The City's 2022 paving program is set to start within the month
Prince Rupert based Adventure Paving has been awarded the 2022 City of Prince Rupert paving contract, the City's Director of Operations Richard Pucci making the announcement in response to a question from Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa at Monday evening's City Council session.
"I gave a memo to Council earlier this week. We've awarded the paving program to Adventure Paving and with that award they have said that they would start within a month"
The to do list was included as part of the Bid package which was issued earlier this spring, an RFP that Adventure Paving was successful towards.
"As mentioned above, increases in oil will have impacts on the City's paving program and will likely result in less linear paving, extremely poor condition areas are the focus given the current limitations" -- CFO Corinne Bomben speaking at the June 13th Council session on the impact of oil prices on the city's road plans for 2022
The City project will be just one of a number of major projects for the local paving company, with Adventure Paving also securing work on the Port's road connector from the DP World container port to Ridley Island.
Paving the roads wasn't the only theme for the city's streets on Monday, as Councillor Barry Cunningham making note of the current bit of good weather asked Mr. Pucci about a return date for the line marking crew that was in town recently.
The Operations Director offered up a hopeful timeline for the work ahead.
"As we've talked about in the past, there's really only one localized contractor that does this work and so they're doing a bunch of communities, so they come in do a little bit in every community, we're hoping to have them back within the next couple of weeks.
They are not here right now, they've went and done another community but they will be back"
You can review the road themes from the City's Video Archive starting at the one hour, fourteen minute mark.
A diagram from the 2021 City of Prince Rupert Annual Report that highlights the City's innovative Sewer treatment program
Operations Director Richard Pucci shared his enthusiasm for a pilot project for the Omenica area that will see that west side neighbourhood serve as test case for an ambitious waste treatment solution for the community.
Speaking at Monday nights Council session to support his proposal to seek out further funding of 1.31 million dollars for the program.
As part the presentation Mr. Pucci provided an update for the council members as to how the first element of what could be up to eleven similar sites created around town is moving forward.
"As you are aware, the wetland treatment is looking to do a pilot program for about 100 homes and if successful will drastically reduce the capital costs for us to have sewer treatment for this community.
So, we are requesting that Council endorse an application to the UBCM for the SPF grant"
Mayor Brain started off a short Q and A session on the proposal, the Mayor asking about the total cost of the Omenica project.
Mr. Pucci observed that the total cost has increased from the original total previous.
"The total project cost is just over six million dollars, we started out at four, but the two million dollars is really to build a road to get into where the location is"
Councillor Cunningham looked for some additional background on the history of the technology and its past use in other communities.
"It's new technology, it's new for Canada, but it's been used in Europe and elsewhere in the world for decades and decades. There are two compliant systems that we know of right now that are working that are fully permitted. Well, there's two on the East coast and there's a small on in OK falls that is operating and successful with permits and comes out with totally compliant test results"
Councillor Nick Adey took an optimistic view of what could be ahead, asking for how Mr, Pucci would move forward and manage it from the pilot project.
"I'm feeling optimistic today, on the assumption that it works and its successful, so then we have a successful system servicing a couple of streets area in the Omenica Avenue area.
How then, if that's six million dollars or so. How then is that going to translate when we decide it's successful so let's do it throughout the entire city.
Do we have a sense of you know how we are going to manage that moving forward"
Towards a reply the Operations Director outlined the planning work done previous and how he views the plan moving forward and compared the city's plans to that of the more traditional waterfront structure option.
"We completed a feasibility study first before we went for a pilot program. The feasibility study was conducted using FCM grant money as well. It showed that we could do eleven of these wetland treatment areas within our community, in our green spaces. There's a document that shows where all of them are.
The discussion at that time was between seventy and eighty million dollars to do all eleven and obviously when we talked about classic treatment, concrete style clarifiers and all that along the waterfront was about 200 million when you had to separate everything.
So this system you don't have to go and separate the storm from the sewer so it would actually take the piping the way they are in the ground with combined systems"
A question from Councillor Randhawa towards the initiative provided a snapshot from Mr. Pucci as to what the timeline for further projects may look like.
"The idea is to do this pilot program in our environment and then do one full year of testing to ensure that it meets all of the requirements under the current Wastewater regulations for the Federal government.
And once we've proven that and truced out that technology, then we can then look at getting more grants and moving forward.
The great thing about this is, is that if we implement this over a phased approach throughout the community over the next ten years, every time we phase one in we have areas that are treated.
Instead of a big 200 million dollar spend that could take ten years or twelve years to get there and then sort of a light switch where it comes on. It becomes an ongoing, it's you know 10 percent, then 20 percent then 50 percent of the community is treated.
So we're really proud of that and both the Federal and Provincial government are really happy with the progress and in fact asking us to help speak with them to other communities on the technology and the use of it"
Councillor Cunningham asked for additional details on what the sites would look like and what residents might notice about them.
"What we're being told and shown is that there is no odour and it basically looks like a tall grass field, there's a certain type of taller grass that goes in there ... it's one way, there's no contact between what's you know going into the ground versus what's on top of the ground.
There's fabrics and there's different media that's there to make sure that there isn't any contact and no smell. There has to be fencing around the outside of it, short fencing doesn't need to be anything spectacular, but it will just look like like these grassed plots, long grassed plots.
From what we understand and from what's going on on the East Coast thats similar weather patterns to us is that it just stays green all year round and even with the snow it sort of hibernates for a bit and comes right back.
So there isn't any issues with our weather, actually, it actually thrives in weather like ours"
The full presentation can be reviewed through the City's Video Archive starting at the nine minute thirty second mark.
Mr. Pucci's report and a look at some our past items related to the proposal can be reviewed here.
There's been little activity noticed on the McBride Street work site since mid last week
The City's newest infrastructure headache made for two segments for Monday Night's Council session, with City Councillors receiving and approving the request from the Chief Financial Officer for an amendment to the Five Year financial plan, that to address the one million dollar tab for the project.
Also included in the amendment was a 175,000 dollar upgrade for the Digby Island Ferry Ramp. That to be taken from Capital Reserves.
Towards the waterline issues on McBride, CFO Corinne Bomben delivered a report that noted how the loan requirement would be handled by the city.
"The second item proposed in the amendment is to make the needed repairs to the failed section of McBride Street caused by the watermain leak. Proposed funding for the anticipated cost of one million dollars is through water surplus in the amount of 150,000 and a short term borrowing over five years of 850,000 repayment of the debt is proposed through Prince Rupert Legacy Inc.
Ms. Bomben also noted that the notice of the amended Financial plan was posted to the City website and the bulletin board at City Hall. As part of that notification process, the public had been asked to submit comments, wth the CFO noting that by the end of the day (Monday) no comments had been received.
The topic provided for a question on infrastructure funding from Councillor Nick Adey who noted of the use of the reserve funds and Legacy mechanism in this instance.
"I would just note that, I appreciate the flexibility, or the responsiveness that we were able to generate through mechanisms like a reserve fund and through our own unique example of Legacy. I guess I would wonder what would happen if unforeseen events brought us to a point where both of those sources of responsiveness became taxed ... that's a bad choice of words ... became strained to the point where they were no longer going to be so easily drawn upon. Is there a sense that, that would incur a different process from us?"
Towards an answer, Ms. Bomben outlined that without those elements, water rate increases and a larger burden on the taxpayer would be the likely outcome.
"As far as the loan repayments, it would just be a part of, it would be built into water rates and 850,000 dollars is actually a sizeable increase for water rates. So that would be difficult. We don't have much surplus left in our water fund, mainly because we have so many water breaks and we use most of our capital funding for just emergency repairs.
The capital reserve funds that you are referring to, you'll recallthat in the Budget this year in the original Five Year Financial Plan we did allocate 400,000 dollars to capital reserves and that did actually result in, made up a component of the tax increase that was passed by Council.
Those are the mechanisms by which Council could generate, raise the funds for any of these particular misfortunes. We are fortunate that we've been able to turn Watson Island into a bit more of a revenue generating opportunity to be able to offset many of these capital costs, whether they're planned or unplanned as in this instance"
The second mention on the night came at the end of the Council session and an question from Councillor Randhawa as to the progress of the work on the site itself.
Richard Pucci, the Director of Operations fielded that enquiry, outlining the plan ahead.
"So, at this point right now, we're still assessing I would say. So we've got everything exposed I would suggest that it will probably be about three weeks before we would be back together. But the road will probably still remain closed with maybe some light traffic on it due to paving.
