Members of Merritt’s city council are heading to Kamloops today to discuss a proposed gravel pit with the man in charge of issuing a permit to Nicola Valley Aggregates — one day before the public input period closes.

Council originally decided to bring along a letter to the meeting “opposing the sand and gravel pit,” after hearing from a concerned resident at a special committee of the whole meeting on April 29.

However, they backtracked after hearing from the company’s owners.

Coun. White said it was a “lesson well learned.”

“I would just like to say that I myself jumped in without hearing the whole story,” she said.

Council then reconsidered their position at a special regular meeting of council on May 7.

The group ultimately decided to send a letter “expressing concerns” rather than “opposing” the application and will send a delegation to Rick Adams, the permitting inspector, in Kamloops on May 9 as well.

While councillors seemed hesitant to state their positions at first at Tuesday’s meeting, eventually each one shared thoughts on whether or not to move forward with a letter, delegation, or both.

“This is a very difficult issue. Unfortunately as far as I understand it our hands are tied,” said Coun. Kurt Christopherson. “I am comfortable sending a letter expressing our concerns because we want to make sure that no matter what happens, whether the project goes through or is not allowed to go through, that we do the upmost to protect why we live here.”

While some councillors were content with sending a letter outlining concerns, mayor Brown said she would like to proceed with plans to visit Adams in Kamloops.

“I don’t know if I was ever totally opposed but I do think the ministry needs to hear our concerns,” she said.

Coun. Kurt Christopherson added he would like to learn more about the mining application at the meeting, noting there are still missing links from his perspective.

“I don’t believe that we have enough information as to the scope of the project,” he said.

The motion to send a delegation and a letter outlining their concerns regarding the proposed pit was carried 4-3. Councillors White, Etchart and Luck voted opposed, as they wanted to just send a letter.