OBIT: Susan (Sue) Zacharias (1949-2023)

 

Susan (Sue) Zacharias passed away surrounding by family on Wednesday, September 6th, 2023

Her full obituary can be viewed here.  She was involved in local business as well as her family, immediate and extended as well as community life

In 2005, she was elected to local government for a 3 year term as the Cariboo Regional District Electoral Area "D" Director and was supportive, as I am, of both first responders like the Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department and supporting local tourism initiatives... 

Then in 2008 until 2018 -- she served 3 consecutive terms as a Williams Lake City Councillor.  Upon her retirement in fall 2018, she reminded future Williams Lake City Councils' to continue to work on building relationships with First Nations; remember those who are not as fortunate as ourselves and work towards building a family-friendly and inclusive community... 

On behalf of the constituents of Cariboo Regional District Electoral Area "D" -- I thank her for her community service during her 3 year term from 2005-2008 as Area "D" Director of the Cariboo Regional District... she will be missed... 

A  Memorial Service has been scheduled for Saturday, September 30th in Williams Lake... 

Sue Zacharias on 2008-2011 WL Council Accomplishments...

This morning, WL City Councillor Sue Zacharias published a Facebook note citing all of the good things, and, as she cites, under the leadership of Mayor Kerry Cook, that the 2008-2011 WL City Council has done

Read her full Facebook note here

However, I'd like to take a moment to discuss my own thoughts on it:

1)Develop and Implement Arts and Culture Plan

Supporting the existing local Arts & Culture Function is not and does not constitute "A Plan".  A Plan is how you will achieve a health Arts and Culture Sector with a plan for a new Performance Arts Centre (long overdue).  This should have been done at the beginning of the term by the local government (City of WL/CRD) and not the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society, who is a stakeholder in the process, but should not be doing the work itself (reminds me of the fox in charge of the henhouse)

2) Update City Economic Strategy

Again - this is something that should have been started at the very beginning of this term and not mere months before an election... economic development should be something that has our attention everyday and not when we're close to an election

3)Completion of Courthouse Square improvements including 1st Ave sidewalk replacement - just a friendly reminder that this project was overbudget by $40,000


4) Complete a Service Delivery Review:

a)Implemented a Service Delivery Review process designed to objectively review specific departments or functions in order to maximize efficiency, improve customer’s service and/or reduce costs. - WL Council put Staff in charge of looking at existing services - talk about a double standard. When reviewing services - it should be done by someone external... Of course, if WL Staff are looking at it, it only stands to reason that they'll keep existing services where they're at.. and not look at new opportunities to do more with less, especially if it means less City workers'...

b) Prepared and adopted Secondary Suites, Nuisance Property, Graffiti, Boulevard Parking and False Alarm Bylaws - meanwhile voters' are mad over the Registration Fees for the False Alarm Bylaw and how this Council handled the issue of consulting the public on the thorny issue on regulating parking on City owned Boulevards'


c) Passed Industrial Tax Revitalization Bylaw - considering Williams Lake has the #1 Heavy Industry Tax Mill Rate in BC, I don't expect industrial companies to make use of this tax tool for the foreseeable future...

Finally - I'd point out that this Council could cut deeper by eliminating the Executive Assistant position, roughly $60,000 in savings. In this time of restraint - Council needs to do more of its' own work, like writing its own reports and doing research..

Sue Zacharias - Missing in Action at All Candidate Forums...

As my readers' know - we have two All Candidates Forums on Wed/Thurs of this week for the Councillor Candidates.  Both are opportunities for the public to ask the 14 Williams Lake City Councillor candidates questions on issues that are on the minds of voters'

However - on Friday, October 28th - WL City Councillor Sue Zacharias, on her Facebook re-election page (see here), gave general public notice, that due to a "previous family engagement" that she would be unable to attend the All Candidates Forum for Nov 2nd & 3rd, given her personal belief that it is "family first over politics", but did say that she was looking forward to discussing the issues, via email (suez@shaw.ca) or on the doorstep

However - since this story came out, I have been approached by some who feel that Ms. Zacharias is attempting to avoid questioning at this week's All Candidates Forums including the question of how Ms. Zacharias avoided the thorny issue of the perceived conflict of interest involving her company (United Concrete) and the City over the concrete portions of the Mackenzie Avenue upgrade project, completed in 2010.

The next All Candidates Forum after this week is Monday, November 14th at TRU, starting at 7pm

Would skipping 2, if not, all 3 All Candidate Forums hurt Ms. Zacharias's re-election chances...? Too soon to say, but with a week before voters' begin the process to vote in the next Williams Lake City Council for the 2011-2014 Term, it is inconceivable to believe that missing two All Candidate Forums will not hinder her chances on Nov 19th to get re-elected.  Voters', in general, do frown upon candidates who skip All Candidate Forums, unless there is a real legitimate reason, like being sick enough not to attend or a death/emergency in the family that obligates a candidate to miss an All Candidate Forum(s)

Dog Park Proposal moves forward...

On October 25th - WL City Councillor Laurie Walters, on her Facebook election page (see here) reported that the Community Services Committee had a meeting to consider the idea of an off-leash dog park.  Members of this Committee include Ms Walters and WL City Councillors SPS Rathor and Sue Zacharias

At tonight's WL City Council meeting - City Staff are recommending that a temporary Dog Park Stakeholder group consisting of a small group of community dog park proponents be formed to advise City Staff on a suitable location/design for a dog park in the City.  See Staff's report here

As Staff note in their report - a dog park was not identified as a priority in either the Recreation Survey completed earlier this year or the Parks, Trails and Outdoor Recreation Plan (PTORP) adopted earlier this year.  If WL Council was serious about either the survey or the PTORP and the priorities contained in these plans - it would reject this idea (establish a dog park) in favour of working on recreation priorities identified by the public, in both the Central Cariboo Recreation Survey or the PTORP.   Failure to do so would demonstrate, in my view, a lack of respect for the public participating in both the Survey and the PTORP

SBF

Review of Platforms - Sue Zacharias/Kerry Cook

Very recently - both WL City Councillor Sue Zacharias/WL Mayor Kerry Cook put out detailed re-election Platforms which I wish to review...

