Here are some highlights from the March 25, 2024, City Council meeting. For more information – including the full agenda listing – read the Regular Council Meeting Agenda and its attachments.
City grants review
Council voted to make changes to the myPG grant program. Four arts organizations currently receive almost 53% of the total grant budget and will now have their annual funds moved out of the grant program and into the City operational budget with assured annual funding. The remaining myPG grant program budget will be increased to $550,000 by 2027, as explained in the report to council.
The decision was made following an extensive review of the grant program in 2022 and 2023 with feedback from local non-profit organizations. The changes to be implemented directly reflect the needs of community organizations and the arts community groups.
Staff will work closely with the four arts organizations to develop a smooth transition for them. Those four organizations are: Theatre Northwest, Prince George Community Arts Council, Prince George Symphony, and Prince George Folkfest.
SPCA update
Council received an update on the BC SPCA’s North Cariboo Community Animal Centre.
The presentation highlighted that in 2023 the local SPCA branch cared for 1,447 animals and their Animal Protection Officers responded to 262 complaints of animal cruelty or neglect.
The registered charity also provides emergency evacuation boarding facilities during wildfire season and distribute pet food and supplies to over 500 families in Prince George.
Prince George Share Hope update
Representatives from Prince George Share Hope Refugee Support Society presented to council to provide an update on the collaboration efforts of Prince George for Ukraine over the past two years.
They explained that to date the efforts of Prince George for Ukraine has helped 334 displaced Ukrainians within 136 families to settle in Prince George and surrounds.
The society are applying for grant funding and council agreed to provide them with a letter of support.
February building permit summary
Council received a building permit and development permit summary for February, showing the year has continued to have a strong start, with 44 permits issued for the month. The report includes all residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional permits, and the estimated total construction value of each development.
The February total is made up of 10 commercial/industrial permits and 34 residential permits, worth a combined total of $22.8 million. The year-to-date total as at the end of February is 72 permits worth a combined $35.5 million.
The number of permits in February was up for the same month in 2023 where there were 16 permits issued and 2022 where there were 21 permits issued.
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Media contact:
Claire Thwaites, senior communications advisor
Mobile: 778-349-1386
Email: media@princegeorge.ca