Outcome of July 5th WL Council Meeting

WL Council had a number of issues before it last night but I thought I'd give my take on just a few:

1) Zoning Amendment Bylaw #2135 (Retirement Concepts)

After a public hearing where only Charlie Wyse rose to speak on this bylaw and asked for the staff justification for this amendment to the City's Zoning Bylaw and Staff admitted that they researched communities in BC and could not provide another community that is doing what will occur at Retirement Concepts - Council proceeded to give 3rd Reading to Bylaw #2135 unanimously.  This was disappointing for a couple of reasons:

a ) No Council Members (Mayor or Councillors) were at the Public Information Meeting that was held on May 26th and could have learned a thing or two about the community's concerns

b)  While I appreciate that developers go through challenges from time to time - this particular request is contrary to the public interest for a number of reasons:

i) If Retirement Concepts can't fill the empty spaces in their Phase 3 Building - doesn't common sense dictate you look at your rents you charge.  This is especially true given the long waiting list just to get into WL Seniors' Village already

ii) I still have security concerns re: general public vs clients from WL Seniors' Village including dementia patients.  No security system is 100% fool proof and my conscience requires me to say that if a proposal makes me uncomfortable, like this one, and then I'd rather say no and ask Retirement Concepts to revisit their proposal and rework it.  If Council always said yes to developers no matter what - then the community wouldn't hestiate to through that Council out in favour of a more balanced Council

2) In-Camera Report #4-2011 (Alleged Conflict of Interest Charge against Councillor Rathor)

See that report here but reading this report, it raises a number of questions in my mind including:

a) On April 14th when the letter was received - did Mayor Cook raise this issue with Councillor Rathor? 

b) If so - what was discussed by Council at their In-Camera May 24th meeting regarding this matter?

c) Why the long delay between April 14th to May 24th?  Did Council discuss the option of asking the complainant to appear personally to discuss his concerns in person and then Council could interview Councillor Rathor prior to In-Camera Resolution #43/2011?

Could this issue (In-Camera Report #4) be raised during the upcoming civic election?  Yes - I could see it may and in that event - Mayor Cook, as CEO of the City and Head of WL Council should come out and state the list of events from April 14th - July 5th so the community has a clear picture, from start to finish, what took place

Finally - Quesnel Council, at their Monday meeting, was presented with their Annual Water System report, in accordance with the provincial drinking water legislation/regulations.  The City of WL is under the same requirement to produce a similar report but unlike Quesnel - WL Staff do not bring it to a Council meeting but post it on the City's website here.   

One thing I'd like to see the next WL Council do (2011 Water Report will be produced in 2012) is ask City Staff to bring it forward each year, if not for any other reason to say to the community of Williams Lake we have a safe and secure water system and Staff could also take the time to report on the challenges that the City's water system is facing and recommendations on how to address those concerns in a yearly report to Williams Lake City Council