Quesnel Council Highlights - Aug 25th mtg

 Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Quesnel Ambassador Leadership Program The City of Quesnel is a sponsor of the Quesnel Ambassador Leadership Program that provides the opportunity for our community’s youth to learn communication skills and build confidence by taking part in many local events where the Ambassadors represent the City of Quesnel. Council recognized the efforts to this community by the outgoing Ambassadors and welcomed the incoming Ambassadors of the Quesnel Ambassador Leadership Program as follows: Outgoing Ambassadors for 2019 Hailey Murray, Sydney Williams and Nalyssa Runge Incoming Ambassadors for 2020 Sarah Foottit, Beth Mattioli and Jadacia Barker

COVID-19 – Corporation’s Update As Orders from the Provincial Health Officer continue to be issued as the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve in the Province, the following is a summary of COVID-19-related updates regarding City Services: Council Meetings, Public Hearings, Other City of Quesnel Meetings – As per the Provincial Public Health Officer Order – Gatherings and Events, the City of Quesnel is required to obtain and track contact information for all public members that attend Council meetings, Public Hearings, or other meetings held the public attends meetings inside City Hall. The tracking information required is the first and last name, and either a contact telephone/cell number or a contact email address. The public must provide their contact tracking information to City employees at the front desk of City Hall before they can attend a meeting with City employees and/or Elected Officials at City Hall. The public must provide their contact tracking information on the sign-in sheets located in the Council Chambers lobby before entering Council Chambers for a Council meeting and/or a Public Hearing. Airport – Airport terminal remains closed. The runway remains open for private flights. Central Mountain Air (“CMA”) has advised any relaunch of flights to/from Quesnel is still to be determined. BC Transit – buses are operating at full hours in Quesnel. As per BC Transit Policy, passengers are required to wear a face mask when using BC Transit buses Arts & Recreation Centre – the pool, gym and change rooms are open, but the sauna and hot tub are closed. There are some programs available, and the swim club is operating. Arenas – September 14th Arena II will open for Youth programs; September 22nd the West Fraser Centre will open for Youth programs. October 5th the West Fraser Centre will open for Adults programs.

Development Permit - Aspen Heights Apartments Council approved a Development Permit for the Aspen Heights Apartments, located at 951 and 1051 Abbott Drive, to install a fence around the entire property. Council further approved a variance to allow an increase to the fence height to be 6 feet/1.82 meters along the front property line.

Zero-Emission Vehicle – Grant Application Council approved City staff to submit a grant application to the Zero-Emissions Vehicle Awareness program through Natural Resources Canada to purchase and promote an electric SUV to replace a gasoline vehicle in the Bylaw Services fleet. This grant funding will cover 50% of the cost of the zero-emissions vehicle, with the remaining 50% to come from the City’s Equipment Replacement Reserve.

Quesnel Waterfront Plan – Grant Application Council approved City staff to submit a grant application to the Northern Development Initiatives Trust through the Strategic Initiative Fund to implement key aspects of the Quesnel Waterfront Plan in the Downtown precinct as follows: Renovations to the entrances to the Fraser River Footbridges. Trail lighting along the Riverfront Trail from the Fraser Footbridge to the Hospital. Planning for Indigenous cultural interpretive elements, including the collection of interviews with Elders to record knowledge, preserve language and use for interpretive signage, augmented reality, and/or other displays along the River Front Trail.

Next Meeting 6:00 pm – September 15, 2020 - Council Meeting