Regular Council Meeting - August 22nd, 2022

Did you miss last night's Council Meeting? See below for a summary of the main items from the meeting.

Council summary

• Council held a Committee of the Whole meeting where no members of  the public came forward to speak.
• Council presented an award for Civic Merit to Rob Gruber. Ella Ferland and Theresa Mackereth were also award recipients this year and will receive them at a later date. Civic Merit awards are presented to community members for their contribution to Prince Rupert based on a public nomination process.  Many warm thanks to this years recipients for all that you do for our city!
• Council received a report from the Fire Chief regarding July’s monthly report.
• Council received an update on Major projects. This update included an update on the dam, noting that the dam structure is now fully complete. The City anticipates returning to our primary water supply at the end of September, once the reservoir has refilled.
• In response to Federal mandates for wastewater treatment, Council adopted an Administrative Directive to have liquid waste treatment by 2030, directing staff to pursue treatment and monitoring. As previously noted, the City is working on an innovative wetland system for wastewater treatment. This system will be rolled out in a small scale beginning with the Omineca neighbourhood, and it is anticipated will enable Prince Rupert to meet current and future treatment standards.
• Council approved Development Variance Permits for Kay Smith Blvd and 1444 2nd Avenue West. 
• Council voted to proceed with statutory notification for a Temporary Use Permit for 191 Metlakatla Road to allow a shipwrecking yard and storage for up to a year on the property. This application is to accommodate a potential contract award from the Coast Guard following the removal of the FV Fairwind from Port Edward.
• Council received the June 2022 Financial Variance report from the CFO, who noted that operating revenues and expenses are on track.
• Council heard a report from the Chief Financial Officer regarding the Amended Supplementary Letters Patent with respect to tax share information with Port Edward. The City and Port Edward have amended their tax sharing arrangement with respect to industrial revenues on Ridley Island. This new arrangement sees the City transfer $550,000 of the annual property taxes from Ridley Island to Port Edward, and then either 4% of tax revenue for the taxation year, or the percentage of tax revenue received for the tax year that is equal to the ratio of Port’ Ed’s population to the combined populations of Port Ed and Prince Rupert, whichever is greater.
• Council voted to direct staff to amend the City’s Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No 2944, 2995 to adopt a regular system/timeline of fire inspections on applicable properties. While inspections have been carried out for many years in the community, regular timelines of inspection have never been defined. The global pandemic hindered fire inspections due to health/safety concerns, and as many communities are now getting back into their inspection roles, it was felt to be an appropriate time to roll out a set schedule of inspections.
• Council authorized Administration to request the Court Service Branch, Ministry of the Attorney General to add Prince Rupert to their Bylaw Notice Enforcement Regulation, and to bring forward a Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw. These changes will implement a new system of ticketing/enforcement for bylaws in Prince Rupert.
• Council approved a resolution of support for Ecotrust Canada to receive $30,000 in NDIT funding towards their pop up community market events.
• Council voted to amend their confirmation of support for Ecotrust Canada’s Community Efficiency Financing Feasibility Study to include staff time (up to $7,500).
• Council gave fourth and final reading to Zoning Bylaw Amendment 3492, 2022, the Omnibus Zoning Bylaw, which does the following:
  • Permits Secondary Suites in two-family homes (duplexes) and lock-off suites in multi-family homes (3+ principle units)
  • Adds Animal Hospital or Clinic as a permitted use in any zone where retail is permitted.
  • Clarifies Gross Floor Area definition and adding a definition of Building Footprint.
  • Allows housing to be built from modular units on permanent foundations.
  • For more information, see the Rupert Talks page at: https://engage.princerupert.ca/omnibuszoning
• Council adopted the Public Notice Bylaw, which introduces a new standardized method of public notification as allowed under section 94(2) of the Community Charter. The City is now required to share public notices for two weeks (where legislated) on the City’s website and Facebook page, once in the local newspaper, and to the notice board at City Hall.  Prior to this, the City was required to post twice in the newspaper and to our notice board. This Bylaw is intended to enable staff and Council to move more efficiently through our notification and bylaw consideration processes, and to provide surety to the public about where and how information can be obtained. This Bylaw was sent to the public for input prior to final consideration, with no feedback received apart from one phone call and a meeting with the local newspaper.
• Council gave third reading to Road Dedication Bylaw No. 3499. The City is proposing to dedicate a section of road to ensure that properties neighbouring Digby Towers have continued access to their properties, as Council has have agreed to sell the owners of Digby Towers a linear parcel of land across from their building for parking
• Council voted to appoint Antonio Vera and Tanya Ostrom as Deputy Chief Election Officers.