2018-22 Council thanks community for opportunity
City of Williams Lake Council held its final meeting of the 2018 to 2022 term on October 25th.
Outgoing Mayor Walt Cobb, who has served as Mayor of the City for the past eight years, thanked City staff and Council for all of their hard work over the years.
He also noted some of the challenging times Council dealt with during its time such as wildfires, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We as a Council are leaving the City in good condition," Cobb said, adding he is proud of the work they were able to accomplish.
"We're all looking at the best interest of the community as a whole ... we've got some major development happening and we're on the right track [moving forward]."
Outgoing Councillors Marnie Brenner, Jason Ryll and Craig Smith also thanked the citizens of Williams Lake for allowing them the opportunity to serve the community.
"Nothing can quite prepare you for life in local government," Ryll said. "It's been incredibly rewarding for me, challenging at times, everything from the legalization of marijuana to a global pandemic."
Coun. Brenner expressed gratitude for the community and the opportunity to learn so much, while Coun. Smith also thanked the community for the chance to serve as Councillor over the past eight years.
Councillors-elect Scott Nelson and Sheila Boehm echoed their colleagues' comments. Nelson said he's extraordinarily proud of the accomplishments of Council.
"The community is in a much stronger and better financial position," Nelson said.
"We're leaving things in good hands with what we've been able to accomplish."
Coun. Boehm added she's learned something from each of her colleagues over the past four years.
"I have a passion for my community and the people in Williams Lake and I'll do my best to make everybody proud the next four years," she said.
Outgoing Coun. Ivan Bonnell, who is in hospital recovering from a serious motor vehicle incident, will address the community at a later date.
The newly-elected Council will be sworn in during the Tuesday, November 1st, 2022 meeting in Council Chambers beginning at 6 pm.
Boitanio Disc Golf Course expands work scope for archaeological considerations
Council approved an increase in the awarded contract amount to INdesign Disc Golf for the completion of the City's newly-opened Boitanio Disc Golf Course in Boitanio Park.
Undetermined costs, including archaeological considerations while building the course, expanded the scope of work from $77,361 to $100,273. Extra time, equipment and materials were brought in to ensure all apparatus were completed in an above-ground manner.
During the October 25th Regular Meeting, Council commended the work of City staff and contractors on the course's completion, noting the recreational value it has already added for the community, residents and visitors.
Downtown Revitalization Tax Exemption application approved
Council approved a Downtown Revitalization Tax Exemption application from Good Guys Gardening Centre Inc. for a full renovation of storefront improvements, including a new timber frame overhang, exterior painting and additional paving of the parking lot. Good Guys Gardening is located at 250 Mackenzie Avenue South.
The Downtown Revitalization Tax Exemption encourages the revitalization of commercial properties and the construction or revitalization of multi-family residential rental properties and mixed commercial properties. Approved applications allow applications to receive a tax exemption for a period of three years, plus a single three-year renewal.
Council to provide letter of support for Civil Forfeiture and Crime Prevention Grant application
Council agreed to provide a letter of support to the Williams Lake Stampede Association for its application to the Civil Forfeiture and Crime Prevention Grant Stream open until
November 23rd, 2022. Mayor Cobb noted the funds would be used to recoup some costs associated with vandalism that occurred over the past year, while Council added the funds would help provide additional resources to allow the WLSA to install security cameras at various locations around Stampede Park as a result of direction from the RCMP due to the violent incident that occurred during the 2022 Williams Lake Stampede.
Council approves Remembrance Day ceremonies and poppy sales
Council approved a request from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 139 to carry out the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony and Poppy Campaign sale days.
Poppy Campaign sale days will be from October 28th to November 11th, while the Remembrance Day ceremonies will take place at the Cenotaph in the City Hall parking lot on November 11th at 11 am. Council also approved the Legion Flag to be displayed on the City's flagpole during the week of November 7th to 11th, along with the use of the Gibraltar Room for the service from 9:30 am until 11 am.
Partial street closure approved for First Nations Health Authority grand opening of First Nations Wellness Centre
Council approved a partial street closure on Friday, November 4th from 7 am to 5 pm at the intersection of First Avenue and Cameron Street for the First Nations Health Authority's grand opening of the First Nations Wellness Centre.
Council receives invitation to attend TNG's 158th Lhatŝ’aŝʔin Memorial Day
Council received a letter from the Tsilhqot'in National Government to attend the 158th Lhatŝ’aŝʔin Memorial Day on October 26th marking the wrongful arrest and hanging of TNG war chiefs during the Chilcotin War of 1864.