Quesnel Council Highlights - Dec 4th mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

West Quesnel Business Association Bob Michek, President, and Laurey-Anne Roodenburg, Executive Director, of the West Quesnel Business Association, presented information regarding the Association’s proposed five year budget and strategic plan. Purpose/Mission/Vision Statements Strengths/What's New/Weakness/Opportunities Goals and Objectives for 2019 - 2023 Initiatives Future Considerations Five Year Budget (2019 - 2023) Next steps include City Staff to draft Bylaw for the extension of the West Quesnel Business Improvement Area for the year 2019 – 2023 for the amount of $40,000/year, upon approval by Council, a mail out will go to all business class properties in the area in January with the strategic plan, budget and proposed cost giving the business class property owners the ability to review.

New Public Works Facility – Capital Spending Due to existing condition issues at the existing Public Works yards, the City is trying to expedite the build of the new Public Works facility/yards to be located on Sword Avenue. Council gave early budget approval for the New Public Works Facility as follows: 2018 = $250,000 2019 = $10,726,000 2020 = $230,000 Visit New Public Works Facility Replacement for full details of this project.

Reid Street Breezeway The Breezeway, located in the 400 block of Reid Street, was re-opened to assist with the flow of pedestrians during the Reid Street Revitalization construction project. The City surveyed the surrounding businesses of this privately-owned Breezeway to determine if business owners and their patrons, would like to see the Breezeway remain open. Council approved up to $10,000 for Breezeway improvements (lighting, anti-graffiti paint and fire-rated protections) should negotiations with the property owner result in this Breezeway remaining open for public access and providing connectivity within the downtown.

Grant Applications Council approved City Staff to proceed with submitting the following grant applications where the City is seeking 100% of funding required for each City-Initiative project: Forest Enhancement Society of BC - $3.9 million Landscape Analysis and Restoration Project - $2.5 million to support technical work related to the Forestry Think Tank Sustainability project. Community Wildfire Protection Plan - $1.4 million for prescription, layout, and treatment of 3 areas identified in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan in the 2019-2021 season. Community Resiliency Investment - $245,750 $62,950 is request for a comprehensive education and advocacy program based on the FireSmart principles as well $182,000 as fuel management continuing the Community Wildfire Protection Plan work. Red Cross $660,000 for Forestry Initiatives/Staff Training/FireSmart and Other Opportunities Civil Forfeiture Crime Prevention and Remediation Grant Program $75,000 for Crime Reduction and Crime Prevention Projects designed to identify, assess, prevent, contain, and reduce the frequency and severity of criminal activity.

Bylaws 1860 – Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw – Final Adoption

Next Meetings 6 pm - December 18 – Regular Council Meeting