Capital Plan Sparks Discussion
Prince George, B.C. – The Capital plan for Prince George, which outlines projects that are planned, or on the wish list for the next five years, had some Councillors asking plenty of questions.
The issue of changing the entrance to the Bob Harkins branch of the Prince George Public Library has been the subject of discussion for two decades, and it remains on the unfunded list for capital plans.The entrance project, valued at $3.7 million dollars, is on the unfunded capital plan for 2017 and 2018. Councillor Terri McConnachie wanted that changed to the funded list for 2017, and delivered a passionate plea to move it to the funded capital list.She noted the studies, community consultations,budget discussions, and dollars set aside for development of a preliminary design ” After all that work’s been done, especially in the last 12 months, it goes from being on the funded list to being on the unfunded list, again.”
While McConnachie pressed her council colleagues to move the item to the funded list for 2017, Mayor Hall says there is a possibility the entrance could be married to the development of the hotel project which is the library’s neighbour. Her motion to move it to the funded list for 2017 was defeated.
The Darren Fitzpatrick Bravery Park was also a key issue. Colleen and Jim Fitzpatrick, parents of the late Corporal Darren Fitzpatrick after whom the park is named, called on Council to make sure the park improvements move forward. The skatepark development at that site is on the funded list for 2016, and Director of Development Ian Wells says the further enhancements to the rest of the park will be added to the 2017 funded capital plan.
Councillor Jillian Merrick pushed to find items that could be, at the very least, reviewed for further discussion. She is particularly concerned about the picnic shelter for Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park, and the cost of a new video and screen system for the CN Centre. The two projects have a combined value of nearly 800 thousand dollars. Both items are on the funded list, Merrick wanted to say yes to the rest of the capital plan but send those two items for further information before making a decision.
Most of her council colleagues agreed to approve the capital plan with the exception of the two items she noted, pending further information. Councillor Albert Koehler did not support the motion. The information on the two projects is expected to be back before Council before the end of January.
Overall the capital plan calls for $36,239,000. in expenditures. That amount includes the $7 million for road rehabilitation
Comments
An interior entrance to the library, complete with elevator is already “married” to the Civic Centre and has been ever since the Civic Centre was added to the Plaza.
I would like to know why that entrance is unacceptable for most people. I realize that the only think missing at that point is handicapped parking immediately adjacent to that entrance. Those in wheelchairs, or having problems walking short distances while parking below the library, would have to take the ramp that is available from parking to the rotunda entrance.
Hotel? What are we looking at to have that open 2018? 2019? 2020? 2021? Perhaps they should put a ramp from the street to the slab and provide downtown RV parking.
Koehler did not support the motion because he wanted to keep the tax increase to 2% not 3%. He explained how he felt it could be done. No one would even second the motion to at least bring it forward for discussion.
I agree, there is little evidence that an attempt was made to keep the increase lower. This was the year they had that chance since the Winter Games Levy is coming off.
In effect, we have a 5% tax levy. In 2011, when the levy was added for the first time, the total tax increase was 4.2%, about 2% for the Canada Winter Games and the rest for normal City operations and capital expenditures.
The question is, when will the City ever reach a peak and start looking at the effectiveness and efficiency of their operations? That is all people like Koehler are looking for.
“new video and screen system for CN Centre”
Why ? Is the city planning on a pro team moving here ?
@DI,
The New Video and Screen system is liekly to keep up with the rest of the league. For example, Kamloops just upgraded their screen (remove the space after the //):
https:// beta.mssociety.ca/uploads/images/events/04a035850a97252376af0bc9d4b2b717_large.jpg
And obviously a new camera system would come with that. Not a bad deal when you consider the Cougars are paying the other half, I assume.
@phje,
so you’re saying a half million bucks is only half the cost ?
@DI,
More than likely, yes. Also, its only 390k Let’s not round up.
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