Tuesday, September 15, 2015

WL Council Highlights - Sept 15th mtg

Present - Mayor Cobb; Councillors I. Bonnell, S. Nelson (via teleconference) , J. Ryll, C. Smith, L. Walters, and S. Zacharias

Meeting called to order at 6pm
Minutes of Aug 18th Council meeting adopted/Meeting Agenda adopted

Delegations:

1) Irene Willsie from the Violence Is Preventable Committee - Annual "Take Back the Night" Event

A Question/Answer period ensued
Mayor Cobb, on behalf of Council, thanked Ms. Willsie for her time/information

Resolved - That permission be given for the "Take Back the Night" event on Friday, September 25, 2015 at 5:00 PM, starting and finishing at the Save-On Foods parking lot via Oliver Street, Third Avenue and Borland Street

2) Sheila Wyse, Terry Fox Run Committee re 2015 Terry Fox Run

A Question/Answer period ensued
Mayor Cobb, on behalf of Council, thanked Ms. Wyse for her time/information

3) Terry Shannon, Environmental Compliance Manager, Atlantic Power - Atlantic Power Williams Lake Renewal Project

A Question/Answer period ensued
Mayor Cobb, on behalf of Council, thanked Ms. Shannon for her time/information

Resolved - That Council express its' support for the Atlantic Power Williams Lake Renewal Project and a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the Cariboo Regional District and local First Nations

Business:

1) Council received for information the accounts payable computer cheque listings for the periods ending September 3 and 10, 2015

2) After no public presentations - Council authorized Development Variance Permit #7-2015 (The Brick Sign)

3) After no public presentations - Council authorized Development Permit #4-2015 (A&W Restaurant - Highway 97 South)

4) Council awarded the contract for the relining of 720 metres of vitreous clay sewer mainlines to Insituform Technologies Limited for the bid price of $133,437, excluding GST

5) Council approved the annual Halloween Fireworks Show & Bonfire on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 7:15 PM at the Williams Lake Stampede Grounds

6) Council received the letter from the Annual BC Elders Gathering Society dated August 30, 2015 regarding their 40th Annual BC Elders Gathering being held in Williams Lake, BC from July 11 to 14, 2016

7) Council rejected to proclaim the week of September 27 to October 4, 2015 as "Celebrate Life Week" in the City of Williams Lake by the following vote:

Affirmative - Mayor Cobb and Councillors I. Bonnell and S. Zacharias
Negative - Councillors S. Nelson, J. Ryll, C. Smith and L. Walters

Resolved - That Council review the Proclamation Policy at a future Committee of the Whole Meeting

8) Late Item #1 - Council received information in regards to the Sept 21st Walk for Harmony & Rally for Refugees at 12 noon - Spirit Square (old Courthouse Square). More information here

9) Late Item #2 - Council agreed to provide a letter in support of an increase in fines and demerit points for failing to stop for a school bus.

10) Council received the 'Council Information Package' as follows:

• August 27, 2015 - CCACS re Thank You for Sponsorship of Performances in the Park;
• August 31, 2015 - Medal of Good Citizenship 'Call for Nominations'

Council members gave oral reports on their recent activities

Councillor Nelson left the meeting at 7:03pm

Meeting adjourned at 7:05pm

1 comment:

Eddy Burke said...

To quote Pierre Elliot Trudeau: "The state has no business in the bedrooms of the nation." The same holds true of the City when it comes to becoming involved in the pro-life movement by endorsing the seemingly innocuous "Celebrate Life Week" over the past several years. The slow creep of religious beliefs into our local government where it has no place under Kerry Cook. The very endorsement of this proclamation flew in the face of rights that were granted in Canada with a Supreme Court decision made in 1988. Tonight, (some) City Council members finally recognized that it doesn't matter what their beliefs are, it only matters that it is not their place to be involved.

Thank you to those of you who recognized where to draw the line between religion and politics. To the others: educate yourselves and understand your role. This is not a patriarchal oligarchy; it is Canada where decisions made by the Supreme Court are respected.