Prince Rupert City Council's Monday session found a diverse range of items up for discussion from recreation to road infrastructure, rail safety to the horrific discovery of the graves of the Residential School in Kamloops.
The conversation on the Agenda items and others on the night taking them close to the two hour mark..
The evening began with a Committee of the Whole presentation from the North Coast Mountain Bike Association, with a pair of representatives providing a look at some of their plans for the community.
The city's financial officer delivered another report on the nature of the changes to the Home Ownership grant process, while a pair of variance requests were considered, one of which diverted into a much larger discussion on how the city may approach some infrastructure themes in the future.
Some background on the work of Council for the night can be reviewed from the Regular Agenda package for the May 31st session here.
The Agenda for the Committee of the Whole Session is available here.
Council members also met in a Closed Session prior to the evening's work, details as to why they were required to go behind closed doors can be explored here.
Further information from our overview and placement in the video archive can be found below, with the permanent record of the council minutes added as they are posted to the city website.
In attendance Monday, May 31, 2021
Mayor Lee Brain -- Present by Zoom
Councillor Nick Adey -- Present by Zoom
Councillor Barry Cunningham -- Present by Zoom
Councillor Blair Mirau -- Present by Zoom
Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven -- Absent
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present by Zoom
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa -- Present by Zoom
Video Archive for Monday, May 31, 2021
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Committee of the Whole
( 0:00 -1:30 ) Mayor Brain called the Committee of the Whole Session to order and outlined the process and Agenda for the evening, noting that Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven would not be in attendance on the night, with the Councillor representing the City at the Community gathering in remembrance of the Residential School victims on Monday evening.
Mr. Brain also outlined that the city had lowered the flag to half-mast at City Hall, it will remain at that position for 215 hours in honour and respect of the remains of the children that had been discovered.
( 1:30 -- 35:00 ) Craig Rimmer and Charles Tree from the North Coast Mountain Bike Association -- The two cycling enthusiasts provided a detailed report for Council on some of the plans that they have in mind to build enhancements to the local cycling scene, with the Association currently hosting 180 members and counting in the region.
The presentation provided some examples from a number of other communities across the province, with a Pump Track in Terrace one that has impressed them with the local group install something similar to it at a location somewhere in the City.
That project accounted for the bulk of their near forty minute presentation, the pair providing extensive background on the topic and for the most part answering most of the questions of the Council members before the presentation had reached the Q and A portion of the night.
Towards their project they outlined some of the fundraising efforts that they have taken on and the success of that work so far and how they are using that community support as part of their application for grants process.
With a budget set at roughly $200,000, they are currently sitting at 50 percent of reaching their fundraising goal.
They also provided a review of some of the bike trails they would like to develop around the community, partnering with Recreation Sites and Trails BC to expand the footprint of trails in the area, one of their first projects to develop a trail along the area of the cellular tower on the outskirts of the city.
As part of their review, they observed on how cycling is becoming a key element of tourism and would attract visitors to the community, they also reinforced their desire to be fully funded through grants, donations and volunteer work, which they noted would not provide any burden to the city.
They also outlined how they are currently engage with City Staff to identify a suitable location for the proposed Pump Track in the community.
The Council members had high praise for the professionalism of their presentation and the wide range of material that they covered from it.
Among the comments and observations from Council, Councillor Mirau had some follow up questions related to their footprint and partnership options with the Kaien Trails group, Councillor Cunningham observed of their fundraising work and the wide spectrum of the community that their projects could attract.
Councillor Randhawa expressed his enthusiasm towards their project, with Councillor Adey also impressed with the initiative, noting how it would offer some valuable options for youth. Councillor Niesh recounted his own days of bike riding and commended them for their work to try to get their projects moving forward.
For his part the Mayor noted of the commitment of City Staff towards looking for a location and observed that if a city site is selected, that fundraising with a range options require partnerships before awarding of funds.
Mr. Brain also noted of the upcoming request for a letter of support and how the City could also make note of the project with NDIT and how the City could work with the group to bring the recreation option to life.
With the presentation at an end the Mayor called for the adjournment of the Committee of the Whole and returned to the Regular Council Session.
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( 35:00 -- 36:00 ) Regular City Council Session for Monday, May 31, 2021 -- Mayor Brain called the session to order, adopting past minutes and the Agenda for the session underway.
( 36:00 -- 42:30 ) Report from the Chief Financial Officer -- The City's Financial Officer Corinne Bomben provided a update on the new process for the Home Ownership Grant -- In her remarks Ms. Bomben outlined the background to the changes in place for home owners to claim the Home Owner Grant and stressed the importance of accessing it well before the deadline for payment.