Sue Zacharias - see here

Goal #1 - Agree with her but have to ask where this Council was the entire term.  Economic Development should be a priority everyday and not just weeks before a local election

Goal #2 - Agree with her.  If Victoria can find $500 million for BC Place (1 facility) and $500,000 for Grey Cup activities - then they should be able to fund recreation and other facilities in Rural BC that generates the funds for our urban cousins' in Metro Vancouver and other urban areas of BC...

Goal #3 - Agree with her here.  The community has seen reductions in various crime categories, but let's remember - it is because of the work of all and not because of one City Council or one individual.  Tackling crime is everyone's job... Also - people I've talked with say that not only do we need a Drug/Alcohol Detox facility but we need to take a closer look at our local social services and ensure that they are providing the very best services that they can and the benefits of those social services are reaching those that need it

Goal #4 - Self explanatory

Goal #5 - I somewhat take umbrage with this statement, given how many Central Cariboo Joint Committee meetings' I've attended.  Personally - I don't think it is "Team Spirit" when you tell your neighbour (City of WL to CRD) how to do their job...

Goal #6 - Agree with most goals she's laid out.  Corporate Vote is one item I don't think you'll see Victoria get into.  Too messy for provincial politicians to get involved in when they have enough to keep them busy, politically.  Also - I question her dedication/respect for seniors' when she voted to turn over Heritage House to CMHA (Can. Mental Health Assoc) when local seniors' have previously said that they wanted it to remain for seniors' purposes, voted to defer any decision on Cariboo Lodge to a Task Force (who knows when that report will be made available) and her reaction to comments from two local seniors' in Sept of 2010 on a development proposal by Luigi Mandarino by using the words "appalling".  Again - we need not agree with what one says but calling one's comments as "appalling" is something we should all steer clear of. All she had to do (and she wasn't at the Public Hearing to hear the full context of their comments) was thank them for their comments and politely say that she disagree with the views

Kerry Cook - see here

Key Goals: Safer Streets - Encouraging Development - Sustaining our Community

Safer Streets:

This Goal I agree with - working on reducing crime, with everyone, should be a year-round job

Encouraging Development:

I know that she is sincere when she says these goals.  The real problem is that she's taking two years with no results except the recent formation of a Task Force on Ec Dev which is slated to report out on Dec 31st.  And if re-elected - will she get that, in business, time is money....?

Finally - for myself, I hope to be in a position to release my own full platform on Friday which will include my full campaign goals - if elected.  Stay tuned!!!


SBF

Sue Zacharias's Election Platform

Interested in what a re-elected Sue Zacharias would do for you - the voter?

You can read her platform/goals on her Facebook page here

Update - Editor's Note: for sake of convenience, find below Ms. Zacharias Goals if re-elected:

Platforms and Issues Sue Will Work On:

1. Encourage new and secondary industry to settle in Williams Lake. We have now provided a, thoughtful, Permissive Tax Exemption to strategic industrial areas in Williams Lake. Tax incentives to businesses and industry, whether primary or secondary, whether looking to invest or diversify in Williams Lake, are necessary so we can generate more industrial and commercial tax revenue to help offset rising residential tax rates. I would like to work for you as a member of Council to engage local industry leaders within our community to continue to find innovative ways to do this.

2. Endeavour to work with the Provincial and Federal Governments to bring our tax dollars back into our region. We need new roads, more infrastructure, clean water, and proper sewer for many areas. We must continue to Reduce, Re-use and Recycle in order to bring down our soaring solid waste costs. The City of Williams Lake has now embarked on a modern, innovative recycling and solid waste program which began last year. I had the honour of sitting on the CRD Solid Waste Committee this past year and we will be setting into motion, soon, the results of the committee’s recommendations on how to aggressively begin a new and improved decade of Solid Waste management.

‎3. Crime and vandalism is still the number one issue on everyone’s minds today. This issue affects the well being of the whole community. With Councils support, I will continue to work with the Provincial and Federal governments to bring funding into place to help create programs for youth who are at-risk. We need Community Groups, such as Firemen, RCMP, Sea Cadets, and Scouts, to work together to form mentoring groups for at-risk youth. Prolific offenders must continue be incarcerated for the appropriate amount of time. All citizens need to be doing everything they can to protect their property and be vigilant by reporting any suspicious activity. We need to continue the positive steps that have already been started by our 2008-2011 council. I would also like to work with Interior Health, with Councils support, for a Detoxification Center in our area that would service the Cariboo-Chilcotin Region. Addiction is a disease. We need to show compassion and care for the addict who has this disease, as we would for the person who has the disease of cancer or diabetes. I am also very interested in the Community Court concept. With Councils support, I would like to see a Pilot Program initiated in Williams Lake and surrounding areas. As a Council and working with other partners in the community we have begun to address the issue of low-income housing and homelessness. We have fewer people living on the streets.

4. I enjoyed working with the CRD, with the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition [CCBAC] in 2007. That experience has given me an overview and regional perspective on the Pine Beetle Mitigation Strategy. We will continue to work very closely with all levels of government over the next 5 years regarding this major event and the transitioning of our economy. There is much to be done in trades training and re-training workers to support a diversified economy in our resource driven region. We lobbied the Provincial government last year and received 3 million dollars for the Cariboo region to help set in motion, actions to help generate economic growth.

