Kitsumkalum First Nation Chief Don Roberts, Chief Alex Bolton and Prince Rupert Port Authority CEO and President Shaun Stevenson have announced the start of a newRelationship Agreement (image from PRPA)
A foundation towards how the Prince Rupert Port Authority and Kitsumkalum First Nation will move forward on relationship building has been put in place, with the two sides announcing the successful completion of a Relationship Agreement.
Through an information release this morning, the PRPA announced the background to the agreement which was reached last year.
The agreement was finalized as part of a signing ceremony attended by Port officials, PRPA Board members and the Kitsumkalum community.
Don Roberts, Chief of Kitsumkalum outlined how the agreement will define the relationship moving forward.
“The Port operates on lands and waters within Tsimshian Territory and this agreement will build on Kitsumkalum’s role in the economy of the Port and provide for collaborative strategic planning and management of the lands and resources in a way that recognizes and respects our respective rights, values, and interests.”
For the Prince Rupert Port Authority, President and CEO Shaun Stevenson noted how it reflects the shared vision of both parties for the future.
“This agreement symbolizes a significant milestone for PRPA and the partnership that we continue to build with Kitsumkalum. Our purpose at PRPA is to build a better Canada – and by extension, better communities – by growing trade. We work with Indigenous communities to ensure our joint values are reflected in a shared vision for the future.”
There were no details released today towards how the agreement will work, or what elements may be put in place for the Kitsumkalum First Nation as a result of the signing.
The District of Port Edward is making a second attempt towards approval for a recreation area just off of the Galloway Bridge area (image from BC Gov't Crown Lands website)
The District of Port Edward is back with a new application to the province towards their hopes of developing a waterfront park recreation area in the Galloway Rapids area just off of Highway 16.
As we noted last year the District's first attempt from 2022 was not approved by the province, that after the District had expressed an interest in expanding the application to additional land on the waterfront side of the highway.
The District's second bite at the apple was recently listed on the Government's Crown Lands website, with the application available for comments until April 11th.
The area of development is to the west of the Galloway Rapids bridge, running parallel into the highway leading into Port Edward.
It features a slightly different footprint from that proposed from two years ago.
The documentation that is part of the application providing some details as to the ambitions that the District have for the location.
The District of Port Edward is looking at developing a water access area for our community and visitors to enjoy. We have identified this area for our waterfront access and we are now applying to the Crown in order to secure this location. The plan is to develop a waterfront area, all measurements are approximate dimensions.
The vision is to provide a natural atmosphere and an area where the public can access the water . A consultant has been hired to develop a concept design for the park and walking trail into Port Edward. We might set up picnic tables and some seating areas for visitors to enjoy.
We will need to apply to the Ministry of Transportation to allow us to use the Highway right of way to create angle parking just off the highway. The concept design will provide us more details on how this waterfront park will look like.
We chose this location because any harbour area within out townsite is where CN Railway runs their now double track railway lines and the train traffic will only increase with the coming years as industry increases.
This proposed area currently does not have these barriers and we do not foresee them in the future. Another reason for the development of this area is that if we secure the land and funding we have control of what happens in this area.
There are several existing sites that have water access but they are privately own that have been used by the public in the past but owners are considering closing these areas to the public (such as the Kloyia Bay area).
There is a desired for recreational areas that allow for beach access and we hope we are able to develop this area to support more recreational parks in our area.
The application includes a concept book of what the site would like once work is completed, should the District gain approval and follow through on their development plans.
Among the features that should find much favour with local residents is a waterfront area which would include: a boardwalk, rest area, possible kayak launch area, education trail and eventually connect up with other trail building plans for the region.
Items related to the Port Edward Crown Land use application (Click on above to enlarge)
There was much disappointment expressed from the public when the previous attempt to develop recreation space in that area was turned down, so hopefully this revised approach will meet with the approval of government officials.
The vision for that area one that does seem to offer up a welcome oasis for residents looking to enjoy water access in the region.
