The District of Barriere held their regular council meeting on Monday, June 20, with Councillor Ron Glanville acting Mayor in Mayor Mike Fennell’s absence.
Council members approved the recommendation from the Public Works committee that staff begin the planning process of preparing a basic Water Conservation Plan. They also approved the recommendation that a plan outlining the process required to install water meters in the community be drafted.
Council then heard a report from Fire Chief Al Kirkwood, regarding the North Thompson Co-Terminus Fire Protection Feasibility Study. This was a study done with input from the fire chiefs from each of the fire halls within the study area: Barriere, Little Fort, McLure, Chu Chua, Vavenby, Blackpool, and Clearwater. It was conducted to determine the feasibility of expanding the existing fire protection service areas to create a Co-Terminus Fire Protection Service throughout the North Thompson Valley. This involves fire protection for the highway corridors and structures closest to the highway only. Council members passed a motion to send a letter of support for this project.
The 2010 District of Barriere Annual Report was approved by council. There were no comments from the public on this report. Those wishing to read the report can find it online on the District of Barriere website.
District CAO, Colleen Hannigan reported on several projects. The Bandshell project is nearly completed. The sidewalks have been poured and the planters will be installed this week. It will be part of the responsibility of the Water Patrol to make sure the beds are watered and weeded. The District finance officer will prepare a final budget report for the Bandshell project for the July Council meeting.
The concession, the log cabin, and the beer garden at the Barriere Ball Park were broken into the Saturday night June ??????????? of the last Minor Ball tournament. It may have been someone who had access to a key. Staff are in the process of changing the locks and starting over again with controlling the distribution of keys.
Once ball is over for the season, a date will be set for the roof renovation on the ball park concession to take place.
Canada Day Ceremonies at the Bandshell will begin at 5:30 p.m. The games for kids will start at 3 p.m., and the pageant speech and talent competition will start at 6 p.m.
Repaving on Lodgepole Road is underway.
The cut on Dunn Lake Road to bring water to the North Thompson Agriplex will happen in the next couple of weeks.
A building permit for the Agriplex has been issued, and the steel building is expected to arrive right around Canada Day.
The next regular District of Barriere Council meeting will be on July 18, at 7 p.m.