CITY OF WEST KELOWNA

MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 3:00 P.m. - 6:00 P.m.

COUNCIL CHAMBERS

2760 CAMERON ROAD, WEST KELOWNA, BC

MEMBERS PRESENT:

• Mayor Gord Milsom
• Councillor Rick de Jong
• Councillor Doug Findlater
• Councillor Jason Friesen (Acting Mayor)
• Councillor Carol Zanon
• Councillor Jayson Zilkie

MEMBERS ABSENT:

• Councillor Stephen Johnston

Staff Present:

• Paul Gipps, CAO
• Allen Fillion, Director of Engineering / Public Works
• Jason Brolund, Fire Chief
• Sandy Webster, Director of Corporate Initiatives
• Michelle Reid, Director Human Resources
• Mark Koch, Director of Development Services
• Brad Savoury, Director of Legal Services
• Shelley Schnitzler, Legislative Services Manager/Corporate Officer

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1.

CALL THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 3:04 p.m.

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

In accordance with the most recent Provincial Health Officer Order regarding gatherings and events, the public was not permitted to attend the Committee of the Whole meeting in person.  As an open meeting, it was webcast live and archived on the City's website.

2.

INTRODUCTION OF LATE ITEMS

3.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

• It was moved and seconded

  Resolution No. COW003-21

  THAT the agenda be adopted as presented.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

4.1

Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held Tuesday, March 16, 2021 in the City of West Kelowna Council Chambers

• It was moved and seconded

  Resolution No. COW004-21

  THAT the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held Tuesday, March 16, 2021 in the City of West Kelowna Council Chambers be adopted.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

MAYOR AND COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS

The Acting Mayor recognized National Day of Mourning, to be held on Wednesday, April 28^th, to honour and remember those who were injured, suffered illness or lost their lives on the job. 

6.

PRESENTATIONS

6.1

Ryan Holt, Casa Loma Community Association (CLCA)

• The City’s Visioning exercise was an excellent community engagement process;
• The City’s Communications are very good, proactively working with the community;
• Thanks to the City for the scheduled Casa Loma dock beach improvements;
• Casa Loma is flanked by Kalamoir Park, the Wildlife Corridor, A1 Low Density Zoning and ALR lands, WFN lands, and 1 access road;
• Casa Loma has a website and facebook page to keep the community informed;
• Casa Loma produces a quarterly newsletter that is distributed to approximately 400 recipients;
• There are various fundraisers and improvements ongoing to support speed control, community improvements and neighbours in need;
• The AGM/BBQ is scheduled for June 12, 2021;
• A Speed Reduction Campaign is ongoing for Campbell Road ($1,000 has been raised by the community for signage to raise awareness);
• A Block Watch Crime Prevention Program is in place with approximately 50 members;
• A Fire Safety and Prevention program is in place; recruiting up to 15 local fire warden volunteers;
• Casa Loma’s safety concerns include growing traffic issues, the potential for extreme fire hazards, and undersized infrastructure;
• Requesting that Council engage in more dialogue with WFN on planning matters, and managing and limiting additional development in Casa Loma;
• The Casa Loma Community Association has approximately 400 members.

6.2

Heather Robinson, Executive Director, Greater Westside Board of Trade (GWBOT)

• The Greater Westside Board of Trade is the voice of business that advocates to all levels of governments;
• Members are provided trade discounts, networking opportunities, and promotional opportunities;
• Have redeveloped their strategic plan and goals with the three pillars: Engagement, Education, and Empowerment/Encouragement;
• Engagement – having a connected community;
• Education – having strong business leaders;
• Empowerment/Encouragement – having Westside businesses prosper;
• Current membership is 324;
• Focusing on attracting new businesses to join;
• Worked with a student group from UBCO Faulty of Management on the Capstone Project;
• Continuing with educational and networking opportunities, including: Did You Know?; Wise Words; Business Reading Club; Return of Virtual Business After Hours; Silent Auction; and the State of the City Virtual Mayor’s Lunch;
• Advocacy – want to hear from members and hear what issues the members are facing.

