New Positions at the City of Williams Lake

The 2010 Budget includes funding for a number of new positions and I thought it important to provide some information as to why these positions are necessary at this time:


Fire Department Administrative Assistant - This position has been 'on the books' for a number of years and the main reasons it hasn't been filled was lack of office space in the old Fire Hall. There is a considerable amount of record keeping, data entry, reports and other administrative requirements within the Fire Department and currently the Fire Chief, Fire Inspector and Safety Officer look after all the administrative duties. This simply is not cost effective and reduces the capacity of these postions to perform thier core functions such as safety inspections.

There is also the need in the new Fire Hall to have a receptionist who can staff the Hall when the Officers are out on fire calls or other duties.

Events/Marketing Coordinator - This half-time position is an extension of Economic Development and Recreation Services and is intended to provide more capacity to encourage and facilitate events in the community such as conferences, tournaments and sporting events. These types of events result in significant spending in the community with minimal investment. Often potential event organizers do not have the capacity to apply for conferences or tournaments or connect with other supporting resources in the community. This position will develop resources to assist event organizers and will work with the Chamber of Commerce and other groups to encourage and support such events.

Planning Technician - This eight-month position is intended to assist the Development Services department with completion of the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan and the Official Community Plan processes currently underway. These two initiatives require a signifcant amount of work on the part of our Development Services staff which reduces their capacity to keep up with the day to day planning and development functions. This new position will provide short-term capacity until such time as the ICSP and OCP processes are complete.

CN Rail Ties/Chips Update

On Tuesday, April 6th, the City issued a BC Fire Code Order to CN Rail to remove the rail ties and chips stored next to the Station House Gallery. Under the Order, CN Rail has 30 days to comply and have 7 days to appeal the order. It has also been confrimed that BC Rail Properties has cancelled CN Rail's lease, effective in June 30. I have had numerous inquiries as to what CN Rail plans to do with the chips but we have had no communication with CN Rail and the City is not aware of what arrangements are being made.

City Addresses Environmental Concerns

A number of residents and groups have been expressing their disapproval with CN Rail storing and chipping their surplus creosote rail ties behind Station House Gallery and subsequent burning of the chips in the Capital Power co-generation facility. Environmental and health concerns include:

• impacts of creosote soaked chips stored in the downtown core
• contaminated smoke from smouldering chips piles at Capital Power Plant
• emissions from the burning of creosote chips in the Capital Power Plant

CN Rail has been off-loading, storing and chipping rail ties at this site for a number of years on land leased from BC Rail Properties, with the chips transported to Capital Power for incineration . In recent weeks and months, the volume of both ties and chips has grown exponentially, to the point where piles now cover the entire surface of the site. Upon speaking with Capital Power, the co-generation plant has accumulated a significant inventory of chips due to a projected reduction in sawmill production which didn't completely materialize and an increase of chips from other sources in order to compensate for the projected decline in sawmill volumes. At the same time, it appears that CN began increasing their volume of rail ties coming into Williams Lake for disposal. Unfortunately Capital Power was unable to accommodate a corresponding increase in volume from CN Rail.

In response to growing complaints from the community, Capital Power discontinued accepting rail tie chips from CN Rail last week. This in spite of the fact that their emissions permit from the Ministry of Environment allows for the combustion of rail ties. The City investigated the storage of ties and chips below Oliver Street and identified non-compliance with the BC Fire Code resulting from storage of wood products in proximity to forest and grass.

The City has been in communication with CN Rail and BC Rail Properties on the matter and as a result, BC Rail is in the process of cancelling CN Rail's lease. CN Rail advises they are planning to relocate their operation with no indication of where or when. In the meantime, the City is pursuing an order from the Fire Commissioner's office to address the improper storage or wood materials.

The City will be monitoring the situation closely in the coming weeks to ensure the chips and ties are removed as soon as possible to prevent the risk of fire and associated health and environmental impacts.

