WL Council-in-Committee -- Sept 20th mtg

Present: Mayor W. Cobb; Councillors I. Bonnell, J. Ryll, C. Smith, L. Walters and S. Zacharias

Meeting called to order at 6pm
Meeting Agenda adopted/Mins of the Sept 6th COW Meeting

Business:

1) Finance Committee Recommendations - Nation2Nation Forum; 2017 Budget Schedule and 2017 Financial Plan Direction Report

Discussion ensued

Resolved - That the Committee recommend:

1) Council approve a sponsorship donation in the amount of $2,500 toward the Nation2Nation Forum being held November 17 and 18, 2016 in Williams Lake,
BC; and further, the organizers be provided with information on the City’s Event Hosting Grant Policy and application form for their event.

2) Council approve the 2017 budget schedule as presented

3) Council endorse the following goals for the preparation of the 2017 to 2021 Financial Plan:

a) Continue to strive for the most open and transparent budget process in BC;
b) All budget items be discussed at Committee of the Whole level prior to Council
ratification;
c) Any potential tax increase be allocated to roads and infrastructure

Resolved -  That the Committee recommend:

Council work at facilitating the location of 70 residential care beds in Williams Lake

2) Fire Protection and Control Bylaw Amendment re Fire Department Full Service Level Designation & Mobile Food Vendor Requirements

A report from the Director of Protective Services was presented to the Committee
Discussion ensued thereon

Resolved - That the Committee recommend:

Council endorse the recommended designation for the Williams Lake Fire Department to a Full Service level department, as well as the inclusion of mobile food vendor requirements, and “City of Williams Lake Fire Protection and Control Amendment Bylaw No. 2248” be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd Readings

3) Highway 97 South "Welcome to Williams Lake" Sign & Infrastructure Closure / Removal

A report from the Director of Municipal Services was presented to the Committee
Discussion ensued thereon

Resolved - That the Committee recommend:

Council support the closure of the washroom facilities located at the Welcome to Williams Lake sign pull-out area at the south entrance to the City in the winter of 2016, and removal of the “Welcome to Williams Lake” signage and kiosks in the spring of 2017, and Staff be directed to compose a letter this Fall to representative of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure advising them of our intentions this fall; and further, that Staff be directed to reduce the relevant operating accounts to reflect these changes and bring forward a one-time Capital request of approximately $2,500 for the removal of the infrastructure to be included during 2017 budget discussions.

4) Loader Purchase vs Leasing

A report from the Manager of Water/Waste was presented to the Committee
Discussion ensued thereon

Resolved - That the Committee recommend:

Council allow staff to redirect the $350,000 capital equipment monies approved in the 2016 capital equipment fund for the purchase of a wheel loader to the lease of a wheel loader for winter month operations only ($40,000) and use a portion of the saved monies to purchase a hook truck ($175,000), saving the 2016 capital equipment fund $135,000.

The Committee adjourned at 6:40pm