Regular Council Meeting - May 8th, 2023

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

• Council heard several comments from the public on items on the agenda at the public comment opportunity at the outset of the meeting. This included comments for and against a Liquor License Amendment application for Port City Spirits on Fraser St, as well as comments on the Financial Plan and Property Tax bylaws.
• Council approved two grant applications to Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) for a website renewal project and to fund a Social Development and Indigenous Relations Coordinator position.
• Council approved the 2022 Audited Financial Statements.
• Council approved three Development Variance Permits to move to public notification, and directed staff to identify options for Council to consider prior to proceeding with another.
• Council voted to support a liquor license amendment for Arabisk restaurant, which will be forwarded to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.
• Council postponed the Liquor License Amendment application for Port City Spirits to the next regular meeting, and requested staff to extend the comment period. The deadline for input is now May 23rd at 4 pm. 
• Council approved the 5 year Financial Plan and Property Tax Bylaws. For additional information on the budget and associated tax impacts - go to: engage.princerupert.ca/budget2023
• Council approved two Loan Authorization Bylaws to proceed with the borrowing process for up to $5 million for design work associated with the Infrastructure Replacement Strategy, and up to $40 million to invest in sewer replacement works for the City’s  26 km of high priority infrastructure areas. Council approved staff to proceed with an Alternative Approval Process to achieve assent of the electors for both borrowing bylaws, which is required to proceed with borrowing over five years. Staff will now forward the loan authorization information to the Province for their required approvals, and will be providing additional information on opportunities for public input on this process. For more information on what an Alternative Approval Process means/requires, see this page of our website: https://www.princerupert.ca/index.php/city_hall/city_financials/loan_authorizations

And link to the video of the meeting, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKsxZpGvRFQ