With a few items of note percolating for some attention, City Council members were called in from the August portion of their summer vacation for a Special Council Session which took place Wednesday at 5:30 PM.
The one hour and a bit of civic governance was mostly focused on the city's water concerns, with a number of reports and bylaw authorizations addressed, a large number of those related to the ongoing work on the city's water infrastructure and how the current state of conditions is impacting on some of the city's plans.
With the recent Alternate Approval Process clearing the way for the quest for borrowing, Council also approved two Loan Authorization bylaws on the evening.
Another area, one of some contentious discussion open the evening, was related to the two remedial action orders put in place by City Council towards the property known as Rose's on Third West and the Angus Apartments on Second.
When Council addressed those issues, the two respective property owners participated by way of Zoom or phone to speak to the issues of concern.
The Agenda for the Wednesday session 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: Wednesday, August 16, 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 Wednesday, August 16, 2023
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SPECIAL SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL
( 0:00 -- 00:59 ) Approval of Agenda -- The Mayor reviewed the Agenda of the August 16fh session and sought approval of Council towards it, he observed of a number of amendments to it on the night.
Those included a pair of bylaw authorizations towards proposed loans, a report on the community Water Treatment plans and additional information related to remedial action orders for two properties in the downtown area.
The Agenda was then adopted by Council.
( 00:59 -- 5:30 ) Public Comments regarding Agenda items
One member of the community, Terry Sawka came forward to seek out some clarification on the Amended elements of the Agenda and then to speak towards concerns over the city's plans for borrowing related to water infrastructure loans.
Among his concerns related to the loan authorization plans, he expressed commentary over the volume of money that the city was borrowing and how it would be downloaded through utility taxation on the taxpayers in the community.
As the conversation evolved, it was shown that Mr. Sawka had mistakenly thought the loan authorization proposal was related to the Omenica Waste treatment plan, he was advised that the loan authorization was related to the waterline program.
That was followed up by some further discussion related to the waste treatment program.
( 5:30 -- 18:00 ) Consent Agenda
Report from Director of Operations and Intergovernmental relations : Re: Capital and Major Projects - Monthly update (see page 4 -5 of Agenda)
Report from Director of Operations and Intergovernmental relations : Re: Purchase Update (see page 6 of Agenda)
Report from Director of Operations and Intergovernmental relations : Re: Water Provisions to Community Garden (see page 7 of Agenda)
Report from Director of Operations and Intergovernmental relations : Re: Community Water Treatment = staff update (see page 8 - 9 of Agenda)
Mayor Pond asked for the Director of Operations to speak towards his report on Water Treatment for the community. From his comments, the Director outlined the scope of the work that the project would entail and observed that at the moment it has been put on a pause owing to significant issues of leaking.
Further noting that the coast of treating the water currently would be a situation where the city would just be losing money.
As a result the city is seeking an extension on the requirement for water treatment until they finish their work on the water distribution system, which will then give the City a better indication as to the size of the facility that is required. Mr. Pucci also observed of the city's current financial situation and the need to bring in further revenues to reduce the need for a loan towards the project and allow the city to self fund the program.
He also noted that the province is aligned in the city's thinking towards the issue.
That deferrals would see a revised timeline for the water treatment program which would now be completed by 2029.
Councillor Adey had comments related to the water treatment issues, tying the topic towards the current stream of boil water advisories.
The councillors questions provided an opportunity for the Mayor to observe that the city would be shortly releasing a video that explains much of the background towards all of the elements of the city's water issues of the moment.
The Mayor also followed up by noting that with the work ongoing and how the city is frequently dealing with the failing state of the water supply system, noting how the boil water orders would be a course of action as the work evolves.
Mr. Pucci followed up with an expanded explanation, by observing how with the larger volume of work now underway, it was decided to continue with a precautionary boil water advisory program.
Councillor Cunningham turned attention towards some of the purchases from the Director's purchasing report, making inquiries related to the cost of line painting for the city, suggesting that the city is not getting a "good bang for the buck" for its payment for the project.
He also asked questions related to some of the environmental services spending that the reports identified asking for additional details towards those elements.
Mr Pucci noted that the two environmental contract awards were for two different areas of note, one for water effluent into the harbour, the other towards the provincial requirements at the landfill site and were required as part of compliance requirements.
Mr. Cunningham asked if the awards were through bids, he was advised they were part of the BC bid process.
Recommendation
Council then approved all items of the Consent Agenda which was accepted and filed
Staff Reports
( 18:00-- 19:00 ) Report from Director of Operations and Intergovernmental relations : Re: Capital Paving Program Award -- Council received a report on the Capital Paving program and approved the contract award as recommended, there was no discussion related to the contract award. (see page 10 of Agenda)
( 19:00 -- 40:30 ) Report from the Corporate Administrator: Remedial Action Order for 741 - 3rd Avenue West -- Council received a report outlining the scope of the Remedial Action Order for the building at 741-3rd West, the report also noted that there had been request for reconsideration received by the City.
As part of the process, the owner of the property in question was allowed to speak to the City's order. for her participation owner Marie Luong and her adviser participated by Zoom for the council comment opportunity.
Her adviser, a real estate developer outlined her view of the situation related to her property, observing that she has contacted a local businessman, Parm Sandu in Prince Rupert to seek out further information as to what could be built on the property in question.
Noting for the need of a little bit more time and with an answer they would then demolish the existing property and then develop something towards a standard that the city may be looking for. He observed that the prices of demolition that they had received were higher than they believe reasonable.
Towards commentary from Council members, Councillor Cunningham noted that the fire was over a year ago and he has not noticed any action taking place towards remediation of the property. He also noted of the previous use as a grow op as he understood it, as an area of concern for the city council.
Councillor Niesh observed that the clean up should have taken effect immediately and how the community has spoken loudly towards both properties under consideration on the evening. He also noted that while they are seeking a lower price, he does not believe that a delay is warranted.
Councillor Forster asked towards the volume of correspondences that the city has delivered to the owner.
The Mayor called on the City's Corporate Director Rosa Miller who was filling in as Acting City Manager for the vacationing Rob Buchan for a review of that correspondence trail.
Ms. Miller noted of Eleven letters that had been forwarded to the property owner since April of the year.
With that information Councillor Forster observed that there had been significant notice and opportunity for the property owner to respond.
Councillor Adey spoke to the theme of the ownership of the property and any plans in the future following demolition, noting that they would be able to build whatever they wish following demolition as allowed by city zoning. The councillor also asked for a definition as to what the city considers to be substantial work towards the demolition process.
The owner and her representative observed that there had been some interest from the city in buying the property but that seemingly had fallen through owing to a lack of federal funding, at which time the city's interest had waned in any potential purchase of the land.
Towards that topic, the Corporate Administrator advised that it would not be appropriate for staff to discuss any potential land conversations, as there were legal implications to that. Ms. Miller did confirm that there were no current offers, agreements, pending deals, or any of the latter in respect to the property.
As the conversation continued, Council members made it clear that they had no interest in offering any extension and then voted unanimously to approve the recommendation requiring the lot adjacent to the property be cleared by Friday August 18th, with the remainder of the main property in question to see demolition commence action within 30 days.
(see details of the order from the Agenda, correspondence from the property owner on page 11)
( 40:30 -- 57:00 ) Report from the Corporate Administrator: Remedial Action Order for 1127 & 1133 Second Avenue West -- Council received a report outlining the scope of the Remedial Action Order for the building removal located at 1127 & 1133 2nd Avenue West. the report also noted that there had been a request for reconsideration received by the City.
As with the previous remedial action order, the owner of the property in question Pierre Wong, participating by way of telephone, was allowed to speak to the topic.
His main focus was to seek out answers to some questions and comments that he had posed by way of a correspondence to Council.
Before addressing that element, the Mayor called for comments from Council.
Councillor Wade Niesh recounted the history of fires at the location and the state of disrepair that the building has had in recent years and how no action has taken place towards improvement, adding that the order needs to take place immediately.
Councillor Adey spoke to the process of demolition and the impact it may have no neighbouring buildings, including the prospect of rodents and other pests migrating from the building and that no unintended consequences should be found from the demolition work.
Ms. Miller advised that the city had contacted a pest control company to address the reports of rodents and other pests in the building in question.
Mr. Wong then returned to the conversation noting of previous illegal entries to the building and the damage that has taken place at his property, as well as to note of thefts of items from it.
The Mayor observed that thefts and illegal entries of the building are the responsibility of the owner and not that of the city.
Councillor Cunningham then asked for a sense of the owners intentions toward the property.
In reply, Mr. Wong outlined that as he is still in negotiation with his insurance company he could not outline what intentions that he may have towards it.
Councillor Randhawa asked if the owner had any timeline towards a decision from his insurance company, the answer did not address the deadline question, with the owner recounting some incorrect timelines that the city had relayed towards the two fires in question.
