#Quesnel City Council - July 28th mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Fire Training Equipment Disposal Council approved the disposal of four Atco Trailers and large metal tubes that were previously used by the City of Quesnel and the Cariboo Regional District Volunteer Fire Departments for fire-training purposes. The costs to dispose of this obsolete training equipment will be shared between the City of Quesnel and the Cariboo Regional District.

Revised Development Permit – 726 Front Street Council approved revisions to a Development Permit considered in September of last year at 726 Front Street. The new proposal is a three-storey apartment building with 26 unitswhich required a variance for reduced bicycle parking units to ten.

Request to Donate Paving – Portion of Woodridge Road Council approved the request to allow for the donation of paving of approximately 110 m of Woodridge Road that will meet all City road construction/inspection standards. This donation request was approved due to the rural nature of the area, improved road maintenance conditions, and no negative impacts to other property owners. Staff stated that they would request the landowner wishing to complete this paving project to communicate with the homeowners on Woodridge Road.

Museum and Visitor Centre Renovation – Contract Award Council approved awarding the Museum and Visitor Centre Renovation Project to James and Sons Electric Ltd. For more details on this project please visit the City’s “Major Initiatives” website page.

Next Meeting 6:00 pm, August 25, 2020 - Regular Council Meeting

West Quesnel Land Stability newsletter delivered...

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

By now, most City of Quesnel residents and businesses should have received a special edition of the Q-City News. The West Quesnel Land Stability newsletter details the plans for the upcoming year, and provides a brief look at the progress to date and some next steps.

The full-scale dewatering program, designed to help reduce land movement in the West Quesnel Land Stability study area, is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2012. The $4.7 million project will see the installation of 14 pumping wells, nine horizontal drain sites consisting of more than 70 drains, and storm water system improvements for West Quesnel and area residents.

"Our residents deserve to know how this project is going. We're committed as a City Council to keeping them informed," said Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom. "I encourage people to read the newsletter or visit our West Quesnel Land Stability website to learn more about the work we're doing."

The City will host a public information session in the late winter; details about this meeting will be announced soon. More information about the West Quesnel Land Stability Program, as well as a digital version of the most recent newsletter, can be found at www.quesnel.ca/WQLS.html More than $3.1 million was provided by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia, through the Building Canada Fund-Communities Component program, part of Canada's Economic Action Plan for this project.

The City of Quesnel also contributed more than $1.5 million to pay for the full-scale dewatering program. In addition to the federal and provincial contributions, the City of Quesnel has invested more than $2.1 million on the West Quesnel Land Stability Program since 2000.

WL Council Highlights - Jan 10th meeting

Present:

Mayor Cook and Councillors’ I. Bonnell, G. Bourdon, D. Hughes, SPS Rathor, L. Walters and S. Zacharias

Staff Present:

Brian Carruthers - CAO
Cindy Bouchard – Manager of Legislative Services
Tom Chung – IT Manager
Ken MacInnis – Communications Coordinator
Lilliana Dragowska – Planner

Meeting called to order at 6:02pm
Minutes of Dec 6th Inaugural Meeting of WL Council and Dec 20th, 2011 WL Council meeting approved

Delegations:

1) Sheila Mortensen (Acting President), Nancy Gale, Bob Sunner and Judy O'Neill (Executive Director) from WL Business Improvement Area appeared before Council re: Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the City of WL & WL Central Business Improvement Area

2) Bruce Mack from Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy appeared before Council re: Partners Literacy Update and Literacy Week Proclamation

3) Inspector Warren Brown appeared before Council to discuss RCMP Crime Stats Update

Business:

1) Council approved travel and associated expenses for Mayor and Council and City of WL CAO Brian Carruthers to attend the Local Government Leadership Academy (LGLA) 2012 Elected Officials Seminar in Prince George, BC from February 27th – 29th, 2012.

2) Council authorized an amendment to "Williams Lake Central Business Improvement Area Bylaw No. 2063, 2008" to remove the requirement under Section 8.1 that the WLCBIA submit an audited financial statement to the City by February 15, 2012 and Section 8.1 be amended to reflect the continued acceptance annually of a Non-Profit Organization Information Return including an Unaudited Notice to Reader as requested by the WLCBIA on December 5th, 2011

3) Council approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Williams Lake and the Williams Lake Central Business Improvement Area and the Mayor was authorized to sign on behalf of the City.

4) After receiving no public submissions and a green light from the City’s Advisory Planning Commission – Council approved DVP # 10-2011 (Ross Cauley) subject to registration of a restrictive covenant pursuant to Section 219 of the Land Title Act, specifying no new buildings or further subdivision of the subject properties until servicing standards outlined in the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw No. 1730, 2000 or subsequent enacted bylaw are met.

5) Council received a report from the Planning Technician (C. Hutton) regarding an overview of, and invitation to, the upcoming Heritage Values Workshop being held at the new Fire Hall on Saturday, January 21, 2012 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

6) Council adopted Zoning Amendment Bylaws #2151, 2011 and 2099, 2009

7) Council adopted Proclamations for Family Literacy Week (Jan 23-27) and Catholic Schools Week (Feb 5-11) (Councillor Danica Hughes opposed to Catholic Schools Week Proclamation as she felt the City should take a more neutral stance with respect to Proclamations for Private Schools)

8) Council received In-Camera Report #10-2011 (Letter from Big Lake Community re: WL Community Forest) which read as follows

“That pursuant to the request of the Big Lake Community in their letter dated December 18th, 2011, Council communicate to the community of Big Lake their intent to meet in January 2012 regarding the City of Williams Lake – Williams Lake Indian Band Community Forest proposal.” 

