Local Government Meetings in Cariboo-Chilcotin - Week of Nov 2-

Next week, both Quesnel & WL Councils' are meeting. See below for the links to the Agenda/Reports:

City of Quesnel - Monday, Nov 2/09 at 7:00pm

http://quesnel.fileprosite.com/contentengine/document.asp?id=3377

City of Williams Lake - Tuesday, Nov 3/09 at 7:30pm

http://williamslake.ihostez.com/contentengine/document.asp?id=7713

Elected Officials & Social Media

In the world of elected officials, including myself, using social media to communicate with voters', Vancouver City Councillor Andrea Reimer was forced Friday to apologize after sending a "Tweet" on Tweeter poking fun at Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman's weight

CityCaucus.com has more on this story here

Central Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting - Oct 29th

Central Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting – October 29th (Meeting held in Committee Room #1 – WL City Hall)

Present from City of WL:

Mayor K. Cook (Joint Committee Co-Chair), Deputy Mayor SPS Rathor and Councillors L. Walters, and S. Zacharias

Present from CRD:

Directors D. Bischoff (Joint Committee Co-Chair), S. Mazur, D. Barnett, R. Mumford and Area ‘D’ Alternate Director John Andrews

Staff Present:

Brian Carruthers – CAO, City of WL
Janis Bell – CAO, CRD
Darron Campbell – Manger of Community Services, CRD
Geoff Paynton – Director of Community Services, City of WL

Absent:

City of WL Councillors Tom Barr, Natalie Montoya, Geoff Bourdon

Meeting called to order at 5:00pm by Committee Co-Chair K. Cook

Minutes:

By Consensus – Minutes of last Joint Committee be adopted

Fees and Charges Bylaw:

The City of WL Director of Recreation Services reviewed his report with the Joint Committee

By Consensus – That the Joint Committee approves the proposed changes to the Fees & Charges Bylaw effective January 1, 2010

2010 Business, Capital and Financial Plans – Central Cariboo Recreation Function

The CRD Manager of Community Services reviewed the Business, Capital and Financial Plans for the Central Cariboo Recreation Function with the Joint Committee

Questions included:

• Community Gym, new Marie Sharpe Elementary School. Financial contribution of $750,000 to be carried forward in 2010 until such time that the new Marie Sharpe Elementary School project begins
• Museum of Cariboo-Chilcotin financial contribution to be transferred to Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function

By Consensus – That the Business, Capital and Financial Plans for the Central Cariboo Recreation Function for 2010 be endorsed

Waiver of Fees for Gibraltar Room – Royal Canadian Legion

The City of WL CAO reviewed the history of this file with the Joint Committee

By Consensus – Royal Canadian Legion be granted a waiver of fees for use of the Gibraltar Room for the Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11th, 2009 and that use of the Gibraltar Room for Remembrance Day ceremonies be included in the Fees and Charges Bylaw

Central Cariboo Recreation Function Contribution to the Parks, Trails & Outdoor
Recreation Master Plan

The CRD Manager of Community Services reviewed his report with the Joint Committee

Questions included:

• Boundary of Central Cariboo Recreation Function (Councillor Walters)

By Consensus – That the Joint Committee support Parks, Trails and & Outdoor Recreation Master Plan

Central Cariboo Recreation Advisory Committee – Change to Terms of Reference

The City of WL Director of Recreation Services reviewed his report with the Joint Committee

Questions included:

• Use current membership numbers to add youth to the Committee (Councillor Rathor)

By Consensus – Joint Committee agrees to extend the number of members of the Committee from nine to eleven. Membership to include one Youth and one First Nations

Meeting Schedule for 2010 – Central Cariboo Joint Committee

By Consensus – Meeting schedule be endorsed

Grants-in-Aide for 2010 – City of Williams Lake and CRD Electoral Areas D, E, F

The City of WL CAO reviewed the spreadsheet for all Grants-in-Aide applications in the City of Williams Lake & CRD Electoral Areas D, E, F

