Prince Rupert City Council members put the wraps on their February work in the public arena with a session that at times created more confusion than it cleared up, with a number of topics travelling off in a number of directions before a consensus towards them was found.
The council business was chaired by Councillor Reid Skelton Morven, making for only his second appearance in the council Chamber for 2023, Mayor Pond participated by remote means, as did Councillor Teri Forster and City Manager Rob Buchan.
City Council had hosted another Public Hearing previous to the council session, the Monday night Hearing was called to explore proposed amendments to the Official Community Plan Height allowances in the Downtown core, a topic which appeared to bring some significant challenge from those few members of the public that attended.
However, once again technical issues seemed to plague the public engagement process, with the audio inaudible for lengthy periods of time, leaving mostly a view of body language to offer up a clue as to how the discussion was going.
The council members did return to the topic in the Regular Council Session, where some of those public interjections helped steer some of the discussion among the Council members.
The Regular session, also brought some controversy of its own, with a delegation speaking to plans bu the city to sell a property adjacent to the Digby Tower, their concerns serving to direct some of the conversation that would come later in the meeting.
Some background on the work of Council for the night can be reviewed from the Regular Council Agenda here.
Council also hosted a Closed Meeting, making for the fourth of the in camera sessions for 2023.
The details related to the behind 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: Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Mayor Herb Pond -- Present (Participated remotely)
Councillor Nick Adey -- Present
Councillor Barry Cunningham -- Present
Councillor Teri Forster -- Present (Participated remotely)
Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven -- Present (Served as Chair)
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa -- Present
Video Archive for Tuesday, February 21, 2023
For a review of the Public Hearing of 6 PM on Downtown building height amendments, see our item here.
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REGULAR SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL
Note: Mayor Pond, Councillor Forster and City Manager Buchan all participated by remote means for the Monday evening session, with Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven taking on the chair duties for the night.
( 00:00 -- 2:00 ) Adoption of Agenda and Past minutes -- Councillor Skelton Morven introduced the Agenda for the evening, noting of a few changes for the line up items for review and then sought approval of Council towards it.
( 2:00 - 14:20 ) Public Comments regarding Agenda items -- A delegation in support of the owner of the Parkside Motor Hotel property off of 11th Avenue East and her supporters spoke to City Council towards the theme of a proposed disposition of neighbouring land adjacent to the Digby Tower apartment building.
Among some of the early notes was to alert Council to some social issues related to the Skateboard park and adjacent area, which has seen some of those who use that area to use the grassy area at the hotel for their use.
There was some confusion among the Council membership towards whether the concerns should be allowed in public forum dedicated towards agenda items. With Mayor Pond observing that the topic may. be out of order towards the spirit of the Public comment period related to Agenda topics.
The owner of the property did outline how she had spoken to City Hall previously about the proposed sale and wanted to know what the plan was and how it may impact on her property, however she was told that they were not allowed to discuss it.
She noted of the recent advertisement of the proposed sale as to what brought them to Council on the night.
Councillor Cunningham did observe that an element of the property in question was up for review on the Agenda as part of the Bylaws portion of the night that was up for consideation. The City Manager also concurred that they should be allowed to continue with their presentation.
The main thrust of the concerns was that there had been little information offered as to why the land had been put for disposition, as well as a wish for a clearer definition of what the area in question consisted of and how it may impact on the only entrance to the business.
At that point the City manager reminded the delegation that the purpose of the comment period was not to engage in a debate or discussion, but raise concerns or comments on an issue up for review.
He also called on the City's Operations Director to offer some guidance to the topic, to that Director Pucci noted that the road access to the business had been protected through a road dedication.
Councillor Cunningham raised some questions related to where the property of note of could be identified.
The City Manager again reinforced how the purpose of the comment session was to receive input on items or comments and not to discuss them. He then asked the Operation's Director to speak to the topic of the area in question.
While Mr. Pucci noted he had not physically been on the site, so couldn't speak to the nature of the indicators in place, he did offer to provide overhead mapping for council to show what is proposed to be disposed of and other elements of that process.
Following those comments, it was noted by the City Manager that the topic would return later in the evening for discussion by Council members and that it was also scheduled for a final reading at a follow up session, which would allow for time for more information.
With no other members of the public coming forward, the comment period was then closed.
( 14:20 -- 14:30 ) Consent Agenda
Council minutes -- Council will review and adopt the minutes of the February 6th and 9th session.
