City council to carry on meeting

Prince George city council will carry on holding public meetings, but with new social distancing measures in place.

City council's next scheduled meeting is Monday at 6 p.m. Councillors attending in person will be seated with one empty chair between them and only staff required for the meeting will attend. 

Members of the public in the gallery will be asked to sit approximately two metres (six feet) apart. Attendance at the meeting will be limited to 50 people, in compliance with orders by the Provincial Medical Health Officer.

"Council chambers will be sanitized as per the enhanced cleaning protocol that is being implemented at civic facilities. This involves World Health Organization cleaning standards, using WHO-recommended cleaning products," a statement released by the city on Wednesday. "Public hearings for planning and land use-related bylaws will continue to be scheduled as part of regular council meetings. Members of the public who may be uncomfortable being present in council chambers for a public hearing are reminded that they can also provide written comment."

Written submissions should be sent to the city by 5 p.m on the Tuesday prior to the scheduled council meeting. Submissions may be sent by email to [email protected], faxed to 250-561-0183, or mailed or delivered to city hall.

On the agenda Monday, city council will receive the Prince George Child Care Action Plan 2020, and in-depth look into the childcare services available and what the needs are.

• Also up for consideration will be a temporary use permit for 1434 Old Cariboo Highway, to allow for the former site of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers to be used as a commercial office for three years. On March 11, BC Hemp held a grand opening at the site, which is currently zoned Business District Light Industrial.

• City council will also receive a report on the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Council will hear a proposal by city administration to set an end date for the downtown revitalization tax exemption. The proposed "sunset date" is Sept. 30, 2024.

• Mayor and council will receive a report on the alternative approval process for the City of Prince George Equipment Financing Bylaw No. 9104, 2020. A counter-petition against the borrowing bylaw only received 28 signatures.