Members of Lillooet Council met for a regular meeting on Monday, September 10.

Revenue anticipation loans

Bylaw No. 369 was passed empowering and authorizing Council to borrow sums not exceeding 75% of the taxes levied in the previous year. The Council will have the ability to borrow, at a rate lower than commercial prime, up to $2,700,000 from the Municipal Finance Authority in order to meet general operational expenditures in such instances when receivables have not yet been collected.

Prescription for wildfire protection

Provincial requirements have been met to fund 75% of the costs associated with the prescriptive phase of fuel management for all areas within district boundaries. Following updates to the Wildfire Protection Program, the funding will be used to assess and identify dangerous areas where fuel management is required. This phase is followed by moving forward to operational treatment which would include the removal of any dead fuel. Removal via other methods is considered harvesting and stumpage fees apply. As such, some areas require burning, necessitating the work be completed during times of low fire risk. Grants are awarded following completion of the project Citizens can direct questions about their area to Steve Hohner, Director of Public Works.

To smoke or not to smoke

District of Lillooet Council will vote in late September at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Convention as to whether or not they are in support of a resolution to ban smoking on customer service patios of restaurants and bars; in parks, on playgrounds; beaches; and at public events. The Heart and Stroke Foundation submitted a resolution to UBCM for the provincial government to implement legislation that would ban smoking in specific outdoor public places. They stated that there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. There was suggestion that this was a personal issue and that Council vote in good conscience.

Funds for restoration

Following a meeting with the Powerhouse Restoration Committee, Councillor Lampman announced that new funding opportunities will be researched for programs covering renewal of areas as well as strategies to counteract weeds. This is the last year of funding from Fish and Wildlife Conservation. A representative will visit Lillooet Sept. 19 for a tour of current projects. Royal Roads University will be onsite filming what has taken place at Split Rock Nursery.

Community healing

Mayor Bontron expressed being honoured to attend a lunch gathering with survivors of the Residential School System. Tangible reminders were destroyed by fire. As part of the process of healing, support was given to a project that included visiting and photographing the area. A package will be presented by the committee at a future date. Mayor Bontron suggested it be displayed in the community.

Bear aware bylaw

Council voted to amend a bylaw retricting garbage from being placed out for collection the night before pick-up. Animals, mainly bears, have created difficulties in certain neighbourhoods. The animals become accustomed to a schedule and they return to these areas regularly. To prevent this, garbage bins are allowed to be placed roadside from 6 a.m. on the day of collection.