Quesnel Council Highlights - September 6th meeting

Foundation repair postponed

The repair to the foundation of the Hudson Bay Building will be postponed after revised estimates indicated the work could cost more than the $45,000 allocated in the 2011 capital budget. Council opted to use $5,000 of that budget to clean the basement and prepare it for a "Condition Survey" to further evaluate the scope of work required to repair the foundation. That survey will be completed in partnership with the School District and College of New Caledonia as part of their Heritage Building Conservation Program, at no cost to the City. The survey will establish priorities for future required work.

Climate Change report received

Council officially received the Cariboo-Chilcotin Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, a tool that will be used by the Cariboo Regional District to develop its Regional Development Strategy. The strategy is the result of a two-year case study that has the objective of helping communities and industry adapt to changing climates.

Relay coming to Quesnel

The 25th anniversary of the Man in Motion World Tour is being celebrated with a relay across Canada that began Aug. 24 and runs through May 22.  Approximately 7,000 participants will cover 12,000 kilometres, travelling through more than 600 communities. One of those communities will be Quesnel. 

The relay will be here on March 22, 2012.  A local organizing committee is working with the Rick Hansen Foundation to coordinate the event in Quesnel and to plan an End of Day Celebration.  One of the committee's roles is to assist in the selection of the Difference Maker who will complete the final leg of the relay that day and carry the commemorative Rick Hansen medal being passed from participant to participant onto the stage. The committee is accepting applications (available at the Arts and Recreation Centre) for the Final Community Participant until October 21. 

Other News

The City will enter into an agreement with C & C Wood Products Ltd. for the Quesnel Fire Department to provide Confined Space and High Angle Rescue Service until December 2014. The Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department houses this service, which provides emergency rescue in the event of a confined space or high angle event.

Council released the in-camera resolution naming Ken Coombs as the City's Director of Public Works and Engineering. Coombs was the acting director from October 2010 to last week. He has regularly filled in as the director over the years when required and has been with the City as deputy works superintendent since 1991. 

The Quesnel Communities in Bloom Committee named the winners of the 2011 Council Over a Planter competition. Mayor Mary Sjostrom took first place, with Coun. Peter Couldwell in second and Coun. Coralee Oakes in third. The annual event is held to raise awareness of Quesnel's Communities in Bloom initiatives.

Proclamations

Big Brothers Big Sisters month - September 2011

Foster Family Appreciation month - October 2011

Child Development Week - Oct. 24 to 29

Restorative Justice Week - Nov. 13 to 20

Right to Know week - Sept. 26 to 30

Important Dates

Sept. 9 - International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day - 8:45 a.m. at the Friendship Centre

Sept. 14 - Solid Waste Management Plan Open House - 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Quesnel Library (presentation at 7 p.m.)

Sept. 16 - Take Back the Night - 6:30 p.m. at the Missing and Murdered Women monument.

Sept. 18 - 31st Annual Terry Fox Run - 9 a.m. registration in LeBourdais Park

Future Quesnel Council or North Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting:

All meetings in Quesnel Council Chambers (2nd Floor - 410 Kinchant St) unless otherwise noted

Next Committee of the Whole Meeting: Monday September 12, 7 p.m.

Next Delegation Meeting: Monday September 19, 7 p.m.

Special Council Meeting:  Monday September 19, 7 p.m.

Next North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee Meeting: Tuesday September 20 - 5:30 p.m

Next Regular Council Meeting: Monday October 24, 7 p.m.