So the project likely with the piping will back in in three weeks maybe a month, but then it would likely remain closed until paving is complete, just because it is a Ministry Highway on a hill"
Both reports can be viewed through the City's Video Archive, Ms. Bomben's contribution starts at the 28 minute mark, while Mr. Pucci's observations some at the one hour thirteen minute mark.
The timeline for the McBride street work from Mr. Pucci however may need to be extended somewhat it would seem.
That as work appears to have come to a complete stop on the site since last week.
The cause of the stoppage one which a sharp eyed social media follower stumbled across recently, seems to be related to a recent WorkSafe BC Stop Work order, the discovery if the document since posted to the Prince Rupert Community Bulletin Board portal.
The snapshot now making for the start of an unofficial sounding board of sorts for the community on the state of the project.
A social media follower of the Prince Rupert Community Bulletin Board made an interesting discovery in recent days on the state of progress for the McBride Street project (photo from FB)
There was no mention or update on the status of that Stop Work Order delivered as part of the Monday council session.
The issue of shipping containers used in residential areas continues to confound City Council members
A two part process for consideration of an Omnibus Bylaw on Zoning Amendments saw a mix of public comment and council discussion chart the course ahead for most of the large volume of elements for the proposed document.
A process on the night that left one of the elements, that related to the registration of Shipping Containers for use by residents on the sideline pending a wider review and report from City Staff.
The 6 PM Public session only lasted fourteen minutes, the opening providing for a review from City planning staff to refresh Council's memories on some of the key elements.
The forum was then turned over to the public with one participant Mr. Terry Sawka speaking to concerns he has over some of the secondary suite provisions and notes on the veterinary clinic element.
On the clinic question he inquired if the additional opportunity for those facilities would see them migrate into residential areas.
Planning staff clarified the element surrounding the veterinary clinics, confirming that they would not be allowed in residential zones.
Mr. Sawka's concerns on housing spoke to the added prospect for increased density for current single family homes, suggesting that the city is trying to solve a problem by converting single dwelling homes into multi dwelling homes, something the took issue with.
He also highlighted how some rental properties that remain vacant for a range of reasons or are used in the way of short term residence.
His main focus was related to the theme of parking and how the expansion of residences would take up space in neighbourhoods creating more problems for those living in the area.
Planning staff also outlined the parameters related to the addition of secondary suites and parking requirements towards those developments.
The Corporate Administrator also delivered the comments from a local resident, Rick Casey towards the shipping container procedures.
His concern was that there is a need for registration of the Temporary Permits being issued and the containers arriving on site, suggesting a need for documentation for tracking of the timeline of use for the containers.
The full Public Hearing can be reviewed below:
The Topic returned as part of the Regular Council Session, with the Zoning Amendment Bylaw up for its Third reading.
The Discussion by the Councillors took up close to half of the night's one hour and seventeen minutes, with Council members speaking to the the two themes outlined in the Public Hearing.
Councillor Mirau took the lead on the topic of additional rental opportunities, speaking to the issues raised by Mr. Sawka.
"I did feel the need to respond to the one issue that was raised in the Public Hearing because it is something that we've heard quite a bit in almost every upcoming application where we're talking about increasing density. And it's people that are taking issue with converting single family density into multi family dwellings and so.
I mean I think there's two primary concerns, the idea of density was pretty well articulated that someone doesn't want to live in a single family home and have a duplex, or triplex or fourplex next door and then parking was the other one.
But there's a couple of reasons that I remain unconvinced to vote against these bylaw changes based on these issues.
The first is that the way its written we're not talking about an unlimitednumber of accessory dwelling units or an unlimited number of secondary suites per single family dwelling
We are talking about one per dwelling, it's not a carte blanche permission for someone to go out and build in any single family home, they need to be able to satisfy our parking requirements.
It's not an ability for everyone to do anything without permits they still have to go through the development permit and building permit process.
So to me I understand why someone would take issue with wanting to convert single family dwellings if we were just going to say everyone can go out and build a secondary suite and accessory dwelling unit but that's not this bylaw is written to do"
Towards what the city is trying to do, Mr. Mirau spoke enthusiastically about how Council is approaching the housing issues in the community.
"When we talk about creative ways to expand housing beyond the construction of single family homes, to avoid the high capital cost of construction, this really does fit the bill. And Prince Rupert is already recognized as being in the top ten in the province for having this is a creative housing solution.