Questions included:

• Community Arts Council Grant-in-Aide, move to Arts and Culture Function for 2010? (Councillor Zacharias). Staff advised that it would be inappropriate, at this time, as the Arts and Culture Function Budget is not properly set-up at this point

• BC Cattlemen Association, increase Grant-in-Aide (Director Barnett)

• Grant-in-Aid recipients should report out on use of Grant-in-Aide (Director Bischoff, Mayor Cook)

By Consensus –

That the spreadsheet of Grant-in-Aide amounts from City /CRD be endorsed

And the remaining Grant-in-Aid money be held in trust with the City

6:00pm Delegation - Service Delivery Plan for Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function:

Jill Zimonick from Stonefield Consulting regarding the Draft Service Delivery Plan for the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function

Ms. Zimonick gave a PowerPoint presentation, which included:

• Consultation Process
• Key Findings
• Recommended Delivery Model
• Recommendations & Implementation

Questions from Joint Committee included:

• Presentation of Service Delivery Plan to public & clarification of concern from public re: Director of Arts and Culture working for City of WL or CRD (Director Bischoff)

• Concern about 1st Year Proposed Budget (Mayor Cook)

• Composition of Advisory Committee / new Arts and Culture “Group” (Director Mazur)

CRD Manager of Community Services reviewed his report with Joint Committee members

Director Bischoff left the meeting at 7:00pm
Director Mazur left the meeting at 7:07pm

By Consensus -

1) Draft Service Delivery Plan be received
2) Public Review Period to commence including a Town Hall Meeting being scheduled & Media Release being issued
3) $50,000 to be included in 2010 Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function Budget for City of WL Fire Hall renovation

By Consensus –

That the meeting adjourn and reconvene In-Camera

Grant-in-Aide Process - City of Williams Lake

Last night, WL City Councillor Geoff Bourdon suggested that the definition of "non-profit" should be tightened in light of Grant-in-Aide applications from WL Curling Club, WL Golf and Country Club and WL Indoor Rodeo and the fact that these organizations have the ability to raise revenues to cover costs (capital)

I support his views on the above and certainly, taxpayers' dollars should go to those "true" non-profits who don't have the ability to raise revenues while providing a service to both the City and the Central Cariboo Region

Also, Council agreed to give a $3,500 Grant-in-Aide to the Community Arts Council. This $3500 Grant is required to get the matching $3500 from the Province. However, given that the Community Arts Council financial competency has been, for the moment, called into question and that the fact the RCMP are reviewing the Community Arts Council's Financial Statements, they should have not gotten the Grant-in-Aide for 2010, but instead their Grant-in-Aide application should have been considered for 2011 but with the money coming from the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function's Budget, thereby leaving more money available for true non-profits who do good works in our community

Committee of the Whole (WL Council) Highlights - Oct 27th

WL Committee of the Whole Highlights – October 27th, 2009 (Meeting held in Committee Room #1 – WL City Hall)

Present:

Mayor Cook, Deputy Mayor Rathor and Councillors Montoya, Walters, Zacharias and Bourdon

Absent:

Councillor Tom Barr

Staff Present:

Brian Carruthers – CAO
Cindy Bouchard – Corporate Services Records Management Coordinator
Geoff Paynton – Director of Community Services
Anne Burill – Social Development Manager
Darcy Lazzarin – General Manager of Corporate Services
Lilliana Dragowska – City Planner
Geoff Goodall – General Manager of Planning & Operations

Meeting called to order at 6:30pm

The Committee adopted the minutes of the October 13th, 2009 Committee of the Whole Meeting

1) The Committee reviewed the 3rd Quarter Report and the followed was noted:

• CAO, General Manager of Corporate Services and the General Manager of Planning & Operations reviewed the 3rd Quarter Report with the Committee including the Budget Cycle process, financials for the 3rd Quarter of the 2009 Fiscal Year, Objectives & Highlights for the 3rd Quarter, Council Action Tracking List, 2009 Capital List with some projects to be carried over to 2010, work on-going on various other capital projects in the City with some to be referred to the 2010 Budget Process including Pinchbeck Street.

