Thursday, May 17, 2012

Quesnel Council Highlights -- May 14th meeting

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Community sustainability moves forward

Staff was directed to submit two grant applications to the General Strategic Priorities Fund and Innovations Fund for the following storm water projects, both identified in the Five Year Capital Plan. If the grant applications are successful, these projects could receive up to 100% funding:
• North Quesnel drainage project, phase I: Sheppard Avenue from Kinchant Street west to the Fraser River including storm water interceptors and outfall to the river (estimated cost $1,115,460);
• West Quesnel storm water on Anderson Drive from Baker Creek to Avison Avenue (estimated cost $2,472,000).

Q-City Map, a leader in technology

Latitude Geographics has requested to publish a story about Q-City Map in their corporate trade newsletter regarding the development of Q-City Map. They will also prepare a case study to be posted to their website. The story and case study will show how new technologies can be implemented with limited resources. “Users can now create their own maps and find information about zoning, official community plans, floodplains, administrative boundaries, parcels, land status and other infrastructure. It has reduced workload on City staff, with users able to get land use and property information immediately and with minimal support needed from support staff.” Latitude developed the software that the City uses to develop, create, program and maintain its external web mapping site.

2012 Financial bylaws ratified

The Five Year Financial Bylaw 2012 to 2016 and the 2012 Tax Rates Bylaw were passed by Council. In summary, the average residence will see an increase of 3.3% to the municipal portion of their property tax bill ($20.71), a decrease of 2.3% to the Cariboo Regional District portion of their property tax bill (-$9.36) and an overall increase of $1.47 to their property tax bill. This is based on a house assessed at $161,489, which declined 1.7% from last year.

Officer appointments

Council approved the following City officer appointments: Ken Coombs as Acting Co-Corporate Administrator and Acting Approving Officer for the City; Kari Bolton as Acting Co-Corporate Administrator; and Gina Albers as Deputy Corporate Administrator.

Other news

• The kiosk in Lebourdais Park will receive a facelift. FARMED has been granted permission to take over the sign and will be used to educate the public on the need for local production of food.
• Business license reports will now be available to the public on a monthly basis. The request came from Community Futures and the City feels there would be benefits to the new business, business development organizations and the community as a whole.
• Council contributes $312.50 to the Williams Creek Schoolhouse project at Barkerville.
• Local baseball gets a hit! Quesnel Minor Baseball Association will see some much needed improvements to benches, fences, etc. at the Cariboo Field, Rotary Ball Park (new roof) and the Albert Johnston Memorial Park.
• Residents will see a second sidewalk food vendor on the corner of St. Laurent Avenue and Reid Street this summer. Council approved the permit to Diane Louise Murray.

Proclamations

July 19 to 22 - Billy Barker Days

Important dates

June 9 - Family Day

No comments: