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SkyFest 2010 ready to soar
Quesnel Flying Club President Jerry van Halderen presented Council with an update on plans for SkyFest 2010, the replacement event for Airport Day. This year's event, slated for Saturday June 5, is a limited scale airshow, including a number of performances over three hours.Team Rocket is a two-plane demonstration that offers "precision, speed, and high performance aerobatics at its best." Jim Hrymack Airshows features the Harvard aircraft, one of the most famous military trainers of all time. They perform high-speed passes, precision eight-point rolls, Cuban 8s, wing overs, and barrel rolls.

The Northern Aeros Aerobatics Team is another two-plane team that provides "smoke, noise, speed and high energy unlimited aerobatics."SkyFest 2010 will also feature static aircraft displays, including a Buffalo on display from the Canadian Armed Forces, a trades fair and airplane tours over the city. In addition, the Quesnel Downtown Association is getting in the act. Starting at 3:30 p.m. on Friday June 4 at the Spirit Square, the QDA will host a paper plane flying contest. Mr. Mikes will serve hamburgers, with proceeds going to the flying club, the RC Club has been invited to display some of their planes, and some of the airshow performers will be available for a meet and greet. SkyFest 2010 is designed to help further aviation tourism in Quesnel.Advance tickets cost $10, with those aged six to 12 getting in for $4. Tickets at the door will cost $15 and $5. For more information, visit the City's website and click on the SkyFest 2010 link.

Wood First Bylaw approved
The City of Quesnel became the first local government in British Columbia to pass a Wood First Bylaw designed to link to the provincial government's Wood First Act. The Act requires all provincially funded buildings to make significant use of wood. The bylaw states wood will be used as a primary building material in the design and construction of City-funded buildings wherever practical and appropriate.

2010 tax rates finalized
Council gave final approval to the 2010 tax rates, budget and five-year capital plan.  The 2010 budget requires a total tax levy of $12.258 million, which resulted in a total average tax increase of 4.3% to the average homeowner in Quesnel. That increase is $25 for the municipal portion for the average house assessed at $157,500. The increase is tied to property assessment increases, which averaged 8.8% in Quesnel. If your home increased in assessment by more than that amount, the tax increase is greater; if your home's assessment increased by less than that average, then the tax increase is less. The City will include more information about the budget in its next edition of the Q City News, scheduled to be delivered by the end of May.

Library nominated for award
The Cariboo Regional District's new library in Quesnel was named as a finalist in the Community Institutional category at the Northern Building Association Awards on April 29 in Prince George. Mayor Mary Sjostrom made note of the honour during her CRD report. The new library officially opened in January 2009.

Frontage waiver granted
Council approved waiving the minimum lot frontage requirement for a subdivision application for a property on Toby Road. As there is potential for future development of the lot and surrounding properties, a number of conditions have been requested to ensure appropriate access and servicing for future development applications.

Proclamations
Child Care Month - May
National Public Works Week - May 16 to 22
Access Awareness Day - June 5

Important Dates
June 5 - SkyFest 2010 at Quesnel Regional Airport
June 12 - Family Day at LeBourdais Park

Next Regular Council Meeting:
May 31
Next Delegation Meeting:
June 7
Next Committee of the Whole Meeting:
May 17
Next North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee Meeting:
May 11