Note - CAO Carruthers tonight suggested that the above referred to meeting could occur as early as Friday and involve both CRD Area 'F' Director Joan Sorley and Cariboo-North MLA Bob Simpson to facilitate 

Mayor Cook declared a personal conflict on the next item as she is a resident of Woodland Drive
Acting Mayor Ivan Bonnell assumed the Chair

9) Late Item – Council received a report for information from the CAO regarding the failed grant for Woodland Drive Water/Sewer and the letter from UBCM will now be referred to Council’s Planning and Operations Committee for recommendations to Council (Meeting to occur on January 17th). Woodland Drive residents will also be formally advised of same - read the late report of the CAO here

Mayor Cook resumed the Chair

10) Council received the “Council Information Package” as follows:

December 2011-January 2012 - Letters of Congratulations to Mayor and Council on Elections/Re-Elections - read here

December 13, 2011 - Letter from Gas Tax/Public Transit Management Services re Innovations
Fund Application for Overall Stormwater Management Project Phase 3 Funding – Approved (Council to send a letter of appreciation to UBCM for this approved funding) - read here

Quesnel Council meets Tuesday...

Quesnel Council will be the first local government in the Cariboo-Chilcotin to meet in 2012

See their Agenda here

The meeting takes place on Tuesday at 7pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (2nd Flr - 410 Kinchant St)

Detailed Review of 3rd Quarter - City of WL

See the full 3rd Quarter Report here

Budget Numbers:

General Fund - most #'s on track except "Other Finance Charges" which is 153.55% over budget.  Spent $56,966 with $37,100 budgeted

Water Fund - on track

Sewer Fund - on track

Transit Fund - on track

Airport Fund - Revenue down significantly.  $634,974 received to date but 2011 Budget booked $1,538,120 or 41.28% of the 2011 Budget with 3 months to go

Mayor/Council Budgets:

To the end of September 2011

Mayor Cook - spent $4,456 of $10,600 or 42.04% of her Budget
Councillor Rathor - spent $3,943 of $5,560 or 70.92% of his Budget
Councillor Barr - spent $2,412 of $5,560 or 43.39% of his Budget
Councillor Walters - spent $1,816 of $5,560 or 32.66% of her Budget
Councillor Bourdon - spent $1,361 of $5,560 or 24.48% of his Budget
Councillor Zacharias - spent $741 of $5,560 or 13.32% of her Budget

Other Significant Info:


1) Community Services Committee recently reviewed options to move forward on Station House Gallery project.  A meeting is scheduled to occur with the Station House Gallery Board in Quarter 4 (Oct 1 - Dec 31st).  Attempt underway to purchase land at cost of roughly $50,000

Editor's Note - wouldn't it be more appropriate, now that the provincial grant for this project was denied, to put this project on hold until the next Council is elected and sworn in and then they can decide if they want to pursue this project or not...?

2) No decision to date on federal grant to help complete Woodland Drive Water/Sewer Upgrades
3) Building Inspection, Fire Department and Snow Removal Service Delivery Reviews to be completed in Quarter 4 (Oct 1st - Dec 31st)
4) A number of projects were deferred until 2012 including:

a) Electronic Signs for McKenzie Ave
b) Duncan Rd Cul-de-Sac
c) Phases 1, 2 and 3 of River Valley Storm Outfall Upgrades
d) Tree Farm at WL Regional Airport

Quesnel/WL City Councils' meet next week

Next week - only City Councils' for Quesnel and Williams Lake are meeting as follows:

Monday, August 29th - City of Quesnel:

Delegation Session which starts at 7pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (410 Kinchant St).
See the Agenda/Reports here

Tuesday, August 30th - City of Williams Lake:

Regular Council Meeting which starts at 6:00pm in WL Council Chambers (450 Mart St)
See the Agenda/Reports here

City of WL receives ICBC Funding for Traffic Lights at 3rd Ave and Oliver St

From the City of Williams Lake:

The City of Williams Lake is pleased that the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia has approved $11,200 in funding from the Road Improvement Program for the signal upgrade project at 3rd Avenue and Oliver Street.

The signal upgrade was completed last month. As with the upgraded traffic lights at 2nd Avenue and Oliver Street, a voice feature informs pedestrians when it is safe to cross the street, and which street is safe to cross. The system is activated by pressing the buttons on the poles at the corners of the intersections. The upgrade also includes efficient LED lights, cameras, and street lights at all four corners.

“Safety for both motorists and pedestrians is a top priority in the downtown core, and these signal upgrades help us create safe intersections,” says General Manager of Planning and Operations Geoff Goodall. “We’re happy to have this funding from ICBC toward the cost of the project.”

“Our road improvement program works in partnership with municipalities and the provincial government to help make roads safer,” says ICBC’s John Pump, manager of the road improvement program. “Safer roads lead to fewer crashes and help prevent injuries and death, which also translates into lower claims costs and helps keep rates stable for our customers.”

