The first council session for 2023 was a return to the days of the hybrid affairs of the recent past.
With Mayor Herb Pond and City Manager Robert Buchan and Operations Director Richard Pucci all seemingly out of town and providing for contributions on the night from afar.
The remainder of City Council, as well as staff members, with the exception of an absent Councillor Skelton-Morven, were in place in their Chairs in the Council chamber.
More than half of the evening's discussion was taken up towards speaking to a report from the Chief Financial Officer. A document that was related to Port Property valuations, impact on payments in lieu of taxes, along with the release by the city of some executive bonus information that they tied into the property valuation issue.
Those themes brought most of the Council membership into the discussion, with members taking varying tones of anger, or frustration towards those themes into their conversation.
Much of the rest of the meeting addressed a number of reports, most focused on Major projects and the city's plans for the move into the old MacCarthy GM auto dealership which will be renovated to serve as a CivicsOperations facility.
A trio of bylaw motions, as well reviews of two requests for letters of support for the Golf Course and Tourism Prince Rupert made for much of the evening's work.
Some background on the work of Council for the night can be reviewed from the Regular Council Agenda.
Council also hosted a Closed Meeting making for the first of the in camera sessions for 2023.
The details related to the behind the doors gathering can be reviewed here.
Further information from our overview and placement in the video archives can be found below; with the permanent record of the Council minutes added as they are posted to the city website.
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In attendance: Monday, January 9, 2023
Mayor Herb Pond -- Present (Participated remotely)
Councillor Nick Adey -- Present
Councillor Barry Cunningham -- Present
Councillor Teri Forster -- Present
Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven -- Absent
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa -- Present
Video Archive for Monday, January 9, 2023
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REGULAR SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL
Adoption of Agenda and Past minutes
( 0:00 -- 6:00 ) A few technical gremlins resulted in a late start to the 7 PM session and once they were addressed, Mayor Pond who was participating in the session remotely, turned the proceedings over to Councillor Cunningham who reviewed the Agenda for the evening with Council will adopt the minutes of the past meetings and the Agenda for the night ahead.
Reports and Resolutions
( 6:00 -- 7:00 ) Report from Planning Re: Development Activity Reports for November and December 2022 -- Council received a pair of reports related to development activity for filing, with no discussion taking place. (see page 9 from the Agenda for background )
( 7:00 -- 14:00 ) Report from the Director of Operations and Intergovernmental Relations Re: Public Works Building update -- Director Richard Pucci provided an update on the progress towards the plans to move civic operations to the old McCarthy GM location, noting of current concerns over the facility in use at the moment on Wantage Road. Recounting the opportunity that the city sees in making use of the old MacCarthy auto dealership, first through a lease with an option to purchase.
With the Director noting of some current renovations required, with an anticipated date of occupation now projected for late 2023, noting that option to purchase is something for the city to consider and that costs could increase owing to the uncertain times.
Councillor Adey led off questions by noting of the interest of the public towards the use of tax dollars towards any arrangement to the five million dollar proposal for the MacCarthy facility compared to other options.
Some elements of the Councillor's questions were not available for release at the council session, with the City Manager Rob Buchan noting he would look at the contract and report back at the next meeting.
Mr. Pucci noted that if a purchase was to be considered, the city would then make use of the services of a certified appraiser to provide a proper appraisal of the property.
Councillor Cunningham asked about the renovations that will be put in place by the City and if they would be considered at the time of any purchase, noting of the impact that it could have on the assessment.
Mr. Pucci noted that the improvements that the City puts into the facility would not be included as part of the assessment, which would be taken as the value of the building today, not after any renovations. (see page 21 from the Agenda for background)
( 14:00 -- 17:00 ) Report from the Director of Operations and Intergovernmental Relations Re: Major Projects Monthly update -- Director Richard Pucci updated Council on the progress for a number of projects, the Director noting of the seven projects currently underway at various stages of completion.
Of note from the report, the status of the Water Dam which has been completed and is active, with the City awaiting a final advisory from Northern Health anticipated in the next few weeks, that towards it going into full operations.