• Committee members’ asked a number of questions related to the 3rd Quarter Report including status of 2009 Capital Projects in the City and other City initiatives

The Committee agreed to receive the 3rd Quarter Report and that Staff be congratulated on the Report

2) The Committee reviewed 2010 Grant-in-Aide applications

• The General Manager of Corporate Services reviewed Council’s applicable policy and guidelines on Grants-in-Aids with the Committee

• The Committee reviewed a 2010 Grant-in-Aide Spreadsheet for approval up to $35,000 with recommendations to be forwarded to the Thursday, October 29th Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting. General Discussion then ensued by Committee members’ on specific applications.

Councillor Bourdon commented that perhaps the definition of “Non-Profit” should be tightened in view of the Grant-in-Aid application from the WL Golf and Country Club/WL Curling Club; also, he doesn’t support a Grant-in-Aid to the WL Indoor Rodeo as they have the ability to increase revenue. Councillor Zacharias commented that perhaps youth fees at Golf Course & Curling Club should be subsided in the name of “Crime Prevention”. In addition, she doesn’t support a Grant-in-Aide to the WL Stampede Association

City Spreadsheet for 2010 Grant-in-Aid to be forwarded to Thursday, October 29th Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting for consideration of Central Cariboo Grants-in-Aide for 2010

The Committee received the Spreadsheet
The Committee asked Staff to bring forward the Grant-in-Aide Policy for review prior to April of 2010

3) The Committee reviewed a report from the Manager of Social Development & Planner regarding ICSP (Integrated Community Sustainability Plan) - Sustainability Principles and Charter of Sustainability:

• The Manager of Social Development & City Planner reviewed this report with the Committee.

The Committee recommended to Council that it adopt both the Sustainability Principles and the Charter of Sustainability


4) The Committee reviewed a report from the Manager of Social Development regarding Cariboo Lodge Kitchen Equipment Allocations:

Mayor Cook declared a conflict and left the Committee Room at 8:08pm and Acting Mayor Sue Zacharias took the Chair

• Councillor Montoya reviewed actions on this report from Portfolio

The Committee recommended to Council:

That Council allocate the kitchen equipment from Cariboo Lodge as follows:

Salvation Army:
• Commercial Dishwasher,
• Garland Range,
• Exhaust Hood,
• One (1) Walk In Cooler

Food Policy Council:

• Stainless Working Area,
• One (1) Walk-in cooler

Camp Likely:

• Stainless Steel Working Area,
• Bakers Pride Oven,
• Built In Shelving

And further Staff be requested to look into “Right of First Refusal” Policy on equipment not to be used by Salvation Army, Food Policy Council or Camp Likely

Mayor Cook resumed the Chair at 8:16pm

The Committee adjourned at 8:17 pm with the Committee to reconvene In-Camera

Upcoming Local Government Meetings in Cariboo-Chilcotin

There are a number of local government meetings' upcoming in the Cariboo-Chilcotin for the week of October 27th - 30th:

City of Quesnel (in Committee of the Whole) - Monday, October 26th

The link to the Agenda/Reports is here

City of Williams Lake (in Committee of the Whole) - Tuesday, October 27th

The link to the Agenda/Reports is here

Cariboo Regional District (Regular Meeting) - Friday, October 30th

The link to the Agenda/Reports is here

New Provincial Legislation prohibiting all types of cell phone use while driving

The Solicitor-General (Hon. Kash Heed) introduced legislation today which, if passed, would prohibit anyone, other than those in the GLP (Graduated License Program) who will not be allowed to have any cell phone in their posession, period, to text, check email, or call on their cell phone unless they are using a hands-free device.

