Here are some highlights from the April 23, 2025, City Council meeting. For more information read the full meeting agenda and related reports.
Monthly building permit and development permit summary
Council received the monthly building permit summary for March 2025. Last month, there were 21 permits approved at a cost of $6.9 million. So far this year, 74 building permits have been approved at a total of $22 million. From January to March 2024, 104 building permits were approved with a value of $41.8 million.
Unallocated funds from Limited-Duration Operating Grant budget
Council authorized staff to review the eligible but declined applications from the Limited-Duration Operating Grant intake, including the grant application from the Exploration Place, and select the best suited recipient(s) for the remaining $10,000 from the 2025 grant budget (total of $131,576).
Earlier this year, Council approved 13 applications for the Limited-Duration Operating Grant at a total of $121,576 but declined a proposed funding allocation to the Exploration Place ($10,000 respectively for 2025 and 2026). An interdepartmental working group will review previous applicants and award the remaining $10,000 from the 2025 budget to the organizations that best fit the grant criteria.
Snow and ice control spending
Council received information about snow and ice control expenditures from November 1 to December 31, 2024, which was requested during budget discussions in January. The total cost to provide the service during the last two months of the year was nearly $4.5 million. $1.6 million was due to three Priority 3 snow events that saw 465 millimeters of snow fall on November 24, 29, and December 18. The report highlights the cost of equipment, labour, and supplies.
Council also received information on potential savings for reducing snow and ice control operations on statutory holidays. The report states that pausing snow and ice control services during a snow event could save the City $211,501 per day. Council directed staff to revise the Snow and Ice Control Policy with three options for a one season pilot project:
- No snow removal on statutory holidays
- Increased snow levels on statutory holidays
- Prioritizing priority 1 and 2 routes and decreasing service for priority 3 routes on statutory holidays.
Temporary closure of Lower Patricia access road
Council authorized staff to install vehicle gates at both ends of the Lower Patricia Boulevard Encampment to restrict vehicle access. The report states that restricting access will prevent large trailers and campers from being brought into the area and illegal dumping. Authorized personnel, including City staff, RCMP, BC Ambulance, and Prince George Fire Rescue will have keys to access the gates to continue providing emergency services. Foot traffic will not be impacted.
5-Year Operating and Capital Plans and Tax Rates bylaws
Council granted the final reading and adoption of the 5-Year Operating and Capital Financial Plans and the Tax Rates Bylaw. The Community Charter requires municipalities to adopt a five-year financial plan by bylaw. The financial plan must set out the proposed expenditures, the proposed funding sources, and the proposed transfers to or between funds.
The financial plan represents the decisions concerning revenues, expenses, debt and transfers that were made by Council during the budget meetings in January. The bylaw represents a tax levy increase of 6.21 per cent.
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Media contact:
Claire Thwaites, senior communications advisor
Mobile: 778-349-1386
Email: media@princegeorge.ca