It's a great mortgage helper for new home owners, flexibility for multi-generational families, for people who are care givers it's a more affordable rental option for you know singles and couples"
The shipping container concerns proved to be a bit more problematic for Council to solve on Monday.
Councillor Adey tried to offer up a solution, championing the concerns of Mr. Casey from his written contribution to the Public Hearing, to which the Councillor added a few thoughts.
"I think in our current version of the way the regulations work if you do some tours of some neighbourhoods you might draw the conclusion that if they're not permitted in residential areas somebody must have missed the memo, because you see them in many places and I think some of them have gone through the hoop of applying for a temporary use permit, whether that's been granted would be unique to each circumstance.
So I do think that there's something not working about what we have had in the past. I think the intention is that they not become a visible and permanent part of our residential areas. So I think we need to bear that in mind, that has to continue to be our intention "
Combining the concerns from the Public Hearing with his own contribution to the discussion, Mr. Adey constructed a solution for the temporary use for a short term basis for any special circumstances such as flooding or property damage.
The amendment for the shipping container element would see what the councillor called a common sense provision to clean up the language to the issue.
"I think that we can clean it up a little bit if we require that a container that is going to be used for sixty days in place is registered with the city and that there is some kind of a roadmap for what happens at the end of that time ...
That Shipping containers are permitted for up to sixty days for temporary storage in all zones ... that containers in residential zones be required to be registered with the city and the city will provide indication of that registration and that the owners be responsible for removing at the end of the sixty day period"
Councillor Niesh spoke in favour of that suggestion, offering up a few of his thoughts on how it could be implemented.
Councillor Cunningham also found much to like from Councillor Adey's observations.
The potential solution however raised some ares of concern for Councillor Mirau who outlined his thoughts on any potential impact on staff and why he was not in favour of voting for the motion on the night.
"If I was to ask the question is that to administratively burdensome or time consuming, or where are we going to get the staffing capacity. What is going to be the impact on City staff who ultimately have to administer this new program as we're talking about it. I would really like to get a better understanding on that front before I would vote in favour or against. So I'm not prepared to vote in favour tonight without that information"
From there, the bulk of the conversation among the councillors got bogged down on the elements of the process and procedures required to move it forward.
With City Manager Rob Buchan not on hand for the evening, it was up to the Deputy City Manager Corinne Bomben and the Corporate Administrator Rosa Miller to try to keep the Councillors on track for the delivery to third reading of the bulk of the Zoning amendment elements that they did agree on.
To move those elements forward, Council then chose to put aside the Container element, to refer it to staff and await a report with the details towards what the program would look like and then to reintroduce it at a later date.
Beyond the container issue, Councillor Cunningham outlined a few of the other areas of the larger document where he would like some additional information from staff as well.
To bring the conversation to a close, Corporate Administrator Rosa Miller provided some clarity the approach that Council was planning to take on the evening.
"To be very, very, very clear, you are looking to pass the existing amendment with the removal of the section 3.19 of the bylaw that references shipping containers'
The next Council meeting will provide for the fourth and one imagines hopefully the final approval of the document.
A review of the progress for Major infrastructure Projects, the quest for more grant funding for a test project wastewater treatment facility, along with an extensive discussion on the Zoning Bylaw Amendment proposals made for some of the key elements of the final session for June for Prince Rupert City Council.
Also of significance on the night was approval for the RCMP Detachment Loan process and approval of an amendment to the Five Year financial plan, that bit of civic attention required owing to the work taking place on the McBride Street waterlines and repairs for Airport Ferry infrastructure.
A range of reports on variance requests from Planning, a letter of support for the Port Edward Harbour Authority Fairview Dock users and a few other items rounded out the one hour and seventeen minute meeting the last of the twice a month sessions until October.
Some background on the work of Council for the night can be review from the Regular Council Agenda.
Council also hosted a Closed Meeting, making for the fourteenth of the in camera sessions for 2022.
The details related to the reasons for the behind closed door gathering can be reviewed here.
Monday also brought a Committee of the Whole the Agenda that which mostly focused on the delivery of the 2021 Annual Report, the focus for that element of the night can be reviewed here.
Further information from our overview and placement in the video archives can be found below, with the permanent record of the council minutes added as they are posted to the city website.
