Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for Saturday-Monday, February 26-28, 2022
Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Saturday-Monday, February 25-28, 2022
The Mishaw Road location for the City of Prince Rupert's Sanitary Sewer Facity in the Industrial Park (photo from Google Maps)
Whether to refurbish or build new will be the focus for a new Request for Proposals from the City of Prince Rupert, with the city putting its focus this time around on the Industrial Park Sanitary Sewer facility.
The latest in the city's expanding calls for proposals was posted to the BC Bid website on February 23rd and outlines some background towards the existing facility and what it is that the City is looking for from interested proponents.
The City of Prince Rupert is seeking proposals from qualified proponents in response to this request for proposals for the provision of Services (as defined herein) to be carried out within the required schedule set out herein for the rehabilitation and design of the Industrial Park Sanitary Sewer Treatment Facility and Forcemain.
The Industrial Park Sanitary Sewer Treatment is owned and operated by the City of Prince Rupert and is located at 151 Mish-Aw Road. The treatment facility was constructed in 1990 and collects all the waste water in the industrial area. The treated waste water is then forced into the outfall located at the end of Mish-Aw Road into the Morse Basin.
The treatment facility is operated under MOE Permit 4299. The current treatment facility and components is starting to show its age and effectiveness. It is time to either refurbish the existing or build a new facility, along with the forcemain, to adhere with the current MOE and DFO requirements.
A map of the city's sewage infrastructure in the Industrial Park, part of the City of Prince Rupert's Bid Package (From BC Bid website)
The scope of the project is outlined as part of the Project Overview with eight key elements of note:
Three dates make for the benchmarks for the successful bidder, which would see a final report delivered to the city by the start of August.
Proposals must be received by the City by 2:00 PM on March 18th 2022
Expressions of interest are to be directed follows:
The SD52 Board hosted its second Budge consultation on Feb 16
The second element of SD52's 2022-23 Budget process was held earlier this month and the near forty minute session from February 16th, made for a forum from some of the School District's stakeholders.
Among those who participated with comments and had their comments included as part of their video overview of the evening was the International Union Operating Engineers, which highlighted of the challenges facing the District and how it's membership has been impacted by decisions of the Board in the past and noting of proposed cutbacks to personnel and how that will impact on education in the community.
Among the union's concerns were staffing issues related to Special needs supports, the needs for Indigenous students and the importance of the library positions at Charles Hays Secondary. The union also outlined the many other areas of concern to them related to budget planning for the year ahead.
The Indigenous Education Council provided for the next presentation on Budget themes. The provided for an overview towards the program currently in place, as well as some recommendations towards their priorities for the years ahead.
Towards those priorities for Indigenous learners, they outlined the need for continued support for the Sm'algyax language program, continued commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, as well as to continue forward with the current Coach Mentoring program and cross curricular activities.
They also noted the work towards District equity program to advance the goals of the success rate for Indigenous learners and students in the District.
One final presentation came from the Prince Rupert Principal's Association, which provided for their recommendations from the Board as part of their Budget overview.
Their overview highlighted some of the challenges and stresses being faced by both teachers and administrators and how reductions can have an impact on their work and ability to add to the education experience for students.
The scope of their presentation providing for cautions towards any plans towards staffing reductions, noting how those changes could have ramifications for both the School Board and community.
Towards their two key elements for the Board to consider, they called for a functional Human Resources department and to reinforce the need for Educators and Education Assistants in the classrooms and schools.
While representatives of PRDTU were on hand for the Budget session, there was no presentation from the teacher's union included in the video presentation that has been offered to the public by the Board.
The next public session on the Budget planning is set for March 17th
The February themes can be reviewed below:
More notes on the Board of Eduction's work on their budget for 2022-23 can be reviewed from our archive page.
With one presentation under their belts, that one for Port Edward in January, representatives from BC Transit will appear at tonight's Prince Rupert Council session, set to provide a look at the blue print ahead for Transit service for the community.
The presentation, which will take place as part of the Committee of the Whole portion of the night will offer up a glimpse at a number of themes.
Included on the list a look at how BC Transit views the future for transit and some of the initiatives that they will be introducing.
Where the service is at today will also be of some note, with a snapshot of the level of transit usage from 2020-21
The documentation that has been included as part of their presentation looks at the current population demographics for the city and how that impacts on the need for transit in the community.
A look at some past performance, BC Transit's COVID response program and how they have engaged with the public in recent years also makes for some of the night ahead.
BC Transit will also share some of the priorities that they have heard of from the public when it comes to Transit service.
