Referendum

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The Four Seasons Pool and Fire Hall #1 will be the subjects of a referendum in 2017.

The Four Seasons Pool and Fire Hall #1 will be subjects of a referendum on October 28, 2017. The pool open house will be held on October 18, 2017 and additional, general info sessions will take place October 16, 17, and 21.

Referendum 2017 – Information Sessions

The City will be hosting Open House events where residents can learn more about the proposal to replace the Four Seasons Leisure Pool and Fire Hall #1. The October 18, 2017 session will focus on the Four Seasons Leisure Pool while the newly added Open Houses (October 17 and 21) will address both the pool and fire hall.

Additional Information

Public Notices and Announcements

What's the Issue?

Fire Hall #1

Fire Hall #1 currently cannot accommodate the City's new fire truck. Located next to City Hall at 7th and Dominion, the city’s main fire hall is more than 60 years old. Council has received a Fire Underwriters Survey report, a Standards of Cover report, and a Condition and Functionality assessment that indicate Fire Hall #1 is no longer able to meet current standards as a fire and rescue facility, Emergency Operations Centre, and Fire Operations Communications Centre.

A new fire hall, in a new location, would house modern firefighting equipment - like the City's platform truck shown in the image - and improve response times to a greater area of the City. It would also ensure that Prince George is better positioned to respond to emergencies and provide enhanced fire dispatch services to a large portion of Northern BC.

Watch a Video About the Current State of Fire Hall #1

Related reports:

February 1, 2017: Report to Council from Dave Dyer, General Manager of Engineering and Public Works, concerning the assessment of Fire Hall #1 and its proposed replacement.

Four Seasons Leisure Pool

Located across Dominion Street from Fire Hall #1, the Four Seasons Leisure Pool is nearly 50 years old. Built in 1970, it is one of the City’s two civic pools and provides nearly 80 per cent of the swimming lessons delivered in Prince George. The Four Seasons received more than 120,000 visits in 2016.

The 2016 Aquatic Needs Assessment reviewed the Four Seasons’ condition and recommended replacing the pool.

The report found that while the Four Seasons is highly valued for its location and programs, it is nearing the end of its service life. Accessibility – especially for residents with mobility challenges – is inadequate and parts of the facility do not meet modern safety standards. The building’s structural and operating systems also require significant investment beyond routine maintenance. The Aquatic Needs Assessment estimated the cost to retrofit Four Seasons to be around $10.3 million. Building a new pool is estimated to cost $35 million.

Watch a Video About The Current State of the Four seasons

Related reports:

January 23, 2017: Report to Council from City Manager Kathleen Soltis concerning the Aquatic Needs Assessment and the recommendation to replace the Four Seasons Leisure Pool.

What's Being Proposed?

New Fire Hall #1

A replacement for Fire Hall #1 is being proposed to enhance service to more of Prince George. The proposed site – which is owned by the City and would not require a land purchase – on the south side of Massey Drive near the intersection with Carney Street would increase by 50 per cent the area firefighters can reach within eight minutes compared to Fire Hall #1's current location. Research shows an eight-minute response time is critical for keeping fires contained to one room. After eight minutes, fires can spread into the rest of a structure, greatly increasing the risk of fatalities.

A new Fire Hall #1 would be 50 per cent larger than the current facility and would have the capacity to house a functional and well-designed Emergency Operations Centre and Fire Operations Communications Centre.

CityofPG_Fire Hall Maps-City Website.jpg

Fire Hall #1’s current reachable eight-minute response zone.

Fire Hall #1’s reachable eight-minute response zone in its new facility.

Click on the images above to expand and view in greater detail.

Related reports:

August 9, 2017 - Fire Hall #1: Report to Council from City Manager Kathleen Soltis presenting a high level overview of the work completed to date on the Fire Hall #1 replacement project.

Four Seasons Leisure Pool Replacement

The City is aiming to build a new pool across the street of the present location. The proposed site – currently occupied by the Days Inn hotel – is north of the existing Four Seasons and allows the Four Seasons to remain open while construction of a replacement is underway. The City has a contract to purchase this site, subject to approval in the referendum.

The new pool would address the majority of the community’s aquatic needs identified in the Aquatic Needs Assessment Report and would include:

Improved design such that everyone who wishes to access and use the facility can do so, regardless of their age, ability or needs;
Diverse pools:

A main pool 25 metres in length and 6 lanes wide;
A shallow and warm pool for toddlers, swimming lessons, and therapy (25 metres long and 4 lanes wide);
A leisure pool with beach entry and various water features, such as a slide;

Spacious change rooms, including universal/family change rooms;
A hot tub, sauna, and steam room; and
Space for public gatherings and instruction.

Related reports:

August 9, 2017 - Four Seasons Pool: Report to Council from City Manager Kathleen Soltis presenting a high level overview of the work completed to date on the pool replacement project.

All About Voting

The referendum is scheduled for Saturday, October 28, 2017, but early voting will be available to provide residents with more opportunities to cast their ballot. General and advance voting will take place from 8:00am to 8:00pm at the following locations:

Advance Voting

Advance voting opportunities will be available to qualified electors of the City of Prince George as follows:

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

8:00am to 8:00pm

Locations:

University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, in Room 7-170 in the Bentley Centre (Note: Pay parking in effect)

AND

Prince George City Hall, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, in the Annex

Thursday, October 19, 2017

8:00am to 8:00pm

Location:

College of New Caledonia, 3330 22nd Avenue, Prince George, in Room 1-723 (Note: Pay Parking in effect)

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

8:00am to 8:00pm

Location:

Prince George City Hall, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, in the Annex

A ballot marking machine for electors with hearing, visual, or other physical impairments will be available at the two (2) advance voting opportunities at City Hall (October 18 and 24).

You can find information regarding Elector Registration on this page under Eligibility to Vote and Elector Registration Information.

Find your voting location on a map

General Voting Locations - October 28, 2017

John McInnis Centre
DP Todd Secondary School
Kelly Road Secondary School
Edgewood Elementary School
Malaspina Elementary School
Ron Brent Elementary School
Vanway Elementary School
Blackburn Elementary School

Find your voting location on a map

Mail Ballot Voting

Before requesting a Vote by Mail package, please read the following:

In accordance with the Local Government Act, the only electors permitted to vote by mail ballot are those who:

have a physical disability, illness, or injury that affects their ability to vote at another voting opportunity OR
expect to be absent from the City of Prince George on general voting day (October 28, 2017) and at the times of all advance voting opportunities (October 18, 19, and 24, 2017).

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The City of Prince George will begin accepting requests for a Mail ballot Package starting Friday, September 22, 2017 and continue until 4:00pm on Friday, October 27, 2017.

Electors must first submit a request for a mail ballot package using one of the following options:

Complete the online Form to Request a Mail Ballot Package.
Pick up a request form from City Hall, 5th Floor, Legislative Services Division.

For any questions about applying for mail ballot packages, please call 250-561-7793.

Completed application forms may be submitted through one of the following methods:

By mail: City Hall, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC V2L 3V9
Fax: 250-561-0183
Email: cityclerk@princegeorge.ca

Deadline to submit an application form to receive a mail ballot package is 4:00pm October 27, 2017.

The City of Prince George will send out mail ballot packages commencing the week of September 25, 2017. To be counted for voting, mail ballots must be received by the Chief Election Officer no later than 8:00pm on Saturday, October 28, 2017.

Electors who are concerned they may not have enough time to return completed packages before the deadline can call one of the following Election Officers:

Walter Babicz, Chief Election Officer
P: 250-561-7605
F: 250-561-0183
E: walter.babicz@princegeorge.ca

Maureen Connelly, Deputy Chief Election Officer
P: 250-561-7793
F: 250-561-0183
E: maureen.connelly@princegeorge.ca

Eligibility to Vote and Elector Registration Information

There is no need to pre-register to vote as the registration of all electors will take place at the time of voting. The City of Prince George Election and Other Voting Procedures Bylaw no. 6067, 1993 states:

"For the purposes of all elections and other voting under Part 3 and 4 of the Local Government Act, a person may register as an elector only at the time of voting."

Electors will be required to make a declaration that they meet the following requirements:

18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election or assent voting; and
a Canadian citizen; and
a Resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months immediately before the day of registration; and
a Resident of the City of Prince George for at least thirty (30) days immediately before the day of registration; and
Not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in the assent voting or otherwise disqualified by law.

Resident electors must produce two (2) pieces of identification (at least one with a signature). Picture identification is not necessary. The identification must prove both residency and identity.

