Safe Streets Bylaw passes
Council voted to pass a new bylaw that addresses behaviour on streets and sidewalks such as aggressive panhandling, littering, sidewalk obstruction, graffiti, open drug use, needle disposal, as well as the creation of structures, temporary shelters, and campfires.
The “Safe Streets Bylaw” passed first three readings at the June 14 Council meeting, and was due for final reading at the June 28, but Council opted to delay final reading to provide more time for additional public consultation.
Earlier in the evening, two delegations presented to Council in opposition of the Bylaw. Regional Chief Terry Teegee, of the BC Assembly of First Nations presented with Dr. Joseph Hermer, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Toronto. Amelia Merrick and Mabelline John presented on behalf of Together We Stand, a citizen-led Facebook Group.
Alissa Nyheim-Rivet and Tammy Hull presented on behalf of the Millar Addition – Connaught Concerned Citizens Committee regarding the impact they say that the homeless encampment on Patricia Boulevard is having on their neighbourhood.
Last week, the City announced it has filed an application in the BC Supreme Court seeking an order for the safe and orderly transition of the occupants at the encampments on George Street and Lower Patricia Boulevard. The City is working with BC Housing to prepare the occupants to leave the encampments and move to accommodations that best meet their needs. A hearing is expected to be scheduled by the Court during the week of September 13.
Renaming O’Grady Road
During Monday’s meeting, Council directed Administration to proceed with the renaming of O’Grady Road in College Heights in consultation with the Lheidli T’enneh. Council further directed Administration to report to Council on the road name decision and the next steps regarding implementation of the name change.
Earlier in the summer, Council received a letter from Chief Dolleen Logan of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation officially requesting that the name of O’Grady Road be changed. The letter explained that O’Grady Road is named after Bishop John Fergus O’Grady, and highlighted concerns about the association of this name with the history of residential schools in BC. The renaming of the road from College Road to O’Grady Road was approved by Council on April 10, 1989.
UBCM resolution approved
The Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Resolutions presented Council with a resolution that the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) and Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) petition the provincial government and BC Housing to ensure the provision of a range of housing options for homeless individuals, including no barrier housing options and services. Council approved the resolution.
Funding for proposed childcare development site approved
Council authorized Administration to expend up to $30,000 to enable completion of a geotechnical investigation and a site survey at 8008 Malaspina Avenue, the proposed site of a childcare centre funded by the Province of BC. The site work is expected to begin by mid-September.
A geotechnical investigation is required to study subsurface conditions and obtain a recommendation on the type of foundation required for the site. Completing a geotechnical study will also eliminate the risk of added costs should the site be found to be unsuitable for conventional foundations. A site survey is required to confirm the property lines and utilities present in the area.
The new childcare centre will feature 83 spaces for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, and school-aged children. The Centre will be operated by Kool Cats Kid Care (College Heights Community Association) and is scheduled to be open in early 2023.
A plan for stormwater management
Council received a report on the Integrated Stormwater Management Plan (ISMP) - a strategic plan that outlines the City’s short to long-term goals for its stormwater management program and acts as a guide on how to achieve these goals. Like most municipalities, the City of Prince George faces challenges related to stormwater management, but the ISMP is a step in the right direction by formalizing the vision, goals, and actions to move these challenges into opportunities.
The ISMP integrates land use, infrastructure, public safety, and the environment to guide community growth while maintaining or improving the health of our community’s watersheds. A detailed analysis was completed over the last year in the form of four Technical Working Papers that provided the input for this overarching Guiding Document, Roadmap, and action list.
The final step in the ISMP project is to provide education to the community on the importance of stormwater management. This will be accomplished using online informational material and through a survey, which is planned for mid-September 2021.
Significant capital project update
Administration provided Council with an update on the significant capital projects that are currently under construction in Prince George.
Of the $176M-worth of capital projects currently underway, only one, the new downtown pool, was projected over budget, and two were listed as “under review.” Two projects were also listed as behind schedule, and one was labelled as “needs attention.”
Earlier this summer, Administration provided Council with an update on progress being made on the construction of the downtown pool as the work reached its midway point. Additional project costs resulted from the unpredicted removal of unstable soils in the area of the pool tanks and the remediation of a deficient primer on the structural steel components. After the delivery of those components, it was determined that the primer was specified in error and would need to be replaced.
Importantly, the City is pursuing reimbursement of the approximate $1 million extra cost of the primer remediation.
The full agenda for the Council meeting with links to all of the reports is available on the City website.