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NATURE

Sea, land, river

PEOPLES

Community

For earlier materials see Table of Contents

Council Meeting	One of the best this year
	First look

Image above is of Mayor Mussallem ‘lecturing’ Gordon Payne on significance of infrastructure, Protective Services’ etc

Jack: ‘You are beginning to try my patience’
Sheila: ‘It never stopped me before’

A very significant meeting—reflecting the upcoming election – fine speeches; and even an ‘open’ rebellion’

Today I am going to give Communities in Bloom (CIB) main attention --- but I suggest viewing the video at times suggested here

This is where the meeting became really ‘interesting’ Howie ‘obviously’ not at ease --- perhaps we were seeing a rebellion of Council against ‘staff’ – in this case the removal of the 3 referenda items from upcoming election The Northern View has presented a rather one sided interpretation --- I will counter it at a later date	2^nd highlight --- Use video and see for yourself

3^rd highlight
	Proctor did not even show up to contest demolition this time – and why should he? It is now the City’s property as Taxes not paid ---- Note the Building Inspector was reputedly ‘afraid’ to walk inside given the condition of building –more later

As image shows the presentation begins 3:30 into meeting ---- what I find significant is that presents a fresh perspective of our community from CIB Judges’ eyes---

	Here are some pages from my earlier encounters with local Community in Bloom
	Here is from March 2011 where John Farrell and Treena Decker approach Council for sponsorship But more links on January 2009 page Here is the 2008 rankings from CIB and here are 2011

Much of the early part in Treena presentation taken up with naming names --- and reading lists --- plus the PPT slides are hard to read from the web presentation After naming names – the Judges Tour begins about 6 minutes into the video I suggest downloading the October 11^th Agenda Package from the City site and following the discussion there too --- where in CIB Report format --- still a lot of info came out from Treena Decker presentation

Example? Something about an ‘Historical Land Use Review’ which could have been used to impress the judges but not completed yet (in July 2011)

	Judges Evaluation – compares 2008 and 2011 --- different categories used
	Begins about 7:00 into video – note similarity of total scores --- worth 3 Blooms of 5 possible Below are some of the categories that interested me

	From Agenda package + my color lines

Some ideas from first 3 topics

· Paint Prince Rupert Forward initiative got praise as did the ‘Unsightly Premises Bylaw

· But then they noticed things like the weeds growing along sidewalks and buildings

· City was praised for its ‘Fuel efficient Fleet Management System’ (news to me)

· And that the buses run on Natural Gas (all of them??)

· City could better ‘advertise’ Port’s electrification Initiative – presumably this:

· Also of interest was the impact to City Water system because reduction in residential and industrial use --- should be higher in community awareness etc

· The Heritage Conservation category scored best – the Centennial quilt (??) in Lester Center got praise

Suggested a Cannery Tour --- but later in conversation: did not include Port Ed --- but Thorkelson later said signs outside canneries were doable – illustrating what went on inside (Tours a no go because of ‘quality control’/ health issues)

Forest on mountain etc within City limits	I liked this topic
	Trees downtown were criticized as non-native – ornamentals etc – emphasis that we don’t rightly appreciate our trees

Here is an inappropriate tree – oak (non native) and too tall spindly etc

But this native(??) poplar shows why native trees not used --- too tall for surroundings – even dangerous

I like the mix of ornamentals and native trees shown on the image below Plus the storms (10/10/10, etc) illustrated the City should develop a Tree Management Plan -- for public and private lands etc

	One would expect a better score
	Still as Treena said: ‘it was a horrible summer’ (for sunshine etc) --- but Judges countered select your flowers better for climate Civic Pride and Charlotte Rowse drew praise (planters) – but did note the showy flowers were often in ‘patches’ downtown

	Below I have excerpted comments form the agenda package material
	Term refers to ‘efforts ‘showcasing’ the overall surroundings’

	An interesting presentation
	The topic came up of costs and funding – turns out that only cost tax payers 750$ --- as much time and etc donated: · Crest for rooms; · Susan Crowley donated and drove her van etc

	Fruit from the Okanogan
	While the ‘bulk sales’ appreciated – one wonders if they got a vending license – or paid the land owner for use of the lot etc

	Close ups

	Funny thing happened on the way to the meeting
	Usually the door into main offices closed – meant to hide the supper that provided to Council --- when there were no printed agendas (Tina forgot) the door was open while some being run off by Grodecki --- he and Dan Rodin were quite upset that I dared take a picture --- or walk in to see what was being served (arrow was chicken drum sticks) – No one offered me (a mere taxpayer), any

Like I said – I will come back to this ---- where Council dared to question Staff decisions on Referenda etc But you take a look for yourself – one hour and nineteen minutes into the video	More later

Created by LG on 13/10/2011

Last updated on Thursday, October 13, 2011