Non-Resident Property Electors

A person may vote in the 2017 Assent Vote (Referendum) as a non-resident property elector if the following requirements are met:

18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election or assent voting; and
a Canadian citizen; and
a Resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months immediately before the day of registration; and
a registered owner of real property in Prince George for at least thirty (30) days immediately before the day of registration; and
not entitled to register as a resident elector; and
the only persons who are registered owners of the real property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust; and
not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law; and
if there is more than one (1) registered owner of the property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the owners, register as a non-resident property elector.

Note: A person may register as a non-resident property elector only in relation to (1) parcel.

Is registration required prior to voting?

No. All electors must register at the time of voting including non-resident property electors.

To register on the day of voting, non-resident property electors will need to bring the following:

Proof of ownership of the property owned in the City of Prince George, for example your tax notice, or a legal Certificate of Title
Form No. 2-7 Application for Registration as a Non-Resident Property Elector
If applicable, Form No. 2-8 Non-Resident Property Elector Consent Form

(A Non-Resident Property Elector Consent form must be completed if the land title registration of the real property indicates that there is more than one (a) individual who is the registered owner. The person registering must do so with written consent to the number of those individuals who, together with the person registering, are a majority of those individuals).

Two (2) pieces of ID must be produced that together prove the elector's identity and place of residence. One MUST have the elector's signature.

Acceptable forms of identification include:

BC Driver's License
BC Identification Card
BC CareCard or Gold CareCard
Citizenship Card
Credit or Debit Card
ICBC Vehicle Insurance Documents
Residential Property Tax Notice
Social Insurance Cared
Utility Bill
Passport

Forms and Applications

Request a Mail Ballot Package (accepting requests from September 22, 2017 to October 27, 2017)
Application for Registration as a Non-Resident Property Elector (Form No. 2-7)
Non-Resident Property Elector Consent Form (Form No. 2-8)

Staff Reports and Background Materials

City Council was presented with a number of staff reports and other background materials over the past year on the Fire Hall #1 and Four Seasons Leisure Pool Replacement Projects. Learn more through the following PDF documents:

Staff Reports

June 13, 2016 - Prince George Fire Rescue - Standards of Cover Report
September 6, 2016 - Prince George Aquatic Needs Assessment Report - Staff Report to Council
January 13, 2017 - Aquatic Needs Assessment: Four Seasons Leisure Pool
January 24, 2017 - Fire Hall #1 Assessment and Proposed Replacement
January 26, 2017 - Main Fire Hall and Four Seasons Leisure Pool Debt Estimates
August 3, 2017 - Proposed Loan Authorization Bylaws and Questions for Assent Voting
August 9, 2017 - Fire Hall #1 Replacement Project
August 9, 2017 - Four Seasons Leisure Pool Replacement Project
September 1, 2017 - October 28, 2017 Assent Voting (Referendum)

Background Materials

September 2016 - The Community Recreation Services Plan identified the need for the City to undertake an Aquatic Needs Assessment. The Assessment's purpose was to provide the basis for current and long range aquatic facilities planning in Prince George and for the delivery of aquatic services. The Aquatic Needs Assessment was awarded to architectural firm DIALOG Design and their sub-consultant, Counsilman-Hunsaker. Learn more about the Prince George Aquatic Needs Assessment Report.

September 2016 - The City of Prince George commissioned the DIALOG/Counsilman-Hunsaker consulting team to provide a Comprehensive Aquatics Feasibility Study. The study's main goal was to provide direction to the City on how to best provide aquatic services to its residents over the next five to fifteen years. This included reviewing how the two current facilities are performing and whether they are capable of continuing to provide the required amenities and services City residents need or if they need to be renovated/rebuilt to do so. Learn more about the Prince George Aquatic Master Plan.

June 2016 - In July 2014, Prince George Fire Rescue Service (PGFRS) launched the Standards of Cover (SoC) Project. The terms of reference for this project were wide ranging and were intended to assess, in a meaningful way, the level and type of services provided by the PGFRS. This assessment included historical data, current practises, and the anticipated service requirements in the future. Learn more about the Prince George Fire Rescue Standards of Cover.

Learn more about the Four Seasons Leisure Pool Replacement Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 8888, 2017.
Learn more about the Fire Hall #1 Replacement Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 8889, 2017.

Key Upcoming Dates

October 18, 2017 - Advance Voting Opportunity #1 at City Hall and UNBC.
October 19, 2017 - Advance Voting Opportunity #2 at College of New Caledonia.
October 24, 2017 - Advance Voting Opportunity #3 at City Hall
October 27, 2017 - Deadline to submit Request for Mail Ballot Package.
October 28, 2017 - General Election Day

General Referendum Questions and Answers

Q: what is a referendum? are the results binding?

