Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for Thursday, January 31, 2019
Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Thursday, January 31, 2019
SPCA building on the city's east side
(Google Map phoito)
The Prince Rupert SPCA can move forward over the next three years with some assured funding from the City of Prince Rupert, that after City Council approved a renewal of the three year Service Agreement that the city has with the local branch of the provincial organization.
The terms of the new agreement were outlined at Monday's City Council session by Corinne Bomben, the City's Financial Officer who was filling in for the Corporate Administrator at the session.
Ms. Bomben noted that the SPCA has received funding from the city in the past for use in the operations of the Shelter at Frederick Street and Highway 16. With the contract set to expire, there was a need for council to renew the current arrangement of 25,000 dollars in funding, plus costs tied to the Consumer Price Index which would average at an additional $350 over the course of the next three years.
As part of the discussion on the SPCA funding, Councillor Barry Cunningham suggested that the city explore turning over the Animal control functions currently done by the city's Bylaw officer to the SPCA in order to allow for the Bylaw officer to pursue other job requirements.
In addition to the funding for the SPCA, City Council also approved to lease arrangements for recreation facilities in the community. With council to once again charge one dollar per year to the operators of the Curling Club and the Racquet Centre for use of the two facilities.
Racquet Centre
(Google Map Photo)
Prince Rupert Curling Club
(Google Map Photo)
The Racquet Centre lease is for a term of three years, while the Curling Club lease will be five years in duration.
The City also has made past annual financial contributions through the Community Enhancement Grant program to assist the Racquet Centre. There will also be advertising and legal fees associated to the the three items of the night.
In a follow up question, Councillor Adey inquired as to the nature of the city's leasing arrangements, asking if the city has other buildings that it leases to other organizations under different terns.
He was advised that there were other commercial enterprises that the city has arrangements with, though Ms. Bomben did not provide any further details as to what those arrangements were.
She did note that along the lines of the Racquet Centre/Curling Club model, the Lester Centre falls under the same leasing arrangement.
"There's not too many, commercial enterprises we do, however there is one in particular that we do for a dollar a year and that's the Lester Centre, the Prince Rupert Performing Arts Society they lease the Lester Centre from us for a dollar a year as well"
Ms. Bomben's review of the three financial items can be found from the City's Video Archive starting at the forty minute mark.
The Details for each arrangement can be explored further from the City's Agenda Package from Monday as follows:
Monday's City council session provided the green light for city staff to move forward on a number of grant funding opportunities with the Civic Centre, Lester Centre and Emergency Services program the focus for the night.
David Geronazzo, the City's Director of Recreation and Community Services outlined the wide ranging approach the city is taking through what it calls the "Recreation and Culture Energy Efficiency and Risk Management Upgrade Project."
A program which would include a number of renovations to both the Recreation Complex and Lester Centre, included on the to do list, replacement of the aging boiler and heating system components, conversion to a new and safer pool disinfection system and the installation of a new emergency ventilation system in the Civic Centre.
Those elements were identified by Mr. Geronazzo as in need of immediate attention in order to ensure for energy efficiency and safe use of the facilities.
The grant funding if received would see close to 483,000 dollars directed towards the projects, the city's cost towards the work was listed at 175,650 dollars, something which has already been accounted for in capital spending for 2019.
Councillor Randhawa was the only member to speak to the topic on Monday, inquiring as to the city's cost and if it would have any additional impact on the taxpayer.
The other funding opportunity that the City will pursue is to access a program hosted by UBCM to purchase emergency identifier vests and upgraded digital waterproof radios for the Emergency Operations Centre staff, as well as an engineering cost estimate for a generator for the Public Works Department.
The City is looking to access 25,000 dollars from the provincial program which funds municipal requests at 100 percent, meaning no cost for the City if they are successful in their application.
You can review the presentations from the City's Video feed from Monday night.
Mr. Geronazzo makes his pitch at the 36 minute mark, Ms. Stewart's update is available at 39 minutes
Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Mr. Joe Lewis appeared at Monday's Council Committee of the Whole Session to express his thoughts on the city's cannabis industry licensing process
How the City of Prince Rupert has approached its roll out of its policy on Cannabis made for some vigorous back and forth at Monday's City Council session, as a proponent of a production facility for the community outlined his frustrations with the city's current policies on the cannabis industry in the community,
During the course of Monday's Committee of the Whole session, Joe Lewis representing the Mr. Nice Guys Cannabis Corporation spoke to Councils approach to its Cannabis retail launch in the community and its sole focus on the retail side of the industry.
