City thanks residents for COVID response
COVID-19 Update
West Kelowna Council stands beside staff and the community in thanking everyone for adhering to important health protocols and doing our part to keep each other safe from COVID-19. By staying home when sick, wearing masks, keeping socially distanced and limiting gathering sizes, we keep seniors and our community safe, ensure local businesses stay open, and allow sports to continue, especially for the little ones. You also ensure emergency and essential services personnel stay well to respond to fire, policing, health, water and sewer emergencies when needed most and collect garbage, run infrastructure and utility systems, transport goods and services and more. Our community will be more resilient and quicker to recover if we work together with caring, compassion and do what is best to reach the common goal of getting through the pandemic safely. Engage with us digitally instead of in person; get phone numbers and emails at westkelownacity.ca/services. Follow safety guidelines posted on our buildings and website at westkelownacity.ca/covid-19. For City news and alerts, sign up at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe.
The following are other highlights from West Kelowna Council’s Nov. 24 meeting
Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant update provided
The City has issued the primary construction tender for Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant, storage reservoir and pump station to the four pre-qualified contractors. Bids are due in January with winter construction to follow.
Commercial development permit issued for 3788 Brown Road
Council approved a Development Permit to construct a four-storey, 42-unit congregate housing building, with underground parking at 3788 Brown Road in line with current zoning.
Short Term Rental Regulations Bylaw public engagement
Council reviewed the draft bylaw to regulate short term rentals (STRs). They directed staff to engage the community and stakeholders further on the proposed bylaw, which does not currently anticipate STRs within secondary suites or carriage houses and requires operators to obtain business licenses. To view the full draft Short Term Rental Regulations Bylaw and learn about upcoming input opportunities, starting Nov. 30, visitwestkelownacity.ca/shorttermrentals.
Additional sidewalks and storm drainage improvements for Glenrosa approved
Council approved sidewalk construction and storm drainage replacement on Glenrosa Road from Morningside Drive to the existing pedestrian infrastructure to the south. The City will fund the project with savings from Glenrosa Road improvements from Glen Abbey Place to McGinnis Road.
Draft Communication and Engagement Plan received
Council received a presentation on the Draft 2021 Communications and Engagement Plan and the Administrative Policy. The Plan and Policy set out the strategic framework to achieve transparent, timely and accurate communications and engagement with the community on the City’s programs, services, capital projects and initiatives on an annual basis.
Draft Economic Development and Tourism Plan received
Council received the Draft 2021 Economic Development and Tourism Plan presentation and provided preliminary input. Next steps will see Council participate in a workshop in January.
COVID-19 impacts revenues for recreation facility rentals and programming
The City anticipates a combined revenue shortfall of $266,673 for the Recreation Department and Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre (JBMAC). Both City and JBMAC staff continue to adjust programming and adapt available space to comply with Provincial Health Orders and provide safe options for users wherever possible. Revenues for programs and facility rentals are down $948,300, and expenses are $681,627 lower due to reduced wages, supplies and utilities.
Light Up and Holiday Skates reimagined
The City has reimagined the 2020 Community Light Up by transforming the event on Brown Road into a self-guided Twinkle Tour starting Dec. 4, with an online map showing light display locations, including:
Brown Road
Gellatly Waterfront including CNR Wharf and Powers Creek Bridge
Mt. Boucherie Community Centre
Westlake and Boucherie Road Wine Trail roundabouts
Parks Department on Elliott Road
Fire Hall 31 on Old Okanagan Highway
Residents can also nominate locations to be included on the online map and be entered in a contest where a panel of judges will select winners on Dec. 20 for the following categories:
Most Festive Residential House
Most Festive Business
Most Festive Balcony
Most Festive Large Property
Contingent on Provincial Health Orders, the annual Skate with Santa event will become five Holiday Skates Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27 and Jan 3 at Jim Lind Arena with 40 people per session. Registration will be required. Visit westkelownacitiy.ca for details. Sign up for e-news and alerts at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe.