After a special meeting to set out the guidelines for the municipal budget, city council returns to their regular meeting schedule tonight with a full agenda.
Core review committee
Mayor Shari Green's select committee for a core services review will submit their terms of reference and proposed work plan for the project. The committee - which is chaired by Mayor Green and includes councillors Frank Everitt, Albert Koehler and Cameron Stolz - will make decisions by a majority vote and make a final report to council by September.
Council priorities
The Mayor will set out a list of city council's priorities through 2014. These focus on sustainable fiscal management, organizational excellence, sustainable infrastructure, effective governance, diversified and vibrant economy, international connections and civic pride.
Financial transparency
The finance and audit committee delivers a response to motions put forward by Councillors Brian Skakun and Garth Frizzell with regard to financial reporting. During the Oct. 17, 2011 meeting, Skakun and Frizzell moved that the City of Prince George develop a reporting strategy that would be included in the council agenda once per month and that the finance and audit committee consider proactive disclosure of Freedom of Information requests and responses, respectively. The committee has agreed the city's reporting of financial transactions is currently adequate and to increase it would require 26 more hours of staff time per year. However, they do advise staff to make financial information more readily available on the city's website for the general public.
Recreation relocation
Council will direct city staff to help asses the potential for a community recreation facility at the current Prince George Golf and Curling Club which accommodates the relocation of the Prince George Tennis Club and other potential user groups, while preserving the curling facility. A business plan is proposed to be presented to council by March 12.
Remediation extension
City staff are asking council to approve another extension for completion of clean up at 450 Tofield St. Last September, property owners Ken and Norma Dow were ordered to clean up an accumulation of debris and discarded materials including scrap metal, wood roof trusses and a partially dismantled vehicle. They were given 30 days but city council granted an extension until Dec. 15. Staff is suggesting an additional extension to May 18 as the Dows have made "significant steps" towards meeting the city's requirements and there is some regard for the limitations of completing the clean up during the winter months.
100 years of PGX
Board members of the Prince George Exhibition will appear before council to ask council to approve a grant to assist with the costs of the fair's centennial. The exhibition is slated to cost more than $1 million.
