Williams Lake City Council adopted Fire Protection and Control Bylaw No. 2189, which sets regulations for fire protection and control in the city.
Council adopted the bylaw at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
The Williams Lake Fire Protection and Control Bylaw No. 1947 was adopted in 2004.
The decision was made in 2013 to review the bylaw and update as necessary, however, once the review was completed it was decided to revamp the bylaw entirely to make it a more up-to-date and easier to use document.
Changes include:
• Bylaw No. 2189 now gives the fire chief the authority to secure or have secured fire damaged and vacant buildings.
• The city will have the ability to recover costs whenever the fire department is dispatched to a hazardous materials incident.
• Residents will now have the opportunity to have small backyard fires provided they are contained in a factory made commercially available fire pit.
• Family fireworks are permitted to be sold between Oct. 24 and Oct. 30 each year.
The fire department currently has no way of knowing who was selling these fireworks and in what quantities.
The fireworks sales permit will allow the fire department to track these sale locations, limit quantities and ensure that storage of the fireworks complies with Natural Resources Canada requirements.
Staff instructed to look at South Lakeside Drive signalled intersection
Council instructed staff to investigate the feasibility and cost of installing a signalized intersection at the intersection of South Lakeside Drive and Prosperity Way.
Council appointments made for MIA subscriber meetings
Williams Lake city councillor Laurie Walters was appointed as the voting delegate to represent the City of Williams Lake at the Municipal Insurance Association subscriber meetings; and appointed Coun. Geoff Bourdon and Coun. Ivan Bonnell as alternates.
The Municipal Insurance Association is member owned and operated by subscribing BC Local Governments and provides broad liability insurance coverage at stable and best value costs.
The City of Williams Lake joined the Municipal Insurance Association in January of 2013.