Meeting called to order at 6:00pm
Mayor Rathor recognized that the meeting was taking place on the traditional unceded territory of Williams Lake First Nation within Secwepemculecw
Meeting Agenda approved - click here
Meeting Video - click here
Minutes of the previous City Council meeting was adopted
Delegations/Presentations:
1) Mayor Rathor, on behalf of Council, congratulated Mr. Dave Dickson, Director of Emergency Support Service on Receiving the ‘Canadian Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award for Outstanding Contribution to Emergency Management’
2) Melissa LaPointe, Cariboo Chilcotin Healthcare Landing Coordinator appeared before Council to discuss Program Summary, Overview & Outcomes for Healthcare Recruitment/Retention in Central/South Cariboo. Presentation here
Following the presentation -- a Question/Answer period ensued
Mayor Rathor, on behalf of Council, thanked Ms. Lapointe for her time/information
3) Carl Schooner, Sr. from Bella Coola appeared before Council regarding a missing family member in the Williams Lake area going back to December 2022 - background here
Following the presentation -- a Question/Answer period ensued
Mayor Rathor, on behalf of Council, thanked Mr. Schooner, Sr. for his time/information
Response to Delegations:
1) That Council receive for information the presentation of Melissa LaPointe, Cariboo Chilcotin Healthcare Landing Program regarding an overview, summary and outcomes of the Healthcare Landing Program
2) Council agreed to donate $250 to support the Schooner family’s travel expenses, as well as a collection to assist with supplies and resources.
Business:
1) Council received for information the accounts payable computer cheque and EFT listings dated February 20 and 27, 2025
2) Council approved a 2025 Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) application to the Economic Development Capacity Building program for up to $50,000 to offset the wages of the Economic Development Manager of the City of Williams Lake
3) Council approved entering into the proposed Licence of Occupation Agreement with Wave Properties Ltd. for an existing overhead awning sign located at 59 First Avenue South
4) Council gave consideration of approval for the late 2025 Community Grant application from the British Columbia Chapter of The Wildlife Society (Society) and directed that $2,000 be granted to the Society
5) Council gave 1st, 2nd and 3rd Readings to City of Williams Lake Financial Plan Bylaw No. 2422, 2025". Council divided - Motion approved by the following vote:
Affirmative -- Mayor SPS Rathor, Councillors Boehm, Delainey and Nelson (4)
Negative -- Councillors J. Flaspohler, J. Lyons and M. Moses (3)
6) Council gave 1st, 2nd and 3rd Readings to "City of Williams Lake Development Cost Charge Reserve Funds Expenditure Bylaw No. 2424, 2025 (Water Treatment Plant)"
7) Council considered a report of the Chief Financial Officer respecting an early debt repayment option for the City of Williams Lake (Williams Lake Fire Hall Long Term Loan from 2008) and directed that Staff pursue with MFA (Municipal Finance Authority) the retirement of the long term debt (WL Fire Hall) of $2,321,083.88 with the funding source being the City's General Fund Reserve, to paid back over a 5 year period with an self-determined interest rate of 1%
8) Council awarded the Contract for pipeline pigging of sewer force mains to Southwestern Flowtech & Environmental Ltd. dba SFE S Ltd. and SFE Global for the bid price of $90,930.00, including applicable taxes
9) Council endorsed 2 recommendations from a previous Committee of the Whole meeting, as follows:
i) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #06-2025, the City of Williams Lake endorse and support a feasibility study exploring a substantive expansion and enhancement of the existing Central Cariboo Arts Centre, including an increase in the building's footprint, size and capacity; and further, that Council direct staff to investigate options for nearby parking lots to accommodate community access to support this facility.
ii) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #07-2025, Council receive and approve submission of the drafted resolution on prolific offenders for consideration at the 2025 North Central Local Government Association Convention.
10) Council proclaimed March 31, 2025 as "Transgender Day of Visibility" in the City of Williams Lake, pursuant to City policy, and the lights of City Hall be changed to blue, pink and white, the colours of the transgender flag, in recognition of this day
11) Council received the "Council Information Package" as of March 4th, 2025 and at the request of Councillor Nelson -- Council agreed to send a letter to the Provincial Government advising that the City of Williams Lake supports continuation of BC's Fairs, Festivals and Events Fund
12) Council discussed Standing Agenda Items regarding Atlantic Power and the Water Treatment Plant
Resolved: That the City of Williams Lake Media Release dated February 21, 2025, together with the letter from the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) dated February 21, 2025 supporting continued operations of Atlantic Power Corporation's Williams Lake power plant and urging the provincial government to address the viability of independent power producers utilizing wood fibre and the stability of electricity supply, and the letter to Minister Dix dated February 19, 2025 be received for information
Resolved: That quarterly updates be provided regarding the Water Treatment Plant
Members of Council then provided verbal reports as to their recent activities...
Resolved: That Roundtable (verbal reports of Members of Council) be suspended effectively immediately until November 2025
CONTRARY TO THE MOTION: Mayor SPS Rathor and Councillor S. Nelson
Resolved: That Staff be directed to suspend purchases that originate from the United States, pending a Staff report on US Tariffs/Next steps... (Staff report expected to be presented at Committee of the Whole meeting of March 11th, 2025)
CONTRARY TO THE MOTION: Councillors A. Delainey, J. Flaspohler, J. Lyons
And then Council adjourned at 8:16pm
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