2012 Audited Financial Statements
Council accepted the 2012 Audited Financial Statements for the District of West Kelowna from auditor Grant Thornton.

RapidBus Project Update
Council received an update from BC Transit representatives regarding the construction of two RapidBus transit exchanges in West Kelowna and the launch of the RapidBus service. Council supported BC Transit in issuing the tender for construction of the Westbank Centre and Boucherie Mountain exchanges. Design is complete for the exchange on Elliott Road in Westbank Centre and on Westgate Road in the Boucherie area and BC Transit plans to award the contract in July with construction beginning August 2013. The project is expected to be complete in June 2014.

Casa Loma Drainage
Council agreed to defer consideration of tendering the Casa Loma Drainage Phase 2 project pending a petition of residents in the affected area to determine the level of support for the project. Council has received concerns from residents in the area regarding the open ditching portion of the Phase 2 project and questions on how an application for a possible development nearby will affect drainage in the area. In an effort to accurately poll the community on its wishes, Council directed staff to petition residents in the area regarding Phase 2. Council further asked staff to bring back a report with options to proceed on a District-wide drainage improvement project following best management practices.

Residential Curbside Waste Collection
Council approved the implementation of the radio frequency identification system (RFID) for West Kelowna garbage, recycling and yard waste collection and a rate increase to $223.76 per year. Council received information from Peter Rotheisler, Manager of Environmental Services with the Regional District of Central Okanagan, regarding the RFID system which was implemented region-wide, except in West Kelowna. Because RFID was not implemented in West Kelowna, garbage had to be inspected and sorted at an additional cost to West Kelowna of $46,474 ($4.61 per unit).This charge was later found to be higher. Council agreed to implement the RFID system in West Kelowna which will mean an increased charge for curbside collection of $4.94 per unit and West Kelowna will no longer have to pay the additional $4.61 per unit for sorting.

West Bay Road – Boucherie Beach Resort
Council adopted OCP and Zoning Bylaw amendments to allow the redevelopment of the Boucherie Beach Resort at 3750 West Bay Road. The amendments on a portion of the property from Agricultural to Tourist Commercial and from Campground, Cabin and Motel Commercial and Agricultural to Tourist and Resort Commercial to facilitate the construction of a resort development with commercial amenities. The amendments also allow for year-round residency as well as tourist accommodation. The maximum number of hotel, resort and accommodation units, including dwelling units is 124. Included with the development are some public benefits including a public waterfront walkway, an expanded waterfront park with public parking and an interconnected walkway system. As well, the adjacent urban-agricultural interface will be protected to ensure the remainder agricultural lands are farmed.

Master Sanitary Plan
Council authorized the hiring of Stantec Consulting Ltd. to prepare a Master Sanitary Sewer Plan at a cost of $96,665. The plan will provide a detailed inventory of sanitary sewer assets, review operating requirements, establish uniform standards and specifications and identify capital improvement strategies and costs for long-term planning. The draft plan is scheduled to be complete in September 2013.

Strategic Priorities – First Quarter Update
Council was provided with a first quarter update on work towards meetings the strategic objectives, focussing on Council's four primary goals; Economic Development, Westbank Centre, Wine Route – Waterfront and West Kelowna Industrial Park. Council heard that the following initiatives have been undertaken between January and March 2013:

·        Enhanced Business Development Office presence and increased networking with the community
·        Tourism Strategy update to Council
·        Westbank Cemetery Strategy implementation - completed tender and design in progress
·        Business Case Analysis for location of Municipal Hall - Consultant provided an update to Council – Market Sounding exercise underway
·        Health Care Presence - Investigated feasibility, and public interest in, a health services facility located in Westbank Centre
·        Street-Level Improvements in Westbank Centre - Brown Road Improvements conceptual design/public consultation complete
·        Consider options for Couplet realignment - options complete
·        Gellatly Road/Waterfront Phase 3 improvement project tendered
·        CNR Wharf design for improvements, communicate with the public: consider safety for youth (Mayor's Youth Forum) - provided an update to Council
·        Conduced business visits in First Quarter

2013 Neighbourhood Associations
Council received an information report outlining a summary of concerns and requests stemming from the March 19 special meeting of Council with community neighbourhood associations. Staff will further update Council on the status of the items in July 2013.

Water Master Plan – Public Outreach Committee
West Kelowna Council endorsed the Terms of Reference for the Water Master Plan Public Outreach Steering Committee and will seek members to join the committee to act as a review panel and sounding board to advise District staff and its consultant on the draft Water Master Plan. The Committee will consist of five to seven members of the West Kelowna community with a strong interest in the District’s Water Master Plan. Areas of experience that will be sought include:
·        Agricultural community representative
·        Non-agricultural community representative
·        Former irrigation district representatives
·        Business owner representative
·        Community at large
The committee will be established by May 2013 and is expected to complete its objectives by November 2013.

News from © iNFOnews, 2013