The City's CFO also made note of some of the other elements of the home mailing that was just delivered to homes and observed as to the range of payment options that are available to the public and highlighted the key dates to be aware of.
Mayor Brain also noted of the city's social media work on the topic.
( 42:30 -- 22:00 ) Report from Planning -- A verbal report providing a review of an application for a variance permit for a property on 7th Avenue East -- Chris Buchan from iPlan outlined the details of the proposed variance to build a detached two door garage on a back lane of a property on 7th Avenue East.
The discussion of the request shifted its focus after a concern from city staff was relayed by the iPlan group, with the Director of Operations having flagged the variance, with the Operations Department not approving of the use of the laneway which is not built to city standards and is not sanctioned for use.
The bulk of the discussion on the topic focused on the Operations Departments concerns.
Councillor Cunningham noted that the land had been in use for many years and while perhaps not up to standard is still being used, suggesting that the Council explore the topic of upgrading the lane with the applicant.
Councillor Niesh also noted of the long use for the land in question and called on the Operations Director to clarify some of his concerns over the use of the lane in question, and what extent of an upgrade to city standards is he suggesting.
In answer, Mr. Pucci noted of his concern that if they approve the access through a permit, there would be expectations on availability and potential maintenance of the roadway.
Mr Niesh also expressed his hesitancy to push on an additional cost on the residential owner, but did note of the potential to see if they would be willing to help with the remediation of the lane surface.
Councillor Adey asked for more background on the topic liability issues, with Mr. Pucci noting that if they were to allow for the use of the lane, the city would be required and maybe even obligated to conduct maintenance such as snow clearing, filling potholes and other work, something that they are not doing at the moment at the location in question, adding that if approved the city would be taking on a larger infrastructure burden with a very challenging budget.
Mr. Adey also noted of some of the other locations where similar conditions exist and how by not blocking it off the city has been allowing use to continue.
City Manager Robert Long took on that question, observing that if the city does allow a permit, they would be facing added liability, by acting on the access to the lane there would be a duty of care required of the city to pay attention to the condition of the roadway and if it isn't taken care of the the City would attract the liability.
He observed how there are many similar situations found from the 1907 City plan.
Councillor Cunningham returned to the topic, noting as to some of the other locations where the situation exists and suggested taking it to the neighbourhood to hear what they have to say observing how the city could be opening up a can of worms by suggesting that they could reduce access to many of those similar access points.
Mr. Long addressed a larger issue related to the theme, again reinforcing how the city would have to meet its own standards of any laneway where they may taken on similar improvement. He also explored the idea of Local Improvements, with residents getting together with the City to put the improvements in place on a 50/50 shared cost.
The City Manager also called attention to the past financial challenges faced by the city and how the city was reduced to selling off its grader, something that did not impress him when arrived on the job and had no equipment to attend to the many gravel lanes in the community.
He noted how in most municipalities it's very common for the City and the residents to share the cost on such kinds of community improvement work on infrastructure items such as lanes and access, stating that it is a conversation that Council should have with the community as the city comes back from very challenging times.
Council Mirau's themes for the discussion included his interest in the Local area improvement concept and how he didn't feel it fair to have one applicant pay for something that all of those on the lane would benefit from.
In response, Mr. Long expanded on the Local improvement proposal, explaining how it would be based on taxes for the residents over a specific period of time combined with the city share, which would all be subject to approval of a majority of the residents adjacent to the area of work in question.
That would then give the City authorization to borrow money if required to make the improvements to laneways and roads that can't be covered by a city budget.
Mayor Brain joined the debate, noting how this was a good time to start that discussion, noting of the upcoming approval of the paving budget and how it only covers certain items and how access points like lanes may require a local improvement bylaw which he observed would accelerate that kind of work.
With the city facing what the mayor described as a ninety million dollars in road work requirement, that work would not cover such elements as laneways. Mr.Brain noting that with a twenty year paving schedule much of these local area concerns still would not be addressed.
The Mayor suggesting that the variance request under consideration may be the opportunity to explore the local improvement option may move forward.
Councillor Randhawa asked if there were any examples of any residents taking on this kind of remediation work on their own.
The City Manager did not have an example to share on the night, again noting as to how the situation evolved as the economic downturn hit and how the city has never really recovered to the point of returning to the times of an extensive priority listing for attention, operating in what Mr. Long described as a panic stage since, with it overwhelming to try to develop any priority planning to the roads.
