Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
December 14, 2017 - 10:31 AM
On behalf of Senator Nancy Greene Raine, Mayor Doug Findlater presented a Canada 150 medal to the Gellatly Bay Trail and Parks Society (GBTAPS). President Bruce Dalrymple accepted the medal on behalf of GBTAPS. The Senate of Canada is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its first sitting by awarding commemorative medals. The medals are being awarded to Canadians or permanent residents actively involved in their communities, who make their hometowns a better place to live. GBTAPS is a non-profit volunteer group dedicated to the development and improvement of trails in West Kelowna. Many of the trails in West Kelowna exist due to the organization’s efforts. The team has a vision for a trail from Peachland to Lake Country and has been integral in seeing Trail 2000 come to life. Mayor Findlater thanked GBTAPS for its inspiring volunteer service to the community.
Sustainable Transportation Partnership of the Okanagan
Council agreed to rescind its notice to withdraw from the Sustainable Transportation Partnership of the Okanagan (STPCO) service. STPCO was created in 2013 to establish a unified, regional voice to work with provincial government bodies on transportation-related issues including the transit service in the partner communities of Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland, Regional District of Central Okanagan and Westbank First Nation.
2018-2027 Financial Plan
Council was provided the draft 2018-2027 Financial Plan which includes a 3% tax increase. Growth is projected by BC Assessment to be 1.6% but a final number will not be determined until March 31, 2018. Council will discuss the draft financial plan at its meeting January 16, 2018. This meeting will be open to the public and broadcast live via webcast on www.westkelownacity.ca Also, a public budget consultation session will occur on January 31, 2018 at the Westbank Library from 4 to 7 p.m.
Late Grant In Aid Request
Council agreed to include a late Grant In Aid Request from the West Kelowna Shelter Society in its 2018 budget deliberations related to Grants In Aid. The request is for $20,000 to help cover gaps in the Society’s request to BC Housing to help with the sever winter daytime drop-ins, and increase in clients using the overnight shelter. The Society has been approved for $118,174 in grant funding from BC Housing for the overnight shelter and has applied for a grant of $136,227 for the severe winter daytime drop-in program.
Wine Trail Phase 2
Council agreed to proceed with the construction of Phase 2 of the Boucherie Road Upgrade – Wine Trail, from Stuart to Ogden Roads in 2018 at an estimated cost of $8,755,000. Design of the project was undertaken last year and the project includes the installation of two roundabouts, one at the Hudson Road intersection and one at the Anders Road intersection. The project also involves replacing aging water infrastructure along this route. Council considered closing access to Boucherie Road from Skyline and Stevenson Roads but chose to keep these accesses open. The construction project will include sidewalk and bike lane construction. The project will be funded through Capital Reserves and Development Cost Charges.
Cannabis Tax Revenue
Council directed the Mayor to contact the local governments in British Columbia requesting they write to the Province of BC to lobby that municipalities receive 50% of the Provincial share of cannabis tax revenues.
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