Councillor Cunningham asked for a review of what SCADA is about, with the Director providing some background on how the communication system works. (see page 23 from the Agenda for background)
( 17:00 --18:30 ) Report from the Corporate Administrator Re: Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure (REDIP) Fund Letter of Support for the Prince Rupert Golf Club -- Council heard the background towards the Golf Club's plans to apply for the grant towards greens renovations, work on the driving range tee area and a potential extension of storage area. Council Forster asked for confirmation that there was no budget impact to the request, which was confirmed by the Corporate Administrator. With that, the motion was approved to provide the letter of support. (see page 26 from the Agenda for background)
( 18:30 -- 19:00 ) Report from the Corporate Administrator Re: Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure (REDIP) Fund Letter of Support for Tourism Prince Rupert -- Council heard the background towards Tourism Prince Rupert's plans to apply for funding for their Mariner's Park project. and the request for a letter of support. There was no discussion towards the topic with the motion approved. (see page 27 from the Agenda for background)
( 19:00 -- 35:00 ) Report from the Chief Financial Officer Re: Property Values for PILT -- CFO Corinne Bomben followed up on a request from the summer by Council for a review of the Property values assessed on Port properties towards the Payment in lieu of Taxes program.
Her report (available as part of the Agenda for the session) outlined the nature of three years of PILT valuations that the City will be taking to a Dispute panel. As part of her report, the CFO included data on compensation for Port Officials tied to the financial state of the Port, an element that is impacted by PILT valuations.
Ms. Bomben did note that any advice provided to the PRPA by the Dispute panel could have an impact on the PILT already received and if any amount is found to be owing for those years, on basis of land values those amounts would have a negative impact on future city budgets through further reduction of PILT.
While it was noted that the report was provided for 'information purposes', both the valuations and the compensation for Port officials provided for much in the way of discussion by Council members, with Councillor Niesh opening the council talking points.
He perhaps offering up the most student tone towards the current situation.
Speaking of how he viewed the numbers as very bleak, expressing how it disgusts him that over the three years in question the new valuations would see almost 48 million dollars in volume which he observed would have a huge impact on the community should the city have to pay back those values. Noting that it could have an impact on the community at civic budget time and one that would impact on everyone other than the Port Authority.
Mr. Niesh observed how if the valuations on Port land go through and the city does not win at the Dispute panel, the residents of the community will be disgusted with the increase in property taxes something he wanted residents to be aware of.
Mr. Niesh further noted at how the taxes that may have to be paid back would be of the same value as the bonuses that the Port officials have received. The Councillor wrapping up his commentary by observing that the city has tried to play nice for a number of years and now it is not time to play nice any more.
Councillor Randhawa concurred with Councillor Niesh's themes, asking if the report was available for the public to review.
Councillor Cunningham was focused on the compensation elements of the report, asking how much the Port paid in taxes for PILT, a topic which was answered by the City Manager.
Mr Rob Buchan observed of the interim agreement with the PRPA which uses a previous valuation until the Dispute Advisory process which has kept the payments higher, noting that the city will have to pay the Port back if they lose.
He observed that there is approximately 200,000 dollars more in bonuses than there is in PILT payments, if the city loses at the Dispute panel process, he noted that the bonus level would increase to 1 million more than what is paid in PILT.
Councillor Forster asked for clarification on Mr. Buchan's explanation, with the City Manager outlining that the bonus program at the Port is determined in significant part in profitability. Ms. Forster noting that the situation is terrible for the community, observing how its unfortunate that some of the people who will see a financial gain from this don't even live in the community.
Councillor Adey didn't speak further to what he called the sense of objection that those around the room were feeling and the reasons for it, instead noting how the information was on the Agenda and now is public.
He followed up with a question over the disparity of the 2021-2022 valuation change, a topic which the City Manager noted was a function of an appeal by the PRPA to the Assessment, observing that at the time the City had been informed that the city had been advised that it was not a significant appeal and that they did not involve themselves at that time. Further noting that as it turned out it was a significant appeal.
Councillor Adey followed up by observing that with the change in Port valuation numbers, that there would seem to be a connection between the bonus packages and the successful reduction in values as profit for the Port Corporation.
The City Manager confirmed that unless they are shown otherwise, that was City staff's read of the situation.
