A moment of silence for remains of 215 children at the Kamloops Residential School
The May 31 meeting of Prince George City Council began with the observance of a moment of silence for the remains of the 215 children recently discovered at the former site of the Kamloops Residential School. Later today, Chief Dolleen Logan and Mayor Lyn Hall will lower the Lheidli T’enneh flag at City Hall for a period of 215 days. The other flags at City Hall were lowered yesterday.
Recommendations on poverty reduction
During Monday evening's Council meeting, Council received recommendations from Councillor Murry Krause, Chair of the Select Committee on Poverty Reduction, about how the City of Prince George can support implementation of TogetherBC, the Province’s poverty reduction strategy.
In 2019, Council approved the formation of the Committee, which was comprised of representatives with diverse perspectives and understandings of poverty, and met regularly to develop a series of recommendations regarding the City’s role in implementation of the TogetherBC strategy.
The Committee proposed 19 recommendations relevant to poverty in Prince George - particularly the role of the local government. The proposed recommendations were the focus of a community engagement process that took place earlier this year. More than 800 residents participated and a priority was to engage those who were both directly and indirectly affected by poverty, with a specific focus on those with personal experience. Participants showed strong interest in all 19 of the recommendations, which are detailed on the report on the meeting agenda and include increasing access to housing, services, and supports, reducing stigma on poverty, and increasing food security.
Council approved the recommendations and resolved to discontinue the Select Committee on Poverty Reduction, effective immediately, the Committee having fulfilled its mandate. Council will also explore the future creation of a food policy committee.
Student housing complex approved
Prince George City Council approved third reading of an amendment to the City of Prince George Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw to facilitate a 254-unit apartment complex at 4500 Ospika Boulevard. Council approved third reading of the bylaws following a public hearing in response to the application from the Hub Collection to build a student housing project in the northeast corner of Tyner Boulevard and Ospika Boulevard.
Final reading and adoption of the bylaws is expected to come before Council later this year.
2024 Para Biathlon & World Para Nordic Skiing Events
Council postponed a request from the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club to provide financial support of up to $250,000 towards hosting the 2024 Para Biathlon World Championships and World Para Nordic Skiing World Cup Finals. The funding is subject to the Club entering into a Sponsorship Agreement with the City and would be distributed over multiple years. In 2019, the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club hosted the 2019 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships, which was the first world championships presented in Prince George.
A review of community recreation
Council received the results of a survey of local recreation and well-being, which was presented in late 2020 and attracted more than 500 responses. Outdoor activities were seen to contribute most to residents’ well-being with parks and trails ranking as very important for more than 92% of respondents. The use of parks and trails was also the recreation option most frequently used.
The survey also sought information about the value and accessibility of other programs and services such as neighbourhood recreation and education, arts and culture, and civic facilities. The results are being used to review and continually improve the City’s overall recreation/well-being service delivery model. This includes the programs and services delivered by non-profit organizations.
Climate Forward strategy and actions
Council received a report on the first phase of the Climate Forward Implementation Strategy, which sets actionable tasks that realize the objectives identified in the Climate Change Mitigation Plan and Adaptation Report to work towards meeting short and long-term climate action targets.
Previously, Council approved the 2020 Climate Change Mitigation Plan, which sets short, medium and long-term targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation, buildings, and waste. The 2020 Climate Change Adaptation Report was supported by Council in March 2021. It contains climate projections to 2080 and identifies priority risks that Prince George expects to face due to a changing climate.
The Climate Forward Implementation Strategy – Phase 1 lays out achievable tasks that can be completed within the next five years as Prince George aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% compared to 2017 levels. Additional phases will follow Phase 1 to continue moving Prince George forward on climate action to achieve long-term targets for 2050.
In addition, government-funded pandemic stimulus packages for municipalities have focused on climate action projects. The Climate Forward Implementation Strategy assists the City in being a competitive applicant for these funding opportunities. Council approved the establishment of the City of Prince George Climate Action Reserve Fund Establishment Bylaw to officially form criteria on the remaining funds to be used for climate action initiatives.
Cyber security update
Council approved an initiative to review key cyber security issues across the City. Cyber Security refers to the protection of city assets and city staff from cyber threats that include software or communications disruption, data exposure or loss, and targeted social engineering attacks. The outcome of the Cyber Security Health check will be a report of the security gaps as well as recommendations and actionable items to improve the City's “cyber maturity.”
All of the reports associated with the May 31, 2021 Council meeting are posted with the agenda on the City website.