WL Council Highlights - March 21st mtg

 Present: Mayor SPS Rathor; Councillors Boehm (via Zoom), Delainey, Lyons, Nelson and Moses

Meeting called to order following the Public Hearing for Bylaws #2378/2379, 2023 (Meeting Agenda here/Meeting Video here)

Mayor Rathor recognized that the meeting was taking place on the traditional, unceded territory of the Williams Lake First Nation within Secwepemculecw

Meeting Agenda approved with 2 Late Items

Minutes of the City Council meeting held on March 7th, 2023 was received/adopted

Items from Public Hearing(s):

1) Following a Public Hearing held earlier today -- Council gave 3rd Reading to Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 2378, 2023 and Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2379, 2023 for property at 575 Wotzke Drive.  Adoption will be held in abeyance until Minister of Transportation or his delegate approves Bylaw #2379, 2023 as per Section 52 of the Transportation Act

Delegations/Presentations:

1) Willie Dye presented an update to Council in regards to the 2023 Williams Lake Stampede Parade

A Question/Answer period ensued

Mayor Rathor, on behalf of Council, thanked Mr. Dye for his time/information

2) "Accessibility Award of Merit" Presentation to the Williams Lake Curling Club

3) Maureen Straza, Accessibility Advisory Committee Chair appeared before Council to present the Accessibility Advisory Committee's 2022 Year-End Report

A Question/Answer period ensued

Mayor Rathor, on behalf of Council, thanked Committee Chair Straza for her time/information

Resolved -- That the report of the Accessibility Advisory Committee Chair and Legislative Services Assistant Coordinator dated February 1, 2023 regarding a summary of the AAC's goals and successes from 2022 be received for information.

Business:

1) Council received for information the computer cheque lists/EFT lists for March 9 and 16

2) Council gave first and second readings to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2385, 2023, and staff be directed to issue two weeks’ notice in the local newspaper and that a Public Hearing be scheduled for April 18th, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall

3) Council ratified two email polls as follows:

i)  That pursuant to the report of the Legislative Services Assistant Coordinator dated March 10, 2023, the poll of Council conducted on March 10, 2023 directing staff to submit three resolutions for consideration at the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) AGM in May 2023, be ratified.

ii) That pursuant to the report of the Legislative Services Assistant Coordinator dated March 16, 2023,  the poll of Council conducted on March 15, 2023 directing staff to submit a ride hailing resolution for consideration at the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) AGM in May 2023, be ratified.

4) Council gave first, second and third readings to "Building Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 2387, 2023" (Energy Conversation - Alternate Option)

5) Council agreed to schedule the date for the Parcel Tax Roll Reviews to be held in Williams Lake Council Chambers, as follows:

 

Water and Sewer        April 28 @ 9:00 am

 

Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area April 28 @ 9:30 am

6) Council awarded the contract for an Asset Management Consultant Service to Pillar Systems Inc. for their proposed price of $79,296.00 including GST and PST.

7) Council endorsed 2 recommendations from a previously held Committee of the Whole meeting, as follows:

i) That, pursuant to Committee of the Whole Council Report #15-2023 and the report of the Director of Municipal Services dated February 1, 2023 regarding the City's Snow and Ice Policy, that staff be directed to bring back a report on potential City support for a volunteer program to assist with snow clearing needs (i.e. a "snow-angel" program).”

ii) That, pursuant to the Committee of the Whole Council Report #16-2023 and the report of the Director of Municipal Services dated March 9, 2023, Council approve installation of the five accessible parking stalls at the Seniors Activity Centre and provide up to $55,000 for the project and related walkway upgrades to increase connectivity in the area.

8) Council authorized the Annual Graduation Parade scheduled for Saturday, June 10, 2022 beginning at 5:00 PM, along the route as outlined from the WL Dry Grad Committee and subject to RCMP approval

9) Council received a letter from the Union of BC Municipalities dated March 6, 2023 regarding the Provincial Government response to 2022 Resolutions submitted by the City of Williams Lake

10) Council authorized a Temporary Street Closure Request from the Williams Lake Cycling Club Mountain Bike Races to be held on May 2nd, 2023 

11) Council proclaimed or authorized two events as follows:

i) "Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month" (May 2023)

ii) Lighting of City Hall in Green on May 3, 2023 for Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Councillor J. Lyons declared a conflict on the next item as it involves her business and left Council Chambers 

12) Late Item -- Council authorized a temporary street closure of the sections of Oliver Street and Second Avenue North for the annual 2023 Easter Festival to be held Sunday, April 9, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Councillor J. Lyons returned to Council Chambers 

13) Late Item #2 - Councillor Nelson provided a verbal report about a homeless camp at the Scout Island Riparian area

Discussion ensued thereon

Resolved: That City Staff work with the appropriate agencies to remove the homeless camp from the Scout Island Riparian area

14) Council received the Council Information Package as of March 21st, 2023

Resolved -- That a letter of thanks be provided to BC's Health Minister (Hon. Adrian Dix) for the benefits of the BC Farmers' Market Nutrition Coupon Program

Members of Council reported on their recent activities

Council adjourned at 7:32pm