Council Highlights - Sept. 9, 2025

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025

Date of Issue: Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025

Watch meetings live or through the webcast archive

Council meetings are livestreamed at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts and archived within one business day. To view the Sept. 9 webcast archive, please visit pub-westkelowna.escribemeetings.com.

Council honours firefighters

Sunday, Sept. 14 is National Firefighters Memorial Day to remember those who have died in the line of duty, including Capt. Troy Russell, who West Kelowna Fire Rescue and the City of West Kelowna lost from workplace-related cancer. The day also recognizes the many contributions of the firefighters who serve our community every day to keep us safe.

Presentation given on an inter-city transportation system proposal

The UBC-Okanagan School of Engineering provided a presentation on a proposed Inter-City Transport system in the valley, and requested a letter of support, which Council may consider at a future meeting, pending further feedback from City staff.

Municipal organics recycling program considered

Council asked staff to include a proposed municipal organics recycling (countertop unit) purchasing pilot program for consideration in 2026 Budget deliberations.

Council unable to provide letter of support for home energy pilot project

Following a presentation at the Aug. 26 Regular Meeting, Council declined a request to provide a letter of support for a home energy performance pilot project because Part 3 - Section 25 of the Community Charter prohibits giving such support to a private business.

Council supports UBCM Strategic Priorities Fund grant application

Council supported the City of West Kelowna’s application to the federal Strategic Priorities Fund Capacity Building Stream, seeking 100 per cent funding to advance essential asset management planning initiatives.

Quarterly update provided on source water improvements at Rose Valley Reservoir

Staff provided a quarterly update on raw source water improvements for Rose Valley Reservoir. In July, a new sodium permanganate system was installed to reduce the disinfection by-products associated with manganese removal at the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant. The City is also working on providing a modern aeration system in the reservoir to address manganese, algae and other organics levels over the long term.

Council requests separate approvals for capital project agreements

Council requested that staff return to a future meeting to seek contract approvals separately for four approved capital projects: Water Meter Supply, Road Rehabilitation Program, Heat Recovery Retrofit at Royal LePage Place and Roof Replacement at Fire Halls #33 – Rose Valley and #34 – Glenrosa. Council has requested that any proposed agreement above $250,000, as outlined in the Authorize the Delegation of Local Government Authority Bylaw, be provided for their consideration of approval.

Council advances Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant Parcel Tax Bylaw

Council gave first, second, and third readings to the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant Local Area Service Parcel Tax Bylaw, which outlines the annual parcel tax, to cover the required borrowing for the water treatment plant and connecting transmission mains project. To cover their equal share of the project, property owners could choose to prepay a lump sum of $2,750 or pay an annual parcel tax of approximately $181, with corresponding reductions to quarterly utility bills starting in 2026. Lump sum prepayments totaling $1.9 million were received in May, reducing the total borrowing from $23.5 million to $21.6 million with a 25-year loan repayment.

Zoning amendments for Churchill Road properties to be considered for adoption

Council gave first, second, and third readings to a zoning bylaw amendment for four properties on Churchill Road, in Westbank Urban Centre, for a proposed six-storey mixed-use development with residential units above and ground-floor commercial space, which would be in keeping with the City’s Official Community Plan and Housing Strategy. Council will consider adoption at a future meeting following approval by the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit, and covenant registration to restrict the building height and require necessary off-site infrastructure improvements.