CITY OF WEST KELOWNA

REGULAR COUNCIL MINUTES

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 1:30 P.m. - 5:30 P.m.

COUNCIL CHAMBERS

3731 OLD OKANAGAN HWY, WEST KELOWNA, BC

MEMBERS PRESENT:

• Mayor Gord Milsom
• Councillor Tasha Da Silva
• Councillor Rick de Jong
• Councillor Jason Friesen
• Councillor Stephen Johnston
• Councillor Garrett Millsap
• Councillor Carol Zanon

Staff Present:

• Ron Bowles, Chief Administrative Officer
• Mark Panneton, Director of Legislative & Legal Services/Corporate Officer
• Rob Hillis, Acting Director of Engineering & Operations
• Warren Everton, Director of Finance/Chief Financial Officer
• Jason Brolund, Fire Chief/General Manager of Protective Services
• Brent Magnan, General Manager of Community Development
• Lisa Siavashi, Financial Services Manager/Deputy Chief Financial Officer
• Mark Roberts, Parks Manager
• Rebecca Narinesingh, Deputy Corporate Officer

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 1:34 p.m.

It was acknowledged that this meeting was held on the traditional territory of the Syilx/Okanagan Peoples.

This meeting was open to the public. All representations to Council form part of the public record. This meeting was webcast live and archived on the City's website.

2.

INTRODUCTION OF LATE ITEMS

2.1

Regional District of Central Okanagan - Highlights from the May 15, 2025 Regional Board Meeting (Item 5.1)

3.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

• It was moved and seconded

  Resolution No. C118/25

  THAT the May 20, 2025 regular Council agenda be amended by:

  • adding item 5.1 regarding Regional District of Central Okanagan - Highlights from the May 15, 2025 Regional Board Meeting;

  AND THAT the agenda be adopted as amended.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

No items.

5.

MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS' REPORTS

Mayor Milsom informed that:

• FireSmart Family Day is on May 24, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; and
• Recreation and Culture staff are getting set to release the 2025 Summer Rec Guide on May 23. The summer guide is full of excellent events, programs and activities, such as Music in the Park, Park Play Days and more.

On behalf of Council, Mayor Milsom, welcomed the neighbourhood associations and the Greater Westside Board of Trade to the meeting.

5.1

Regional District of Central Okanagan - Highlights from the May 15, 2025 Regional Board Meeting

Mayor Milsom commented on the May 15, 2025 Regional Board Meeting, highlighting the adoption of the building bylaw amendment to streamline permit applications, the draft Regional Agricultural Strategy with opportunity for public input, an update on the establishment of a Regional Transportation Service to improve transportation planning and coordination, and the midterm regional committee review that dissolved advisory committees and transitioned to a consolidated Electoral Area Services Standing Committee model.

6.

PRESENTATIONS

6.1

Gellatly Bay Goats Peak Community Association

David Patterson (President, Gellatly Bay Goats Peak Community Association) provided a verbal presentation to Council regarding: what everyone is grateful for; importance of powerline redundancy; having neighbourhood association contact information on the City's website; encouraged support for solar energy; and having a dedicated meeting for neighbourhood associations to present. David Patterson, cautioned against building big and building fast and conveyed concerns regarding: difficulty travelling around West Kelowna; best practices for blasting and pile driving; and pedestrian safety from Goat's Peak to Gellatly Bay.

Councillor Millsap left at 1:48 p.m.

David Patterson responded to Council's questions.

6.2

Glenrosa Residents Association

Councillor Millsap returned to the meeting at 1:55 p.m.

Samuel Robson (Director) and Dan Goy (President, Glenrosa Residents Association) provided a PowerPoint presentation to Council regarding: membership; the population; development growth; parks; amenities; Glenrosa Residents Association priorities; and leveraging solar panels; and responded to Council's questions.

6.3

Casa Loma Community Association

George Lake (President, Casa Loma Community Association) provided a PowerPoint presentation to Council regarding: updates in their community; membership; 2025 completed and upcoming events; development in the area; issues of concern; and access to information for seniors in the community and responded to Council's questions.

6.4

Shannon Lake Neighbourhood Association

Tom Groat (President, Shannon Lake Neighbourhood Association) provided a PowerPoint presentation to Council regarding: recent highlights; events in their neighbourhood; and their initiatives. Tom Groat requested: revisions to phase 2 of the Shannon Lake Road Active Infrastructure project; "your speed" & "hidden driveway" signs adjacent to Crystal Springs Mobile Home Park; a feasibility report and Council's support for a community centre/daycare; firm commitment and timeline from BC Hydro on power redundancy; inclusion of neighbourhood association contact information on the city's website; elimination of building permit fees for residential solar installation; and a framework for parkland acquisition and developer contributions. Tom Groat responded to Council's questions.

6.5

Lakeview Heights Community Association

Mark Godlewski (President, Lakeview Heights Community Association) provided a PowerPoint presentation to Council regarding who they are and what they've done including: lobbied Council for appropriate development in the area; lobbied for green space to replace loss of a sports field and playground; worked to avoid overdevelopment in conservation area; provided input to Parks and Trails Master plan; and provided comments on bike lanes and sidewalks to the Transportation Master Plan. Mark Godlewski informed that their top priorities remain: parks; trails and road safety; and electrical power redundancy.

6.6

Greater Westside Board of Trade

Heather Robinson (Executive Director, Greater Westside Board of Trade) introduced two new board members and provided a verbal update to Council regarding the Westside Board of Trade including: updating strategic plan; establishment of two new board committees; membership numbers; and welcoming new businesses. Recent and upcoming conferences and events include: BC Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting in Nanaimo; recently joined Westside Ending Homelessness Committee to represent challenges that local business owners face; small business supports meeting; hosted meet and greet with Macklin McCall (Member of Legislative Assembly, West Kelowna-Peachland); business awards; all candidates forum; Business After Hours; bi-monthly coffee social; annual golf tournament at Shannon Lake; and a member appreciation event to occur in the fall. 

Mayor Milsom declared a recess at 3:14 p.m.

The meeting reconvened at 3:30 p.m. with the following Council members present: Mayor Milsom and Councillors Da Silva, de Jong, Friesen, Johnston, Millsap and Zanon.

7.

DELEGATIONS

7.1

Delegation - Rose Valley Water Funding

Scott Beaton spoke on behalf of the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant users regarding funding for the system.

8.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

No items.

9.

DIVISION REPORTS

9.1

Rose Valley Reservoir – Source Water Improvements Quarterly Update

Staff provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Rose Valley Reservoir - Source Water Improvements quarterly update.

• It was moved and seconded

  Resolution No. C119/25

  THAT Council receive the report titled "Rose Valley Reservoir – Source Water Improvements Quarterly Update" from the Acting Director of Engineering & Operations, dated May 20, 2025, for information.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

9.2

FireSmart and Wildfire Mitigation Update

Staff provided a PowerPoint presentation on FireSmart initiatives and wildfire mitigation. 

• It was moved and seconded

  Resolution No. C120/25

  THAT Council receive the report titled “FireSmart and Wildfire Mitigation Update” from the Fire Chief and Parks Manager, dated May 20, 2025, for information.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.

CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION ITEMS

No items.

11.

NOTICE OF MOTION

No items.

12.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 4:58 p.m.