Tuesday, March 9, 2021

WL Council Highlights - March 9th mtg

Present: Mayor W. Cobb and Councillors Boehm, Bonnell, Brenner, Nelson, Ryll and Smith

Meeting called to order - 6pm

Mayor Cobb recognized that the meeting was being held on Northern Shuswap territory

Meeting Agenda adopted
Minutes of the Special Closed/Regular Meetings of City Council held on Tuesday Feb 23rd, 2021 were received/adopted 

Business:

1) Council received for information the accounts payable computer cheque and EFT listings dated February 18, 25, 26 and March 4, 2021

2) Council ratified an email poll authorizing the purchase of bridges for the River Valley at a cost of $929,802.37, plus applicable taxes, to be drawn from the $3,912,500 recovery budget previously approved, and authoring waiving of the City’s purchasing policy to direct award the sale contract to supply bridges to Formula Contractors Ltd

3) Council agreed to authorize COVID-19 Hardship Grants to local groups, as follows:


         Williams Lake Rotary Club - $2,500

         Williams Lake Cross Country Ski Club - $2,488.95

         Canadian Ski Patrol - $2,000

         Williams Lake Powder Kings Snowmobile Club - $2,500

         Gavin Lake Forest Education Society - $2,500


4) Council authorized:

* Staff to allocate $1,495,768 (after deducting 20% contribution for the bike bridge) from the Sanitary Sewer account to the 2021 Williams Lake Financial Plan (i.e. capital budget)

* the funds only be expended subject to receiving DFA funding approval

* Staff to initiate the discussion with community groups and provincial agencies regarding the cost-sharing of the bike bridge replacement, with the City's contribution being the remainder $34,000 from the existing bike bridge budget

5) Council agreed to provide a letter of support to the Williams Lake First Nation for their application to the UBCM 2021 Community Resiliency Investment Program FireSmart Economic Recovery Fund

6) Council adopted the following Bylaws:

* Building Amendment Bylaw No. 2339, 2021
* Council Procedure Bylaw No. 2343, 2021
* Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling Amendment Bylaw No. 2346, 2021

7) Council endorsed 2 Recommendations from a previous Committee of Whole Council as follows:

a) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #09-2021 and the report of the Chief Financial Officer dated February 26, 2021, Council allocate the remaining unallocated $546,205 from the COVID-19 Safe Restart Grant to boost the uncollected taxation revenues, directing the funds to City's capital program. 

b) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #10-2021 and the report of the Economic Development Officer dated February 22, 2021, Council extend the facility rent relief extended to commercial tenants at Williams Lake Regional Airport (YWL) terminal for an additional period of six months (ending September 30, 2021).

8) Council received a letter from the Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) dated February 19, 2021 requesting support for the Wildlife Advisory Committee's proposed 2022 Hunting Regulation change that will see areas of high recreational immediately around Williams Lake designated as no shooting areas (archery only) to increase the safety of all area users during hunting season and agreed to refer the item to the Cariboo Regional District for their information and comments to the Committee and WLFN

9) Council received a letter outlining the 2021 Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence, Teaching Excellence in STEM and Excellence in Early Childhood Education information from the Government of Canada and encouraging the community of Williams Lake to nominate noteworthy individuals from our community by the April 27, 2021 deadline

10) Council received the minutes of the Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting of February 24th, 2021

11) Council received notification from UBCM in respect of submitted City of Williams Lake Resolutions (Early Childhood Education Labour Force Shortage - as amended) or other supported UBCM Resolutions and the request of Councillor Scott Nelson, a letter will be forwarded to UBCM requesting clarification on the amendment to the UBCM Resolution in respect of Early Childhood Education Labour Force Shortage 

12) Council received the 'Council Information Package' as of March 9th, as follows:

* February 18, 2021 - Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development re 2021 Provincial Tree Planting Program and COVID-19 Protocols

* February 18, 2021 - Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act Update
* February 25, 2021 - Puppy Mill Free Canada re Petition for Animal Welfare Legislation

Mayor Cobb provided a COVID-19 Community Update (Provincial COVID-19 Vaccination Program)
Members of Council and the CAO provided verbal reports on their recent activities... 

Council adjourned at 7:01pm

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