Williams Lake Council Highlights - September 8, 2026 mtg

Present in WL Council Chambers:

Mayor Rathor; Councillors Boehm, Delainey, Lyons and Nelson

Present via Zoom:

Councillors Flaspohler and Moses

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 adopted - click here

Meeting Video - click here

Minutes of the previous Council meeting were received/adopted

Delegation:

1) Janda Group appeared before Council to provide a verbal update on the Boitanio Mall Residential Housing Development

Following their presentation -- A Question/Answer period ensued

Mayor Rathor thanked the delegation for their time/information 

Business:

1) Council received/received for information the following: 

* accounts payable computer cheque and Electronic Funds Transfer listings dated August 27 and September 3, 2026 

* "Council Information Package" as of September 8, 2026

2) Council endorsed a recommendation from a previous Committee of the Whole meeting, as follows: 

Council receive for information the report of the Community Well-Being & Safety Coordinator and further:

 A. That Council use the attached summary to inform discussions and advocacy efforts at the upcoming UBCM Convention focussing on the reports top recommendations and requesting:

    i. expanded access to mental health, detox and withdrawal services in Williams Lake,

    ii. additional policing resources in Williams Lake, and

    iii. the creation of 50 additional complex care housing units in Williams Lake.

B. That, following the 2026 UBCM Convention, staff review the immediate, local level recommendations from the attached survey for potential options to consider in the near/medium term; and

C. That information gathered through the survey, interviews, and public engagement session be used to help inform future strategic planning and current community safety initiatives, as well as the 2027 budget process.”

At the request of Councillor Nelson, it was RESOLVED:

That Council request Staff to arrange a meeting between Red Road Recovery/Interior Health with the key goal to establish expanded access to mental health, addictions, involuntary and detox beds for Williams Lake 

Motion for Closed Council Meeting - 6:48pm:

It was RESOLVED:

Following adjournment of the Open Council Meeting -- Council proceed into a Closed Meeting according to Section 92 of the Community Charter for discussion of items identified under Sections 90(1) of the Community Charter, as follows:

1a - personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality, 

1c - labour relations or other employee relations AND

1j - information that is prohibited, or information that if it were presented in a document would be prohibited, from disclosure, under Section 21 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

And then Council adjourned at 6:49pm