Some civic message making from Friday seemingly was not received well by some residents
A City of Prince Rupert advisory from Friday on the proper use of garbage cans seems to have struck a nerve with some residents.
And such was the unpleasant nature of some of the commentary, that the topic required the closure of discussion by Veronika Stewart, the City's Communication Manager.
The information flow started out with a reminder from the city that residents should now only be using the city provided Garbage bins, as well as a reminder of the option to exchange for a larger bin at an additional cost.
As things evolved, the social commentary wasn't particularly social, with Ms. Stewart returning to the discussion at some point over the course of the discourse to bring some order to the commentary and in the end, bringing the engagement to an end.
You can review those comments that made it to the social media page prior to the closure of debate from this link.
The city's message of amounts due included a significant jump in the garbage element of the utility bills for this year, that owing to the city's introduction of the new recycling program.
All of which may have left some of the residents in town just a little bit on the snarky side.
The first steps towards a new RCMP detachment in the city could be approved this evening, with the City's Chief Financial Officer providing a report that will recommend the awarding of two contracts towards the early stages of the project development.
In her report to Council, the City's CFO Corinne Bomben will recommend that the city Award the Cost Consulting Contract to the BTY Group, while if approved by Council, the Commissioning Contract recommendation will go towards a bid from CES Engineering Ltd.
The two contracts were put out for bid at the end of January, and as Ms. Bomben's report notes six proposals were received for the Cost Consultant competition, three for the Commissioning competition, none of the nine were from local sources.
The BTY Group contract will be set at $48.030 plus GST, while the CES Engineering Ltd. bid comes in at $!28,097.50
Of note from the Bid process is this explanation as to how the city plans to address budget overages from the twin bids.
The fee proposed by BTY is $12,000 below the estimated budget for these services. The fee proposed by C.E.S. is $28,000 over the estimated budget for these services. The high ratings of C.E.S. amongst all evaluators prompted the recommendation from the evaluation team given the quality of the expected service. Overall, combining the two, the overage is $16,000 for these two service components of the project. Efforts will be made to absorb this overage through other project line items and contingency.
Live from your radio and larger than life on the windows of the studio, if all goes well tonight, we will soon be able to view a large scale portrait of Daybreak North host Carolina de Ryk.
The CBC will be seeking a sign variance at tonight's City Council Session in order to do some store front marketing along the street facing windows of their Third Avenue Studios.
A report from planning to Council tonight will provide an overview of the CBC's plans, which as is noted is designed to establish a strong CBC presence in the community, to connect and continue to build relationships with residents and visitors to the city, and ensure high visibility and ease of locating the office for all foot and road traffic.
The report also notes that the impact of this setback variance on the surrounding neighbourhood has no known negative impacts.
As well, the city notes that the public will have the opportunity to provide input during the public consultation period.
The proposed marketing plan for CBC Daybreak North's Carolina de Ryk in Prince Rupert is up for a review from City Council tonight (Both image above and at top of this post are from the City of PR Agenda)
The full report for Council can be explored below, the reason for the required interest of Council is that the proposal requires a variance to the civic sign bylaws.
Is it time for a farewell to Raise and Ship and Net and Pick? Council to be asked to approve a new civic logo and branding package at tonight's Council Session (image from City of Prince Rupert resources )
The City of Prince Rupert may have a new look very soon, with Council members to be asked for final adoption of a new Civic Logo and Brand package making for one item on this evening's Council Agenda.
The project which was launched in 2019 prior to COVID, has been working its way forward in the background it would seem, with little discussion along the way in the Council Chamber and tonight the final product is set to be presented, that through a report from the City's Communication Manager Veronika Stewart.
In her review for Council, the Communications Manager notes the the work restarted on the logo and branding project in 2021, with the city following up on a stakeholder group that contracted with Ts’msyen artist Russell Mather to assist with developing the new brand to ensure that Prince Rupert’s indigenous identity would be appropriately represented.
The intent of the new logo and accompanying guideline, colour palette and graphic components is to reflect both our indigenous and non- indigenous communities, bringing in the rainbow symbolism that Prince Rupert is so well known for.
While the City has not as of yet provided for a look at the new logo, Ms. Stewart does provide for a review of how the project approached the need for a new logo.
The previous logo in regular use by the City was its coat of arms, which does not reflect the modern community of Prince Rupert. With the existing use of the corporate crest, there was an absence of any aesthetic standards to guide our organization.
In addition, the crest was dated, had many competing elements, and due to its complexity did not translate well to the multitude of different sizes/uses that the City requires. The new brand guidelines provide a clear, cohesive and modern aesthetic guide that better represents our current community, and will serve as our community for decades to come.
