The one hour session highlighted by some forward movement on two proposed seniors housing projects, with both the Hill Top Lodge and Metlakatala Elders/Seniors proposals getting a review from Council members.
The Hill Top Lodge project, which would see the old Neptune Inn repurposed into a single occupancy Seniors facility was the subject of a Public Hearing as well as part of the evening's work.
A date for a Public Hearing for the Metlakatla proposal was also set by Council as they reviewed a height variance request for that housing option.
Council also received an update from Representatives of Pembina Energy who were in attendance to provide a snapshot of their plans for the Liquid Propane Terminal proposed for Watson Island.
Council reviewed a number of reports from city staff, receiving the Financial Officer's Statement of Financial Information report, which outlined such areas as civic compensation, supplier payments and other aspects of the city's budget process.
The City's Communications Manager delivered the outline of the Annual Report and Council also reviewed a report from the Fire Chief related to the proposal for a ban on Sky Lanterns.
Councillors Kinney and Cunningham provided some comments and observations at the end of the meeting to bring the session to a close.
For some background on the items of note on the evening, the Agenda for the Regular Council session and Public Hearing can be reviewed here.
Prior to the 7 PM meeting, Council also had a Closed Session Scheduled for earlier in the day, the notice to close it to the public can be examined here.
Further information from our overview and placement in the video archive can be found below, with the permanent record of the minutes added as they are posted to the city website.
In attendance June 12, 2017
Mayor Lee Brain-- Present
Councillor Barry Cunningham-- Present
Councillor Blair Mirau -- Absent
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present
Councillor Nelson Kinney -- Present
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa-- Present
Councillor Joy Thorkelson -- Absent
Video Archive for June 12, 2017
(0:00 -- 13:00) Public Hearing -- The City hosted a public hearing related to the proposed repurposing of the old Neptune Motor Hotel to be turned into Seniors housing, known as the Hill Top Residences. City Planner Zeno Krekic provided a short overview of the project, offering some background as to what developers from Macro Properties have in mind for the development. Council also heard from Imran Jivraj, a representative from Macro Properties, he provided a short overview of the company and its holdings in Prince Rupert and how they see their proposed development fitting into the city's requirements. Brian Musgrave the owner of Rainbow Chrysler, a neighbouring property to the proposed development offered up his full support and some comments related to the developer's plans. With no other participants coming forward for the Public Hearing, Council adjourned to the agenda for the Regular Council session, where they would address the zoning issues related to it.
(13::00 -- 15:00) Regular Council Session -- The Mayor reviewed the list of minutes and agenda items to be noted by Council members, with Council then approving the Agenda while the past minutes of previous council meetings were adopted.
(15:00 -- 34:30 ) Presentation to Council -- Representatives from Pembina Energy - Three representatives from the Alberta based energy company Pembina provided Council members with a short overview of what is planned for their proposed Liquid Propane Export terminal which would be located at Watson Island. The group led by Stu Taylor, Senior Vice President for NGL at Pembina took council through a number of elements related to the history of the company, the status of the proposed Watson Island project to date and where the process will take the company towards the future.
The Pembina officials referred to the LPG terminal as that of serving a niche market, with the development is projected to host a 2 to 3 year timeline and come at a cost of over 225 million dollars. As for the logistics of the terminal once it is in operation, CN will bring 28 propane cars to the terminal per day, with the terminal shipping out its product by vessel once per week.
By using smaller vessels for shipments, Pembina is targeting markets that include the US and South American destinations though they noted that their plans could also include Asia.
A review of the nature of the transportation process, including safety parameters for rail cars and shipment vessels was also outlined for council, the Pembina team also outlined how they plan to engage with local and First Nations governments in the region. As well, they provided an introduction as to how they plan to engage with local contractors and local procurement for the proposed terminal project.
Councillor Kinney opened the follow up conversation related to the proposed development by commenting favourably on their safety process. Councillor Randhawa inquired as to the possibility of training programs for local workers that may wish to work at the terminal.
Councillor Cunningham asked for some clarification on the timeline for the project and inquired if there would be a hiring fair in Prince Rupert.
The timeline for the project would see the company complete the engineering study shortly, then conduct a geo technical and navigation study for the dock and surrounding waters. They would then go to the Board at Pembina to seek final approval for the project and seek permits for the project with the permitting process perhaps taking up to one year from now.
Councillor Niesh offered his support for the proposed development.
The Mayor echoed Councillor Niesh's comments and thanked them for their presentation.
(34:30 -- 38:30 ) Report from City Planner for a variance permit related to a proposed Seniors complex to be developed at 700 Green Street -- Zeno Krekic provided council with a review of the height variance requirements related to the Seniors residence complex being proposed for 700 Green Street by the Metlakatla Development Corporation.