6.3

Nicole Waidman, Gellatly Bay Goats Peak Community Association (GBGPCA)

• Gellatly Bay Goats Peak Community Association was established in October, 2020;
• Since inception, they have launched their website, membership drive and newsletter; submitted feedback for the Visioning exercise; shared feedback on Crown and Thieves access; held an executive meeting and met with Mayor and CAO; submitted feedback on short term rentals;
• Has a membership of over 150;
• Founding Goal – to ensure new neighbourhood development be completed in a thoughtful and cohesive manner;
• Have concerns with safety and access;
• There is a lack of parking and lack of access;
• There is limited use of the public boat launch (monopolized by private industry);
• Locals want access to their neighbourhoods and parks in a safe fashion;
• Concern with infrastructure – storm sewer, sewer (and odor), traffic and roadways, parking;
• Concern with safety and the lack of bylaw enforcement; the wharf should be monitored and cleared by 11:00 pm;
• Bylaw Officers are off by 6:00 pm;
• The complaint-based model is not working;
• Concern with noise from short term rentals and how will this be regulated after 6:00 pm;
• Concern that new development will multiply all these concerns;
• Recommend that renderings for proposed new developments be to scale;
• Next initiatives for GBGPCA: increase membership; monitor neighbourhood development requests; serve their members.

6.4

Tasha De Silva, Director, Glenrosa Residents Association (GRA)

• Glenrosa represents 18.5% of West Kelowna’s population covering an area of 20.8 square kilometres;
• Their focus is to liaise with the neighbourhood community and local government;
• Needs to be a balance between development and infrastructure;
• Would like to see the creation of additional parks and green spaces;
• Glenrosa is 2.5 kms to the nearest store;
• There is an increase in the need for law and bylaw enforcement; would like input into increased patrols, short term rentals, and opportunities for funding around community policing and block watch programs;
• The Glenrosa/McIver Improvement project was a huge success;
• Would like to have sidewalks in all schools areas along with speed enforcement;
• Concern with traffic exits and a secondary exit for evacuation; currently there are two exits, however both are ineffective;
• GRA continues to advocate for a secondary evacuation plan;
• GRA is dedicated to a platform for resident communication and collaboration;
• GRA has approximately 500 facebook followers.

6.5

Tom Groat, Shannon Lake Neighbourhood Association (SLNA)

• Shannon Lake Neighbourhood Association has had a hiatus for 5-6 years; looking at restoring the Association.

The meeting recessed at 4:05 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 4:23 p.m.

• SLNA has 2,300 members on their Facebook page;
• There were 600 past members of the Association;
• SLNA was originally established in 1999;
• There are approximately 6,000 residents and 3,000 homes in Shannon Lake;
• Future road development on Shannon Lake Road shows sidewalks, boulevards, unprotected bike lanes, crosswalk signage and street lighting;
• There are some constraints with the road width, the existing portions of sidewalks, power poles, etc.;
• The BC Active Transportation Guide recommends protected bike lanes, with crosswalks, signage and street lights for arterial roads if traffic volumes are over 4,000 vehicles per day or vehicle speeds over 50 km/hour or greater;
• Shannon Lake Road exceeds both the recommendations and would merit protected bike lanes;
• SLNA would like to see more sidewalks in Shannon Lake;
• There are no sidewalks along Shannon Way, between Woodstock and Sundance Drive; would like signage to make it a safer environment;
• Traffic calming is requested on Shannon Way to address higher traffic volumes and vehicle speed;
• Would like to see some type of traffic calming to curtail speed (ie, bump-outs, traffic islands, roundabouts, speed bumps, etc.);
• Wondering when the roundabout at Tallus Ridge and Shannon Lake Road will be built;
• The main concerns in Shannon Lake are to do with walking and cycling.

7.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

8.

DIVISION REPORTS

9.

CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION ITEMS

10.

NOTICE OF MOTION

11.

ADJOURNMENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

The meeting adjourned at 4:59 p.m.