At the Feb. 20 meeting, the Village of Burns Lake discussed a specific location for displaying the centennial artwork for a maximum of six months.
Kevin White, councillor, said he likes the artwork moving around town and inquires whether it fits within the village office space.
Kristy Bjarnason, Village of Burns Lake councillor, supports the artwork moving around. “More people can see it, the better,” she said.
Charlie Rensby, councillor, suggested that the artwork could be toured around town for a year and returned to the museum or the village’s office.
Sheryl Worthing, Village of Burns Lake chief administrative officer, suggests that the artwork could be displayed a couple of months at the library and at the mall.
Rensby added that the artwork needs to be protected by glass for public display. “It takes one unmentionable type of person to mess it,” he said.
Worthing ensured council that the artwork will be framed and protected with glass.
After the discussion, Mayor Henry Wiebe believed that the mall would be a most suitable place for public display and called for a motion, Councillor Rensby first, and Councillor White seconded it.
Waive fees for arena and curling events
Council has decided to waive fees for arena and curling events for spring 2024. The reason for waiving fees for community events was due to a shortened winter season.
The men’s hockey tournament is planned for March, and they were seeking sponsors or donations; the village will sponsor the ice time for their final game, which would have generated approximately $250.
Burns Lake Minor Hockey would like to run spring hockey programs and potentially host a jamboree-style tournament. The village will waive the ice rental fees for one tournament to support minor hockey, which would have generated approximately $1,000.
The village will partner with the curling club to host a community bonspiel. Ice rental fees will be waived, and proceeds from the weekend will support the curling club in generating approximately $1000.
With spring break approaching, staff plan to offer additional public skating times; fees for public skating and skate rentals could be waived for these two weeks to encourage people to come and use the ice, this owuld have generated approximately $750.
Lewis Jones, Village of Burns Lake recreational services’ director, informed council that the men’s tournament organizers will not be running this spring but will be back in the fall due to a lack of sponsorship.
After hearing Jone’s comments, Mayor Wiebe called for a motion, Councillor Rensby made the first motion and Darrell Hill, councillor, seconded it.
UBCM meetings
Council discussed sending all councillors to Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) meetings or sending a few specific representatives.
Councillor Rensby said attending UBCM meetings in Victoria is cheaper than in Vancouver.
Councillor Bjarnason added that having more people at UBCM meetings is helpful.
Councillor White had concerns about the value of attending UBCM meetings. He questions what councillors get out of it for the village. What do taxpayers get for their bang for the buck?
Worthing said that meeting with ministers and networking with other municipalities at least once a year is beneficial.
Mayor Wiebe showed his concerns over the rising cost of accommodations during the UBCM meetings and hopes for this meeting to get hosted in Prince George occasionally.
Councillor White asked the village’s chief administrative officer what her take would be on spending $20,000 to $30,000 and sending all councillors to attend this meeting.
Worthing said that she would send the councillors to UBCM meetings because of the experience and benefits it brings.
After the discussion, Worthing said this topic would be brought forward again before UBCM registration, and council agreed.