Monday’s council meeting focused on strategic planning.
City manager Byron Johnson presented information about the 2012-2014 City of Quesnel Corporate Strategic Plan.
Key strategic points were brought forward, some carried over from the 2011 strategic plan.
The strategic plan is divided into seven areas: sustainability in all planning; infrastructure re-investment; community health and safety; environmental stewardship; financial stability of the corporation; governance; economic diversification.
There areas are further broken down into different goals which can be achieved to complete the objectives.
“Ongoing operational activities of the municipality consume the vast majority of the municipality’s staff and financial resources,” the report said.
“Although the strategic objectives are intended to guide all of the work of the municipality, the ongoing operational work if the municipality is not detailed here.
“Only a relatively small proportion of the municipality’s work, specifically new, special or one-time initiatives, are noted.”
City manager Johnson noted most items are in progress and some projects are even expected to be completed shortly.
“The report gives a quick snapshot of our progress,” Johnson said.
“We’re trying to give you enough information so you can see what’s going on with the strategic items.”
Johnson said the report isn’t necessarily finalized as there is room to make changes.
“We’re certainly open to suggestions,” he explained.
“The first time you do a report, you look at it and think it’s accomplishing what we want, but there’s room for improvement.”
Johnson talked about the relevance of the ourQuesnel integrated community sustainability planning.
“The ourQuesnel is addressing a number of these initiatives,” he explained.
“Most of our long term visioning is going through the integrated community sustainability planning, which is exactly what it’s intended to do.”
The report showed the progress of many key infrastructure projects in the city.
“We saw big projects this year with the infrastructure reinvestment,” Johnson said.
“The Elliott St. project is completed, which was a very large project.”
Another big infrastructure reinvestment project has been the landfill entrance.
“The landfill entrance is ongoing and should be completed in the next two to three weeks,” Johnson explained.
Johnson discussed the West Quesnel land stability project and its importance to the community.
“The number one goal with the community health and safety is the West Quesnel land stability project,” Johnson said.
“All portions of the project are being tendered and awarded.
“Our goal is to have that fully tied into the sewer system before winter hits.”
Another big project the city has is the Multi-Centre planning.
Johnson said the fundraising committee has completed a fundraising plan and said it continues to be a very active file.
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