Much of Monday's Council session was dominated by one topic, that of the city's remediation/potential Demolition order for a property on Second Avenue West, mostly known in the community as the former Mohawk Gas Station site.
The night featured two presentations in the public comment period from members of the Chirico family which owns the property; as well as the Council discussion later in the evening that spoke to the city's order toward the site.
The other item on the Agenda that generated some discussion was the request to use Legacy Dividend Funding towards the design planning for the city's repurposing of the McCarthy GM building for use as a civic operations base.
The remainder of agenda for the Regular Session for the night had few items to be dealt with, most of which were taken care of with no discussion of the council membership.
The Agenda for the April 8th session can be reviewed here.
Council members had also participated in a Closed Session earlier in the evening, the details towards why it was closed to the public 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, April 8, 2024
Mayor Herb Pond -- Present
Councillor Nick Adey -- Present
Councillor Barry Cunningham -- Present
Councillor Teri Forster -- Present (participated by remote link)
Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven -- Present
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa -- Present
Video Archive for Monday, April 8, 2024
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REGULAR SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL
Introduction of Late Items
( 0:00 -- 7:00 ) Approval of Agenda -- Prior to the Adoption of the Agenda, Mayor Pond noted of the participation of Councillor Forster who was linked in from England.
Mr. Pond also provided for a short tribute to Iona Campagnolo, who passed away last week highlighting her achievements in the community, across BC and Canada. The Mayor also shared some thoughts of the impact that she had on the community, both as a municipal politician and Federal cabinet minister and through her other posts.
City Manager Robert Buchan also shared some notes from his experience in the Greater Victoria area towards her time as Lieutenant Governor and how she defined that position.
Council then adopted the agenda for the evening.
( 7:00 -- 30:00 ) Public Comments regarding Agenda items -- Property owner Sal Chirico appeared in front of City Council to speak on the theme of his property at 2nd Avenue West and First Street.
First noting that his family has owned that property since 1986, then speaking of what he outlined as the mis-communication related to the property which had a wrong address listed, which he believes was the cause of the recent controversy over the property, for which he apologized.
He then asked a question of the City, as to whether they look back or seek out a full history of a property in question towards how the information is relayed to property owners related to compliance orders and remedial action requests.
The Mayor noted that the comment period was not one where the Council or staff would reply to that question.
From that Mr. Chirico provided a short history of the family history in the community, as well as to speak of the Second Avenue West property and to ask Council to reconsider its recent order of demolition for the structure on the property.
For that he provided some background on it's past tenants and the nature of the remediation work that had taken place on the property since that time, most of that focused on its previous time as a Husky/Mohawk gas station.
He also observed of a level contaminants for the property that dates back far beyond the gas station and beyond their control. As well he outlined how they continue to seek a risk based certificate of compliance through the province to move forward with funding for the property to develop it to a commercial standard.
A process he noted that could take at least six to eight months before they could consider a return to service for the property, Mr. Chirico also noted of the volume of businesses that have enquired about the status of the property.
To close his commentary he observed of their history in past projects such as the Capital Theatre renovation which also nearly met a wrecking ball, as well as to the family's commitment to the community.
Mr. Pond observed that the comments from his presentation would be factored into the decision to come later in the evening, adding that the Chirico's are part of Prince Rupert regardless of where they reside.
Later in the public comment period, a second member of the Chirico family, Frank joined the public comment period by video hook up, he also made note of the family's long involvement in the community for over fifty years and then to reference the break down of communication related to their Second Avenue West property and how they felt picked on by the city.
He observed how taken back the family was with the city's approach to the issue and how they were not notified and how that was something that needs to be recognized, noting how the city had moved ahead with their order and how they were looking for reconsideration of that order.
He also noted that they were willing to work with the city on the issue however that there was no acknowledgement of any error in the handling of the issue, or an apology from the city for that error.
He closed by noting they want to work with the city, but there must be acknowledgement of the city that the family has been portrayed in a negative light.
Mr. Chirico then noted of some of the measures that they have already address and how that history shows they work to hold up their end of the deal and how they hope they can move on to find a solution to the issues of the property.
