Council Highlights - June 24, 2025

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Date of Issue: Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Watch meetings live or through the webcast archive

Council meetings are livestreamed at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts and archived within one business day. To view the June 24 webcast archive, please visit pub-westkelowna.escribemeetings.com.

Heartfelt condolences expressed on the passing of Rusty Ensign

Council expressed deepest sympathies to family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances of Rusty Ensign, who served as a West Kelowna City Councillor from 2014 to 2018. Since July 2023, Mr. Ensign has also chaired the City’s Accessibility and Inclusion Committee. Rusty has also previously served as a trustee of the former Lakeview Irrigation District, founding director of the Shannon Lake Neighbourhood Association, member of the Mt. Boucherie Expansion Society, past president of the Westbank and District Chamber of Commerce (now Greater Westside Board of Trade), fundraising director for the Westside Ringette Association, founding director of the Westside Minor Fastball Association, organizer of the annual Ensign Cup Benefit Rugby Game, and as a leader in the Kinsmen Club of Westbank, which helped build sports fields that continue to benefit our community today.

Summer events kick off June 27 and continue all season in West Kelowna

Join us as West Kelowna and our partner community organizations kick off another exciting summer full of free, fun, family-friendly events happening at Annette Beaudreau Amphitheatre in Memorial Park at 3737 Old Okanagan Highway. First, the City of West Kelowna’s Friday night Music in the Park concerts begin June 27, bringing talented artists to the stage from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Other Friday night concerts take place on July 4 and from July 18 to Aug. 22. On Saturday, June 28, the Westbank Museum hosts Multiculturalism Day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to celebrate West Kelowna's cultural diversity with activities at pavilions representing more than 30 community groups. The Westside Celebration Society hosts Canada Day celebrations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1 with music, cupcakes, while they last, and family activities and also Westside Daze from July 10 to 13 with kids' activities, live entertainment, amusement park, drone show, and parade.

Woodell Road zoning amendment proceeds to consideration of adoption

Council gave first, second and third readings to a Zoning Bylaw Amendment, that if adopted, will permit 3885 Woodell Road to be rezoned from Manufactured Home Residential Zone (R1M) to Single Detached and Duplex Residential Zone (R1) to construct a carriage house. Council will consider adoption at a future meeting pending prior approval from B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Transit.

Riffington Place strata conversion approved

Council approved the conversion of a freehold, four-unit townhouse at 2742 Riffington Place from market rental to individual strata-titled ownership.

Council initiates long-term borrowing process for Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant

Council approved the process to initiate long-term borrowing from B.C.’s Municipal Finance Authority (MFA) for the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant and connecting transmission mains project and requested that the Regional District Central Okanagan give required approval of the City of West Kelowna’s borrowing over a 25-year term. Council also approved applying $21,597,000 in proceeds, and $1,903,000 in commuted value pre-payments, which have been received to date from some Rose Valley Water Local Area Service users, to offset the $23,500,000 in MFA funds, which the City had received in 2021 under Temporary Borrowing Bylaw No. 0289.

2024 Annual Report accepted

Council accepted the 2024 Annual Report, which includes the City of West Kelowna’s 2024 Audited Financial Statements, permissive tax exemptions, services and operations, and performance objectives and measures for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31.

2024 Statement of Financial Information received

Council received the 2024 Statement of Financial Information, which includes the remuneration and expenses for Mayor and Council and municipal employees earning more than $75,000 per year, and amounts greater than $25,000 that were paid to suppliers of goods and services during the fiscal year ending Dec. 31.

Unique Identifier Count report received

Council received a presentation on the 2024 Westside Unique Identifier Count (UIC), which reports on several social issues related to homelessness, including the increasing reliance on services for immediate survival such as food and shelter. The report indicated that youth and seniors’ services are particularly at risk, with youth often facing challenges as they age out of foster care and seniors reporting significant mobility, health, and affordability concerns. The report indicated that economic instability, driven by unaffordable housing, low income, and lack of family support, remains a primary cause of homelessness. The report makes a number of recommendations including integrating UIC findings into key City planning efforts including the Official Community Plan, Housing Strategy, and upcoming Community Safety and Well-Being Strategy. To watch the full presentation to Council, please see the June 24 webcast.

Next steps to becoming Bear Smart Community to begin

Council directed staff to proceed with the next steps in the Bear Smart Community Program, including the submission of a funding request for creating a Human-Bear Conflict Management Plan as part of the 2026 budget process.