Quesnel Council Meeting - Jan 12th

Delegations (1) - Dr. Mohinder Paul Singh presented Council with a Book - "The Sikhs in Canada". He welcomed the Mayor/Councillors' to their new roles and wished them well

Business:

1) Council to write letter to NAV CANADA regarding services at Quesnel Airport:

Council showed their dismay at the prospect of changes at the Quesnel Regional Airport.

In December 2008, NAV CANADA issued a discussion paper on air traffic service levels regarding services required to support safe and efficient flight operations at low-traffic airports. Quesnel's is one of many airports across Canada being reviewed, with an indication that NAV CANADA is contemplating removing the Remote Aerodrome Advisory Service.

This service provides aircraft and vehicle travel advisories, weather and runway information required for an instrument approach, and an emergency alerting system.

If this were to occur, Quesnel would be served by an Air Traffic Frequency. All radio-equipped aircraft operating on the ground or within the specified ATF area listen on a common frequency and follow a common reporting procedure. That frequency is in the Canada Flight Supplement published every year.

Council was adamant that service levels at the airport should not be reduced and will send a letter protesting any proposed changes to NAV CANADA as well as several other authorities, including Transport Canada

2) Council to seek Grant Funding:

Council approved staff submitting an application to the 2009 Local Motion Grant application process. Staff will submit a project for the Dragon Hill - Valhalla Trail. The trail would link the north end of the existing Bryce Road Trail with the new underpass to be built this spring, and continuing the trail south along Valhalla Road to Westland Road.

The project is valued at $165,715. The Local Motion grant program pays for up to 50% of the project. The remaining funds could come from the Community Works Fund, making the project 100% grant funded

3) 2008 Building Stats:

Council received the final building statistics for 2008. Overall, total permit values were down from $26.4 million in 2007 to $13.3 million in 2008. This was due largely to the Dunrovin expansion, which was entered in the 2007 totals. Residential values fell from $7.83 million to $5.5 million. Commercial development rose from $2.79 million in 2007 to $7.15 million in 2008. Industrial values sat at $300,000 ($1.188 million in 2007), while institutional values were at $380,000 ($14.62 million in 2007). The total number of permits issued was 143, the same number as 2007.

4) Sparwood Trust Information:

Council received information regarding a trust fund set up for the families of those snowmobilers killed in the recent avalanches near Sparwood. Donations may be made into the following accounts:

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)

Transit: 5080

Branch: 003

Account: 5077425

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Transit: 03070

Branch: 010

Account: 7573138

Next Quesnel Council Meeting is: Monday, January 26th, 2009 at 7:00pm
Next Quesnel Committee of the Whole Meeting: Monday, January 19th, 2009 at 7:00pm
Next Quesnel Council (Delegation Session) Meeting - Monday, March 2nd, 2009 at 7:00pm