Council Highlights - Jan. 12, 2021

Council Meeting

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Happy New Year

Council began the first meeting of the New Year by wishing everyone a bright and prosperous 2021.

Supplemental staffing requests to be reconsidered in the Draft 2021 to 2025 Financial Plan

Council unanimously supported Mayor Milsom’s motion to reconsider supplemental staffing positions, which received first reading at the Dec. 10 introductory budget meeting. Staff will resubmit proposals for Council’s consideration at the Jan. 19 meeting.

Amended BC Transit 2020-2021 operating agreement approved

Council adopted an amended annual operating agreement with BC Transit for the current fiscal year in order to receive a Safe Restart Grant of $351,398 from the Province of BC to cover COVID-19-related ridership decreases and related revenue losses. West Kelowna’s transit system will cost $1.8 million to operate by the end of BC Transit’s fiscal year on Mar. 31, with the City’s share being $1.17 million.

Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant update provided

Council awarded Spartan Controls with a $2.78 million contract to supply electrical, instrumentation, and controls for Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant. Xylem Canada will supply the ultraviolet disinfection equipment for $290,000. The primary tender for plant construction closes within the month, with construction scheduled to start this February.

Council supports home site severance application in Westbank Centre

Council supported an Agricultural Land Commission application to remove a 0.4-hectare home site from a 2.5-hectare property at 3535 Paynter Road. Council asked the ALC, that if approved, to require a covenant on the remnant property to ensure it remains arable farmland.

Council supports microbrewery and lounge in Lakeview Heights

Council supported a lounge application to the BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulations Branch for a new brewery and lounge, at 2850 Boucherie Road. Council denied the variance that would have allowed nine-fewer parking spaces than the 42 required.

Council requests more information on lounge application for winery in Westbank Centre

Council postponed support of a BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulations Branch application for a lounge and special event liquor license at 3930 Harding Road. A winery, under construction on the 4.5-hectare property, seeks approval for a 146-seat lounge and 150-person event space. Council supported the project in principle but wanted confirmation on sufficient road and pedestrian access and parking.

Mowing services cost savings 2020

Council received an update on its decision last year to move park mowing services to City crews, rather than contracting out. The move saved $204,458 in 2020.