City staff will further investigate recommendations made by a committee dedicated to improving accessibility in Prince George.
During Monday night's meeting, city council referred to administration a pair of suggestions from the accessibility advisory committee to improve support for their mandate of removing physical and social barriers around the community.
Among them were a request to increase the annual capital funding for sidewalk improvements.
"The committee requests that more funding be allocated annually to sidewalk improvement and maintenance," said a report from chair Vincent Sherry. "The committee would also like to stress the importance of snow removal for sidewalks and pedestrian paths for improving accessibility."
The committee keeps a database of problematic sidewalks that it passes on to the city and there are 68 unresolved issues.
The 2015 budget contains $250,000 for sidewalks and $250,000 for pathways, said city manager Beth James. Early estimates from asset manager Frank Blues indicate an annual investment of $1.4 million would be required to bring the sidewalk infrastructure up to where it needs to be, she said. "It's preliminary but it gives you an order of magnitude," she said. Staff also work the input from the accessibility committee into prioritizing sidewalk projects, said James.
Another committee recommendation referred back to staff was for a review of accessibility issues at civic facilities to be completed.
"The [committee] has been requesting that improvements be made to stairs in city-owned facilities and a review of facilities would be an opportunity to identify those stairs that need upgrading," said Sherry's report. The committee is also asking for an emphasis to be placed on washrooms.
James said she'd like the chance to look at the work plan for the civic facilities "based on council's approved capital budget as well as [the] operating/maintenance plans for this year to see where a significant amount of work is being done" to see where reviews can be tied in and which are the priority facilities.
One of the group's suggestions was dealt with Monday night in the form of Coun. Jillian Merrick being named as a council liaison to the accessibility committee.
"Having a councillor attend meetings will help to further educate council about accessibility initiatives and events in Prince George," said Sherry's report.