5. I have been an active partner in fostering a “Team Spirit” between the City of Williams Lake and the C.R.D over the years. We have achieved some important goals in the last 3 years by partnering with each other.

6. I will continue to work hard for residents to:

-- Promote tourism as a prime economic generator for the community.
--Reduce negative effects of the Provincial Carbon Tax for Northern Residents in our region.
--Increase the ability to process our timber locally.
--Amend Legislation as to who can vote in municipal elections regarding corporate votes.
--Continue to work hard toward a vital, healthy, busy Downtown Core. The downtown core is an extremely important asset to the City of Williams Lake. I believe with the right actions and strategies we can keep the downtown attractive, thriving and an important economic generator for the community.
--Advocate for seniors in our community is another high priority. My mother, Shirley McMillan, has lived in Williams Lake for 50 years. As a councillor I would have an open door policy, at all times, to listen to the issues affecting seniors. I would like to work with Council in attracting more retirees to our region. We offer a uniquely safe and economical community to retire in when compared to other larger centers.
--As a business leader in the community I have a proven track record as someone who can make decisions, think strategically, and act fairly. I will continue to bring those strengths and leadership abilities to Council. In times such as these, we will require strong, committed leaders to take us through the challenges ahead. I want to make a positive impact on this community so that our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren may have the option to live, work, and play in Williams Lake.

WL News...Oct 13th edition

1) Richard Vollo runs for WL Council  - see here and here
2) Local teachers say - Local issues require local decision making - see here
3) WL Mayor Kerry Cook clarifies intent of False Alarm Bylaw - see here

Editor's Note - curious as to why Mayor Cook felt the need to remove the alarm keyholder requirement without it returning to WL Council for a formal decision, as it was part of the False Alarm Bylaw passed on Nov 23rd, 2010. Just asking...


4) Kerry Cook kicks off her re-election bid last Thursday with her supporters - see here
5) Now, Tribune columnist (and local musician) Dean Fulton says the alarm registration fees are a "cash grab" - see here
6) Local resident Micheal Atwood (and Kerry Cook supporter) argues why Scott Nelson should not be Mayor of Williams Lake once again - see here

Meanwhile, in Quesnel:

1) Mary Sjostrom says: Bring On the Quesnel Mayor's Race...but keep it clean - see here
2) On Tuesday, Oct 4th - Quesnel and Community Economic Development announced that it had won the Economic Development Association of Canada marketing award for best interactive media - see more details here

Finally...

A review of the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) October 6th minutes indicates that Williams Lake Mayor/CRD Director Kerry Cook was absent from this meeting.  While this is not unusual - the fact that she and both of the City's 2 Alternate Directors' - Sue Zacharias/Surinderpal Rathor was unusual, given the CRD Board meeting was in Williams Lake.  This, in spite of the fact Mayor Cook did say at the Sept 15th CRD Committee of  the Whole that the CRD Board Agenda needed to change in order to accomodate her schedule.  Note - her fellow Mayors' (Mary Sjostrom from Quesnel, Jay Vermette from Wells, and Mitch Campsall from 100 Mile House) were in attendance for this meeting

BREAKING NEWS - Paul Kondola runs for WL Council

In a now crowded race - Paul Kondola, who owns Kondolas Furniture, has decided to seek a seat on Williams Lake City Council

Mr. Kondola says his reason for running is that he doesn't support the current direction of the City under the leadership of the current Williams Lake City Council and he wants to make a positive change for the City, as part of the 2011-2014 Williams Lake Municipal Council

Mr. Kondola also says his top priority, if elected, will be economic development and drawing more jobs and business to Williams Lake

Besides Mr. Kondola - the WL City Councillor race consists of current incumbents Surinderpal Rathor, Laurie Walters, Geoff Bourdon and Sue Zacharias and challengers Steve Forseth, Ivan Bonnell, Mike Jacobsen, and Richard Vollo

Nominations for Williams Lake City Council expires at 4:00pm tomorrow

Campaign Ads - City of Williams Lake 2011 Election

Yesterday, I received a copy of The Stew Magazine for October and in it - it contained election ads for Kerry Cook, Scott Nelson and both City Councillors Laurie Walters and Sue Zacharias.  You can read it here

But for my readers' information, the campaign ads "slogans" are as follows:

Kerry Cook - Responsible Leadership - Now and in the Future
Scott Nelson - It's time for a positive change for a major focus on jobs, jobs and more jobs

Laurie Walters - Dedicated to Growing Arts, Culture and Heritage
Sue Zacharias - Family Advocate, Safer/Stronger Community, Innovative Industry Planning

Although not in this magazine - Walt Cobb also has campaign brochures out.  His campaign slogan is:

H.O.P.E. :

Honest
Open
Positive
Experience

To this point - none of the other candidates, including myself, have done any campaign advertising and I don't expect much, if any,of that until after the formal nomination period closes a week today at 4:00pm

Finally - The Stew magazine reports that for its' November issue - it'll be contacting all of the candidates for their views and let their readers' know what those views are.  Likely that issue will be out in late October

Kerry Cook Re-Election Kick-Off BBQ

Courtesy of Greg Fry (The Rush) via Twitter:

Tonight before 150 supporters (Editor's Note - I'm told a more realistic number at this event was 80)  - Kerry Cook launched her official re-election bid (note - Mayor Cook has officially filed her nomination papers with WL City Hall) - see a story on this from The Rush here

Interesting notes:

