Council Highlights - March 8, 2022

Council stands in support of the Ukrainian community and extends deepest sympathies to those affected by the invasion and atrocities. Our community watches in heartbreak as people, most of them women and children, must flee their homes in search of safety. March 8 was also International Women’s Day; and, it brings into focus the much-needed solidarity with women and girls of Ukraine who are suffering because of the conflict. Council encourages our community to stand with Ukraine, support humanitarian efforts in whatever ways they can and to join in the global call for an immediate, peaceful end to the assault on Ukraine and its citizens.

Council appointed Chief and Deputy Chief Election Officers who will now begin early preparations to hold the 2022 General Local Elections on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. For more information, visit Elections BC’s Local Elections webpages or call City staff at 778-797-2250.

The City has taken possession of a property and dwelling at 2406 Drought Road to become Fire House #30, a centralized administrative office for West Kelowna Fire Rescue. This move, to centralize WKFR administration from Fire Hall #32 and other satellite locations to Fire House #30, will help prepare for the eventual replacement of Fire Hall #32, while keeping operations functional. To learn more, read the West Kelowna Fire Rescue Facilities Update on the City’s website.

Council issued a Hillside Development Permit to allow the construction of a detached garage at 2587 Shawna Court with a variance to the Zoning Bylaw to increase the height from 5.0 to 6.8 meters.

Council received an update on the City’s efforts to enhance the community’s urban tree canopy. The 2022 Urban Re-Leaf program has been expanded, with 500 trees available, at wholesale prices, to Westside residents until April 3, up from 200 offered in 2021. Learn more at westkelownacity.ca/urbanreleaf. The City will also plant trees along the Highway 97 Couplet in Westbank Centre and at Darroch and Rotary Trails Parks thanks to a $4,750 grant under the BC Hydro Community Re-Greening Program. The City is also teaming up with 44, Grade 7 students to plant 550 seedlings in May at Mule Deer Park, which was damaged during the 2009 Glenrosa Wildfire. The City will also use a $4,500 donation from the West Kelowna Daybreak Rotary to plant trees within various parks and public open spaces.

Council gave first, second and third readings to Local Area Service Bylaws to add 3307, 3343 and 3349 Glenrosa Road to the Powers Creek Water System. The City negotiated the water service additions as part of land acquisition and working easements that were required to construct a new reservoir in Glenrosa.

Council received community budget feedback, given during a public engagement process from Dec.14, 2021 to Feb. 13, 2022, and gave second and third readings to the 2022 to 2026 Financial Plan Bylaw. The Bylaw includes the Draft 2022 Budget, which proposes a net tax increase of four per cent, including 2.4 per cent to cover police services cost increases, a one per cent Infrastructure Levy to build sidewalks and other priority infrastructure and 0.6 per cent for other operating and capital costs. Visit westkelownacity.ca/budget to view the Draft 2022 Budget and to read the What We Heard report, which summarizes our community’s feedback. Council also continues its sustained grant in aid contributions to give back to the community.