Committee Highlights - Nov. 17, 2020

Committee of the Whole

Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020

Regional Transportation Plan presented

Council endorsed the Regional Transportation Plan, which incorporates 2.5 years of public consultation and foundational work. Recommendations include a fast and reliable, dedicated transit spine along Highway 97, 81 kilometers of added cycling lanes and trails, and other sustainable transportation options to connect major trip generators such as UBC Okanagan. The plan will help Central Okanagan local governments prioritize projects and work collaboratively to find the funding needed to construct the key components recommended over the next 20+ years. Find the plan at www.smartTRIPS.ca.

WildSafeBC provides 2020 program summary

WildSafeBC’s Okanagan Westside Coordinator provided an overview of the year’s wildlife activity in the community, which included 245 black bear sightings, slightly more than the four-year average of 227. The year was unusual in that residents reported more sightings in May and June than September and October. Garbage continues to be the main attractant in Westside neighbourhoods and the program continues to receive resident requests for more homeowner education and new, innovative solutions.

Council confirms Roads DCC Program’s active transportation projects

Council identified multi-modal upgrades that the City’s Road DCC Program will fund, providing safer roads, new sidewalks and cycling lanes and stronger neighbourhood connections over the next several years as growth occurs. Funds for the program come from cost charges on new development, federal Gas Tax funding, and Capital Reserves. The proposed priorities are:

• Gellatly Road from Carrington Road to Boucherie Road
• Old Okanagan Highway from Butt Road to Reece Road
• Bartley Road from Stevens Road to Highway 97
• Old Okanagan Highway from Dobbin Road to Butt Road
• Shannon Lake Road from Westbank First Nation to Asquith Road

Since incorporation, the City has completed $27.3 million in active transportation upgrades on Boucherie, Gellatly, Glenrosa, and Westlake Roads. In addition, Council directed staff to look at ways to accelerate the roads program so more road upgrades could be done sooner.

Update provided on COVID-19’s effects on recreational facilities

Staff provided Council with an update on the protocols that remain in place to allow sports to continue safely at Jim Lind Arena, Royal LePage Place, the Multi Sport Centre, Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre and other City facilities during COVID-19. The procedures follow BC’s ReStart Plan and adhere to guidelines and procedures that the BC Recreation and Parks Association and Via Sport have created to keep facilities open during the pandemic. Council thanks the public for their ongoing cooperation and stands together with staff as we all continue to help protect one another from the spread of COVID-19. The City posts these critically important procedures at facilities and online at westkelownacity.ca/covid-19.