The Dog Days of summer brought the Council members together on Monday for their only regularly scheduled session for the month of August (they previously had met in Special Session earlier this month) a night that had them back out into the sunshine within an hour.
The evening was one which featured a presentation from the Prince Rupert Gymnastics Society, providing a snapshot of their work so far in the community and their plans for the fall and winter ahead.
The Consent Agenda featured a number of items of note, with updates on the MacCarthy Civic Operations move, 4th Avenue Walkway issues, Cow Bay Parking themes, a Financial Variance Report and Fire Department report.
Some of which generated discussion among the councillors, while others passed by without mention.
Council also received a report on an update to the Permissive Tax Exemption policy which was received without comment, while a much longer discussion took place towards plans for replacement of the City of Prince Rupert flag.
The Agenda for Regular session can be reviewed here.
The Agenda of Committee of the Whole session is available here.
The Notice of the Closed Session from 5 PM is available 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, August 28, 2023
Mayor Herb Pond -- Present
Councillor Nick Adey -- Present
Councillor Barry Cunningham -- Present
Councillor Teri Forster -- Present
Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven -- Present
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa -- Present
Video Archive for Monday, August 28, 2023
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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE SESSION OF COUNCIL
( 0:00 -- 17:00 ) Call to Order
Adoption of the Agenda -- The Mayor reviewed the Committee of the Whole Agenda of the August 28th session and received the approval of Council towards it.
Petitions and Delegations -- Council heard a Presentation from Nicole Beauregard, Prince Rupert Gymnastics Society -- Ms. Beauregard provided some background both toward her arrival in Prince Rupert and her work with the Prince Rupert Gymnastics Society as its Executive Director. She noted of her past work with the City of Kamloops as well as in sport and physical literacy development.
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 as some of their many activities over the last five months and what they have planned for the fall period ahead.
She highlighted 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 and facility has to offer.
Towards comments, Mayor Pond observed of the scope of the programs from the youngest to the oldest, Councillor Forrester sought out some further notes on their work ahead towards delivering their plans for the all abilities program.
Councillor Niesh offered up a welcome to Ms. Beauregard and noted of his long time support for the Gymnastics Society, expressing enthusiasm for their future plans.
Councillor Cunningham also commended her and the Society for their plans and noted of their ambitions to expand towards programs for Seniors. He also asked about their work towards providing options for residents with limited financial resources.
The Councillor also asked if they would be participation in the September 6th Registration Night at the Civic Centre.
In reply it was noted that they would be on hand for the event to a answer any questions and sign up those interested in their fall programs.
Councillor Adey also observed of the value of the programs and generate interest and how an indoor activity is a welcome addition to the community.
Question and Inquiries from members of Council
There were no questions or further comments from Council
Adjournment to Regular Council Session
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REGULAR SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL
( 17:00 -- 19:00 ) Prior to getting to their work, Mayor Pond noted of the passing of two members of the community, both of whom were involved with elected public life in the region.
He observed on the passing of former City Councillor Jack Rudolph and the passing of James Nelson Senior in Metlakatla. Councillor Forster thanked the Mayor for making note of the passing and offered her condolences to the families of both.
( 19:00 -- 19:30 )Introduction of Late Items, Approval of Agenda -- The Mayor reviewed the Agenda of the August 28th session and sought approval of Council towards it. The Mayor then observed of one late addition that coming out of the Closed Session of earlier in the day, it was related to the Call for submissions for art work for the new RCMP Detachment
( 19:30 -- 20:00) Public Comments regarding Agenda items -- No members of the public came forward on the night to make comment.