1) WL City Councillors Laurie Walters, Sue Zacharias and Geoff Bourdon were at this event however Tom Barr and Surinder Rathor were not.  I've since contacted Surinder Rathor and he has confirmed that he recieved no invitation to appear at this event.  On the one hand - this (not inviting Surinderpal Rathor) would not be in keeping with her inaugural speech in which she state that the community needed to come together and not build walls, but on the other hand - she wouldn't want to invite people who clearly are not supporters of hers

2) Mayor Cook has appointed her daughter, Stephanie MacLeod (nee Cook) to be her campaign manager.  In addition to running Mayor's Cook re-election bid on Facebook - they've established a website as well, which you can view here

Finally - Walt Cobb had 50 supporters at his campaign launch BBQ, Kerry Cook had 80 at hers'.  Will Scott Nelson have a campaign launch BBQ?  If so - it'll be interesting to see how many supporters' Mr. Nelson would be able to put together at a campaign launch BBQ...if Mr. Nelson does decide to have a campaign launch BBQ

SBF

Local Election News...

In today's Williams Lake Tribune - the final two incumbents on WL Council have announced re-election bids. See stories on Geoff Bourdon's re-election bid here and Sue Zacharias's re-election bid here.  This leaves 6 people running for WL Councillor and 3 for WL Mayor with 5 days to go before the nomination period expires next Friday.  I'm informed as many as 4 more could file for WL Councillor positions.  At this point - I don't have any new names forthcoming for WL Mayor and some report to me their general dissatisfaction with the 3 current candidates for WL Mayor - incumbent Kerry Cook and current challengers Scott Nelson/Walt Cobb

In Quesnel - Sushil Thapar will seek his 4th term on Quesnel Council while Ed Coleman (brother of Energy Minister Rich Coleman) will seek his 1st term on Quesnel Council

Meanwhile - over at School District #27:

There will be a battle in Zones 4 and 5...

In Zone 4 (as I noted yesterday) - it'll be current Trustee Heather McKenzie against 150 Mile resident Jackie Austin (Mrs. Austin will make her bid official next week)

In Zone 5 - it'll be Sheila Boehm vs Oleh Lazarchuk

Finally - in Zone 2, local 108 Mile Ranch resident Tanya Guenther has filed her election papers for the Zone 2 seat on the School District #27 Board

BREAKING NEWS - Tom Barr will not seek re-election this Nov

Greg Fry, over at the Rush, tweeted the following:

Williams Lake city councillor Tom Barr just announced he will not be running for re-election this fall. More this afternoon.

I'm deeply saddened that he made this decision but respect the fact that he has done a lot for the City and wish him the very best as I consider him a great friend and political mentor

With that - 2 seats on Williams Lake City Council are now are up for grabs -- Tom Barr's and former WL City Councillor Natalie Hebert.  Councilor SPS Rathor is all but guaranteed to keep his seat, and the question will become two fold:

1) Who will the voters' of Williams Lake elect to the two vacant seats?
2) Will Laurie Walters, Geoff Bourdon and Sue Zacharias (if Zacharias/Bourdon do, in fact, run for re-election) be able to hang on to their seats and continue as second-term WL City Councillors

The answer to those two questions will be answered at 8:05pm on Saturday, November 19th


SBF

Councillor Walters on Fitness Classes/Gym Services at CMRC

At the September 14th Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting - Stefan Hoezler (co-owner of Concrete Fitness) appeared before the Joint Committee to raise concerns about Fitness Programs and the Gym operated by the City of Williams Lake at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex (CMRC).  After Mr. Hoezler's presentation - Joint Committee directed their Staff to report on the various aspects of Mr. Hoezler's presentation at the October 26th Joint Committee meeting

In the meantime, either before and at the September 14th Joint Committee meeting (and still is continuing) - members of WL Council and the CRD Directors for Electoral Areas D, E, and F were receiving letters imploring members of the Joint Committee to reject what Mr. Hoezler is requesting, namely a review of all services offered by the CMRC.  This matter will be considered further, as I've said above, at the Oct 26th 5:00pm meeting of the Central Cariboo Joint Committee.  This meeting will be held in the Rick Hansen Boardroom at Williams Lake City Hall

Now - the fight for fitness programming and the gym at the CMRC has gone onto the Internet and specifically Facebook.

On the "Re-Elect Laurie Walters" Facebook page - Kandee Wilkinson (a CMRC Fitness Instructor) asked the following of WL City Councillor Laurie Walters:

Laurie what are your thoughts about Concrete Fitness taking all fitness away from the Recreation Center, as it is called recreation center for a reason. Fitness is for all no mater age, gender, rich or poor. I don't want it be just concrete monopolizing the fitness market.

Councillor Walters responded with:

People choose to live and move to a community for many reasons. A big reason is the PUBLIC RECREATION available, including the fitness component. The provision of accessible fitness/recreation services is a key component for a healthy community. These include programs for seniors, low-income, disabled, children, minorities and other populations that are not serviced by Private Gyms. The Cariboo Memorial Complex has been in the business of provision of these services for over 20 years, as have most other communities in BC.

It should be noted that local City Councillor Sue Zacharias feels the same as her colleague, Councillor Walters, by empathising the concern of what low-income families would do without the fitness programming/gym services at the CMRC

The real issue is how to ensure the balance for gym and other fitness programs that low income residents can afford without necessarily doing harm to the very businesses that offer similar services and pay a heavy tax load to the CRD for the Recreation Function that makes these low cost fitness  programs and gym equipment available.  This is best served by a review of the entire Central Cariboo Recreation Function since its' creation in 2007.  The time for a review is timely, given the recent desire of politicians to find a long-term solution for the Sam Ketcham Pool and an Indoor Turf Facility.