March a Busy Month

My apologies for not keeping my blog up to date this past month. March has been extremely busy, particularly with the final steps of the 2010 budget process. There has also been a lot of activity associated with preparing for the Prosperity Federal Panel Review hearings, a number of new or amended bylaws and continued efforts with the ICSP and OCP proecesses. With the budget almost complete, I hope to get back to more regular blogging.

Richmond O-Zone a Great Success

With the 2010 Olympic Games wrapping up, it is hard to believe that an event that has been in the planning stages for the better part of a decade has come and gone. The national spirit and pride generated by the Games was unparalleled and will be ingrained in the hearts and minds of Canadians and our visitors for the rest of their lives.

So what did the 2010 Games do for Williams Lake and the Cariboo? Are we as a community and a region better off as a result of these Games? Those questions were and will be debated by those with differing views. But what can't be debated is the spirit and excitement of the Olympic Torch relay as it passed through the City and exposure we received at BC Street at the Richmond O-Zone. I feel very fortunate to have been involved with both events and share in the excitement of the organizers and participants.

BC Street put Williams Lake and the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast on the map during the Games. In the two days I worked at BC Street, I was absolutely amazed at the numbers of people who visited our pavilion and the genuine interest they showed in our region. People from all over the world surged through our displays, anxious to sign the 'tree' and sample some Birch Syrup, Beef Jerky and Pepperoni and learn more about our region. It would be impossible to duplicate the international exposure we received over the 17 days of the event. Credit has to be given to the staff at the CRD who spearheaded the initiative and all of the staff and elected folks who stood for many long hours greeting visitors and being ambassadors of our great region.

In my view, our City and region did very well by the Olympic Games and we will reap the rewards for years to come.

Economic Development 2010 Work Plan

The Economic Development Department has recently drafted their 2010 Work Plan and staff are in the process of informing and obtaining input from a number of business related organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, Business Improvement Area and Construction Association.

The Work Plan contains 6 key goal areas focused on achieving the strategic priorities of Council and ensuring the City is in a strong position to attract new business/industry and support the success of existing business sector.

The key goal areas include, in no particular order:
1. Completing and Implementing an Industry Attraction Strategy
2. Ensuring the City is Investment Ready
3. Assisting Skilled/Professional Worker Attraction and Retention
4. Determining Twin City Related Economic Development Opportunities in China
5. Identifying and Determining Land Development Opportunities in the City
6. Supporting Taseko Prosperity Mine Process

The Economic Development Department works closely with the Central Cariboo Economic Development Corporation and each have a role to play in supporting economic development in and around Williams Lake. One important project that the Corporation will become involved in is the application process for a Community Forest Licence, the intent being that any revenues generated by the Community Forest Licence would be used to further economic development.

With the current lull in the forest industry and the proposed Taseko Prosperity Mine project, it is critical that the City be positioned to take full advantage of any and all opportunities.

Community Arts Centre

Residents may have noticed a lot of activity at the old Fire Hall in recent weeks. Sprucelee Contracting was awarded the contract for completing renovations necessary for the building to become a new Arts Centre and work is well underway. The existing overhead doors have been replaced with fixed walls that are designed to look like garage doors from the outside of the building. Once new plumbing is installed in the garage bays, new partition walls will be constructed to establish four separate studio spaces as well as a new accessible washroom and storage facilities. A wheel chair lift will be installed to provide access to the upper floor of the building and a new heating and cooling system will be installed. Budget permitting, the building will also receive new paint, flooring, entrance doors and newly paved parking areas.



A majority of the funding for this project is being provided by the Towns for Tomorrow program with a total budget of $200,000. Once the renovations are complete in March, the building will provide a new home for the Spinners and Weavers, Potters, Artists Group as well as common space for use by other artists and artisan groups. This facility will add to the vibrancy of the downtown core with it's adjacency to the Museum, Library, Seniors Centre and Recreation Complex.