Council Highlights - Oct. 6, 2020

Council Meeting

October 6, 2020

Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant update provided to Council

The City of West Kelowna continues to pass major milestones in moving forward with Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant, the City’s top priority, despite the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. The City has successfully completed the Subject to Petition Against process and Council may now consider adopting the necessary bylaw to borrow up to $23.5 million over the long-term of 25 years. Official results of the process and consideration of bylaw adoption will occur at the Oct. 13 Regular Council Meeting. The City is also completing the vetting of contractors qualified to construct the water treatment plant and will issue the public tender this fall.

Council discusses Development Cost Charge for East Trunk Sewer Main

Council supported the Regional District of Central Okanagan’s review and update of cost charges on new development (DCCs) for the East Sewer Trunk, which conveys wastewater from City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation to the Westside Waste Water Treatment Plant. The RDCO Board will make final decisions on DCC rates at a future meeting.

Council unanimously adopts City Hall loan authorization bylaw

With Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant and several key sidewalk improvements moving forward, Council has voted unanimously to adopt a loan authorization bylaw to borrow up to $11 million for a first City Hall in 2022 with no new tax increases to the community. Council adopted the first three readings of the bylaw in February, but postponed the process due to COVID-19 and focusing on other priorities. Staff will now proceed with site selection and details on a public consultation process on the design. At present, City administration inefficiently spans six locations, including three portables and a converted community centre. The municipality will give Mt. Boucherie Community Centre back to the community as promised upon the first City Hall being completed.

Development permit with variances issued for 3404 Sundance Drive

Council approved a multi-family hillside development permit with variances for 35 townhomes at 3404 Sundance Drive. The permit appropriately considers the hillside terrain and sensitive ecosystem. Council also approved a temporary use permit to allow on-site crushing and processing of material as crews prepare the property for townhome construction.

City seeks grant funding for wildfire mitigation

Council directed staff to apply for provincial funding under the Community Resiliency Investment Program for wildfire prevention work at several priority sites identified in the City’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The City will seek $150,000 to remove forest fire fuels on public lands and support FireSmart activities that encourage private property owners to mitigate risks around their own homes.

City finances recover from COVID-19 related shortfalls

The City of West Kelowna has now received more than 97 per cent of tax payments, on par with amounts collected by this time last year. About $1.6 million in tax revenue remains owing, also on par with 2019 figures. The City reduced the 2020 tax increase from 4.8 per cent to 2.8 per cent, waived the late penalty on utility bills for 2020 and deferred this year’s tax penalty deadline from July 3 to Oct. 1 to help those facing financial hardships due to COVID 19. As of the first tax deadline of July 2 only 80 per cent of taxes had been collected, leaving an $11.5 million shortfall, most of which is now paid. Utility bill collection also remains on par this year, keeping the City on solid financial ground going into 2021 budget deliberations.