The Village of Burns Lake council meeting on Feb. 6 discussed implementing the Kayakomat system for an automated kayak rental service.
Kristy Bjarnason, Village of Burns Lake councillor, said she had concerns with life jacket rentals.
Lewis Jones, Village of Burns Lake director of recreation services, answered that during the old rental system, life jackets were provided with kayaks, and it would be the same for the new online booking system as well. He added that people need to sign a consent waiver if minors are using the jackets, and it must be signed by their parents. He stated that the current online booking process does not have any life jacket sizes for minors but will be available soon.
Jones emphasized that a minimum summer student’s hiring costs is at least $5,000, and implementing this system will save this operational cost. “I believe that we will expand our sales by having greater availability, and additionally, the convenience of this actually simplifies our summer staffing, reducing one position,” he said.
Jones added that the online booking system will ensure people put the rented kayaks in the appropriate places due to its smart lock system. Additionally, a rental insurance policy covers fire, theft, and vandalism.
At the end of the discussion, Mayor Henry Wiebe directed staff to implement this kayak rental system, and council agreed.
Bulk water sales
Council discussed a new fee for non-commercial bulk water sales of $25 per cubic meter.
In 2020 Coastal GasLink purchased and installed a bulk water filling station located at the public works yard for an approximate cost of $100,000 under the understanding that the water station would remain in place as an asset for Burns Lake. Most users were commercial and industrial businesses and recently there had been numerous requests for non-commercial access to the water filling station.
A policy was required to regulate the sale of water dispensed from the bulk water filling station and to ensure that operational expenses were recovered.
Mayor Wiebe made the first motion for the bulk water sales and Darrell Hill, Village of Burns Lake councillor seconded it. Therefore, council agreed to it.
Recruitment and Retention of Medical Professionals
Council has decided to prepare service agreements with the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako and the Northern Interior Rural Division of Family Practice governing the funding and the terms of the recruitment and retention program for medical professionals.
The Northern Interior Rural Division of Family Practice committed to a $10,400 one-time funding allocation for the 2024 budget year.
Northern Health stated in its 2023 report that 20.50 percent of the baseline positions needed to be fulfilled. Vacancy rates were driven by a supply shortage and increased demand. Their report also stated that since 2019, the overall workforce demand has grown by 16.68 per cent and a corresponding 4.97 per cent increase in supply.
Through the Northern Interior Rural Division of Family Practice, there were 34 applicants for the rural immersion program, and four applied for Burns Lake. Northern Health requested the Village of Burns Lake to make preparations for recruitment day with welcome packages which will be on March 19.
After the discussion, Mayor Wiebe said this was a good initiative, and council agreed.