Councillor Cunningham offered up no opposition to the design option presented and suggested that it would have no impact on the neighbourhood and would enhance the area, offering his full support for the project.
Councillor Niesh also offered his support to the variance request.
Council received the report and moved the process towards public notification.
(38:30 -- 38:45 ) Report from the City's Financial Officer releasing the Statement of Financial Information -- Council received the report from the CFO which offered up such information as Council renumeration, civic payroll over 75,000 dollars and the payments to vendors and suppliers.
Council members offered no comments related to the report before voting to accept the report.
(See our Council preview for a number of related items)
(38:45 -- 44:30 ) Report from the City's Communication Manager presenting the 2016 Annual Report -- Ms. Veronika Stewart took Council members through the year of achievement, providing a video presentation that highlighted some of the aspects of the 2016 Annual Report.
Among some of the highlights of the report include letters from the Mayor and City Manager, as well as some key notes from the year that the city wants to make the public aware of.
Ms. Stewart noted that the Report is available on line for public review and that the public can offer comments related to the document at the June 26th City Council Session.
The Mayor thanked Ms. Stewart for her hard work on the report and noted that the reports look much better than those of previous years.
Council then voted to approve the motion to see the grant.
( 44:30-46:00) Correspondences for Action
Council reviewed a request to hold the Civic Recognition Awards Ceremony on Canada Day at Mariner's Park, with Mayor Brain noting that Council had already addressed that concern last year, when the ceremony was shifted to the Mariner's Park venue for Canada celebrations.
Council voted to table the motion.
Bylaws
(46:30 -- 48:30 ) Report from the Fire Chief seeking a prohibition on Sky Lanterns -- Council reviewed the report provided and offered commentary related to it. Councillor Cunningham noted that he had received some comments of concern related to the outright ban on the sky lanterns and instead suggested that it be restricted to certain areas of the city and approached on a permit basis, with a set number of lanterns that could be allowed. Councillor Kinney took the opposite approach to the discussion, observing that if the Fire Chief says that it is unsafe, the city should take the Fire Chiefs advice. Councillor Niesh concurred with Councillor Kinney's observations and offered his support towards the ban.
Council provided first second and third reading to the motion, with Councillor Cunningham in opposition.
(48:30 -- 53:00 ) Report from the City Planner related to the conversion of the Neptune Hotel into the Hill Top Lodge for Seniors -- Council reviewed the report provided and offered commentary related to it. Councillor Randhawa inquired as to the concerns that had been expressed related to public transit to the area, Mr. Krekic observed that the applicant had not be successful in moving the transit option closer to the facility, but was still looking at ways to provide for access to the site for those that don't have their own vehicles. Councillor Niesh offered his full support for the project, noting that it was definitely needed in the town and how it was a good repurposing of the existing building. Councillor Cunningham also approved of the project, calling it a plus for the community.
Council voted to adopt the Community Plan Bylaw and zoning bylaw, with the Mayor noting that he was looking forward to seeing it get off the ground.
(53:00 -- 1:02:00 ) Report from the City Planner related to the proposed Seniors Residence on Green Street -- Council provided a second reading to the Official Community Plan and zoning amendment, scheduling a Public Hearing for the proposed development for the June 26th Council session. The Mayor also inquired if the city was working on a covenant provision for the property in question, Mr. Krekic offered up some background related to the project and the nature of the covenants in place.
The Mayor suggested that Council should remain consistent on its approach to Seniors housing by holding to the Age of 55 and inquired as to whether the Council requires an amendment to reflect that intention.
Council passed its second reading and set the Public Hearing for June 26th.
( 1:022:00 -1:05:00 ) Reports, Questions and Inquires from Council
Councillor Kinney offered his thanks to those that volunteered and participated with Seafest.
Councillor Cunningham inquired if the City could make use of the City Dock at Atlin Terminal to allow for Fishermen to come to the Dock on Saturday and Sunday's to sell their product. He offered up the comparison to a similar option in place at Steveston in Richmond BC. The City Manager offered up that there were no concerns from the city's point of view.
Councillor Cunningham also offered up his congratulations to Marci Leblanc, for her recent success in a Northwest business competition, he also echoed Councillor Kinney's thanks to those who participated in the Seafest weekend preparations and events. He singled out the usual core group of local volunteers that step up year in and year out, as well as to publicly thank a church group from Georgia which have made the Seafest weekend an event that they have volunteered to help with for the last five years.
And with those final thoughts, the evening's session came to a close.
You can access the City Council Review for June 12 here, where a number of items regarding the council session, including links to local media coverage, if any, can be found.
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.
In addition to the city's official minutes, the City's Video archive provides a helpful record of the events from each public council session.
Official Minutes of the Regular Council Session from June 12, 2017 (not available yet)
The next regularly scheduled Council session, takes place on Monday, June 26, 2017 .
Cross posted from the North Coast Review
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