Image Credit: District of West Kelowna
October 23, 2013 - 3:24 PM
Okanagan Regional Library
Stephanie Hall, Executive Director, and Don Nettleton, Financial Manager, with the Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) Board provided an update to West Kelowna Council on library services. A recent consultant’s report hired by the ORL indicated that although the organization is efficient and the service population financial allocation model is fair, there were imbalances in service related to costs for some of the member municipalities, West Kelowna included. ORL staff indicated they are working to correct this imbalance with improved service for West Kelowna.
Strategic Priorities – 3rd Quarter Update
Council was provided a third quarter update on work towards meeting its strategic objectives, focusing on Council’s four primary goals: Economic Development, Westbank Centre, Wine Route – Boucherie Road/Waterfront and West Kelowna Industrial Park. Council heard that the following initiatives have been undertaken between July and September 2013:
- Creation of Aligning with Provincial Priorities – 2013 which outlines how West Kelowna’s priorities align with provincial priorities.
- Received BC Flood Protection Program grant from Province of BC to undertake priority mitigation works at McDougall Creek
- Revenue generation opportunities were explored
- A feasibility/implementation study for a Municipal Hall/Civic Centre was undertaken
- Street-level improvements on Brown Road tendered and now under construction
- Music in the Park free Friday-night summer concerts were held with 6,355 attendees during the 2013 season
- Gellatly Road – Phase 3 upgrade was completed – since 2012, $5 million has been invested in upgrading this important waterfront amenity
- Conducted an in-depth analysis of CNR Wharf improvements, detailed design underway
- Manufacturer’s Round-Table with Council held August 21
- Transit Exchange design finalized for Boucherie Mountain and Elliott Road exchanges
Comprehensive Development Plan for Goats Peak/Gellatly
Council approved the Terms of Reference for the preparation of the Goat’s Peak/Gellatly Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP), which encompasses four properties, totalling approximately 117 hectares, in the Goat’s Peak/Gellatly area. The applicant will now prepare the draft CDP in consultation with the District and interested parties. The CDP is created in three distinct phases and takes approximately 8 to 10 months to complete. Two public meetings would be held during the development of the plan. The plan will be reviewed to ensure compliance with District bylaws and policies.
Master Sanitary Plan Update
Council received an update on the developing Master Sanitary Plan. Consultants have completed an asset inventory, assessed existing system conditions and future growth conditions. The next step is to complete a draft Master Sanitary Plan with recommendations for system improvements and cost analysis, development cost charges and a capital improvement plan. The first draft of the plan is expected to be presented to Council for consideration in early November.
Communications Enhancements
Council received information on potential communication enhancements for the District including a dedicated print advertising space in a local newspaper, a one-year local radio advertising campaign, website enhancements and social media initiatives.
2014 Council Meeting Schedule
Council approved its 2014 Meeting Schedule as follows:
Image Credit: Contributed
News from © iNFOnews, 2013