For Immediate Release
November 28, 2012
November 27, 2012 Council Meeting Highlights
Certificate of Commendation Award
Mayor Findlater presented a Certificate of Commendation on behalf of His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnson, Governor General of Canada, to West Kelowna resident Donald Leslie Cummins in recognition of his actions in attempting to rescue a man from a burning vehicle in 2009. Mr. Cummins, together with an off-duty RCMP Sergeant and three other gentlemen, witnessed a collision between a pickup and a delivery truck near Vernon on July 29, 2009. Mr. Cummins and these men aided the accident victims trapped in their damaged vehicles.
MLA Ben Stewart
Council received an update from MLA Ben Stewart who provided the provincial perspective on several topics of interest to the District of West Kelowna. MLA Stewart touched on:
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Westside Road Interchange land exchange
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Westside Road construction
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Highway 97 Couplet through Westbank Centre
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McDougall Creek flooding
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Roads maintenance
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Forest fire mitigation
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Bus Rapid Transit
MLA Stewart’s presentation is available for viewing via the November 27, 2012 Council webcast.
Webcast
Mayor's Youth Forum
Council received information from representatives of Mt. Boucherie Secondary School about the outcomes of the Mayor’s Youth Forum, held October 30, 2012. Council directed staff to bring forward an action plan by December 11, 2012 to address the issues raised, and that staff provide the action plan to Student Community Voice representatives. Council further directed staff to include an annual Mayor’s Youth Forum in the Operational Plan and 2013 Financial Plan.
Staff Report
Road Maintenance Inspection Update
Council received information from the District’s Engineering and Operations Division regarding its assessment of current road and drainage conditions in West Kelowna. In preparation of assuming the roads maintenance responsibility from the Province on December 7, 2012, West Kelowna conducted an assessment of all roads and drainage infrastructure in the community. The District hired Strategic Infrastructure Management Inc. to undertake an audit of the District’s roads and drainage infrastructure to determine:
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If the services provided under the Province’s Offer of Assistance to the newly-incorporated municipality were performed to the levels outlined
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The scope of remedial works required to bring the infrastructure to a state that conforms with the contract requirements
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An estimated cost to complete the remedial work
Based on an inspection of 30% of the subject infrastructure, it has been estimated that the cost of required remedial measures is $425,000. Staff will prioritize the approach to these works and prepare a report for Council in January.
Staff Report
Gellatly Road Phase 3
Council directed staff to proceed with the original design for the Gellatly Road Phase 3 upgrade, with tender and construction to occur in 2013. On July 24, 2012 Council rejected the two bids for construction of the Gellatly Road Upgrade – Phase 3 project and directed staff to conduct a technical analysis and provide cost estimates for redesign of Phase 3 for provision of additional parking along Gellatly Road. The District conducted a geotechnical investigation to assess the feasibility and preliminary cost estimate of providing additional parking. Based on the geotechnical evaluation, the estimated cost of installing the required works would be approximately $1 million to add 51 additional on-street parallel parking stalls. The approach would also require negotiating with the adjacent property owners on Angus Road to obtain working easements, permission to install works within the private properties and to address liability concerns.
Staff Report
Rosewood Sports Field
Council agreed to rename the sports field on McDougall Road, currently named Westlake Community Park, to Rosewood Sports Field. The change was recommended as the previous name had no community attachment, was geographically misleading and does not accurately represent the use of the park.
Staff Report
Hockeyville Funding – Electronic Highway Sign
Council was provided recommendations for how to use the $25,000 prize money awarded for West Kelowna’s second-place finish in the Kraft Hockeyville 2012 competition. DWK staff and the Hockeyville committee met to discuss project options. The preference of the committee was something that would have a lasting legacy and benefit the broader community. Their first choice of three options was the installation of an electronic highway sign, to be located on public property adjacent to the intersection of Highway 97 and Bartley Road, providing opportunities for community messaging and a landmark for the Mt. Boucherie Complex. The sign, estimated to cost $125,000, could provide the opportunity to generate additional revenue for the District through advertising sales. Staff will bring forward further information during the 2013 Capital Budget deliberations indicating benefits, impacts and the next steps required to complete the project.
Staff Report
Breakfast with Business Summary
Council received an informational report on the results of the Breakfast with West Kelowna Business event held October 26, 2012. The event was fully booked with 75 business licence holders in attendance. Attendees were asked for feedback on three questions:
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How can the District of West Kelowna support your business?
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What are the challenges to operating a business in the District of West Kelowna?
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What is the one thing the District can do to stimulate business?
Council agreed to implement an annual Breakfast with West Kelowna business in the financial plan and 2013 operational plan.
Staff Report
Sponsored Crown Grant
Council directed staff to make application to the Province of BC for a Licence of Occupation for the lands at 2515 Bartley Road and to make application to the Province of BC for a Sponsored Crown Grant for the same lands for municipal purposes. The License of Occupation would allow the District to make use of the lands in a timelier manner while the Sponsored Crown Grant application is in progress, which can take several years.
Staff Report
Council Meeting Schedule
Council approved its 2013 Council Meeting Schedule as follows:
|
Month
|
Council Meeting
1:30 p.m.
|
Council Meeting
6:00 p.m.
|
|
January
|
8
|
22
|
|
February
|
12
|
26
|
|
March
|
12
|
26
|
|
April
|
9
|
23
|
| May |
14
|
28
|
| June |
11
|
25
|
| July |
9
|
23
|
| August |
13
|
27
|
| September |
10
|
24
|
| October |
8
|
22
|
| November |
12
|
26
|
| December |
10
|
|