The District of Barriere council members heard a petition from the North Thompson Volunteer and Information Centre (NTVIC) at their Nov. 18 council meeting. Bernice Randrup and Judy Armstrong were present on behalf of NTVIC, requesting that the District waive the cost of the lease as they have in past years. Council members voted in favour of this request.
Council members passed the second and third readings of the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 95, Amendment Bylaw No. 108. The final adoption of this bylaw will take place at the next council meeting.
Several reports were heard and accepted - the October Fire Department report given by Fire Chief Al Kirkwood, and the District of Barriere Water System 2012 annual report. The water system report shows that water consumption in 2012, at 169,469,432 US gallons, was up from 2011 (147,011.038 US gallons), but still lower the the previous several years. This report will be available on the District’s website for those who would like to view it.
Council directed staff to prepare and post an Audit Services request for proposals. This will be done in the next few weeks.
An agreement has been reached between Argo Road Maintenance and the District, to swap the winter maintenance responsibilities for the 800 metres of Agate Bay Road from Highway 5 to the Eco Depot (the district boundary) and Dixon Creek Road from the boundary going south from Barriere to Vista Point Road.
There will be some renovations happening over the next two months at the old HY Louis building that the district recently purchased. The work will be done by the Volunteer Fire Department and will serve as an educational exercise. They will be doing mold remediation and general cleanup of the building, including removal of drywall, ceiling tiles, etc. Then the roof will need to be redone - an RFP will be posted for this work.
Council members passed a motion to pay the Lower North Thompson Tourism Society (LNTTS) $12,250 for the 2014 year, along with a request to see the accountants statement of the 2013 monies spent by the Chamber for Tourism Development. The LNTTS is taking over the role (from the Chamber) to act on behalf of the District of Barriere in tourism development of the area for 2014.
During public enquiries, Wim Houben asked what the trench at the Fire Hall was all about. Fire Chief Al Kirkwood responded that they were installing a curb, which should be complete before the end of the week.
The next District of Barriere council meeting will be on Dec. 2, at 7 p.m.