Mr. Adey then noted that with the report public, he hoped people would take a look at it and form their own opinion, as well as for it to be something that would provide for broader public discussion and a step towards where the Port and community find a more comfortable way of relating to each other in a way that benefits the community in a fair way.
The final comment went to Councillor Randhawa, who noted of there recent State of Local Emergency and how the city should deliver the message that everyone should pay their fair share.
Councillor Cunningham picked up on that theme noting how the Port is an intricate part of the community and hat if the City fails the Port will fail as well.
He also noted of the disparity between Port assessments and those faced by residents of the community, reviewing once again the bonus expectations that could be delivered to port officials.
With that, Council moved on to other items. (see page 28 from the Agenda for background to the Report)
Bylaws
( 35:00 -- 38:00 ) City of Prince Rupert Road Dedication Bylaw -- No. 3512, 2023 -- Council introduced and gave first reading to the Zoning Amendment Bylaw for the roadway near the Digby Towers complex. Councillor Cunningham observed as to the work done on the renovations and how it is a shining example of what can happen in the town when people want to put investment into it. (see page 53 from the Agenda for background)
The topic brought an off microphone interjection from the gallery which was subsequently ruled not to be allowed, as it was not part of the Agenda. With the member of the audience continuing to try to carry on the discussion, Mayor Pond offered guidance to Councillor Cunningham to bring the conversation to a close. As it was off mic, there is no indication for the public viewing at home as to what the topic of concern was.
( 38:00 -- 40:00 ) City of Prince Rupert Road Dedication Bylaw -- No. 3513, 2023 -- Council introduced and gave first reading to the Zoning Amendment Bylaw for the roadways (lanes) in the Park Avenue to Second Avenue West area of the city. Councillor Adey asked for some additional clarification as to why the road closure was required, with the Operation's Director noting of how the two areas would be consolidated into a larger parcel towards development in there area. (see page 56 from the Agenda for background)
( 40:00 -- 42:00 ) City of Prince Rupert Council Procedure Bylaw -- No. 3508, 2022 -- Council provided fourth and final reading to the City of Prince Rupert Procedure Bylaw. Towards the discussion, Mayor Pond observed of some of the changes that the document would bring, noting of one enhancement is the opportunity that whoever presides over the meeting must be in the room.
And towards the interruption to the proceedings previous, he noted how the new procedures would allow for public comment at the start of Regular Council meetings to speak to nay of the agenda items for a limited time at the start of the meeting. Council then approved the motion with no further discussion. (see page 61 from the Agenda for background)
Reports, Questions and Inquiries from Members of Council
( 42:00 -- 48:00 ) Councillor Adey led off the discussion making a request for an update on the recent survey related to Parks and Recreation, asking for a summary of the findings before Council gets to its Budget deliberations in the Spring.
Planning Manager Myfannwy Pope, provided some background on the survey, noting a summary of the first round of engagement had been posted to theRupert Talks portal, observing that a presentation could be provided at a future council session, adding that the work to date is now in the draft stage for the documentation.
The Councillor also provided his own personal commendation towards the work of the musicians at the Ring Studio System, who raised just over 4,000 dollars for the Salvation Army. Mr. Adey noted that this was the twelfth year of their annual presentation and observed of their efforts towards the Salvation Army and to the community.
Councillor Randhawa offered up some observations on road conditions of late, asking if the city has a policy towards addressing the issued.
The Director of operations outlined that the City is constantly doing pot hole repair, with a road crew tasked with identifying them, noting that in house asphalt is created for that work. He did note that at the moment the City crews are focused on the Waterline issues.
Councillor Cunningham returned to the interruption of the council session on the night, asking if the City could expedite the issue with the owner of Digby Towers.
The City Manager spoke to the comments, though not informing the public as to what the issue may have been. He advised the council members that there was nothing to expedite, with the City having been waiting for documents, which did arrive before Christmas.
Mr. Buchan outlined that the process now will see notices required to be sent out and that will complete the process.
Councillor Cunningham then adjourned the public session, to return Council members to their closed meeting.
You can access our Council Archive for January 9th here, where a number of items regarding the Council Session , including links to any local media coverage can 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.
Council next meets in a Public Regular Session on Monday, January, 23, 2023.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
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