For more information please contact:

Geoff Goodall
General Manager of Planning & Operations - City of Williams Lake
Phone 250 392-1766 or email him at ggoodall@williamslake.ca

Michelle Hargrave
ICBC
Phone - 250-979-4642

2011 Paving Program Update - City of Williams Lake

From the City of Williams Lake:

Milling and paving of 2nd Avenue (Oliver Street to Mackenzie Avenue) and 3rd Avenue (Barnard Street to Mackenzie Avenue) has been completed. Milling of Oliver Street (8th Avenue to Mackenzie Avenue) has also been completed, with paving expected to begin tonight or tomorrow night, weather permitting.

Milling is now expected to begin on 11th Avenue North, from Smedley Street to Highway 97, and Toop Road, from Centennial Drive to Highway 97.

Flagging crews will assist in directing traffic, and motorist cooperation is appreciated. In addition, no street parking will be allowed on these stretches of street when no parking signs are displayed.

Quesnel Community EDC reviews their ongoing work

Quesnel Community Economic Development Corporation or QCEDC reviews their on-going work at their blog here

While I applaud the QCEDC for their hard work to attract provincial/federal government dollars and other investments to Quesnel, I, as a Williams Lake resident, am disappointed with the little or no work our local Economic Development Corporation and WL Council as done on the Economic Development front.  Sure - some bike trails and related work has been done and plenty of work on Arts and Culture but again - where is the work to create job s for youth or someone who has to support a family.  As WL City Councillor Walters noted in December of 2008 at the inaugural meeting of the 2008-2011 WL Council - The last Council has left us with $50 million in development opportunities.  I'd like to ask her - where did that $50 million in development opportunities go??

SBF

Quesnel Council Highlights - August 15th meeting

Quarterly update reviewed

Council received a budget review ending June 30. It is too early in the year to review operational spending on a line-by-line basis. Generally speaking, however, operational spending is in line with budgets. In addition, capital spending is also on track. A few key variances were highlighted for Council's attention.

The City received $30,000 less in franchise fees from FortisBC.

RCMP force billing is underspent by $100,000.

Due to heavy snowfall last winter, the snowfall budget has been used. (Council will likely have to allocate funds to the snowfall budget from another source later in the year.)

Emergency training planned

The City, in partnership with a large number of stakeholders, will conduct an emergency planning exercise on the morning of Friday Sept. 23. The Quesnel Regional Airport is regulated by Transport Canada and must conduct a full-scale emergency exercise once every five years to test the emergency response plan. The scenario will involve a downed aircraft at the top of Dragon Lake Hill near the FortisBC pumping station. There will be many emergency response vehicles at the scene on that day, but residents need not worry as it will just be an exercise.

Council allocates grant funding

Every year the City receives small community and traffic fine grants to help offset operational costs. The City received more in 2011 than expected as the province "front-loaded" the grants. It is expected the revenues will be smaller for 2012 and 2013. Rather than allocating all the grant funding to 2011, Council opted to allocate the extra $50,000 into the 2012 and 2013 budget years ($25,000 in each year).

Bylaw review ongoing

The City's ongoing review of its bylaws continues. At last night's meeting, Council:

Began the process of repealing the Village of Quesnel Sanitary Regulations By-law No. 100 of 1950. This was a housekeeping matter, as the provisions were either out of date or  covered in other legislation or City bylaws.

Provided the first three readings for a number of amendments to the City's Building Bylaw 1550. The changes involve a number of housekeeping amendments to improve harmonization with governing legislation, the City's Master Fees Bylaw and text changes to improve clarity.

Rescinded a policy on response to automated fire alarms, as provisions for these responses have been made under Section 12 of the City's recently adopted Fire Protection, Prevention and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1685.    

Other news

The Miss Quesnel Self Development Program was well represented Monday evening. The new royalty, Miss Quesnel, Jadyn Koldeweihe, and Princesses Mickaela Ezowski and Victoria Lefebvre were welcomed to their role as community ambassadors for the coming year. Council also thanked the outgoing royalty, Miss Quesnel, Lauren Perdue and Princesses Tanis Petrin and Daveen Panasar for their good work. Lastly, Council recognized program co-ordinator Liz Miller for her tireless efforts in organizing and promoting the Miss Quesnel program.

Council also thanked long-time School Board Trustee and Chair Caroline Nielsen for her commitment to the community. Nielsen is moving to be closer to family.

Council approved the City entering a five-year lease renewal for the Hudson's Bay Company building with the Quesnel Crafters Society. The annual rental rate increases by 2% each year in years two through five of the agreement, with the total value of the agreement $45,700.

Important Dates

August 26 to 28 - Prospectors Car Club Annual Show & Shine September 18 - 31st Annual Terry Fox Run - 9 a.m. registration in LeBourdais Park

Next Committee of the Whole Meeting:
Monday August 22, 7 p.m.

Next Delegation Meeting:

Monday August 29, 7 p.m.
Next Regular Council Meeting: 
Tuesday September 6, 7 p.m.

Next North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee Meeting:
Tuesday September 13 - 5:30 p.m.

Victoria trying to ram "Municipal Auditor-General" down local governments' throat??

