The City of Prince George will use an Alternative Approval Process for the funding for upgrades for the Aquatic Centre.
At the April 22nd meeting, Council approved the upgrades for the Aquatic Centre that come with a price tag of about $36 million with the funding source designated as “Municipal Finance Authority (MFA) debt proceeds”.
$14.88 million is already accounted for, and the remaining will be borrowed.
According to a report that went before Council at tonight’s (Monday) meeting, the City requires “approval of the electors: before council can consider adopting a long-term loan authorization bylaw.
Approval of the electors can be done by holding a referendum, or by holding an alternative approval process.
According to the report, the cost of holding the 2017 referendum for Fire Hall #1 and the Four Season Leisure Pool replacement loan authorization bylaws was approximately $91,000.
“The approval process is we put out notice, and we receive ten per cent of the electors or more saying that they don’t want us to go ahead with it, with have to bring it back to council for a decision,” explained Corporate Officer Ethan Anderson.
According to elections BC, there are 55,126 registered voters within the City of Prince George, which means approval would be obtained if the City receives less than 5,512 Elector Response Forms.
In the report, the City plans to publish notice of the alternative approval process for proposed Bylaw 9468 on July 5th, with the deadline for Elector Response Forms set for 5:00 pm on Friday, August 9th, 2024.
The results would be presented at the Regular Council Meeting on August 19th.
“There are two options, both are asking the public should we do this, or should we not do this, and I think that response is going to come back in support is my guess,” said Councillor Cori Ramsay.
“I think the Alternative Approval Process does save us that $100,000 and if it doesn’t pass, and if there is an overwhelming response, then I think we can take the next steps.”
While Mayor Simon Yu says he uses the Aquatic Centre more than anyone, he still has an issue with the $22.15 million price tag.
“I do see there’s an opportunity to use this exercise to improve the Aquatic Centre as a whole,” Yu said.
“I would like to have a second look at the program in the greatest detail before I can throw my support behind that kind of number. I hope my colleagues will see the same way, we’re not saying we’re not doing some improvements to the Aquatic Centre, let’s not rush it.”
Council voted 6-2 in favour of moving ahead with the Alternative Approval Process.
Councillor Trudy Klassen was absent from the meeting.
Other items discussed tonight included a bear advisory committee, and a fruit tree removal incentive program.