In attendance Monday, June 27, 2022
Mayor Lee Brain -- Present Councillor Nick Adey -- Present Councillor Barry Cunningham -- Present Councillor Blair Mirau -- Present Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven -- Absent Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa -- Present
( 0:00 - 4:00 ) Committee of the Whole Session for Monday, June 27, 2022
Public Comments on Annual Report
Only one member of the public gallery came forward with comments, that was Larry Golden who spoke on the topic of the Annual Report and a need towards more engagement and information related to Greenhouse Gas reduction planning.
Report on the 2021 Annual Report -- Council received a video report from Veronika Stewart the City's Communications Director who outlined the key elements of this years Annual Report and the goals for 2022.
Public Comment Period on any other notes of interest
No members of the public came forward with an commentary or questions.
( 4:00 -- ) Regular Council Session for Monday, June 27, 2022
Mayor Brain called the session to order, adopting the past minutes and Agenda for the evening's session, with the addition of one item for the night, that related to an request from the Port Edward Harbour Authority and a letter of support request.
Reports and Resolutions
( 4:30 -- 9:30 ) Report from Director of Operations and Intergovernmental Relations -- Major Projects - Monthly Update -- Council received a report from the Director of Operations Richard Pucci providing an update on the status of Major projects that the city has underway. As part of his review, the Operations Director provided for a slide show of some of the projects underway.
Among the notes of interest the status for the Woodworth Dam project which is near completion, with the city awaiting the rebound of the reservoir, while demolition of the old dam infrastructure takes place, he observed that they hop to have the transfer over to the Woodworth water supply in the next month or so.
Also noted among the other items on the list, was the work on the RCMP detachment project, work on the waterfront project, as well as other water infrastructure themes.
The only question for Mr. Pucci came from Councillor Barry Cunningham who asked for some additional details on the Scada communication line project. (see page 8 of the Agenda package)
(9:30 -- 16:00 ) Report from Director of Operations and Intergovernmental Relations -- Wastewater Treatment Grant Application - Strategic Priorities Fund -- Council received a report from Mr. Pucci related to the proposed Omineca Wastewater Treatment Facility, the Operations Director will be seeking approval to apply for grant funding for the project.
He provided some background on the grant program as well as the scope of the first project for the Omineca area of the city.
In Questions, the Mayor asked for the total cost of the project, in reply the Director of Operations noted it was six million dollars, up from the four million previously noted, an increase he attributed to the need to build a road to reach that location.
Councillor Cunningham had some questions about the technology and long it has been in use.
To that Mr, Pucci observed that it's not that new, new for Canada but used in Europe and elsewhere in the world for decades and decades, noting how there are three compliant systems in place that are fully permitted in Canada.
Councillor Adey offered up some thoughts for how the roll out for the future may go, asking how the City would translate the pilot project to the entire city.
The Operations Director noted of the feasibility study completed previous and how 11 wetland treatment areas could be developed within the city's green space areas at a cost then of 80 million, compared to 200 million dollars for the more traditional waterfront system.
Councillor Randhawa followed up as to how that may impact on water infrastructure, Mr. Pucci outlined how the current system of separation of the lines would continue, he also added that this phased approach would make for an ongoing level of treated waste ahead, noting how the Federal and Provincial governments were enthused about the plans.
Mr. Cunningham returned the immediate area of the Omenica neighbourhood and the impact there.
Mr. Pucci explained how the wastewater process would work, highlighting how it would look like long grassed plots, with a small fence surrounding the area of the installation.
Council them voted to approve the motion for city staff to seek out additional grant funding.
(see page 11 of the Agenda package)
(16:00 -- 18:00 )Report from Planning - Development Variance Permit for a property on 6th Avenue East -- Council received a report from the planning department related to the request for the variance. The variance was approved with only one question, that from Councillor Cunningham who noting that this work was near finished already, asked if the city does site visits for the permit requests.
He was advised by staff that site visits are part of the process.
The Mayor observed that in the past the city has had applicants tear down their work if not approved.
The process now moves forward to public notification. (see page 13 of the Agenda package)
( 18:00 -- 18:30 ) Report from Planning - Development Variance Permit for a property on 3rd Avenue West -- Council received a report from the planning department related to the request for the variance.
