The Select Committee on A Safe, Clean and Inclusive Downtown has changed its name.
The group was established at the Dec. 16 public council meeting to advise the city on the priorities for addressing social issues throughout Prince George with a focus on the downtown core.
However, after a recommendation was approved at last night’s city council meeting, the committee will now be known as the Mayor’s Select Committee on a Safe, Clean and Inclusive Community.
The name change recommendation came to council from the select committee, but it was first brought forward by the Prince George Chamber of Commerce.
“This, I think, is more inclusive of the community because we are seeing these things throughout the community. Around the committee table and around what staff are doing the impact is not just in our downtown,” said Mayor Lyn Hall during the council meeting.
“If you continue to talk about the downtown, that’s where the focus is and quite frankly the focus should be throughout our community because we have issues in various areas.”
The newly renamed committee also met for the second time today (Jan. 4).
The meeting began initial discussions on the proposed downtown service enhancements package.
The committee is tasked with providing feedback on recommendations regarding the service package which has a financial component, relating to a possible additional tax increase, and will need to go to council before budget time.
Proposed service enhancement middle options. (via Hanna Petersen)During the committee meeting, Adam Davy, director of community services and public safety, gave a presentation outlining the enhancement package.
He said the obligatory “must-do’s” in the package include security, parkades and social inclusion hubs.
Although three options are currently proposed for each recommended enhancement, the committee is currently focusing on the “middle of the road” options and is trying to synchronize and layer services to align resources.
Despite robust discussion, no firm recommendations regarding the enhancement options were reached during the committee’s second meeting.
“We get the tax implication piece we know what it means, but I don’t want to push this any quicker than need be. I want us to take our time,” said Hall, during the committee meeting.
“I was under no illusion that we would get a recommendation [today].”
The next Select Committee on a Safe, Clean and Inclusive Community meeting date is to be determined.
