Hamilton Inn Shelter, proposed safe use site, subject of presentation from group of concerned citizens
A presentation led by resident Walt Cobb on behalf of a group of concerned citizens regarding impacts on residents and businesses from the Hamilton Inn Shelter in downtown Williams Lake was the subject of much discussion during the Tuesday, December 20 Regular City Council Meeting.
Cobb read letters mostly written during the summer months of 2022 from residents and downtown businesses who say they are being negatively impacted due to activity surrounding the shelter.
Cobb also urged Council to carefully consider additional impacts from a proposed overdose prevention site in the area, along with any deliberations surrounding addressing homelessness, addiction and mental health.
Mayor Surinderpal Rathor stressed no decision on whether an overdose prevention site will open in the City has been made, and will depend on a report from staff following a delegation earlier this month from Interior Health.
After more discussion, Council resolved to receive the letter package from Cobb and refer it to City staff, BC Housing and CMHA for a report back on the Hamilton Inn Shelter and homelessness problem in the downtown core.
Council will also consider the information received from the delegation, and from the City staff report, in a future report on a proposed overdose prevention site in Williams Lake.
City to join as new members of BC Rural Health Network
Council resolved to join the BC Rural Health Network following a presentation from two of its members at Tuesday's Regular Meeting.
BCRHN executive director Paul Adams and vice president Colin Moss, speaking to Council via Zoom, said the aim of the network is to help increase the voice of rural residents on health and wellbeing, to realize equity and to address the unique nature of rural health challenges which they said require rural-specific solutions.
Council agreed to the membership fee of $50 and said more voices adding to the collective can only benefit rural British Columbians.
The BCRHN currently has 83 members including 23 municipalities, Adams said, adding the organization has grown considerably in recent years.
Family Literacy Week proclaimed in Williams Lake
Following a presentation from Suzanne Cochrane of Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy, Council proclaimed the week of January 20-29, 2023 as Family Literacy Week in the City of Williams Lake.
Cochrane stressed the importance of literacy in all forms - financial, physical and family - and invited the community to take part in several activities being held throughout the week such as story walks at the library and at schools and Family Fest in the Gibraltar Room on January 28, 2023 between 10 am and 1 pm.
She also invited Mayor and Council, as well as residents, to visit the Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy's office at #302 - 172 Second Ave N to learn more about its programs.
Coun. Boehm appointed to Northern Medical Programs Trust
Coun. Sheila Boehm was appointed as the City of Williams Lake's representative on the board of the Northern Medical Programs Trust. The NMPT was established as a result of a partnership involving the University of British Columbia, the University of Northern British Columbia and the Northern Health Authority.
Insurance brokerage services contract awarded
Council awarded insurance brokerage services to HUB International Insurance Brokers for the 2023-25 term at the 2023 price of $235,181 with subsequent quoted increases for the remaining years.
Mayor Rathor to attend BC Natural Resources Forum and Council of Forest Industries 2023 Annual Convention
Council approved compensation, registration and other expenses for Mayor Rathor to virtually attend the BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George from January 17-19, 2023. Council also approved compensation for Rathor to attend the Council of Forest Industries 2023 Annual Convention in Prince George from April 12-14, 2023.
Council to examine changes to City's Snow and Ice Policy
Council directed staff to bring back a report on potential changes to the City's Snow and Ice Policy, including options for changing timeline expectations for clearing snow and minimum costs to enhance snow-clearing services in the City.
Waste Water Treatment Plant power supply tender awarded
Council awarded a contract for the Waste Water Treatment Plant Power Supply to Allteck Limited Partnership for the price of $432,975.90 to begin electrical repair work from Frizzi Road through the landfill and down to the City's sewage lagoons following damage caused by a landslide in June of 2022.