Quesnel Council Highlights - Feb 24th mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Budget 2014 overview

Further to the recent budget meetings, the following supplementals were approved by Council:

Additions to the operating budget:

Full time PW Supervisor                                                  $    54,000

Add’l summer Engineering Student                                   24,000

Contractor for security clearances                                         5,000

ICIS GIS opportunity                                                                 8,000

Bridge inspection program - Moffat/Baker                        10,000

Museum insurance                                                                   1,500

Environmental Advisory Comm. projects                             2,500

Add’l Invasive Weed Control program                               25,000

Bear Aware program                                                             12,000

   TOTAL equals 1.06% or                                            $142,000

Approved reserve increases:

Fire Capital Transfer                                                         $    30,766

Equipment Reserve Fund                                                     50,000

    TOTAL equals 0.6% or                                              $   80,766

A portion of this meeting was set aside for public input on the 2014 budget. There were no written or oral submissions received.

Council approved moving forward with a proposed 3% tax increase. This proposal included increasing the transfer to the Capital Reinvestment Reserve by $125,000 per year and decreasing the transfer to the Tax Stabilization Reserve by $100,000.

Please note that the tax increase percent is still subject to change as final assessments are received, final capital budgets are approved and Council determines the disposition of surplus 2013.
Timetable
March 31 - Final approval by Council on capital projects.
March and April - Disposition of surplus; review five-year financial plan; set the final tax rates for the various classes.
Prior to May 15 - Adopt the final budget and tax rates bylaws.

Banners to Miss Quesnel candidates

The 2014 Miss Quesnel Royalty candidates received their Corporate Sponsor banners and were presented with a City of Quesnel pin and flower from Council. The 2014 candidates are:

Shaylee Jack - Miss Lhtako Dene Nation

Lindy Alec - Nazko First Nation

Marlana Alec - Miss Nazko Economic Development Corp.

Kady Clement - Miss Digging Thunder Contracting

Kayleen Dillabough - Miss Attitude South

Mierie Sabbarwal - Miss Outer Limits Hair Studio

Michaela Fedoruk - Miss Julie’s Edible Bouquets

Sierra Cook - Miss Bliss

Other news

QTAX Quality Tax Services Development Variance Permit - Council approved the form/character DP, permitting the addition of office space and a second story accessory dwelling unit; Variances to the Sign Bylaw to permit a 1.25 m2 sign; and varying sections of the Zoning Bylaw for parking requirements, utilizing a Restrictive Covenant to allow for unpaved parking areas for a five-year term after which the area must be paved or otherwise dealt with. 

Council awarded the Airport Apron Expansion tender to Mass Construction Ltd. in the amount of $259,883.93, including GST.

March 24 Public Hearings  - Zoning Amendment re Prohibition of Marihuana Production and Heavy Equipment Repair (Campbell Crescent).

April 16 Public Hearing - OCP and Master Zoning Bylaw Amendments re Secondary Suites.

Important dates

May 7 - North Central Local Government Association AGM
                (Fort St. John)

May 10 - Multiple Sclerosis walk (Ceal Tingley Park, 1:00 p.m.)

Proclamations

May - Multiple Sclerosis Awareness month

City

NEXT Regular Council Meeting:
Monday Mar. 10, 7 p.m.
NEXT Delegation/Committee of the Whole Meeting: 
Monday Mar. 3, 7 p.m. 

NEXT North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee Meeting:
CHANGED ON FEB. 27 TO Wednesday Mar. 26, 5:30 p.m.