More on this story, from Black Press, is here

Public Consultation - BC Budget 2010

Hello all:

As you may be aware, the Legislature's Committee on Finance and Government Services is touring the Province getting oral, written and video input around the public's priorities for the 2010 Provincial Budget

As well, the Committee has established a website where you can provide input as to your priority for the 2010 Provincial Budget. You have until Friday, October 23rd, 2009 to provide online input on the 2010 Provincial Budget to the Committee

The link is here

WL Council Meeting Highlights - Oct 20th

WL Council Highlights – October 20th, 2009 Meeting (Meeting held in Williams Lake Council Chambers)

Present: Mayor K. Cook, Deputy Mayor SPS Rathor, Councillors G. Bourdon, L. Walters, and N. Montoya

Absent: Councillors Tom Barr & Sue Zacharias

Staff Present:

Brian Carruthers – CAO
Cindy Bouchard – Corporate Services Records Coordinator
Darcy Lazzarin – General Manager of Corporate Services
Geoff Goodall - General Manager of Planning & Operations
Tom Cheung – IT Manager

Meeting called to order at 7:30pm

Council approved the Minutes of the October 6th Meeting

Council approved 1 Late item (Report of CAO re: UBCM Convention) to be added to the Agenda

Delegations:

1) Darlene Doskoch from Jubilee Care/Cariboo Mental House Association re: Challenge Day 2009

• Challenge Day 2008 offered to 300 Students at Columneetza and WL Senior Secondary. 400 students to take the program this year.
• Need 150 Volunteers this year.
• Challenge Day 2009 will take place December 1st – 4th, 2009
• Ms. Doskoch challenged all parents in Williams Lake to take this program

2) Daniel Hutchins – Operations Manager for Interior Roads re: Road Maintenance/Winter Program for 2009

• Reviewed Winter Road Clearing Readiness with Council
• 5 Types of Classification for Road Maintenance – Class “A” to Class “E”
• 22 Workers in Williams Lake area
• Challenged the public to inform them of any road maintenance issues at any time, 24/7

3) Dean Essex (Shaw Cable – Local Programmer) re: Update on Channel 10

• Thanked volunteers who come out to tape Council meetings’ and also who do local community programming
• Noted that programming from other areas in BC will still appear in Channel 10
• Mayor Cook presented Mr. Essex with a thank-you card

Business:

1) Council approved 4 Revitalization Tax Exemptions for the following properties:

• Amol Lal and Ajay Lal – 480 Proctor Street
• Bharat and Hira Lal – 460 Proctor Street
• Richard and Carole Weil – 280 1st Avenue North
• Steve Watson and Sue Watson – 72 Oliver Street

The General Manager of Corporate Services reviewed the history on Revitalization Tax Exemption Agreements in Williams Lake with Council. Councillors’ Rathor and Bourdon noted these Revitalization Tax Exemption Agreements are good for Williams Lake overall.

2) Council approved the following with regard to Remembrance Day:

• Week of November 4th to 11th be proclaimed as “Veterans’ Week” in the City of Williams Lake;
• The Poppy Campaign sale days on October 30 & 31 and November 1, 6, 7 and 8, 2009
• The Parade Route on November 11, 2009 as indicated and Staff coordinate the placement of barricades as requested
• a "2 Minute Wave of Silence" at 11:00 am on November 11, 2009
• Use of the City Hall lobby for the Remembrance Day ceremonies on November 11, 2009

3) Council proclaimed the month of November 2009 as “Prayer Month” in the City of Williams Lake

4) Late Item – Report of the CAO regarding the 2009 UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities) Convention:

• The Mayor reviewed meetings’ with Cabinet Ministers’ at the 2009 UBCM including Ministers Heed (Solicitor-General), Abbott (Aboriginal Affairs), Thompson (Agriculture), Krueger (Tourism, Sports and the Arts), Hansen (Finance), Stilwell (Advance Education) and MacDiarmid (Education). Also Council met with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (Kevin Richter), RCMP “E’ Division (Rob Morrison)