Earlier this year - BC Premier Christy Clark committed to a Municipal Auditor-General for the roughly 159 local governments (municipalities/regional districts) throughout BC, during the BC Liberal Party Leadership Race

Earlier this month - Ida Chong, the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development sent out a letter and survey to all local governments in BC on the idea around a Municipal Auditor General.  Read that letter here

As well - see the actual Government of BC survey to all local governments on a Municipal Auditor-General here.  The BC Government has asked the survey to be returned no later than September 9th.  Also find a statement from the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to its' members' on this subject here along with a background paper on this topic, again from UBCM here

My Analysis:

1) The actual survey language suggests that Victoria has no real interest in consulting local governments in BC on a Municipal Auditor-General and in fact, they are going through this survey exercise to give the appearance of "consultation"

2) While I understand other provinces do in fact have an "Municipal Auditor-General", like Ontario and Nova Scotia and I fully appreciate that the BC Chamber of Commerce has specifically asked for a Municipal Auditor-General - I don't think that this idea is warranted at this time, given no consultation was done with UBCM beforehand and I think local spending issues are best addressed (similar to taxation issues) on a local level and not at the provincial level.  If spending or taxation is an issue with the public, then they'll use their power to replace (defeat) sitting politicians in favour of ones who in line with the public's view on spending/taxation issues

I'd like to see both the Cariboo Regional District and all of the municipal governments (Wells, Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile) to tell Victoria that the idea of a Municipal Auditor-General is misguided and other alternatives should be looked into, with regard to muncipal/regional district spending and taxation issues

Bottom Line - Victoria must withdraw this draconian idea for a Municipal Auditor-General, discuss with UBCM the possibility of extending the provincial recall legislation to municipal/regional district politicians and let the discussions around taxation/spending take place on a local level where it belongs.  And should a local council or regional district board want to do a "value for money" audit - either in Metro Vancouver or elsewhere in BC, then they can either hire a local Auditor for this purpose or even ask if the Auditor-General of BC is willing to take on this task him/herself

SBF

Municipal Auditor-General - A Very Bad Idea!!

Yesterday in the Vancouver Sun - veteran political columnist Vaughn Palmer digs into Victoria's plan for a Municipal Auditor-General (MAG) - see his column here.  Also - Tom Fletcher (Black Press's political columnist) looks at this issue as well here.  However, Charlie Smith from the Georgia Straight says that a Municipal Auditor-General is necessary - see his column here.  Also - the Union of BC Municipalities or UBCM gets into this issue as well by issuing a "background paper" on this topic here.  Strangely enough - UBCM reports that a local government already can appoint, on its own, a Municipal Auditor-General without Victoria butting in

My personal take on it is that a MAG from Victoria will not solve spending issues except create more bureaucracy.  Municipalities and Regional Districts are already required to have their books audited on a yearly basis, in addition to a municipality and regional districts holding a budget meeting to discuss a yearly budget/5-Year Financial Plan prior to adoption

If the public was looking for another tool to increase public accountability - then current recall legislation should be extended to include Mayor, Councillors and Electoral Area Directors if the public feels strongly that their locally elected officials ought to be recalled (thrown out of office).  Although - I feel the threshold to successfully recall a local politician out of office should be lower than the recall standard for provincial politicians.  For example - the standard to recall a local elected official should be, say, 20% of the voting public.  If the public is mad enough, at say, Williams Lake Council and under this proposal - a City Councillor or the Mayor could be successfully recalled or turfed from office if 1,550 signed a petition to recall said Mayor or City Councillor within the timelines laid out in the Recall and Initiative Act

Though I'm a Christy Clark supporter - this is one policy initiative I absolutely disagree with and should be withdrawn forthwith and reading the UBCM background policy paper - the idea of a MAG is also something municipal politicians don't buy into either

SBF

On-line Presence of Local Government Elected Officials

In times past - your local elected officials, be they Mayors, Councillors, Electoral Area Directors (Regional Districts) or even School District Trustees kept in touch with their constituents via traditional means like phone calls or "one-on-one" meetings to discuss issues in their local communities and solutions

However - with the advent of the electronic age, an increasing number of these elected officials have now turned to electronic tools to keep their constituents up to date and to have a conversation with them about on-going local issues.  Some of the tools now used include Facebook, Twitter, blogs and websites.  Use of Facebook, Twitter and a blog cost nothing to set up and as long as the elected offical maintains their online presence, it is one way to ensure people know what is going on in their local community, in case they don't wish to go through the expense to maintaining a website and the related costs

Here in BC - a significant number of politicians have begun to use a combination of either social media (Facebook, Twitter) along with either blogs/websites or just social media only(Facebook/Twitter) to keep their constituents up to speed on issues they're working on or to get input from the public.

And while the traditional tools of one-on-one contact (phone, email or in person) or letter writing will always remain to keep in touch between the local elected official and local constituent, the new electronic tools (Facebook, Twitter, blogs or websites) are now another tool available to help keep local people informed what their local government is up to

Examples In Rural BC:

Cariboo Regional District Area 'D' Director Deb Bischoff - see her website here
Cariboo Regional District Area 'G' Director/CRD Chair Al Richmond - see his website here
Cariboo Regional District Area 'L' Director Bruce Rattray - see his website here

Examples In the Metro Vancouver area:

Township of Langley Councillor Jordan Bateman - see here
Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore - see here

Local Government on Summer Recess

Quesnel, Williams Lake and Wells Councils are now on summer break until mid August, the CRD Board will have its' next meeting on August 26th and the School District Boards in the Cariboo-Chilcotin are on break until school returns in early September

However - 100 Mile Council will have a Council meeting and Public Hearing on July 26th.  You can see the Agendas here. 

