Following are some of the highlights from the Nov. 21 City of Quesnel council meeting.
Accessible parking stalls
In their packages, councillors received a report on unauthorized parking in Accessible Stalls.
It was noted one person complained a $150 fine is too high for illegally parking in designated Accessible Stalls.
The current biggest Bylaw Enforcement challenge is when people, who have the correct Accessible Parking Placard, are parking in the yellow-lined area beside the Accessible Parking Stall, which is designated as extra room for the person exiting/entering their vehicle with a wheelchair, walker or mobile device, and not for parking.
City of Quesnel
election bylaws
Council approved the updating the City’s Election Bylaws and making improvements to the Mail Ballot Bylaw.
Eligible voters can apply for a Mail Ballot as soon as the Declaration of Election of Voting is issued.
The release of the Mail Ballots can be issued as soon as the ballots have been received and deemed they are correct and accurate.
The time frame to apply for a Mail Ballot was extended to 4 p.m. Friday, the day before General Voting Day.
Cariboo Regional District update
In his report to Quesnel city council on the Cariboo Regional District board meeting on Nov. 17, Mayor Bob Simpson noted CRD Area H Director Margo Wagner was voted in as the new chair.
“Margo is going to be up here in the first week of December and have meetings with myself and the northern directors about where we feel the board should going under a new direction, especially with a new chair.”
Recovery report
Mayor Simpson said the CRD’s Recovery public input sessions are all but completed.
Then the information gathered at the meetings will be collated and a report would be presented to the board.
Simpson said once they get the report, it will be fed into the City’s recovery system.
In regards to recovery, he said one of the big things they are finding out is the mental health implications from the wildfire are just starting to settle in.
He added communities are not resourced to address some of those things.
“It’s something we’re trying to figure out – how best to address that.”
Wildfire season 2017 summary
City Manager Byron Johnson provided council with a detailed summary of basic statistics and lessons learned of the City’s local agencies and the management of the emergency response efforts for area’s 2017 wildfires.
The City’s key areas that supported the wildfire response are:
• Fire suppression – Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department
• Communications – City provided accurate, timely information
• Emergency Social Services – volunteers who assisted evacuees at the Emergency Reception Centre
• Quesnel Search and Rescue – assisted RCMP with serving evacuation notices
• Pet Safe Coalition – provided care for animal evacuees and behind evacuation lines
• Airport Fire Base – provided site and utilities for ministry’s Base Command Fire Camp
• Emergency Planning Committee – management of City’s emergency response
The next steps include the City investigating funding sources to develop a Wildfire Response Plan that takes into account the key lessons learned from each of the above noted local agencies.
City’s plastic recycling stream
An ongoing challenge in Quesnel is the contamination of the community’s plastic waste recycling stream due to non-recyclable plastic-bags, and other non-recyclable material, entering the recyclables stream.
In addition, council learned of the health and environmental effects caused by single-use plastic bags, and other single-use plastic items.
The problem of recycling contamination is both a plastics problem, but is also a social issue.
This issue also ties into the lead-up to the City’s overall 2020 Zero-Waste initiative.
Council decided the next steps should include public engagement with the City’s three Business Improvement Associations and the Quesnel & District Chamber of Commerce, for further discussion to understand the public opinion of the business community, and if there is a willingness to engage in single-use plastics reduction initiatives.
SPCA contract
Council approved a five-year contract with the SPCA to act as the City’s poundkeeper.
The summary of minor amendments for this new five year contract are:
• SPCA to act as the City’s poundkeeper.
• Continuing to increase the contract each year by the Consumer Price Index.
• Changing the wording so the SPCA will now accept all animals, rather than just dogs. Also, that animal strays from within the City boundaries, that are delivered to the SPCA from the RCMP, will also be included in this contract.
Dog Park upgrades
With the Dog Park capital project coming in under budget, Council approved the following upgrades:
• $10,500 for a drinking water fountain
• $14,500 – Play Structures and Equipment
To view the full report, and attachments, that provide full details of the Dog Park equipment upgrades, visit the City’s website at https://www.quesnel.ca/.
Grant application
Council approved City staff to apply for the UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund – Emergency Social Services grant to purchase a trailer, cots and related equipment for group lodging.
The purchase is intended to enhance the resiliency of local governments and residents in responding to emergencies.