Advisory Committee on Health Care
Council announced the appointment of five members to the District of West Kelowna’s newly-established Advisory Committee on Health Care for a three year term ending December, 2016:
-  Carl Archer
-  Ronald Green
-  Elizabeth Harris
-  Carole Holmes
-  Irene Maier
-  Alternate: Wayne Byron
The Committee will advise Council on ways to improve health services in West Kelowna.

Municipal Hall/Civic Centre Update
Mayor Doug Findlater announced that, as a result of its Request For Qualifications process launched in November 2013, Council has selected four proponents to proceed to the Request for Proposals stage in the development of a West Kelowna Civic Centre Project in Westbank Centre. The following proponents will be asked to submit proposals for the design and construction of a West Kelowna Municipal Hall/Civic Centre:
-  Town Centre Partners Group – relating to 3656 Brown Road
-  New Town/Sturgess Group – relating to 3641 Elliott Road
-  Maple Reinders Group – relating to 3717 Elliott Road with secured purchase agreement for adjacent sites at 2495 Main Street and 3711 Elliott Road
-  Total Concept Group – relating to 2528 Main Street
West Kelowna Council has agreed to pay an honorarium of up to $25,000 to each of the proponents that are unsuccessful in receiving a future construction contract to offset the significant cost of preparing detailed proposals.

2013 Strategic Priorities – Final Update
Council was provided a fourth, and final, update on work towards meeting its strategic objectives in 2013. Council focused on four primary goals in 2013, Economic Development, Westbank Centre, Wine Route – Boucherie Road/Waterfront and West Kelowna Industrial Park. Council was advised that the following noteworthy steps were taken:
-  Tourism marketing activities focusing on support for agri-tourism clusters and enhanced social media presence
-  2013 Breakfast With Business held November 15, 2013 with 105 attendees
-  Design and tender for the construction of mausoleums and columbarium, as part of the Westbank Cemetery Strategy
-  Transfer of Noxious Insect Control and Invasive Plants services from Regional District of Central Okanagan to the District of West Kelowna
-  Substantial completion of $3.1 million Brown Road Streetscape Project Phase 1
-  Issued a Request for Qualifications from proponents interested in designing and building the West Kelowna Municipal Hall/Civic Centre
-  Third annual Mayor’s Youth Forum held November 20, 2013
-  Construction awarded to complete Phase 1 of the CNR Wharf Upgrade Project
-  Successful completion of District of West Kelowna Health and Safety Audit

2014 Strategic Priorities
Council adopted its 2014 Strategic Priorities with following areas of focus and tasks for the year:

1.     Economic Development
-  Business Support  - Wayfinding Signage Program; host West Kelowna Business Forum; produce Online Business Licence Directory
-  West Kelowna Industrial Centre – Stevens Road Area - Develop Marketing Strategy for area; host Manufacturer’s Forum
-  Promotion
2.     Westbank Centre
-  West Kelowna Civic Centre/Municipal Hall - Options fully realized
-  Health Services - Establish a Health Advisory Committee; work with IHA to improve access to services
-  Brown Road Revitalization Project - Complete $3.1 million Phase 1
-  Elliott Road Transit - Work with BC Transit on construction and public communication related to Elliott Road Transit Exchange
-  Future Capital Work - Consider phasing of Westbank Centre revitalization efforts
-  Westbank Centre – Downtown West Kelowna -  Host forum and brainstorming initiative on branding of area; implement branding
3.     Community Enhancement
-  Westlake Road Upgrade - Design & tender; phasing options to Council; construction in 2014
-  CNR Wharf Improvements - Implement Phase 1 improvements; consider phasing of future improvements; identify clearly for community on West Kelowna website
-  Transit - Work with BC Transit to educate the public on transit service and RapidBus implementation; work with BC Transit on construction and public communication related to Elliott Road and Boucherie Transit Exchange
-  Traffic Calming Initiatives- Implement recommendations from 2013 traffic calming reviews; review three new neighbourhoods in 2014
-  Master Plans- Transportation Master Plan; Water Master Plan; Master Implementation Plan; Development Cost Charges Plan
-  Wine Route – Boucherie Road - Consider future phasing of Wine Route upgrade to Boucherie Road; consult with the community with identified phasing
-  Gellatly Road Phase 4- Complete detailed design; phasing options to Council for consideration
4.     Community Engagement
-  Economic Development Committee - Council consideration of the development of an Economic Development Committee
-  Intergovernmental relationships -  Nurture relationship with MLA to address the needs of West Kelowna; continue to build on collaborative relationship with Westbank First Nation
-  Community Consultation - Schedule regular community consultation sessions as events arise
5.     Efficient Municipal Operations
-  Chief Administrative Officer - Hire Chief Administrative Officer for District of West Kelowna
-  Customer Service- Staff to review Customer Service Initiative and re-engage to ensure continuing improvement
-  Service Reviews - Consider formal service review of RDCO Waste Water Treatment Plant; conduct two internal service reviews of municipal operations
-  Development Services Enhancements - Continue implementing development service improvement strategies