Future meetings:

August 9th - WL Council Meeting, in Committee of the Whole
August 9th - 100 Mile Council Meeting
August 15th - Quesnel Council Meeting
August 16th - WL Council Meeting
August 16th - Wells Council Meeting
August 26th - CRD Board Meeting

SBF

Quesnel Council HIghlights - July 18th meeting

Latecomer’s, not too late

The recommendations linked to the May Road Latecomer’s Agreement were unanimously passed by Council. The Agreement establishes the charges that will be collected from latecomers who connect to or use the designated services within a 15-year period.

This May, the City was approached by Royal City Charter Coach Lines Ltd. to discuss certain lands and propose funding the establishment of a water main along May Road for the purpose of servicing those lands. The company further requested a Latecomer Agreement be established to help them regain some of their costs should other benefiting parcels wish to connect to the system. Council approved the extended services being apportioned between those lands occupied by Royal City Charter Coach Lines Ltd. and the benefiting lands on the basis of their respective EDU’s (Equivalent Development Units per Parcel).Connection to the extended water service along May Road is optional.

There are no financial implications for the City. The Latecomer Policy allows for full cost recovery.

Notice: Gone Fishing

No excuse, the Go Fish BC! Rod Loan Program is being offered to all locals and visitors alike through visitor centres in Terrace, Prince George, Williams Lake and Quesnel. The program provides free rods, free tackle, free fishing information and even fish, stocked in local lakes. All that participants are required to bring is their sense of adventure!

This program is being offered through a joint effort of the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Tourism BC and the Angler’s Atlas.

Topics for UBCM Convention

The Mid-Sized Communities Forum will again form part of the 2011 UBCM Convention in Vancouver. The focus is on issues relevant to mid-sized communities that wouldn’t normally be addressed in the general business of the UBCM Convention. Councillor Cave suggested a topic for discussion would be recycling in the city and Councillor Oakes would like more information on how the community can support the deterrence of grow-ops in the area.

Call for action

Quesnel residents are asking for a call to action by Council on several issues concerning our community. They have asked to be involved and offered to assist in any way. Their concerns included our river walk and the fact that some dog owners do not clean up after their pets, the delayed repair of potholes and the expense of damages to vehicles, the paving of the last section of Anderson Drive, and the situation in some of our parks as far as garbage and glass lying around and vandalism.

Important Dates

July 23 to August 27 - Hands on art at the Quesnel
and District Arts and Recreation Centre
July 29 to August 1 - Arts Wells, Festival of All Things Art
August 6 - Quesnel’s 3rd Annual Amazing Race
August 26 to 28 - Prospectors Car Club Annual Show and Shine

Next Regular Council Meeting:
Monday August 15, 7 p.m.

Next Committee of the Whole Meeting:
Monday August 22, 7 p.m.

Next Delegation Meeting:
Monday August 29, 7 p.m. (if necessary)

Next North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee Meeting:
Tuesday September 13 - 5:30 p.m.

Various City of WL Press Releases - July 20th

Editor's Note - Although there was already money allocated for a new Rick Hansen sign earlier this year and in light of another temporary shutdown (rumoured) at the old Lignum's mill (Tolko's Lakeview Division) because of wet conditions in the bush, I'm wondering maybe if this plan should be re-evaluated for appropriateness.  I remember the public wasn't happy about the statutues going up around Williams Lake in 2007-2008, due to cost and the then-state of the local economy

1) City Council adopts new criteria for boulevard parking

At its regular meeting Tuesday evening, Williams Lake City Council adopted Traffic Control Amendment Bylaw No. 2139, which revises the criteria for boulevard parking in residential zones of the city.

The City held public consultation sessions on the bylaw in the spring of 2011, and incorporated public feedback in the revised criteria, which are as follows:

1. Parking spot must be delineated (must have a clear border)
2. Parking spot must be surfaced either by paving (preferred), crush, or with grindings (available from the City at a low cost)
3. Parking spot must be connected to driveway
4. Homeowner can request a “curb drop” however this cost will be borne by the homeowner
5. Plans for parking spots must be approved by the General Manager of Planning and Operations (GMPO) BEFORE construction takes place
6. Parking spot must be clearly marked in the winter months for easy identification by snow removal crews
7. All passenger vehicles parked within boulevard parking spots must be licensed and insured
8. No recreational vehicles, trailers, or storage of any kind
9. Vehicle must not exceed size of allotted area both in width and length
10. Deadline for markers: October 31 of any given year to correspond with beginning of snow removal season.

The Bylaw Department will be actively enforcing these new criteria in the coming months.
Questions about the revised boulevard parking criteria can be directed to General Manager of Planning and Operation, via the City’s Communications Coordinator at 250-398-8488 or via email at kmacinnis@williamslake.ca

2) Council adopts Industrial Tax Revitalization Program

At its regular meeting Tuesday evening, City Council adopted an Industrial Revitalization Tax Exemption Program, with the aim of providing another tool to attract investment in the community and offer incentives to current industries to upgrade their facilities.

The program is unique in that it links the amount of tax exemption to three strategic goals: capital investment, job creation, and green building initiatives.

