Here are some highlights from the March 11, 2024, City Council meeting. For more information – including the full agenda listing – read the Regular Council Meeting Agenda and its attachments.
RCMP year in review
Prince George RCMP Officer-In-Charge, Superintendent Shaun Wright, and Inspector Darin Rappel presented to Council, providing an overview of police calls for service in 2023 in comparison with the last several years, including downtown statistics, and notable events and trends in 2023. Highlights include a decrease in property crime and a slight increase in persons offences.
The presentation covered topics looking ahead to 2024, which included a focus on mental health support partnerships, youth crime and gang crime prevention.
Conservation Officer, Seargent Eamon McArthur, also spoke to council on the issue of bears in the community. Seargent McArthur commented on the dramatic increase in calls to conservation officers in 2023. As an example, in August 2022 there were 145 bear reports and in August 2023 he approximates there were over 2,000 calls for service. Attractants such as fruit trees and garbage were the biggest challenges.
Advocacy delegation
Council voted in favour of the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs pursuing an advocacy delegation to Victoria to follow up on and introduce items of concern.
Funding for this proposed delegation, which will see four committee members and one staff person in Victoria for three days, will be paid out of the City’s general contingency fund, and is expected to come in under $10,000.
The purpose of the delegation, as highlighted in the report to council, is to use the time to meet with provincial leaders to discuss requests that could enhance service delivery and reduce costs to items that are of importance regionally. For example, the continued conversation on the expenses the municipality absorbs for fire fighters responding to medical calls related to the toxic drug crisis and the ongoing advocacy work on an acute care tower or veterinary medicine program in the area.
The proposal is for this activity to happen in the first six months of the year, with April being the current preferred month.
Accessibility and inclusion annual report
Council received the Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusion 2023 Annual Report and approved their 2024 work plan.
The committee held four meetings in 2023 to address its 2023 work plan including:
- Civic Facilities and Events facility audit recommendations;
- the Jumpstart Multi-sport Accessible Facility;
- sidewalk rehabilitation and new connections planned for 2023; and
- guiding principles in the City’s creation of an Accessibility Work Plan.
The 2024 work plan provides five goals:
- Respond to referrals from Council regarding issues related to accessibility and inclusion.
- Identify opportunities to enhance Organizational accessibility and inclusion for Council consideration and advise Council of barriers that prevent individuals from interacting in or with the Organization.
- Review ongoing/upcoming action items in the Accessibility Work Plan 2023-2026 and provide recommendations to ensure the needs of persons with disabilities are considered.
- Monitor and report on progress towards achievement of actions identified in the City’s Accessibility Plan.
- Participate in related events and activities including those designed to receive public feedback regarding the Organization’s accessibility plan.
The 2023-2026 Accessibility Work Plan will serve as a roadmap over the next 3 years to guide progress and ensure accessibility is a priority for all staff.
Heritage commission work plan
Council also received the annual report and work plan for the Prince George Heritage Commission.
The Prince George Heritage Commission advises in matters regarding the protection, conservation, and interpretation of heritage resources and buildings within the Community. The committee consists of six members appointed by Council.
The Heritage Commission looks forward to accomplishing tasks identified in the 2024 Work Plan, including, but not limited to:
- Recommending one property for inclusion on the Prince George Heritage Register.
- Refurbishment of at least three existing heritage interpretive signs.
- Formalizing a process for administering heritage interpretive signs and plaques.
- 30 -
Media contact:
Claire Thwaites, senior communications advisor
Mobile: 778-349-1386
Email: media@princegeorge.ca