Williams Lake Council Highlights - June 10th, 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

Minutes of previous meetings of Council were received/adopted

Meeting Video - click here 

Delegation:

Interior Health appeared before Council, both in-person and Zoom, to provide a general update.  Presentation here

Following their presentation -- a Question/Answer period ensued

Mayor Rathor thanked the delegation for their time/information

Business:

1) Council received for information the accounts payable computer cheque and EFT listings dated May 22, 29 and June 6, 2025

2) Council approved the 2024 Statement of Financial Information (SOFI) report and disclosure schedules for submission to the Province

3) Following Public Input Opportunities -- Council authorized:

a) Development Permit No. 05-2024 for KosCorp Construction, on behalf of ALTA View Holdings Ltd., to permit construction of a new carwash bay addition at the existing automotive repair facility located at 655 Mackenzie Avenue North

b) Development Permit No. 02-2025 for Canadian Tire Corporation, on behalf of Laketown Holdings 2 Ltd., to permit façade renovations to the existing building located at 1050 South Lakeside Drive

4) Council received a letter from Ramandeep Sidhu regarding parking concerns on First Avenue North for information and directed City Staff to maintain the status quo for parking in the area

5) Council approved the request from Hytest Timber Ltd. to transfer their hangar Lease No. CWL2100 to PeyCon Investments Inc. for the remainder of the term effective June 11, 2025

6) Council authorized the use of $98,316.00, plus GST, from Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) funds held in reserve to pave the trail that runs from the entrance of the bridge over Williams Creek at Mackenzie Avenue through to the Nekw7usem Bridge that connects with Scout Island to ensure the trail is accessible for all ages and abilities and Council directed City Staff to consult with the Nature Trust of British Columbia and the Williams Lake Field Naturalists regarding the next phase of ensuring accessibility within Scout Island from the Nekw7usem Bridge to the Accessible Parking Stalls in the main parking lot.

7) Council awarded a number of RFP's or Request for Proposals as follows:

*  purchase of a 2026 diesel powered single axle truck complete with combination gravel box, sander, and under body plow to Velocity Truck Centre for the purchase price of $400,918.56

* purchase a 2025 half ton four door 4x4 pick-up truck to Lake City Ford Sales Ltd. for the purchase price of $104,974.21

*  purchase of a 2025 trailer mounted asphalt dump hotbox to Cubex Equipment Ltd. for the purchase price of $76,739.79

* Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex Gibraltar Room Audio, Visual and Lighting System Upgrades award to Sykes Audio Visual Holdings Inc. dba eightforty for the proposed price of $191,729.72

8) Council adopted "City of Williams Lake Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 2426, 2025"

9) Council endorsed recommendations from previous Committee of the Whole meetings, as follows:

* That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #19-2025, the memorandum from Councillor Moses dated May 29, 2025 be received and Council endorse and submit the proposed UBCM Resolution

* That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #20-2025, the report of the Chief Financial Officer dated May 29, 2025 be received and Council defer endorsing the proposed RCMP 2026-2031 multi-year financial plan and approval of the 2026-2027 budget cap until after a meeting with the RCMP

* That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #21-2025, the City submit a resolution for consideration at the 2025 UBCM convention advocating for the Provincial Government to create more effective policy with regards to the harvesting of dead wood, including an improved pricing model and implementing a more efficient regulatory process that would allow licensees to complete requirements within 90 days; and further, that the proposed resolution be forwarded to the Cariboo Regional District for support.

10) Council received the Minutes of the Central Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting held May 21, 2025

11) Council received for information a letter from the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs dated May 29, 2025 regarding the one-year anniversary of implementation of the provincial Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) requirements

12) Council received for information a letter from the Minister of Forests dated May 29, 2025 responding to the Mayor's letter dated April 23, 2025 requesting the Minister address the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) funding reductions and policy barriers impacting northern communities

13) Council proclaimed the week of July 20-26, 2025 as "National Drowning Prevention Week" in the City of Williams Lake 

14) Council received a report from a previous In-Camera Meeting with a passed Resolution, as follows:

“That the report of the Director of Protective Services dated April 24, 2025 be received and Council

commit to funding the Community Wellbeing and Safety Coordinator position through to the end

of the year and that Council consider adding funding for the Community Wellbeing and Safety Coordinator position as part of the 2026 budget process.” 

15) Council received the "Council Information Package" as of June 10th, 2025

The CAO/Chief Administrative Officer provided a verbal report and responded to questions from members of Council 

And then Council adjourned at 8:27pm