Development Cost Charges Review
Council was provided a preliminary rates report as part of the ongoing Development Cost Charge (DCC) review by Leftside Partners Inc. and Neilson-Welch Consulting Inc. DCCs are fees implemented at the time of development which are meant to help municipalities recover the costs of infrastructure needed for growth ie: roads, sewage, water, drainage and parks. Council provided direction on key points for DCC programs (Transportation, Storm Drainage, Sanitary Sewer and Parks) and on preliminary rates. With the District approaching finalization of its Water Master Plan, Council agreed to postpone the consideration of Water DCCs. The remaining information will be forwarded for review by the DCC Review Committee made up of representatives of the development, construction and business community.

Smith Creek Park
Council heard a presentation from representatives of the Smith Creek Residents’ Association asking for Council to consider beginning development of Wildhorse Park as a community park in 2014. Currently, the development of Wildhorse Park is not included in the short term recommendations of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Council asked staff to prepare a report for Council advising if the residents association’s request could be undertaken in 2014 and whether items currently planned in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan would be deferred if Wildhorse Park development was pursued.

Tallus Ridge Development
Council gave first reading to an Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendment for the remaining lands within the Tallus Ridge neighbourhood to a mix of park and open space, compact housing, single family residential, low density multiple family and medium density multiple family. Council also directed staff to secure the future alignment of the extension of Asquith Road to Tallus Ridge Drive through a road reserve. The development involves four vacant lots, totalling 83 hectares, fronting Shannon Lake Road, Tallus Ridge Drive, Mountains Hollow Lane and Paramount Drive.

Asset Management Investment Plan
Council was provided an update on the developing Asset Management Investment Plan (AMIP) for West Kelowna. The AMIP calculates the replacement value of all District infrastructure, including replacement life and remaining life, infrastructure backlog (deficit), renewal costs and timing and optimum budget levels. The draft AMIP indicates West Kelowna’s backlog is $35 million, approximately 5% of replacement value, which is lower than its neighbouring communities. The AMIP indicates an ideal annual budget is $13 million for infrastructure replacement, with BC municipalities funding approximately 40% on average. Council was advised that the next steps are to identify affordable levels of service and risk before bringing the AMIP to Council for adoption. The municipality will pursue stable renewal grant funding from the Provincial and Federal governments.
Master Sanitary Plan
Council directed staff to host a Master Sanitary Plan open house for public feedback and report back to Council with the results of the open house and recommended sewer fees. The Draft Master Sanitary Plan is a comprehensive review of the municipality’s sewer utility. It guides the operation, maintenance, upgrading and expansion of sewer infrastructure. An open house will be held during the week of February 11, with an online survey available from February 11 to 21. Adoption of the plan is anticipated for March 25, 2014.

Early Budget Approval
Council provided early approval to capital expenditures including:
-  2014 Road Rehabilitation Program
-  Westlake Road Upgrade
-  Traffic calming design for Glenrosa, Pritchard, Casa Loma neighbourhoods
-  Bridges work design
-  Pritchard Park upgrades
Early approval allows for operational efficiencies including project timing and grant opportunities.

Organization Restructure – Financial Implications
Council was provided a report on the financial implications of an organizational restructuring to a General Manager Model that occurred in November 2013. As a result of moving from a linear structure to the GM Model, the organization will see a savings of $395,579 per budget cycle by 2015 with a net full time employee reduction of 3.0.

News from © iNFOnews, 2014