Petition push seeks second chance for comments on City's downtown parking amendments

Concerns over a parking proposal for downtown Prince Rupert
have become the topic of an online petition in the community

A petition call led by a downtown business owner is seeking another opportunity for comment to Prince Rupert City Council when it comes to their recent Public Hearing and discussion towards changes to the downtown parking regulations in specific areas of the downtown core.

Over the weekend the petition was launched by Lonnie Wishart, one of the owners of Shutter Shack on Third Avenue West, the petition call noting of what some consider inadequate notice by the city towards the public meeting that would discuss the changes.

The petition which is underway through Change.org has as of this morning attracted 33 signatures towards the call to reopen Public Discussion.

Council moved the plan forward towards making the changes following a Public Hearing on January 23rd, which attracted only two participants. The Council members had few comments to make during the course of the Public hearing as we observed through our account of the hearing. 

Public Hearing on Parking brings two participants with comments 

The plan towards the changes for parking in the specific areas of the downtown was first introduced in October,  that was the last session for the previous council prior to the municipal  election. 

October 26 -- Consultation on parking ahead as Public Hearing planned to hear from residents on proposed policy changes

The majority of that collective continue to serve in the new Council membership after being re-elected to office on election day October 15th.

The first notice of the Public Hearing plans was posted to the City of Prince Rupert Website on January 13th.

City Staff also posted two advisories to their Social Media Stream on Facebook prior to the January 23rd Council session.

The City also purchased an advertisement of the notice, which was published in the January 19th print edition of the local paper.

In addition to our notes from the fall when the topic first came up for discussions,  the North Coast Review featured a look the plans with a story a few days before the January 23rd session.

January 19 -- Public Hearing on Monday to seek consultation with public on Downtown Parking themes 

As the main focus for the NCR is that of themes of interest towards municipal and provincial government  and impact on the community, we did have some extensive notes towards the topic on the occasions above. Which did serve to advise what was coming and how those with an interest  could participate if they chose to.

But we know, that the blog is not everyone's cup of tea (we do get comments and emails from time to time),  nor are we their go to reference when it comes to civic issues.

Part of the problem locally when it comes to keeping up with items of note from Prince Rupert City Hall  is the lack of interest by local media when it comes to civic issues. 

In what has been an evolving situation as the months have gone by over the last few years, there have been fewer and fewer articles to be found about much in the way of any topics related to local government. 

Whether in print, on the radio, or on television and that builds towards a lack on knowledge of civic issues for the community and adds to what is becoming a growing disconnect between community and its municipal government.

While the City appears to have met the required notice for such public engagements,  it could perhaps become a subject of some discussion among the Council members tonight as to how much effort the city should take when it comes to providing additional information related to such engagement opportunities.

The Bylaw amendment is up for consideration again at tonight's City Council session, set for the Bylaws portion of tonight's agenda with Council set to provide it with a Third Reading which is one of the final stages prior to being adopted.

Of note for the delegation of residents that are calling for a second chance for comment is the part of tonight's meeting at the very start of the proceedings,  where members of the public can appear at Council to speak to any agenda items.

That makes for an opportunity tonight for them to take their concerns to their elected officials and ask for another opportunity for participation. 

They'll find out if they have had any success later on when Council members consider that third reading.

We will have More notes on this evening's Council Session when we post our Preview article here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.