He observed as to the potential for cannabis production and the jobs that it would create for the region and how his business proposal could deliver revenue and employment to the community.
"Our corporation wishes to start a licensed production facility, the business model would employ a fair number of people with good paying jobs, and as you may have read in the media there's a huge shortage for cannabis in the public market. So the city, by not entertaining us or moving forward with this is costing anywhere from 50 to 100 thousand dollars in lost revenues in waiting"
He put the focus on the production jobs and spin off jobs that his proposed facility would generate for the community Towards that overview, he pointed towards the city's own Watson Island facility, or other areas of the city as a prime potential locations for a cannabis production facility.
He observed how the retail focus will only deliver a handful of jobs for the community, while the larger scale option of a local production facility would be of larger benefit towards employment and revenue streams.
Mr, Lewis also raised his concern with how he viewed the approach towards licensing that the city is taking and how they are considering out of town retail proposals at the expense of some of the local options
In response to his commentary, Councillor Niesh and Mayor Brain observed that at the moment Council was only considering the retail opportunities as part of the city's entry into the new Cannabis regulations as just the first step and how they were working towards the other elements.
"When we first looked at these rules for being in business in Prince Rupert it wasn't a matter of not wanting to have the operations of growing it, it's just a matter of doing it in steps, you know Federal rules, provincial rules they all come into place and it takes time, it's not an overnight thing, we are working towards other parts of this too" -- Councillor Wade Niesh on the city's approach towards the cannabis industry.
In a follow up to Mr. Lewis concerns towards his application, Mayor Brain noted that council was not looking to debate the issue with him at this time, and also observed as to how the city was currently following the guidelines of the province as part of their process towards their cannabis consideration.
Wrapping up the city's view on the process ahead the mayor called for patience as Council works towards exploring the other aspects of the cannabis industry.
The City's approach to retail licensing also attracted some attention from Mr. Joey Jacks, who inquired of council as to whether they would be interested in writing a letter to seek out a BC Government Cannabis store for the community, citing the well paid union jobs that such a retail operation would bring to the city.
You can review the full exchange between Mr. Lewis and Council members from the City's Video Archive page starting at the twenty eight minute mark.
The topic of Council compensation was raised at Monday's Committee of the Whole Session for Prince Rupert City Council, with a member of the public introducing the theme as part of the public comment period on the night.
Larry Golden made an inquiry of council as to the status of the Mayor's salary, which was expected to revert to the previous level of 2014 as of the end of last year, that after the conclusion of a financial top up process provided from the city's then planning for major projects initiative.
In May of 2015 it was announced that the 17,000 dollar top up had been approved for the then existing Mayoralty salary of $42,474
Towards the pay issue, the Mayor confirmed Monday night that the sunset clause had come into effect at the end of December and how any discussion on salary issues would now take place through a committee process that would work along the timeline of the current budget process for 2019.
In October the Mayor introduced his plans for a Blue Ribbon Select Committee to explore a range of pay issues which in addition to his salary, included the recent tax changes that will see Council members lose a one third exemption from Revenue Canada.
The November outline noted three key elements for any future review of the salary issues:
Make a recommendation regarding how to address the impacts of the removal of the 1/3rd federal tax exemption on Council remuneration Make a recommendation on appropriate remuneration for the Mayor and council members moving forward Make a recommendation on an appropriate daily Per Diem framework moving forward.
The most recent SOFI declarationas of June of last year for City Council members noted that the mayor's remuneration and taxable benefits was listed at 61,300 dollars with expenses of 17,892 for 2017.
With the elimination of the top up from planning for major projects that salary level will be reduced to the 2014 level until the review is complete.
The Mayor also receives compensation for his work on Regional District and the Northwest Regional Hospital Board.
Considering the importance of the topic and the need for transparency on the issue of compensation, Council may want to provide for a more thorough review of the plan ahead when it comes to the committee plans at a future public council session.
The Q and A salary can be found as part of the City Council Video Archive starting at the twenty three minute mark.
Tom Kertes from Community for Clean Water spoke at Council Monday night outlining his thoughts on the recent Boil Order Notice and future steps on water issues
Monday night provided for the first opportunity for the public to share some thoughts on the recent six week Boil Water Notice in the community, with the city's Committee of the Whole session the venue for public comment to the theme.
The Boil Order Notice, which was downgraded to a Water Quality Advisory on Friday has stirred up emotions at times in the six week period and led to the creation of a local group called Community for Clean Water to serve as an advocate for those impacted by the 40 plus days of the recent water issues.