( 20:00 -- 30:00 ) Consent Agenda
Report from the Fire Chief: Monthly Fire/Rescue Report July 2023 (see page 14-15 of Agenda)
Report from Chief Financial Office: June 2023 Financial Variance Report (see pages 16 - 21 of Agenda)
Report from the Director or Operations and Intergovernmental Relations: Re: Cow Bay Parking Options and opportunities (see pages 22 - 24 of Agenda)
Report from the Director or Operations and Intergovernmental Relations: Re: MacCarthy Building - Public Works Update (see pages 25 - 27 of Agenda)
Memorandum from the Director of Operations and Intergovernmental Relations, Re: 4th AvenueWet Pathway update (see page 28 of Agenda)
Report from Planning Re: Development Activity Report for July 2023 (see pages 29 - 31 of Agenda)
Correspondences
Resolution in Support of Rail Safety Week from CN/Operation Lifesaver (see page 32 of Agenda)
Request for Support from the Gitmaxmak'ay Nisga'a Society. re: Application to NDIT for the Economic Infrastructure Fund, in the amount of $120,000 to go towards the purchase and installation of a second Hydroponics unit at Yaga in Seal Cove (see page 33 of Agenda)
Request for Proclamation for March 26, 2024 as International PURPLE DAY for Epilepsy Awareness (see page 34 - 35 of Agenda)
Communication from the Corporation of the Township of Spallumcheen Re: Recycling program for antifreeze containers and used oil collection at the Armstrong Spallumcheen Diversion and Disposal Facility (see page 36 of Agenda)
Request for Support from the City of Quesnel Re: Request for Support for the Quesnel Highway97 North South Interconnector Project. (see page 37- 40 of Agenda)
North Coast Regional District Board Highlights for August 2023 (see page 41 of Agenda)
Email from Keith Atkinso, Chair, BC Forest Practices Board Re: Forest and Fire Management in BC: Toward Landscape Resilience report (see page 42 of Agenda)
Email from BC Honours and Awards. Re: Medal of Good Citizenship for 2023 (see page 43 of Agenda)
Of the topics for potential review of Council, only a few tweaked the interest of the Council membership.
Among them, Councillor Adey had a question related towards the progress of assessment for the Fourth Avenue Pathway. As an observation, the Mayor noted that half of the budget to review the situation had been spent to date on the overview of the condition of the walkway and staircase.
In response, Director of Operations Pucci noted that the city had not received the reports as of yet, with those anticipated to be in hand in the next week or so, with a report to come at the next Council session in September.
Mr. Adey followed up with a question related to the move to the MacCarthy site for civic operations and the increase in the cost estimate to this point While noting how he believes it's a good initiative and will be back before council before proceeding; he asked what actually will Council be deciding about considering how far down the road the proposal already is.
Mr. Pucci noted that staff will be providing a Class B estimate of the required renovations, noting that there will likely be a significant increase it will be brought back to Council for review likely at the end of the year.
Mr. Cunningham also had questions on the MacCarthy project, asking if the increased renovation costs would impact on a purchase price at the end of the day and had the city negotiated a purchase price before the city started to put money into the building.
Mr. Pucci confirmed that the city had come to a set purchase price, something that took place when the city took on the lease, though no price was revealed as part of his review.
He added that when the city triggers the purchase they would have to put five percent down, with the remainder due at the end of the lease at which time the city can purchase it outright. He also noted of a break on the lease rate of 25% from the owner in understanding of the city's review of renovation needs.
Councillor Forster echoed some of the questions and concerns related to the MacCarhty building, she then shifted focus to the correspondences up for review and how the process of review towards them works.
Councillor Cunningham had a question related to a property on McKay Street and some renovations that have taken place under variance permits, the City's Corporate Administrator noted that she had been in touch with legal towards the issue.
Mayor Pond also recommended that the public review two other reports from the Consent Agenda including the Financial Report and a new report related to Cow Bay Parking and some options under consideration.
Councillor Cunningham asked about some of the expenditures from the report and the lower numbers from that category, the City's CFO noted that many of those items would begin to arrive for the list towards the fall.
Recommendation
Council then accepted the items from the Consent Agenda.
Staff Reports
( 30:00 -- 33:00 ) Report from Planning:Temporary Use Permit #22-03 -191 Metlakatla Road -- Prior to the review of the report, the Mayor noted of the presence of a new member of the Planning Staff, asking Doctor Buchan to provide the introductions. The City Manager then offered up the welcome to Rudy Paras. The Mayor furthering observing that the newest planner for the community had relocated to Prince Rupert from Mexico.
