The city of Quesnel is surveying approximately 805 dwellings in South Quesnel to see if there is sufficient support to provide garbage pick up in the neighbourhood.
At the January 21 meeting, city manager Byron Johnson presented a report to council regarding the garbage pickup in the South Hills neighbourhood.
He explained that council received a letter from South Hills and Area Neighbourhood Association Dec. 17 requesting residential garbage collection.
At that meeting, staff were directed to conduct a survey to see if a majority of taxpayers in South Quesnel are in favour of residential garbage collection.
With Garbage bylaw no. 413 in place, the city has the authority to provide garbage collection within city limits.
If residential garbage pick up moves forward, no resident will be able to opt out.
The city has distributed surveys to about 805 dwellings in the area, 225 mobile homes and 580 single family residences.
If the survey is approved, additional revenue to the city is estimated at $52,164.
The approximate cost of providing the service to South Quesnel neighbourhood residents is $42,863.
This means that the surplus of about $9,301 will be put toward new equipment or to cover other garbage-related costs.
The cost for garbage collection is $72 annually, minus 10 per cent for early payment, which will include the 245 litre, wheeled garbage bin which is compatible with the city’s garbage collection trucks.
Quesnel mayor, Mary Sjostrom said if garbage pick up proceeds in the South Hills Neighbourhood, there will be less traffic at the landfill, which could benefit the community.
“With fewer people making individual trips to the landfill, we’re reducing our community’s greenhouse gas emissions,” she explained.
“Plus, it’s a convenience for the folks in South Quesnel.”
The deadline for the survey is Feb. 20 at 4:30 p.m.
You may drop off the survey in person or mail it to City Hall, scan the survey and email it to city all@quesnel.ca or fax your survey to 250-992-2206.
If you have questions regarding the survey, call city hall, 250-992-7480.
Check your Observer for updates.