Emergency preparedness
During Monday’s meeting, Council received a report from City staff in advance of Emergency Preparedness Week (May 2 to 8). Staff provided information on the recently updated “Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment” for Prince George and about ways residents can plan and prepare their own household emergency kits as freshet and wildfire season approaches. The City’s emergency response and emergency planning page provides more information on what to have in a household emergency kit.
The Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Assessment is a requirement of the Emergency Program Act and an important part of the City’s Emergency Management Plan. The Assessment was first completed in 2009 and updated last year. According to the document, the most likely events to affect the City include atmospheric hazards, disease, hazardous materials, fire, and floods.
Quarterly procurement report
Council received a report from staff concerning the contracts issued by the City for the first three months of 2021. The list included contracts relating to the construction of the YMCA Park House Care and Early Learning Centre. The facility is being built at a fixed price by A&T Project Development Inc. in collaboration with PRD Construction of Prince George. The City has also contracted Colliers Project Leaders to provide project management services to help ensure that timelines and budgets associated with the facility are met.
A request for Integrated Homicide Investigation Team
Council approved a request from its Intergovernmental Resolutions Committee to begin advocacy for an Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) that would be based in Prince George and serve the RCMP North District. RCMP Superintendent Shaun Wright attended Council and explained how the new Team could unlock additional funding support from the Federal Government. From the Committee’s discussion and deliberations on the topic, it was recommended that the City request the Government of Canada and province of BC to work with RCMP management to develop a fair funding formula for an IHIT model to be established in Prince George.
Capital projects:
- Council approves review of City capital project management process
Every year, the City undertakes hundreds of capital projects that range in size, cost, and complexity. Making them more predictable and affordable during both construction and operation is the goal of a capital project management review approved by Council on Monday evening.
The review was initiated following cost over-runs on some recent capital projects such as the new Fire Hall #1 and the downtown parkade, but the broader issue of infrastructure re-investment and renewal is a Council Focus Area. Capital project management in local governments was also the subject of a recent report from the Auditor General for Local Government.
The Capital Project Management Review is to consider the lifecycle management of multiple types of capital projects and will include various elements:
- A review and analysis of current City of Prince George practices and processes
- A review of best practices in comparative communities
- Recommendations for a Project Management Policy and Framework and related administrative procedures
- Recommendations regarding training and communication
The City will be issuing a request for proposals and is aiming to have the work completed in 2021. Funding for the review will come from the City’s Northern Capital and Planning Grant Reserve Fund.
- Capital project spending
In addition to addressing the process for managing capital projects, Council also received reports on the amended budgets for delivering capital projects in 2020 and the first quarter of 2021. The 2020 report identifies various projects that were deferred in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, urgent projects that were undertaken during the year without a pre-approved budget, and projects that were over-budget during construction.
Airport tower saved!
Council received a letter from Nav Canada announcing that it will maintain air traffic control service to a number of mid-sized Canadian communities, including Prince George.
Nav Canada further committed that there will be no site closures at staffed air traffic control towers or flight service stations across the country. Previously, Mayor Hall and City staff communicated with Nav Canada about the significant economic contribution of YXS and the importance of maintaining the control tower.
All of the reports associated with the April 26, 2021 Council meeting are available on the City website.