A public hearing on potentially the world’s first cannabis retail store at an airport, an RCMP year in review presentation, and a delegation from organizers of the Canadian Native Fastball Championships were all on the agenda for the February 7 meeting of Council.
Council votes to approve airport cannabis retailer
City council voted in favour of granting third reading on a rezoning bylaw to allow the development of a cannabis retail store at the Prince George Airport, following a public hearing on Monday. The final reading of the rezoning bylaw will be not be held until after the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure approves the bylaw.
Council also voted to support the approval of the cannabis license from the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.
If approved, the outlet would be the world’s first retail cannabis store at an airport.
Delegation from the Canadian Native Fastball Organization Committee
Council received a delegation from the organizers of the 2022 Canadian Native Fastball Championships, which are being hosted in Prince George from July 29 to 31, 2022. The Championships were previously scheduled to be held in 2020, but the event was rescheduled due to Covid-19.
Previously, Council approved financial support of up to $26,300 to cover facility rental and services costs. Council also approved financial support of up to $21,833 to cover the one-time purchase of a portable backstop and fencing requirement to adapt fields to meet specific standards of major event hosting. On Monday, organizers amended their request to up to $34,000 for costs related for rental rates and additional service costs and up to $47,435 for backstop and fencing. Council approved the request.
Prince George has hosted the Championships three times before, in 1994, 2004, and 2016. The Championships will bring 80 teams and about 1200 athletes, couches, and support staff as well as out-of-town spectators to Prince George. The event is anticipated to bring roughly $3 Million in economic benefit to the local economy.
RCMP Year in Review presentation
Prince George RCMP Superintendent Shaun Wright provided Council with a year in review presentation on Monday evening and an update on Council’s request for an RCMP service comparison with peer municipalities. According to the presentation, 2021 was a busy year for police services and this year will see a number of new innovative services initiated, including the CCTV Security Camera Registry, and Health IM Application. The Downtown Safety Unit and Car 60 are continuing to provide services to the community.
Council requested Administration and the RCMP explore conducting a police service comparison review with peer municipalities. Following an initial assessment, the RCMP and Administration are recommending the procurement of an external, independent consultant with appropriate subject matter expertise. Administration will begin the procurement process to conduct a review, with a budget of up to $50,000. The costs will be sourced within the existing operational police budget. A report and presentation is expected to be back to Council later this year.
Improving access to City’s Leisure Access Program
Administration sought Council approval for City staff to submit an application for funding from the Union of BC Municipalities for a pilot project aimed at making it easier for people to access the City’s Leisure Access Program. The UBCM grant would cover all incremental costs associated with the pilot project. The Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships Division will provide staff support, within its approved operating budget.
Council remuneration committee established
Council approved a staff recommendation to authorize the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Council Remuneration, as required by City bylaw, to conduct an independent review of Council remuneration to be effective January 1, 2023.
The Council Remuneration Bylaw requires that a review of Mayor and Councillor remuneration, benefits, and expense reimbursement be conducted by an advisory committee comprised of members of the public by the second quarter of the last year of each Council’s term. As the next municipal election will be held this fall, this independent review should be conducted before June 30, 2022.
The City will notify the public when applications for the committee will be accepted.
Council approves alternative approval process for equipment financing
Council approved a staff recommendation to use an alternative approval process to seek the approval of electors to borrow the funds necessary ($1,779,834) to maintain the City’s mobile fleet.
The annual replacement and addition of vehicles and capital equipment are financed through the Municipal Finance Authority’s Equipment Financing Program. Through these loan agreements, the City retains ownership of its assets and is charged a low variable interest rate with fixed payment schedules.
The approved projects from the 2022 – 2026 Capital Plan that will be part of the Equipment Financing program request include:
- Mobile Equipment Replacement - $1,687,834
- Janitorial Equipment – Replace Floor Scrubbers - $41,000
- 2022 New Bylaw SUV - $51,000
Electors will be given the opportunity to indicate they are opposed to Council proceeding with adoption of a loan authorization bylaw by signing and submitting an Elector Response Form by Thursday, March 31, 2022. Notice of the alternative approval process will be publicized in the newspaper and on the City website.
All of the reports from the agenda of the February 7 meeting of Council are available on the City website.