Regular Council Meeting - January 22nd, 2024

Note that agendas for Regular meetings are not posted until the Friday before the meeting, and in the case of Special meetings, within 24 hours of the meeting.

Did you miss this Council Meeting? See below for an update on the main agenda items:

• At the Committee of the Whole, the City received a presentation from Magna Engineering on the wastewater treatment project pilot, which has had a location change from its originally proposed location in the Omineca area to the former area that contained the WWII era Department of National Defense tanks adjacent to Moresby Pond. The property ownership of all accesses, tie in to sewer that has already been separated from the stormwater catchment, and limited alternative uses for the property informed the change in location. Treatment in this area will have no impact to the use of the neighbouring trail and pond area, with all waste directed underground following straining of any contaminating materials, to be treated by natural processes beneath the ground. There will be very little visible change from the project, which will have a wetland area above, and no discernible smell. The City intends to install some minimally invasive fencing to prevent community or animal interference, as well as interpretive signage as an educational component of the project. The project is scheduled to be complete and in operation by early 2025.  See the full press release for additional details: https://www.princerupert.ca/index-pages/news/construction-wetland-syste…;
• The City heard a presentation from the local contingent of Crime Stoppers, represented by Lonnie Wishart and David Cook, in acknowledgement of the fact that January is Crime Stoppers month. Crime Stoppers provides people with the opportunity to share information anonymously about criminal activity in our community through their information line at 1 800 222 TIPS. Our local chapter is also always looking for volunteers, so if this is of interest to you, you can follow their page for volunteer opportunities @PrinceRupertCrimestoppers.
• Council received a report from the City Manager regarding a review of Council Policies, and a sub-committee of Councillors was struck in order to complete the internal review process.
• In the Regular meeting, Council approved a Letter of Support to the Prince Rupert Racquet Club’s application to the Port Community Investment Fund, following internal review of the proposal as the Racquet Centre is a City-owned asset, operated by a volunteer board.
• Council approved direction for a future financial plan amendment to reallocate funds originally directed to the 3^rd Avenue and Fulton crossing light replacement in the 2024 budget towards a more fulsome scope of repairs for the Lester Centre Roof. This amendment will support the City’s contribution of 50% of the ~$1 million project, the other 50% of which is the subject of a grant application to the Port’s Community Investment Fund. The decision to expand the scope of the roof replacement was made following an assessment that indicates almost all of the original roofs are now leaking. These repairs are necessary in order to protect this critical community asset.
• Council approved two Development Variance Permits at 800 2^nd Avenue West and 334 6^th Avenue East to go to public notification.
• The City was approached by the Japanese Canadian Legacies Foundation to apply for their heritage grant in order to install interpretive signage in the community to recognize the contributions of Japanese Canadians in Prince Rupert, as well as the history and impacts of internment camps. Council directed staff to allocate time to apply for the funds and to work with a community champion in implementing the project if the funding is successful.
• Council gave final reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw 3505, following Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Review, which lays out regulations around the temporary use of shipping containers for storage.