Let's make sure our recreation programs, in all of its forms, is sustainable, both short, medium and long term - for recreation operations and capital - no matter if you live in the City of Williams Lake or in CRD Electoral Areas D, E or F

But let's be clear - Stefan Hoezler and his supporters (including the local BIA and Chamber of Commerce) has never asked for a complete shutdown of all fitness programs and gym operations at the CMRC.  He, along with businesses that offer yoga and other similiar fitness type programs want to ensure that they can make a living while ensuring that public recreation programming and gym services remains available to those who can't afford to attend a private gym or private yoga or other similar fitness program, outside of the CMRC and on this - if everyone keeps a level head, this goal can be achieved

SBF

Kerry Cook continues "High School Club" antics at WL City Hall - attendance at local Terry Fox Run

At the September 13th, 2011 WL Council meeting - Council authorized the attendance of Mayor Cook or the Acting Mayor to attend the opening of the Terry Fox Run on September 18th.  It should be noted that the current Acting Mayor (September) is Councillor SPS Rathor.  This is because of the resignation of former WL City Councillor Natalie Hebert - Councillor Rathor is next in the rotation list of Acting Mayors - see that list here

However, earlier today, Councillor Sue Zacharias (Acting Mayor) was at this morning's Terry Fox Run.  It should be noted that Councillor Zacharias is scheduled to be Acting Mayor for the month of December 2011 (subject to re-election on November 19th).  I should note that Councillor Rathor, after discussing this with him, states that he was indeed available to act in Mayor Cook's place and was willing to do so

As one resident - I'd like to know why Mayor Cook, when she is unable to attend community events, picks her "friends" on Council, rather than respecting the previous practice of WL Councils', which is when the Mayor is unable to attend an event, due to illness or other cause, the Acting Mayor for the month in question attends and if that monthly Acting Mayor can't attend, then you go down the list, by month, until a Councillor is able to "sub in" for the Mayor.

Kerry Cook, will become the first Mayor of Williams Lake to ignore previous practice of WL Councils/Council Procedure Bylaw, by superseding the monthly Acting Mayor rotation list - a list that she herself agreed with and as Mayor, she had a duty to ensure it was implemented as part of good government and acting on the will of Williams Lake City Council

SBF

WL Council Highlights - August 30th meeting

Present:

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

Staff Present:

Pat Higgins – Director of Finance/Acting CAO
Cindy Bouchard - Manager of Legislative Services
Chris Hutton – Planning Technician
Jeff Bernardy – Engineering Technician
Anne Burill – Manager of Social Development
Geoff Paynton – Director of Community Services
Ken MacInnis – Communications Coordinator
Tom Chung – IT Manager

Meeting called to order at 6:00pm
Minutes of July 19th WL Council meeting adopted

Business:

1) Council received a report from the City’s CAO with an attached letter from Madeleine Maley (Acting Regional Executive Director for Southern Area – Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Ops) re: Joint Invitation to City of WL/WL Indian Band for a Community Forest License – 40,000 cubic metres

2) Council received a revised schedule of Council Committee appointments, in light of the resignation of former WL City Councillor Natalie Hebert

3) Council received the 2011 – 6 month Interim Financial Statement for the period ending June 30th, 2011

4) After receiving no public comments – Council approved Development Permit #3-2011 (Paul Sangha – Best Western Hotel)

5) Council gave 2nd Reading to an amended Zoning Amendment Bylaw #2133 (Regulating Shipping Containers)

6) Council approved the extension of sanitary sewer from Eagle Crescent to accommodate future Woodland Drive improvements at a total cost of $36,000. Council also authorized entering into a cost-sharing agreement with Pinetree Developments for a portion of the sanitary system, the City's share being $7,250.

7) Council awarded South Lakeside Drive Widening engineering design to TRUE Consulting Group for the amount of approximately $19,000

8) Council received applications for Development Permit #5-2011 and Development Variance Permit #7-2011 (Dog and Suds’ Restaurant) and referred them to the Advisory Planning Commission for consideration. This matter will be considered next by WL Council at its’ September 13th, 2011 meeting

9) Council gave 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading to Sign Amendment Bylaw No. 2145 (Accommodation of Parapets/Parapet Wall)

10) Council ratified the following email polls:

a) Approval for Mural on Central Cariboo Arts Centre Building Wall facing Borland St
b) Approval to apply to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Real Estate Foundation of BC for a grant to complete a housing need and demand study for Williams Lake and surrounding area

11) Council approved a change to the Heritage Committee Terms of Reference to allow for the appointment of seven members of the community

12) Council awarded a three (3) year lease to operate the food concession at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex to Karen's Place Holdings

13) Council awarded a five (5) year contract to Blackstock Ventures Ltd. to furnish, install and maintain four (4) vending machines for the bid price of 0% commission

14) Council adopted Bylaws #2143/2144 (Noise and Nuisance Amendment Bylaws)

15) The following Committee of the Whole recommendations were adopted:

a) Parks, Trails and Outdoor Recreation Master Plan completed by Stantec Consultants was adopted and the Master Plan was referred to the Central Cariboo/City of Williams Lake Joint Committee for their information
b) A Policy regarding Internal Control Over Financial Management and Financial Reporting was approved
c) Council received the draft Permissive Tax Exemption Policy and Staff were asked to organize public consultation with the current recipients of permissive tax exemptions
d) A Report on the role and function of social planning for the City of Williams Lake was received and Staff were directed to create a Social Development Strategy with input from the community regarding activities and priorities.
e) A letter from the Royal Canadian Legion dated June 16, 2011 regarding a request for an increase in their permissive tax exemption be received and was referred to the 2012 budget process
f) Council approved the design for a new Rick Hansen monument to be located at the Tourism Discovery Centre, and Staff were asked to approach the community for donation

