The first Regular Council session for 2024 could have been wrapped up before the ten minute mark had it not been for some expanded observations at the end of the session towards Council members concerns on community themes.
As for the Regular session, Council made quick work of the Consent agenda and its listings, tackling the short list of items in just over seven minutes, with few comments or observations to share towards the official listing for the night.
The Agenda for Regular session can be reviewed here.
The rest of the the thirty seven minute council session put the focus on a range of topics that Council members had collected over the holiday period.
Their topics running from parking to housing to downtown vandalism to name just a few.
Mayor Pond also noted of a Closed Session for the night, that a late announcement and as such there was no Agenda towards it, or any previous notice of the need for the Closed Session.
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, January 8 , 2024
Mayor Herb Pond -- Present
Councillor Nick Adey -- Present
Councillor Barry Cunningham -- Present
Councillor Teri Forster -- Present
Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven -- Participated by Zoom
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa -- Present
Video Archive for Monday, January 8, 2024
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REGULAR SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL
( 00:00 -- 1:00 ) Introduction of Late Items
Approval of Agenda -- The Mayor reviewed the Agenda of the January 8th session and received approval of Council towards it adding one item to the agenda for the evening.
The Mayor noting of one addition to the Agenda, that of the need for a closed session to address some 'protective matters' the closed session to take place at the end of the Public Session on the night.
( 1:00 00 1:30 ) Public Comments regarding Agenda items -- No members of the public came forward to speak as part of the public comment opportunity.
( 1:30 -- 1:45 )Consent Agenda
Council review of Regular minutes from December 11, 2023 Session
Council review of minutes from Special Regular Meeting of December 13, 2023
Correspondences:
North Coast Regional District Board Highlights - December 2023 (see pages 8-9 of Agenda)
Request a letter of support from Northern Health Re: Prince Rupert Port Authority Grant Application for the Acropolis Manor DementiAbility project for 2024. (see pages 10-15 of Agenda)
Council approved and accepted the items of the Consent Agenda with no comments.
Reports
Staff Reports
( 1:45 -- 2:55 ) Report from Planning: Development Variance Permit #23-08 -- -- Council move forward to the Statutory Notification process for a property on 11th Avenue East. Councillor Niesh observed over the size of the garage plan and how the height while not a concern at the moment, it could be of note and potential concern should there be more housing developed in the area in question (see pages 16-26 of Agenda)
( 2:55 -- 6:30 ) Report from the Director of Development Services Re: DVP 23-24 -- Council will receive a report related to the proposal for development of housing at Drake Crescent, with the recommendation from staff of approval of the Development Variance permit that had been requested.
Councillor Adey asked if there had been any public feedback towards the request, he was advised that none had been received. Councillor Cunningham noted of how the city was trading off parking for street parking for the development noting how that could be a slippery slope, with the topic something the city should look at.
Councillor Randhawa observed on the proximity to the High School and asked if a traffic study might be required, he also outlined what he believes is a lack of a buffer area around the development
The City Manager observed he was not aware of any traffic studies taking place, nor did he believe that there was a need for one.
Councillor Niesh noted that a traffic study had been done for the original application for the site which at that time had been proposed to have more units
He observed how he didn't believe parking would be much of an issue for the project as it has been outlined, noting of the reduced scope of the build and the Industrial zoning of the property across Prince Rupert Boulevard. Council then approved of the requested permit. (see pages 27 - 39 of Agenda)
Bylaws
( 6:30 -- 7:00 ) City of Prince Rupert Infrastructure Replacement Design Temporary Borrowing Bylaw -- Council provided Fourth and Final reading to the Borrowing Bylaw 3523,2023. There were no questions or comments towards it (see page 40 )
( 7:00 -- 7:45 ) City of Prince Rupert Linear Liquid Waste Infrastructure Replacement Temporary Borrowing Bylaw 3524,3023 -- Council provided Fourth and Final reading to the Borrowing Bylaw 3524,2023. There were no questions or comments towards it (see page 41)
Mayor Pond noted that the reason there had been no comments directed towards the two bylaws was that they both had been discussed previously a number of times through the process.
The Mayor observing how this was a last opportunity for comment or thoughts and with none Council was closing the door on the twin topics.
Business Arising
( 1:43:30 --37:00 ) Council Round Table and Public Question Period --
With an invitation from the Mayor for comment, Council members brought a lengthy laundry list of items for discussion on the night, with Councillor Niesh opening up the thirty minutes of commentary.
His first topic was to note of the need for Civic Operations to keep on top of the growing number of potholes in the community, particularly in the areas of ongoing infrastructure work, noting how with what will be a four year process at best, some protocols will need to be developed to keep on top of the situation.
He also highlighted some of the work on removal of eyesore structures in the downtown area, as well as to note of some fresh plywood in some of the empty buildings and observing how there should be a conversation with the RCMP towards a need for more policing downtown on the issue of vandalism and broken windows in the downtown area.
Councillor Cunningham asked towards a time frame for the completion of the work on the Sixth Avenue bridge, Director Richard Pucci observed how the city is still waiting for the final analysis of the bridge which will outline the weight load that the bridge can take. As for an estimate towards that information, the Director advised he hoped for a report by the end of the week.
Councillor Forster had a number of items to share thoughts on or ask questions towards.
The first was to seek out an explanation of the City's reporting process on burned out street lights, asking how long residents should be patient towards action or a reply.
Director of Operations Richard Pucci noted that the city's lights have changed to LED which offers new challenges towards replacement or repairs than a simple swapping out of bulbs, he observed as to the current work load of city workers related to ongoing infrastructure issues and hoe they try to get to them as soon as they can.
The Mayor offered up a suggestion for a system that would provide online feedback for residents to receive updates on their reports of such instances to the city.
Ms. Forster's second question was to the theme of parking in the community, with her focus shifting from residential themes, to commercial or social parking, the Councillor nothing of such events as the All Native Tournament and how the City's No Parking regulations don't seem to be enforced consistently, observing how some residents and visitors believe it's only during All Native,
The Mayor picked on that theme and how some believe it's a racial issue, turning to the City Manager for some background on the parking policy, Mr. Buchan then turned to the Director of Operations for an overview as to how the city addresses the topic.
For his part Director Pucci observed how it's not a racial issue, but one which is focused on the longer running events which are planned in advance and parking issues are anticipated, noting of the ANBT and the Annual Dance competition as two examples.
Though he did note how a more consistent message and coordination with the Recreation Centre is likely required when it comes to how the city outlines the No Parking protocols. Observing that one option could be to include No Parking signage year round that advises of that restriction.
Ms Forster next topic was on the theme of towing of vehicles in the community, noting how residents had approached her over the holidays to outline how that is done in other communities. Towards that issue she asked what the city's policy was on towing of vehicles.
The City's Corporate Director Rosa Miller outlined how the process on derelict vehicles worked noting of some of the differences between owned property and those instances where the owners of the vehicles don't own the property.
Towards reporting she noted how the public is required to forward a photo of the vehicles in question to the Bylaw department for any action. She also outlined how the voluntary surrender program works where the city takes the vehicle and has them crushed as part of an ongoing process.
The Councillor's final comment was to call for the Director of Health in the community to come to council to address some of the growing number of health related concerns in the region. The Mayor then asked for the invitation to be made to Northern Health's Julia Pemberton to come to a future council session.
Councillor Adey also had a lengthy list of items to share from his holiday period, the first was to ask about the status of the demolition of the Angus Apartments. With a focus on the timeline and the cost of the work, noting how the city now owns the property in question.
The response to that inquiry came from Director Miller, she outlined that the cost won't be cheap but not something unanticipated with the city expecting it will recoup it upon sale.
