Council Highlights - May 11, 2021

Council Meeting

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Highway sign considered for community and sport events

Council directed staff to engage with key stakeholders, including the West Kelowna Warriors junior hockey club, on the design and installation of sign on Highway 97 to promote community and sports events at Royal LePage Place and Jim Lind Arena and report back to Council.

Award applications supported

The Recreation Department will apply to the UBCM’s Excellence in Service Delivery Award for being provincial leaders in safely re-opening facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Development Services will apply for the Excellence in Sustainability Award for OurWK, which included successful virtual events and record online participation to create West Kelowna’s first Community Vision.

Revised short term rental regulations to go to new public hearing

Council gave second reading to a revised Zoning Bylaw amendment that, if adopted, would regulate Short Term Rentals. Council requested revisions after a March 16 public hearing. A new public hearing will be held in June. Revised regulations propose permitting short term rentals within a single, detached dwelling, secondary suite or carriage house. Regulations for Bed and Breakfasts would no longer change, except to clarify that a bed and breakfast owner cannot also operate a short term rental. The new regulations also propose that short term rentals be hosted to protect the livability of neighbourhoods. For more information, view the report to Council.

Bylaw amendment proposes faster cleanup of unsightly premises

Council gave three readings to a Good Neighbour Bylaw amendment that, if adopted, would allow the City to clean up unsightly properties within 48 hours after notice being given, instead of 14 days, in particular cases of ongoing non-compliance.

Council supports grant to help people experiencing homelessness

In keeping with the Foster Safety and Well-Being pillar under its 2021-2022 Strategic Priorities, Council has supported the City’s application to the Province of BC’s Strengthening Communities' Services program seeking $157,193 to support outreach work with people who are street entrenched and to provide an assigned term Bylaw Officer for specialized populations. If the grant is approved, the work would occur from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.

2021 FireSmart Program and wildfire mitigation works get underway

Thanks to funding from BC’s Community Resiliency Investment program, the City will begin FireSmart and wildfire mitigation activities for the year. Under the program, homeowners who conduct FireSmart work on their private properties to reduce the impact of wildfire can receive up to $500. Learn more at westkelownacity.ca/firesmart. Wildfire mitigation work will be done on public properties including Rose Ridge Park, Rose Valley Reservoir Dam, Davidson Creek, Shannon Hill Place, Shannon Highlands Park, Jonagold Park and Mt. Boucherie near the high school, City Hall and Hudson Road Elementary.

Tax rate and parcel tax bylaws adopted

Council adopted the 2021 to 2025 Tax Rate Bylaws, which establish the levies per thousand dollars of assessment on all properties - residential, commercial, institutional and industrial – based on the City’s approved budget. Council also adopted Parcel Tax Bylaws that fund the waste transfer station on Asquith Road, solid waste reduction and recycling program and Sterile Insect Release Program.

Council receives 2020 financial statements presentation

Council accepted the Audited Financial Statements, which confirm the city’s revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities and reserves for the year ending December 31, 2020. View the statements on the City’s website.