A Budget item from provincial spending that will see 250 million dollars of funding, over five years allocated to the 21 members of the NWBCRBA.
The Council session providing for a public forum to follow up on his Social Media advisories of the weekend.
The Mayor took advantage of the opportunity on Monday evening to pay tribute to those involved in the initiative across the region, as well as in the Council chamber.
He outlined how now that it's in place, municipalities can count on the funding over the next five years, to be used on much needed infrastructure work.
"Together with my fellow co-chairs, there are there of us. Smithers Mayor Gladys Atrill, the Mayor of Terrace, Sean Bujtas and myself, each from different regional districts, representing those regional districts on the RBA, had let Government know some weeks ago that we would be present both for the Throne Speech and for the Budget Speech.
With the very clear intention to say you know, we know you've been working on this, we know you're getting very close. We will be there so that when you announce it, we can celebrate and we were not disappointed.
As you well know, the province announced 250 million dollars to be shared amongst all those RBA communities, 50 million dollars a year over five years.
And certainly once, you know distribute that, and the distribution formula is not yet determined. But you know it's not 50 to us, it's a smaller amount obviously, but it's still significant.
And most significant is, it's an ongoing deal, that we can now count on.
We can plan projects going forward knowing that there will be money coming in, in addition to taxes, this is not to offset taxes, this to help us to get more work done with taxpayers money and we can count on that.
And then future council's can sit as that agreement comes towards the end and renegotiate.
And you know if anybody in this room is part of that you know you'll be renegotiating up"
Mr Pond noted how this process was similar to the Fair Share arrangement in the Peace Country evolved which is what the RBA was designed to use as guide. He further outlined how it was a case of the province investing in the communities of the Northwest and how it could benefit Prince Rupert.
"We don't see this as a handout from Government, but in fact a return of a small portion of the revenue that they earn off of all the economic activity that takes place within this region.
And it's staggering the billions of dollars of investment that is taking place today and planned for the future.
It's massive and the province gets to collect, PST and Sales Tax and Income Tax off of all of that, while those entities come inside of municipal paying property taxes some outside of the municipal boundaries, rely on the services of our northern communities and their pounding our roads and they using our rec facilities.
So, this isn't charity, this is investing in communities so we can be all the province needs us to be, all that industry needs us to be. We just had a discussion about keeping an ER open and a hospital that ER has to be open for industry to do what it does.
And so these are all interlinked pieces of building the kind of community that can attract young talented workers who will choose to live here, bring their families here and become a part of making those industries work"
Mr. Pond observed as to how he keeps two sets of lists in his mind when it comes to funding grants and those to how the city can grow revenue streams such as Watson Island.
He also noted how there were still some challenges for this community to address, such as PILT and the Port Tax Cap, but with the RBA agreement one box had been ticked, paying tribute to the Council members for their support of the initiative.
"We know in spite of a much improved relationship with the Port that we still have to resolve the PILT, the payment in lieu of taxes and that's OK, we'll resolve that.
They actually agree, for the most part, on the Tax Cap that the city should be made whole and that the province should be the ones to makes us whole.
But we've put a gigantic tick mark by a big one and I want to thank everyone of you members of Council you have been fully supportive of every initiative, not only fully supportive, you've been, in terms of sending me away and backing me up when I'm gone.
But you know, being at UBCM with bells on and pressing the flesh and making sure that every single minister on the list knew ... There are some people, a few, who think that these things just happen that it would have happened anyway.
It wouldn't have happened anyway, it happens because you go make it happen so I want to thank all of you for being such an active part of that "
As part of the discussion, Councillor Adey took a moment to acknowledge the work of former Mayor Lee Brain and former Councillor Mirau for their efforts over the years.
"Just for clarity it's a process that began quite a long time ago and I think we would be remiss if we did not mention specifically in terms of Council members. The previous Mayor Lee Brain and councillor Blair Mirau"
Mayor Pond noted from that, that they had been among the first people he contacted to share word of the success found last week, as well as to salute the work of MLA Rice and Minister Nathan Cullen on the RBA initiative.