Mr. Kertes who is one of the organizers of the community group Community for Clean Water delivered a presentation on Monday night that outlined his group's concerns related to the recent Boil Water Order that was in place for six weeks in the community. The main focus for their concerns was to speak for those that were at the most risk and who did not have the resources to access clean water during that period. He observed how the last month had been an introduction to local government and how he had left the last council presentation somewhat disappointed, noting that over the last two weeks members of Council had reached out to him to hear more of his concerns and that has reassured him as to how the community could work together. "At the last meeting I left feeling disappointed, but in the two weeks since then what I can say, is to Councillor Niesh thank you for your recommendation that we move away from Facebook and just start off with a direct letter to Councillors. And to those councillors who responded and have met with me face to face, Councillor Skelton Morven thank you for your thoughtful reflection I appreciate that and to Mayor Brain, thank you for your invitation to meet with you in person. Because I think that's what we need to think about is how can we work together as a community" As for the water issue, Mr. Kertes delivered three points from his organization on the water issue. Among the observations how access to water is a human right, as well as a look at the approach that the city is taking to seeking out grants towards improving the city's water issues. Noting that there is no magic wand to solve the issues, he then outlined how there is a need for what he called guard rails to help residents towards a preparedness plan for the city's infrastructure program. He outlined how he believes there is a need for a plan to be in place should the city face the same situation again, calling for more transparency and a better process for sharing of information for the public in those instances.
Mr. Kertes called attention to the Community for Clean Waters proposal (see here) for Council to consider, highlighting how information should be posted to the city website first and with as much information as possible. As for any review of how the city handled the recent Boil Water Notice, Mr. Kertes observed how it should be more than an internal review, calling for an outside expert on water quality to provide for the review to help rebuild the trust for the community on water issues.
Towards the results of the review, he suggested that there should be a reach out to those residents who were most impacted by the situation; as well as to consult with the community at large including business, health authority, institutional and the vulnerable residents themselves. Following the twelve minute presentation, the Mayor thanked Kertes for his presentation, with Councillor Nick Adey adding a few comments of his own towards the many points and what he described as good ideas that were included in Mr. Kertes review. Adding that the recent conversations with him had proven to be very productive. As for the nature of the review ahead, the councillor offered up belief in his faith in city staff to conduct the review into the last six weeks. "I do feel from my perspective that the city staff who will be responsible for reflecting on how things went will do that with great integrity and forthrightness and I have a great deal of faith that good things will come out of that process as well" Councillor Cunningham also echoed some of the same points as Councillor Adey, adding that he believes many of the concerns raised have already been recognized, he also added that he believes the integrity of staff is beyond reproach and how they will compile the after action report that Council will review.
"I think that lessons have been learned from this, and that the only way to learn a lesson is to make a mistake unfortunately"
Mr. Cunningham also outlined how he had met with some of the vulnerable groups in the city following his discussion with Mr. Kertes and noted that some community groups had reached out to them during the course of the six weeks. To wrap up his comments he also thanked Mr. Kertes for his presentation.
The topic of the recent water woes also came up later in the Committee of the Whole session, as Dave McKeever, the President of the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce spoke in praise of the city's handling of the six week situation.
"I would just like to commend Council and city staff for doing such a wonderful job on this water issue and working so closely with Northern Health in solving this and getting it going. It's very clear to me that you're my friends and my neighbours and that you are looking after us just as well as you're looking after yourselves and your own families."
You can review the full presentation to Council from the City's Video Archive staring at the one minute mark.
Further notes from Monday's Council session can be found from our Council Timeline feature here, while a wider overview of City Council discussion themes is available from our archive page here.
An opportunity for residents to speak to council proved to be the highlight portion of the January 28th Council session, a thirty five minute free for all that delivered a range of topics and talking points from the Committee of the Whole session.
And while the City's audio and video feed was suffering some extreme glitches on the night, what was available to review does offer a good glimpse into the items of interest among those who took the time to share their thoughts with their elected officials.
The Regular Agenda items which only required twelve minutes of Council's time, provided for reports on potential grant funding opportunities and a list of arrangements that the City has finalized with the SPCA, Curling Club and Racquet Centre.
Council also reviewed a letter from Kaien Trails seeking the support of Council for its own quest for grant funding towards development of a trail project along McClymont Park.
Some background on the work of Council on the evening and the various Agenda elements for the January 28th Council session can be reviewed here.
Council also met in a closed session earlier in the evening, hosting a 5 PM meeting, that in camera session carried on following the Regular council session, with the meeting returning to its closed door status.
