Quesnel Council Highlights - Sept 8th mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Tom Moffat honoured

Council welcomed Tom Moffat and recognized the honour that is bestowed upon the Quesnel resident.
Mr. Moffat will be spending his 92nd birthday in Amsterdam and will be honoured by the Dutch Government for his participation in Operation: Market Garden during WWII. He is one of two Canadians so honoured and one of ten from around the world.

Mr. Moffat was born and raised in Quesnel. He was delivered by Doctor Baker and his wife, Nellie in September, 1922. At 19, Tom joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and went overseas with his cousin Milton Hill, one of the 19 Quesnel boys who did not return from WWII.

Upon arriving in England, Tom was attached to the Royal Air Force, the only Canadian in the crew in the Lancaster Bombers. In 1944, Tom flew in a Lancaster bomber, one of the planes that dropped food supplies to the Dutch people in Operation: Market Garden.

Tom will be attending commemorations and events such as the Airborne Operation near the Bridge of Grave to link up with ground troops as well as the crossing of the River Waal in Nijmegen by the
82nd Airborne. He will then attend a huge celebration of the Operation: Market Garden. Tom’s invitation comes from Lieutenant General M.C. De Kruif, the Commander of the Royal Netherlands Army.

Permissive tax exemptions

City Council approved the three new applications for permissive tax exemptions and proceeded with the first two readings of the 2015 Tax Exempting Bylaw. Details of those exemptions are as follows:
Quesnel Community and Economic Development Corporation will receive a full permissive tax exemption as they are a subsidiary of the City of Quesnel; the North Cariboo Aboriginal Program Society will receive a 30% permissive tax exemption as this group receives the majority of its funding from other levels of government; and the Quesnel Tillicum Society will receive a 50% permissive tax exemption for the area of the building available for public programming.

Barkerville receives fire engine

Council approved the donation of the 1990 Ford Phoenix Fire Engine to Barkerville Heritage Trust. The engine has served the Quesnel Fire Department exceptionally well since 1990 and with the recent purchase of a new replacement engine, this engine is due to retire.

The disposal of used fire apparatus in the past has been by donation or sealed tender however, the sealed tender process usually results in a low dollar bid as the engines are stripped of all emergency equipment. This engine however, would be a significant improvement to what the Wells/Barkerville fire service currently has and there are discussions that the fire apparatus in their possession could be potentially donated to the McLeese Lake Fire Department.

Other News

- Council approved the disposal of the 1988 Amertek Airport Emergency Vehicle by sealed bid. The vehicle is not required under Transport Canada’s regulations and is in need of significant repair.

- Council confirmed that a Notice of Contravention will be placed on property at 1186 Purmal Avenue under Section 7 of Bylaw No. 1550, 2003. The Notice will serve as a warning to any prospective purchaser.

- Council provided a 60-day extension on a Notice of Contravention on property at 730 Oval Road.

- Council proceeded with the first and second readings of the Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 1746 and Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1747 regarding an amendment application for Creekview Apartments and the number of permitted dwellings. A Public Hearing Date was set for October 6 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

- Council received an update on Phase I of the West Quesnel Land Stability project. A public Open House is scheduled for October 2 at 6:00 p.m. with a presentation at 7:00 p.m. in the Royal Canadian Legion.

- Council extended an invitation to Spectra Energy Transmission to attend a Council meeting to discuss creating healthy and sustainable communities. A date has not yet be scheduled.

- Councillors Brisco and Roodenburg have volunteered to assist Tim Hortons during Smile Cookie Week on September 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Proceeds go to our local maternity ward to help purchase a new breathing machine for babies that are not fully developed at birth.

Proclamations

October 20 to 25 - Child Development Week
October - Foster Family Appreciation Month in Quesnel

NEXT Regular Council Meeting:

Monday Sept. 29, 7 p.m.
(no meeting on Sept. 22 - UBCM Convention)

NEXT Delegation/Committee of the Whole Meeting:

Monday Sept. 15, 7 p.m.

NEXT North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee Meeting:

Tuesday Sept. 9, 5:30 p.m.
@ Bouchie Lake Community Hall