On Jan. 10, the Village of Burns Lake discussed the centennial photo book.
At the meeting, council discussed whether they would purchase the rights to all the photos taken by the photographer or buy the rights to a few for advertisement and promotional purposes.
Dolores Funk, the Village of Burns Lake’s economic development officer, said if the council purchases all the photographs’ copyrights, it will cost $10,000.
Funk added if council wants to use the centennial photographs for advertising and promotional purposes, it will only be possible if copyrights of the pictures were purchased. She suggested that council also have the option to select a group of photographs, and each photo will cost $50.
Charlie Rensby, the Village of Burns Lake’s councillor, was stunned to hear the $10,000 budget and inquired whether the photographs were printed on glossy gold.
Kevin White, the Village of Burns Lake’s councillor, said as long as the photographer owns those pictures’ copyright, he can do whatever with them.
Sashka Macievich, the Village of Burns Lake’s finance director, suggested that council could purchase the copyrights of some of the photographs instead of all of them.
Henry Wiebe, Burns Lake’s mayor, agreed with it.
2024 Budget Meeting Dates
Councillor Rensby said people are upset with their taxes but don’t quite understand where those dollars are spent. He believes there’s scope for public relations to make everyone understand how the tax dollars and grants are used.
Finance Director Macievich suggested council that she is planning to have a public level of service survey, which will be available from Jan. 18 to Feb. 16. Additionally, there is a community engagement workshop on Jan. 30 where residents can come and ask questions about the village’s budget, and councillors can answer them for clarification. She said this will help residents have budget transparency on their tax money.
Mayor Wiebe agreed to it.
The surveys will be available online; paper copies can be found at the village office.
Chinook Emergency Response Society
Council discussed the Chinook Emergency Response Society’s (CERS) current situation with the Emergency and Disaster Management Act.
Councillor Rensby said that without CERS and Southside volunteers, all 27 wildfires could end this community. He said this legislation would hamstring CERS.
Mayor Wiebe said that he is in discussions with the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako about it, although more had yet to be carved on the stone. Wiebe added that more discussions are required on this before the legislation’s deadline on Jan. 31. “We don’t want to muddy the waters.”
Heritage Room Expressions of Interest at the Museum
Council discussed adding a gift shop to the museum where visitors can purchase souvenirs and artisan collections.
Councillor Rensby said that the possibilities of having a gift shop are endless, and it can bring some of the artisans’ creations and Indigenous crafts. He said it will also create a nice little touristy retail spot.
He added that the Visitor Info Centre’s gift shop was successful, where people can get T-shirts, mugs, and other souvenirs.
Economic Development Officer Funk said the village has enough staff to support the gift shop, but the decision relies on the museum. She added that when the same offer was given to the Lakes Artisan Centre, they chose not to have this support.
This decision is still being determined, as council needs to finalize it with the museum.