Council asks Interior Health to open Urgent and Primary Care Centre in Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake Council will request Interior Health to immediately implement an Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) walk-in clinic in Williams Lake to help address a doctor shortage in the community.
Council recapped a meeting with officials from Interior Health earlier this week, noting Council was informed an estimated 40 to 45 per cent of residents in the catchment area are without a doctor, equating to an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people.
Council said it will request letters of support from surrounding First Nations communities, as well as from the Cariboo Chilcotin Metis Association, the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council, The Tsilhqot'in National Government and the Cariboo Regional District .
Council also reaffirmed its commitment to addressing health care challenges among its top priorities.
Active school transportation presentation gets Council support
Council unanimously supported a presentation from the Chilcotin Road Elementary School Parent Advisory Council regarding its upcoming Active School Transportation event taking place on April 27, 2023 at 5:30 pm in the Gibraltar Room.
The free event, Keeping Kids Healthy - Active Transportation and the Health Benefits of Physical Activity for Children - will feature guest speaker Dr. Trent Smith.
Council was also encouraged to attend, as well as to help promote the event through appropriate social media channels.
Pavement marking contract awarded for three-year term
Council awarded the pavement marking contract to Andesite Holdings DBA Yellowhead Pavement Marking Inc. for a three-year term for the price of $166,195.80, excluding GST, per year.
Mayor Surinderpal Rathor said the City was happy with the price being locked in for three years considering inflation and rising costs.
Tender awarded for wheel loader mounted snowblower
After a request for proposals, Council approved the purchase of one 2023 wheel loader mounted snowblower from Inland Kenworth Ltd. for the price of $225,575.84 including taxes.
The new snowblower will replace a 2003 unit that has been in use for 20 years and has become difficult to find parts for.
City to lend helping hand for upcoming indoor rodeo
Council approved City staff and the use of City equipment for the hauling of material for the upcoming 2023 Interior Rodeo Association Indoor Rodeo coming up April 14-16, 2023 at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.
Council encouraged the community to support the event, noting it will be the first indoor rodeo to take place in the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
City to examine additional resources to enhance Indigenous relations and reconciliation
Council directed staff to prepare a report providing additional information on creating a City position to enhance Indigenous relations and reconciliation.
After considering several options, Council opted to examine the feasibility of creating a hybrid position combining active transportation, climate change and Indigenous relations.
City receives request to establish 'Sister City' in Ukraine
Discussion surrounding a letter from Williams Lake resident George Atamanenko requesting Council to consider taking steps to establish a sister city in Ukraine will receive further attention.
During Tuesday's meeting Atamanenko told Council it would be a timely opportunity to link Williams Lake with a city in Ukraine of similar size, and to promote peace through relationships, such as cultural exchanges, shared research and development projects.
Council agreed to refer the discussion to a future Community Services Committee meeting to be able to gather more information.
Council awards tender for pick-up truck
Council approved a request for proposal for the purchase of a 2023 one-ton extended cab 4x4 pick-up truck with combination service body and crane to Lake City Ford Sales for the price of $219,784.26, including taxes.
The new truck will replace a 2008 Ford F550 with service body and crane that has been in use for the past 15 years.