MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2004 AT 7:30 P.M.

Transcription

1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT: IN ATTENDANCE: Mayor R.D. Gibson Councillors D.C. DeMare, P.T. French, S.D. Nelson, SPS. Rathor, P.A. Reid and J. Wolbers A. De Feo, Chief Administrative Officer S. Moxey, Director of Corporate Services B. Lawrence, Director of Development & Business Services PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS 1) Hank Ketcham, Chairman, President and CEO, West Fraser Timber Company Ltd. and Wayne Klogg, Vice-President Woodlands, West Fraser Timber re Weldwood Acquisition Update. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD SEPTEMBER 14, RES #470/04 MIN 14/9/04 Moved by Councillor Rathor Seconded by Councillor Reid THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held September 14, 2004, be adopted as circulated. 75 TH ANNIVERSITY VIGNETTE STAMPEDE GROUNDS. Read by Councillor Reid The stampede grounds were pastures until 1912 when the Pacific Great Eastern Railway bought the land from Robert Borland for the new village of Williams Lake. The grounds were pasture land until 1920 when the Williams Lake Stampede was held there. The natural amphitheatre was the prefect spot for the biggest event of the year. The grounds have changed and developed over the years from an open field to include fences, a racetrack, stands, and a terraced parking where people could watch events from their cars, corrals and judges box. Like Boitanio Park the Stampede Grounds are part of Williams Lake s revered landscape that has been fiercely protected by its citizens.

2 COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE 2 Not everybody thought stampede was the best use of the grounds. The stampede grounds evolved over the years with fences being changed, washrooms were added and seating was expanded. The grandstand that stands today was constructed in The curling rink, Long House and baseball field were also added in 1970s. The community was concerned about small changes but there was a major flap whenever the grounds themselves were threatened. The first threat to the grounds came when the Highway Department announced plans to cut right through the land to create a new road heading west to the Chilcotin. There was a great uproar from the community. In 1961, Bill Broughton, the Stampede Association President, received a letter from Highways Minister Phil Gaglardi who gave his promise that the stampede grounds would not be violated. Village Chairman Herb Gardner reported that government officials had been taken on a tour and were in agreement that the grounds should not be disturbed. Mayor Tom Mason started a major row in 1981 when he suggested moving the stampede because, he said, the grounds were "going to waste." He announced he would name a committee with representatives from all the user groups to make sure the grounds were used to the fullest extent. The public accused Mason of "meddling" in Stampede Association business. In September it was revealed that BC Rail, the landowners, had been approached by several buyers and the railway wanted the stampede to move so it could sell the property. After those plans were revealed, Linda Neufeld and Gail Branch circulated a petition protesting the move. At the end of October City Council gave Noel Developments approval in principle to develop the stampede grounds. The development company was happy with the news but it had to wait until B C Rail found a new home for the stampede. The petition continued to grow. It turned out that Council members understood one thing while the development company was suggesting something completely different. Council believed the grounds would be staying where they were and development would be happening around it, this was not the case. Mayor Mason decided there should be a referendum on the issue. In the end, nothing came of the plans and the stampede grounds stayed put. In June 1987 another plan was announced for the grounds. Ken Buchanan approached Council about creating an Old Cariboo Town at the site. The plan was to have Pinchbeck hill levelled and have historical buildings like the Soda Creek jail, and the 132 Mile School moved there. Replica buildings would be constructed to house a hotel, fire hall, blacksmiths, ice cream parlour and other shops. Nothing came of this plan. Over the years different City Councils hired consultants to come up with plans, which included such things as an agriplex and museum, but nothing every came of them. A major change that pleased most people took place in 1992 when the City leased the different areas of the grounds to the user groups instead of to the Stampede Association as was past practice. Besides the Stampede Association, leases went to the Trail Riders, Curling Club, Friendship Centre (Long House) and ball diamond. A Stampede Grounds Liaison Committee was named to oversee the overall development of the grounds. The grounds have remained basically the same, with improvements, since the 1992 agreement. In 2001 a new stampede office was completed named after Harry Williamson and in 2003 the thirty-year-old grandstand washrooms were completely renovated.

3 COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE 3 C3a. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE SERVICES RE CHANGES TO BANK SIGNING AUTHORITY. RES#471/04 BANK SIGNING AUTHORITY Moved by Councillor Rathor THAT pursuant to the report of the Director of Corporate Services dated September 22, 2004, Council approve the following signing authorities for all City bank accounts: (1) Any member of Council and (2) One of: (a) Director of Financial Services (b) Chief Administrative Officer (c) Director of Corporate Services (d) Director of Development & Business Services (e) General Manager of Community Services and further; Policy Number 22 for Cheque Signing Authority be amended accordingly. C3b. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL SERVICES RE REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF TAX PENALTY DORA RENNER 1805 RENNER ROAD. RES#472/04 REQ WAIVER OF TAX PENALTY D. RENNER Moved by Councillor French THAT pursuant to the report of the Director of Financial Services dated September 22, 2004, the letter from Dora Renner dated September 16, 2004 be received and Council deny the request to waive the $94.45 penalty owing on the 2004 tax roll and Mrs. Renner be so advised.