A: Under various sections of the Community Charter and the Local Government Act, a municipality is sometimes required to obtain the approval of its electors for a proposed bylaw, agreement, or some other matter. In the case of the loan authorization bylaws for the Four Seasons Leisure Pool and Fire Hall #1 replacement projects, Council is seeking approval of the electors through an actual vote on the bylaws. This is referred to in the legislation as “assent voting” and is also commonly referred to as a “referendum”. Referendums can be held in conjunction with a local election, but may take place at other times as well. To ensure fairness, openness, and accessibility, assent voting (referendums) are conducted in accordance with very strict rules set out in the Local Government Act, Community Charter, and the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. The referendum concerning these two loan authorization bylaws is binding on Council in the sense that unless the majority of votes is in favour of a bylaw, Council may not borrow the funds under that bylaw.

Q: What are the rules around election and political signage?

A: On August 21, 2017, Prince George City Council adopted City of Prince George Election and Political Signs Bylaw No. 8867, 2017 which identifies permitted signage locations for elections and assent voting (referenda). Below are a number of key maps regarding political signage relevant to the upcoming Assent Vote (referendum) on October 28, 2017:

One-hundred-(100)-Metre Radius Maps for Political Signage Restrictions at Voting Locations:

Pursuant to Section 163 of the Local Government Act in relation to voting proceedings, a person must not do any of the following or within 100 metres of a building, structure, or other place where voting proceedings are being conducted at the time:

Canvass or solicit votes or otherwise attempt to influence how an elector votes;
Display, distribute, post, or openly leave a representation of a ballot marked for a particular result in the voting;
Post, display or distribute

Election advertising, or
Any material that promotes or opposes, directly or indirectly, a particular outcome for the vote;

Carry, wear, or supply a flag, badge, or other thing indicating that the person using it is a supporter of a particular candidate, elector organisation, or result in the voting.

You can report a concern about political signage that is located outside of permitted areas within the City of Prince George using the Bylaw Services Complaint form.

Elections BC oversees advertising rules for local elections assent voting in B.C., including registering advertising sponsors.

Non-election assent voting advertising is any advertising that promotes or opposes, directly or indirectly, a particular outcome for the vote during a non-election assent voting proceedings period. the non-election assent voting proceedings period begins at thirty (30) days before General Voting Day for the non-election assent voting and ends at the close of general voting.

Elections BC helps non-election assent voting (referendum) advertising sponsors understand the rules under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.

Among other requirements, all non-election assent voting advertising sponsors must:

Sponsorship information includes:

the sponsor's name,
a B.C. phone number, B.C. mailing address or an email address,
the words "authorised by", and
the words "registered sponsor under LECFA".
File a disclosure statement with Elections BC within 90 days after General Voting Day.

For more information about the rules, read the Guide for Local Non-election Assent Voting Advertising Sponsors in B.C. (PDF) or visit Election BC's Local Elections FAQ.

Q: Can I vote for each building individually or will both be wrapped up in a single question?

A: Because the City will require a separate loan authorization bylaw for each building, the ballot will include two separate questions: one for the re-building of the Four Seasons Leisure Pool and one for the re-building of Fire Hall #1.

For the assent voting process (referendum), voters in Prince George will answer the following two questions with yes/no responses:

Are you in favour of the City of Prince George adopting "Four Seasons Leisure Pool Replacement Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 8888, 2017" which will authorize Council to borrow a sum not exceeding thirty five million dollars ($35,000,000), repayable over a period of no more than twenty (20) years, for the development and construction of a new pool building to replace the Four Seasons Leisure Pool?
Are you in favour of the City of Prince George adopting "Fire Hall #1 Replacement Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 8889, 2017" which will authorize Council to borrow a sum not exceeding fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000), repayable over a period of no more than twenty (20) years, for the development and construction of a new fire hall building to replace Fire Hall #1?

Q: When can we expect the results?

A: The Chief Election Officer will report the preliminary voting results when they become available after general voting closes on October 28, 2017. The official results will be declared no later than 4PM on November 1, 2017, as required by legislation. It is anticipated that the official results will be presented at the regular Council meeting on October 30, 2017.

Q: how much would these buildings cost me?

