6:00 p.m. folks. Good evening. It's my honor to welcome each and every
one of you on behalf of the council the community.
If I may request each and every one of you in present, make sure your phone is
on vibration or silent mode.
Nobody get disturbed. The whole council is present along with
uh senior staff as required but the council flashed
forward due to her personal reason. She is a zoom in. She's with us
uh through the internet.
It's my honor to acknowledge that we are gathered
in the William Lake First Nations Sepnic people's unceded territory. Thanks to
the chief and the nation allowing us to the business and get together. Adoption
of the agendas on the floor. >> So, second.
» Moved and seconded. Any addition or deletion? Hearing none,
all in favor. Carried unanimously.
Minute of the regular council meeting held in July 14th.
» Move the recommendation. >> Moved and seconded. Any addition or
deletion? Hearing none,
all in favor. Carried.
We don't have any delegation today, but I'm honored to announce we had a very
special privilege
to receive one of our well-deserved
hero. On behalf of the city of Williams Lake,
it is my privilege to present a certificate of appreciation to
Kayla Lucas in recognition of her action during the game between the Canim Lake
and Williams Lake Mustangs on March 9th, 2026.
This is a trailblazer thing as I'm concerned.
What Kayla did, I expect every citizen to be ready to do when the time comes
like a great honor.
Following a serious life-threatening injury to a young Mustang player,
Kayla stepped forward and provided care in the critical moment
before the physician or medical assistance
arrived. Her calm
demeanor, quick thinking, and willingness to act
under pressure helped support the injured athlete when it mattered the
most. Kayla's action reflect the compassion,
the true leadership, and community
spirit that are valued in Williams Lake. It should be everywhere, in fact.
And we have the council, the staff
in the city of Williams Lake. Thank you, my friend,
for your outstanding service and care and compassion.
Kyla, please accept the certificate of appreciation with our sincere gratitude
and con- congratulations. Again, I will read what is written, then
I'm going to request Ms. Lucas to come forward,
and also my colleagues who are present for a photo opportunity.
Usually, when the 90 days before the election,
we don't do any photos for any individual council member,
not the mayor. Not that mayor is not above the law. Everybody is equal. We
take all seven members equal, but today, because it's a very special occasion,
it's a privilege to present this certificate. So, if I
may request, we will post it on the city web page.
Uh from city of the Williams Lake certificate of appreciation, Kyla Lucas,
on behalf of the city of Williams Lake council and the community of Williams
Lake, thank you for your courage, quick thinking, and professional action during
the medical emergency took place on March 9th, 2026,
uh during the hockey game. Your life-saving action in support of a
young athlete demonstrate the compassion, service, and
community-minded spirit that are the heart of the Williams Lake.
Kyla, thank you very much. We really appreciate it. It's dated in the city of
Williams Lake, British Columbia, on 11th day of 2026,
signed by my office and each and every council member. May I request you please
to come forward.
» [clears throat]
» Always face to the chair. Always face to the chair. You have to stand here. No,
no, no, no. Come in here. Yeah.
Face me because I am in [clears throat] court.
» Okay. >> People are watching you.
» I'd like a little pressure, I guess.
» [clears throat]
» This, I feel, is um I'm very grateful for the recognition.
Um I certainly could not have acted in the
way I did without a lot of assistance and support.
Um I'm really thankful to the people that
were there, that did uh come to my assistance. One of them being Tyler
Judd. Who I'd like to
acknowledge um also helped to keep me calm because
it wasn't a situation that I'd like to repeat. Um but
the only thanks I needed was that uh Dawson is here with us tonight. And I
just like to acknowledge how grateful I am that
um that was the outcome. So no recognition really necessary, but I'm
very grateful for it. So thank you very much.
» Thank you. Give a round of applause quickly.
Thank you, folks. I would not expect as a
your community leader or uh any less than what Kayla did from
anybody. It's a great lesson to learn for all of us.
When the help is needed, we should volunteer.
Don't think twice. Thank you once again, Kayla. You're a
great inspiration. Look the support you had
from the family and friend of the people, okay? Thank you once again.
Moving forward, computer checks, please.
» The recommendation that the accounts payable computer check and EFT listings
dated July 16th, 23rd, and 30th, and August 6th, 2026 be received for
information. >> So moved.
» Moved and seconded. All in favor. Thank you, folks.
