Here are some highlights from the May 6, 2024, City Council meeting. For more information – including the full agenda listing – read the Regular Council Meeting Agenda and its attachments.
Bear Aware Advisory committee
Council approved the formation of a ‘Bear Aware Advisory Committee’ as was recommended in a notice of motion. Administration will draft the terms of reference for this short-term committee that will engage in research and provide recommendations for increased bear-proofing and bear attractant reduction efforts.
The City will offer participation on the committee to the Northern Bear Awareness Society, BC Conservation, UNBC, Regional District Solid Waste Division, as well as at least three positions to residents with the request for applications to go out upon the approved term of reference. The committee will also have staff support from the City’s Parks & Solid Waste and Bylaw Services divisions.
Council also asked administration to return a report with options to convert certain public garbage bins to bear resistant bins and reduce fruit trees on City property.
Advocacy meetings
Council received a report highlighting the recent advocacy trip to Victoria that took place from April 29 to May 1.
The report shows during the time in Victoria the delegation, which consisted of two councillors, the City Manager and the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee staff liaison, had nine meetings. The delegation was also joined by representatives from the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation.
The trip included a meeting with the Premier, the Minister of Housing, the Solicitor General, the Attorney General, the Minister of Transportation, the Minister of Health, Minister of Mental Health & Addictions as well as some time with the official opposition caucus. The delegation advocated on a range of topics, from health and safety initiatives to encampments to additional funding for specific items.
Enhanced patrols coming Downtown
Council approved enhanced collaborative patrols between Prince George Fire Rescue, Prince George Bylaw Services and the RCMP in the downtown core area.
The goal of these patrols is to reduce the number of fires and burning complaints in the downtown area, with the further goal of reducing property damage stemming from these fires.
These joint patrols will be between the hours of 10 p.m and 3-4 a.m three times per week for four to six weeks (12 to 18 patrols). Existing budgets for each department will absorb the costs of the extra patrols.
Fruit Tree removals to be incentivized
Council received information on a program to reduce bear attractants through a fruit tree removal incentive program. A fruit tree removal incentive program could provide funds toward the cost of removal of fruit trees on private residential property. Council voted to refer this proposed program to the new Bear Aware Advisory Committee for review and recommendations.
The staff report also reported the city has several fruit trees located on municipal boulevards that will be removed as current operational funding is available.
Aquatic Centre upgrade funding
The Aquatic Centre upgrade was back on the agenda again after council approved additional capital work projects at the last meeting on April 22.
The additional upgrade work, which is divided into phases, will be done using Municipal Finance Authority (MFA) debt funding. This type of funding requires approval of electors, which will now be done using the alternative approval process.
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Media contact:
Claire Thwaites, senior communications advisor
Mobile: 778-349-1386
Email: media@princegeorge.ca