Council Highlights - Nov. 25, 2025

Date of Issue: Nov. 25, 2025

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025

Watch meetings live or through the webcast archive

Council meetings are livestreamed at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts and archived within one business day. Please visit pub-westkelowna.escribemeetings.com to view the Nov. 25 webcast archive.

Draft 2026 Budget available for public input

The Draft 2026 Budget is available for the public to review and provide input. Public consultation is open until Dec. 12 and is available online. The public is invited to join a community open house on Dec. 10 from 4-7 p.m. in Council Chambers to review the budget information. Council will hold a special meeting on Dec. 3 and 4 to take a deeper dive into the Draft 2026 Budget.

Condolences on the passing of Peachland Councillor Keith Thom

Council expressed their sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Peachland Councillor Keith Thom who passed away on Nov. 6, 2025.

Upcoming community events highlighted

Light Up returns on Friday, Dec. 5 starting at 5 p.m. This family-friendly event takes place along Brown Road with the lights turning on with Santa at 5:30 p.m. The evening’s festivities includes activities, food vendors, live music, a market at Westbank Lions Halls, and will end with fireworks at 7:45 p.m.

The firefighters annual food drive is kicking off with firefighter visiting local neighbourhoods on Dec. 2 and 3 from 5 – 8 p.m., collecting non-perishable food items and cash donations. Donations can also be dropped off at any of the four fire stations until Jan. 4.

Residents are invited to take part in our annual Twinkle Tour. Nominate your favourite light display in our community and register it online using our nomination form for a chance to win prizes in one of four categories.

Board and committee appointments for 2026 approved

Council confirmed its 2026 appointments to several regional boards and committees for a one-year term ending Nov. 3, 2026:

• Councillor Friesen as representative and Councillor Da Silva as alternate to the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission
• Councillor Da Silva as representative and Councillor Millsap as the alternate to the Okanagan Regional Library Board
• Councillor de Jong as representative and Councillor Millsap as the alternate to the Airport Advisory Committee
• Councillor Zanon as representative and Councillor Millsap as the alternate to the Municipal Insurance Association

Electronic fire danger rating signs presentation

Council received a presentation on behalf of the Ashes to Advocacy Committee to speak about their fundraising efforts to procure electronic fire danger rating signs for the West Kelowna community and requested a staff report regarding the matter.

Noxious weeds and invasive trees bylaw

Council directed staff to develop new bylaws to address noxious weeds, invasive trees, and noxious insects to align with other municipalities in the region, and to report back within six months.

Water and sewer reserves workshop held in advance of 2026 budget deliberations

Council received a report on water and sewer reserves and upcoming capital funding needs as part of a 2026 budget workshop.

ALR land swap to advance Gellatly Village planning supported

Council supported an Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) land-swap application on Gellatly Road, to advance the vision for the Gellatly Village area and formalize future road and parking dedications. The application will be forwarded to the Agricultural Land Commission for consideration.

Zoning amendment for 3720 Old Okanagan Highway

Council gave first, second and third reading to a zoning amendment for 3720 Old Okanagan Highway for a six storey mixed-use building and directed that staff schedule the bylaw for consideration of adoption following the approval of the bylaw from Ministry of Transportation and Transit and registration of a Section 219 Covenant to restrict building height so that no building be constructed that is considered a ‘high building’ under the BC Building Code.

OCP amendment moves forward to align with provincial housing rules

Council gave first and second reading to an Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment to align the plan with provincial small-scale multi-unit housing rules and West Kelowna’s Interim Housing Needs Report. A public hearing will be scheduled prior to third reading.

Council renews RDCO Fringe Planning Areas agreement

Council approved the updated 2026–2030 Fringe Planning Areas agreement with the Regional District of Central Okanagan, allowing the City to continue participating in planning decisions for electoral areas that are adjacent to the City of West Kelowna.

Council removes pit meter requirement in water bylaw update

Council gave first, second and third reading to amend the Water Regulation Bylaw to remove the requirement to install pit meters for new single-family homes and duplexes, clarifying water metering provisions, and shifting the annual agricultural water shutoff to around Oct. 15.

Water Meter Backlog Project making headway

Council received an update on the Water Meter Backlog Project, and the progress being made to replace water meters which have failed or are failing. Since work began in July 2024 to eliminate the backlog, the Utilities team has successfully reduced the backlog of failed meters from 1,160 to approximately 200 and has now moved to proactively replacing water meters that are at, or near end-of-life. About 4,200 new meters (34 per cent) have been installed with work continuing over the next two to four years to complete the remaining 8,250 residential water meters. Residents who have the new Badger water meter installed can monitor their water usage using Eye on Water, a free online platform.

Final update for the Fire Station 32 replacement project

Council received a final update on the Fire Station 32 replacement project. The new fire station has been operational since Oct. 8 and the Lakeview Heights Community Hall is now available for bookings. Minor landscaping and other deficiencies are being addressed. The project came in under budget at $14.21 million.

Fire Rescue modular building to be returned

Council passed a motion to return the modular building that was being used at the old Fire Station 32 to the lessor.

Antique fire truck donated to Westbank Museum

Council approved donating a 1935 antique fire truck to the Westbank Museum, preserving the vehicle’s historical value and ensuring long-term public access.

Council advances fire rescue bylaw updates

Council gave first, second, and third readings to amendments to the Fire Rescue Establishment and Operations Bylaw and the Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw, clarifying the roles of the Fire Chief and council oversight while modernizing fire service operations and fire protection boundary.

Notice of Motion regarding neighbourhood community association policy changes

Councillor de Jong presented a notice of motion, which may be considered at a future Council meeting, requesting changes to the Neighbourhood Community Associations Policy to increase the annual grant funding to a maximum of $1,000 and a staff report on other potential policy changes, including waiving City facility rental fees and listing association information on the City website.