» Thank you.
» Hey, we'll get back to the business. Uh we took the vote on the
computer checks and we're moving to the development permit application
number five. >> The recommendation that pursuant to the
report of the planner dated July 22nd, 2026, Council approve development permit
number five 2025 for Altus Group on behalf of the owner BC Housing to permit
construction of 51 unit supportive housing complex located at 845 Carson
Drive. >> Second.
» Moved and seconded. I might understand there's a few people online.
Um if anybody from the public wanted to ask
any question, uh they're most welcome to come forward.
Anybody from the public? Anybody from the developer
want to speak? It's a great news for the city of
Williams Lake. Uh it's a 51 unit four-story.
The it's been in the discussion for a few years.
I want to thanks to the BC Housing and specially our very own
economic development manager Ms. Win Camp.
She've been persistence on this site along with the so many community leaders
in the community. Took us long time, but I'm glad.
Yes, it might be sales pitch. I make no bones telling the community
including last Thursday in the performance in the park, I said it. I'll
say it anytime. There's nothing nothing in the last four
year minus two and a half month it come to this table which has not been
done positively. This council
and the staff has worked together as a one team.
I've delivered very positively. I'm very proud of each and every one.
It's a long time overdue. We finish up 36 unit in the Glen Harbor
right behind the city hall. It used to be 34, adding 36 unit became
30 unit. Now, these are four-story.
There's, I believe, 30 plus unit right now.
And it will be demolished once the few residents left there only handful.
Once they found the place for them and it will be done. Thanks to the
government. Thanks to the BC Housing. Thanks to our very own economic
development manager who delivered it. 51 plus 36 unit it will be 87 unit
delivered by this council uh during the time of this council. Like
I said, not all work done. I didn't start it yesterday. We've been
working on this a long time and I'm honored and
tell the community let them see how this thing is coming to fruition. Councillor
Nelson. >> Thank you very much, Your Worship. I'll
be supporting the application that's in front of us. The proposed development
will be a multi- purpose
four-story facility that will provide approximately 51 self-contained homes
including accessible and couple-oriented suites designed to offer safe, stable,
and inclusive housing for the vulnerable individuals in Williams Lake community.
I recognize that this is 51 units. Um I can tell you that this started
about 5 6 years ago. Uh thank you Beth uh and your department. Thanks to the
community as well. Um
this replaces the existing 33 units that are
there, Your Honor. So, we're we're netting out approximately 17.
Um that's the good news is is that this is going to be modern, safe, and
reliable. And it's going to replace an old dilapidated building that's done its
time and helped out. Um I've always said and I will continue
to advocate that I don't support tents, people living in tents.
This is what we need and we need more of it on behalf of the provincial and
federal government. So, I recognize that we are it's only a net 17 units,
but it's going to be simply the start of I think many more to come. So, I'll be
supporting the recommendation, the development application from the Ultras
Group on this particular application, Worship, and hoping that we can get on
moving forward to get it built. I do recognize that the Canadian Mental
Health Association will be the
one that's going to be running the supportive housing.
And I think that when we're in Victoria um the next time around, we need to
continue to emphasize that if we're going to get people off the streets and
not in tents, then we need more of this type of supportive housing.
Uh this community has been very very supportive of of these types of
projects. And we can only continue to advocate to have more of these so we can
get people off the streets. So, my hand goes up. I want to thank BC Housing for
quite honestly making sure that this one stayed on on the docket because there
was a lot of projects that got knocked off uh during this last budget process
on the provincial side. So, thank you very much.
» Thank you. Councillor Fletcher, please.
» Thank you, Your Worship. Yes, I also very much support this
initiative and this development. I think this is absolutely incredible
for Williams Lake. It is the next step. You know, I think as a council, we saw
so many discussions about how we didn't want a shelter. Individuals didn't want
a shelter from BC Housing within our community. Because we accepted having a
shelter, I think that's why we got the financial support to continue to have
this development for our community, which is so important because
things are expensive out there. It's hard for people to be living the way
that they need to. Costs of rent is ridiculous. You know, people that have
all the apartment complexes, it's costly for people to try and and have a place
there. Where this is supportive housing and and this gets people off the streets
like my colleague mentioned. So, this is really really important for Williams
Lake. I also think that this development is really smart looking. I like the
design. I like the way that it appears. So, I think it'll be a real positive
thing for the neighborhood as well as businesses that are in the area.