4 COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE 4 C5a. REPORT OF THE ADVISORY PLANNING COMMISSION RE REQUEST FOR HEIGHT RESTRICTION FOR WESTRIDGE SUBDIVISION. RES#473/04 REQ HEIGHT RESTRICT. FOR WESTRIDGE SUB. Moved by Councillor Reid Seconded by Councillor Wolbers THAT pursuant to the report of the Advisory Planning Commission, the request of Allen & Liza Lehr, in their letter dated August 31, 2004, to amend the Zoning Bylaw to reduce the maximum height of buildings, specifically for any new homes on Crosina Crescent, be denied for the reasons contained in the Commission s report. BRIAN LAWRENCE, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & BUSINESS SERVICES LEFT THE MEETING. C7a. REPORT OF COUNCILLORS D.C. DEMARE & J. WOLBERS RE FUTURE OF MOUNTAIN BIKING IN WILLIAMS LAKE AND AREA PUBLIC FORUM. RES#474/04 FUTURE OF MOUNTAIN BIKING IN WL & AREA PUBLIC FORUM Moved by Councillor DeMare Seconded by Councillor Reid THAT pursuant to the report of Councillors D.C. Demare and J. Wolbers dated September 20, 2004, Council sponsor a Forum on the "Future of Mountain Biking" in the area, to be completed by the end of November, SEE BELOW RES#475/04

5 COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE 5 AMENDMENT Moved by Mayor Gibson THAT the main motion be amended by adding and further, that staff investigate the issue of increased liability costs associated with this type of activity and financing options. Question on the Main Motion as amended. F1. LETTER FROM BARBARA GROSSMAN RE BC HERITAGE SITE STATUS FOR THE RUDY JOHNSON BRIDGE. RES#476/04 BC HERITAGE SITE STATUS FOR THE RUDY JOHNSON BRIDGE Seconded by Councillor Rathor THAT the letter from Barbara Grossman dated September 15, 2004 be received and a letter of support for a heritage site status for the Rudy Johnson Bridge be sent to the Ministry of Heritage and the matter be referred to the Cariboo Regional District requesting they pursue the designation of the Rudy Johnson Bridge heritage site; and further, Council attend the Premiere of the Rudy Johnson Bridge Documentary on Friday, October 1, 2004 at 7 p.m. at the Gibraltar Room. F2. LETTER FROM THE WINTER LIGHTS COMMITTEE RE 2004 MAYOR S TREE TRIMMING EVENT.

6 COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE 6 RES#477/04 04 MAYOR S TREE TRIMMING EVENT Moved by Councillor Wolbers THAT the letter from the Winter Lights Committee dated September 23, 2004 be received and approval be given for the 2004 Mayor's Tree Trimming Event in the City Hall Foyer in December; and further, Brenda Beatson, Chair of the Winter Lights Committee, be invited to attend the October 5, 2004 Committee of Whole Council meeting to update Council on the event. F3. LETTER FROM CANADA MORTGAGE & HOUSING CORPORATION AND CITY OF QUESNEL RE SUSTAINABLE PLANNING WORKSHOP BIG IDEAS FOR SMALL COMMUNITIES. RES#478/04 SUSTAINABLE PLANNING WORKSHOP Moved by Councillor Wolbers Seconded by Councillor French THAT the letter from Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation and the City of Quesnel dated September 16, 2004 be received and Councillor Reid, or alternate, and Staff be authorized to attend the "Big Ideas for Small Communities" Sustainable Planning Workshop on Friday, October 22, 2004 in Quesnel, B.C. COUNCILLOR REID REGISTERED A NEGATIVE VOTE. F4. LETTER FROM SALVATION ARMY, WILLIAMS LAKE CORPS RE KATIMAVIK.

7 COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE 7 RES#479/04 KATIMAVIK Moved by Councillor Wolbers Seconded by Councillor Reid THAT pursuant to the request of the Salvation Army, Williams Lake Corps in their letter dated September 13, 2004, Council recognizes the contribution Katimavik has made to the Community in the past and invites them to continue their program in Williams Lake this year. F5. LETTER FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA ACHIEVEMENT FOUNDATION RE BRITISH COLUMBIA COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS. RES#480/04 BC COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Moved by Councillor Reid THAT the information from the British Columbia Achievement Foundation dated September 1, 2004 be received and the community be encouraged to submit nominations for the British Columbia Community Achievement Awards. G1. PROCLAMATION OF WASTE REDUCTION WEEK.

8 COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE 8 RES#481/04 PRC WASTE REDUCTION WEEK Seconded by Councillor Reid THAT pursuant to the request from Alan Stanley, President of the Recycling Council of B.C. in his letter dated September 1, 2004, the week of October 18-24, 2004 be proclaimed as "Waste Reduction Week" in the City of Williams Lake, pursuant to City Policy. G2. PROCLAMATION OF WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK. RES#482/04 PRC WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK Seconded by Councillor Wolbers THAT pursuant to the request from Interior Health in their letter dated September 8, 2004, the week of October 1-7, 2004 be proclaimed as "World Breastfeeding Week" in the City of Williams Lake, pursuant to City Policy. G3. PROCLAMATION OF FOSTER PARENT APPRECIATION MONTH.

9 COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE 9 RES#483/04 PRC FOSTER PARENT APPRECIATION MONTH Seconded by Councillor Rathor THAT pursuant the request from Cariboo Chilcotin Family Resources Ltd. in their letter dated September 13, 2004, the month of October, 2004 be proclaimed "Foster Parent Appreciation Month" in the City of Williams Lake, pursuant to City Policy. ADJOURNMENT. RES #484/04 Seconded by Councillor DeMare THAT this meeting adjourn. (Time: 9:12 p.m.) MAYOR CERTIFIED CORRECT: DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE SERVICES