Stampede Association reports success of 2023 event
Williams Lake Stampede Association president Court Smith told Council during the Tuesday, August 15 Regular Council Meeting sold out crowds and great support from the community allowed this year's 2023 Williams Lake Stampede to be a success.
Discussing the police incident that occurred during the last performance of the 2022 Stampede, Smith said the WLSA worked closely with the Williams Lake RCMP to ensure safety.
"[They] did a great job keeping us up to date on how things were going to be laid out, and looking largely at the safety of our guests, this year we installed a sophisticated camera system which the RCMP was very happy with," Smith said.
"We had no incidents whatsoever in the rodeo or the entertainment arena and the event was hugely successful."
Council complimented the efforts of the Williams Lake Stampede Association for contributing to another fun and busy long weekend for the community.
"I have never heard such good compliments about an event," Mayor Surinderpal Rathor said.
"Hats off to you and your staff, and to the board members and volunteers."
Smith noted residents who would like to get involved with the Williams Lake Stampede should attend the WLSA Annual General Meeting coming up Friday, September 29 at City Council Chambers from 7 to 9 pm.
Council gives third reading to Glen Arbour zoning amendment application
Council gave third reading to a Glen Arbour zoning amendment application submitted by the Cariboo Park Home Society for increased density and parking variance for the property.
The bylaw will now be forwarded to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for approval, prior to Council considering final adoption on Tuesday, September 12.
Earlier in the evening a public hearing was held in Council Chambers where no correspondence, for or against, was received on the bylaw amendment application.
Council receives development permit application for new Broadway Avenue Quality Office Solutions location
Council approved a development permit application from Harrison Design/Quality Leasing Inc. for the construction of a new commercial building at 270 Broadway Avenue North.
In its application, Quality Leasing Inc., which plans to construct a new building for its Quality Office Solutions storefront, applied for three bylaw variance requests. During Tuesday's meeting, Council approved two: the first to allow for only one off-street loading space and the second to reduce the required access width from six metres to four metres to between the parking areas.
A third request proposing no sidewalk along Broadway Avenue was denied.
The development application will now go to a public notification and final approval, tentatively scheduled for the Tuesday, September 12 Regular Council Meeting.
Council takes stand against Meta news blackout in support of local news media
Council will halt all advertising on Meta platforms and agreed to stand in solidarity with local news media following the Federal Government's passing of Bill C-18, the Online News Act, and the subsequent response from Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and Google removing links to all accredited news organizations from its platforms.
On July 15, 2023, Mayor and Council received a letter from Black Press Media/The Williams Lake Tribune, asking the City to take a stand against Meta and Google's decision to remove news from its platforms.
The City currently spends the majority of its advertising budget on local news organizations and a negligible amount on Meta. Council also stated the importance of showing its support to local news media.
Council will now forward a letter to both the Union of BC Municipalities and to the North Central Local Government asking other municipalities to also show their support to local news media.
Council directs staff to prepare draft bylaw on tree management
Council directed staff to prepare a new draft tree management bylaw for consideration at a future Council meeting and to forward the bylaw to the Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting for information.
The bylaw, if approved, will be used as a regulatory framework to regulate and manage trees on private lands and will be based on three main tenets including promoting increased tree density and canopy cover; reducing hazards due to unregulated tree removal; and, protecting and retaining existing trees during development activities.
New soil removal bylaw and fine schedule given first three readings
An updated soil removal bylaw was given first three readings.
The new bylaw will make amendments to a previous version no longer meeting current standards.
Council also directed staff to develop mechanisms to inform First Nations governments when evidence in breach of the Heritage Conservation Act is suspected. The bylaw will also be forwarded to impacted First Nations governments prior to adoption.
City of Williams Lake Heat Alert Response Plan adopted
Council adopted the City of Williams Lake Heat Alert Response Plan as presented, noting its importance in alerting the community.
The City's Heat Alert Response Plan is available on the City's website at www.williamslake.ca/1003/heat-alert-response-protocol and provides a framework for the City to follow when dealing with heat warning and heat emergencies. The plan will be woven into the City's Emergency Response Plan.
City adopts Accessibility and Inclusion Plan
Council adopted the City of Williams Lake Accessibility and Inclusion Plan providing a framework to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility in the community.
The accessibility plan is now required by the Province under the Accessible British Columbia Act. The City's Accessibility and Inclusion Plan was developed by staff with input from all City departments, the City's Accessibility Advisory Committee, Council and members of the public.
The plan will now guide staff and Council to ensure the City makes significant progress in improving Williams Lake's accessibility by setting goals and priorities regarding accessibility moving forward.
To read the City's Accessibility and Inclusion Plan visitwww.williamslake.ca/1010/7277/Accessibility-and-Inclusion-Plan.