Also of note from Ms. Stewart's report, is that the cost of the project has increased somewhat up from it's original projection of $75,000 to a new cost of $105,000 the project is to be paid through a dividend from the Prince Rupert Legacy Incorporation funding.
There appears to be a shift from the recent past towards how Council will now be hosting their public sessions, one which appears to herald a return to the Council Chambers, though with a few modifications.
Scheduled Regular Council Meetings have moved primarily to a remote format, with some limitations to public access in order to protect community health and safety.
Community members will be permitted into City Hall to view in the gallery, as capacity permits.
To request to attend a meeting, or to provide a written comment or question to a Committee of the Whole at a Council meeting, please contact Corporate Administrator Rosamaria Miller at rosamaria.miller@princerupert.ca or call (250) 627 0934.
As for the agenda for February 28th, the Council members are looking at an extensive agenda, with a wide range of topics up for review and potential discussion.
The Committee of the Whole component of the night features four presentations to Council on the evening.
The Regular Council session features a number of Reports from the planning department related to Development Variance Permits.
The council members will be hearing reports from a number of Departments included on the list of presenters for the evening, the Chief Financial officer, the Communications Manager and the Director of Approvals.
Progress towards three bylaws also makes for part of this evenings work.
Council members will also have opportunity to raise any items or notes of interest at the end of the Regular Council Session.
Towards that opportunity, they may wish to speak to some of the themes of the Mayor's recent Social Message commentary, where he tends to share his notes on civic issues.
Another area that could require an update is the status of the latest Water Advisory for the community and if the City anticipates removing their latest cautions in the near future.
Tonight is a Committee of the Whole Session, which features the noted presentations and offers opportunity for feedback from community members for the Council Members, you can review the full Agenda for the COW session here.
Council will also host a Special Council Session, one which certainly has a few items to be discussed behind the closed doors to tweak the interest of the public.
The 5:00 PM meeting closed to public for the three elements of the Community Charter cited below:
Personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality
The acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality.
Litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality, and
The receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose
Negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interest of the municipality if they were held in public.
That meeting tonight marks the Third Closed Session hosted this year by Council
The outline of Council's work ahead for the evening can be reviewed below:
Adoption of Agenda and Past minutes -- The Mayor will review the agenda for the evening and Council will adopt the minutes of past meetings.
Reports and Resolutions
Report from Planning -- Council will hear a report related towards a Development Variance Permit for a property at 885 Borden Street (see page 10 of the Agenda package)
Report from Planning -- Council will hear a report related towards a Development Variance Permit for a property at 945 Hays Cove Avenue (see page 14 of the Agenda package)
Report from Planning -- Council will hear a report related towards a Development Variance Permit for the CBC offices on Third Avenue West (see page 18 of the Agenda package)
Report from Planning -- Council will hear a report related towards a Development Variance Permit for a property at 1429 Overlook Street (see page 22 of the Agenda package)
Report from Planning -- Council will hear a report related towards a Development Varian Permit for a property on 1039 Hays Cove Avenue (see page 38 of the Agenda package)
Report from Chief Financial Officer -- Cost and Commissioning consultants Award: RCMP Detachment project -- Ms. Corinne Bomben will outline the scope of the contract award towards the first stage of the RCMP detachment project (see page 47 of the Agenda package)
Report from Manager of Communications -- Consideration of a final brand package for the City of Prince Rupert -- Ms. Veronika Stewart will update City Council and seek approval of the new civic local design and Brand guidelines (see page 49 of the Agenda package)
Report from Director of Operations -- Master Service Agreements - Award Colliers Project Leaders -- Mr. Richard Pucci will outline the city's plans towards its work on upcoming projects through a Master Service Agreement to award a contract to Colliers Project Leaders for those projects. (see page 51 of the Agenda package)
Bylaws
Report from Approval Officer -- City of Prince Rupert Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw -- Council will be asked to provide fourth and final reading for the bylaw (see page 53 of the Agenda package)
City of Prince Rupert Delegation Amendment Bylaw -- Council will be asked to provide fourth and Final reading to the City of Prince Rupert Delegation Amendment Bylaw (see page 66 of the Agenda package)
Business Regulations and Licensing Bylaw No. 3476, 2021 --- The City Manager will outline the scope of the Bylaw, some of which addresses their concerns related to renovictions in the community, Mr Buchan will ask for Third reading of the document. (see page 67 of the Agenda package)
The evening will come to an end with any Additional Items as well as Reports, Questions and Inquiries from Members of Council.
Council members can take advantage of the period to offer up any items or concerns that they have for consideration on the night.
