Council Timeline: Monday, December 7, 2020

A return to the COVID procedures of April meant that Monday's
Final City Council session of 2020 was once again conducted by phone 
with only  the Mayor and Senior staff in attendance at City Hall

Prince Rupert Council members gathered for one last final public session for 2020, though the gathering was that of a remote contribution once again, with all members of Council participating over the phone, while the Mayor and some senior staff members worked out of the City Hall Chambers.

As well, as part of the revised protocols during COVID, the public was once again not allowed to be in attendance at the Monday session.

The majority of the session focused on the council's work on changes to the Zoning bylaws and the Official Community Plan, with the discussion taking up over an hour of the one hour and twenty minute meeting.

Some background on the work of Council on the evening and the various Regular Agenda elements for the December 7th Council session can be explored here. 

(Be aware the city has seemingly adopted a new delivery system for their delivery of Council Agendas, one which requires a bit of study and somewhat of an easter egg hunt to access all of the elements that may be of interest)  

Council also hosted a Closed Session earlier in the evening, the sixteenth such closed door session of the year, the details as to why they required the doors to be closed for the 4PM meeting 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, December 7, 2020

Mayor Lee Brain -- Present ( in Council Chamber)
Councillor Nick Adey --  Present  (by phone)
Councillor Barry Cunningham --  Present (by phone)
Councillor Blair Mirau -- Present (by phone)
Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven --  Present (by phone)
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present (by phone)
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa --   Present  (by phone)


Video Archive for Monday, December 7, 2020

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Regular Council Session

( 0:00 -- 1:30  )   Regular City Council Session for Monday, November 23, 2020  -- Mayor Brain called the Regular Council Session to order, with Council adopting minutes of previous meetings and the agenda and revisions for the night.

( 1:30 -- 2:00  ) Report from the Chief Financial Officer related to the October Financial Variance report  -- Ms. Bomben outlined the background towards the October Financial variance report observing that revenues and expenses in the operating fund were in line with previous reports with no additional significant variances other than those explained previously. She observed that capital projects are continuing where possible and some have been postponed until 2021, adding that all are within budget.  Council members had no follow up questions for her.

( 2:00 -- 2:30  ) -- Report from Corporate Administrator -- Resolution from Closed Meeting -- Council announced the appointments of Michael Cote and Craig Outhet to serve as the city's appointments to the Tourism Prince Rupert Board of Directors. The Mayor offered his congratulations to the new Board appointees.

Bylaws

( 2:30 -- 3:00 ) Bylaws related to Increases to Fees for Civic Utilities  --  Council members had no further comments to note related to the proposed increases and provided for their fourth and final reading of the Bylaws to put in place the schedule of fees for the Water Utility, Sanitary and Storm Sewer Utility and Solid Waste Management.

(  3:00 -- 4:00  )   Report from the Chief Financial Officer related to increases to Cemetery Fees and Charges Bylaw -- With no additional thoughts for this session related to the bylaws, Council provided fourth and final reading towards the Schedule of Fees for 2021.

( 4:00 -- 45:00   ) -- Report from Corporate Administrator  -- Ms. Rosa Miller outlined for council the nature of the Zoning Bylaw related  to the use of parcels of land and the regulations that they allow for in specified areas. 

Ms. Miller introduced the topic by noting how the existing Zoning bylaw was last updated in 2009 along with the existing Official Community Plan, with Council having indicated direction towards renewal to both in 2020.

Towards helping guide the council members through the discussion, the city's contract planner Rob Buchan was available by phone to contribute to the evening.

Councillor Cunningham led off the discussion seeking clarification on the use of containers in the community, a topic that led off a wide ranging overview from the council membership.

Mr. Buchan observed that they had decided to limit their use to the M2, M3 and M6 zones a solution that took into consideration concerns over locating the containers too close to residential areas.

Councillor Mirau sought some guidance on how to go about introducing amendments to the Bylaw overview, with Mr. Buchan noting that recommendations could be made as part of second reading, adding that the Council has still to take the Zoning Bylaws and OCP work to the public in public hearing setting.

Among his concerns, Mr. Mirau was interested in themes of short term rentals, secondary suites and other housing issues including concerns over absentee landlords in the community, with the councillor seeking out some clarification on the measures being considered through the new zoning bylaws.

