Monday night's final public council session for the month provided for a celebration of musical excellence and some notes on the city's iconic Lester Centre as the 23 minute introductory act, with thirty minutes of civic governance to follow.
Towards their agenda work on the night, along the way Council members received a range of reports and quickly moved forward variance requests and bylaw measures; leaving 21 of that 30 minutes for a number of comments towards themes that the Council members wished to share.
The Agenda for Regular session can be reviewed here
The Notice of the committee of the Whole can be reviewed here.
The Notice of the Closed 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: Monday, October 23, 2023
Mayor Herb Pond -- Present
Councillor Nick Adey -- Present
Councillor Barry Cunningham -- Present
Councillor Teri Forster -- Present by Zoom
Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven -- Present
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa -- Present
Video Archive for Monday October 23, 2023
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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL
( 0:00 -- 20:00 )Approval of Agenda -- The Mayor reviewed the Agenda for the Committee of the Whole Session and sought approval of Council towards it. The Mayor noting that Councillor Teri Forster was participating remotely, she observed she was out of town in Victoria related to work.
Petitions and Delegations
( 0:00 -- 8:00 )The First Delegation for the council on the night came from Prince Rupert Middle School, in the Council chamber to be celebrated for their success this past spring at a National Music Festival in Ontario.
Mayor Pond provided some background toward their trip to Ontario and then welcomed Musical Director Kristy Tillman and the members of the school's Jazz and Concert Bands to the chamber, celebrating their success at the MusicFest event in Niagara Falls earlier this year.
The band members were presented with Civic Merit Awards and received pins from the City.
The Mayor also used the opportunity to praise the Prince Rupert School System, noting that students in the District get a better education than can be found elsewhere, noting of the scope of programs that the District has such as the music program, drama program and others.
The Mayor also hailed the work of the teachers of the District who give to the community and the students of the District.
( 8:00 --24:00 ) The Second item from Delegations was a presentation from Chris Armstrong from the Lester Center of the Arts. He provided a short overview of some of the events in recent months at the facility, highlighted the Arts Centre's importance to community and the reputation it has gained around the country from travelling musicians and entertainers who are amazed at the standard of the facility.
He explored some of the history of the arrangement between the City and the Arts Centre through the Society and how the support of the city allows for the Centre to keep ticket prices down, as well as without the support of the city the Lester Centre would not be able to bring in some of the name acts that they have brought to town.
He recounted some of the renovations that have taken place in recent years, many of them initiated by and with funding raised within the community. Armstrong also noted of the impact that the Centre has towards tourism and economic factors such as hotel rooms, meals at restaurants and purchases at store.
He also noted of the growing challenges that many groups find in attracting volunteers and noted of the need for additional help at the Centre this season. He also highlighted the ongoing Please Be Seated project, which is working towards replacing all of the interior seats in the Lester Centre.
Mayor Pond asked about the status of the Please Be Seated initiative, which so far has raised 30,000 dollars within the community, along with a range of funding that has been accessed towards it.
The Mayor also offered opportunity for Mr. Armstrong to introduce the Board that attended with him.
Councillor Randhawa offered up a question related to additional funding options, while Councillor Adey spoke to the importance of the Arts in the community and how the Lester Centre serves that goal.
Councillor Niesh noted of the challenges that the Centre has seen and congratulated Mr. Armstrong for his work at the facility.
Mayor Pond observed as to when he first arrived in the city in 1988 and the controversy of that time as to whether the Arts Centre should be in its current location or in the Capital Theatre building downtown, with the debate an emotional one that at times divided the community.
Observing how the Lester Centre has become a massive significant advancement for the community.
Councillor Cunningham also praised the facility noting how it's the nicest one in the North and has had strong leadership through the years.
Questions and Inquiries from members of Council
There were no further comments, questions or inquiries from the Council membership
Adjournment to Regular Council session
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REGULAR SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL
( 24:00 -- 25:00 ) Adoption of Agenda
Council adopted the Agenda as presented
( 25:00 -- 25:30 ) Public Comments regarding Agenda items -- No members of the public came forward on the night to make comment.