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, January 28, 2018
Mayor Lee Brain -- Present
Councillor Nick Adey -- Present
Councillor Barry Cunningham-- Present
Councillor Blair Mirau -- Absent
Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven -- Present
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa-- Present
Video Archive for January 28, 2019
*************************************************************************** Committee of the Whole (0:00 -- 1:00 ) Adoption of Agenda -- The Mayor called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order. He then asked Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven to deliver the acknowledgement that the Council session wast taking place on the traditional territory of the Allied Nine Tribes of the Lax Kw'alaams and Metlakatla and Coast Tsimshian people, thanking the people for coming out to attend and to allow Council to hold the gathering. ( 1:00 -- 13:00 ) Presentation from Tom Kertes of Community for Clean Water -- Mr. Kertes who is one of the organizers of the community group Community for Clean Water delivered a presentation that outlined his group's concerns related to the recent Boil Water Order that was in place for six weeks in the community. The main focus for their concerns was to speak for those that were at the most risk and who did not have the resources to access clean water during that period. He observed ow the last month has been an introduction to local government and how he had left the last council presentation somewhat disappointed, noting that over the last two weeks members of Council had reached out to him to hear more of his concerns and that has reassured him as to how the community could work together. Towards the water issue he delivered three points from his organization on the water issue. Among the observations how access to water is a human right, as well as a look at the approach that the city is taking to seeking out grants towards improving the city's water issues. Noting that there is no magic wand to solve the issues, he then outlined how there is a need for what he called guard rails to help residents towards a preparedness plan for the city's infrastructure program. He outlined how he believes there is a need for a plan to be in place should the city face the same situation again, calling for more transparency and a better process for sharing of information for the public in those instances. He called attention to the Community for Clean Waters proposal (see here) for Council to consider, highlighting how information should be posted to the city website first and with as much information as possible. As for any review of how the city handled the recent Boil Water Notice, Mr. Kertes observed how it should be more than an internal review, calling for an outside expert on water quality to provide for the review to help rebuild the trust for the community on water issues.
Towards the results of the review, he suggested that there should be a reach out to those residents who were most impacted by the situation; as well as to consult with the community at large including business, health authority, institutional and the vulnerable residents themselves. The Mayor thanked him for his presentation, in follow up to his comments, Councillor Adey commented on the many points and good ideas that were included in Mr. Kertes review and found the recent conversations with him very productive. As for the nature of the review ahead, the council member offered up belief in his faith in city staff to conduct that review with great integrity and forthrightness and that he anticipates good things to come out of that process. Councillor Cunningham echoed some of the same points as Councillor Adey, adding that he believes many of the concerns raised have already been recognized, he also added that he believes the integrity of staff is beyond reproach and how they will compile the after action report that Council will review. He observed that lessons have been learned from the situation and that the only way you learn is sometimes to make mistakes.
Mr. Cunningham also outlined how he had met with some of the vulnerable groups in the city following his discussion with Mr. Kertes and noted that some community groups had reached out to them during the course of the six weeks. To wrap up his comments he too thanked Mr. Kertes for his presentation.
( 16:00 -- 34:00 Public comment period of Committee of Whole --
Ms. Shelly Starr spoke to her thoughts related to some policing notes, as well as her concern over traffic and speeding issues in the community. She also inquired about future steps towards the development of the McKay Street Park.
Mr. Joey Jacks inquired of council as to whether they would be interested in writing a letter to seek out a BC Government Cannabis store for the community, citing the well paid union jobs that such a retail operation would bring to the city.
Larry Golden offered up some thoughts on the state of recycling in the community, asking for more collection boxes and larger ones, to be set up around the city to help encourage recycling. He also suggested that the city conduct a survey on recycling issues.
He also made an inquiry as to the current pay status for the City Council, with a focus in particular on what the Mayor's salary level is at currently. The Mayor noted that the pay issue had reverted to its previous level as the Mayoralty top up through Major Projects had a sunset clause attached to it that expired at the end of December, Mr. Brain also observed that a committee to review salary issues would be delivering its findings during the budget process this year.
Mr. Cunningham addressed the recycling concerns, offering up some of his observations on the topic and outlining some of the steps that the City has taken and what it is still considering, including the consideration of perhaps starting home curb side collection for recycled goods.
Dave McKeever, representing the Chamber of Commerce paid tribute to the way that City Council had handled the recent Boil Water Notice and water concerns in the community.
Mr. Joe Lewis, who was representing the Mr. Nice Guys Cannabis Corporation spoke to Councils approach to its Cannabis retail launch in the community and its sole focus on the retail side of the industry. He observed as to the potential for cannabis production and the jobs that it would create for the region and how his business proposal could deliver revenue and employment to the community.