The variance request moved forward without any questions from Council. (see page 21 of the Agenda package)
(18:30 -- 19:30 ) Report from Planning - Development Variance Permit for a property on Tatlow Street -- Council received a report from the planning department related to the request for the variance.
The variance request moved forward without any questions from Council. It now moves to public notification. (see page 27 of the Agenda package)
( 19:30 -- 21:00 ) Report from Planning - Development Variance Permit for a property on 9th Avenue East -- Council received a report from the planning department related to the request for the variance.
The variance request moved forward without any questions from Council. It now moves to public notification(see page 33 of the Agenda package)
( 21:00 -- 22:30 ) Report from Planning - Development Variance Permit for a property on Hays Cove Circle -- Council received a report from the planning department related to the request for the variance. The variance request moved forward without any questions from Council.(see page 41 of the Agenda package)
( 22:30 -- 23:00 ) Resolution Ratification from the Committee of the Whole -- Annual Report
Council members moved to accept the Annual Report.
( 23:00 -- 24:00 ) Resolution from Closed Meeting -- Civic Awards-- Council will announce the names of those in the community to be awarded civic Recognition Awards.
This year the city will award Civic Merit Awards to Teresa Mackereth, Ella Ferland and Rob Gruber
The Mayor observed that the Awards will be presented to the honourees at the Canada Day celebration on Friday.
( 24:00 -- 27:30 ) Request for Letter of support from Port Edward Harbour Authority --
The City's corporate administrator outlined the nature of the request related to a call for feedback from the community by the Port Edward Harbour Authority. The call for comment part of the Harbour Authority interest in the proposed expansion of the Container Port and how it could impact on the fishing industry.
The Harbour Authority is currently in negotiations with the proponents of the expansion as advocates for the Fairview dock users.
Councillor Cunningham led off the conversation on the topic, calling for a strongly worded letter in support of the Harbour Authority efforts, the councillor noting of the importance of the dock for the fishing industry in the community, Adding that the port is acting as a bit of a bully, noting that their plans are for an administration building and a parking lot that could be put anywhere.
He also recounted some of the challenges facing the industry in the community and how the fleet is being decimated and pushed out.
Councillor Adey put the focus on the value of the fishing industry to Prince Rupert and that the city should do whatever it can to maintain it as a viable enterprise, or at least to mitigate against things that make it harder for them.
He observed how harbours on the west coast and around the world some of them are impressively busy places and that a letter should be to get to that place where it's working for everybody.
Council then voted to approve the writing of the letter for the Port Edward Harbour Authority.
Bylaws
( 27:30 -- 28:00 ) City of Prince Rupert Elections Voting Procedure and Automated Vote Counting system authorization Bylaw -- Council provided fourth and Final reading to the bylaw, Council voted to approve of the Bylaw (see page 47 of the Agenda package)
( 28:00 --31:30 ) City of Prince Rupert Five Year Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw -- Council received a report related to the amendment to the Financial Plan from the Chief Financial Officer Corinne Bomben.
The CFO outlined the two elements that require the amendment, that related to required repairs for the Airport Ferry Dock Ramp on Digby Island and the ongoing work required for waterline repairs on McBride Street. The total amount of the Amended financial themes for the two items is 1 million dollars for the McBride project and 175,000 dollars for the Dock Ramp.
The repayment of the debt to cone through dividends from Prince Rupert Legacy Inc. Ms Bomben observed no comments had been received by the city in the period just ended for community input.
Councillor Adey observed of his appreciation of the flexibility through mechanisms like the reserve fund and the unique example of the Legacy mechanism, he then wondered aloud if unforeseen events were to come where those two options were strained to the point where they could not be draw upon.
The CFO noted that the loan repayment amount would be built into water rates in that instance which would be difficult she also outlined how there was not much surplus in the water fund owing to the frequent nature of the water line issues in the community.
Most of the capital funding has been used for such emergency repairs, she also highlighted how the capital reserve fund in the recent Budget had 400,000 dollars allocated to capital reserves and that had made up part of the component for the recent tax increase approved by Council.
She spoke to how the City was fortunate to have been able to turn Watson Island into bit more of a revenue generating opportunity to be able to offset many of the capital costs whether planned or unplanned as is the case in this instance.
