By Tommy Osborne

City Council

City Council recap: contentious debate over award medal, “problem properties” discussion

Nov 18, 2024 | 9:55 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Prince George City Council discussed several notable topics during its City Council meeting on November 18, and among them was a debate over whether or not a Celebrating Residents Medal should be brought in.

Councillor Kyle Sampson brought the motion forward to direct administration to establish a committee that would develop a plan for an annual citizen recognition platform, with the intent “to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to the community in areas such as, but not limited to, arts, sports, volunteerism, philanthropy, social services, or heroism,” according to the motion.

While the motion did go through, it did not go through smoothly, as Mayor Simon Yu, Councillor Trudy Klassen, and Councillor Brian Skakun voted against it. Mayor Yu raised the concern that this new medal would possibly diminish past award recipients and tradition, such as those who were bestowed the “Freedom of the City” award. Sampson, alongside Councillor Tim Bennett and Councillor Cori Ramsay, believe this would not be the case, saying recognizing citizens through this new citizen recognition platform wouldn’t cause past award recipients to be diminished. Sampson added this new award would be capped at five people per year, to maintain its prestige and significance. There will be more details on this story later this week.

Also discussed at City Council was several “problem properties.” Council spoke of the properties 1105 Vancouver Street and 389 Nicholson Street, as many complaints have been filed. Among other things, the Vancouver Street Property has seen complaints for:

• Multiple fires involving debris, garbage, and plastic
• Being descrived as a well known “crack shack” and “drug house”
• Safety Concerns
• Broken down cars, smashed windows

City Council

City Council recap: contentious debate over award medal, "problem properties" discussion

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The Nicholson Street Property has seen complaints of:

• Fires
• Yelling, screaming, fighting
• Dogs running around unchecked

Council passed a motion ordering the properties to cease these nuisance activities, and “if the nuisance activities do not stop despite the order, the City may recover the cost of abating the nuisance, or causing the nuisance to be abated.”

More details on these stories will be made available throughout the week.

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