Corporate Administrator Miller outlined how the dates noted were irrelevant as the properties have been disrepair and that there have been two fires that have taken place at the site and it needs to be cleaned up regardless.
The owner outlined how he had tried to clean up the property, then returned to some of his complaints against the City and how they have attended to his case.
Councillor Skelton-Morven echoed some of the previous comments noting how the situation had not been addressed by the owner and that the city had opportunity to take action.
As was the case previous, Council members had no interest in offering any extension and then voted unanimously to approve the recommendation requiring the property in question to see demolition commence by the end of the month.
Should that not take place, the action order would see the city take the required action and forward the cost to the property owner .
(see details of the order from the Agenda, correspondence from the property owner on page 12)
Bylaws
( 57:00 -- 1:03:00 ) Infrastructure Replacement Design Loan Authorization Bylaw Number 3519-2023. The Mayor called on the Corporate Administrator to provide some background on the process towards the bylaw.
Ms. Miller advised that as part of the Alternate Approval Process, the city had only received 47 and 48 responses in opposition to the loan authorization requests that had ben put forward, a total which did not meet the threshold to stop the city's approach, as such the process could now move ahead.
The Mayor then provided a synopsis as to how the City's quest for loans as their share of the infrastructure formula, was required as part of their approach towards seeking federal funding for the work that is required.
Mr. Pond did observe that if the city did not find additional sources of revenue, whether through port caps or revenue benefit funding, then the city's backstop to the loans process would be through taxation of the city's utilities.
Towards discussion, Councillor Cunningham spoke to the prospect of additional funding and how it would reduce the impact on utility fees increases, the Mayor confirmed that in this case that was correct, but he could not speak towards if other situations may arise where the utility fund rates might have to increase .
The Mayor once again reinforced that if the other sources of revenue streams don't come to pass, there would be a need to use the utility taxes towards covering the costs required.
Mr Pond noted of the work of Mr. Pucci, Dr. Buchan and his own efforts in keeping in contact with those officials to continue to push for those revenue options.
With no further discussions, Council approved of the recommendation (see pages 13-14 of Agenda)
( 1:03:00 -- 1:04:00 ) Linear Liquid Waste Infrastructure Replacement Loan Authorization Bylaw Number 3520-2023. -- From the outset, Mr. Pond observed how the title of the Loan Authorization may have created some of the confusion seen at the public comment portion of the evening, and the concern expressed related to the Omenica waste plans. The Mayor clarifying how the bylaw was related to the city's water infrastructure work. With no discussion to the topic, Council approved the recommendation (see pages 15-16 of Agenda)
Business Arising
( 1:04:00 -- 1:12:00 ) Council Round Table and Public Question Period --
Councillor Cunningham led off the comment and question period, first noting of a concern related to the slow times of response for EMS and how the redirection of calls to other communities has delayed the response in Prince Rupert.
He noted of the staffing of dispatchers at the Fire Hall and asked why the city was not using those dispatchers for the EMS concerns.
Corporate Administrator Rosa Miller outlined how she and the Fire Chief had been in conversation with provincial officials with a look at an alternative to the current 911 dispatch service, offering to provide more research on the topic and getting back to council on the topic.
Councillor Cunningham also noted of concerns over dog droppings in an area of DryDock road, where a garbage can had been removed. The Corporate Administrator took note of the issue.
He and Mayor Pond also noted of the week of Udderfest set to get underway, with both urging the public to take in some of the performances through to Sunday.
To bring an end to the council session, Councillor Cunningham spoke of the effort of the city's workers to keep the water supply in place, turning the forum over to the Mayor, who made an appreciative note of their efforts and recommended that the public view the city's video towards the water infrastructure issue.
Mr. Pond noted of the importance of the Dam replacement from the previous Council's works, paying tribute to their work to bring that project to completion.
He then highlighted the current issues which I making for extensive water breaks, noting that the city has spent half a million dollars in patch repairs that are basically throw away money, with all that work to be removed once the larger infrastructure project is in a place to get underway.
Noting that the city had recently been close to losing water to over a thousand homes and it's through the work of the city's workers and contractor crews that the city's water supply has remained as a constant flow to this point.
Mr. Pond observed how there will be a time in the future to celebrate those workers who have allowed the city to remain livable.
Adjournment -- The Mayor brought the session to a close with a call to adjourn
You can access our Council Archive for August 16th 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, August 28th .
That session starts at 7PM.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
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