Thursday, May 5, 2016

Quesnel Council Highlights - May 3rd mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Communities for Veterans Foundation 

Paul Nicols summarized for Council his experiences regarding the 2015 Communities for Veterans Foundation- Ride Across Canada on horseback that was both a fundraiser as well as to raise awareness on behalf of Canadian veterans suffering the effects of post-traumatic stress.  Paul and his wife, Terry, are now completing a pilot project for an Equine Assisted Mindfulness program at their local farm that provides rehabilitative services to Canadian veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress, operational stress injuries and the challenges that go along with transitioning to civilian life.  To find out more about this program, please call 250-991-2463 or visitwww.communitiesforveterans.com.

Baker Creek Enhancement Society

Tracy Bond, Executive Director of the Baker Creek Enhancement Society, explained that the Society is looking to enhance the Dragon Creek watershed.  The Daylighting project would provide high water refuge and rearing habitat for Chinook and Coho Salmon.  The proposed Daylighting project would construct a channel, from the existing Dragon Creek that flows into a culvert under Johnston Road and reroute it to a location where an open bottomed fish structure can be placed inside the West Fraser Timber Park.  Daylighting the culvert will provide 2km of wetland and creek habitat for juvenile salmon as well as educational opportunities, facilitated by the Society, through the Nature Education and Resource Centre located in West Fraser Timber Park. 
City Manager, Byron Johnson, presented a report to Council whereby Council considered the following items associated with the proposed Daylighting project:  existing infrastructure, West Fraser Timber Park concerns, Dragon Creek Water Levels, and City Staff Focus/Professional Design.    Council did not approve or deny the proposed Daylighting project, but passed a resolution to create a technical working group to better understand the complexities of the Dragon Lake/Creek watershed and the Daylighting project.

Quesnel Billy Barker Days Society – Request for Free Shuttle Bus Services

The Quesnel Billy Barker Days Society requested free shuttle bus services to transport citizens from Maple Park Mall, north weigh scales and Correlieu Secondary School, into the downtown core in order to attend the Billy Barker Days festivities from July 14 to 16, 2016.  This request was made by the Society due to the two gravel parking lots, being utilized for the construction of the West Fraser Centre Arena Replacement project located in the City’s downtown core.  Council denied the free shuttle bus service, due to logistics and costs, but did request that the Society (as well as other community groups hosting community events in the City’s downtown core over the next year) promote the use of car-pooling, making arrangements to drop off those with mobility issues at their destination and then parking their vehicle, and allowing extra time for parking and walking to downtown community events.  

Multi-Family Housing Incentives Consultation

Council heard the survey feedback from the City’s housing stakeholders about the proposed Multi-Family Housing Incentives program where the City will offer incentives to develop multi-family housing developments in the community.  Post survey feedback resulted in Council voting in favour of waiving the Development Cost Charge for both market and non-market units in non- profit affordable housing developments.  The proposed program recommends exempting taxes on qualifying projects for 10 years in north Quesnel and 5 years in sections of West Riverside and Riverview neighbourhoods.  The proposed incentive package also recommends waiving development cost charges 100% for affordable units and 25-50% for units meeting low environmental impact criteria.  Next steps include Staff bringing a report and bylaws for Council consideration.

2016 Strategic Plan

Council approved the Corporation’s 2016 Strategic Plan.  For full details please visit the City’s website at www.quesnel.ca

South Quesnel Parkland & Greenspace Enhancement Proposal

After listening to the public’s input at the April 27, 2016 public consultation at Dragon Lake Elementary School, regarding the proposed South Quesnel Parkland & Greenspace Enhancement, Council voted to defeat the Bylaw 1798 and 1799 and to cancel the previously scheduled May 10th Public Hearing.

Next Meetings

-    7 pm - May 10th – Regular Council

-    5:30 pm – May 17th – North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee

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