• Mayor & Councillors attend various Resolution Sessions and Clinics

• Mayor Cook, Councillor Bourdon and Alan Madrigga (Economic Development Manager) attended the unveiling of the “Williams Lake” video at the Vancouver International Airport

Information and Announcements:

Mayor and Councillors made announcements around various local communities’ activities on-going in Williams Lake

Adjournment:

Meeting adjourned at 8:35pm with Council reconvening In-Camera, pursuant to Section 90(1e and k) and 92 (a) of the Community Charter

Body Armour Act

Today, the Solicitor-General (Hon. Kash Heed) introduced the Body Armour Act, which if passed into law, would restrict the ownership of body armour, with a permit, to security guards/private investigators, law enforcement officials, and prison guards. This new Act is the first of its' kind in Canada. It already exists in Australia and the United States

CBC-BC's website has more on this story here

Phase 2 at Prosperity Ridge & City of Williams Lake

WL Tribune reports on continued progress, by Prosperity Ridge Developments Ltd, the City of Williams Lake and the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure, to allow the Phase 2 Development at Prosperity Ridge to proceed

The story is here

H1N1 Pandemic Plan & the City of Williams Lake

Last night, Quesnel Council adopted their H1N1 Flu Pandemic Plan which covers all Muncipal Departments in the City of Quesnel. These plans were made public and Byron Johnson, City Manager gave an overview on this subject to Quesnel Council Monday evening

Last week, I asked 2 Williams Lake City Councillors' (Rathor and Montoya) what we were doing on this subject and they committed to me that they would do follow-up. Councillor Rathor now informs me that the City of WL CAO does not intend make their H1N1 Flu Pandemic Plans know, as Brian Carruthers (City of WL CAO) deems it to be an "administration" issue that Council need not get involved in.

I say - bullshit. If Quesnel Council, in its' wisdom, can publicly release its' H1N1 Flu Pandemic Plan there, then the City of Williams Lake Council should "order" its' Staff to do the same here

Not to do so would perpetuate a perception of a City Hall that is neither open nor transparent

Quesnel Council Meeting - October 19th, 2009

Quesnel Council Highlights – Monday, October 19th, 2009 Meeting (Meeting held in Quesnel Council Chambers)

Present: Mayor M. Sjostrom and Councillors C. Oakes, R. Paull, S. Thapar, L. Roodenburg and P. Couldwell

Absent:

Councillor Mike Cave

Staff Present:

Byron Johnson – City Manager
Lori Scott – Deputy Corporate Administrator
Matt Wood – Communications Supervisor
Kari Bolton – Director of Finance
Jack Marsh – Director of Public Works & Engineering
Tanya Turner – City Planner
Robert Bardua – IT Assistant

Meeting called to order at 7:00pm

Invocation given by Councillor L. Roodenburg

Agenda with late items was adopted

Minutes of August 31st, September 14th (Regular Meetings’) and the Special Meeting of October 5th were adopted

Public Hearing Minutes of September 21st were received

Presentations:

1) Helen Agren – recipient of BCSLA Resident of the Year LEAP Award (resident of Maeford Place)

Mayor Sjostrom gave a brief description of Ms. Agren’s life. Ms. Agren was then presented with a plaque from Mayor and Council.

2) Introduction of New Quesnel RCMP Officers’ by Staff-Sgt Gary Clark-Marlow(Quesnel RCMP Detachment Commander)

3) Baker Creek Enhancement Society – update on Dragon Creek Restoration Project

Ms. House and Ms. Bond, on behalf of DFO (Department of Fisheries and Oceans) and the Society gave a PowerPoint Presentation updating Council on the Dragon Creek Restoration Project.

Council resolved to write a letter of support to the Baker Creek Enhancement Society for this Project

Council Committee Reports:

1) Committee of the Whole Meeting – September 21st

Mayor Sjostrom reported on the outcome of this meeting.