From that he again stressed his enthusiasm for the adoption of the Local improvement concept that could provide for the kind of work residents may want to see in their neighbourhood.
Rob Buchan from iPlan then observed how if the city is considering such an element as the Local improvement program, Council has a choice to make that will allow for a broader community interest.
Councillor Adey returned to his observations on the burden to the residents and that there is now a concept being explored not done before, that the city should develop some kind of cost certainty for the applicant and for further consultations with the residents in the area.
Councillor Niesh noted that for any new lane development he was fine with the local improvement concept, but for existing access in place and in use he fears that the residents in those areas should not face a huge cost burden to reach city standards for areas they have been using for decades already.
Mayor Brain returned to the liability concerns that the city may face and with a limited budget there are many challenges to consider by the city.
To bring the discussion to an end, the Mayor suggested a more in depth conversation with the applicants and then perhaps to follow up on the local area improvement conversation.
Councillor Cunningham noted of the irony of the city pushing for the community to clean up and enhance their properties and at the same time now the city is going to penalize them by telling them they can't use the lane, adding that records don't show who put the lane in there and how it could have been the city that put it in place in the first place.
The mayor countered that narrative dismissing the suggestion that the city is punishing anyone, speaking to the need to make it a proper lane that would need to be maintained and noting the impact that could have on the City.
To move the issue forward, Council tabled the item on the night with a promise to bring the topic back with a more reasonable solution, turning the issue back to staff to develop a strategy for such community improvements.
( 1:25:00 -- 1:26:30 ) Report from Planning -- A verbal report providing a review of an application for a variance permit for a property on 8th Avenue East -- Chris Buchan outlined the details of the proposed variance for a property on 11th Avenue East for a staircase replacement. That item had no discussion from council moving quickly forward to public notification.
Council then approved the application.
( 1:26:30 -- 1:33:00 ) Report from the Director of Operations -- Mr. Richard Pucci provided an update on the City's 2021 Capital paving award -- The Operations Manager outlined the details of the Request for proposals which only received one complaint bid, with Mr. Pucci then recommending the award of the contract to Adventure paving which delivered a bid of $863,682.44 plus GST.
He also provided some background on the city's annual Capital paving program, noting how it only covers trouble spots throughout the community, the annual paving not a blanket paving program but one of skipping from area to area.
Towards comment, Councillor Mirau noted how it's always an easy decision when a local company finds success when it comes to bidding on municipal projects.
Mayor Brain retuned to some themes from the City Manager earlier in the night and raised the topic of a larger plan for multi year paving as it was the case in the past, asking for the methodology used by the Operations Department.
In reply, Mr. Pucci noted they were only approaching the issue on a year to year basis, the city knowing that they can only scope out trouble areas for the next year, as well as how it all depends on where they find the major breaks and other issues. He also noted they seek to leverage funding for larger road rehabilitation and that the department always tries to spread out the paving each year as best they can between east and west sides of the city.
He also made note of some of the seasonal issues that can factor into their planning.
The Mayor then asked for some background on the capital roads program and how the city approaches those needs, noting that some of those roads aren't worth paving at the moment as they need much more extensive work.
The Operations Director made note of the financial challenges facing the city and how that impacts on any road remediation projects they may take on. He observed that it was best to save money for a wider road remediation project that would include many other elements such as water line replacement and sewer infrastructure.
Mr. Brain noted how that was the focus for the recently developed asset management planning that Council has taken on.
Mr. Pucci concurred with that theme, observing that they have a couple of areas of the city they are planning to address with extensive work over the course of several years, noting how it would not be a good idea to invest in a little bit of asphalt now, with the city to raise the capital to take on the major work in the future.
Councillor Cunningham raised the topic of last years paving and the need for some warranty work, something which the Operations Director noted would be addressed by the contract who is currently working in a neighbouring community and will come into Prince Rupert to address the concerns.
( 1:33:00 -- 1:39:00 ) Report from the Operations Manager --Mr.. Pucci explained the challenges of accessing required supplies for the Landfill expansion project -- The fluctuating price of supplies and the city's protocol for approval of purchases over one million dollars was the focus of the report, with the Operations Director outlining how the supply chain for required liners and piping material for the landfill expansion project is proving to be a source of concern for the department.
In his presentation Mr. Pucci pointed to the challenges of the pandemic, with price quotes for material only valid for a few days, something which the city's policy on purchasing is leaving the city behind when it comes to making purchases.
