The District of Barriere Council meeting of Oct. 17, included hearing from a delegation from the Barriere Curling Club. Several members of the Club attended the meeting, and Bill Lindstrom spoke to Council about the working needing being done at the curling rink. He ended his presentation with a request that Council give them a Grant-in-Aid of $500. Council members passed a motion to donate $500 to the Club.
It was reported by staff, that the paving at Dunn Lake Road has been completed.
The Fire Department budget for 2011 included the repair or replacement of the sidewalk at the south end of the firehall. Three contractors were contact to bid on the project; only two submitted quotes. Council passed a motion to award the project to Sundown Construction, who submitted the lowest bid at $2,690.00 plus taxes.
Staff reported that all the repairs have been completed at the pump house, after the August 29 lightning strike.
There has been a lot of work done on the Economic Development of Barriere, including several meetings with groups of investors at the Chinese Consulate in Vancouver as well as other private Canadian manufacturers promoting all available industrial and residential lands for sale in Barriere. Two cities in China have expressed an interest in becoming ‘sister cities’ with Barriere – more info will be shared on this as it becomes available. There has been some interest expressed regarding solar and wind opportunities, and to that end, Council has met with the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Opportunities and SIBAC on a regional level to discuss potential funding for a pre-feasibility study around solar, wind and run of river potential – this study would be funded through SIBAC.
Council approved the spending of $1000 for Halloween Fireworks. The Barriere Smokeaters Association will organize the event.
Mayor Fennell proclaimed October the Foster Family Month in Barriere. Foster Family Month is an opportunity to acknowledge the tremendous difference that foster families make in the lives of British Columbia’s children and youth in care. There are approximately 5,900 children and youth being supported by about 3,300 foster families across the province. Fostering enables children, youth and their families to come through some of the most challenging situations and to develop the resilience they need to reach their full potential.
The next regular Council meeting will be on November 7, at 7 p.m.
