City council has directed staff to create a business plan to see if it can save money on solid waste costs.
“We currently pay $525,000 a year to the Central Cariboo Disposal and the agreement with the Cariboo Regional District for the transfer station at the landfill costs the city approximately $1 million a year,” said Coun. Scott Nelson during the regular meeting held March 22. “I know we found some savings this year because there was some double billing.”
Nelson said solid waste is a big ticket item for the city.
“We want to put some energy into seeing if we can find some additional cost savings or if there are some potential joint partnerships out there.”
Mayor Walt Cobb said the city’s contract for its partnership with the CRD for the landfill is due.
However, Nelson said the city hasn’t signed the contract yet because it is looking at reducing costs and implementing pro-active recycling options.
Tourism Discovery Centre display being dismantled
The camping and adventure display at the Tourism Discovery Centre will be dismantled after all.
Last year the Central Cariboo Economic Development Corporation suggested its removal to provide more room for events to be held in the display area.
“The exhibit has served its time and created a lot of interest and received many, many comments from visitors,” said city councillor Laurie Walters during the regular council meeting March 22. “It’s going to be sad seeing it come down, but I think we can use that space. It’s bitter sweet.”
Cobb said it was a neat display, but its time had come.
Before it’s taken apart, there will be a professional photograph taken of it for permanent display at the TDC.
Communities That Care denied funding
City council will not be entering into a fee for service agreement to the tune of $7,500 with Communities that Care.
Coun. Laurie Walters disagreed with the decision, saying the money goes a long way, especially working with youth.
“Communities that Care are doing some great things and it’s a no brainer that we would invest in them,” Walters said.
Coun. Ivan Bonnell said the city has given Communities that Care money before, but not through the fee for service agreement.
“It was a difficult decision, but it did miss the application process,” said Coun. Scott Nelson. “I’m hoping it will go back and we can create some joint funding between the city and the Cariboo Regional District and possibly the First Nations.”
Nelson said as finance committee chair he wants to encourage Communities That Care to apply for funding for next year.
For the meantime the city doesn’t plan to expand its downtown beautification area, said Mayor Walt Cobb.
He was responding to a letter sent to council dated July 2015 from Gurmel S. Bains asking if the beautification area could be extended to First Avenue North and Borland Street.
“When the downtown beautification happened 20-some years ago, there was an area identified and people in that area were taxed before the beautification happened,” Cobb said. “This particular piece of property was outside that area and the owner did not pay for the beautification.”
If the area is expanded, then it will be taxed according to the cost of the beautification, he added.
Council gives go-ahead
During its second annual Capital One Race For Kids, taking place Saturday, June 4, 2016, the Williams Lake Boys and Girls Club will have permission to use the city hall parking lot and the adjacent Herb Gardner Park.
Barkerville Trust appointee
Mayor Walt Cobb is returning to the Barkerville Heritage Trust’s board of directors for another three-year term commencing July 1, 2016.
Asphalt recycler purchase approved
Council has approved the purchase of an asphalt recycler that will cost $110,000 plus taxes.
The city has an option to buy a demo asphalt recycler from the city of Prince George.
“If we were to purchase this equipment brand new and bring it over from Germany it would cost us another $10,000 for shipping, so we are proposing this is a great opportunity,” said manager of municipal services Gary Muraca.
Coun. Ivan Bonnell said the recycler will enable the city to spend 25 per cent of the current cost for resurfacing, filling potholes, etc.