Council, parade organizers, dial up Stampede Fun Meter
The pageantry of the Williams Lake Stampede Weekend was on full display during the Tuesday, June 7 City of Williams Lake Regular Council Meeting in the form of a presentation from a pair of vivid characters.
Williams Lake Stampede Parade organizers Arty the Artwalker (Willie Dye) and The Cat in the Hat (Joan Oliver) were on hand to present a video produced and directed by John Dell showcasing all of the upcoming events the community has to look forward to during the 94th Annual Williams Lake Stampede Weekend.
Highlighted were the Williams Lake Stampede Parade, the Williams Lake Stampede Street Party, the Williams Lake Rustlers and Hustlers Annual Stampede Rugby Tournament, Thunder Mountain Speedway's back-to-back days of racing, Rotary Club of Williams Lake's daily pancake breakfasts and, of course, the rodeo itself.
Special guests featured in the video were Williams Lake Stampede Queen Karena Sokolan, Thunder Mountain Speedway President Tim Westwick, Mayor Walt Cobb and Williams Lake Rustlers President Alex Crook. Dye also provided an update to Council on current parade numbers, and said so far 55 floats are registered with volunteer commitment going well.
"Everywhere I go people are excited about the parade and Stampede weekend," Dye said.
Dye encouraged the entire community to take part in the Stampede weekend festivities, while Council expressed its appreciation for organizers, and its excitement for the weekend. The parade takes place on Saturday, July 2 at 10 am. The video will be available at wlstampedeparade.com.
Pavement rehabilitation project slated to start next month
Council awarded the 2022 Pavement Rehabilitation contract to Peters Bros Construction Ltd. for the cost of $1,459,759.16 with paving-related utility works, contingency and engineering. The project is slated to begin in early July following Stampede weekend. Council also made an amendment for staff to look at options in the remaining budget to conduct additional roadworks this year.
Waterworks 2022 contract awarded
In addition to the 2022 Pavement Rehabilitation contract, Council awarded the 2022 Waterworks contract to Morben Construction Ltd. for the amount of $275,100.66 for a total saddle project value of $274,394. The amount includes work assigned to the paving project budget, totalling $142,500.66. The waterworks portion of the amount is $132,600.
Surplus bridge donation request approved
In response to a letter from the Ministry of Forests - Recreation Sites and Trails Branch, Council agreed to donate a second surplus railcar bridge from the Williams Lake River Valley Trail to the Goldrush Snowmobile Trail.
Zoning amendment application approved
Council approved an amendment to the City of Williams Lake's zoning bylaw to rezone the property at 2012 Mackenzie Avenue North from single family residential to low density multiple family residential, as well as to reduce the off-street parking requirement from eight parking spaces and one accessible parking space to seven parking spaces and one accessible parking space for the proposed development: four new townhouse units.
Bylaws given first three readings
Council gave first three readings to the City's new and updated Sign Bylaw, Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw and Good Neighbour Bylaw amendments.
City to examine climate action commitments
Following an inquiry from students Ella Kruus and Julia Zirnhelt on the City's climate action plan and initiatives, Council directed staff to provide a report for a future Committee of Whole Council meeting reviewing the tools the City could adopt to meet its climate change action commitments.
Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw and General Local Government Election Bylaw adopted
Council adopted two bylaws: the Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw and the General Local Government Election Bylaw.
Street closures approved for upcoming events
Council approved road closures for two upcoming events: the Cariboo GM 9th Annual Soap Box Derby on June 16 (4 to 9 pm, Fourth Avenue from the top of the Barnard Street intersection to Mackenzie Avenue South), as well as the Stampede Street Party on July 2 (Stampede Parade route, as well as an extension of Oliver Street from the Third Avenue intersection to the bottom of Mart Street.