Committee of the Whole Meeting - Nov. 5, 2024

Committee of the Whole Meeting
Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Watch meetings live or via the webcast archive

Committee of the Whole Meetings are livestreamed at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts and archived within one business day. To view the Nov. 5 webcast archive, please visit pub-westkelowna.escribemeetings.com.

Westbank Museum provides heritage presentation

The Westbank Museum gave a presentation on past and present heritage buildings in the City of West Kelowna, including an inventory of existing sites. The Museum requests that the City consider creating a bylaw that would identify key heritage assets and provide a means of preserving them. To learn more, please view the slide deck and watch the presentation.

WildSafeBC presents Bear Hazard Assessment

WildSafeBC provided a presentation on the City of West Kelowna’s first Bear Hazard Assessment, which identifies current and potential risks for human-bear conflicts. The Committee also directed that staff report back to Council on the next steps for a Bear Smart Community Program, which could include creation of a Human-Bear Conflict Management Plan, and could provide recommendations such as enhanced education, solid waste management, and bylaws. For more details, please read the Bear Hazard Assessment and view the presentation.

Indoor baseball complex proposal presented

West Kelowna Minor Baseball has requested that the City consider providing a portion of existing municipally owned land, in the vicinity of Darroch Park Ball Field on East Boundary Road, where they hope to construct a new building to facilitate indoor, off-season practices and skills development, given that the Multi Sport Dome is heavily booked. The association says it would raise the funds needed to construct the building. To learn more, please read their business proposal, view the proposed design and suggested location and view the presentation.

Presentation given on 2025 Budget Primer – Capital and Reserves

The presentation outlined the importance of building reserves for capital expenditures, improvements, and renewals in the 10-year Capital Plan. Staff emphasized a need for a consistent review and bolstering of reserves to ensure the City can afford planned projects. After a detailed review of the effects on the capital reserve, staff recommended Council consider moving cautiously on infrastructure projects for 2025 and shift focus more towards public service. Staff also propose, as part of the annual tax review, that 2.0 per cent be allocated to re-building reserves. Council’s budget deliberations are scheduled for Dec. 18 and 19. For more details, please read staff’s report and view the presentation.