Phased Reopening of City Facilities
There are numerous City facilities that must be considered when City staff is developing the City’s re-opening plans. Sectoral specific re-opening plans are in varying stages of development by WorkSafe BC, the BC Recreation and Parks Association, various provincial sports specific governing organizations, and the advice from the Public Health Office. The City is attempting to balance public safety concerns with the desires of the public to be able to start to transition to the next phase of COVID-19 recovery. The following preparations/actions are being taken, and are subject to change to evolving guidelines, and any COVID-19 community outbreaks:
City Hall
- City Hall will reopen to the public on June 1, 2020.
- Plexiglass dividers and distancing controls have been put in place for the public to access the front desk.
- Reduced capacity to all meeting rooms, with sanitizing measures put in place, for City staff needs.
- Council meetings could resume in Council Chambers, where the public can attend, by the end of June subject to COVID-19 safety measures.
- The meetings rooms in City Hall are closed to outside organizations/public rentals.
Recreation & Parks
- City parks, trails, skate park, bike parks, dog park, and tennis/pickle ball courts are currently open with users reminded to practice safe social distancing and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID19.
- Playgrounds – City staff are reviewing sectoral and health department guidelines and recommendations and are working with the Quesnel School District to determine when City and School District playgrounds may reopen.
- Organized sports on City fields - waiting on provincial sectoral guidelines to be finalized.
- Indoor Recreation Facilities and Recreation Programs – City staff are reviewing guidelines for a gradual reopening of recreation facilities and the resumption of recreation programming and plan to bring a report to the North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee in June.
Next Steps: as the year progresses, Council will be provided with regular updates to the phased re-opening of City facilities.
Delegation – Enbridge Regional Update
Rikki Beaudet, Community and Indigenous Engagement Advisor, and Jeff Smedley, Lands and Right-of-Way Specialist provided an Enbridge regional update. This update included the work being done around added safety measures put in place as a result of the Enbridge pipeline rupture approximately 13.5 kilometers north of Prince George in October 2018. The update also included operational and maintenance works being completed in and around the City of Quesnel, specifically: Compressor Station #5 Australian (south of Quesnel), Racing Road/Hwy 97; Ten Mile Lake Road; Moffat Lake Road; Quesnel-Hixon Road and Windt Road. All of these projects will employ approximately 120 workers. All personnel will be encouraged to support local businesses for their day-to-day living needs while working in the area.
Delegation – Cariboo Chilcotin Region Labour Market Strategy
Darron Campbell, Manager of Community Services, and Miriam Schilling, Economic Development Officer, from the Cariboo Regional District, provided a summary of the Cariboo Chilcotin Region Labour Market Strategy (“Strategy”) that was funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia. The Strategy, pre COVID-19, identified labour trends and future job needs for the Cariboo Chilcotin region.
Bylaw Amendments - Solid Waste & Municipal Ticketing Information
Council approved final adoption of Solid Waste & Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw amendments that will:
- Adjust bylaw to reflect the discontinuation of commercial garbage pickup services that will take effect July 1, 2020.
- Restrict setting out residential garbage carts overnight to assist Conservation Officers and Bylaw Enforcement Officers dealing with nuisance complaints of wildlife and domestic animals spreading garbage on the streets, sidewalks and properties on garbage pick up days. Residents must now set out residential garbage carts between the hours of 4 a.m. – 8 a.m. As always, Bylaw Enforcement Officers will firstly begin with providing strategic educational awareness to residents in problematic areas, and secondly issue $50 fine(s) to egregious offender(s).
Museum and Visitor Centre Renovation
Council approved the following items related to allow the Museum and Visitor Centre Renovation Project planned for 2020:
- The museum will not reopen to allow for an earlier start to the project and to provide more time for staff to move and store equipment and artifacts.
- The Visitor Centre will be temporarily relocated to the Billy Baker Days Office in Lebourdais Park during the construction period.
- City staff will apply to the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund for eligible costs up to 50% of the total project cost for the Museum and Visitor Centre Renovation Project.
Statement of Financial Information
Council reviewed the City’s 2019 Statement of Financial Information. The Community Charter requires local governments to publish, each year, a report showing council remuneration, expenses and contracts.
Bylaws
- 1890 – Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Amendments – First, Second, Third and Final Adoption
Next Meeting
6:00 pm – June 2, 2020 – Council Meeting
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