Another member of the Public Gallery came forward to speak to another property ownership issue related to the City's Clean up measures now in place, noting of their inability to comply with the order put in place.
He referenced a pair of letters he had forwarded to the city noting of the challenges of the older housing stock in the community and some of the issues those structures have made for owners.
Among his themes was to observe that there is a need for the city to help some of those property owners when it comes to the city's call for compliance on those measures, as well as to how the City should bring partners in the community together, or assist property owners towards creating housing for the homeless.
( 26:30 -- 35:00 ) Consent Agenda
Council reviewed the Regular minutes from March 25, 2024 Session
Council reviewed the minutes from Committee of the Whole Meeting of March 25, 2024
Reports reviewed included:
Request for Support for Curling Rink Application to support ramp development (see pages 7-8 of Agenda)
Report from the Director of Corporate and Legislative Services Re: Noise Bylaw complaints and legal review Re: City of Prince Rupert's Noise Control Bylaw No 2430, 1982 (see pages 9-12 of Agenda)
Correspondences:
BC Emergency Health Services: Re: updates on the actions being taken by BCEHS to support patients in Prince Rupert and Other Northern Communities (see page 13 of Agenda)
Prince Rupert Port Authority Re: PRPA support for improved health Services in Prince Rupert (see pages 14-15 of Agenda)
Request for proclamation for April 16, 2024 for National Advanced Care Planning Day (see pages 16 of Agenda)
Request for proclamation for May 17, 2024 for International Day Agains Homophobia and Transphobia (see pages 17 of Agenda)
Mayor Pond made note of the Port Authority letter and urged residents of the community to read it over.
Councillor Cunningham spoke to the topic of the letter from BC Emergency Services, noting that he believes that the additional ambulance service members were to be here just through Easter, asking if the City knew of the full plan for the community.
Director Rosa Miller observed that it was her understanding that the additional ambulance services recently put in place would continue on past the Spring break period just ended to ensure coverage for any future Hospital ER closures..
That was the only topic from the Consent Agenda that generated any conversation from the Council members.
Reports
Staff Reports
( 35:00 -- 42:00 )Report from the Director of Corporate and Legislatives Services/Corporate Office -- Council received a report outlining the steps ahead towards a Remedial Action Order for a property at 201-2nd Avenue West. Council was asked to move forward on list of items related to the required clean up of property by May 30, 2024.
Towards comment, Councillor Wade Niesh opened the conversation noting of the presentations of the Chricos's on the night and how they had already addressed most of the items that were on the city's to do list.
Councillor Cunningham had a question towards the date and asked if there could be an extension provided should they require one. Mr. Cunningham also noted of the need for coverings for windows and asked what might be considered appropriate substitute over plywood.
City Manager Buchan confirmed that the extension could be granted if a compelling reason was provided.
He also spoke to the need to confer with staff further on other options beyond plywood.
Councillor Adey then asked if the seven items were addressed would the demolition order be vacated, he was advised that was correct. He also noted of the Chirico's work towards future development and observed how he would allow the deadlines to follow towards the the provincial certificate should define the path forward.
Councillor Forster spoke to the issue of any clerical errors and how the city would address those.
Director Miller outlined the process that the city uses towards those orders and how the onus is one the property owner to provide correct addresses.
Councillor Cunningham followed up on Councillor Adey's comments noting how the provincial issue was separate to the City's current work list for the property. From that Council adopted the motion. (see pages 18-19 of Agenda)
( 42:00 -- 43:00 ) Report from Planner: Re: Development Variance Permit #24-01 - PID 031-690-823 for property on Seal Cove Circle -- Council received a report related to the variance request and be asked to proceed with the statutory notification process. Council adopted the motion without comment or discussion. (see pages 20-30 of Agenda)
( 43:00 -- 50:30 )Report from Chief Financial Officer: Re Resolution to amend 2024 Five Year Financial Plan -- Council received a report related to the City's plans for the McCarthy GM building for use of Public Works, with the city to use Legacy Fund Dividend money towards the revised costs.
Councillor Adey led of the conversation on the topic, noting how it had generated much opinion in the community, then providing for some history on the plans to provide some clarity for residents.