As for the report on Temporary use, it outlined the scope of the renewal of a Temporary Use Permit with a condition that the city retain a $5,000 cash bond until the temporary use is discontinued.
Councillor Cunningham had one question related to the report, asking who would be monitoring the disposal of hazardous waste, noting of the complex nature of the work of shipbuilding. The Director of planing observed that it would be a combined jurisdiction, noting she would confirm that at the next Council session. (see pages 44-50 of Agenda)
( 33:00 -- 33:30) Report from Planning: Development Variance Permit #23-17 -- Council received a report with a recommendation to proceed with statutory notification for a property on Overlook Street. There were no questions or comments related to the report. (see pages 51- 57 of Agenda)
( 33:30 -- 34:00) Report from the Chief Financial Officer: Re Permissive Property Tax Exemption Policy -- Council received a report seeking approval of the Permissive Tax Exemption Policy as presented. There was no discussion related to the report. (see pages 58 - 71 of Agenda)
( 34:00 -- 47:30 ) Report from the Manager of Communications, Engagement and Social Development Re: Replacement of City Flag -- Mayor Pond asked the members to provide their vote towards one of the four in house created versions that were offered up from staff for consideration towards the creation of a new City of Prince Rupert flag. An extensive discussion followed which saw Council members provide for a range of observations.
Among some of the comments towards the conversation was a view to the exercise at hand from Councillor Nick Adey and how it echoes last years rebranding discussion.
"I understand the need to replace the old flag, its based the needs that presented themselves when we had to do the rebranding exercise and I remember fondly the community discourse that resulted from that process and I wonder whether this is going to echo in similar ways."
Towards a flag choice he offered up his preference for a flag that states Prince Rupert, seeking a hybrid of the options available.
Councillor Forster echoed the suggestion of Councillor Adey towards a hybrid flag.
Councillors Randhawa, Niesh and Randhawa offered up their choices from the list available.
Councillor Cunningham expressed a preference for the current city flag, noting if he has to make a choice it was the fourth option, he also inquired towards the cost of the new flag initiative.
City Manager Robert Buchan noted that there was no cost to the design program other than that of staff, that owing to it being an in house work of staff. He did note there was some cost towards the four versions for review but that other than replacing the old flag with new ones, there would be no additional cost.
He further observed that the city currently only has one of the old flags on hand, a version which has stains on it. At the suggestion of the City Manager, the Mayor conducted a second vote of the two that generated the most interest, a process that generated a number of other observations, including comments from Councillor Skelton-Morven of some of the Indigenous elements that the options offer the community.
Mayor Pond observed somewhat lightly, how it did not take as much time to come up with the recent 30 million dollar city budget.
Towards an eventual recommendation, following an observation from the City's Chief Financial Officer towards a solution, council put forward three options that were to be sent back to staff for further work before Council makes a final decision. (see pages 72 - 83 of Agenda)
( 47:30 -- 48:00 ) Late Addition to the Agenda: Resolution from closed session: Council announced the award winners from the recent call for submissions for artwork for the new RCMP detachment. The successful artists include: Nicholas John, Chris Fraser and Kristin McKay as the first, second and third award winners.
The Mayor observed that the results were a unanimous decision of the selection committee.
( 48:00 -- 49:20 ) Business Arising
Council Round Table and Public Question Period -- Councillor Adey spoke to the work of the Prince Rupert Garden Club and their work with the Sunken Gardens, noting of the full bloom that is currently on display behind the Prince Rupert Court House.
Mayor Pond paid tribute to the success of the Senior Ladies in the swimming events of the BC Seniors Summer Games.
Adjournment -- The Mayor then brought the session to a close.
You can access our Council Archive for August 28th here, from that page 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 for their Regularly scheduled session, set to take place on Monday, September 11 .
That session starts at 7PM.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review
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