Williams Lake Council Highlights - October 27, 2026 mtg

Editor's Note -- this is the final meeting of the 2022-2026 Williams Lake Municipal Council

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

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

The Mayor welcomed Cariboo RD Area "D" Director Steve Forseth and incoming Williams Lake City Councillors-elect Paul French, Jason Ryll and Nathan Wiebe to tonight's Council meeting

Meeting Agenda adopted, as amended (Late Item) - click here

Meeting Video - click here

Minutes of the previous Council meeting were received/adopted

Business:

1) Council received for information the cheque listings/Electronic Funds Transfer for the period of October 8-22, 2026

2) Regarding the 2026 Annual "Memory Tree" Celebration -- Council authorized the following: 

a) approve the placement of the 'In Memory' book, signage and ornaments in the Williams Lake City Hall lobby from mid-November 2026 leading up to the event, as well as a donation/draw box to be located at the reception counter during these dates;

b) approve the use of the Williams Lake City Hall lobby and a tree for displaying of the name ornaments from mid-November through December;

c) approve the use of Williams Lake Council Chambers on December 6th for a small ceremony for the reading of the 'In Memory' book names to be recorded and posted for public viewing online;

d) approve the barricading of the Williams Lake City Hall parking lot during the Memory Tree event taking place outside City Hall on Sunday, December 7, 2025 for the lighting of the Hospice Tree, and Staff coordinate the placement of barricades as requested;

e) and that the event be coordinated with City of Williams Lake Staff and the Williams Lake Fire Department

3) Council received for information a letter from the BC Deputy Minister of Public Safety & Solicitor General dated October 21, 2026, following up on the City of Williams Lake's delegation with the Minister of Public Safety/Solicitor-General  at the annual UBCM convention in September 2026 regarding RCMP funding and prolific and repeat offending concerns

4) Council received for information a list of recognitions approved in accordance with Council Policy No. 235 regarding proclamations, flag raising or lighting requests

5) Late Item - Mayor Rathor presented a discussion item around recognition of Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA/Premier-designate Lorne Doerksen as being the 1st Premier of British Columbia from Williams Lake.  Following discussion, the following Resolution was agreed to: 

THAT Council Policy be waived and that a Certificate of Merit be presented to MLA Lorne Doerksen as the 1st Premier of British Columbia from Williams Lake

5) Council received for information the Council Information Package as of October 27, 2026

Members of Council reported on their recent activities as well as "Council Farewell Statements" from the outgoing 2022-2026 Williams Lake City Council

6) Closed Council Meeting

At 6:39 pm -- Council approved the following resolution: 

That Council now resolve into a Closed Meeting, following adjournment of the Open Meeting -- according to Section 92 of the Community Charter (Charter) for discussion of items identified under Section 90 of the Charter:

 (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) 

And then Council adjourned at 6:40pm