He noted of the past urgency to leave the current city operations yard on Wantage road and the lease to own option that the City had considered for the McCarthy building, then noting of the bumps in the road that came along that provided for some unforeseen costs that became part of the narrative.
As for the current request, he asked what the city would get from passing the motion to more forward and how by the end of the process that the public would need to know if this is still the most cost effective way to ensure that city work crews have a viable place to do their work.
Director Richard Pucci provided some further background on the setbacks noting of the period of COVID as well as recent staff turnover on the project, adding that they were now back on track.
Towards the current request, he outlined the recent comparison between a new build or the renovations to the McCarthy building suggest that the city is still on the right track with their current approach.
Towards what the city will get from the current request, Mr. Pucci noted that Council would receive guidance on a Guaranteed Maximum price of what the renovation would cost.
Councillor Cunningham noted that this was just a design proposal, then asking how Operations could know what a cost effective analysis when they don't know what the what the cost of the renovations are going to be.
Mr. Pucci provided a review the various elements that the city considers towards determining that pricing, noting that they have the comparison between the renovation over a new build.
Mr. Cunningham then asked if they have any idea as to when the Operations Department would move into the facility, with Mr. Pucci observing that they envision a move in January of 2025 over the Christmas break period.
City Manager Rob Buchan provided a bit of additional information on the issue, noting that the process allows the city to proceed with actually having the work done which would accomplish a move in by January something that he noted everyone wants to see by way of action and completion on that site.
Councillor Cunningham asked towards the cost of the renovation and if it was in the 2024 budget.
CFO Bomben observed that once the city knows how much the cost of the construction will be, they would be coming forward to Council with recommendations on how to fund the next phase of the project which would be construction.
Council then moved to adopt the motion. (see pages 31-32 of Agenda)
Business Arising
( 43:00 -- 59:00 ) Council Round Table and Public Question Period --
Councillor Forster led off the Roundtable, first seeking an update on the Sixth Avenue bridge project.
In reply Director Pucci noted that the city has four proposals, which will be reviewed over the next week to ensure that the contractors have experience on trestle bridges, he observed that they hope to have an award made by the next Council session.
In reply to a question on the timeline of the work by Mayor Pond, Mr. Pucci outlined that they were ready to roll immediately upon the award.
Ms. Forster's second question was related to the nature of waste taken to the dump asking how the cost is delivered to those using the dump, she was advised that it was by way of the weigh scale on site.
Councillor Randhawa asked about the timeline of work ahead for the city's infrastructure rebuild on the city's water system.
Mr. Pucci noted that the current work on Shawatlans Road is the first step of the project, recounting his presentation from the Town Hall that a full schedule for year one would be outlined for the community in the weeks ahead. He also observed how he would like to return to Council with a presentation at that time
Councillor Cunningham called attention to the need of Prince Rupert Ground Rescue to find a new location for their vehicle and other items, asking if the City could lend some assistance towards helping them find a new home.
Councillor Adey followed up on that topic, noting how the President of the Society would welcome an opportunity to speak to their quest to City Council. Mayor Pond recommended that they reach out to Director Miller towards that appearance.
Mr. Adey also noted of the weekend fire on Immanuel offering his empathy to those impacted by the fire and his appreciation of the work of the Prince Rupert Fire/Rescue Service.
He also made note of the Thursday Town Hall Forum thanking the audience for attending or viewing at home and paid tribute to the work of staff at that session for their informative presentations, observing how everyone now has a good understanding of the scale of the work ahead for the city.
The topic of litter raised at the town forum was also a theme for Councillor Adey, he observed of the work of the local group led by Chantal Meggison towards community clean ups and how that work is greatly appreciated by the City.
Councillor Cunningham observed that everyone in the community can do their part in a community cleanup.
Councillor Niesh returned to the theme of the dump raised by Councillor Forster, observing how if those taking material to the dump separate their materials destined for the dump they can find cost savings by way of separating and recessing.
From that commentary, the Mayor brought the session to an adjournment.
You can access our Council Archive for the April 8th Session here.
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, April 22, 2024.
That session starts at 7 PM.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
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