Present:
Mayor SPS Rathor; Councillors Boehm, Delainey, Flaspohler, Lyons, Moses and Nelson
Meeting called to order at 6:00pm
Mayor Rathor recognized that the meeting was taking place on the traditional unceded territory of Williams Lake First Nation within Secwepemculecw. In addition, Mayor Rathor graciously welcomed both Xat'sull FN Kukpi7 (Chief) Rhonda Phillips and Cariboo RD Area "D" Director Steve Forseth to the meeting this evening
Meeting Agenda adopted
Minutes of the previous Williams Lake City Council meeting held on February 27th, 2024 was received/adopted
Delegation:
1) BC Housing appeared before Council to discuss a proposed Emergency Shelter at the former Elks Hall on 1st Avenue - BC Housing presentation/City Staff report here
Following their presentation -- A Question/Answer period ensued
Mayor Rathor thanked BC Housing for their time/information
Resolved -- That Council permit the public gallery to address Council in relation to the delegation from BC Housing
CONTRARY TO THE MOTION: Councillors Delainey, Flaspohler and Moses
Comments from the Public Gallery:
12 people addressed Council
Response to Delegations:
Council had before it a report from the Manager of Economic Development regarding a BC Housing Proposed Emergency Shelter on 1st Avenue (former Elks Hall)
Discussion ensued thereon...
Resolved -- Council considered the request from BC Housing to support their application to the Province for Statutory Immunity for the property at 98 First Ave South, for the purposes of establishing an emergency shelter and directed that the matter be postponed (deferred) until the March 26th Council meeting for further consideration and allow members of the public to further provide feedback/suggestions to Council in respect of the BC Housing presentation
Meeting recessed at 8:16pm
Meeting resumed at 8:26pm
Business:
1) Council received for information the accounts payable computer cheque and EFT listings dated February 29, March 3 and 7, 2024
2) Council gave 1st/2nd Readings to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2407, 2024 for property at 98 3rd Avenue South in order to faciliate a rezone from Town Centre Commercial (C-1) to Park, Recreation and Open Space (P-2) and that a Public Hearing be scheduled for April 9th in Williams Lake Council Chambers
3) Council directed that Parcel Tax Roll Reviews take place, as follows:
* Water and Sewer - April 26 @ 9:00 am in Williams Lake Council Chambers
* Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area - April 26 @ 9:30 am in Williams Lake Council Chambers
4) Council endorsed two recommendations from the March 5th Committee of Whole Council meeting, as follows:
i) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #12-2024, the presentation from Andrew Sandberg, Rotary Club of the Williams Lake Daybreak regarding a letter of support for a shade sail to be installed in Kiwanis Park be received and Council endorse the project in principle as well as provide in-kind contributions from the City toward this project and use of available equipment if applicable.
ii) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #13-2024 and the report of the Manager of Public Works dated February 7, 2024, Council confirm universal residential water metering is not a near-term priority and that staff's decision to amend residential water meter installations be supported.
5) Council received letters from Stuart Westie dated March 1, 2024 and from Guy Ridler dated March 5, 2024 in support of the City of Williams Lake's call for safety improvements to the Highway 20 corridor through Williams Lake
6) Council received a letter from the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) dated February 29, 2024 regarding the Province's response to City of Williams Lake Resolution EB8 "Ministry of Health Communication" and EB10 "BC Housing Delays"
7) Council proclaimed the following:
* lights of Williams Lake City Hall be changed to purple and blue on October 17, 2024 for "Light It Up! For NDEAM"
* the month of May 2024 was proclaimed "Hospice Palliative Care Awareness Month" in the City of Williams Lake and approval be given for the 8th Annual Hike for Hospice fundraising event being held Sunday, May 5, 2024 at Scout Island
* April 28, 2024 was proclaimed as a "Day of Mourning" in the City of Williams Lake in remembrance of those killed or injured in the workplace
8) Council received the "Council Information Package" as of March 12th, 2024
Members of Council reported on their recent activities
Council adjourned at 8:50pm