You know, there's already an established supportive housing facility there in an
old building, but you know, there we've never noticed or I've never heard of you
know, great impacts to the neighborhood. So, I think an expansion off of this and
will be just a real win-win for our community.
I do have a couple questions. I noticed one of my colleagues mentioning that it
would be 80, but it's not. I think it's a total of 51 units and I'd like
clarification on that. And um my other question is that I noticed the
northern part of the property, there's still quite a bit of space that's not
being utilized. Has there been any discussion of potential expansion down
the road over and above this development once
it's completed. Thank you. >> I think I said it all to reply that
first part of the question. I said 81 unit. I said adding
36 unit from the Glenn Harbor and 51 of the Council Flash Fuller. It's not 81,
it's a 51 unit, but it will be total 81 unit delivered
just by this council. Reference to the space, I know the answer. I had the
answer, but I let our CEO reply that question. The space sitting there,
what's happening with that? >> Your Worship, I think that you have a Do
you have a representatives from BC Housing that probably be more in tune of
what's happening with that space that you can uh
ask the question to them. I think that Tyler's on there.
» Yeah, could you please reply that the question for Council Flash Fuller from
BC Housing? >> Thank you very much, Mayor and Council.
My name is Tyler Baker. I'm the Director of Development for the interior. Nice to
see you all again. Very astute question, Council Flash
Fuller. Yes, there's some um land remaining. We were actually quite
careful to reserve land for a future use. At the moment, we don't have
funding for to know what that will be. You know, but it leaves open the door
to do something in the future when we have funding to meet the needs in the
community. And when we come to that decision, it'll be a as this has been as
our other decisions have been, it'll be a joint partnership to talk about what
the needs are in the community and what our funding can be used best used for to
meet those needs. So, we don't know yet, but it'll be part of the picture in the
future and it'll be a real asset for the community.
» Thank you. I really appreciate that response and I think that's great
proactive vision because we know that times change, needs from communities
change, and the fact that we might have some area that we can put focus towards
is I think a really really positive thing. So, I really appreciate that and
all the thought and processes behind from everyone. And I also just want to
really thank the province for continuing with this program as we know that
there's been substantial cuts and everybody wants to have those supports
in their community because everybody's feeling the impacts right now. So, um I
just want to put a thanks out to you, your team, um also the team for the city
of Williams Lake that have worked with you and other community members that
have worked with you guys as an organization in making this happen. So,
thank you so much. This is a real positive positive one for us.
» And last part of your comment was Counselor Flash Fuller
um how we got this project. Yes, there's only one project in the BC going on
that's in Williams Lake. That is a sign of your, mine, this council, this team's
um mission by working together. We got this project because we worked together
with the everybody, with the all the stakeholder, regardless they're Victoria
or Ottawa or regional or or or local. So,
it's another uh
mission completed or will be accomplished in the
days and months to come because we worked together. Counselor
How we in, please? >> Thank you, Worship, and I just want to
echo I mean I think most of the comments have been made. I I do want to add that
I think we did ask we wanted 80 units. I mean 55 was I thought 55 was the number,
but anyway, down to 51. It's pretty usual, but
um it's it's a drop in the bucket. I think we still need more, but it it's
such a good start and it hopefully will lead the way to to down the future. We
are very lucky and I do want to say thank you to BC Housing for keeping us
on the books cuz that's we're sure thankful we cut that line because I
think we are one of the few still left standing with some of that funding. So,
hopefully more will come in the works cuz we aren't the only community that
needs housing and we need more housing and so many do. So, I just wanted to
echo and say my thanks, but um I do appreciate it and I look forward to
hopefully seeing it actually going up soon. Thank you.
» I just to let you know also being I had on my speed dial a dialer's number and I
know our economic development manager also had that. We won't let him get
away. And uh we'll keep working on it and uh
Okay, I got a question to Moses, Councillor Glaning, and Councillor
Anton, please. >> Thank you, Your Worship.
