The two new committees promised by new mayor Lyn Hall are starting to take shape.
During Monday night's meeting, city council will approve the terms of reference for the new advisory committee on education and advisory committee on student needs. Both committees were noted during Hall's inaugural speech as initiatives he intended to launch.
According to the proposed terms of reference, the education committee will advise council and city staff on "matters regarding priorities, policies and strategic direction for education" in the city and region, "strengthen communication and collaboration" between the partners and work to "build educational capacity within the region" by sharing best practices.
Membership will consist of three members of from University of Northern B.C. administration, three members of College of New Caledonia administration and three members of School District 57 administration along with one city councillor.
On the other side of the education spectrum is the student needs committee, which has nearly the same mandate but looks to "build capacity within the region for students, through the identification of student needs and priorities."
Membership on that committee will consist of three members of UNBC's Northern Undergraduate Student Society, three members of CNC's Students' Union and three members of the school district's Student Advisory Council along with a city council member.
Council will vote to appoint Coun. Albert Koehler to the education committee and Coun. Jillian Merrick to the student needs committee aon Monday night, while the schools and school district have until the end of March to submit their appointments.
Other council committee appointments are up for ratification Monday night, including the new compositions of the finance and audit and intergovernmental relations committee.
Hall will be joined on the finance and audit committee by councillors Frank Everitt, Garth Frizzell and Susan Scott. Former chair Coun. Brian Skakun will be joined on the intergovernmental relations committee by Coun. Terri McConnachie and Koehler.
Both committees are being asked to review their mandates and terms of reference and to report back to council by March 2 on any recommended changes.
