The Quesnel Downtown Association is calling on City Council to find the funding to continue the Clean Team program.
The request was made in the form of a letter at this week’s Council meeting.
Rhya Hartley is the Deputy Corporate Administrator.
“We received a letter from the Downtown Association dated May 15th, 2023. Though not the solution to all the challenges facing the downtown the Peer Clean team program has been an effective tool in improving the safety and cleanliness of our streets. We urge Mayor and Council to aggressively pursue sources of funding to continue the program as we continue to work together to improve our City.”
City Manager Byron Johnson provided an update on where staff was on that front.
“We’re working with Northern Health to try to find a partnership that works that maybe spreads the cost of this important program out around a few funders as opposed to just the City. We’re very aware of the expiry date of July 31st and of the importance of this project.”
Councillor Laurey-Anne Roodenburg noted that the issue came up at the North Central Local Government Association convention.
“At NCLGA we did have a meeting with Northern Health, and they have assured me that they are looking at what a plan might be, because we’re not the only community that has concerns of this magnitude with the work that the Clean Team does. They have two people working on this particular issue knowing that it is a timely piece for all of our communities.”
The City picked up the tab to extend the program through July 31st.
The cost was $12,480.
The Clean Team is responsible for picking up needles and other drug paraphernalia around town.