Yeah, we we've been patiently and excitingly waiting waiting for this
meeting for for this agenda item. I I want to make sure that we point out
that this type of supporting housing is one that helps people who have graduated
from the Canadian Mental Health's Housing First programs. This means that
they've already shown their dedication to recovery and their ability to be able
to pay for their housing. The The people who receive these types of housing are
often facing some form of disability or a barrier to receiving income or
housing. The The supportive housing that this is replacing was a very successful
program with very little footprint. So, this is an amazing service that we're
we're receiving to our community. Uh but it took a lot of work in the
background, lots of advocacy to ensure that we didn't lose our project while a
lot of other cities lost theirs. So, I want to say a quick thank you to
Tyler and the rest of the team at BC Housing and the team at Canadian Mental
Health Association. The The This is This is a great achievement for us. Let's So,
let's get that shovel in the ground, Tyler. We Because we we have more
projects where this one came from and we're already ready to get those going
next cuz I I agree with Councillor Beam that we still need more. So, I have a
hopeful question for Tyler. At at our local Friendship Centre, we already have
blueprints and land ready for another apartment building. When are you going
to get it get that one started next for us? Thank you, Your Worship.
» I wonder if Tyler wanted to respond to that or should I move ahead?
» I'm always happy to speak about um the next project in the pipeline. We
like I said, we are always looking for opportunities even if we don't have
funding available right now. When we do, we need things that are ready to go. So,
um happy to talk to you about that. >> Definitely William Lake I always had a
um shovel ready program, you know, shelf ready program. So, whenever you're
ready, uh Counselor Drainy, please. Thank you, Tyler.
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um yeah, thank you. Kudos everybody for getting this
project to go forward. I like I love a visual person, so I love reading and
seeing these uh seeing the design and uh the
architecture. Um but maybe I'm having a moment here. Um I only count 30
six. Like we've got we've got uh three on the main floor and then there's two
floors of third 16, so that's 32 plus two is 38.
Where's the other Where's the Where's the 51?
Unless I'm missing a floor or something. >> You're probably missing the plan. I know
the number shows that way, but I I'm with you. I've seen it. I thought
about it. >> Okay, so I'm not the only one that
» Yeah, yeah, you're not the only one. Yeah.
I definitely saw Yeah. I checked with the staff it was 51. Trust me.
Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Tyler's a tease still showing me
the >> You're right on.
» 51. [laughter] Um I think there was I mean obviously
you guys are a great proponent for um for BC Housing and for people that are
less fortunate and to help um get people off the streets and into beds. And I
think with the shelter as a kind of an example [clears throat] as well, too,
with just the the model of being able to bring your goods with you. uh being able
to have somebody if you have a partner, being able to have a pet, um being able
to see those little storage units for shopping carts or for your bike or or
whatever, I think are um just great little details to be added.
Um the layout looks fantastic. I mean, it's going to be such a
gem for that part of the area, and I really look forward to seeing, you know,
what else we are able to uh get off the ground. And also, um
to Counselor Flash forward's point that my eyes, I was just focusing and I'm
like, what land is she talking about? Where is the extra land? Well, there's a
whole freaking pile of it right behind there. So, um wonderful. That just means
that maybe one day we'll get another one there, hopefully. So, I just want to say
thank you. Want to make sure I wasn't missing something cuz I didn't count 51,
but we're sure that we're going to get 51 even though it's not in the package
as 51 shown. We're good to go. Mayor's telling me he's going to hold your feet
to the fire. Thanks, Tyler. >> I got to check I can't say anything in
place. >> Thank you. Yeah, I was super excited to
see this project in the report and all the plans just look beautiful, and I
really want to say I appreciate the aesthetics of the building. It
definitely gives people a sense of pride to be able to go to such a beautiful
home. Obviously, I was very appreciative that we had the Jubilee house, but this
is definitely such an upgrade not just in the number of units, but the
beautification of the area, too, and really giving people something to look
forward to going home to. Thank you. >> Before I let it go to the second round,
I let Counselor Nelson want to make a comment. Uh Tyler, I I know um
what you think in William Blake William Blake at the best mayor and council and
the staff. And whenever you wanted to build more
houses, and we are all ready for you. We'll help you every which way you
needed, and please continue working together philosophy, okay? I look
forward. Counselor Nelson. >> Yeah, Your Worship. I I I it's just
I know that uh there's been a lot of pressure on a lot of other communities.
