Council members made quick work of a number of Agenda items from the Monday night session at City Hall, participating in a gathering that only consumed 23 minutes on the evening.
Among some of the business attended to by the council members was final passage of the 2022 Financial Plan and Property tax bylaw, a decision to use the Alternative Approval Process for a required Loan Authorization for the RCMP detachment build, as well as providing for First and Second reading of a Zoning amendment for a property on Fraser Street that is proposed for a Small Scale Distillery and Tasting Room
Some background on the work of Council for the night can be review from the Regular Council Agenda
Council also hosted a Closed Meeting, marking the ninth of the in camera sessions for 2022.
The details related to the reasons for the behind closed door gathering can be reviewed here.
Details on the session 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 9, 2022
Mayor Lee Brain -- Present Councillor Nick Adey -- Present Councillor Barry Cunningham -- Present Councillor Blair Mirau -- Present Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven -- Present Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa -- Present
( 0:00 -1:15 ) Regular Council Session for Monday, April 25, 2022
Mayor Brain called the session to order, adopting the past minutes and Agenda for the evening's session.
Reports and Resolutions
( 1:15 -- 1:30 ) Report from Planning Re: Development Activity Report for April 2022 -- Council received a report from the Planning Department outlining the range of development activity for the month of April The report was for information purposes only, there were no questions asked of staff (see page 15 of the Agenda package)
( 1:30 - 3:00 ) Report from the Chief Financial Office -- Council received a report Chief Financial Officer/Deputy City Manager Corinne Bomben that recommended approval of a Service Provider Agreement between the City of Prince Rupert and Kaien Island Trails Enhancement and Recreation Society for the purpose of Liability Insurance Coverage through the Municipal Insurance Association. Ms. Bomben provided for a thumbnail sketch of the situation facing the Society and how with an agreement in place, she noted that the City can add the Society to its insurance as an associate member. She also observed that the Society will pay the increase in premium, with no impact to the taxpayer. Council approved the request, with no discussion. (see page 21 of the Agenda package)
( 3:00 --8:00 ) Report from the Chief Financial Officer -- Council received a report from CFO Bomben that recommended the use of the Alternative Approval Process towards the city's Police Detachment Loan Authorization. The CFO provided some background to the process of the financial themes of the Detachment build, outlining the details to the mechanism of the Alternate Approval Process.
As she explained it, voters would have until June 27th to participate in the AAP response form process, electors are asked to sign the form if they disagree with the borrowing of funds by Council for the detachment.
Ms, Bomben observed that loan would not increase property taxes in the future unless the entire loan was required, if that was required, the tax burden would be 2 percent to the ratepayer.
Towards discussion, Councillor Mirau spoke first, offering his praise for the detailed report which she had provided which noted of the required number of elected voters in the community that would be required to refuse the borrowing option.
He observed that he doubted that many residents would oppose the borrowing, realizing the situation the city was in.
Mr. Mirau also called attention to a recent report from the Province that recommended a transition from the RCMP to a Provincial police force, asking the CFO of any implication of such a change on the Detachment project.
Ms. Bomben observed that she didn't have an answer for that, but did note that at the moment the City is obligated to provide for a new RCMP detachment and that the city is now behind on that endeavour by ten to twelve years.
She did surmise that should such a transition to a provincial force take place that the province would look to all of the municipally owned buildings and probably would transfer them over either at market value or a negotiated amount.
The councillor then followed up with some comments he has heard from the public about how much the city will spend on the RCMP detachment and how they would rather see that money put to different users, though he did note how the city does have an obligation and the the RCMP does have the option now to build their own facility and send the bill to the city.
Councillor Cunningham concurred with that theme noting that the RCMP can do what it wishes related to a new building and with this proposal the City has some control, he also observed light heartedly that if a provincial force came into being, that maybe the city could make some money from their building.
Council approved the motion to take the loan agreement to the AAP process.
Should the vote reach that ten percent threshold it could trigger the need for a full referendum on the issue.(see page 25 of the Agenda package)
( 8:00 -- 10:30 ) Report from Chief Financial Officer -- Council received a report from CFO Bomben related to the delivery of the Audited Financial Statements for 2021. From her report she highlighted some of the differences between years and outlines that after acceptance the Auditors will offer an unqualified audit opinion to the statements after Council accepts them observing that an unqualified opinion is a Clean option.
She noted how the city's financial position is similar to 2020 thanks to the COVID safe restart funds and the efforts of staff to deliver services within budget, along with support from both federal and provincial levels of government.
Ms. Bomben also noted of the contributions from Prince Rupert Legacy Inc. and CityWest and how the city will continue to use those municipal enterprises to contribute to the city's infrastructure needs. Council then approved the Audited statements, with Mayor Brain offering his thanks for their efforts.(see page 34 of the Agenda package)
( 10:30 -- 11:00 ) Report from the Corporate Administrator -- Council received a report from Corporate Administrator Rosa Miller, who provided the details of a request for a Letter of Support for Northern BC Tourism, Council carried the motion with no discussion. (see page 76 of the Agenda package)
Bylaws
( 11:00 -- 11:10 ) Report from Director of Operations -- Road Closure Bylaw -- Council provided the Fourth and Final Reading of the Closure Bylaw and now will send the Bylaw to the Ministry of Transportation for approval. Council approved the motion with no discussion. (see page 77 of the Agenda package)
( 11:10 -- 18:00 ) Report from Planning -- Zoning Amendment Bylaw 3492 -- Council provided First and Second Readings to the City of Prince Rupert Zoning Amendment Bylaw to allow for a permitted use of that of a Distillery for property at 801 Fraser Street, with the process then to Proceed to Public Hearing.
As part of the overview, planner Myfannwy Pope outlined the background to the Zoning Amendment request, noting how the facility was previously used as a location for a U Brew which is of a similar use. She observed that the proposal falls into the Official Community Plan, as well as to note that there is no other small scale distillery in the city and how it would help with revitalization of the downtown core, as well as to point towards the Craft Brewery that has been successful in town.
Ms. Pope did make note that there would be little likelihood of any impacts on neighbouring uses, noting of the service and commercial nature of some; as well as the College, Dance Studio and Friendship house in the vicinity. She also recommended that the zoning amendment go to public notification to hearing concerns from the community.
Councillor Mirau asked a question related to the nature of the site specific zoning designation.
Councillor Adey observed that the Public hearing process may offer an opportunity for further discussion towards any future location issues from any would be proponents, who could offer their comments during that part of the process.
Councillor Skelton-Morven offered up some anecdotal notes from his past research on the topic, observing how the proposal under consideration is site specific.
Councillor Cunningham asked if residents on Borden Street above would be included in the notification process, he was advised that they would be. He followed up by noting of concerns over possible noise, observing how the Wheelhouse is in an area with little in the way of residences.
The amendment received first and second reading and now will proceed to public notification and a public hearing (see page 80 of the Agenda package)
( 18:00 -- 20:00 ) 2022 Five year Financial Plan -- Council provided Fourth and Final reading for the City of Prince Rupert 2022 Five year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 3494, Councillor Adey had one question related to Permissive Tax Exemptions, with his focus on the downtown revitalization tax exemption program which came into existence in 2020, asking how effective it has been and what revenue has been derived from it.
Ms. Bomben noted that what the Councillor was asking about was not included in the Permissive tax Exemptions its under different legislation, as to the Downtown program she observed that they only had one application to date and they won't know until last year as to what level of exemption it will qualify for.
Councillor Cunningham asked for an update as to how many other industrial properties that the city has, other than the Prince Rupert Port Authority. In reply, Ms. Bomben observed that AtlaGas and Pembina both are not part of the Port Property Tax Act and are civic ratepayers (see page 86 of the Agenda package)
( 20:00 -- 20:2 ) 2022 Property Tax Bylaw No. 3495 -- Council provided Fourth and Final reading for the City of Prince Rupert Property Tax Bylaw No. 3495, which will include the increase to the tax rate for 2022.
In both the Financial Plan and Tax Bylaw vote, all council members voted in the affirmative, with only Councillor Randhawa casting a vote against the two financial measures (see page 99 of the Agenda package)
Questions, Comments, Reports or Inquiries from Council
( 20:35 -- 23:18 ) The Mayor led off the comments/reports segment noting that May 1st to 8th had been Palliative Care week in Canada and advising council that the local Prince Rupert Hospice Society would be presenting at the May 30th Council Session, during the Committee of the Whole portion of the night.
Councillor Cunningham observed that this was National Nurses week and paid his tribute to their work.
He also offered a reminder to council that they have yet to follow up on a call from Councillor Adey from months ago for a presentation by the RCMP to Council. Outlining some concerns he has with tourism season starting and a number of problems in the downtown core being brought to the attention of Council
In reply, the City Manager advised that there is an incoming Officer in Charge at the local detachment and he would be meeting with him on Friday and he would pass on that invitation for attendance at an upcoming Council session, hopefully in June.
Councillor Skelton-Morven spoke and paid tribute to the recent observation of the National Day of Remembrance of Missing Women and girls and Two Spirit Women. He also offered up his best wishes to his business partner on occasion of his birthday.
With no other comments from the council membership the May 9th Council Session came to an end.
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 9th, 2022 (not available yet)
The Next Session for Prince Rupert City Council is set for Monday, May 30, 2022.
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