It was a light night of work for City Council for what should be their final public gathering for 2021, with few discussion points to raise over the course of the less than seventeen minute get together, that as the Mayor and Council put the final approval to a range of fees and charges for 2022.
As well, Council approved the list of Capital Spending for the year ahead, that following a presentation from earlier in the afternoon that details much of what the Capital spending projects were all about.
The scope of those projects listed as part of the Agenda for the Committee of the Whole session.
Some background on the work of Council for the night, can be reviewed from the Regular Agenda Package for the December 13th Session.
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, December 13, 2021
Mayor Lee Brain -- Present
Councillor Nick Adey -- Present
Councillor Barry Cunningham -- Present
Councillor Blair Mirau -- Present
Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven -- Absent
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present (participated by phone)
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa -- Present
Video Archive for Committee of the Whole for Monday, December 13, 2021
*************************************************************************
Committee of the Whole
( 0:00--:30 ) Regular City Council Session for Monday, December 13, 2021 -- Mayor Lee Brain called the session to order, adopting past minutes and the Agenda for the session.
With most Council members in attendance in Council chamber, Councillor Niesh joining by phone, Councillor Skelton Morven absent from the afternoon session, the list of proposed Capital spending was relayed to the Council membership and those following at home.
( :30 -- 48:00 ) The City's Financial Officer Corinne Bomben, provided the review of the 2022 Capital Projects and proposed spending listings, introducing each of the items from the document, with Department representatives available to answer any questions of the Council members.
(See our Full overview of that session here)
Council then voted to adjourn until the 7PM session where the Capital projects list would reach the approval process stage.
*************************************************************************
Video Archive for Regular Council Session Monday, December 13, 2021
( 0:00--:30 ) Special Regular City Council Session for Monday, December 13, 2021 -- Mayor Lee Brain called the session to order, adopting past minutes and the Agenda for the session. As well as the addition of one item for the night's agenda.
( :30 -- 1:00 ) Report from Chief Financial Officer -- October Variance Report -- Ms. Bomben noted that operating revenues and expenses were performing as expected, while observing that the Airport Ferry revenue was the low performer owing to the reduced travel through the airport owing to COVID. The utilities budgets are anticipated to be in deficit before to the end of the year for the reasons as were provided in the September report. Any capital projects not completed by years end will be rolled into 2022.
( 1:00 -- 7:30 ) Report from Chief Financial Officer -- Capital Spending Report and Requests --
Councillor Cunningham led off the members who were unanimous in their praise of the work of city staff in compiling the Report on Capital Spending and the participation of a few of the city staff members during the afternoon session.
He also noted of the format that was used in the afternoon, and noted if any residents have questions they can contact the council members to go over any items that they have questions on.
Councillor Mirau spoke to the investments being made towards the city's infrastructure and list of projects towards development themes.
Councillor Adey also praised the work of staff and the focus on strategic planning that they have taken on, as well as to continue to advocate for transportation planning and the wastewater plans in motion.
Councillor Randhawa echoed some of the same as themes as the previous members.
Councillor Niesh called attention to the plans for one million dollars towards paving that the capital spending will bring to the community.
The Mayor added his own thoughts of support for staff for their work.
They then moved the requests for Capital Spending forward
( 07:30--11:00 ) Report from Corporate Administrator --Request for a letter of Support for the Friendship House -- Ms. Miller provided the details of a grant funding quest for the Friendship House and what they were looking for in support by way of a letter from Council.
Council Approved the letter of support for the Friendship House towards their efforts to provide a twice a week shuttle service to Terrace from Prince Rupert, that through a program funded by the NDIT.
As part of their discussion to the topic, the Council members spoke with enthusiasm for the efforts of the Friendship House.
Councillor Mirau spoke in favour of the request and commended the Friendship House for their information for consideration and to take on the task of the bus program.
Councillor Randhawa also offered his support for the letter, noting of the transportation challenges in the community, noting how it's a need that is required at least five times a week.
Councillor Cunningham noted of his past comments on transportation and how this service would fill a void and how he thought it is a great service.
Councillor Adey reflected on his own travel challenges of the weekend and how the service is one that is needed, particularly when the driving is more difficult as it was this week.
Mayor Brain recounted the support the City has offered Friendship House since 2016 and how they don't want to duplicate any service, he also reminded council of the city's support for an initiative hosted by Transition House.
They then voted to approve the letter of Support.
Bylaws
( 11:30--11:30 ) Report from Corporate Administrator -- Recreation Fees and Charges -- Council provided fourth and final approval of the bylaws with no further discussion.
( 11:30 -- 11:45 ) Report from Chief Financial Officer -- Revitalization Tax Exemption Program -- The CFO's report from December 6th outlined the plans for tax exemptions for development of property for logistical purposes.
With no further discussion Council provided fourth and final reading for the Bylaw.
( 11:45-- 12:00 ) Report from Chief Financial Officer -- Cemetery Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw - Council provided fourth and final reading of the the bylaws with no further discussion.
( 12:00 -- 16:30) Questions, Comments, Reports or Inquiries from Council
Councillor Cunningham paid tribute to the city's work force and wished them happy holidays. Noting of both the city hall staff and those out in the field, from the city yard and working through the weather and COVID.
Councillor Randhawa also spoke in tribute of city staff and the work they have done this year.
Councillor Adey shared those sentiments as well and also noted of some volunteer organizations included in his tribute list was the work of Positive Prince Rupert and their help for the homeless program.
He also spoke to the work of those that take care of animals in the community, in particular the large number of Feral cats in the city. Making note of the work of PAWs United Rescue Society in the community.
The Councillor also provided some narrative to a large crashing sound heard during his presentation, though it appeared no one was injured from that incident.
The Mayor wrapped up the session with a Happy Holidays and a motion to adjourn.
And with that the December 13th session came to an end.
You can access our Council Session page 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 13, 2021
(not available yet)
Unless they call an unexpected Council Session, the Council members will enjoy a month away from civic duties and will not meet again in Public Session until January 10 of 2022.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
No comments:
Post a Comment