Seniors housing, repaving the district and steps toward a cleaner Port Edward were all a part of the short but sweet council meeting on March 28.
Councilor Dan Franzen stepped up as acting mayor in Mayor Dave MacDonald’s absence and raised issue on his usual subject — tidying up Diana Lake.
“I think we should hammer that hard after the election because they (the province) promised us upgrades,” Franzen said.
Chief Administrative Officer Bob Payette filled council in on the ongoing and future projects for the community.
The worker camps by LandSea Camp Services for AltaGas propane export terminal has all its dorms in line, and the utilities have been set up. There is still no information on a job fair to work in the camps.
The ministry of transportation and infrastructure is including Port Edward into its paving project on the North Coast.
After the province paves the arterial road through Prince Rupert, from McBride Street to the ferry terminal, the district will have pavers freshen up the road from the bridge by Highway 16 all the way to Hillcrest Avenue.
The B.C. government awarded a $3.94-million contract to Peter’s Bros. Construction Ltd. late February, and the city of Prince Rupert decided to piggy back off the contract to repave Third Avenue. Port Edward may do the same.
“We are going to look at other areas to pave, the boat launch and other areas in town,” Payette said. The district will look into the costs of spot paving some roads.
Payette also introduced new business on the seniors housing that will be located adjacent the municipal office and the school. The province is conducting an environmental assessment before it can tender the project.
To be shovel ready, Payette asked council make a resolution to enable a long-term lease of the lot for BC Housing for the construction of eight seniors affordable housing — and council approved.
To follow up on the unsightly property the Northern View reported on March 22, council reported that Al Johnson of Tenerife Packing Co. is draining fluid from the derelict cars on his property so he can remove some of them.
One of the vessels by the boat launch has been sandblasted to prepare for a fresh coat of paint.
Thirty minutes later, the council session came to a close. The next district council meeting is on April 11 at 7:00 p.m.