Council endorses GoByBike weeks in Williams Lake
City of Williams Lake Council put its support behind a delegation from GoByBike weeks organizers Erin Hitchcock and Denise Deschene during Tuesday's Regular Meeting.
The presentation summarized the two-week event taking place from October 3-16 while outlining the benefits of utilizing forms of active transportation.
Hitchcock also invited Mayor and Council to take part in a Politician on a Pedal Challenge during the two-week period. Following some discussion, Council also asked City staff to prepare a report on options regarding resurrecting the City's Active Transportation Committee.
Revised zoning amendment for drive-thru restaurant gets support
Council received a revised zoning amendment application for the former Shell station on Broadway Ave. S (1238 Broadway Ave. S) to allow for a drive-thru restaurant. The application also asks for a minimum of six off street parking spaces, including one accessible parking space and to reduce the minimum two-way parking aisle width from 7.3 metres to 6.8 metres.
Moving forward, staff will issue notice of the application to the surrounding property owners and tenants within a 100-metre radius of the property. The public will have a chance to speak on the application at a public hearing scheduled for Sept. 20 at 6 pm in Council Chambers.
Logging and fuel treatment contract awarded
Council approved a contract for logging and fuel treatment work in the vicinity of Missioner Creek and Twelfth Ave. N. during Tuesday's Regular Meeting. The contract was awarded to Nilsson Select Contracting Ltd. for the price of $134,340.
Council to apply for entry into Local Government Climate Action Program
Council will pursue a strategic approach to climate change and authorized staff to submit an application for the new Local Government Climate Action Program.
The program requires a 20 per cent municipal investment of the available provincial funding of $114,082 annually for three years.
Council noted the funds will be used in key areas to help reduce emissions and to invest in climate action at the corporate level.
Remuneration policy for Mayor, Council updated
Council approved an amendment to the 'Annual Indemnity for Mayor and Councillors' policy to update the remuneration for Mayor and Councillors as of November 1, 2022. Remuneration amounts will increase to $63,588 from $53,357 for the Mayor and to $22,964 from $18,613 for members of Council.
At the meeting Council noted the amendment is to meet the average remuneration of other municipalities of similar size.
Housing project eyed by Council at Tuesday meeting
Council asked City staff to prepare a report on potential uses for a vacant City-owned property at McKinnon Road.
The report will outline the process for undertaking a public Request for Proposals and to solicit options for developing housing on the lot.
The property was released to the City by the Ministry of Highways after the redevelopment of the Toop Road/Highway 97 intersection in 2019.
Council proclaims Rail Safety Week, National Forest Week and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Council made multiple proclamations during Tuesday's Regular Meeting including Rail Safety Week (September 19-25, 2022) and National Forest Week (September 18-24, 2022).
Council also agreed to change the lights at City Hall to blue to show support for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month during the week of September 12-16, 2022 at the request of the Prostate Cancer Foundation B.C.