Present: Mayor Rathor; Councillors Boehm, Delainey, 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
Meeting Video - click here
Meeting Agenda approved - click here
Minutes of the previous City Council meeting was adopted
Delegation:
Lt. (Navy) Zach Lipinski and Sailor 1st Class Nick Straub, originally from Williams Lake, on Return from Deployment Aboard HMCS Max Bernays appeared before Council regarding a presentation regarding their return from deployment aboard the HMCS Max Bernays to the Arctic and the Pacific and their experiences on deployment..
Following the presentation -- A Question/Answer period ensued...
Mayor Rathor thanked the presenters for their time/information
Response to Delegations:
Council received for information the presentation of Lt. (Navy) Zach Lipinski and Sailor 1st Class Nick Straub, originally from Williams Lake, on Sailor Straub's return from deployment aboard the HMCS Max Bernays to the Arctic and the Pacific and their experiences on deployment
Business:
1) Council received for information the accounts payable computer cheque and EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) listings dated February 26 and March 5, 2026
2) Following public input -- Council approved Development Permit No. 01-2026 for 0695314 BC Ltd. (Scott Tucker) to permit a residential multiplex development at 406 Pearkes Drive
3) Following public input -- Council approved Development Variance Permit No. 01-2026 for Peter Arnold Log Homes, on behalf of 607841 BC Ltd, to vary Section 4M.2 “Maximum Height” and “Storey” of City of Williams Lake Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025 to increase the maximum allowable height from 6m to 15m and the storeys from 1.5 to 4 for Accessory Buildings and Structures for the proposed and future construction of storage sheds for heavy equipment, located at 4685 Cattle Drive
4) Council approved submission of the draft NCLGA 2026 Resolution on fibre recovery and wildfire protection for consideration at the 2026 North Central Local Government Association Convention in Prince George from May 20-22, 2026
5) Council approved the submission of an application to the Union of BC Municipalities’ ‘Local Government Development Approvals Program 2026’ requesting $25,000 to update the City’s development approval procedures bylaw and supporting documents and forms to increase efficiency and streamlining in the development approval process
6) Council approved an application to the BC Healthy Communities ‘2026 Age-Friendly Communities Grant Program’ in the amount of $15,000 for activities related to the “Soup Series”, coordinated by the Social Planning Council of Williams Lake and Area
7) Council approved the use of reserves to cover the 2026-2030 financial plan shortfall, and directed staff to prepare the 2026-2030 Financial Plan and 2026 Tax Rate Bylaws for Council's consideration
8) Council approved award of the Western Avenue Potable Water Reservoir Lining tender to Western Tank & Lining Ltd. for the tendered price of $174,798.00, plus applicable taxes
9) Council awarded the request for quote for the purchase of one 2026 electric lift truck to Wanshing Machinery Ltd. for the purchase price of $44,240.00, including all applicable taxes
10) Council received a letter from the BC Council of Forest Industries in their letter dated February 26, 2026 requesting official endorsement of their "Forestry is a Solution" initiative and Council agreed to the request from the BC Council of Forest Industries
11) Council received for information a letter from Canadian Blood Services (Bhavna Pooni and Nathan Daye) thanking Council for supporting their cause and helping to raise awareness of the importance of blood and plasma donation services in BC, together with the letter from Mayor Rathor dated February 26, 2026 in support of Canadian Blood Services and the need for establishment of a blood plasma donor centre in Northern British Columbia
12) Council received a letter from the Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia requesting the City's support in advocating to the provincial government for modernization of the scope of practice for PABC members to include the ability to order diagnostic imaging be received and Council agreed to provide a letter of advocacy to the PABC in support of their initiative
13) Council received a letter from BC Housing regarding an update on the supportive housing project at 845 Carson Drive be received and staff were directed to coordinate a meeting with BC Housing representatives & Council to further discuss this matter
14) Council received the "Council Information Package" as of March 10, 2026 and at the request of Councillor Flaspohler, Council agreed to place the link to the City of Prince George public safety petition on the City of Williams Lake website and/or social media channels
Late Item:
Council endorsed the following Resolution:
Whereas Williams Lake is home to the best hockey teams in BC,
And Whereas The Williams Lake Mustangs and Quesnel River Rush teams are currently competing against each other in the first round of the 2026 Teck Cup,
And Whereas The City of Williams Lake Mayor and Council are confident of a Mustangs victory,
Now Therefore be it resolved That the City of Williams Lake formally issue a challenge to the City of Quesnel that, when the Williams Lake Mustangs inevitably win the series, His Worship Mayor Ron Paull of Quesnel will wear a Williams Lake Mustangs jersey for the entirety of the first Regular City of Quesnel Council meeting following the series completion,
And Further That, in the unlikely (if not unfathomable) situation where the Quesnel team prevails and wins the series, His Worship Mayor Surinderpal Rathor of Williams Lake will agree to wear a Quesnel River Rush jersey for the entirety of the first Regular City of Williams Lake Council meeting following the series completion.
Members of Council provided verbal reports on their recent activities
Councillor S. Nelson provided the following Notice of Motion for consideration at the next Council meeting of Tuesday, March 24, 2026:
"BE IT RESOLVED:
THAT Council endorse, support, advocate and enforce that public safety of Williams Lake be the top priority by enforcement of the following:
* Homeless and/or prolific individuals that cause havoc in Williams Lake and/or individuals with mental health challenges and are known to both Interior Health and/or Williams Lake RCMP and reside on the streets of Williams Lake be required to wear a GPS device, be placed in jail, receive 24/7 wrap-round health supports or the individual(s) be requested to move to another BC Community that has such 24/7 wrap-round health supports available
* Any homeless and/or prolific individuals that cause havoc in Williams Lake and/or individuals with mental health challenges and sleep on the streets of Williams Lake and has 3 or more criminal charges be offered, encouraged and/or persuaded to take a 1 way bus ticket (with $100 cash for meals) anywhere in BC, Alberta or the State of Alaska that has both appropriate housing space and the appropriate 24/7 wrap-round health supports in place
AND THAT Staff be requested to implement the above-noted policies ASAP to protect the community of Williams Lake in the name of Public Safety and that Staff inform the appropriate authorities"
Motion to Close the Meeting to the Public:
At 7:16pm -- Council passed the following motion:
That Council now resolve into a Closed Meeting, following adjournment of the Open Council Meeting, according to Section 92 of the Community Charter for discussion of items identified under Sections 90 (1) (g) litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality, and (i) the receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose of the Community Charter
And then Council adjourned at 7:17pm
