The ongoing construction work on the city's water infrastructure at Crestview and Applewaite Drive continues to make for challenges for both the city work crews and the residents of the east side neighbourhood.
The work on Crestview, which began with the State of Local Emergency in December, remains the longest running infrastructure project currently underway at the moment.
Prince Rupert City Council congratulated the successful competitors from a recent call for Art Work for the new RCMP detachment currently under construction at Third Avenue East and McBride.
From a closed session hosted earlier in the day Monday by the Councillors, it was announced that were the three successful artists to honour; with their work catching the eye of the selection committee that had been put in place towards the project.
The three award winners announced Monday included:
Nicholas John, Chris Fraser and Kristin McKay, noted as the first, second and third place prize winners from the call for Artists.
The amount of the cash awards had previously been set at $10,000, $6,500 and $3,500.
In a short comment on Monday, Mayor Herb Pond noted of the structure of the competition and award process
"That was based on unanimous recommendation from the committee that had been appointed to review those submission"
Council did not note how many submissions were received as part of the competition, nor did they share any samples as to what the successful submissions looked like.
A review of how the City of Prince Rupert grants its Permissive Tax Exemptions has delivered an updated policy which was approved as part of Monday's City Council Session.
The report from the City's Chief Financial Officer Corrine Bomben was received by the Council membership without any comment, or observations towards their priorities related to the document.
As is noted in the report, the document, which is included as part of the Agenda from Monday is an update to the existing policy that was reviewed rigorously in 2019, the revised notes include the opportunity for Seniors Housing that has already been approved through bylaw.
The Permissive Tax Exemptions have in the past made for some extensive discussion for council, but through the years they have continued to find value in the program in place in Prince Rupert.
So following the lead of Smithers and abolishing the Tax Exemption policy, as was done recently does not seem likely.
As we outlined at mid month, The Town of Smithers recently held their own discussions towards how they approach the Permissive Tax Exemption program in the Bulkley Valley.
Smithers Council members recently voted to eliminate the program, noting of the lost revenues that were realized as a result of it over the years. Smithers does have plans to introduce an expanded grant and financial aid program to those organizations that will be impacted by the end of the program.
That's an approach towards the Permissive Tax Exemption program, that the Council members in Prince Rupert haven't shared much enthusiasm towards over the years.
The current Permissive Tax Exemption application period for Prince Rupert ended in Mid July.
Prince Rupert Council will begin its process towards the upcoming round of Permissive Tax Exemptions in September, the list will be adopted by October 31st.
The Prince Rupert delegation to the 2023 UBCM Convention may want to pack some additional business cards for introductions, with the pace of registration for the annual gathering of municipal officials moving ahead at a record pace.
An update on the planning for the 2023 conventions noted that close to 1,800 delegates have now registered for the event in Vancouver which is set for September 18th to 22nd.
That number is destined to increase with the deadline for early registration still over a week away.
This years convention features a number of key topics for delegates to discuss with an agenda that includes:
Housing attainability and related issues, the 2023 wildfire season that has threatened communities in the province, issues of decriminalization and public safety as well as the implementation of UNDRIP at the municipal level, to name just a few items of note.
Prince Rupert City Council has one more regular session before Convention time, a September 11th get together (their only regular session for the month) that may provide residents with some idea as to the size of the Prince Rupert delegation and what local officials hope to bring back to the community from their week at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
As we get closer to the September event, you can find some of the latest notes from Prince Rupert, the Northwest and across BC from our archive page here.
A renewal towards the use of land in the Industrial Park for Shipbreaking work as considered on Monday night by Council
A proposal that led to some extensive discussion a year ago at Prince Rupert City Council was back for a renewal on Monday night, generating a fair bit less in the way of review and conversation for Council members.
Monday night saw Council make quick work of a recommendation to proceed to statutory notification towards a temporary use for a property on Metlakatla Road in the Industrial Park.
The proposal in effect is a renewal of the arrangement last year that allows for ship breaking to take place on the land in question.
The report for council compiled by the City's newest member of the planning staff Rudy Paras provided a short synopsis of the plans for the site in the Industrial Park, along with the provision of a 5,000 dollar cash bond towards the temporary use for the land.
click to enlarge
It was one year ago that Council first heard of plans for a temporary use permit request towards the use of the land for ship breaking, which made for some extensive commentary at the time.
That request was approved, but with Council seeking some guarantees at the time.
At the time, the push towards the use of the site for ship breaking seemed tied into plans for the abandoned vessel FV Fairwind which was at Port Edward Harbour awaiting its fate. In the end that vessel was instead taken to Campbell River for its final act.
At Monday's Council Session, Councillor Barry Cunningham noted of his concerns related to oversight of the materials that many be removed from any vessels that may be sent to the Industrial Park for demolition, a theme he first raised one year ago.
