The debut meeting for the Prince Rupert City Council had a bit in common with many of the sessions of the years of the last collective, with the work on the night completed before the fifteen minute mark was reached.
With the Mayor noting that the official swearing in for the new council that had been elected on the 20th of October had taken place at 5PM that evening, the listings of the Agenda did not take up much time for the returning council members and those newly elected to work their way through on their debut night.
Among the work on the evening, a range of appointments to Boards and the adoption of the Council Schedule for 2019.
The Mayor also provided for a brief inaugural address, observing on the plans for the Council membership moving forward, each member of council then offered up a few short comments on their thoughts for the term ahead.
Some background on the work of Council on the evening and the various Agenda elements for the November 5th Council session can be reviewed 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 Monday, November 5, 2018
Mayor Lee Brain -- Present
Councillor Nick Adey -- Present
Councillor Barry Cunningham-- Present
Councillor Blair Mirau -- Present
Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven -- Present
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa-- Present
Video Archive for November 5, 2018
(0:00 -- 1:00 ) Regular City Council Session for November 5, 2018 -- Mayor Brain observed how the official swearing in of Council had taken place at 5 PM, with family, friends and members of the public in attendance.To start their first session together, he reviewed the list of minutes and agenda items to be noted by Council members.
( 1:00 -- 2:00 ) Report from the Corporate Administrator on the Appointment of Acting Mayors for 2018-19 -- Mr. Mandryk read out the schedule and names of which Council members would serve as Acting Mayor in the case of the Mayor's absence.
The schedule was adopted by Council.
( 2:00 -- 2:40 ) Report from the Corporate Administrator on the Council Session Schedule for 2019 -- Council members approved the schedule of Council sessions for 2019.
( 2:40 - 4: 00 ) Report from the Corporate Administrator regarding Appointment to Regional District -- Mr. Mandryk outlined the nature and requirements of the duties of those appointed as City of Prince Rupert representatives to the North Coast Regional District. Councillor Mirau nominated Mayor Lee Brain and Councillor Barry Cunningham as the two representatives for the City.
With the City allocated 7 votes on Regional District, it was recommended that Mayor Brain receive four of those votes, with Councillor Cunningham to hold three.
Alternate members for Regional District will be Councillors Niesh (primary) and Randhawa (secondary).
Council then voted to approve the nominations.
( 4:00 - 8:00 ) Report from Corporate Administrator regarding Appointments to the Northwest Regional Hospital District -- Councillor Mirau recommended that both the Mayor and Councillor Cunningham hold those posts as well, noting how the Regional District and Hospital District provide for synergies between the two boards. Mayor Brain noted that both groups generally meet on the same day.
For Alternates Councillors Adey and Randhawa were selected by the Council members.
( 8:00 - 13:00 ) Reports and Comments from Council members
Mayor Brain led off the comment period for the Council session observing how he was looking forward to working collaboratively as a team, as they continue to execute many of the items that have been outlined from the Hays 2.0 blue print presentation. He noted how those elements remain the top priority for the council particularly the infrastructure deficit that the city is tackling. He outlined how Phase One had been completed, with Phase Two now underway and the city looking to raise funds for Phase Three which is the submarine line and the water treatment plans.
He noted how the water treatment issue is Council's flagship rebuild Rupert project moving forward as they look to secure the water supply, He noted that there were a variety of other infrastructure issues that the council will be addressing, as well as to create new revenue and getting Watson Island looking towards new proponents for that industrial site.
He observed how the Council would be sticking to the plan, with a good trajectory in place and some momentum to move forward to bring the community into the 21st century as they look to tackle some the past issues and get on top of them. The Mayor added he was looking forward to tackling those challenges and continuing on with the good work that they have been doing.
From there Mr. Brain turned things over to the council membership for some comment.
Councillor Nick Adey, one of the two newly elected members led off the tour of the council chamber offering up that he wasn't going to say much as we was going to be learning lots during the next few weeks. He did add that he was grateful for the opportunity to do this and how he agrees that there are a lot of very positive things that are happening and how he was enthusiastic about being a part of that.
Councillor Randhawa also offered his thanks for the opportunity to serve the community and they had a good team assembled and how he was looking forward to continuing on with the momentum from the previous term.
Councillor Mirau congratulated and welcomed the two newly elected members to the Council and thanked both Charmaine Carlson and Sarah Dantzer for having sought office, noting how it takes a lot of courage to put their neck out like that. Observing how it had been democracy in action he added that he was looking forward seeing how the new team comes together and gels over the next four years.
Councillor Niesh also issued his thanks, and how he is looking forward to the next four years and how it will hopefully be as productive as the last four years.
Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven, the second of the new members thanked those that came out to vote and also paid tribute to the efforts of candidates Carlson and Dantzer. He offered up that he was humbled and honoured to be there and for those that voted for him and those who didn't, he still continues to serve and how he has open ears for anyone with concerns they wish to bring to him.
Councillor Cunningham echoed the sentiments of the rest of Council and welcomed the two newest members, as well as to thank both Ms. Dantzer and Ms. Carlson for their election efforts, noting how many talk but few follow through with an election run. He noted that there was still much work ahead and how he anticipated that it will be a lot of fun and that they will achieve good results. He outlined how he will raise any issue that he believes is worthwhile bringing to the room and how anyone can talk to him at any time.
On that theme, he offered up to issues on the night returning to items he brought up at the last council meeting, the first noting that he was still waiting for an answer from city staff as to whether Emerson Place was still considered a road.
As well, he returned to his previous theme of looking to bring free parking to the Rushbrook Floats area during the off season so as to reduce the congestion at the other end of the Rushbrook Trail at Seal Cove. Reminding the council of the benefits of that idea to help encourage use of the trail in the winter time.
The Mayor then brought the inaugural meeting of the new Council to close.
You can access the City Council Review for November 5, 2018 here, where a number of items regarding the council session, including links to local media coverage, can also 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.
Official Minutes of the Regular Council Session from November 5, 2018 (not available yet)
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.
Council members next meet on Monday, November 19, 2018.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review
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