Staff Report: Monthly Fire Rescue report January 2023 (see page 12 from the Agenda)
Staff Report: Development Activity Report for January (see page 14 from the Agenda)
Correspondences
Correspondences -- Council will review a news release on the NCRD Sandspit EV charger installation (see page 28 from the Agenda)
Correspondences -- Council will receive a letter from Tracey Hoffman, ICBC Road Safety and Community Coordinator (see page 30 from the Agenda)
Correspondences -- Council will review a letter from Mayor Pond to Taylor Bachrach related to his appointment as Deputy Critic for Fisheries and the Canadian Coast Guard (see page 31 from the Agenda)
Correspondences -- Council will receive an Information Bulletin and Statement from Northern Health's Board Chair -- related to the retirement ahead for the NH President and CEO (see page 32 from the Agenda)
Correspondences -- Council will receive an Information Release related to a Northern Health text alert program for toxic drugs that is now available in the North. (see 33 page from the Agenda)
Release of Closed Meeting Items -- Council will release any items from Previous Closed Sessions
Recommendation
Council members accepted and filed the elements of the Consent Agenda.
Staff Reports
( 14:30 -- 16:30 ) Report from Planning Manager Re: Request for support for Rapid Housing Initiative 3.0 -- Myfannwy Pope, Planning Manager provided a report related to the city's application to the CMHC Rapid Housing initiative. She observed of the city's plans to make use of the fund towards development of non market housing in the community, which is part of the City's Strategic Initiatives.
Councillor Cunningham asked if there were specific areas in mind for housing initiatives. In reply, Ms. Pope noted that the two proposed locations would be included in the application packages. She observes that one parcel of land is city owned the other is in the downtown area. (see page 34 from the Agenda for details of the report)
( 16:30 -- 20:30 ) Report from The Communications Manager -- Re: Update on Reconciliation Framework Committee Development and Policy Workplan -- Ms. Veronika Stewart provided some background towards the process for the City's Reconciliation Framework initiative.
Councillor Adey asked towards the number of council members required for the process.
Councillor Forster spoke to her enthusiasm towards the the project, and asked if the city doesn't have a statement towards being an equal opportunity employer. Ms. Stewart noted that there is a statement but that there is a need to develop a larger policy towards that.
The Council members then determined that those who will serve as part of the process on behalf of the city will be Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven and Councillor Teri Forster. (see page 35 from the Agenda for details of the report)
( 20:30 -- 24:30 ) Report from The Corporate Administrator -- Re: City of Prince Rupert Council Meeting Schedule -- Corporate Administrator Rosa Miller, provided some background related to why there was a request for a change, noting of it needing to be in alignment with the bylaw.
However, Councillor Cunningham outlined some concerns related to the impact of such a change, after the schedule had already been set at the end of 2022.
After some discussion and with guidance of the City Manager, Council chose to keep to the current schedule, noting of the need for an additonal Committee of the Whole session towards the introduction of a Special Committee of the Whole Session towards the city's the Budget plans.
Council members agreed to that proposal. (see page 44 from the Agenda for details of the report )
( 24:30 -- 30:00 ) Report from the Director of Operations and Intergovernmental Affairs -- Technical Water Memo -- Originally included as part of the consent agenda, the topic was moved to the Staff Report portion of the session. With that Director Richard Pucci provided some background to the options under consideration towards the next phase of the water infrastructure program in the form of the construction of a Water Treatment plant.
The shift included a request for Council to approve taking the proposal to the RFP process. Mr. Pucci noted that it was not a commitment to move forward, until Council was fully aware of what the proposal look like.
But that it was a way to move the process forward and get to the next step and get more in-depth information related to the options.
In comments, Councillor Adey noted of the past interest by a public advocacy group in the plans, and noted that it would be important to identity a point where those with concerns towards the original idea would have a chance to respond in some way to the detailed look at the advantages and disadvantages of the proposals.
To that the Councillor asked if Council moved forward towards the RFP would there be a place in the process for the public to respond.
In reply the Director did affirm that there would be opportunity and wold take the guidance of Council as to how to approach that. He also noted that the City would be posting a live infrastructure page that will answer a number of the questions posed previously by the group.
Councillor Cunningham observed how the City and City council needs to be very transparent towards this process, noting of some misconception in the community towards the different elements of the project which has a range of varying degrees to it and how being transparent was key to getting it out to the public.
Council then approved the motion to send the process to RFP (see page 16 from the Agenda for the full report)
Bylaws
( 30:00 --30:10 ) City of Prince Rupert Fire Control and Protection Amendment Bylaw -- No. 3515, 2023 -- The Corporate Administrator noted of the need for some word changes prior to the vote, The Councillors then provided approval of the motion (see page 46 from the Agenda)
( 30:10 --38:30 ) City of Prince Rupert Road Dedication Bylaw -- No. 3512, 2023 -- Council provided second reading to the City of Prince Rupert Bylaw for the roadway near the Digby Tower.
Council members reflected on some of the contributions of the adjoining property owner from the comment period at the start of the meeting. Councillor Cunningham noted of the confusion on the property line and asked that the Director of Operations get back to the council members to provide clarification on what is involved in the proposed property disposition before the final reading.
Councillor Forster had offered up a request to postpone the motion, however the City Manager did note that the information required would be available prior to the adoption or defeat of the property disposition.
He observed that the purpose of the disposition was to allow for the access of parking for the housing planned at Digby Tower which would facilitate the opening of that building for much needed housing in the community.