16) Council proclaimed the following:
a) September 15th as “National Family Dinner Night”. Staff were also asked to provide a letter of support for this community based initiative
b) September 26th to October 1st – Celebrate Life Week
c) November 13th to 20th – Restorative Justice Week

17) Council received the “Council Information Package” dated August 30th as follows:

a) June 26, 2011 – Letter from British Columbia Old Age Pensioners' Organization re MSP Premiums for Seniors - (note - Mayor Cook indicates that this item will come forward for debate at the September 13th WL Council meeting)
b) June 30, 2011 - Letter from District of West Kelowna to Premier Clark
c) July 20, 2011 - Letter from BC Hydro re UBCM Convention (meeting requests)
d) July 25, 2011 - Letter from Cariboo Chilcotin Aboriginal Training Employment Centre
e) July 25, 2011 - Letter re Gas Tax Agreement Community Works Fund Payment
f) July 27, 2011 - Letter from WL Central Business Improvement Area re WLCBIA President Resignation
g) August 4, 2011 - UBCM Executive Release
h) August 4, 2011 - Spanish Mountain Gold - Update on Environmental Assessment, Permit Progress and Project Scope
i) August 4, 2011 - UBCM Release re Survey Results on the Public Health Act & Relationships between Local Governments & Health Authorities
j) August 22, 2011 - CRD Solid Waste Management Plan
k) August 26, 2011 - Release from Taseko Mines re Prosperity Project
l) No Date - Letter from Ministry of Health re Creating an Age-Friendly Business in BC

Meeting adjourned at 7:27pm and reconvened In-Camera (Section 90(1)(b) of the Community Charter)

WL Council has 6 meetings remaining

As of today - Williams Lake City Council has 6 meetings remaining prior to the November 19th election.  Those meetings dates are:

a) August 30th
b) September 13th
c) October 4th and 18th
d) November 1st and 15th

It'll be interesting to see if how WL Council gets along as we inch towards November's vote and how many, if any, announce their plans not to seek re-election.  At this point, I fully expect Councillors Laurie Walters, Geoff Bourdon and Surinderpal Rathor will be seeking another term.  However, it has been brought to my attention that Councillors Sue Zacharias and Tom Barr are contemplating either retirement or "other opportunities". 

We'll soon see if my guesses are correct or not.  Keep in mind that one seat is vacant so we know that the next WL Council will have a new face on it but time will tell if we'll have more new faces on WL Council as well - post November 19th

SBF

Central Cariboo Joint Committee: No More Debt!!!

This past Thursday, the Central Cariboo Joint Committee (CCJC), made up of WL Council and the CRD Directors' for Areas D, E, F, J and K, met in a Special Meeting to consider the tender to develop a Business/Concept Plan for a proposed Indoor Turf Facility and an update on repairs to the Sam Ketchum Pool.  See my blog post on that here

During that meeting, it was commented by WL Councillor Sue Zacharias that the Central Cariboo region needs an "all-in-one" building that includes a renovated pool & Indoor Turf Facility.  It was noted by City/CRD Staff to have both would cost in excess of $16 million to do a "Phase 2" for the Complex plus another $5-6 million for the Turf Facility, as a stand-alone building.  It should be noted that the "Phase 2" blueprints have not been updated for a few years now and would need to be updated to provide up-to-date information to the public, which could include splitting up "Phase 2" into smaller phases which could include these multiple phases totaling, again $5-6 million or less per small phase, depending on the mood of the public at the time.  Councillor Zacharias noted at last Thursday's CCJC's meeting that we need to invest in our recreation facilities to attract the medical and other professionals needed in our region - a theory I'm not personally convinced has any basis in fact.  Moreover - this theory is like gambling public money in a poker game where we have a hand of Ace-Two while the opponent has two Aces

However - I thought it may be important to review the recent decisions involving both the CMRC (Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex) and Central Cariboo Recreation, since 2003, for discussion purposes - given it's likely it'll be the next WL Council/CRD Board + CCJC who have to decide how the CMRC future direction proceeds

Central Cariboo Recreation Improvements - Recent History:

February 2003 - A Referendum Vote was announced to ask taxpayers' in portions of CRD Areas D, E, F + all of Williams Lake for permission to borrow $7.6 million to renovate the CMRC to include a conference center and renovated pool - see the press release here

November 8th, 2003 - Referendum Vote held to borrow $7.6 million as part of the 3 Part Referendum Question and voters defeated a City of WL/CRD Request to borrow $7.6 million to refurbish the CMRC but approved two requests pertaining to the-then Recreation Service - increase the tax requistion limit and combine separate pool and arena functions into one recreation function

March 17th, 2005 - Plan announced to seek $1.6 million to match a $1.6 million grant to improve the CMRC with a referendum date of April 30th, 2005.  See that press release here

May 2nd, 2005 - CRD Announces that 82% of the 1,925 votes cast approved the borrowing of $1.6 million to match a $1.6 million grant to upgrade the CMRC - see that press release here

August 2nd, 2005 - WL Council receives a presentation from Global Entertainment for an Events Centre in Williams Lake.  Item referred to next Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting for consideration

August 18th, 2005 - Joint Committee receives presentation from Global Entertainment for an Events Centre in Williams Lake - see here

February 26th, 2006 - CRD Board endorses a recommendation from the Central Cariboo Joint Committee continuing to support the an idea of an Event Center for Williams Lake - see here

August 8th, 2006 - City of WL receives plan for an Event Center for Williams Lake - see here (Part 1)and here (Part 2)

Note - For both February 26th/August 8th - Sue Zacharias was the-then CRD Director for Area 'D' (McLeese Lake-Wildwood-Commodore Heights)

