Whistleblower policy approved
Council approved a draft whistleblower policy for all City employees and elected officials. A whistleblower policy was among the key corrective measures committed to by the Mayor and Council during the review of the construction of the George Street Parkade. The Whistleblower Policy provides a mechanism for employees or council members to raise concerns related to serious misconduct, outlines a process for investigating such concerns, and provides protection from retaliation to those who report concerns or participate in related investigative processes.
Trucked usage fees approved
Council approved a strategy to ensure adequate funding for maintenance costs for the sanitary sewer lagoon that only accepts trucked waste. The proposed amendment to the Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw ensures the users of the Shelley Lagoon will fund the operation expenses of the service. Currently the service is funded through sewer user fees that septic users do not pay into. To reduce the immediate impact to the public, the City will be phasing in the fees over seven years, starting on January 1, 2022 with a rate of $22.50 per cubic metre. The amendment to the Bylaw was approved for first three readings, and will be presented for final reading and adoption at an upcoming Council meeting.
Update on West Coast Olefins projects
Administration provided Council with an overview and status updates of the two proposed West Coast Olefins projects that are located within the boundaries of Prince George and the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George. Although portions of the NGL Recovery Project are located within city boundaries, the regulatory body at this stage of the project is the BC Oil and Gas Commission. The Ethylene Plan Project in the City has been cancelled and withdrawn from the regulatory process.
Building permit boom
Council received an update on the value of building permits in Prince George through the end of October. To date in 2021, permit values at $188 Million are ahead of the same period in 2020 ($181.2 Million) and just behind 2019 ($194 Million), which was the all-time annual record. From 2016 to 2021, nearly 3000 building permits valued at over $1 Billion have been purchased at the City of Prince George.
Councillor reappointed to Library Board
Council re-appointed Councillor Terri McConnachie to the board of the Prince George Public Library for a one-year term starting on December 1, 2021. The Library Act requires that the member of Council appointed to the Library Board serve for a term of one year and that no member may serve for more than eight consecutive years. Due to the October 15, 2022 general local election, the length of the term will be less than one year. Councillor Terri McConnachie has served as Council Representative to the Board for six one-year terms with her current term expiring on November 30, 2021.
View the full agenda for the Council meeting with links to all of the reports on the City website.