done things like this, but it hasn't alleviated any of the housing problem. Here were going to have three units probably within the next year or year and a half"
Councillor Randhawa was also in favour of moving forward with the process to create more housing.
Council then provided their First and Second Readings of the revised Bylaw
You can review the full discussion on the zoning issue from the City's Video Archive starting at the sixteen minute mark.
As readers around the North Coast dig in to a few good books to take part in Family Literacy Day, a new partnership between North Coast Literacy Now and the Prince Rupert Port Authority is bringing one more resource forward towards literacy in the region.
With a re-introduction today to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, the initiative a book gifting program that provides young children with new books monthly, free of charge.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was created by the renowned philanthropist and country music icon with the goal of inspiring a love of reading in the hearts of children everywhere.
“When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true. I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer.
The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.” -- Dolly Parton
Since its inception in 1995, the program has partnered with community-based non-profits like NCLN to deliver more than 150 million books to kids in six countries, at no cost to their families. In British Columbia, more than 5,800 children are registered to receive books each month from the Imagination Library through their own local literacy affiliates.
North Coast Literacy Now first launched the initiative in Prince Rupert in spring 2021 and with funding support from PRPA, the organization will continue to offer the program to the community into 2023.
North Coast Literacy Now’s Literacy Outreach Coordinator Kate Toye, noted how the program has been a good community benefit for the youngest readers in the city.
"Sharing stories with your child helps to develop social skills, enhances one's imagination and helps to form the foundation of one's learning abilities. Studies show the immense benefit for a child to have their own books, not to mention how wonderful it is to see the joy of reading grow in a child. We are delighted to work with the Prince Rupert Port Authority to grow the reach and impact of Dolly's Imagination Library in Prince Rupert so more families can benefit from the program."
The way the program works, every month, children registered in the program receive a brand new, age-appropriate book in the mail, addressed directly to each child.
Families with multiple children under five are welcome to sign up their kids individually. The service is free for all participants.
PRPA President and CEO Shaun Stevenson outined the Port's involvement and encouraged families across the region to join in.
“Every child, no matter their background, deserves the chance to discover and develop a love for reading. We are proud to support North Coast Literacy Now in this important endeavour and encourage more families to sign-up for the Imagination Library to receive books every month.”
To be eligible to explore the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, children must be no older than five and live in the city of Prince Rupert.
Just in time for the upcoming Utility Bill paying season in February, Prince Rupert City Hall is looking for some temporary help for the Financial Office, posting a Help Wanted opportunity to the City website.
The post is noted as a temporary, maternity replacement position which reports to the Financial Management team,
As the City outlines it: this key position is responsible for all property tax, utilities and accounts receivable and requires a sound understanding of their processes, procedures, internal controls, along with accounting principles. The position entails a large amount of customer service, responding to emails and phone calls from our residents regarding their property tax and utility accounts and bills, and making adjustments to accounts if necessary.
The Collector receives direction from their supervisor, who reviews performance regularly to ensure accuracy and conformance with established procedures. This position and department require a high level of confidentiality at all times.
Today is the final day of the community vaccination clinic that has been held at the Civic Centre this week
The four day run for Northern Health's Mass Vaccination clinic wraps up today at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre, with the doors opening this morning at 9 AM and the clinic continuing through until 4:30 PM.
The program which is similar to the mass vaccination clinics of last year, has had lower numbers this time around, that owing to the success of those efforts of last year, as well as the launch of the booster shot campaign lat in 2021.
The week long effort making for a quick turn around for those seeking a vaccination shot, with little to no wait and a seamless experience for those taking part.
Through the week Northern Health has been offering Drop In vaccinations for Dose 1, 2 or 3, along with vaccination shots for those eligible for the Booster shot program.
Those planning to attend the clinic should remember to bring their Personal Health Number with them.
Starting on February 3rd, the Northern Health Vaccination program returns to Ocean Centre Mall with sessions to take place on Thursdays and Fridays from 9 AM to 4 PM.
There is also an opportunity get get some COVID-19 vaccination shots through local pharmacies, you can learn more about that through the Get Vaccinated registration program.