My colleagues alluded to that as well. Um so, from my perspective uh
Tyler, just a huge shout out to you and your entire team. Working very close
with the city of Williams Lake and working closely with the non-profit
organizations. And I think that this Team Williams Lake really just wants to
thank BC Housing on this particular project. We know and recognize how how
tough it is out there across the province,
but we're dedicated to ensure that we can help and get people off the streets.
And this is certainly the right direction. Thank you.
» Thank you. I think everybody spoke enough. I
already asked according to my instruction if anybody
wanted to speak for or against or any comment. I didn't have to, but I'll ask
second time from public if anybody have to say anything.
Hearing none, all in favor.
Carried unanimously. Congratulations and thanks Tyler once again.
Okay, I'm moving along license of occupation agreement with properties.
» Recommendation that pursuant to the report of the planner dated July 21st,
2026, Council authorize entering into a license of occupation agreement with
Wave Properties Limited uh for an existing overhead awning sign
located at 29 3rd Avenue South. >> Second.
» Moved and seconded. Any question, concern, comment? Hearing none, all in
favor. Opposed if any, carried unanimously.
Request for continuation of provincial LG cap funding.
» Recommendation that pursuant to the report of the planner dated August 4th,
2026, Council authorize a letter to be sent from the mayor to the premier BC
and relevant provincial ministers outlining the importance of the Local
Government Climate Action Program funding and the critical need for the
continuation of this funding program and further that the letter be shared with
local MLAs and CLGA, UBCM and all BC municipalities and regional districts.
» So moved. >> Moved and seconded. We had is some
supporting letter other communities have written the similar letter. These are
very important funding. And we will request and every time
anytime I'm talking to the Victoria, I'll definitely be mentioning. I've
already mentioned this to a couple minister already as
couple of the ministers showed up here all of sudden Friday.
So they are aware of our request, okay? Our Council Moses.
» Thank you, Worship. Yeah, this is definitely something that we need to
hold the province to to to ensure that we continue receiving this funding. Not
just our municipality, but right across the whole province needs this funding.
But here here in Williams Lake, we we just recently created that partnership
with the Cariboo Chilcotin Climate Circle. And this type of funding is what
allows us to do that and the ability to get that work done. So I just want to
point out that us advocating for this is trying to make it so that we can fund
that partnership and get great climate projects done. Thank you, Worship.
» Thank you. All in favor. Carried unanimously. Poll of Council,
please. >> The recommendation that pursuant to the
report of Legislative Services Assistant Coordinator dated August 7th, 2026 and
the email poll conducted on July 29th, 2026 authorizing Council to provide a
resolution of support to the Central Interior Rural Division of Family
Practices application to the Northern Development Initiative Trust Marketing
Initiatives program for funding to support the group's physician
recruitment marketing expansion initiative be ratified.
» So moved. >> Moved and seconded. Any question
concern? Hearing none, all in favor. Carried.
Williams Lake Fire Department Rapid Response to operational update.
» The recommendation that the report of the Director of Protective Services
dated August 4th, 2026 containing an operational update on the Williams Lake
Fire Department's Rapid Response Crew be received for information.
» Second. >> Moved and seconded. Uh
Chief Dean is there, director of protective services, please.
» Your worship, council, I realized as I was walking up here that this is maybe
the last time I get to do this with this particular group, so
it's been a pleasure. Thank you.
Um I just wanted to take this opportunity, as you've seen in the
report, to go over the just a little bit of an
update on the Williams Lake Fire Department and the rapid response crew
that we implemented on July 24th. Uh as you can see in the report, just as
a reference, uh we brought it in in response to the current weather
conditions as well as some community anxiety about some recent fires that had
happened in the area, as well as uh resource deployment down in the Felker
Lake fire area. Um and it yielded great results almost immediately. Uh we had
four fires in 4 days that our crew was able to respond in about 5 minutes, uh
which is about 7 minutes faster than our typical response time.
Uh as you know, it's a paid on-call department, so everybody has to rush
down to the hall from their homes or from their businesses and get in a truck
and get over there, and having a crew on standby at the fire hall uh was able to
expedite that significantly, which we believe saved multiple structures on
uh numerous events. Um just for reference, in the period
since we started that, we've already had 30 calls for service in the 18 days
since then. Um so we've been able to do this. Um
it's been a bit of a strain on the department, so we rejigged the model
after about a week. Um we went away from having four people 24 hours down to now
we have two during kind of the critical fire hours of the day, of noon to 10:00
p.m. That's still been difficult to staff,
but uh it's been successful, and um I just kind of wanted to share that with
the community and have a bit of a good news story out there for Williams Lake
Fire Department.