Mr. Mirau also raised questions related to the themes of non-conforming uses of land in the city and what the changes to the proposed bylaw may bring, particularly in the area of secondary suites in the community.

Towards those issues, Mr. Buchan observed how the proposed bylaw changes would address redundancy issues related to city bylaws and enabling legislation.

The councillor also spoke to themes of high density housing, recalling council's past work in previous years as well as to the plans for development of the the vision 2030 document and areas for development in the midtown, uptown and downtown.

In follow up conversation towards a few of Mr. Mirau's themes, Mayor Brain suggested keeping the RM5 designation for any potential higher density housing options in specific areas of the city, while agreeing with the prospect of an amendment on his secondary suite concerns.

Councillor Niesh also chimed in with a few observations on the topic, though observing that taking out some of the secondary suite options could result in ever larger housing issues in the community.

The topic of shipping containers was also one of Mr. Niesh's concerns, who noted that they had previously discussed the topic back when the city had Zeno Krekic on staff as the city planner.

He outlined his desire to ensure that businesses with existing containers find a way to make things work with those residential areas adjacent to those properties, offering up his views on how some of the engagement on the issue should move forward.

Councillor Cunningham also spoke to the issues of container usage within the city limits, noting how many businesses have not taken proper care of their property that hold containers, while others have made for a proper use of them and take pride in their property display. 

Mayor Brain offered up the prospect of adding some additional guidance and amendments towards the issue of containers in the M1 zoned areas of the city.

Councillor Adey explored themes between home occupations and home businesses seeking some clarification as to how they would fit into the new zoning proposals. 

He also outlined his desire to see the public have some input on the zoning bylaw plans and the Official Community plan, seeking out some guidance as to how the City plans to ensure that the public engagement process will continue to move forward.

The Mayor observed how there had been plans for a Public Hearing at the meeting underway, but under the current situation that was not possible. Adding that the City doesn't want to rush into making the process complete until after the public has an ability to participate. 

He outlined how the Council will have to re-evaluate the situation in the New Year, with any changes made at the Monday session to be included as part of the Public Hearing, whenever it may take place and under what conditions the Public Health Officer will allow for such gatherings.

Council then added their two amendments and provided for First and Second readings to the Bylaw, though any final decisions won't be made until the public has had opportunity to view the proposals and offer comment and guidance to the council members.

( 45:00 -- 1:12:00  ) -- Report from Corporate Administrator  -- Official Community Plan Bylaw -- Council members engaged in a fairly extensive discussion on some proposed changes to the document, with contract planner Rob Buchan continuing to participate by phone to assist with quesitons and offer observations.

Council members again had a number of themes to explore as they provided for their thoughts on the direction that the City's Official Community plan is moving towards.

Councillor Cunningham opened the discussion on the topic, noting of the volume of information that the OCP provides for and asking that the city ensure that it is available online for community residents to review the document. With the Councillor noting that it's something that Council needs to get out to the public to ensure that they become engaged in the process.

Rosa Miller the Corporate Administrator noted that there will be a link provided on the city website and that the OCP work is also available through the Rupert Talks platform.

Mayor Brain followed up with a few notes observing how the City had delivered a home mailer and had offered an opportunity for residents to come and speak to the topic with the Mayor and the contract city planner.

He outlined how the City still has plans for a public gathering at the civic centre towards the OCP once the current COVID restrictions are lifted

Mr. Brain also traced some of the advertising that the city has engaged in, as well as their Social Media outreach, expressing his hope that there won't be anybody in town who will miss the notice of the Official Community plan process.

He observed that through the "touch points" that the city has found from its process that the reaction has been overwhelming positive for their initiatives and how he looks forward to a robust discussion with the public when the opportunity is available in 2021.

Councillor Mirau observed how the Official Community Plan was one of the things that got him involved in politics in the first place and how he has found much of interest in their work on the document.

He noted how the OCP document has incorporated a number of elements of the 2030 vision plan and specifically how the downtown footprint is currently far too large and how the changes in mind with the downtown, midtown and Marina designations will be very important.

Speaking to the transformation that the OCP will bring, Mr. Mirau also explored some potential rewording of the langauge of the document noting how the City should strive to be as specific as possible.

Mr. Buchan noted how the observation was an important one, and outlined how the document is one which doesn't have a legal effect of making the city do something, but rather one that enables it to do something.

He suggested that Mr. Mirau outline where he believes the language should be strengthened for further review prior to introducing the OCP for public review.

Among some of the areas of note for the Councillor were items that he observed did not appear to be part of the document, those included the McBride Street welcome area, the Fairview Bypass road prospects and plans to have it made the highway designation and Airport Access.

Mr. Buchan outlined that the Fairview Bypass road is part of the land use map and includes the potential for further development along it.

He advised he would get back to council on the two other themes of the McBride entry node and Airport Access themes.

The Councillor also had thoughts on the temporary land use provisions and the need to ensure that site plans are added to any documentation on those themes. 

Mr. Mirau also expressed his enthusiasm for the city's commitment to the Paris Climate agreement targets calling them admirable, noting that words are not enough and that there is a need for action.

He called attention to the city's plans for commitments to improving the transit system and electrifying the transmission grid, which he says will reduce the environmental footprint.

Mr. Mirau also made note of some omissions from previous discussions, those of District energy, particularly as to the Civic Centre, Pool, Arena and Lester Centre area, which he notes would have a tremendous capital cost but would bring fantastic long term returns on investment to save on energy costs and reduce emissions. 

He also spoke to the landfill site and the need for composting and organic diversion options, something he acknowledged would require some navigation with the Regional District.

Mr. Buchan noted how adding those policy changes related to Climate change issues could be included as part of their review for the next Council meeting

Councillor Cunningham also spoke to climate themes, adding his own desire to see a European  incinerator put in place at the landfill site to reduce the impact on the footprint of the Ridley Island site and to generate energy for the area and how themes of alternative disposal methods should be added to the OCP.

Council then provided for First and Second readings to the Bylaw, though again, any final decisions won't be made further reports from the contract planner in January including the proposed amendments, as well as until the public has had opportunity to view the proposals and offer comment and guidance to the council members.

(  1:12:00 -- 1:20:00 ) Reports from Council 

Mayor Brain led off the final moments for the final session of the year, providing a recap of the work done on the night on the issue of changes to the Zoning bylaws and Official Community Plan, noting that the path ahead will take the community into January to move the process forward, as well as to see progress on some of the other recent initiatives of the last month.  

He again outlined the desire of Council to take the Zoning and OCP program to the public at a public gathering in the New Year once the COVID issues have become clearer.

On other notes he observed how the City would be placing a fundraising thermometer outside of City Hall this week to assist the Salvation Army in their fundraising efforts for a new soup kitchen facility on Grenville Court.  Mr. Brain noting how the target is 80,000 dollars, and how the the City had provided for 15,000 dollars through the Community Enhancement Grant process.

He  also outlined the impact of new provincial health orders from the province. 

As the Council members wind down 2020 he expressed holiday greetings for the public and his hopes for a more positive situation globally when it comes to COVID.

Towards civic initiatives, Mr. Brain stated his pride in the work of Council and how they have addressed the many issues and policy challenges that have presented themselves. 

He also outlined his plan towards providing for a community update through Social Media for residents to be delivered by New Years Eve.

Councillor Skelton-Morven offered his praise for city staff, public works and senior administration for their efforts this year, he also called attention to mental health resources that are available for community members who may struggle through the holidays.

Councillor Cunningham also offered his thanks for the work of the city's staff, administration and public works employees, noting of their dedication to the city and how they often go unrecognized.

Councillor Adey took a moment to call attention to the annual commemoration of the victims of the Ecole Polytechnique of over three decades ago, observing how the December 6h event this year was impacted by COVID and how some of the other important benchmarks of community such as Remembrance Day had also been impacted by the virus.

He also spoke to the concerns of young people who are facing challenges during these times and how he supported them and to let them know that help is available if required.

To conclude his comments Mr. Adey also shared his praise for the work of the city staff and workers.

With some final Holiday wishes from the Mayor, the 2020 schedule of public Council sessions comes to a close.

You can access our archive on the City Council Session 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 December 7, 2020 (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.

The 2021 Council schedule has not as of yet been posted, you can watch the City website for the notice for when the first meeting for 2021 will take place.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.