Council to vote on financial plan bylaw during special meeting tonight, April 19
City of Williams Lake Council will vote to move toward adoption of its financial plan and tax rate bylaws at a Special Council Meeting tonight, April 19.
During its Tuesday, April 18 Regular Meeting, Council voted to defer a $680,000 capital line item for paving reconstruction of Fourth Avenue resulting in a reduction in mill rates to be distributed over all taxation classes.
The motion to defer the Fourth Avenue paving project from this year's budget was proposed by Mayor Surinderpal Rathor after he learned of a recent reduction in shifts at a local sawmill and was worried of its impacts to the community.
The financial plan, budget and tax rate decision followed respectful debate among Council, as well as comments from several members of the public who were present for Tuesday night's meeting.
Much of the discussion surrounded whether to defer capital projects to future years in order to reduce taxation, or to work to complete necessary City infrastructure projects
now to stay ahead of rising inflation and potential further costs in the future for those same projects.
The revised financial plan being voted on during tonight's special meeting will reflect the budget changes approved at Tuesday's meeting.
Contract awarded for waste and recyclables
Council awarded a curbside waste and recyclables collection contract to Environmental 360 Solutions Ltd. for a three-year term at the annual price of $591,861.26, plus taxes. The existing contract is with Central Cariboo Disposal Service Ltd., which is now owned by Environmental 360 Solutions Ltd.
Accessory Dwelling Unit bylaw to be forwarded to ministry for approval
Council gave third reading to a zoning amendment bylaw for the regulation and streamlining for the ability to construct accessory dwelling units within the City of
Williams Lake.
The bylaw will now be forwarded to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for approval.
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a small, standalone house located on an existing lot with the main house. An ADU can have one or two storeys and can be above a detached garage. ADUs must meet the zoning regulations and building code, and they must receive a building permit before construction.
During a public hearing Tuesday, members of the public brought forward concerns surrounding onstreet parking and snow removal from laneway access to ADUs, while another member of the public thanked the City for working to address the housing shortage in the community. No written submissions were received.
Additional staffing request to enhance Indigenous relations and reconciliation, climate change and active transportation through moves forward
Council directed staff to proceed with the establishment of a hybrid position focused on Indigenous relations and reconciliation, climate change and active transportation.
The decision follows Council's commitment to advancing each of the initiatives included in the position and was selected among three options proposed by staff.
Mayor Surinderpal Rathor noted discussion will now take place surrounding how to achieve the best results in each of the initiatives.
Growing Community Reserve Fund Bylaw and Use approved
Council gave first three readings to the City of Williams Lake Growing Community Reserve Fund Establishment Bylaw and approved using all of the funds for the City's portion of planning and construction of the new water treatment plant.
The one-time grant amount of $3,728,000 from the Province will address infrastructure and amenities demands.
Council proclaims Day of Mourning, Hospice Palliative Care Awareness Month and Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
Council made several proclamations including the Day of Mourning on April 28, 2023, Hospice Palliative Care Awareness Month in May of 2023 and approved a request to light up City Hall purple for Fibromyalgia Awareness Day on May 12, 2023.