District of Barriere CAO Colleen Hannigan presented the following report to mayor and council at the Dec. 16, 2019, regular council meeting.
Hannigan reported that Rivermist Excavation, has been making steady progress on the construction of the Louis Creek Industrial Park water system. She noted that the pump house foundation and pad have been piped and poured, the walls were expected to arrive in late December, arrival of the roof is expected for early January, and both four and 10 inch lines to the reservoir are almost complete.
“A slight setback was encountered when moling across Agate Bay Road was attempted,” said Hannigan, “Unfortunately, the more expensive augering solution will have to be used.”
Hannigan noted that Graeme Schimpf, local Operations Manager from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MOTI) has confirmed that on their list of sign changes for Highway 5 North is to move the 60 and 80 kilometre signs to the north side of the Barriere River Bridge.
District of Barriere’s request to improve lighting around dark intersections at Louis Creek was turned down by MOTI, who said that nothing will be done until the bridge in that location is replaced.
“As a result of this news, this issue was added to the Council to Council meeting with Simpcw First Nation on Dec. 9,” stated Hannigan, “It was agreed at that meeting that a letter from both councils requesting lights be placed where possible on existing BC Hydro or Telus poles along the Louis Creek stretch of Highway 5 North be forwarded to the Thompson Nicola Regional District Electoral Area ‘O’ Director, Bill Kershaw. Together the TNRD Director and Mayor Stamer could then approach the TNRD Board to see if there is a willingness to add the small cost of maintaining these lights as a service area tax for the residents of Louis Creek.”
She also reported that District of Barriere building permit revenues increased during 2019, showing a total of 43 new permits for buildings, plumbing, and solid fuel appliances. This resulted in a net of $21,038.40 in permit fees for the District, with a total construction value for building totaling $3,541,000.
Hannigan also recommended that the District’s 1999 F450 garbage truck that was replaced in 2017 be declared surplus and sold as is.
The District of Barriere office at the Ridge will be closed until Jan. 2, 2020, at 8:30 a.m.