June 20th, 2007 - CRD/City of WL announces completion of the upgrades to the CMRC, as approved by voters on April 30th, 2005 - see the press release here

March 3rd, 2009 - Councillor Sue Zacharias moves to have the Events Center work designated as a Number 4 priority and Phase 2 of the CMRC and Indoor Turf Facility as a #1 and #2 Priority - see my blog post on this here and WL City Staff report here

March 5th, 2009 - At their meeting - Joint Committee resolved the following:

a) That the priorities for recreation infrastructure projects be as follows; Phase 2 of the CMRC Improvement Project, an indoor turf facility and the Marie Sharpe School gymnasium

b) That $50,000 be allocated to update design plans for Phase Two of the CMRC Improvement Project from the 2009 Central Cariboo Recreation Capital Fund to submit for infrastructure grant applications

April 16th, 2009 - Joint Committee resolved the following:

"That feasibility planning & prelim concept design work begin for an Indoor Turf Facility using remaining money from the Phase 2 CMRC design update project budget"

July 9th, 2010 - CRD Board adopted a Joint Committee recommendation as follows:

"The proposed Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex Capital Plan update be endorsed and further, a media release be prepared following Board/Council approval to advise the community of the proposed works"

December 15th, 2010 - Public Meeting on Indoor Turf Facility - see my blog post here

May 24th, 2011 - City of WL/CRD announces results of Central Cariboo Recreation Survey results - see that blog post here.  The results indicated that an Indoor Turf Facility was the #1 Priority for residents, followed by expansion or improvement of the Sam Ketchum Pool & CMRC

Final Analysis:

It is unfortunate that Councillor Sue Zacharias has been all over the map on this file (Recreation).  In 2006 - she was, along with her then-colleagues on the Central Cariboo Joint Committee which included WL City Councillor SPS Rathor and former City of WL Mayor Scott Nelson, excited about an Events Center for Williams Lake as a CRD Rural Director.  Fast forward to 2009 - she, as a City Councillor, stated that it was a low priority due to the poor economy.  Now, again, fast forward to 2011 - she says we need a "all-in" building.  But I wonder where we could have been if we had continued to move forward on an Events Center which could have been a "all-in" building, if work on it proceeded during 2009 and 2010.  Now given the results of last Thursday's CCJC Meeting - it is about as clear as mud what the CCJC is doing with the improvements of our recreation facilities - given both their decisions at this meeting and this past May's Recreation Survey results

In addition - WL Mayor Kerry Cook noted at last Thursday's CCJC meeting that, down the road, residents may have be told that if nothing is done, the current shutdown may become commonplace
to which I reply "horse ****" because we shouldn't borrow because of fear mongering but because that is what the public wants, but I think the public will likely argue - we just borrowed $1.6 million to fix the pool in 2005 so why should we borrow more to fix the same issue that supposed fixed when $1.6 million was borrowed to repair the Sam Ketchum Pool

As of December 31st, 2010 - Central Cariboo residents still owed $1,034,093 for the Phase 1 improvements to the CMRC, as agreed to on April 30th, 2005, which will be paid off by April 16th, 2016 - see here and scroll to Page 2 for this information. 

Given the above - An Indoor Turf Facility + any future capital (major) improvements to the CMRC should not occur, at least for now - given the state of the local economy, but these projects should be re-evaluated after both Williams Lake and the Cariboo Regional District have made major dents in their long-term debt levels, in a few years, say by 2014-15.  In the meantime - the CCJC should consider making small investments, as part of the yearly CMRC Capital Plan, into the pool and around the CMRC, as appropriate

The above will be visited by the Central Cariboo Joint Committee at their September 14th, 2011 meeting as they begin the 2012 CRD Budget Planning Process by approving the 2012 Business Plan for the Central Cariboo Recreation Function.   

If you are concerned about the level of debt that local governments - including Williams Lake and the Cariboo Regional District have at present - I strongly encourage you to contact (see below) your elected official(s) prior to September 14th and let them know that it should be "status quo" as far as the CMRC goes until financial conditions improve, both at the City of Williams Lake and the Cariboo Regional District

Residents in CRD Areas D to F:

Residents in Area 'D' - contact Deb Bischoff via email at dbischoff@cariboord.bc.ca
Residents in Area 'E' - contact Steve Mazur via email at smazur@cariboord.bc.ca
Residents in Area 'F' - contact Joan Sorley via email at jsorley@cariboord.bc.ca

Residents in the City of Williams Lake:

Mayor Kerry Cook - Email her at mayor@williamslake.ca or kcook@williamslake.ca
Councillor Geoff Bourdon - Email him at gbourdon@williamslake.ca
Councillor Tom Barr - Email him at tbarr@williamslake.ca
Councillor SPS Rathor - Email him at srathor@williamslake.ca
Councillor Laurie Walters - Email her at lwalters@williamslake.ca
Councillor Sue Zacharias - Email her at szacharias@williamslake.ca

Special Central Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting - August 4th

Present (City of WL):

Mayor Kerry Cook (Co-Chair) and City Councillors G. Bourdon (5:03pm), SPS Rathor L. Walters (5:11pm) and S. Zacharias

Present (Cariboo Regional District):

Area 'D' Director Deb Bischoff, Area 'E' Director Steve Mazur and Area 'F' Director Joan Sorley (Co-Chair)

Absent:

WL City Councillor Tom Barr

CRD/City of WL Staff Present:

Geoff Goodall - GM of Planning/Operations - City of WL
Geoff Paynton - Director of Community Services - City of WL
Wendy Dalman - Corp Services Records Coordinator - City of WL
Janis Bell - CRD CAO
Darron Campbell - Manager of Community Services, CRD