Councillor Niesh and Mayor Brain observed that at the moment Council was only considering the retail opportunities as part of the city's entry into the new Cannabis regulations as part of their steps and how they were working towards the other elements.
Mayor Brain noted that council was not looking to debate the issue with him at this time, and also observed as to how the city was currently following the guidelines of the province as part of their process towards their cannabis consideration, calling for patience as they work towards the other aspects of the industry.
With No other residents approaching to share comments, the Mayor then returned the Council to the Regular Council Session. ****************************************************************** Regular Council Session
( 35:00 -- 36:30 ) Regular City Council Session for November January 29, 2019 -- Adoption of Agenda, the Mayor called the Regular Council Session to order, with Council adopting the agenda and past minutes of previous minutes. Councillor Cunningham pointed out an error in the minutes of the last meeting.
( 36:30 -- 38:30 ) Report from the Recreation Director and Community Services on a number of capital projects proposed for the Recreation Department and Lester Centre -- The Recreation Director David Geronazzo, outlined the nature of the upgrade program and the grant application for funding of $482,705, which will include the city's portion of $175,560 as part of the city's 2019 budget. He noted that the capital projects have already been allocated and would not be an increase to the capital budget. The work to be done has been combined as part of the Recreation and Culture Energy Efficiency and Risk Management Upgrade Project.
Councillor Randhawa inquired if this would require a tax increase, Mr. Geronazzo noted that it would not be an increase in the capital budget, the Mayor added that he thought it was a good project and thanked him for his diligence on it.
Council then voted to approve the proposal.
( 38:30 -- 40:00 ) Report from the Communications Manger on capacity funding for Emergency Services -- Ms. Veronika Stewart outlined the background to a grant funding program that would allow the city to access the financial resources to purchase emergency service equipment and supplies. The city would apply for $25,000 in funding through a UBCM funding program, that would allow the city to purchase, radios and identification vests as well as to put some money towards an engineering cost estimate for a generator fo the public works department. With the funding program at 100 percent there would be no cost implications for the city.
( 40:00 -- 45:30 ) Reports from the City Financial Officer on behalf of the Corporate Administrator -- Ms. Corinne Bomben spoke on behalf of the Corporate Administrator who was not in attendance and delivered three reports to Council outlining the following:
SPCA Society -- A review of the details of the City's allocation towards the SPCA for a three year period, the nature of the Service agreement that would provide certainty for the Agency would require funding from the city of $25,000 per year over the three year term. It is a continuation of funding that the city already provides for.
Racquet Centre -- Ms. Bomben outlined how the city owns the building (located adjacent to the golf course) with the city leasing it to the club for one dollar a year for a three year term.
Curling Club -- Ms. Bomben provided the background to the arrangement with the Curling Club, which is also for one dollar a year and for a lease term of five years.
All three initiatives will require advertisement in the local paper at a cost of approximately 400 dollars, along with whatever legal fees are included as part of the arrangements expected to be at around 1,000 dollars.
Mayor Brain observed how the changes to the process is to provide for some certainty towards their planning, Ms. Bomben noted that the situation the Mayor referenced was in place for the SPCA only.
Councillor Cunningham inquired if the SPCA had at one time been contracted to handle dog catching duties, with no one sure of the answer towards that, he then suggested that the city may wish to seek out that option, in order to free up the city's bylaw officer for other duties.
Councillor Adey asked for clarification on the terms related to the Racquet Centre and Gold Club at a lease of one dollar per year and asked if there were any other buildings that the city offers a similar leasing arrangement for.
He was advised that the Lester Centre is also subject to the one dollar a year lease provisoin.
Council then voted to accept the three recommendations.
( 45:30-46:00 ) Correspondence for Action -- Council received a letter from Kaien Trails seeking the support of Prince Rupert City Council as it pursues funding opportunities for a trail development proposed for the McClymont Creek area.
Council approved the motion to provide a letter of support toward the Kaien Trails initiatives.
( 46:00 - 47:00 ) Reports and Comments from Council members
Councillor Skelton Morven offered up his thanks to those who took the time to attend the council session and speak to the issues raised in the Committee of the Whole. He noted that it was important that council take the time to listen and be able to learn and to collaborate with the community and observed as to the passion of the community during the testing times of the recent Boil Water Notice, he also thanked Tom Kertes for his presentation on behalf of Community for Clean Water.
The Mayor then brought the Regular Public Council session to close, advising that the Council membership would then return to their Closed Door session which had started at 5 PM, he did not expand on the nature of those discussions.
You can access the City Council Review for January 28, 2019 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 January 28, 2019 (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.