» Thank you very much, uh Councillor Delaney. Before that, Mr.
Moraca >> [clears throat]
» and Councillor Nelson. >> Thanks, Your Worship.
Chief Dean kind of brushed over the advantages of the
rapid response and having their membership at the hall for these events
and these fires. If anybody that was in the area and could see where the burn
lines went to, they was very close and that difference of timing between what
they would respond to from home rather than being at the hall, obviously could
have resulted in way, way bigger substantial damage. And those those
decisions to mobilize that model were made at the fire hall and I support that
decision. I think it was a great one completely by the Williams Lake Fire
Department and I think they did a fantastic job, Your Worship.
» Thank you. I could not insist uh three days in a row
same place. It's a sick thing.
There's a saying way, way back actually uh one of our
police chief said here
at time of old council, council rather, you can give me 1,000 police officer
and I can park them on each block of the street, I cannot assure you
this safety of the community. The community has to police themselves.
I'm requesting publicly to the community, keep your eyes open, please.
Watch for your neighbor.
That's the only way we can make sure our community's safety.
When the Boston Pizza side got on fire my phone was ringing
off the hook from Vancouver.
The people was calling reference to their guest
the owners in the hotel there.
It's a serious matter, folks.
We cannot ask the fire department to look after our safety. We have to.
So, I request each and every one of you watching, listening,
reading in the paper, or on the listening on the radio,
please keep your eyes open and look for each other. I got counselor Nelson
and the counselors Oh, sorry. Sorry, you're first. Counselor Delaney, and
then Counselor Nelson, Counselor Flashford. Yes, I got you that way.
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I just wanted [clears throat] to say
thank you very much for the intelligent report that was written and for having
um the compulsion to think outside the box
and put something together that works for our community. It's an excellent
model. I mean, we see it in other centers, maybe not municipalities, but I
would the fire center and having people mobile from their place of work is a
huge, huge advantage. Um and
the way that you've structured it, too, um takes into consideration those
rotations so that you don't have, you know, people just around everywhere on
standby. You actually have your crew that are allotted the time, and if
there's something happens, they go out and they do it. We don't have people
just waiting for a phone call. Um a whole pile of people waiting for a
phone call. Cuz it's not awesome to be on standby, you know, cuz then you can't
go do things, you know, you can't really leave your, you know, 20 minutes or
whatever from where you are. So, I think this is a I think that was an awesome
way, and I love that it hardly is costing anything extra. Like, we might
see a little bit at the very end, but you worked within the budget that you
were given. So, like great work. I I love it. It was awesome.
Thank you. >> Um Counselor please.
» I I echo my my colleague's comments. The rapid response crew that you put in
place on July the 24th saved, in my opinion, a number of
facilities inside this community. It was a very smart, calculated move.
Um and highly effective. Uh so, I think that we're going to probably see some
positive changes uh continue along that way. I think it was the right decision.
Um we've got extreme uh fire behavior right now. The weather conditions are
hot, they're dry, they're windy. And then you take the bozos and the idiots
that are out there lighting the fires in these times. So, kudos to you and the
entire fire department cuz I've seen you guys in action and it's unbelievable
what you've done here. And I think it's great. And quite frankly, if he needs a
little bit more money to top up in the future,
you know where where I'm going to be supporting. I think it's just great. So,
pass it on to the entire team. Thank you very much.
» Councillor Fleshman, please.