Council agreed to proceed with Five Revitalization Projects in Downtown area. Money to come from Community Adjustment Fund Grant.

Item K12 – Letter from Quesnel DBA (Downtown Business Association) re: Downtown Revitalization Program

Deputy Corporate Administrator read aloud the letter. Carol Pitkin from the Quesnel DBA introduced the project manager to Council

Letter received

2) Committee of the Whole Meeting – Oct 5th

Acting Mayor Roodenburg reviewed the proceedings of this meeting with Council

3) Health Advisory Committee meeting of September 10th

Councillor Couldwell reviewed the proceedings of this meeting with Council

4) North Cariboo Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting of September 3rd

Councillor Roodenburg reviewed the proceedings of this meeting with Council

5) CRD Board Meetings of September 18th and October 9th

Mayor Sjostrom reviewed the proceedings of these meetings with Council

6) UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities) Reports

Mayor & Council reviewed their UBCM Reports

City Staff Reports:

1) Annual Water Report, City of Quesnel – Mr. Marsh reviewed his report with Council. Council resolved to receive the Report
2) DP #30-2009 (Baker Holdings Ltd) – Ms. Turner reviewed her report with Council. Council resolved to issue DP#30-2009 subject to 2 Conditions as Staff Recommendation and Landscaping Security being obtained
3) Computer Loan Program – Ms. Bolton reviewed her report with Council. Council resolved to eliminate the Computer Loan Program.
4) Pandemic Report – Mr. Johnson reviewed his report with Council. Council resolved to approve the Pandemic Plan
5) DP #2209-31 – Ms. Turner reviewed her report with Council. Council resolved to issue DP#31-2009
6) HST Impact – City of Quesnel – Ms. Bolton reviewed her report with Council. Council resolved to receive the report.
7) DP #32-2009 (Billy Barker Casino) – Ms. Turner reviewed her report with Council. Council resolved to issue DP#32-2009
8) Bulk Water Tender – Mr. Marsh reviewed his report with Council. Council resolved to award the tender to Cottonwood River Contracting Ltd for $289,254.45 (excluding GST). Several concerns indicated by Council include project taking too long to finish, water charge rate (report on this to come forward at a future Council meeting). Mayor Sjostrom called the question on the Motion and following vote took place:

Yeas - Mayor Sjostrom and Councillors Thapar, Couldwell, Roodenburg

Nays - Councillors Oakes and Paull

9) Motor Grader Tender – Mr. Marsh reviewed his report with Council. Council resolved to award the tender to Brandt Tractor for $208,280.80 for a John Deere 770G
10) Building Inspection and Account Payable Clerk Cheque Lists – items received

Council Information Package - Individual Council members brought various items from the CIP forward for review.

Correspondence

Council reviewed various Correspondence.

• Letter to be forwarded to Cariboo Regional District from City of Quesnel to support Forest Capital of Canada Designation for 2010-2011
• Council agreed to purchase 1 table at Quesnel Palliative Care Dinner and Auction
• Council proclaimed Nov 15-22 as Restorative Justice week in the City of Quesnel
• Quesnel Downtown Association authorized to host on December 4th a “Santa Parade”
• Letter from Lions Club re: Canada Day and Family Day referred to Canada Day Committee for review
• Delegation from Quesnel to go to Shiraoi, Japan in 2011
• Request from Bank of Montreal for handicapped parking spot referred to 2010 Budget Process
• Council to write a letter to Solicitor-General Kash Heed re: Concerns around User Fees for PRIME
• Council to give $1000 sponsorship for Chamber for Commerce Business Excellence Award Night (Councillor Oakes declared a conflict and left the meeting as she's the Chamber Executive Director). Councillor Thapar noted that this might not be an appropriate use of taxpayers' dollars, at this time of economic upheaval.

