West Kelowna council highlights Sept. 10 | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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West Kelowna council highlights Sept. 10

Memorial Park Parking Lot Improvements
West Kelowna Council directed staff to complete upgrades and expansion to the South Parking Lot at Memorial Park, using asphalt grindings which is expected to cost significantly less than the budget of $153,000 for paving of the parking lot. An additional 21 parking spots will be created. Council directed that the savings realized from not completing a full re-design and expansion of the parking lot instead be put towards unexpected costs for the CNR Wharf Park Project (more information below). Expanded parking facilities is one of the recommendations of the Memorial Park Plan and providing vitalization opportunities in Westbank Centre is key to the Westbank Centre Revitalization Plan.

CNR Wharf Upgrade
Council made some changes to the CNR Wharf Park Plan, in the interest of safety, and directed staff to immediately tender the demolition of the wharf and Phase 1 construction of the upgraded facility. Council increased the Phase 1 construction budget by $104,950 due to unanticipated socket drilling costs, transferring the funds from savings achieved in the Memorial Park parking lot upgrade. Council agreed to remove the five-metre platform from the CNR Wharf Park Plan design in light of a recommendation from the Lifesaving Society of BC which indicated inexperienced users could injure themselves if jumping from that height. If the five-metre platform was provided in the plan, it was recommended life-guarding services should be provided. The CNR Wharf Park Plan Phase 1 will include construction of a three-metre platform, zipline, one-metre platform and swim raft and slide. Council further requested that a second three-metre platform be included in the tender as optional work, which Council can consider at time of tender award. Council also requested that a Park Ambassador Program, similar to that of the City of Kelowna’s, be brought to 2014 budget deliberations for Council consideration. The tender for demolition and construction is expected to occur this Fall with construction completion in Spring 2014.

2012 Manufacturers Round Table
Council was provided recommendations stemming from the August 21, 2013 Manufacturer’s Round Table event hosted by the District of West Kelowna. This event provided an opportunity for the Mayor, Council and the District’s Business Development Officer to hear  from  local  manufacturers  on  a  variety  of  issues  including  transportation,  employee retention and attraction, and opportunities for local government to assist local manufacturing businesses. Current initiatives the District is undertaking in support of West Kelowna’s Industrial Park are improvements to Westlake Road, at the detailed design stage, development of RapidBus transit exchanges in the community to improve transit service, and initiation of a wayfinding signage program to help navigate the industrial area. Feedback received from West Kelowna  manufacturers included suggestions that the District develop marketing materials to promote West Kelowna as a great place to live and do business, work with BC Transit to increase service and improve communication regarding transit options, and work with post-secondary institutions to identify opportunities for skills training programs within West Kelowna. Council will consider these recommendations as part of its 2014 strategic planning.

Faulkner Lift Station
Council awarded the construction contract for the Faulkner Lift Station in the amount of $898,491 to Bennett Contractors Ltd. The Faulkner Creek Sewage Lift Station serves a population of approximately 4,000 residents, generally, in the area of West Kelowna Estates. The facility  was  constructed  in  1994  and contains  two  pumps,  which  'lift' sewage  flows  to  facilitate  conveyance  to  the  RDCO trunk system and ultimately to the Westside Sewage Treatment Plant.

2014 Permissive Tax Exemption
Council agreed to defer consideration of 2014 Permissive Tax Exemptions until they hear from one applicant. Council is being asked to consider full tax exemptions for 15 places of worship and private schools, 6 miscellaneous non-profit organizations and one public/local authority organization. One miscellaneous non-profit organization, the Westbank & District Chamber of Commerce, would receive a 90% exemption due to a portion of their space being leased to the private sector. There is one additional application from last year's exemption list, the Okanagan Hungarian Society. Council requested that the society be asked to speak to Council about concerns that the organization is too broadly based with many members from outside of the District, and also whether the facility was being used by members only or by the general public.

Moorage Enforcement
Council gave first three readings to a Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw and a Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw which would provide Bylaw Enforcement Officers the ability to enforce the posted time limits on boat moorage in West Kelowna, particularly at the Gellalty Boat Launch. Bylaw Enforcement Officers have received several complaints and Parks staff have observed that some vessels are being moored at the Gellatly boat launch for several hours and sometimes for days. New signage has been installed indicating a maximum temporary tie-up time of 15 minutes at the popular facility, which has been determined to be a reasonable time for a vessel user to park or retrieve their vehicle and boat trailer.

News from © iNFOnews, 2013
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