The program provides three classes of tax exemption for industrial properties in the north end of Williams Lake and at the Williams Lake Regional Airport. Tax reductions are offered through three classes of five year declining exemption terms; with higher scoring developments receiving higher tax exemptions. The City will realize new tax revenues from each property participating in the program in the second year of their exemption term and beyond.

“Increased revenue from additional industrial investment may help us reduce tax rates for all properties in the industrial rate class,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “That is something this council has promised to address, and we will continue to work to foster a positive atmosphere for business and industrial development in Williams Lake.”

For more information, please contact:

Alan Madrigga
Economic Development Manager
Ph: 250-392-1764 or amadrigga@williamslake.ca

3) Rick Hansen Highway #97 South Sign to be replaced with a Monument

The City of Williams Lake has become aware of public concern with the condition of the Rick Hansen sign at the Welcome to Williams Lake on Highway 97 South.

The City is in the process of developing a new commemoration feature for Rick Hansen that will coincide with the 25th Anniversary of the Man in Motion Tour, which will be routed through Williams Lake and include an End of Day celebration in March 2012.

The City has commissioned Three Dimensional Services Inc. to design a new Rick Hansen Man in Motion Celebration Monument at the Tourism Discovery Centre to replace the existing sign. The monument will be erected well before the arrival of the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay. The design will be approved by Council before construction begins.

The City is looking to remove the sign due to its poor condition. It will not be replaced, as the pullout may eventually be eliminated to accommodate major road reconstruction in that area in the future.
The City is still looking for members to join the Rick Hansen Anniversary Relay Celebration Committee. Contact Deb Radolla at 250-392-1788 or dradolla@williamslake.ca if you are interested in serving on the committee.

4) Williams Lake Council explores Dangerous Weapons Bylaw

At its regular meeting Tuesday evening, Williams Lake City Council directed staff to investigate and develop a Dangerous Weapons Bylaw that would control the sale of bear spray and prohibit the sale of machetes and bladed weapons intended for purposes other than dressing or preparing food. This comes after a request from the Williams Lake RCMP.

Council also directed staff to send letters to those retailers who currently sell such items requesting their cooperation in exercising discretion when selling them. City staff will investigate examples from other municipalities and consult with the RCMP and the City’s legal counsel in the preparation of a draft bylaw for consideration by Council.

Increasingly, violent incidents in the city involve the use of machetes and bear spray and the Williams Lake RCMP are routinely finding these weapons being carried by criminals as a weapon of choice. The possession of these items as weapons presents a risk to law enforcement officers and those who may become involved in altercations with these individuals.

“Council is committed to exploring ways to add additional tools in our pursuit of crime reduction,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “There is no reason for residents to be in possession these weapons in our City, unless pursuing outdoor or wilderness pursuits.

“The aim of the bylaw is to better control the availability of these weapons, not to interfere with City businesses. We can all take steps to reduce the number of weapons in our city, and to reduce violent crime as well.”

WL Council Highlights - July 19th Meeting

Present:

Mayor Cook and Councillors’ Barr, Bourdon, Rathor, Walters and Zacharias

Staff Present:

Brian Carruthers – CAO
Geoff Goodall – General Manager of Planning and Operations
Wendy Dalman – Corporate Services Records Coordinator
Pat Higgins – Director of Finance
Brad McRae – Senior Bylaw Officer
Ken MacInnis – Communications Coordinator
Tom Chung – IT Manager

Meeting called to order at 6:00pm
Minutes of July 5th WL Council meeting adopted
Council approved adding 1 Late Item to the Agenda

Delegation:

1) Daniel Hutchins, from Interior Roads, appeared before Council to discuss Staff changes at Interior Roads and Emergency Preparedness

Business:

1) Council received for information a letter from the Hon. Ida Chong (Minister of Community Services) regarding the Small Community Investment Fund Initiative (receipt of funds to the end of June 2011 of $470,583). A letter of thanks will be forwarded to the Minister of Community Services

2) Council authorized travel, hotel and other related expenses to attend the annual UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities) Conference in Vancouver on Sept 26-30 for themselves and the Chief Administrative Officer

3) Council awarded the purchase of one 2011 4x4 1/2 ton pickup and Krypto lining to Lake City Ford for the tendered price of $28,324.

4) Council awarded the purchase of a Side Walk Machine to Williams Machinery for the tendered price of $119,771.

5) Council approved travel for Mayor Kerry Cook to meet with Minister Pat Bell in Prince George on August 8

6) Council approved travel for Mayor Kerry Cook to attend a dinner with the BC Transit Board of Directors and Senior Executives in Quesnel on July 26

7) Council received the 2011 Second Quarter Economic Indicators Report.
8) After receiving no public input – Council gave approval to DVP #5-2011 (Stefan Hoezler)
9) After receiving no public input – Council gave approval to DP #4-2011 (Midland Industrial Park Ltd)

10) Council agreed to refer Development Permit (DP) #3-2011 to the City’s Advisory Planning Commission for review /recommendations. Council will decide on DP #3-2011 at its’ August 16th, 2011 meeting

11) After considerable discussion - Council agreed to receive a presentation from Communications Solutions Inc. (CSI) regarding Communication and Public Consultation Strategy on possibly discontinuing fluoridation of the City's water system and endorsed the communication strategy recommendations, as per CSI’s presentation.(Mayor Cook and Councillor Tom Barr were opposed)

