Quesnel Council Highlights - Feb 26th mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Quesnel Ambassador Leadership Program The Quesnel Ambassador Leadership Program had its banner/sponsorship presentation for the following nominees and sponsors: Hailey Murray – Sponsored by Willis Harper Home Hardware Taylor Heaton – Sponsored by Attitude South Salon Gracie Campbell – Sponsored by Service Electric Ltd. Nalyssa Runge – Sponsored by Quesnel Lions Club Sydney Williams – Sponsored by Bliss Restaurant Makayla Squinas – Sponsored by Quesnel Pride Society The 2019 pageant will be held 6 – 9 pm on July 4 (speech and talent portions) and 7-10 pm July 5, 2019 (pageant and awards portions) at the Chuck Mobley Theatre.

Contravention of Municipal Building Regulations Council directed staff to file notices with the Land Title Office stating the following properties are in contravention of the City’s Building Bylaw 1500, 2003, Section 7: 1. 615 Oval Road – detached accessory building 2. 723 Allison Avenue – single family dwelling 3. 431 Patchett Street – single family dwelling 4. 251 English Avenue – in-ground foundations Properties must be brought into compliance prior to applying to the City to have this notice removed from the property’s land title.

Veterans’ Way Council approved dedicating the 200 block of Kinchant Street to “Veterans’ Way” by adding signage to the Kinchant Street name tabs. Next steps include further work around: Review safety issues around where any additional banner posts/banners could be located within the 200 block of Kinchant; Reach out to the Quesnel Farmers Market to discuss the possibility of utilizing the Quesnel Farmers Market's banner posts during the months of October/November for Veteran memorials; Review the general safety of traffic, crosswalk flashing light, and traffic signs within the 200 block of Kinchant Street.

Cannabis Retail Licenses Council recommended to the Liquor Cannabis Regulation Branch to permit and issue a Non-Medial Cannabis Retail Store License for a private store located at 308 McLean Street (Billy Barker Casino), and approved the Liquor Distribution Branch opening a Government Store at 155 Malcom Drive (West Park Mall). Public consultation in the form of direct mailing to tenants and property owners was undertaken for both locations, with no comments or objections received. The publically run government Non-Medical Cannabis Retail Store (308 McLean Street) is scheduled to open within 30 weeks, and the privately-run Non-Medical Cannabis Retail Store (155 Malcom Drive) will continue through the process with the LCRB for final approval.

Budget Survey The results of the January 2019 online budget survey are in with respondents answering as follows: 92% are satisfied, or feel neutral about the City’s 2018 projects 76% want to fund additional RCMP Officers, with 45% wanting to fund five or more RCMP Officers, and 73% want to fund additional RCMP Officer through a tax increase The three top priorities for city services are: 76% Police 38% Economic Development 34% Snow Removal 69% want to maintain all existing services, and pay for any additional City services

Community Emergency Preparedness Fund Since 2013, local governments are responsible for identifying and regulating flood plain hazards. The City has applied for, and has been short listed for, $241,000 from the National Disaster Mitigation Program to complete a Flood Hazard Study which includes a flood risk assessment, flood mapping and flood mitigation planning. Final grant approval notices are anticipated sometime in April, 2019. Further, Council approved City staff to apply for a $150,000 Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for flood hazard planning.

Next Meetings 6 pm – March 5, 2019 – Regular Council Meeting 6 pm – March 26, 2019 – Regular Council Meeting (If Required) 6 pm – April 2, 2019 – Regular Council Meeting