( 25:30 -- 26:00 ) Consent Agenda
Council review of Regular minutes from October 10, 2023 Session
Council review of minutes from Special Regular Meeting of October 10 2023
Report from the Director of Operations and Intergovernmental Relations: Re: Capital and Major projects monthly update (see pages 8-9 of Agenda)
Correspondences
Request for NDIT Grant Resolution of Support (see pages 10-11 of Agenda)
Report from BCLC Re: 2022/23 Prince Rupert Community Impact Report (see page 12 - 23 of Agenda)
Recommendation
The Mayor noted of some of the elements of the items on the list up for review.
Council Council then accepted and filed all items of the Consent Agenda, there was no discussion or comments related to any of the items noted.
Staff Reports
( 26:00 - 29:00 ) Verbal Report from Director of Operations and Intergovernmental Relations -- Council received a report related to the 4th Avenue West Pathway review, with the Director of Operations Pucci observing that the city has received reports related to the geo technical and structural elements of the walkway, as well as to review some of the work of Empire Tree and City work crew on landscaping and debris removal.
Among the recommendations from the structural review, the Director observed on the need for replacement of some of the creosote sections, while noting that the concrete areas remain good, as well there is a need to place cocoa matting to generate vegetation growth to hold the slope in place.
Mr. Pucci estimated cost for that work just to keep the area safe is approximaetly 60,000 dollars, while rebuilding the walkway to code will cost up to 150,000 to 200,000 dollars work which would include additional lighting. He observed that city staff have already used 30,000 of the 50,000 allotted for the study.
From the review, the Mayor observed that without some kind of budgetary miracle, or unless Council cancels some other project, the funds don't exist in the current budget to repair the walkway.
Director Pucci confirmed that observation, noting how staff would be bringing it forward for the 2024 budget process for consideration.
No Council members had comments or questions related to the verbal report. (see pages 24-26 of Agenda)
( 29:00 - 31:00 ) Report from Director Development Services -- Council received a report related to the Extension of Development incentives. The Mayor outlined how the previous council had introduced the initiative to generate the construction of new housing units. With Mr. Pond noting that the window of opportunity is short for those interested in using the program. Council then accepted the recommendation to extend for one more year the waiver for fees for all Development permits, Building permits and rezoning in the City Core. There were no comments or questions related to the topic. (see pages 27-30 of Agenda)
( 31:00 -- 31:30 ) Report from Planning: Development Variance Permit #23-22 -- Council received a report accepting the recommendation to proceed to Statutory Notification for a property on 9th Avenue East. Council members had no questions or comments. (see pages 31-36 of Agenda)
( 31:30 -- 32:00 ) Report from Planning: Development Variance Permit #23-19 -- Council received a report and approved the recommendation to proceed to Statutory Notification for a property on 11th Avenue East. Council members had no questions or comments. (see pages 37-42 of Agenda)
Bylaws
( 32:00 -- 32:30 ) City of Prince Rupert Reserve Fund Amendment Bylaw -- Council provided fourth and final readings to the Reserve Fund Amendment Bylaw, the request is related to the provincial funding received from the province in March of 2023. The motion was passed with no discussion from Council. (see pages 79 - 86 of Agenda)
Business Arising
( 32:00 -- 53:00 ) Council Round Table and Public Question Period
Councillor Adey noted of the current conversation in the community related to the Roundabout proposal and expanded on it exploring some notes on other safety issues related to the roads in the community.
Among his notes, concerns related to Five corners and how some safety measures could be put in place at that corner to make the yield process more clearer. He also observed of a submission from a local resident that may be of interest here, outlining a program in Port Hardy towards a solar powered lighting addition for stop signs to enhance their visibility.
