Quesnel Council Highlights - Oct 22nd, 2024 mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Policies

As per City Development & Review Policy IWC-15, the Policy and Bylaw and Financial Sustainability and Audit Committees are conducting a five-year review of Council and Administrative policies.

Union of BC Municipalities Convention

Five members of Council participated in this years' convention. Councillors Elliott, Goulet, Roodenburg, Runge and Vik travelled to Vancouver, to represent our community and take in a variety of sessions available to participants.  Council identified several topics that were relevant to Quesnel, including Indigenous Relations, housing, homelessness / encampments, public safety, climate change, transportation, water solutions and emergency preparedness. 

2025 Council Remuneration

As per the Council Remuneration Policy, Council remuneration is adjusted annually by the BC Stats consumer price index for September. Council Remuneration will increase by 2.0% on January 1, 2025. 

Development Services

Council waived one of the Multi-Unit Incentive Bylaw’s livability requirements for the proposed 17-unit housing development at 668 Doherty Drive.., permitting eight units to have balconies where all units are required by the incentive bylaw. 

Grants

Council approved the following grant applications:

• Northern Development Initiative Trust - $20,000 Business Façade Improvement 
• Union of BC Municipalities Community Emergency Preparedness Fund: Volunteer & Composite Fire Department Training & Equipment funding program, to increase the capacity of the Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department, offering auto extrication and a fire officer program.

• Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program - Tourism Capacity Enhancement Project 

Indigenous Relations 

Indigenous Liaison Councillor Roodenburg, advised that on November 5th, City Council will sit down to dinner with Lhtako Dene Council and Elders.

In response to a letter from Nazko First Nation, the City will be reaching out to Nazko to set up meetings to further dialogue and relationship building.

Councillor Roodenburg noted that Council's commitment to reconciliation will then have them reaching out to Lhoosk'uz Dene Nation and ?Esdilagh First Nation to start building relations with all four of our neighbouring Indigenous communities.

Bylaws

• Bylaw 1957 - Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 1957, 2024 (668 Doherty Drive) - Final Adoption
• Bylaw 1958 - Zoning Amendment Bylaw 1958, 2024 (668 Doherty Drive) - Final Adoption

Announcements/Events

• October 25/24 – 1:00 – 4:00 pm – The Quesnel Lions Club is celebrating their 75th anniversary with a free swim at the Quesnel Arts & Recreation Centre.
• October 31/24 – 3:00 – 4:30 pm – Spooktacular Halloween - The Rotary Club of Quesnel is hosting a costume parade at Dunrovin Park Lodge.  Register in advance at rotaryhalloweenparade@gmail.com
• October 31/24 – Grant opportunity - The Rotary Club of Quesnel will distribute $1600 to local musical organizations.  Deadline is October 31st – check out the application process on their Facebook page.
• October 24/24 – 12:00 pm – World Polio Day. The Rotary Club of Quesnel is hosting an open public meeting at the Legion hall.

The October 22, 2024 Council Meeting was unable to be recorded due to technical difficulties. As a result, no video recording is available.