Council then provide First, Second and third reading to the amended bylaw. (see page 57 of the Agenda package for the specifics to the amendment )
( 31:30 -- 1:12:00 ) City of Prince Rupert Zoning Amendment Bylaw -- Council having hosted a Public Hearing on the topic earlier in the evening was then asked to provide Third Reading of the Zoning Amendment Bylaw --
The Discussion was extensive on the topic, that after concerns were raised both in the Public Hearing and by council members in the Regular Council session over the Shipping Container element of the Bylaw.
The full bylaw covers a range of municipal zoning themes including changes towards creating additional rental stock in the community, and with it added density in some neighbourhoods.
And while some council members had some hesitations over a few of those elements, that portion of the bylaw review moved forward on the night.
Councillor Mirau took the lead to answer some of the comments and concerns raised in the Public Hearing, observing as to how he understood some of the issues raised during the hearing, but remained unconvinced from those arguments that were made.
Stating that the new bylaw amendments more than fits the bill of the city's hopes for increased housing opportunity.
The discussion became somewhat mired in process over the shipping container themes and without City Manager Rob Buchan available on the night to offer guidance, the Council members seemed somewhat confused as to how to move the full bylaw towards forward momentum.
After a few false starts, a couple of steps back, the engagement of staff on hand for the night and more dialogue to the theme, the council members acted on a motion from Councillor Blair Mirau to put aside the revised elements of the Shipping container portion of the bylaw as had been suggested by Councillor Nick Adey.
To resolve the stalled nature of the process, Council then tabled that element pertaining to shipping containers in the Bylaw, for a future meeting.
Council will readdress the proposed solution following a report from staff on any additional impacts of adding the registration process required towards the sixty day timeline of the temporary permit process.
The Remainder of the Zoning Amendment Bylaw then went forward to its third reading.
The more extensive review of the thirty minutes of discussion towards the bylaw can be found from our accompanying item here. (see page 74 of the Agenda package for a look at the full provisions of the Amended bylaw)
( 1:12:00 -- 1:13:00 ) City of Prince Rupert Police Detachment Loan Authorization -- Council was asked to provide fourth and Final reading towards the Police Detachment Loan Authorization Bylaw. The City's corporate administrator Rosa Miller observed that the recent Alternate Approval Process used towards the Loan approval had generated zero comments to the negative towards the initiative.
The final approval process moved forward without any further comment from Council members. (see page 72 of the Agenda package)
Questions, Comments, Reports or Inquiries from Council
( 1:13:00 -- 1:17:00 ) Councillor Randhawa led off the comment period, asking of the Director of Operations for an update on the McBride Street waterline project.
In reply, Richard Pucci observed that the current status at this point was that where the city was still assessing the situation, with everything exposed. He suggested it would probably be about three weeks to a month before it was all back together and the road remaining closed with only light traffic until paving.
Councillor Randhawa followed up with a question about the annual road paving program, asking towards when that project would get underway.
The Operations Director observed that the contract had been awarded to Adventure Paving and that with the award they said that they would start within a month.
Councillor Cunningham raised the topic of line painting on the roads noting of the recent work that had been done, then asking for a timeline towards more work on the city's line marking program.
Mr. Pucci observed how there is only one localized contractor that does the work, he noted that they are not here right now and its anticipated that they will be returning to the community in the next few weeks.
Councillor Cunningham followed that inquiry up with a question as to the plans for the new Civic Yard at the old GM dealership on Portage Avenue.
The Operations Director outlined that drawings have just been completed and a Compliant RFP is soon to be issued towards the work required on the structure, though no timeline or cost is in place yet when it comes to that work. He added that they are hopeful to get that out to contractors shortly to get that project going and make it there new home.
Councillor Adey spoke to the issue of derelict vehicles, relaying the comments he had received from a resident about the volume of derelict vehicles seen in driveways in the community. He recounted the previous incentive program, which he believes has expired, that the city once had towards disposal of those vehicles.
To that theme, the City's Chief Financial Officer stated that they could add the suggestion to their work plan for next year.
With no other comments from the council membership the June 27th Council Session came to an end.
As always, our Council Timeline is only a reflection of our observations from the Council Session of the night. Be sure to consult with the official minutes from the City, when posted to their website for further review.
Official minutes of the Regular Council Session from June 27, 2022 (not available yet)
Council members now move into the more relaxed portion of the Council calendar with only one regular council session scheduled each month through to October.
