Williams Lake public meetings in 2024

Regular Council

The City of Williams Lake Council is reviewing the 2025 budget with a goal of 0% tax increase above assessment. The body is also deciding on the adoption of zoning and OCP amendments for a multi-family residential project and reviewing several lease and grant applications.

• Adoption of Bylaw No. 2382 and 2383 for Residential Multi-Family designation at 1138 Lakeview Crescent
• Proposed $5,000 Community Grant for Williams Lake Blue Fins
• Amendment of 2025 NDIT Local Government Internship Grant application from $50,000 to $60,000
• Proposed five-year lease renewals at $1.00 per year for the Chamber of Commerce and Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin Society
• Proposal to waive late penalties for September-October 2024 utility billing due to Canada Post job action

Committee of Whole Council

The Committee of Whole Council will adopt the agenda and minutes, receive a shipping‑container report for information, and provide direction on the 2025 budget update with approval to start new capital projects before the 2025‑2029 Financial Plan is adopted. Council will also waive late penalties for September‑October 2024 utility bills due to the Canada Post job action. The meeting will conclude with adjournment.

• Adopt agenda and minutes of the November 26, 2024 meeting
• Receive shipping‑container report (July 18, 2024) for information
• Approve direction for 2025 budget update and early capital approvals
• Waive late penalties for September‑October 2024 utility billing period

Public Hearing

The City of Williams Lake is holding a public hearing to consider amendments to the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw. These changes would allow the construction of a 4-storey, 14-unit residential apartment building.

• Bylaw No. 2382: Change OCP designation from Commercial – Highway (CH) to Residential Multi-Family (RMF)
• Bylaw No. 2383: Change zoning from Residential 1 (R-1) to Medium Density Multi-Family Residential (R-4)
• Project location: 1138 Lakeview Crescent
• Proposed development: 4-storey, 14-unit residential apartment building

Regular Council

Council will adopt the agenda and minutes from the November meetings. A public hearing will consider Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 2382 and Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2383, both affecting the property at 1138 Lakeview Crescent. The council will approve the City’s Asset Management Policy, Strategy and Roadmap, and will endorse a $10,000 UBCM Community‑to‑Community funding application. It will also adopt the Community Grants Program awards totaling $33,850 for 2025.

• OCP Amendment Bylaw No. 2382 – change to Residential Multi‑Family designation at 1138 Lakeview Crescent (public hearing)
• Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2383 – change to Medium Density Multi‑Family Residential (R‑4) zone at 1138 Lakeview Crescent (public hearing)
• Approval of Asset Management Policy, Strategy and Roadmap
• Community Grants Program awards totaling $33,850 to local groups
• Approval of $10,000 UBCM Community‑to‑Community funding application

Joint Committee

The Central Cariboo Joint Committee will receive a presentation of the Interim Housing Needs Report for the City of Williams Lake and the Central Cariboo region and decide whether to endorse it for final approval by Council and the CRD Board. The committee will also review applications for the 2025 Community Grants and CRD Grants for Assistance to consider funding awards. A late‑discussion item will provide a verbal report on security at the CMRC.

• Presentation and endorsement of the Interim Housing Needs Report (CitySpaces Consulting Ltd.)
• Joint review of 2025 Community Grants (City) and Grants for Assistance (CRD) applications
• Late discussion – verbal report on security at the CMRC

Committee of Whole Council

The Committee of Whole Council will adopt the agenda and minutes, receive a presentation on Boitanio Park disc‑golf course maintenance, endorse the Williams Lake Regional Airport Utility Plan, discuss 2025 council and community‑committee appointments, and vote to make the temporary GIS clerk position permanent. The council will also approve in principle the preliminary 2025 budget, the 2025‑2029 financial plan and the 10‑year capital plan and direct staff to present the plan at a public information session.

• Endorsement of the Williams Lake Regional Airport Utility Plan dated April 30, 2024
• Discussion of 2025 council and community‑committee appointments
• Recommendation to make the temporary GIS clerk position permanent with early budget approval
• Approval in principle of the preliminary 2025 budget, 2025‑2029 financial plan and 10‑year capital plan
• Information presentation by Mark Savard of the Cariboo Disc Golf Club on Boitanio Park disc‑golf course maintenance

Special Council Meeting

The City Council will hold a special closed meeting on November 21, 2024 at 1:30 PM in the Rick Hansen Boardroom, City Hall. The meeting is closed under the Community Charter sections 90(1)(c) and (j) concerning labour or employee relations and protected information. No agenda items are disclosed in the notice.

