Healthcare Landing program presentation shows positive signs of physician recruitment, retention
The City of Williams Lake's Cariboo Healthcare Landing Program is showing positive impacts making visiting and long-term physicians' stays in Williams Lake memorable and enjoyable ones.
That was the message from Melissa LaPointe, Cariboo Healthcare Landing Coordinator, during a presentation at the Tuesday, June 20 Regular Council Meeting.
LaPointe has been in the newly-formed, City-managed position for the past 11 months. It supports both the City of Williams Lake and the District of 100 Mile House and is funded by the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District. LaPointe said its purpose is to provide an additional level of support for recruitment and retention with healthcare professionals, including primary care and specialist physicians.
"We're planting the seed - one locum experience at a time," LaPointe said, noting it's great to see locums returning to the community consistently, and even with their families during their stays.
To date, she said the program has secured three long-term rentals in Williams Lake, and two long-term rentals in 100Mile House, as well as developed relationships with several homeowners with a network of short-term furnished rentals.
Council told LaPointe they are grateful for the work the team is accomplishing. Mayor Surinderpal Rathor said the questions he's asked the most by residents is what the City is doing to attract more doctors to the community.
"They don't see the work you are doing in this program, so hats off to you and your team," Rathor said.
Council approves 2022 Annual Municipal Report
Council approved the City of Williams Lake Council 2022 Annual Report in accordance with the Community Charter.
The report contains information on municipal operations and services, as well as department highlights from 2022.
Following a two-week public review period, resident John Pickford provided comments and questions during the meeting, which were answered by staff and council members.
Council supportive of extreme heat mapping response plan
Anne Burrill, Social Health and Well-being Consultant with Urban Matters, provided an overview of the draft City of Williams Lake Heat Alert Response Plan detailing ways to combat challenges and vulnerabilities in the community in regards to extreme heat events when temperatures rise.
The plan is being developed in response to the 2021 BC heat domes as a way to address the need for an organized and comprehensive approach to mitigate health risks associated with extreme heat in B.C.
The plan will acts a guide for the City and its community partners to respond to high temperatures and extreme heat events.
Council commits to several goals for upcoming Accessibility Plan
Council committed to several goals in partnership with the Rick Hansen Foundation for its upcoming Accessibility Plan.
Those commitments include:
- Implementing the steps necessary for all new future City-owned buildings to be designed and built to meet Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Gold
- Ensuring all future major renovations of existing City-owned buildings meet Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certified
- Training and certifying one or more City staff to be an Rick Hansen Foundation Professional to support the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification process in City-owned buildings
- Encouraging the building design, construction and development community in Williams Lake to adopt RHFAC as other new buildings and renovations are contemplated
Council also thanked the Rick Hansen Foundation for its help and guidance on the matter.
Liquor license applications supported
Council agreed to support a pair of liquor license applications for both the Williams Lake Curling Club and for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 139.
The WLCC's application grants an extension to its hours of operation, allowing the facility to operate from Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 2 am.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 139's application will allow the facility to be open to members of the public, not just for member-only events.
Riverfront pedestrian bridge tender awarded
Council awarded the riverside pedestrian bridge project to Landmark Solutions Ltd. for a total cost of $745,078,excluding taxes, for a total project value of $915,145.
The riverfront pedestrian bridge will connect the RC Cotton site to Mackenzie Avenue, providing connectivity to the Stampede Grounds and downtown.
Council looks into speed concerns on Eleventh Avenue North
After discussion at Committee of Whole Council, and in response to community concerns about excessive speeding along Eleventh Avenue North, Council directed staff to contact the Williams Lake RCMP to monitor the situation and to enforce speed limits in the area.
Bike park added as sub-regional rec service
Council endorsed a recommendation for the Central Cariboo Joint Committee for the Boitanio Bike Park to be added into the Central Cariboo Sub-Regional Recreation Service to ensure continued enhancement and future development for all Cariboo residents.
Council agrees to work with SD27 staff, CRD and WLFN on Marie Sharpe development
Council will provide a letter of support for proposed plans for the Marie Sharpe Elementary School development project, as well as work with partnering organizations including SD27, the Cariboo Regional District and Williams Lake First Nation to review options for a new facility.
Submissions to Williams Lake Public Art Committee selected and approved
Council approved two selected projects from the Williams Lake Public Art Committee, each for a $5,000 grant.
In 2022, the City, Downtown Williams Lake BIA and Williams Lake Public Art Committee signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a process to create fair and equitable annual calls for public art proposals to enhance the City's public art collection.
The committee approved two applications: a painting of Farwell Canyon, which will be on display at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex, and the currently existing mural on the Stampede Glass building in downtown Williams Lake.
Rental Premises Standards of Maintenance Bylaw adopted
Council adopted the City of Williams Lake Rental Premises Standards of Maintenance Bylaw Tuesday night.
The bylaw allows the City's building inspection department, through the Community Charter, to ensure apartment buildings, secondary suites, houses and condominiums that are rented, and any other types of rental housing, meet minimum standards for occupant safety.
The bylaw provides legal authority for the City's building inspection department to inspect smoke alarms, emergency egress out of a building and environmental hazards such as mold, for example, and to ensure tenants are living in safe conditions.
Staff to review options for correcting misspelled name on Cenotaph
Council directed staff to review options and costs for fixing a misspelled name on the Cenotaph outside City Hall, including reviewing the matter with relevant parties such as Williams Lake First Nation, existing family members and Veterans Affairs Canada, and to provide a report for Council's consideration.