12) Council gave 1st Reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw #2133 (Regulating Shipping Metal Containers) and referred to the City’s Advisory Planning Commission for its’ review/recommendations

13) Council adopted Bylaws #2138 (Zoning Amendment – Pinetree Developments), 2139 (Traffic Control Amendment Bylaw – Parking on Boulevards) and 2141 (Northend Industrial Revitalization Tax Exemption Zone)

14) Council adopted 6 Committee of the Whole Recommendations, as follows:

a) Council agreed to write a letter to the Premier in support of the District of Kent’s position regarding municipal policing costs and the need for a more equitable cost sharing formula for communities with populations between 5,001 and 20,000
b) Council asked City Staff to investigate and develop a Dangerous Weapons Bylaw that would control the sale of bear spray and prohibit the sale of machetes and bladed weapons intended for purposes other than dressing or preparing food; and that the City send letters to those retailers who currently sell such items requesting their cooperation in exercising discretion in their availability
c) Council gave 3 readings to Bylaws #2143/2144 (Amendments to Noise/Nuisance Bylaws)
d) Council received the report of the CAO on An Action Plan for the 2011 Citizen Survey
e) Council agreed to request meetings with BC Premier Christy Clark, Solicitor-General Shirley Bond and Community Services Minister Ida Chong at the 2011 Union of BC Municipalities Conference in Vancouver
f) Council approved an application to the BC Rural Partnership for a LIRN initiative to host capacity building workshops for the community

15) Council agreed to provide a letter of support to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation with regards to their license renewal to the CRTC (Canadian Radio & TV Commission)

16) Council received In-Camera Report #5-2011 for information (Appointment of Beth Bedard to the City’s Heritage Advisory Committee for balance of 2011 and full 2012 term)

17) Late Item – Council agreed to send a letter of congrats to Miss Anna Dell on winning the title of Miss Canada International 2011

18) Council received for information the Council Information Package, as of July 19th - as follows:

a) June 16th – Letter from BC Hydro re: Funding for Electric Beautification Projects. See that letter here
b) June 23rd – Letter from Ministry of Social Development re: Provincial Multicultural Nesika Award Nomination. See that letter here
c) June 24th – Letter from CCACS (Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society) re: Call for Proposal for Mural (Side facing Borland St) on Central Cariboo Arts Center Building. See that letter here

Meeting adjourned at 7:13pm

Wrap on Local Gov't Items next week

With 3 Local Governments meeting next week, two of them (Quesnel & Williams Lake) have some noteworthy items coming before them:

Quesnel:

1) Quesnel Council will be receiving a report from Councillor Mike Cave on the Friday, July 8th meeting of Quesnel's Environmental Advisory Committee which you can read here.  An interesting comment in the minutes, though, from a member of this Committee who suggested that Quesnel was ahead in recycling, compared to Williams Lake and 100 Mile House.  I find that comment interesting, given Williams Lake is the only community to have curbside recycling.  100 Mile House doesn't presently have this option and Quesnel City Staff is looking into this as we speak, at the request of Quesnel Council

Williams Lake:

A number of items are coming before Williams Lake Council:

1) Mayor Cook will ask WL Council for permission to travel to Prince George on Monday, August 8th to discuss items relating to CCBAC (local Beetle Action Coalition).  Question though, why not pick up the phone or try webcasting?  Certainly cheaper than the cost for a hotel (if she stays in PG overnight) plus gas costs and it would be in keeping with the City's new OCP which calls for sustainable practices.  Finally - the report doesn't lay out the specific reason why she needs authorization to travel.  Perhaps it should - given that the public doesn't always attend Council Meetings but may read Council Agenda Items

2) 2nd Economic Quarter stats - see the report here but a couple of troubling indictors as Mayor Cook seeks re-election includes Business Licenses issued (1st Half of Year) in a downward trend from 2009 (66) to 2011 (47) and Bulding Permit Value (1st Half of Year) held steady in 2009 ($8,719,600) and 2010 ($8,977,000) but fell to $5,249,046 for 1st half of 2011 (Jan-June 2011)

3) Flouride in City's Water System - see the report from Committeee of the Whole with a work plan from the consultant (Commuication Solutions, Inc) here but a few things bother me and should bother the general public:

a) Recommendation #1, as outlined in the report/workplan, calls for Council to plan for a referendum but consider the possibility of asking for a Minister's Assent to repeal the flouride bylaw without a referendum this November.  I fundamentally think that the option of asking the Minister for permission to repeal this bylaw without a direct say from voters' this November is plain wrong and anti-democratic when it was the people of Williams Lake in 1969 who approved the-then flouride bylaw, as per provincial law which remains in place today which states:

Section 68 of the Community Charter:

A council must not fluoridate a water supply for the municipality unless it has adopted a bylaw for this and the bylaw has received the assent of the electors.

