Progress continues to be made when it comes to Moccasin Flats, according to a report presented to Prince George City Council last night. (Monday)
Director of Administrative Services Eric Depenau told Council the amount of calls for service in the are was “modest” during the summer months.
“Staff feel this may be a result of active engagement at the Lower Patricia Boulevard Encampment Site, removed permissible materials, such as burnt structures, as an example, and due to a general decrease in occupants at the site,” Depeneau said.
He said the City continues to view the response at the Lower Patricia Boulevard encampment in four broad phases.
“Currently the City remains in phase one, which seeks to build capacity and address hazards, and is preparing to transition to phase two where the city intends to demonstrate appropriate capacity to the Supreme Court to transition the entrenched site to other forms of shelter,” Depenau said.
When asked about timelines for when the City expects to go back to court to close down the encampment, Depeneau they’re looking at December, but realistically, that could be pushed to January.
“One of the challenges or so much of what we need is about daytime facilities and shelter spaces,” he said.
“Those really come down to assets owned and controlled by the Provincial Government, BC Housing in a lot of cases. Broadly, we’re on track, we’re preparing at this moment, but those shelter offers are really a key part of that plan that we don’t personally control as a city.”
“I think staff’s doing the best they can with what we have,” said Councillor Brian Skakun.
“I look forward to us going to court, having our homework done, which I’m quite sure we will, and eventually having this encampment shut down and who knows what we can do with that land at some point.”
“When the federal government passes the buck, the provincial government passes the buck, the buck stops here, that we’re the ones who won’t turn a blind eye,” said Councillor Garth Frizzell.
“We have a lot of work that we’re doing that isn’t our job, but we’re not going to turn that blind eye, we’re going to get it done.”
Depeneau added staff are working to provide more frequent updates in regards to the social health of the area, and the transitional facility on Third Avenue is progressing well.
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