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Media Releases
Council Media Release
Here are some highlights from the November 28, 2022 City Council Meeting. For more information – including the full agenda listing – consult the November 28, 2022 Regular Council Meeting Agenda and its attachments.
Building and Development Permit Summaries for August, September, October 2022
- The total value of business permits issued in August, September, and October was $55,778,925, a drop from $57,359,376 issued in the same period last year.
- Overall, the total value of building permits issued from January 1 until October 31 is nearly 23 per cent higher compared to the same 10-month period in 2021.
- The 2020-2024 Financial Plan provides a $1.4 million service enhancement package for activities to enhance cleanliness, policing, and bylaw presence in the downtown, as well as social inclusion services. $236,000 of that total operational budget was allocated to the operation of two storage service sites for unsheltered residents. A streamlined model of operation, with equivalent access to storage and enhanced access to laundry, shower, washroom, drop-in, and outreach services can now be managed through one site.
- This new model allowed administration to reallocate $138,000 out of the $236,000 to enable the continued employment of the City’s two outreach coordinators.
Downtown Service Enhancement – Funding Reallocation
- The 2020-2024 Financial Plan provides a $1.4 million service enhancement package for activities to enhance cleanliness, policing, and bylaw presence in the downtown, as well as social inclusion services. $236,000 of that total operational budget was allocated to the operation of two storage service sites for unsheltered residents. A streamlined model of operation, with equivalent access to storage and enhanced access to laundry, shower, washroom, drop-in, and outreach services can now be managed through one site.
- This new model allowed administration to reallocate $138,000 out of the $236,000 to enable the continued employment of the City’s two outreach coordinators.
2022-2023 Strengthening Communities’ Services Program Grant
- Council received a staff report regarding a new Strengthening Communities Provincial grant of $624,980 which provides support to unsheltered homeless populations and addresses related community impacts.
- The grant will allow implementation of activities that align with Council’s priorities and grant criteria including:
- Providing secure and monitored access to the new downtown pool.
- Installing modern needle drop boxes in targeted locations.
- Reducing community concerns in neighbourhoods where unsheltered homeless populations are seeking temporary shelter with the addition of security.
- Enhancing the capacity of the City to work with urban Indigenous service providers and leadership.
- Training for City Bylaw and Outreach staff related to crisis de-escalation and trauma informed practices.
- Shifting the perception of downtown safety and cleanliness through communication and engagement.
- Continuing the employment of two City of Prince George Outreach Coordinators to coordinate enforcement activities with client service for the unsheltered homeless. Administration has begun planning for implementation of these funded initiatives and is required to submit a final report to UBCM by December 31, 2023.
Standing Committee Appointments
The following appointments have been made to the Standing Committee on Finance and Audit and the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs until the 2026 general local election.
Standing Committee on Finance and Audit
- Councillor Tim Bennett
- Councillor Trudy Klassen
- Councillor Ron Polillo
- Councillor Cori Ramsay
Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
- Councillor Garth Frizzell
- Councillor Kyle Sampson
- Councillor Susan Scott
- Councillor Brian Skakun