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| Prince Rupert City Council continues to meet by Remote methods with Mayor Brain and some staff members at City Hall and Council members calling in from other locations |
Property development consumed a good portion of Monday's rather brief 28 minute Prince Rupert City Council session, with the city's contract planners from iPlan taking Council through a range of Development variance requests, as well as to provide a wider overview to the plans for development of housing on the existing BC housing footprint on Kootenay Avenue.
Council members also received a report from the Chief Financial Officer, who provided some background on a grant opportunity that could see the city install a 24 hour stand alone public washroom facility in the downtown area.
Council members also announced an appointment to the Library Board, as well as to approve a a number or requests for letters of support on a range of topics.
The final touches on a pair of Bylaws were put in place as the City gave fourth and final reading towards their new Development Approval Bylaw as well as their Development Procedures Bylaw.
Some background on the work of Council on the evening and the various Regular Agenda elements for the February 8th Council session can be reviewed here.
Council also hosted a Closed Session earlier in the evening, the third closed door session of the year, the details as to why they required the doors to be closed for the 5PM 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, February 8, 2021
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, February 8, 2021
Regular Council Session
( 0:00 -- 1:45 ) Regular City Council Session for Monday, February 8, 2021 -- Mayor Brain called the Regular Council Session to order, with Council adopting minutes of previous meetings and the agenda and revisions for the night, adding a number of late items to the Agenda.
( 1:45 -- 7:45 ) Report from the Chief Financial Officer -- Re: Grant opportunity for a public washroom facility -- Ms. Corinne Bomben provided an overview of a Grant Opportunity available through the the Prince Rupert Aboriginal Community Services Society, that could provide for a standalone 24 hour acess public washroom somewhere in the downtown area of the city.
As part of her review of the grant opportunity, Ms. Bomben noted that while the funding would cover the cost of the public washroom structure, the city would need to find suitable city owned land to host the site, it would also require annual funding for Operational purposes, estimating that cost at 30,000 dollar depending on requirements.
She noted that could require a potential property tax increase if alternative forms of revenue are not available, which could have a impact on Budget planning for 2021 and 2022.
Though that impact could be reduced if other forms of revenue could be found.
Towards discussion Councillor Randhawa revisited the annual cost for operating the facility, while Councillor Cunningham spoke in favour of the project calling it a long overdue service that would benefit more than the most vulnerable residents and would add to the service required.
He also observed that the Port has indicated that they would fund the first year of maintenance, while Community Futures may be interested in assisting the project as well.
Council then directed Staff to apply for the grant opportunity, with Council to hear more about the project should the grant application be approved.
( 7:45 -- 9:30 ) Report from Planning -- Re Variance for property on 7th Avenue East -- The City's contract Planner Chris Buchan, reviewed a report for Council towards a variance on the property, with Council subsequently approving the motion, moving the notification process forward
( 9:30 -- 11:00 ) Report from Planning -- Re Variance for property on 9th Avenue East -- The City's contract Planner Chris Buchan, reviewed a report for Council towards a variance on the property, with Council subsequently approving the motion, moving the notification process forward
( 11:00 -- 12:30 ) Report from Planning -- Re Variance for property on 11th Avenue East -- The City's contract Planner Chris Buchan, reviewed a report for Council towards a variance on the property, with Council subsequently approving the motion, moving the notification process forward.
( 12:30 -- 14:30 ) Report from Planning -- Re Variance for property on Sloan Avenue -- The City's contract Planner Chris Buchan, reviewed a report for Council towards a variance on the property, with Council subsequently approving the motion, moving the notification process forward.
( 14:30 -- 20:15 ) Report from Planning -- Re Kootenay Avenue BC Housing proposal -- With Councillor Randhawa excusing himself owing to a property conflict in the neighbourhood, the City's contract Planner Chris Buchan, reviewed a report for Council towards the planned work ahead for the Kootenay Avenue region.
Among the notes he provided, the development will remove five existing buildings and construction of four new ones, resulting in a net reduction of housing of 8 units in the area.
