WL Council Highlights - Nov 3rd mtg

Present: Mayor W. Cobb; Councillors Boehm, Bonnell, Brenner, Nelson, Ryll, Smith (Video link - click here)

Meeting called to order - 6:00pm

Meeting Agenda adopted, as amended (2 Late Items)

Minutes of the WL City Council meeting held on Oct 20th, 2020 were received/adopted

Delegation:

1) Daphne Johnson, Executive Director - Williams Lake Hospice Society appeared before Council, via teleconference, to discuss the 2020 Memory Tree Celebration

A Question/Answer period ensued

Mayor Cobb, on behalf of Council, thanked Ms. Johnson for her time/information

Resolved  -- Council authorized the following in regards to the 2020 Memory Tree Celebration:

1) the placement of the 'In Memory' Book, signage and ornaments in the City Hall lobby from November 12 to 30, 2020, as well as a donation/draw box to be located at the reception counter during these dates;

2) the use of the City Hall lobby and tree for displaying of the name ornaments from November 12 through to Christmas and;

3) the use of Council Chambers for a small ceremony for the reading of the 'In Memory' Book names to be recorded and posted for public viewing online 

Business:

1) Council received for information the accounts payable computer cheque and EFT listings dated October 15, 22 and 29, 2020

2) Council authorized removal of the permissive property tax exemption for the property located at 289 Third Avenue North (old Youth for Christ) as it no longer conforms to the conditions necessary to qualify for a tax exemption and accordingly, Council gave 1st, 2nd and 3rd Readings to City of Williams Lake Permissive Tax Exemption Amendment Bylaw No. 2342, 2020

3) Council approved submission of the 2020 UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) Structural Flood Mitigation grant application in the amount of $750,000 for River Valley flood mitigation projects

4) Council ratified an email poll authorizing a letter of support endorsing the Cariboo Heritage Park Society’s application to the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP) and other similar grants 

5) Council approved entering into the Rural Fringe Fire Protection Extension Agreement for a three-year term from 2021 through 2023 with the Cariboo Regional District for portions of Cariboo RD Areas D,E,F and the Mayor and Corporate Officer be authorized to sign the Agreement on behalf of the City.

6) Council endorsed a Central Cariboo Joint Committee recommendation to approve the 2021 Joint Committee Meeting Schedule - view here

7) Council endorsed 3 Committee of the Whole recommendations, as follows:

a) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #10-2020, the report of the Planner dated October 27, 2020 be received and Council direct staff to add this project to the workplan for 2021 so staff can begin drafting an updated bylaw scheduled for completion in Fall 2021; and further, that approximately $5,000 be granted to complete a legal review of the updated Zoning Bylaw from the 2021 legal operating budget

b) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #11-2020, the report of the Economic Development Officer dated October 23, 2020, together with In-Camera Report #07-2020, regarding options for an application to the Province of BC's New Child Care Spaces fund be received and that staff be directed to proceed with investigations and consultations for a future intake of this program

c) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #12-2020, City Council oppose the release of Tyrell Giroux into the Williams Lake area; and further, that staff be directed to draft a letter to the judge reviewing the case, Crown Counsel and the RCMP outlining the concerns related to releasing this individual in the community and recommending that GPS monitoring be used regardless of where he is released.

8) Council received for public information "In-Camera Report #6, 2020" in respect of a passed Resolution in regards to waiving of commercial rent for certain tenants at the Williams Lake Regional Airport.  The resolution that was agreed to at the Closed (In-Camera) Council Meeting of October 20th, 2020 was:

“That pursuant to the report of the Economic Development Officer and the Corporate Officer dated October 9, 2020, Council waive facility rent fees and minimum required payments for commercial tenants at Williams Lake Regional Airport terminal for a period of six months, effective October 2020; and further, that this decision and a summary of the rationale for providing the waiver be brought forward to a public meeting.” 

View more here

9) Late Item #1 -- Council awarded the Flood Risk Assessment, Flood Mapping, and Mitigation Study contract to Tetra Tech Canada Inc. for a total amount of $134,605, plus GST.

10) Late Item #2 -- Council directed City Staff to postpone the Public Hearing for Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2336, 2020 (2000 Mackenzie Ave. North - former Glendale Trading building) originally scheduled to be held at City Hall on November 17, 2020 at 7:00 PM until such time that staff receive revised drawings for this proposal, and be staff be directed to issue notice of this postponement to property owners and tenants within 100m of the subject property that were previously advised of the Public Hearing and Council rescinded second reading of Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2336, 2020.

11) Council received the 'Council Information Package' as of Nov 3rd, 2020 as follows:

* October 20, 2020 - UBCM re 2019 Community Child Care Planning Program (Williams Lake Child Care Plan) - view here

* October 27, 2020 - Regional Community Airports of Canada re Canada's Regional and Community Airports Expect Massive Fee Increases and Operational Service Reductions in 2021 - view here

Members of Council and the CAO provided oral reports on their recent activities... 

Media Question Period -- none (Williams Lake Tribune/Goat Radio)

Council adjourned at 6:40pm