Meeting called to order at 5:01pm

Consideration of June 23rd Joint Committee meeting minutes deferred until September 14th CCJC Meeting

Director Bischoff expressed her opinion that she was unhappy with the Agenda not being available prior to this meeting

Business:

1) Indoor Turf Facility Tender Award

City of WL Director of Community Services reviewed his report with the Joint Committee
Discussion ensued thereon, as follows:

Director Sorley - questioned process used, Item should have returned to Joint Committee prior to a decision being made to proceed with the tender - giving it was over budget and Recreation Budget dollars were involved.  This project should be revisited, in light of pool repairs.   There should also be a protocol re: projects involving CRD Recreation dollars and involvement of the Joint Committee

Councillor Rathor - apologized to CRD Directors Sorley, Bischoff and Mazur for not being informed

Director Mazur - Indoor Turf Facility should be deferred in light of repairs to the Sam Ketchum Pool

Director Bischoff - concur with Director Sorley

Councillor Zacharias - requested clarification on process - Joint Committee & Recreation Capital Funding

Director Bischoff - disappointed that pool updates can go out via email but Indoor Turf Facility RFP Tender didn't

By Consensus:

That the Joint Committee not proceed with the Indoor Turf Facility until a revisit of recreation priorities and further, the Joint Committee decline the tender due to budget overrun

Councillor Sue Zacharias registered a negative vote

By Consensus:

Staff be requested to bring forward a report on Joint Committee Process & the Recreation Capital budget process

Councillor Sue Zacharias registered a negative vote

2) Pool Update

The City Director of Community Services reviewed his report with the Joint Committee
Discussion ensued thereon:

* Consideration of a public meeting on the future of the CMRC and maybe even take it to referendum - Councillor Laurie Walters

* Need more information before a public information meeting takes place - Councillor Geoff Bourdon

By Consensus:

That a Joint Press Release be issued Friday on the present status of the Sam Ketchum Pool repairs

Councillor Geoff Bourdon registered a negative vote

By Consensus:

That a recreation priority list be brought forward for discussion to the Sept 15th CCJC Meeting

By Consensus:

CCJC endorses the Fire Protection Sub-Committee recommendations and a Joint Press Release be issued

By Consensus:

That the CCJC Terms of Reference be amended to allow the Joint Committee to act on matters, as delegated by the CRD Board

Meeting adjourned at 6:17pm

Couple of Oopsies at WL City Hall

From the file of "Oops":

1) Election Bylaw Review

Section 39(1) of the Local Government Act (LGA) states that a local government must have its general election bylaw (if the local gov't chooses to make an amendment to its existing general election bylaw or adopt a new general election bylaw) in place 8 weeks before the start of the nomination period.  The date to have done this was August 8th.  When I inquired what the City was doing in regard to this - I received the following response from the City's Manager of Legislative Services/Chief Election Officer:

We did not require any changes to our election bylaw so that section does not apply. If Council was interested in making any changes then we’d have to do an amending bylaw before the deadline referred to in Sec 39 of the LGA.

Which raises a couple of questions:

1) Who is "we"?  At this point - I've assumed that she is referring to City Staff/Council
2) If Council was not informed, then why didn't Mayor Cook bring this up with the CAO to be brought forward as a discussion item as it was in June of 2008 with the Council of the day who then proceeded to adopt General Election Bylaw #2072, 2008 (same bylaw that will be used for the 2011 Civic Election).  How can individual Council members provide input, if they apparently don't know about the topic??

2) Media Comments by Alan Madrigga:

In releasing the 2nd Quarter Economic Indicators Report (see here)and in a "WTF!!" moment - Alan Madrigga (Manager of Economic Development) said the following:

“I THINK THINGS ARE LOOKING OKAY FOR NOW AND THAT’S A GOOD THING IN THIS DAY AND AGE OF GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS AND SO ON. I THINK WILLIAMS LAKE IS DOING JUST FINE RIGHT NOW.”

Really - things are fine, huh?? - wanna explain that to the 100+ workers at Tolko - Lakeview Division who are off work for "at least" 1 week, due to bad weather in the bush to bring logs in.  It's sad to see WL City Hall (Mr. Madrigga likely speaks for majority of WL Council as well) have the "rose-coloured glasses" when it comes to the state of the local economy and shows how out of touch WL Council is with the general public who is looking forward to rendering its' judgement on whether or not people like (at this point) Mayor Cook and Councillors Tom Barr, Surinder Rathor, Laurie Walters, Sue Zacharias and Geoff Bourdon deserve re-election.  Methinks not but we all see on November 19th

1st Six Months Comparison for Travel Budgets for 2010 vs 2011 (City of WL)

Again, as a public service, let's look at where Williams Lake Mayor/Councillors were, with their travel budgets, for the first six months in 2010 vs 2011:

Jan 1st - June 30th 2010:

Mayor Cook - spent $5,467 of $10,600
Councillor Barr - spent $1,568 of $6,360
Councillor Bourdon - spent $457 of $5,560
Councillor Hebert (nee Montoya) - had a credit of $460 of her $5,560 budget
Councillor Rathor - $699 of $5,560
Councillor Walters - $663 of $5,560
Councillor Zacharias - spent none of her $5,560 budget

Total Spent to Date (Jan 1st - June 30th, 2010) - $8,204 of $44,760

Jan 1st - June 30th, 2011:

Mayor Cook spent $3,269 of $10,600
Councillor Barr spent $1,403 of $5,560
Councillor Bourdon spent $351 of $5,560
Councillor Rathor spent $3,228 of $5,560
Councillor Walters spent $0 of her $5,560 budget
Councillor Zacharias spent $0 of her $5,560 budget

Total Spent to Date (Jan 1st - June 30th, 2011) - $8,251 of $43,960