So, if a Municipal Council can not adopt a bylaw to place flouride in a muncipal water system without a referendum (assent of the electors) than no stretch of logic would say that this applies to repealing a flouride bylaw, which would be in keeping with both the spirit and intent of Section 68 of the Community Charter.  Besides - a referendum would cost nothing as it is a general election year

b) Recommendation #5 - Engage the Dental Community  Again - a local dentist has already spoken out, in favour of retaining flouride in the City's water system.  It would be best if the City provides a place to allow both sides of the debate to state their case to the public and to not get indirectly involved in the debate which is what will happen if Recommendation #5 is approved, in addition to the City's neutrality being strongly questioned

c) The workplan calls for "speaking points" for Mayor Cook and Councillors Tom Barr, Geoff Bourdon, Surinder Rathor, Laurie Walters and Sue Zacharias during the public engagement period, which also runs in the same period during this fall's civic vote.  It would be better if City Staff took the lead on this.  If not - the public would have real reason to question the City's neutrality in the flouride debate.  WL City Staff would have no interest except to allow the debate to occur and to ensure it is factually based. All Candidates, whether currently elected or who plan to run, should decide on their own, if they desire to get into the flouride debate (I wouldn't recommend they do).  The community should look at all the information and make a decision

3) Regulating Shipping Containers.  See the report/bylaw here but one of the things that came up at the public info meetings was the issue of regulating shipping containers in residential areas and the permitting process (30 day permit with 1 extension allowed, so shipping containers allowed on residential properties for 60 days but active building construction (building permit proof required), the shipping container can remain in place for 180 days - 6 months).  It will be interesting to see if the same people who spoke at the public info meetings show up for the public hearings which may occur as early as this September

4) Noise/Nuisance Bylaws (Apartment Buildings).  See the report here however the Bylaws are not likely to please apartment building owners, given Staff all but rejected their arguments, from my read of the Staff Report

5) Local Election Bylaw - this item is not on WL Council's Agenda and their next scheduled meeting is August 16th.  Section 39(1) of the Local Government Act (Act) says:

The (local election) bylaw must be adopted at least 8 weeks before the first day of the nomination period of the general local election

The first day for the nomination period, relating to the 2011 Civic General Election, is October 4th so 8 weeks or 2 months is August 4th however Victoria reports that local governments have until August 8th to comply with Section 39(1) of the Act.  I am seeking clarification from Cindy Bouchard - the City of Williams Lake's Manager of Legislative Services/Chief Election Officer for the 2011 Civic Election.  If she advises me that WL Council will consider the issue of a local election bylaw beyond August 8th then I will be writing the Minister of Community Services (Hon. Ida Chong) requesting an investigation into the actions of both Williams Lake City Staff and WL City Council.  Ignorance of the law is no defence.  The deadline, as per Section 39(1) of the Act is "black and white" and applies to everyone

For your information - the deadline to adopt an local election bylaw in 2008 was August 4th and Scott Nelson's Council had the City of WL's Local General Election Bylaw adopted on July 22nd, 2008

6) Finally - WL Council will consider a report that will see Council asking to meet with BC Premier Christy Clark, Minister of Community Services Ida Chong and Minister of Public Safety (Solicitor-General) Shirley Bond.  Meeting with Bond is fairly obvious (crime/RCMP issues) and is as meeting with Premier Clark, but I'm curious as to why WL Council wants to sit down with Minister Chong but is reasonable to assume that they want to discuss the recently failed 'Towns for Tomorrow' grant relating to the move of the Station House Gallery.  This Council should let 'sleeping dogs lie' and allow the next Council to decide if moving the Station House Gallery is a priority for them and under what condition(s)

Local Gov't Meetings in Cariboo-Chilcotin - Week of July 18-22

Three local governments are meeting next week, as follows:

Monday, July 18th - City of Quesnel:

Regular Council Meeting which starts at 7:00pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (410 Kinchant St)

See the Agenda/Reports here

Tuesday, July 19th - District of Wells:

Regular Council Meeting which starts at 7:00pm in Wells Council Chambers (4243 Sanders Ave)

Tuesday, July 19th - City of Williams Lake:

Regular Council Meeting which starts at 6:00pm in WL Council Chambers (450 Mart St)

See the Agenda and Reports here

City of WL Press Releases - Fire Dept collection & Pool Update

1) WL Fire Department in July

Again this year, the Williams Lake Fire Department will do a Christmas in July food drive to collect donations for the Salvation Army  Food Bank.

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, fire department members will go door to door in the areas of Westridge, Country Club Boulevard, Terra Ridge, Western Ave, Midnight Drive, and sections of 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Avenues to collect non-perishable food items.

“We know that this time of year the shelves at the Salvation Army Food Bank could use some additional help,” says Fire Chief and Director of Protective Services Randy Isfeld. “We’re asking the community to help us bring Christmas in July for those in our city that rely on the Food Bank to help them get by.”

Residents who would like to participate are asked to place their donations on their front porches for the firefighters to collect. Donations can also be dropped off at the Fire Hall between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. July 25-28.

For more information please contact:

Randy Isfeld – Director of Protective Services (Fire Chief)
The City of Williams Lake
250 392-1779 or risfeld@williamslake.ca

2) Sam Ketcham Memorial Pool Update

The cause of the leak in the main tank of the Sam Ketcham Pool has been located, and the City is currently in the process of repairing the tank. It is anticipated repairs to the tank will be completed on July 22. Once repairs are complete, the pool will be refilled and ready for re-opening some time during the last week of July or first week of August. Another update will be issued when the exact date for re-opening is confirmed.

The City thanks residents for their patience while the pool is closed for these repairs and reminds them that the fitness centre remains open.

For more information please contact:

Geoff Goodall - General Manager of Planning and Operations
The City of Williams Lake
250 392-1766 or ggoodall@williamslake.ca