Quesnel Council Highlights - Sept 24th, 2024 mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

A small step forward

Indigenous Liaison, Councillor Laurey-Anne Roodenburg advised Council that together with Lhtako Dene Nation, she will be coordinating a relationship building gathering amongst local Elders, Chief, Council and Quesnel City Council to begin the healing journey.

Photo Mural Project

Council approved the Photo Mural Installation project which is fully funded through a grant from Heritage BC and a small contribution from the Museum Reserve derived from a bequest in memory of Lily Hoy Price.  This project will install 4-6 archival photographs enlarged to near life-size in public spaces, to enliven these spaces, to give prominence to underrepresented people and to create interest in the heritage of the City.

Housing Accelerator Fund

Council supports the submission of an application to the Housing Accelerator Fund to boost investment in local development, such as Accessory Dwelling Units, multi-unit housing, Zoning Bylaw and parking requirement review, creation of a public land acquisition and disposition action plan, implementation of e-permitting and updates to the Development Application Procedures Bylaw.

Development Services

Council approved a development permit at 196 Tatchell Road for construction of a 154.96m² shop for storage.  Although the shops is not located within the Sensitive Ecosystem Development Permit Area, access to the shop passes through that area, so the applicant has obtained works within a stream permit from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.

101 Marsh Drive

In March, 2024 Council approved purchase of 101 Marsh Drive; current home to the Food Hub and Nourish Food Bank.  This purchase has now been finalized and, Council has approved an operating agreement with the Sprout Kitchen Society for operation of the Food Hub and, a lease agreement with the Canadian Mental Health Association for operation of the Nourish Food Bank.

Grants

Council approved application to the Union of BC Municipalities Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation fund. Completion of an updated Hazard, Resilience and Vulnerability Assessment and a Risk and Resilience Assessment positions the City to identify risks and focus how the City and community are equipped to respond to and recover from those risks. 

2025 Regular Council meeting schedule

Announcements

• September 30, 2024 - National Day for Truth & Reconciliation - events will be held at Lhtako Dene Park and the Quesnel Tillicum Society.
• City Manager Byron Johnson extended a farewell as he sets out to Clearwater, BC.  Byron shared some of the accomplishments that meant the most during his 18 years of service, thanking staff and Council.