City of Quesnel Council Highlights - Jan 26/09

Delegates/Presentations - None

Business:

1) Council officially retired the City’s parade float as it is no longer usable. The float has been in service for more than 10 years, has been repaired many times and has outlived its life expectancy. Given the current economic climate, Council decided not to pursue the construction of a new float

2) Council has changed the amount it will contribute towards a new water well should the City receive a grant from the Towns for Tomorrow program. Council previously approved a grant application for a project valued at $550,000 On Dec. 15. The maximum grant allowed is $375,000, leaving the City to contribute $175,000 towards the project.
The project cost has increased, however, which means the City will need to contribute an additional $110,000 for a total of $285,000, should the grant application be successful. The City’s portion of the funding will come from the City’s water fund account

3) Council approved a variance to allow a special wall to be built along North Fraser Drive, subject to conditions. The owner of the Bel-Aire Estates Mobile Home Park asked permission to construct a 10-foot wall along the property’s edge to help reduce the impacts of dust, noise and debris from the road on the residents of the park. Council approved the request on the condition that:
A landscape architect review the proposed site to provide options that may minimize the impact of the wall between it and the front line of the property.
A professional engineer design and supervise installation of the wall under a building permit.
A view plan of the proposed wall be submitted to the City Planner for approval of the form and character of the wall’s final design.
Compliance with the six-metre setback provision of the zoning bylaw for visual clearance at intersections be met.
Council also added a provision that the wall be properly maintained after installation, including annual cleaning.

4) Council formally removed a Notice on Title on a property at 2400 Campbell Crescent. City staff took the opportunity to remind residents that if they own a property with a Notice on Title, it is always best to deal with the issue rather than waiting until attempting to further develop or sell a piece of property

5) An application that will see an additional six parking stalls at the downtown Tim Hortons site has been approved. A development permit was approved by Council that will see the enhancements fit in with the form and character of the neighbourhood.

6) Spirit of BC Week runs from Feb. 6 to 14, with a number of great events scheduled. Up first is the Winter Carnival at West Fraser Timber Park, set for Saturday Feb. 7 starting at 1 p.m.
There will be skating on the pond, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, dog sleds and a variety of educational booths. The Quesnel Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will also take place, starting at 4:30 p.m. Finally a torchlight parade will be held to celebrate the one-year countdown to the start of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Council approved the use of family fireworks starting at about 6 p.m