"Absolutely and to that end I did have a note don't forget ... absolutely ten years, ten years different political leaders from local government in the Northwest have been pushing for this.
And my first two texts after letting you know was to former Mayor Brain, former councillor Blair Mirau to say we did it, it's done"
He also paid tribute to the interest taken by Minister Kang and Premier Eby to deliver on the funding arrangement.
Councillor Cunningham recalled some of the work of Council at UBCM towards pushing for the RBA initiative and other infrastructure issues, in particular he praised the work of Councillor Forster during that convention period.
You can review the Mayor's commentary from the City's Video Archive starting at the one hour ten minute mark.
Work on the Sixth Avenue EastBridge could be underway by this summer
A light at the end of the bridge for those who use the Sixth Avenue East Bridge, with the City of Prince Rupert putting the refurbishment of the vital transportation link up for bid through the BC Bid website.
The Bid request for the 300 foot wood trestle bridge, 80 feet above Hays Creek was issued on Tuesday, the call for submissions one with a lengthy list of items for the to do list.
Among the scope of services for the work:
(i)Removal of existing asphalt surfacing.
(ii)Removal of thread rods.
(iii)Removal of sidewalk decking.
(iv)Removal of guardrails and posts.
(v)Assessment of timber condition and replacement of rotten or damaged bridge deck laminations.
(vi)Installation of flashing.
(vii)Replacement of guardrail timbers.
(viii)Installation of threaded rods and tension system as per specifications shown on drawing number 2200449-000-1960-105.
(ix)Installation of subdeck beam.
(x)Installation of sidewalk support cantilever timbers.
(xi)installation of sidewalk decking and steel strapping.
(xii)Installation of utility supports and hardware.
The city also advises that budgetary considerations could have an impact on how that work progresses.
The City acknowledges that the Project’s scope is contingent upon the availability of funds.
The tender submission should take into account that the City reserves the right to alter the Project scope based on overall budgetary considerations.
If the total budget allocated to the Project is less than the tenderers proposed bid, the City may exercise its right to adjust the scope by eliminating specific components, tasks, or features.
The decision to modify the scope will be made in accordance with the City’s budgetary constraints and Project priorities.
The Bid package includes extensive instructions for the work that is planned, along with a number of diagrams of the specifics to the Bridge.
The closing date for submission of bids is March 29, 2024
The work would take up much of the summer, with a timeline towards completion set for the end of September.
It's noted in the prospectus for those considering the work that the Bridge and sidewalk closure to traffic and pedestrians must be scheduled for August and September.
Something that puts the work required into a two month window.
Though the city appears to want to wring out every last day possible towards that work, with the Bid call having added a day to the calendar for the month of September ...
Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for Tuesday-Wednesday, February 27-28, 2024
Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Tuesday-Wednesday, February 27-28, 2024
Prince Rupert's House of Reading is the host venue for the City's presentation on Climate Action tomorrow night
Tomorrow night is the night for residents of Prince Rupert and area to come together to discuss the City of Prince Rupert's work on how to adapt to climate change with the City to host an information session at the Prince Rupert Library on Sixth Avenue West.
The Community presentation is scheduled for a 7 PM start and follows up on some of the work that City Staff have put in so far as part of the civic Climate Adaptation and Action Plan.
As we outlined in January, the City had issued a call for help towards the initiative by way of a mapping program that tracks potential climate hazards in the community.
Council moved forward on its motion to create a forum of consultation towards addressing some health care issues in the community on Monday evening, adopting the Notice of Motion put forward as part of the Agenda on the evening.
Once introduced, the council discussion focused on some of the elements of note in Prince Rupert when it comes to Health Care.
Councillor Teri Forster a nurse in the community, recused herself from the discussion owing to a conflict of interest, that left the topic to Councillors Nick Adey, Barry Cunningham and Mayor Pond for commentary.
Councillor Adey framed the situation by noting of the current weather for the region in the winter and the impact that also has on the service level expected in the community.
