Williams Lake Council Highlights - March 18th, 2025 mtg

Present: Mayor Rathor; Councillors Boehm, Delainey, Lyons, Moses and Nelson

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:

Maureen Straza, Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee appeared before Council to present the Committee's 2024 Year-End Report

Following her presentation -- a Question/Answer period ensued... 

Mayor Rathor, on behalf of Council, thanked Ms. Straza for her time/information

Editor's Note -- Ms. Straza is a resident of Tyee Lake, a unincorporated community in Electoral Area "D" of the Cariboo Regional District

Business arising from Delegations/Presentations:

That the report of the Accessibility Advisory Committee Chair and Legislative Services Assistant Coordinator dated February 25, 2025 regarding a summary of the AAC's goals and successes from 2024 be received for information; and further, that Council approve the Accessibility Advisory Committee’s updated ‘Strategic Priorities & Goals’ as presented -- click here

Business:

1) Council received for information the accounts payable computer cheque and EFT listings dated March 6 and 13, 2025

2) Council received for information the report of the Manager of Planning and Development dated March 11, 2025, regarding BC Building Code updates

3) Council ratified an email poll authorizing the City to submit the proposed resolution regarding active transportation on rural highways to the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) for consideration at their 2025 AGM/Convention

4) Council received an update from Mayor Rathor concerning the 2025 Local Government Leadership Academy Annual Leadership Forum held in Richmond, BC from March 12-14, 2025 

5) Council awarded the CMRC (Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex) Energy Recovery Tender to Fraser Valley Refrigeration Ltd. for the tendered price of $1,242,289.65 including applicable taxes

6) Council adopted the following Bylaws:

a) City of Williams Lake Financial Plan Bylaw No. 2422, 2025"

CONTRARY TO THE MOTION: Councillor J. Lyons 

b) "City of Williams Lake Development Cost Charge Reserve Fund Expenditure Bylaw No. 2424, 2025"

7) Council endorsed 2 recommendations from the March 11st, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting, as follows:

a) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #08-2025, and the report of the Procurement and Asset Management Coordinator dated February 19, 2025, Council receive this report for information, and that:

· Council express support for Federal and Provincial efforts to respond to US tariffs,

· The City launch and support a "Made in Canada" campaign,

· The City put major capital purchases on hold until further direction is provided by the Provincial and Federal governments, and

· That Council direct staff to take all efforts to purchase Canadian made goods and services where possible to achieve operational needs.

CONTRARY TO THE MOTION: Councillor A. Delainey 

b) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #10-2025 and the report of the Director of Community Services dated March 6, 2025, Council approve the termination of the security services at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex effective April 7, 2025, and further that this decision be shared for information at a future Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting.

8) Council received for information minutes of the Central Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting held February 26, 2025

9) Council received for information a letter from the Union of BC Municipalities dated February 26, 2025 regarding endorsement by the UBCM Executive of Resolution 2024-NR102 'Legislative Changes to Permit Alkaline Hydrolysis Funerals'  (joint resolution between City of Williams Lake/Cariboo Regional District)

10) Council received a letter from Arjun Singh, Better Citizen Solutions dated March 14, 2025 regarding the Local Government Offsite Housing Accelerator project and a request for a letter of support and directed that a letter of support be provided 

Resolved: That a meeting be arranged with local representatives from the BC Ministry of Transportation/Transit regarding housing opportunities at Prosperity Way 

11) Council proclaimed the following:

* the month of May 2025 be proclaimed as "Hospice Palliative Care Awareness Month" in the City of Williams Lake

* the week of May 1 to 7, 2025 be proclaimed "Youth Week" in the City of Williams Lake

* Council authorized the raising of the BGC (Boys and Girls Club) flag and the lights of City Hall be changed to green on June 6, 2025 for BGC Club Day

12) Council received the "Council Information Package" as of March 18th, 2025

Council received the final Standing Update for Atlantic Power, as the Atlantic Power Plant in Williams Lake will now remain operational with their current BC Hydro contract in place until 2029 (item to be removed from future Council Agendas) and Council agreed to provide thank you letters to those individuals or organizations who assisted in lobbying jointly to keep the Atlantic Power plant operational in Williams Lake... 

Council received an verbal update from the Chief Administrative Officer - as provided by the Corporate Officer 

And then Council adjourned at 6:50pm