In the final meeting of city council before the municipal election, there are a few things for the current group of councillors to address.
Keg looks to up its ante
With the loss of hundreds of primary liquor seats across the city in the past few years, The Keg Steakhouse and Bar is looking to the city to approve the expansion of their seats and hours. The George Street restaurant is applying to change their liquor service hours to 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. everyday. Currently, the hours of liquor service are from noon to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays. The applicant is also looking to increase their occupant load to 400 patrons.
Railway crunches the numbers
The Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre will be showcasing their 2011 season with the Fort George Railway at the for city council and asking the city the include the attraction's budget in their own 2012 Prince George budget considerations. This year, more than 13,000 passengers rode the lines over 21 days. Looking ahead to next summer, the railway is anticipating raising the price per ride from $1 to $2.
Gallery wants a white night
Two Rivers Gallery is looking to bring a big city exhibition to Prince George. The gallery's board members are asking for the city's support in creating a local version of Nuit Blanche, a cultural event hosted across the world. Currently, Montreal and Toronto host the Canadian contingents of the downtown event that typically runs from dusk until dawn for attendees to peruse art installations, music shows, other performances and culinary events. Two Rivers foresees a Prince George version centered in the Civic Centre plaza and are asking for political, personnel, security and property support. The event would be a fundraiser for both the gallery and the public library.
Dog park decisions
The city's off-leash advisory committee is coming to an end, having completed its temporary mandate and come up with some suggestions for off-leash dog park strategies in Prince George. The six-member committee, formed in May 2010, held public consultations and reviewed best practices across the country. The group will share the policies, principles and proposed off-leash site areas with council.
Arts centre application
City council will review the response from P3 Canada regarding a proposed Prince George Regional Performing Arts Centre. The federal Crown corporation, mandated to promote public-private partnerships, has rejected the city's application for funding and support.
Commonwealth covenant
Commonwealth Health Corp. is asking the city for a three-year extension to meet its commitment to build six townhouse units near the Commonwealth Health Centre. Under the existing agreement, if construction has not begun by Sept. 8, 2012, the city has the option to purchase the property for a dollar.
Fee changes
Council will discuss the proposed changes to the annual business licence fees, development application fees, fee and charges for the Gifts and Legacies program and garbage collection fees.
Community plan makes it official
The Prince George Official Community Plan will have its first reading in front of city council tonight. The document, used to plan and shape Prince George, has been under review since February 2010. Another public consultation on the document must be held before the third reading.
Crossing considerations
The city's transportation manager will provide council with information regarding the options considered for a pedestrian crossing at 18th Avenue and Exhibition Park. These options include installing a new pedestrian gate at the the southeast corner of the soccer facility, installing two new advanced warning signs 65 metres ahead of the crosswalk, closing 18th Avenue to through traffic between George Paul Lane and the northeast access to Exhibition Park at the crosswalk and the installing temporary speedbumps. City staff will go ahead with the new pedestrian gate, which will eventually eliminate the current pedestrian crosswalk.
Audit services
City council will be asked to approve awarding the Deloitte and Touche LLP with a contract for auditing services. The City of Prince George, including the Prince George Public Library, is required to prepare consolidated financial statements under the Community Charter. The five-year contract, with an option to renew for another two years, was awarded after three proposals were received by the Oct. 12 closing date. Deloitte and Touche beat out KPMG and BDO with a bid of $318,250.
Construction contract
The councillors will also be asked to approve a contract to R.J. Cooper Construction Ltd. for the construction of the 18th Avenue Administration Building. The new wood-framed office building will complete the relocation of the Operations Transportation and Utilities work group office from the current 4th Avenue Yard location. R.J. Cooper beat out nine other bids, with a proposal price of $1,989,704.
Climate protection
City staff are looking to council for direction as they push to complete all the milestone commitments for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Protection program. The program is a network of Canadian local governments committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and acting on climate change. Prince George would be the fourth local government in B.C. to achieve the fifth level of the program.
Final readings
City council will adopt a variety of bylaws and zoning bylaw amendments that have been before council for months. These include rezoning 361 Corless Cres. to allow for an out-of-school childcare program for up to 25 children; rezoning 1040 Ahbau St. to consolidate a portion of a buffer strip of land with that of adjacent commercial property owners to cut down on undesirable activities; rezoning the lands south of Westgate Avenue and Westmount Drive and east of Helene Road for a residential development; and amending the city's fees and service charges.
