City to apply for Northern Development Initiative Trust Business Facade Improvement Program
The City of Williams Lake is applying for the 2023/24 Northern Development Initiative Trust Business Facade Improvement Program.
The program, which staff administered successfully in 2020/21 and 2021/22 saw a total of 20 applications submitted and 10 successful businesses each receiving $5,000 to improve storefront appearances. In total, $20,000 is available.
The program was paused in 2023then reopened on October 1, 2023 for its 2024 intake.
The Business Facade Improvement Program aims to help enhance economic viability and community, vibrance through visual improvements, increased assessed values, improved community appearance and to help attract private sector investment in local business.
Through the program, businesses in the downtown and commercial highway areas are eligible to apply to the City, which administers the funding based on its Business Facade Program Guidelines to determine eligible projects.
Council to request in-person meeting with Interior Health on ER closure
Council will write a letter requesting an in-person meeting with Interior Health’s CEO after voicing concerns on the organization’s response to correspondence submitted on behalf of council surrounding a temporary emergency room closure in early October at Cariboo Memorial Hospital.
Council’s concerns originally stemmed from a lack of communication from IH on the closure, which included a sign being placed on the hospital entrance requesting patients not “imminently dying” to travel to emergency rooms in other communities.
IH’s letter to Council noted the closure was not approved and said it is committed to taking the necessary steps to rebuild trust in the community.
Council to provide letter of support on CRD Solid Waste Management Plan
Council directed staff to draft a letter of support to the Cariboo Regional District for its 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan, which will include feedback on six specific options presented during the Tuesday, November 7 Regular Meeting.
Council is encouraging a user pay system to be implemented in year one instead of year five of the plan as a way to offset up front costs to City taxpayers.
Council awards design tender for new water treatment plant
Work is officially kicking off on the construction of a new water treatment plant in Williams Lake following a funding announcement from the provincial and federal governments in Council Chambers on Friday, October 27.
During Tuesday’s Regular Meeting, Council awarded the water treatment plant design and consulting services project to Associated Engineering Ltd. for the total amount of $2,915,168, including contingency and excluding GST.
The consultant will perform project management, design, stakeholder management, procure sub-consultants and oversee construction and commissioning.
The remaining project work is scheduled to continue until its estimated project completion date between October and December of 2026.
Cariboo Kennel Club airport lease agreement renewal approved
Council approved a proposed Airport Lease Renewal Agreement with the Cariboo Kennel Club for use of the land at the old housing area of the Williams Lake Regional Airport for a three-year term effective January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2026.
New five-year lease on landfill site moving forward with public notice
A report on a proposed five-year agreement for the landfill site lease with the Cariboo Regional District was received by Council and will now move to a public notice of disposition. Subsequent consideration of approval of the new landfill site lease has been deferred to the December 5, 2023 Regular Council Meeting.
The new lease has not been changed from past leases, other than dates and minor updates. The current lease expires December 31, 2023.
Request for raising of National Metis Flag for Louis Riel Day approved
Council authorized a request from the Cariboo Chilcotin Metis Association submitted November 1, 2023 for the raising of the national Metis flag in honour of Louis Riel on November 16, 2023 on the City’s flag pole.
Council authorized a request from the Cariboo Chilcotin Metis Association submitted November 1, 2023 for the raising of the national Metis flag in honour of Louis Riel on November 16, 2023 on the City’s flag pole.
Remedial action order upheld at Oliver Street property damaged in fire
Council upheld an existing remedial action order for a property at 84 Oliver St. originally passed on September 12, 2023. The order was originally placed on the property to address unsafe conditions related to an open pit on the property after the original building was destroyed in a fire in 2019.
In October of 2023, the original property owners requested the reconsideration of the remedial action order; however, the property has since changed ownership. The new property owner is working with the City to ensure safety surrounding the open excavation is addressed.