"I was driving back from Terrace today and it was a beautiful day, if. had been forced to make that journey in the opposite direction because of a medical circumstance, perhaps it would have been OK.
But even then, there were a couple of commercial vehicles in the ditch along the way and the notion that we could conceivably have a circumstance where our Emergency room closes, although I'm not aware of any immediate panic there.
But if it was to take place, that journey is so heavily dependent upon the weather that it would be very problematic and so I think one of the points of this is to see if we can't offer some initiatives that will stabilize those possibilities, so that we're not at risk"
The Councillor also praised the advice from Councillor Forster from last session to include not just recruitment, but employee retention to the overview of their work and stressed how the civic led initiative was not to overstep its scope of office.
"I just want to say that this is not by any stretch of the imagination to perform any kind of an end around the people at Northern Health, and in the Ministry of Health and our own MLA through her portfolio.
It's not to sidestep their authority, that's where their authority lies, it's to offer support.
To help them if there are ways to help them and other interested groups that participate can help them move those initiatives forward and provide some stability for the staffing of the medical profession"
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa wondered if there should be a timeline to the initiative, thought the Mayor noted that there was some urgency to the issue and that they would work to get the group together as fast as practical.
Councillor Cunningham joined the discussion recounting some of his concerns many times in the past of previous commitments from Northern Health that have not bee met in Prince Rupert.
"We've been harping on this Transportation Highway 16 corridor for seven, eight years.
Northern Health promised us better Transportation systems, never came through with it.
They promised priority for optometry appointments, never came through with it.
Our citizens and residents of Prince Rupert have taken a back seat to a lot of the services that we should be entitled to have in this town and never given an alternative to going to Terrace to do it.
And exactly what Councillor Adey says is so true.
I don't know how many times we haven't been able to travel that highway, or get a medevac in her for that fact, so we're isolated, we need those services.
The Councillor also noted how other communities have been active in recruitment in the region.
"I don't think we should be worrying too much about stepping on any toes here.
Terrace has already done their own recruitment, Kitimat has just done a study on recruitment and I think we just gotta follow suit.
I think right now Northern Health is bogged down just on recruiting for Mills Memorial, like I said last time it's a six, seven hundred million dollar hospital, they're having trouble even recruiting for their existing hospital and their going to have more trouble recruiting for that.
It's going to put more pressure on the other outlaying hospitals and areas and this notice of motion is very important"
The Councillor also noted that he has spoken to some of the potential industrial partners in the initiative and noted they were enthusiastic to become involved.
He also recounted some of the challenges the city faces when it comes to attracting doctors, including as he observed one situation where a suggestion was made that a Doctor looking at Prince Rupert had been redirected to consider Terrace.
"I have heard stories and I know personally that I talked to one doctor and it was true.
He wanted to come to Rupert, he was told he should be going to Terrace because of the new hospital and everything else.
So we've got to step up and do some recruiting on our own ... I think we should get a hold of that copy of that study that Kitimat put out and read that and get some ideas from that"
Mayor Pond weighed in on what he believes should the primary focus ahead.
"Hearing concerns that the Emergency Room in particular, that service was under threat of closure on temporary basis and so far Northern Health has managed to dodge the bullet repeatedly.
But we met with a group of local GP's, many of whom have been filing in up at that facility and when you strip it all away there's just too few of them left, covering too many shifts and their absolutely burned out
And while clearly we will sit at this table and talk with Northern Health about the broader recruiting that needs to be done in all kinds of areas.
My most immediate focus is making sure that whatever needs to be done to ensure that the Emergency Room remains open, always, always has to be that most immediate focus in a much larger piece that says we need to be recruiting"
The Mayor also outlined some of the conditions facing local doctors, who have had to balance their practices with their growing hospital commitments; as well as to note that there is a need to inform the community towards the use of Emergency and other options available.
The Full Discussion to the topic can be reviewed through the City's Video Archive starting at the 54 minute mark.