In discussion on Councillor Forster's recommendation, Councillor Niesh noted that the process didn't need a three week delay, noting how it would impact on the opening of the needed housing in the community.
Councillor Cunningham concurred with Councillor Niesh's take on the issue, noting they could decide yea or nay at the next meeting with the information required in hand.
After a bit of confusion on the topic at hand Councillor Forster's motion was defeated.
The original motion was then adopted, with a request for further information from the Director of Operations to be provided prior to the final vote. (see page 49 from the Agenda for the full report)
( 38:30 -- 40:00 ) City of Prince Rupert Road Dedication Bylaw -- No. 3513 , 2023 -- Council provided second reading to the City of Prince Rupert Bylaw for the roadway noted between Park Avenue and Second Avenue West. Prior to the approval of the motion, Councillor Adey had asked if any correspondences had been received to the topic, he was advised that none had been provided. Councillor Cunningham had the topic confused with the previous one, an area of discussion which he was corrected on. (see page 52 from the Agenda)
( 40:00 -- 1:05:00 ) City of Prince Rupert Official Community Plan Bylaw -- No. 3479, 2022 -- The feedback from the Public Hearing process previous to the Council session, provided for some of the key elements towards discussion.
With Councillor Cunningham asking as to whether Council could just leave the current bylaw as it is, noting if a variance request came in, then a public meeting wold be required.
City Manager Buchan offered up an explanation of what staff had been looking to achieve with the proposal, noting how the change would be to simplify the process, noting that there was still a place for public participation for those property proposals that did have any view obstructions.
He highlighted how it was more towards those buildings of three to four stories and not larger structures such as the Highliner.
Councillor Adey reviewed some of the areas of discussion heard in the public hearing process and used the concerns of the participants towards another Highlighter style development, asking what opportunities would be available for the expression of public concern in the current circumstance and how it may change with the new policy.
City Manager Rob Buchan noted that in effect, the proposal is to create a policy to reduce the number of bylaw amendments, from two to just one, the zoning bylaw amendment. He observed of the guidance in the policy that Council would have to rationalize that there is not significant view obstruction with a proposal.
He further noted, that the Zoning bylaw would likely require a public hearing and staff would likely recommended one, but that it was possible that one could be done without a hearing and simply by public notification.
From that Councillor Adey observed that the possibility of the whims of a future council going ahead without protecting the public process and ability of the public to chime in was something he would oppose, noting of the concerns of the public that they not lose that ability to comment.
Councillor Skelton Morven asked for some clarification on the proposed process from the City Manager.
With Mr. Buchan stressing that the main focus was to streamline the process and reduce the number bylaws that would be required, while holding to the process of a public hearings. Noting that with public concern the council could of course keep to the current process.
Councillor Rahhawa shared some of his concerns related to the proposed changes stating he wold rather keep the current process.
Councillor Cunningham again spoke of the need for more transparency, how the council was there to protect the public interest, noting how using the current process would reflect that. He observed of the natural beauty of the harbour and how he doesn't want to see anything mess with that.
Councillor Niesh observed as to how he had changed his mind in the period of time of the debate, noting as to how this council is all about public hearings and ensuring that the public has its says. He too suggested that Council leave it as it currently is in place.
The City Manager offered a compromise to the issue, noting how the proposal could be amended to include the use of a Public Hearing towards the Zoning bylaw requirement.
Councillor Cunningham observed that he wanted to ensure that in no way with the new wording that anyone could go more than two or three stories without a public hearing.
Mayor Pond then offered up some thoughts on the topic, noting of the existing framework and the range of height options in various areas of the city.
To those comments Councillor Adey asked towards the scope of public option for consultation on increased height requests, in those areas outside of the downtown core.
The Planning manager offered up some clarification on those areas of note outside of the downtown core.
Council adopted the revised amendment from the City Manager towards how they will approach height issues in the downtown core region. The vote provided for a four to three split in favour, with Mayor Pond voting in favour of the motion to break the tie. (see original motion which was denied, from page 56 from the Agenda)
( 1:05:00 - 1:05:10) Business Arising
( 1:05:10 -- 1:07:00) Council returned to the previous work on the height amendment, to then vote to defeat the original motion.
(1:07:00 -- 1:10:17) Council Round Table and Public Question Period --
Councillor Cunningham raised a note of interest related to the planning overview from earlier in the evening as part of the Consent Agenda, it was noted that the documents related to the property on McKay in question were now in the hands of the proponents solicitor.
Councillor Randhawa paid tribute to the work of the organizers, participants and all involved in the All Native Basketball Tournament, Councillor Skelton-Morven also shared his praise for the work of those involved.
Councillor Forster also paid tribute to the ANBT and also made note of Black History Month in Canada and urged residents to go to the library to review some of their options for learning more on the issues of racism in Canada.
Adjournment -- Councillor Skelton-Morven the brought the Regular Council session to an end, with the Council members then moving into their Closed Session of the night.
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, March 6, 2023.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
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