As for the timing of the demolition after a break over the holidays, the building will be re-wrapped in the days ahead, with about three months required towards the work. The Director observing how it will hopefully be like a butterfly from a cocoon following the work.
The Councillor's second question was related to the recent changes by the province on civic housing policy, asking for some background on how the changes will impact on Prince Rupert.
The Mayor noted how he and senior staff have been following the changes to legislation over the last few months, Doctor Buchan observed how a report is coming to Council to outline how those changes will impact on civic planning this year.
He also called on Director of Development Services Myfannwy Pope to provide an overview of what the goals of the provincial legislation are.
Ms Pope noted how the city has already started some of that process depending on the size of the lots in question. Observing how the provincial changes to zoning are required by mid year, as well as for the need for updates towards the city's Housing needs assessment and the Official Community Plan.
Those to align with the outlook for housing over the next twenty years.
She also observed over the elimination of the need for Public Hearing element for rezonings that are already aligned with the Official Community Plan, the last item of her list one which caught the eye of the councillor who noted he would be interested in the public's reaction to that last element and the elimination of that public engagement process.
The Mayor expanded on the theme, and noted how the province was saying that if someone applies to do a development that matches your zoning and community plan you have to let them do it and you have to let them get on doing it.
Mr. Adey's third item of note was to speak to the issue of pedestrian safety from McBride to Five Corners, noting of the difficulty in seeing pedestrians and his concerns over potential injury. The Councillor suggesting that it was really a three way dialogue between the City, Province and ICBC that is required towards progress on safety theme.
Towards his concerns, the City Manager outlined how staff were already on that file, noting of the Official Community Plan and the city's ambitions for Second Avenue pending funding, which would see a remodelling of Second Avenue to make it more of an urban street, Mr. Buchan noting that the city could work that into their infrastructure replacement program moving forward.
For a final comment from the Councillor, he offered up some praise for a former student of his, noting of the recent story of the first Female tugboat crew which transited waters from Prince Rupert to Stewart as part of their duties.
The Mayor concurred on the impressive nature of the feat.
For his turn, Councillor Randhawa had questions towards the ongoing work on Kootenay avenue and the closed status of the Dog park.
Director Miller provided the overview of the current status of the Kootenay work noting how the completion date was something she would have to look into, but that it won't be soon,
Councillor Niesh returned with some notes on line painting, obersving of his travels around the province and how Prince Rupert is not alone on the issue. The Councillor noting how it's mainly owing to the fact that communities can't use the 'good paint' anymore; speaking to concerns for safety he suggested that the city write to the province to advocate for the ability to use the kind of paint that stands up to the conditions that the community faces.
Mr. Niesh also asked for city staff to explore other options such as reflectors in the pavement to help alleviate the safety issues. The Mayor shared the councillors concern on the safety concern elements.
From that the City Manager suggested that Council also make the issue a UBCM resolution, with Councillor Cunningham, who also shared some of his concerns on the topic, suggesting that they bring the issue as part of the agenda towards their NCLGA trip later this spring.
Mr. Cunningham also had a note on parking, calling attention to some issues in the downtown area where truckers are idling their rigs in the downtown area, noting how he has discussed the issue with Dr. Buchan.
In response the City Manager, noted that he has been in touch with the RCMP on the issue and noted that they have attended such calls and that the Officer in Charge has committed to continue with that enforcement theme, though Mr. Buchan did note that some of the incidents could be taking place on private property which may require some additional bylaw changes.
That review of idling trucks would make for the final observation of the half hour of exchanges by those in attendance at City Hall.
As he has done for a number of sessions since October, Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven participated by long distance video connection for the meeting; though he made no contributions during the course of the 37 minutes of civic governance on the night.
Adjournment -- The Mayor then brought the session to a close and noted that the members would then move into a Closed Session.
You can access our Council Archives for January 8th here.
From that page a number of items regarding the Council Session 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.
The next City Council Session is scheduled for Monday, January 22nd, 2024.
That session starts at 7 PM.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
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