A: Taxes are based on the assessed value of each individual property so the answer is different for everybody. Nevertheless, the City has estimated what the cost will be per $100,000 of assessed value. For a new Fire Hall, this amount is $8.45 per year. A new Four Seasons Pool would cost $19.71 per $100,000 of assessed value per year.

If your property is assessed at $300,000, for example, the annual cost of a new Fire Hall would be $25.35. A new pool would be $59.13. The total increase on your property taxes for both would be $84.48.

These figures are based on a 20-year loan and an interest rate of 3%.

Q: who does the city borrow from? do we get a good rate when we borrow money?

A: The City borrows from the Municipal Finance Authority, which pools the borrowing and investment needs of BC local governments through a collective structure. The MFA has a triple-A credit rating, providing the City access to capital financing at the lowest rates possible.

Q: What other long-term debt is the city currently carrying?

A: Some examples include the RCMP detachment, the Aquatic Centre, and some sewer and water projects. The full list of these projects, the outstanding balances, the annual servicing payments, and the date of loan maturity is found in Schedule 11 of the City’s Financial Statements, which are part of the Annual Report.

Q: What would happen to the existing buildings if the referendum passes?

A: Council would determine what would happen to each building. It is possible that they would be demolished, but only after their replacements are built. Like other City-owned lands, these sites could be retained by the City for other civic uses or sold at a later date to facilitate development. These sites are attractive because of their proximity to other civic facilities such as the Canada Games Plaza, the Two Rivers Gallery, the Bob Harkins branch of the Prince George Public Library, and the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena. Previous plans for the downtown indicate this area as ideally suited for various civic facilities and services.

In the event Council pursues the projects, construction would likely begin in 2019.

Q: what will happen if people vote no?

A: Neither Fire Hall #1 nor the Four Seasons Pool will last forever. In the event that their replacements are not approved in the 2017 referendum, administration and Council will need to consider alternatives for the sustainability of the facilities and their services. This would involve a sizeable financial investment. The Aquatic Needs Assessment, for example, identified costly renovations to the Four Seasons Pool that would need to occur for it to continue operating.

Four Seasons Pool Replacement Questions & Answers

Q: Why not just fix the pool instead of building a new one?

A: If the pool is not replaced in the near term, the City will have to spend more than $10 million to fix the roof and other critical components just to keep the doors open and the pool structurally sound. Once major repairs are complete, more will inevitably follow and the City would be faced with the possibility of investing millions more into a failing structure.

Closing the Four Seasons for refit and renovation would also affect residents. The Pool sees 120,000 visitors a year and delivers 80 per cent of the City's swimming lessons. Unlike the Aquatic Centre, the Pool is primarily a teaching and rehabilitation facility and the services it provides cannot be replicated by - or absorbed into - the Aquatic Centre.

Q: Why not build a smaller, less expensive pool like the Vanderhoof Aquatic Centre?

A: Prince George requires a larger facility to accommodate a far larger market. The City's aquatic services provide for more than 74,000 people with thousands more in the surrounding region. Meanwhile, Vanderhoof's pool will serve a community of just over 4,000.

Q: Why wouldn’t the new pool be located in Carrie Jane Gray Park to align with other recreation services such as Masich Place Stadium and the YMCA?

A: The Aquatic Needs Assessment concluded last year reported there was a strong preference for the Four Seasons Pool to remain downtown and near to where it is currently located. In total, 628 residents participated in the survey as part of the assessment. Residents told the City the facility’s location is essential for providing programming to seniors, disadvantaged youth, and high/special needs children. The City also sees the new pool as critical to ongoing efforts to advance the downtown and attract people into the core with improved amenities and services.

Q: WHY ISN'T THE CITY PROPOSING TO RE-BUILD THE POOL AT ITS CURRENT LOCATION?

A: The Aquatic Needs Assessment advises the City to build the proposed pool at a separate downtown location in order to avoid an extended disruption of service. The Four Seasons Pool provides more than 80 percent of the swimming lessons in Prince George.

Q: HOW WILL THE PROPOSED NEW POOL'S LOCATION AFFECT DOWNTOWN PARKING?

A: The proposal for a new pool on the current Days Inn site includes parking on the 6th Avenue side of the property. In addition, the City is investigating angled parking along 7th Avenue to increase on-street parking beside the new pool. When angled parking was introduced earlier this year on 5th Avenue, it increased parking spots by about 35 per cent.

Request a Presentation

Organizations can request a presentation about the referendum. Simply submit this form to request a presentation.

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