» Thank you, Your Worship. Yeah, I just want to compliment the
organization being the fire department and um upper management um
just the city for this work and making sure that this is happening for our
community. You know, I know it's historical. We have done and I'm sure um
Chief Dean would reiterate, but we've done patrols like in 2010, other years
that have been um where there's high fire risk. There's always been such
proactive work with Williams Lake Fire Department and I'm just so happy to see
that continuing. This is the kind of stuff that can build
confidence in a community because as an organization
or as a council, if we're doing things that's creating fear in people, when we
have the history of having to uh evacuate our whole city,
that's not good. You do not want to create more fear in people. You want to
work on trying to do the proactive work like this that makes the community feel
confident in the team that we have and the work that we can do to collectively
as an organization. So, I just think that this is amazing work. I want to put
the the compliment and accolades to the members of the organization because I
know that they are all with other jobs, they are all with families, and when
they sign up to do these shifts, they're doing it off their own back and their
own time. You know, uh so easy for us as just council members to talk so big
about how amazing we are and what we do, but we're not the ones that's out there,
um you know, patrolling till 10:00 at night
or going out when putting a fire that is rapidly growing um out, and I just know
how incredible these people are, and I'm just happy to see this work. Like you
said, Chief Dean, this is good news um messaging, and it is because
we want our community to feel confident, not scared that everything's going to
burn. We want them to feel like we have this um under control, and we can pay
attention to it. From the day that I joined the organization,
um which was back in the late '90s, we were
doing proactive burns at the Stampede Grounds and proactive burns in Bow
Valley Park because people used to go and light it back then. So, I just love
to see this continuation of this great teamwork and great positive initiatives.
Thank you. >> Councilor Moses, thank you. Councilor
Paisley. >> Thank you, Worship.
Yeah, first off, thank you so much, Fire Chief, for the work that you and your
team have continually been doing to keep our community safe.
Uh the the points that Councilor Delaney
made, I think, are spot-on on the the work that you're doing inside and
outside of the box and within within a very contained budget. So, thank you so
much for making sure that that work is being done.
And I I also agree with Council Nelson that if our if our our team needs some
help in the future on this topic that I'll I'll be in support of making sure
that that you get the the
resources the resources that that your team could would need because you're
you're doing such a great job and we need that to continue. Um
if anyone wants to be an extra pair of eyes to to help make sure that that our
our community sees these faster, I recommend everyone looks into uh the
citizens on patrol and see if you can take some time to volunteer. Uh being
able to get get our our teams out there a few minutes faster often makes a
really big difference. Uh so, big thank you and congratulations, Fire Chief, for
for leading such a successful summer and keep keep going with it. Thank you.
» Please convey our gratitude and thanks to your team, Chief.
And um I can't say enough. Our community is so lucky to have the
staff we have. And your dedication, your compassion,
each and every one of you. I'm going to name very lucky.
I want to thank from bottom of my heart to each and every one of the city staff
and the leadership of Mr. Maraca. We're very lucky to have it.
Reference to citizen patrol, just 35 40 year back, I was one of the person who
started this community policing in William Wright.
But I have never seen this many members citizen of patrol and very active.
Congratulation to the chair, uh Bob Sunner, and the
team members. I I really appreciate it.
Council Moses one of them and I got another member sitting in the audience.
Um Ruth Lloyd, thank you very much. And all the other people visiting, I will
equally encourage, please join the session patrol. Thank you very much for
once again, appreciate. Uh any more comment, compliment? Hearing
none, all in favor. Thank you. Carry fire service review,
please. >> Recommendation that pursuant to the
report of the director of protective services dated July 21st, 2026, council
award the contract for the fire service review, community risk assessment, and
fire master plan to Tim Play and Associates Limited for the proposal
price of $66,113.25,
including applicable taxes, reflecting the city's deductive scope change issue
during the RFP process. >> Moved and seconded. Any question,
concern to chief? Hearing none, all in favor.
Thank you. Thank you, chief. >> Thank you very much.
» Appreciate it. Moving along, uh
crematorium re-bricking award. >> Recommendation that direct that pursuant
to the report of the municipal services coordinator dated August 4th, 2026,
council waive the purchasing policy number 138 to approve a direct award for
the re-bricking of the retort of the crematorium to Stingray Crematory
Services Limited for the purchase price of $71,000
plus applicable taxes. >> So moved.
» Yeah, uh uh thank you. Anybody had any compliment or
comment or question? Hearing none, I'll say a couple word.
It's uh bypassing because there's a very limited
people, in fact, one or two people in Western Canada, never mind in BC, who
does this work. It's very specialized work. As most of you know, I don't uh
like um bypassing the RFP, but this I'm in favor. The person is doing lot
with the less money compared to what would be regular. He's making the round,
and it's a long overdue. And uh so, I recommend the council we go through with
the staff recommendation, even though it's moved and seconded. All in favor?
Carried unanimously. Thank you.
Response letter from the Minister Osborne.