Mayor Sjostrom called the question on the Motion and the following Vote took place:

Yeas - Mayor Sjostrom and Councillors Roodenburg, Couldwell
Nays - Councillors Paull and Thapar

Councillor Oakes returned to the meeting

Bylaws:

Quesnel 2010-2012 Tax Exempting Bylaws Nos. 1667 and 1668, 2009 – Bylaws were adopted


Information and Announcements:

Mayor & Councillors gave information on various activities ongoing in the City of Quesnel

Meeting adjourned at 9:50pm

Provincial Government introduces new legislation - Welfare & Outstanding Warrants in other Provinces

The Hon. Rich Coleman (Minister of Social Development & Housing) today introduced Bill 14 - Housing and Social Development Statues Amendment Act, 2009

The Bill, if passed, will prohibit those who have outstanding warrants for indictable offenses (Murder, Assault, etc) in other Provinces from applying for welfare. Exceptions in the Bill include:

• Those who are pregnant
• Those who are in the final stages of life

Global BC has more on the story here

My 1st WL Timberwolves Game

Last night, being a Friday night, I decided that I would attend my 1st WL Timberwolves game, instead of staying home

The Timberwolves hosted the Vernon Vipers. The game was filled with action, including not 1, but 2 Fights. The Timberwolves won the first bout, but then lost the second one. The game including the Timberwolves taking some dumb penalties and the Timberwolves main goalie allowing an easy goal in after trying to stick handle the puck to the Timberwolves defense man

In the end - the Vipers "schooled" the Timberwolves 9-2.

Next game - Tonight, when the Timberwolves host the Langley Chiefs at 7:30pm at the Cariboo Memorial Complex

Service Delivery Plan - Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function & City of WL Arts and Culture Plan

Earlier this summer, the CRD/City of WL commenced a process to develop a Service Delivery Plan for the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function

Also, WL Council, at its' Strategic Planning Session held in December of 2008, made 10 Strategic Corporate Goals for this term of 2008-2011 which included:

"Develop and implement an Arts and Culture Plan"

The City should have approached the Central Cariboo Joint Committee and said -- If we have a sub-regional Arts and Culture Function, then let's have a sub-regional Arts and Culture Strategic Plan, which identifies goals for the Arts and Culture sector in the Central Cariboo and identify possible funding sources in this Plan, including the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function and other government & non-profit group grants.

By doing this, we would have a vision and a plan to have a vibrant and energetic Arts and Culture Sector, here in the Central Cariboo Region

We can't have a Service Delivery Plan - Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Function for the Central Cariboo region, which covers all of Williams Lake plus CRD Electoral Areas D, E, F and then an Arts and Culture Plan, solely for the City of Williams Lake. It demonstrates very poor planning and vision-setting for both the City and the Central Cariboo region

City of Williams Lake Council Meeting - Tuesday, October 20th @ 7:30pm

City of WL Council will meet on Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 at 7:30pm in Council Chambers (450 Mart Street)

The Agenda and Reports can be found here

Please note - Council will be meeting In-Camera immediately following adjournment of the Council meeting, in accordance with Section 90(1) of the Community Charter

City of Quesnel Council Meeting - Monday, October 19th

The City of Quesnel Council is meeting on Monday, October 19th, 2009 at 7pm in Quesnel Council Chambers, located at 2nd Floor, 410 Kinchant Street in Quesnel

The link to the Agenda/Reports is here

CNC and UNBC in Quesnel - Phase 2 Project Moving Forward

Quesnel Observer reports that the College of New Caledonia & UNBC (University of Northern British Columbia) in Quesnel will begin its' Phase 2 Project (Trades & Technology Center) worth $9.8 million, with financial assistance from Victoria and Ottawa. The Phase 2 Project is scheduled for completion by February of 2011

The full story is here

Bob Simpson Town Hall Meeting in WL - Tuesday, October 13th

WL Tribune reports on the outcome of Bob Simpson's (NDP MLA - Cariboo-North) Town Hall Meeting on perceived cuts to gaming grants to non-profit groups

The story is here