The Next Session for Prince Rupert City Council is set for Monday, July 25, 2022.
"I'm looking forward to just being me again, talking to people not as Premier of British Columbia but just John, a guy who stopped by to make friends. So I'm looking forward to that" -- The final observations from Premier John Horgan at his announcement today of plans to step down from the post in the fall
The next British Columbia provincial election will be contested by at least two new leaders, that after John Horgan provided for a significant political headline today in British Columbia.
In a thirty minute media session this afternoon, Mr. Horgan announced his intention to step down as Premier by the fall.
Still high in Cross Canada Polling despite a few political stumbles in recent week, the Premier charted his personal course ahead to quieter times and a chance to just be John, a guy that wants to make friends as his farewell to top office in the province.
The announcement came after an NDP Caucus retreat, with the Premier observing on his recent health issues and that as he was asking those around the room what their plans were for the next two years, he needed to assess that decision making himself.
"At the halfway point in a mandate, which we are at coming up to this fall it's traditional for a leader to ask his colleagues what their plans are will they be running in the next election.
Many of you will know, in fact I'm pretty sure that it's not a secret that I have gone through my second bout with cancer and successfully went through thirty five radiation treatments and I am currently cancer free. My health is good, but my energy flags as the day goes by.
So before I could ask my colleagues what their plans were for the coming two years and beyond I had to ask myself that"
In his outline for reporters, he noted of a recent period of time on the west coast of his riding with his wife Ellie that determined his next path.
From that time watching the marine life off of Otter Point, came the decision that Mr. Horgan was not able to make a full commitment ahead.
"We came to the conclusion that I'm not able to make another six year commitment to this job and as a result I've asked Aaron Sumexheltza the President of the BC NDP to work with our governing body the provincial council and the executive to select a date in the fall for a leadership convention.
This has been the thrill of my life to be the Premier of British Columbia, and I'll be the Premier of British Columbia tomorrow, and the day after that and the day after that."
The Premier noted that he made his announcement today to put the endless speculation on his fate behind the government, that so they can get back to the issues facing British Columbians.
Towards those issues the Premier pointed towards the ongoing Health Care issues, with a vow to have the Federal government live up to its promises of the past, as well as the current concerns of British Columbians in other areas.
While he did not outline a timeline, Mr. Horgan will be staying on as the MLA for Langford-Juan-de-Fuca through the fall, perhaps as far as to the next election.
His full announcement and the Question session which followed can be review from the video below:
Selecting his replacement won't be an easy process for the party, as he prepares to step away from political life, Mr. Horgan has set a high bar for those of the ranks that will follow, having taken the party from the ranks of the Opposition to that of Government.
Since the time of a minority government with assistance of the Green Party, the Premier has led a government that put much focus on reconciliation themes and changes to relationships with the Indigenous peoples of the province.
His first term delivered good governance and strong economic conditions for the province , the party quick to answer many of the challenges, particularly those through COVID.
The second term, a majority government that came in the midst of the pandemic, floods, heat domes and wildfires returned he and his party to the government side; sidelined by illness and his cancer treatments, he was off the political radar for a period during some of those challenging times.
It was in that time that the government has however seen some of its most choppy waters since taking office, with some stumbles on large issues, decisions that have given the opposition parties some new energy marking some of the political narrative to date.
In the end, the Premier decided to set his own timeline for his political future and that of his personal one for himself, his wife and family.
"It was a difficult, difficult decision. I do love the work and I love my colleagues, it's very rare, I've been a student of history as many of you know, and it's rare for a political leader to have the opportunity to say I think it's time for someone else. Without it being a less comfortable moment, so the timing was right, my health circumstances dictated it ..."
Those with an interest in the top job and an instant promotion to Premier, will have the summer to contemplate their political future and what they have to offer the party and the province.
Some constituency travel is ahead for North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice
Residents of Haida Gwaii with some things to share with their MLA are being asked to contact the constituency office for MLA Jennifer Rice, that as the North Coast Member of the BC Legislature makes plans for an Early July visit to the Islands.
No firm timeline has been outlined yet by the MLA's office, though upon her arrival on the Islands there should be a few items of note for residents to take up with her, the largest one perhaps the ongoing challenges faced by BC Ferries of late.
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