» Clerk's note that the letter from Minister Osborne dated July 14th, 2026
in response to letter from the mayor dated February 4th, 2026 regarding
support for ambulance paramedics of BC be received for information.
» So moved. Moved and seconded. All in favor?
Carried. Response letter from Minister Parmar,
forestry is a solution. >> Clerk's note that the letter from
Minister Parmar dated July 13th, 2026 in response to letter from the mayor dated
March 12th, 2026 regarding support for the BC Council of Forest Industries
Forestry is a Solution Initiative be received for information.
» So moved. >> Second.
» Moved and seconded. Mr. Parmar was here Friday on a quick tour along with the
Mr. Amali. Uh he traveled pretty late night uh
Wednesday around 11:30, 12:00 midnight. They came to see us and give us the
update on the timber supply as well as uh the fire situation and they traveled
back Thursday night after. It's an honor that minister the from minister time to
time our coming minister of uh environment,
minister of mining was here and I had a great opportunity to represent the
community and the council. So, it's uh been an excellent that even
the Victoria and Ottawa is listening, watching us. They know we exist.
Um they're keeping us
in the loop and I keep twisting their arm
at time to time. All in favor? Thank you.
Um proclamation, please. >> Recommendation that the list of
recognitions provided in the uh agenda be received for information.
» Second. >> Moved and second. Any question concern?
Hearing none, all in favor? Carried.
And nothing here. We'll go in camera. Nothing nothing.
Okay, council information package. >> That the uh recommendation that the
council information package for August 11th be received for information.
» Second. >> Anything you wanted to bring at the
council, Moses? >> Yes, thank you, Your Worship. There's
two letters I would like to pull out of the package if if you allow.
Uh the the first one is a letter from the Aboriginal Housing Management
Association from July 17th. >> Mhm.
» Uh the this was a request for for our council to support a motion that's being
made at UBCM this year, and I would like to advocate on the behalf that we do
support this motion when it happens. Uh what what is happening is that the
Aboriginal Housing and the Friendship Centres are are uh destined to lose
their funding in 2028, I believe it is. And what this will do is cause another
wave of homelessness across our country, and indeed right also right here in
Williams Lake, because that funding does affect Williams Lake directly. So I I
just want to say that I'll I'll definitely uh individually be in support
of this uh motion at UBCM, and I hope that our our colleagues in the room will
also join us in that. >> Is there anything you wanted to move to
make the special motion, anything? >> No, Your Worship.
» Okay, fair enough. I'll be when we go to UBCM, I don't think very many council
members are going to UBCM. Uh only two three of our four of us
going. We will definitely be watching and we'll definitely support that, and
you got my support. >> Thank you. And I uh the second letter
I'd like to pull out is the letter from Billy Sheridan regarding the memorial
complex potential renames. >> Yes.
» Thank you, Your Worship. Um she she brings up good points that renaming the
complex could bring the unexpected consequence of removing the memorial
aspect of the name. And this memorial aspect is to pay respect to our to our
veterans and our our currently serving. So, I I would like to to just make a
simple motion that we have this letter forwarded to joint committee so that
along with the regional district we can review these unintended consequences and
make sure that we we move forward in a way that we continue to pay our respects
to our veterans while also looking for opportunities for them
» the recommendation to forward that to another problem. I moved and seconded it
but it was a misunderstanding for as I'm concerned. There's no such thing of
removing the name memorial but I'm not against
» Perfect. >> what you're saying. As far as I'm
concerned, there's nothing no discussion removing the memorial. It will never
happen. But you moved it you seconded it. It's not your motion or seconded
motion. It's a council motion. Now I'll take it to the motion as presented. All
in favor. >> Wait, may may I speak to the motion?
» Yes, please please please. >> I just want to say thank you for for
your words of of encouragement and of of saying that that
the memorial will not be removed. So, let's just for for the the sake of the
motion to make sure that we make that known to the public.
» You bet you. We will definitely take it to information. You're right. That's
another problem. All in favor of taking it to the joint. Thank you.
Carried. And there is no round table anything. We will be going
in camera quickly. I just want everybody the media the
the people know because 90 days before since 17th July there's no more round
table till the election happen. Motion for the in camera, please.
» So moved. >> Moved and seconded all in favor.
So motion to adjourn regular meeting. Moved it. I need second. Move and second
a constitutional second. All in favor. Carried. Thank you.