"Who is going to be monitoring the dispospable and hazardous waste before any ships are brought on shore, is it MOE, Environment Canada, Transport Canada cause I know it's not going to be the city.
So, this is something that is a concern with most shipbreaking operations, that there's a lot of pollution involved and things like that.
Breaking up a ship can be somewhat complex and that and I just wonder who is going to be monitoring that all the hazardous material such as asbestos and everything else are removed before they re brought onshore"
In reply, the Director of Planning, Myfannwy Pope provided council with some notes to the topic:
"I believe it may be a combined jurisdiction, I can return in the next meeting to confirm that. But given that it's close to a waterway it is likely DFO; as well as given the nature of the work, it's likely also the Ministry of Environment.
So I believe that it falls under both jurisidcition but I can confirm that. ... for next meeting.
Towards a follow up question from the Councillor related to required permits and the application for the Temporary Use Permit, Ms. Pope outlined:
That the permits were already in place for the initial application, but added that should the proponents move forward with any ship breaking those permits would have to be in place.
The process towards the request now moves to Public Notification to allow for comment from those that may be impacted.
The full discussion to the topic can be reviewed from the City's Video archive at the thirty minute mark.
Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for Tuesday-Wednesday, August 29-30, 2023
Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Tuesday-Wednesday, August 29-30, 2023
A Northwest campfire ban goes back into effect as of Noon tomorrow
As the long weekend approaches and much of the Northwest remains tinder dry, the Province of BC has once again placed a Fire Ban across the region, including the North Coast portion of the province.
The City of Prince Rupert relayed the Provincial orders this afternoon, outlining the scope of the campfire ban through its website and the city's mobile app program.
The precautionary measure is in place as of Noon tomorrow until October 16th or it is rescinded.
Restrictions from the measures include:
The following open fires are prohibited in the Northwest Fire Centre as defined in Wildfire Regulation:
Category 1 campfires Category 2 open fire
Category 3 open fire
In addition to open fires being prohibited, the following activities and equipment are also restricted:
Fireworks, including firecrackers
Sky lanterns
Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
Binary exploding targets
Air curtain burners
Tiki and similar kind of torches
Chimineas
Prince Rupert Gymnastics Society Executive Director Nicole Beauregard delivered a presentation to City Council on Monday
With the Fall Registration Season just ahead for youth and adult activities in the Community, the Prince Rupert Gymnastics Society booked a primo spot to deliver an update to their local activities in Price Rupert.
As part of the City Council Committee of the Whole portion of Monday night's Council Session, Nicole Beauregard, the Executive Director of the Prince Rupert Gymnastics Society provided Council members with an extensive overview of the Society's work and plans for the fall and beyond.
Ms. Beauregard provided some background both toward her recent arrival in Prince Rupert and her work with the Prince Rupert Gymnastics Society as its Executive Director.
As part of her introduction, she also noted of her past work with the City of Kamloops as well as in sport and physical literacy development.
"I'm the brand new Executive Director with Prince Rupert Gymnastics and I'm coming from the City of Kamloops, I was working with the municipal government for the last thirteen years in Sport and Physical literacy department ...
Really what attracted me to Prince Rupert was a few kind of key formulas.
A head coach that had national level three certification, an incredible working board and the vision of a City Council that supports non profits. And we are in a facility that the City of Prince Rupert owns.
So that was sort of a piece and a formula for me to come here and work within the community and work with Prince Rupert Gymnastics"
Prince Rupert Gymnastics leases space from the City of Prince Rupert as part of the city's Rushbrook Warehouse facility program
The presentation provided some background towards the theme of physical literacy and how it has additional benefits towards community itself.
Of note towards the work of the local Not for Profit Society, she provided a quick overview of their programs and recruitment work to bring instructors.
As well, the presentation explored some of their many activities over the last five months and what they have planned for the fall period ahead.
"We have approximately 240 participants that work with us and really it's again about inclusion. So in terms of physical activity only 20 percent of children actually meet the physical literacy guidelines and physical activity guidelines in Canada and so that's of course even more profound in the North in terms of physical activity.
Children and youth, especially girls 1 in 3 drop out of sports compared to 1 in 10 boys. So Gymnastics is a sport primarily designate in traditional format to girls, women or how participants identity.
But we have had an opportunity to change some of that this past year with a new head male coach, which has been incredible for our program.
We've also been working in a pilot with the schools through May and June, just with that pilot reaching out to them since I arrived we reached 178 students in two months. So that was pretty incredible and it was really just a test of the partnerships around Prince Rupert to see what we have to offer"
Ms. Beauregard expanded on some of the partnerships that the sport and the local Society continues to build in the community as well as to share an increased awareness of what the Rushbrook Warehouse based society has to offer through its facility.
Upon the conclusion of her remarks, the Council members had an enthusiastic response to her presentation and offered up a welcome to the community.