Noting of the 2 million dollar estimated cost which is part of the capital project, Mr. Pucci asked to be allowed to purchase the long lead items to get them en route to the city and installed in tie to open the landfill cell and he will follow up with a report on the cost of the items at a later date.
Councillor Mirau asked why the request was being considered since it is part of the capital project, in reply Mr. Pucci noted how the city's purchasing policy requires approval of council for any purchase over one million dollars and that as a result there is no way for the suppliers to hold their rates to await that approval, adding that the city has already lost a number of purchase opportunities owing to the policy.
Councillor Niesh added his support to the request, noting of his own observations in his day job in construction.
Councillor Adey asked what would be the process moving forward towards accessing the supplies and how the city would be watching for the best pricing.
The Operations Director noted that with pre approval he and the city's consultants should be able to access the best price for the supplies.
Mayor Brain wrapped up the discussion by noting how the Council trusts the department to be able to pull of the purchase and noted of their past efforts in the past.
( 1:39:00 -- 1:40:00 ) Report from the Corporate Administrator -- Request for a letter of Support for the North Coast Mountain Bike Association -- With the organization having made a presentation earlier in the evening, Council had little more to add to the request for a letter of support for the Pump Track proposal to be directed to the Northern Development Initiative Trust.
Following Ms. Rosa Miller's introduction of the letter request, Council voted to support the initiative.
( 1:40:00 -- 1:58:00 ) Questions, Comments, Reports or Inquiries from Council
Councillor Adey led off the commentary period with an update on the recent Virtual Town Hall meeting on Rail Safety hosted by Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach.
His update included an overview of the presentation by a Rail Safety advocate, Bruce Campbell an author on the Lac Megantic disaster in Quebec. The main thrust of his contribution to the forum that there is no such thing as no risk when it comes to the transport of goods by rail. He also observed as to some of the safety measures in place and how they are subject to change by the railway, noting how the author had outlined how the government needed to do more in the way of oversight of rail safety planning by the railways.
When it came to the local contributors to the town hall, Mr. Adey noted the following
An under reporting of dangerous goods incidents in the Prince Rupert region.
A sense of local government had a hard time being listened to on the issue as its a federal concern, with a recommendation of frequent dialogue with the MP
Concerns were expressed on issues of noise and vibration for those near rail infrastructure as well as speed.
To that topic, Mr. Adey noted that with the introduction of the propane facilities in Prince Rupert the reduced speed measures have been implemented in the region.
There was also a call by one participant for national standards related to noise, speed limits and concerns of toxins that are transported.
On that theme Councillor Adey observed that it would be the local First Responders in the community would be the first on the scene, with the corporate response personnel based in Terrace in the Northwest.
The need for additional dialogue among all stakeholders, was one of the key points that the Councillor took from the forum.
The news of the discovery of the mass grave of students of the Kamloops Residential school was also the focus for Council on the night.
As Mayor Brain noted earlier in the evening, Councillor Skelton-Morven was attending a vigil on the evening, the remainder of Council members then shared their thoughts on the Kamloops discoveries.
Councillor Niesh opened the discussion by calling on residents to learn the true history of what happened.
Councillor Randhawa also noted of the heart breaking news from Kamloops and asked that all levels of government work in partnership with First Nations to explore further the issue of unmarked graves.
Councillor Adey recounted his early days in education and his first posting to Kitkatla, and how he learned from that time more of the Residential Schools system and offered his sympathies and condolences for the deep pain that the circumstances have brought and how he hopes it will serve to provide a better understanding for the community of the situation.
Councillor Mirau provided a synopsis of some of the key action requests from the National Truth and Reconciliation report.
Councillor Cunningham also spoke to the issue, noting that there is a need for the Federal government needs to follow up on those recommendations and offered his observation that there is the lack of action by the Federal government which only provides lip service to the concerns.
He outlined that he believes that local governments need to stand up and tell the Federal Government that they want action and not just words.
Councillor Cunningham also shared some of the personal notes within his own family of the Residential Schools issue and how the community can't really grasp the topic until you sit down and talk to people about it and how the reports need to be taken seriously and recognized.
Mayor Brain noted of the difficult time and observed that the city would look to post information on the civic website and work to be part of the solution.
Councillor Niesh also observed on the night of the passing of former Golf pro Moe Hays who had passed away in Victoria in late May.
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 May 31, 2021
(not available yet)
The next City Council session will take place on Monday, June 14, 2021
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