Quesnel Council Highlights - Sept 18th mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Vaping and Cannabis Regulations Council approved the first three readings of proposed Bylaw 1846, that amends the City’s existing Smoking Regulation Bylaw 1846, with the following vaping and cannabis amendments: Changed the definition of smoking to include vaping, and vaping of substances. Prohibit the use of vaping to match smoking use. In addition to Provincial restrictions, vaping and smoking are prohibited in the following City public spaces: LeBourdais Park, West Fraser Timber Park, Spirit Square, Quesnel Youth Soccer Playing Fields, Playgrounds, Playing Fields and Fraser River Foot Bridge (including entrances). Added the definition of cannabis, and prohibited the use of cannabis in all City public spaces that includes all publicly-owned lands, facilities and right of ways. Cannabis would be regulated to match current alcohol use regulations. Amended the Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw to include a $50 fine/offence for using tobacco, cannabis, or any other plant/herb substance, in regulated areas within the City. The next steps include proposed Bylaw 1846 to receive final adoption by Council before recreational cannabis becomes legal in British Columbia on October 17, 2018.

Cannabis Retail Staff asked Council the following questions around cannabis retail: 1. Should the City have any non-medical cannabis retail locations? 2. Should there be a limit on the number of stores? 3. Where should the stores be located? 4. Do we want provincial stores, private stores or both? Council requested staff to bring forward policy that would allow for one retail store to be located in the downtown core that would be publicly-owned and regulated by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch. Next steps include:  create a business license fee; draft zoning policy; develop procedures for reviewing application, obtaining resident feedback and providing comment to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.

Quesnel Fire Department – 2018 Wildfire Deployment Update The Quesnel Fire Department provided one piece of equipment, a Water Tender, and teams of two firefighters for 28 days to the Burns Lake area to protect structures, patrol various fire areas, extinguish structure fires, and maintain the water tender that provided onsite sprinkler systems. Crews were deployed for a 7 day period, and worked in total 776 hours over 28 days. As part of the Inter-Agency Operational Procedures, the Provincial Government, reimbursed the City $144,002 for this wildfire deployment.

Bylaws 1846 – Smoking Regulations Amendment (Vaporizing and Cannabis) – First, Second and Third Readings 1858 – Sign Regulation Amendment (Sponsorship Signage) – First, Second and Third Readings

Next Meetings 7 pm, September 25 – Regular Council Meeting 7 pm, October 2 – Regular Council Meeting