First off was Mayor Pond who noted of the range of programs available
"I noticed on your summer programming you had stuff for people like me and I was very tempted, but my schedule wouldn't allow it, but there's still hope yet"
Councillor Forster asked for a larger overview of the All Abilities program and what it may offer the community.
Councillor Neish noted of the ongoing evolution for the Society in the city.
"Welcome to Prince Rupert and you know I've been a strong supporter of this group since it started and it's good to see they're taking the step to hiring someone to do these things on a daily Basies.
Because you know obviously the group started out as bunch of volunteer parents and you know, you only have so much time during the day to do these things.
And it's good to see that they've evolved to hiring somebody to kind of take care of these and try and make a stronger group, so Good Luck.
Councillor Cunningham picks up on themes related to their growth and the prospect of a potential seniors program.
"One thing I've noticed with your group is it's really reaching out to a lot of diversity in the community, so on that I commend you. And on the Senior's Centre I think I'll be giving you a call about that"
Mr. Cunningham also asked for some background on their work towards assistance for lower income residents in the community.
Ms. Beauregard outlined the approach that the Society is taking towards those themes
"We do work with KidSport here as well as community JumpStart, so they support participants that need a little bit of help ... those organizations allow that opportunity to be enrolled in a seasonal piece.
We also this summer offered free programming, we offered physical literacy and Gymnastics at the park"
She also outlined their fall program that allows for a test period for participants to explore the programs available.
Councillor Cunningham also asked if the Society was planning to take part in the upcoming Community Registration, he was advised that Prince Rupert Gymnastics had plans to do.
A look at the Community Registration Session set for September 6th can be reviewed here.
You can review the full presentation from the City's Video Archive, Ms. Beauregard's presentation opens the Council session on the night.
The rising cost of renovations for the MacCarthy building spurred a few questions from Council on Monday evening
The ongoing work towards moving the City of Prince Rupert's Operations Department from Wantage Road to a new facility in the old MacCarthy GM building on Portage at Saskatoon made for some short conversation at Monday's City Council Session.
That in response to report from Director of Operations Richard Pucci, a document that noted of a significant increase to the cost estimates so far for the renovation work.
Early projections put the completion of this work at approximately $5M exclusive of property purchase.
The Staff appreciates that this is significantly higher than originally estimated at between $2M & $3M exclusive of property purchase; however, the original estimates were complete pre-Covid.
Further, this is just an estimate and the Staff will be given a Class B cost estimate to bring to the Council prior to advancing or approving construction. -- From Director Pucci's Report of Monday evening
Councillor Nick Adey opened the discussion with an observation towards the latest overview of the plans.
"The other one that strikes the eye based on community interest and a fair bit of community debate is the MacCarthy building and I think the point to note there is, you know, perhaps not unusual but it's unfortunate to see the cost escalation that's taken place.
And it does in the report suggest that at some point it will be brought back to Council before advancing.
I guess my question, or concern around that is you know ... I support, I think its essence it's a good idea it's a good initiative. But I wonder what, how comprehensive that question when it comes to us, brought to us before advancing. You know what are we actually going to be deciding about, given how far down the road this proposal already is"
In response, the Director of Operations charted the process ahead towards the plans
"So what we'll be bringing back is a Class B estimate of the required renovations, so noting that there is likely a significant increase, we would like to bring that back to Council to ensure that they're behind moving forward with the renovation for the public works building. We anticipate that being by the end of the year"
Councillor Cunningham followed up with a question on both the renovations and the purchase opportunity for the building.
"With the escalating costs of us moving in there and everything else and the renovations that have to be done to the building. Are there going to be any indications this isn't going to impact the purchase price at the end of the day.
And if so, have we actually negotiated a purchase price before all this escalation came into being.
You know like uh, here we are putting a lot of money in a building we're going to lease with the option to buy and I'm wondering, with this money we're putting into the leased building, what effect its going to have on the future of us purchasing it. Have we come to a set purchase price before all this"
Mr. Pucci did confirm for council that a purchase price has been negotiated, though no details towards that price were revealed.
"Yes, we have come to a price, the price is basically at the day we took ownership, or took lease, so we have it written into the agreement that any escalations or any renovations, or upgrades we put in will not be taken into account with the purchase price.
We need to trigger the purchase, and at that point we have to put five percent down and then the remainder is at the end of the lease and we can purchase it outright.
In my last report I also noted that the owner of the building had given us a twenty five percent break in the lease rate, understating that we are going through this exercise so they've agreed to reduce their lease rate with us because we're not actually in the building"
Mr. Pucci also confirmed Councillor Cunningham's observation that:
"So out of that, it's a set price that we're going to be paying that has already been set up"
Councillor Forster also observed of her concerns related to the items noted previously towards the MacCarthy building.
You can review the full discussion from the City's Video archive starting at the 22 minute mark.