He also noted of the concerns related to Second Avenue and the Chevron and the need to make ti safer as well as the lack of any crosswalk along Park Avenue from Five Corners and the Ferry terminal.
The Councillor also observed as to concerns on speeding on city streets and nquired as to how community residents could approach council to reduce speed in their neighbourhoods.
The Mayor turned that discussion over Director Pucci, who first observed that he had made notes on the Councillor's list and observed how they and other areas of note could be raised with the ministry of Transportation.
As to the speed reduction question, he noted that a resolution of Council by Bylaw could address that issue on civic streets, with the Director to return to Council with a Consent Memo to outline the process further.
Councillor Barry Cunningham also had some thoughts to share on safety, noting of the recent safety campaign that he, Mayor Pond and Councillor Adey had participated in and how he would like to see an expansion of the safety reflector program, particularly tied into the Halloween time activities to highlight the measures to be seen.
He also observed that there is also a responsibility for pedestrians to be aware of their situations and not to walk into traffic. Another topic of note for the councillor was the issue of bikes, ebikes, and motorized scooters and how there is need for bylaw enforcement on those issues as well as the helmet bylaw.
Councillor Randhawa observed of a reduced speed program in place on Atlin Avenue and suggested a review of the success of that initiative towards expanding it.
Mayor Pond noted some of the traffic calming measures that could be considered, noting of roundabouts, curb bump outs and reduced speed limits which force people to slow down.
Councillor Forster echoes the safety issues and the opportunity that the moment presents. She also paid tribute to the members of the community noting in particular Symbia Barnaby for her work in bringing the project to Saturday's final event.
Councillor Skelton Morven added to those comments, thanking all of those who stepped up to help with the event at Galloway Rapids and the Feast that followed at the Civic Centre.
Councillor Cunningham offered up some of his observations on what he described as a moving ceremony and outlined how he would like to see a plaque put in place to highlight the messages of the totem pole.
Mayor Pond also shared his memoirs of the Saturday event and how it brought the community together, describing it as a magical spot, he recounted how staff recommended Galloway Rapids as the location for the pole and how there is a need for some benches for that area for those that will be spending time there to reflect.
Mr. Pond then paid tribute to the efforts of Councillor Skelton-Morven who took on much work with the organizers and was actively involved in the success of the project.
The Mayor then turned to some items on his own list for review, speaking of the Roundabout Announcement, the groundbreaking of the the Lax Kw'alaams housing project, as well as a tour he and Mayor Bjorndal of Port Edward took of the Trigon facility at Ridley Island.
Also of note for the Mayor was the Long Service Civic Recognition ceremony he took part in, with Mr. Pond noting that on the same day he was hailing the work of the city's fire fighters and other civic workers, they then headed out to tend to situations. The Fire Department responding to a call where they saved two lives, while the City workers spent last Tuesday night attending to the event at Montreal Circle and worked all night long to get the water back on with the help of contractors.
The Mayor noting of how the council works with a great group of people.
Other notes from the mayors list, was attendance with Councillor Skelton Morven at the Nation2Nation conference in Terrace, a memorial service at North Pacific and a Zoom call with representatives from the city's sister city of Cangzhou, China and how that may lead to some exchanges back and forth.
The busy few weeks then followed by the Pole raising on Saturday at Galloway Rapids.
His final note on the night was a review of a presentation he took in on the small term rental legislation from the province, legislation that will help the city enforce the bylaws that it has related to their efforts on improving on accessibly to rental housing for the community.
The mayor observing how he welcomes the legislation and that it will bring the right balance for Prince Rupert.
Adjournment -- With no other council members speaking to the round table the Mayor then brought the Council session to a close.
You can access our Council Archive for October 23rd 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 a Special Council session, set to take place on Monday, November 6th, followed then by a public forum meeting on Thursday, November 9th.
Those sessions will serve as the introduction for the 2024 Budget Process for Council which has been moved to the fall from its previous period of the Spring.
That session starts at 7PM.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
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