Council Highlights - Oct. 27, 2020

Council Meeting

October 27, 2020

2020 Poppy Campaign launched

Acting Mayor Jayson Zilkie and Anne Fox, with Royal Canadian Legion’s Westbank Branch 288, officially kicked off the 2020 Poppy Campaign in West Kelowna in advance of Remembrance Day, with the rest of Council showing their support. In keeping with COVID-19 provincial health guidelines, City Staff and the Legion were able to coordinate masks and accommodate a safe, socially distanced presentation in place of the usual pinning ceremony.

Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant update provided to Council

The next key Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant milestone is tentatively slated to occur in November. It involves a tie in to the existing 750mm diameter main. Pre-qualification for general contractors for plant construction is also now completed. The City has selected four qualified companies that will receive the tender package, which includes 327 drawings – a record for any West Kelowna project. A request for proposals also goes out this week for instrumentation and controls.

Council appoints committee members

Council appointed Coun. Jayson Zilkie as Second Alternate to the Central Okanagan Regional District Board, for two years. Mayor Gord Milsom and Coun. Stephen Johnson serve as Directors, with Coun. Rick de Jong as First Alternate. Coun. de Jong will also serve on the Airport Advisory Committee for one-year. Coun. Jason Friesen will represent the City on the Economic Development Committee for 2021, while Coun. Doug Findlater will serve on the Okanagan Regional Library Board, and Coun. Carol Zanon will be the City’s Municipal Insurance Association representative.

West Kelowna Community Vision Phase 1 review provided to Council

The first round of West Kelowna’s #OurWK Community Vision initiative was a success. From June 15 to Sep. 21, the City received 5,290 ideas, 1,409 completed questionnaires and saw 4,616 visits to the ourwk.ca website. From mountain trails to lakeside beaches and walkways, 140 parks, hillside wineries, orchards and farms, the City that Maclean’s magazine named second best in BC in 2019 evokes many special feelings for residents and visitors. Phase 2 input will occur in November and help focus in on key elements to create the final vision document to guide the city’s future through 2040.

Zoning amendment proposed for Tallus Ridge multifamily development

Council gave first and second readings to Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendments for the next phase of Tallus Ridge on Canyon Crest Drive. The amendments propose a swap in zoning and land use designations on the southernmost property to better facilitate townhouse development.

Smith Creek Comprehensive Development Plan adopted

Council adopted an Official Community Plan amendment and endorsed the Smith Creek Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP). The plan will eventually allow for the development of hundreds of single and multifamily units on three large properties, totaling 154 hectares, above Copper Ridge Drive and Smith Creek Road over the next 20 years or more. The CDP has been in the works for numerous years and Council thanked the developer for working with City staff over the past several weeks to resolve the few remaining issues regarding transportation networks and greenspace.

Council supports application to the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program

City staff will apply to the provincial Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program seeking funding support to replace the ammonia chiller in the ice plant for Royal LePage Place and Jim Lind Arena. The existing chiller has operated since 1999 and the anticipated lifespan is 20 to 25 years.