Milo MacDonald

The Council meeting involved presentations from the Fort St. John Curling Club regarding their growth strategies, goals, and community programs, as well as a proclamation for Spark Women's Leadership Week. Council received information packages and reports, including a report on potential zoned capacity. Financial decisions included reallocating funds for the new aquatic facility project and introducing tax exemption bylaws for the North Peace Cultural Centre and the Curling Club. Additionally, the Council approved a housing agreement bylaw, discussed a motion regarding public questions during meetings, and held a public hearing for a zoning amendment bylaw.

The committee reviewed three major items: a presentation on the development of the Foundry Fort St. John youth health and wellness centre; an update on the Downtown Action Plan, which was reviewed for its objectives, infrastructure outcomes, and recommendation to be transitioned to a historical reference document; and a presentation on a new Sport Tourism Plan, which aims to leverage local facilities for economic development and event hosting. The committee also passed a recommendation for staff to continue developing the Sport Tourism Plan.

The committee meeting covered a presentation on facility valuations and naming rights for various city facilities and parks, discussing potential revenue streams and valuation methodologies. Staff also presented options regarding the potential future allowance and regulation of backyard hens, including considerations for avian flu protocols and enforcement responsibilities. Additionally, a representative from BC Transit provided an update on provincial transit usage, funding formulas, and future operational plans, including facility studies and expanded service hours.

The public hearing focused on Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2618, 2025, which proposes to amend the existing Comprehensive Development CD-02 Zone for 11432 100 Street. The primary purpose of the requested amendment is to remove the right-in/right-out access restriction on 100 Street to allow for an all-way access point to facilitate future development. The administration report, previously presented to the Council, was reviewed, and the hearing was closed following invitations for public and proponent comments, neither of which were provided.

The committee reviewed the 2026 Winter Fest event, discussing the transition to a month-long format, operational challenges related to weather, and financial outcomes. The discussion included feedback from councillors regarding community engagement, slide usage, and the placement of ice carvings. Planning considerations for 2027 were addressed, focusing on early engagement with community partners, grant funding, and aligning budgets with past expenditures. The committee ultimately directed staff to proceed with the proposed planning approach for the 2027 event.