The District of Barriere held a Development Committee meeting on July 24, 2012, which was well attended.
The first order of business was an update from the Economic Development Officer, Andrew Hayward. Hayward reported that he participated in a tour and discussions with Ashcroft Terminal, regarding working together to have pricing of shipping from Barriere to Ashcroft, at that point the product of commodity being transferred to rail and shipped to various terminals. More information will be forthcoming from these discussions.
Hayward has had meetings with two new foreign government agencies (Japan and Korea) on marketing Barriere through investment websites and paper brochures in those countries. He also has been to Vancouver three times to meet with numerous investors and potential project managers, and has continued working on compiling an inventory of available land in the Barriere area. He has met with a Korean contingent in Kamloops and is working with various EDO’s and private economic professionals on how to keep Barriere on the forefront.
Staff were directed by the committee, to write a letter to get a written update on the status of the South Gate land.
Some discussion followed a suggestion to make up a questionnaire for Barriere businesses to find out what sorts of things they would like to see. This questionnaire will be prepared in time for handing out at the Fall Fair.
The BMX Track behind AG Foods was discussed. A motion was passed to recommend to council that several signs be purchased and placed at the track.
The committee members discussed at length the first draft of the Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw, going over a variety of scenarios. The suggestions and recommendations will be incorporated into the next draft.
The District Office will be closed from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 30, so that staff can attend the funeral of Bonnie CruzelleMyram.
Several committee members asked how the four-way stop motion got to the District council meeting, as they had not finished discussing the options at the Development Committee meetings, and had yet to make a recommendation to council regarding it. Development Committee Chair, Ward Stamer, replied that line painting, curbs, and stop signs, (and any road related items) are actually usually handled by the Public Works Committee, and it was that committee that made the recommendation to council.
The mayor and several committee members commented on how well the Communities In Bloom visit with the judges went, and extended their appreciation to the community for participating in this event. The ‘score’ that Barriere will receive, will be announced on Sept. 23.
The next Committee meeting is on Aug. 21, at 7 p.m.