Regular Council

City Council will discuss the preliminary 2025 budget and long-term financial plans. The body is also considering a property tax write-off and the adoption of new parks and public land bylaws.

• Preliminary 2025 budget and 2025-2029 financial plan
• Request to write-off $60,888.15 in uncollectible property taxes for 351 Hodgson Road
• Grant application to NDIT for up to $50,000 for a 2025 Local Government Internship
• Adoption of Parks and Public Land Bylaw No. 2419 and Amendment Bylaw No. 2421
• Approval to move to next design phases for Water Treatment Plant disinfection using chloramines

Regular Council

Williams Lake Council will consider a new Snow and Ice Control Policy, approve a $66,150 transformer replacement contract, and schedule a public hearing for a zoning change at 1138 Lakeview Crescent.

• Approve Snow and Ice Control Policy No. 231
• Award $66,150 transformer replacement contract to Valley Power Line Construction Ltd.
• Schedule Public Hearing for OCP & Zoning Amendment at 1138 Lakeview Crescent
• Renew $30,000/year Fee for Service agreements with Williams Lake Cycling Club and Scout Island Trails
• Approve new Fee for Service applications from Stampede Parade Society ($15,000) and Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy ($2,800)

Special Committee of Whole Council

The Committee of Whole Council will receive a report from the Senior Engineering Technologist on disinfection options for the new water treatment plant. The report outlines chlorine and chloramine alternatives, associated costs, and operational considerations. Council will discuss these options and plan to decide on a method at a future meeting.

• Receive report on water treatment plant disinfection options
• Review chlorine vs. chloramine secondary disinfection methods
• Consider cost estimate of $13M‑$19M for organic removal if chlorine is used
• Note potential city share of 33% of additional costs without extra grant funding
• Plan to decide on disinfection method at a future council meeting

Committee of Whole Council

The Committee of Whole Council will adopt its agenda and minutes, then consider three key items. It will recommend that the new Parks and Public Lands Bylaw No. 2419, 2024 and the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment No. 2421, 2024 be sent to a regular council meeting for first three readings and that staff receive direction on enforcement options. It will also review the 2025 Fee‑for‑Service funding report and consider new one‑year applications from the Stampede Parade Society and Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy, and receive a report on the 2025 Community Grants intake, referring award decisions to a joint review meeting on November 27.

• Parks and Public Lands Bylaw No. 2419, 2024 and Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment No. 2421, 2024 – recommendation to bring forward for first three readings and seek enforcement direction
• 2025 Fee‑for‑Service continued funding – review CFO report and consider new applications from Stampede Parade Society and Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy for a one‑year term
• Community Grants Program 2025 intake – receive Deputy Corporate Officer report and refer award consideration to the Nov 27 joint review meeting with Cariboo Regional District

Joint Committee

The Central Cariboo Joint Committee is meeting to review arts and recreation strategic plans and approve several service agreements. The body is deciding on funding for local cycling and nature trails and a budget adjustment for the West Fraser Aquatics Centre.

• Renew Williams Lake Cycling Club agreement for $30,000 per year (2025-2027)
• Renew Scout Island Nature Centre agreement for $30,000 per year (2025-2027)
• Reallocate $20,000 for four new pump impellers at West Fraser Aquatics Centre
• Endorse Central Cariboo Arts and Culture 2025 Business and Financial Plans
• Endorse Central Cariboo Recreation and Leisure Services 2025-2029 plans

Regular Council

The City of Williams Lake is reviewing grant applications for an airport cafe and fire department equipment. Council is also discussing amendments to the Central Cariboo Joint Committee terms of reference and updates on the Boitanio Mall redevelopment.

• UBCM grant application for $37,500.00 for Fire Department turnout gear washing and drying system
• REDIP grant application for the Airport Café Project at the Williams Lake Regional Airport terminal
• Proposed amendment to Central Cariboo Joint Committee Terms of Reference for joint grant reviews
• Approval of Poppy Campaign sale days (Oct 24 - Nov 11) and Remembrance Day ceremony logistics
• Approval of City Hall lobby and chambers use for the 2024 Annual Memory Tree Celebration