Quesnel Council Highlights - July 25th mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Supportive Housing Proposal BC Housing has submitted an Official Community Plan and Rezone application to develop a supportive housing complex on Elliott Street. The proposal is for BC Housing to purchase 11 lots on Elliott Street to develop a supportive housing complex that would better meet the increasing mental health and addictions healthcare needs of the community and would result in the relocation of Season’s House from Carson Avenue. BC Housing will be hosting a public open house on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Quesnel Seniors Centre located on Carson Avenue that is available for the public to attend. The City’s Public Hearing for the proposed Official Community Plan and Rezone application has been rescheduled to Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers.

Off-Leash Dog Park  Council approved the location change for the new off-leash dog park from Carson Field to Sugarloaf Park. The Sugarloaf Park location is the preferred site for an off leash dog park because: Existing fencing and infrastructure to be reused/repurposed Access to washrooms, water and parking Suitable access/egress Limited additional maintenance costs Better utilization of site Better suited, and less cost, to develop dog park design features Site appropriately zoned as Park.

Ticketing Changes for Business Licenses Council approved the first three readings of proposed Bylaw 1831 that looks at policy around Business Licensing, if final adoption is approved, would see fines that would be stepped, and could occur daily, at $200 for the first offence, $500 for the second occurrence and $1,000 for the third occurrence. Also, Council approved the Policy and Bylaw Committee to review further enforcement opportunities that may be available regarding non-conforming businesses.

Quesnel R.C.M.P. Detachment Facility - Cost Sharing Agreement  Council approved a 5-year Occupancy Permit, with the option to renew for a further 5-year term, for the Quesnel R.C.M.P. Detachment facility where the City cost shares with the Province the operational expenses and approved capital expenses relating to the building.

Northern BC Post Secondary Education Marketing Initiative Council approved staff to submit a $20,000 grant application to the Northern Development Initiative Trust for a marketing initiative for the Study North BC campaign. The four post-secondary education institutions that operate in northern BC (College of New Caledonia, Northern Lights College, Northwest Community College and the University of Northern British Columbia) are working together to market northern BC as the place for students to study by focusing on the lifestyle that northern BC provides.

Quesnel & District Child Development Centre - Touch a Truck Fundraising Event Council approved the temporary road closure of the 400 Block of McLean Street for the Quesnel & District Child Development Centre’s 2nd Annual Touch a Truck community fundraiser on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Bylaws Bylaw 1828 – Zone Amendment – Prohibit Shipping Containers in Residential Areas – Third Reading Bylaws 1829 & 1830 – OCP & Zone Amendments – Supportive/Transition Housing (Elliott Street) – Reschedule Public Hearing Date to 7:00 pm, August 29, 2017 City Hall Council Chambers. Bylaw 1831 – Municipal Ticket Information – Ticketing Changes for Business Licensing – First, Second and Third Readings.

Next Meetings 7 pm, August 22, 2017 – Regular Council Meeting 7 pm, August 29, 2017 – Regular Council Meeting