He also observed that a previous application for rezoning had been withdrawn, that following negative feedback from the area related to higher density plans, the new proposal is a result of that public feedback and fits into all general permit guidelines and zoning bylaws both current and draft.
For discussion, Councillor Skelton-Morven asked about the total number of units to be in place following the work, a theme followed up on by Councillor Mirau who asked about the net reduction compared to the original plan, Rob Buchan from iPlan observed that they did not follow up on that comparison as the proponent had removed the one apartment building from consideration, noting that it would be considerable reduction.
That provided Councillor Skelton-Morven an opportunity to speak to his disappointment that the larger volume of potential housing was not going to be included, calling it 'super-unfortunate' and observing of the pushback against the proposal from the primary home owners.
He further noted how it was very much similar to a 'Not in my backyard mentality' in every neighbourhood where there is a challenge and a difference of opinion when it comes to servicing the collective of our community who need this kind of housing the most.
Councillor Cunningham agreed with Councillor Skelton-Morven, recounting some previous situations that need to be addressed, and how there are people in the community that need this kind of housing, as for the project as proposed he observed how it was going to be very attractive and add to and enhance the neighbourhood in many ways.
Following the discussion Council moved forward with the motion.
( 20:15 --20:45 ) -- Report from Corporate Administrator -- Resolution from Closed Meeting -- Council announced the appointment of Chris Armstrong to the Prince Rupert Library Board.
( 20:45 -- 21:15) Report from the Corporate Administrator -- Re: Letter of support for Community Investment Fund application by Friendship House -- Council provided its approval towards the letter of support.
( 21:15 -- 22:15 ) Report from the Corporate Administrator -- Re: Letter to Transport Minister from Taylor Bachrach, related to the termination of Air Canada Service -- Council was asked to sign on to a correspondence from the MP to highlight concerns over the suspension of air service to the community. Councillor Randhawa spoke to the topic noting how the community needs the air service back as soon as possible, The Mayor thanked the MP for working with council and other airports on the issue. Council then approved the motion of support.
( 22:15--22:30 ) Late addition to the Agenda -- Letter of Support for Ecotrust Canada's plans for an urban farm project -- The Mayor noted that the organization was seeking funding from the Port of Prince Rupert's Community Investment Fund. Council members approved the motion.
( 22:30 -- 23:30 ) Late addition to the Agenda -- Letter of Support for the Prince Rupert Golf Club -- The Mayor noted that the Golf Club was seeking funding from the Port of Prince Rupert's Community Investment Fund. Council for capital improvements for the golf course. Members approved the motion. Council
Bylaws
( 23:30 --24:30 ) Report from Corporate Administrator -- Re: Development Approval Information Bylaw -- With no discussion to follow on the topic, Council provided fourth and final reading towards the bylaw
( 24:30 -- 25:15 ) Reports from Council Re: Development Procedures Bylaw -- With no discussion to follow on the topic, Council provided fourth and final reading towards the bylaw. The Mayor observed how he was looking forward to the new way of how the city goes about doing development procedures in the community. Noting how he believes it will be quicker, more engaging to the public and more upfront particularly when developments come onto the scene. He also thanked the city's planning team for their assistance in moving the new process forward. Council then approved their fourth and final reading.
( 25:15 --28:10 ) Questions, Comments, Reports or Inquiries from Council
Council Niesh led off the final moments of the Council session by offering his condolences to those who have lost family members as part of the Acropolis Manor COVID-19 outbreak, adding that the community should continue to work to hold COVID off.
Councillor Cunningham followed up on those themes, noting how residents can curb what is happening in town by following all of the province's COVID measures and how as a community we need to take notice of COVID and how it appears we have community spread at this point.
Councillor Skelton-Morven echoed those comments, offering his condolences and reminding the community that we are all in this together, reminding everyone that there are counsellors available to assist and support through this period.
With no other comments or inquiries, the Council session came 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 February 8, 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 next City Council session will take place on Monday, February 22nd.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
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