Minutes

Regular Council Meeting

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Council Chambers/Video Conference
10150 Bottom Wood Lake Road
Lake Country, British Columbia V4V 2M1
Council Present:
  • Mayor Blair Ireland
  • Councillor Tricia Brett
  • Councillor Heather Irvine
  • Councillor Michael Lewis
  • Councillor Todd McKenzie, electronically
  • Councillor Bib Patel
  • Councillor Cara Reed
Staff Present:
  • Paul Gipps, Chief Administrative Officer
  • Jeremy Frick, Director of Planning & Development
  • Trevor James, Chief Financial Officer
  • Darren Lee, Fire Chief
  • Matthew Salmon, Director of Infrastructure & Development Engineering
  • Brad Savoury, Director of Legal Services and Risk Management
  • Reyna Seabrook, Director of Corporate Services
  • Matt Vader, Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture
  • Scott Unser, Public Works Manager
  • Brian Zurek, Manager of Long Range Planning
  • Makayla Ablitt, Legislative & FOI Coordinator
  • Travis Tonn, Support Analyst
  • Philippa Harding, Manager of Corporate Services

We acknowledge that we are conducting our business today on the unceded territory of squilx”/syilx (Okanagan) peoples. As a Council, we recognize the importance of doing our best to build respectful relationships that contribute to stewarding the land and waters in the community with integrity and consideration for future generations.

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 

  • 2025-05-107 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the Regular Council Meeting Agenda of May 6, 2025 be adopted.

    Carried.
  • 2025-05-108 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the Regular Council Meeting Minutes of April 15, 2025 be adopted.

    Carried.

May 5, 2025 is Red Dress day to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Canada.


This time of year is a good time to review your Household emergency plan and make sure your Grab 'n Go kit is well organized with all the essentials.


Go By Bike Week is coming up at the end of the month, so now is the time to get your wheels tuned up and plan to participate May 31-June 6 

We are very sad to share the news of the April 28th passing of Glenn Dolman, who was a dedicated hockey coach and board member with the Winfield Minor Hockey Association, and well known throughout the Lake Country community.

Friday, May 2 was an important milestone for the District—30 years of growth, achievements, and community spirit in Lake Country!
Communications put together a video highlighting some of the moments that shaped our community, featuring reflections from our past and present mayors. Watch, reminisce, and take pride in everything the community has accomplished in the past 30 years!

Mayor Ireland thanked Staff for the Lake Country Bike Park grand opening on May 2, 2025.

Review of the 2024 Financial Statements

  • 2025-05-109 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the District of Lake Country’s 2024 draft Financial Statements be approved.

    Carried.

To rezone two parcels from RR1 - Rural Residential to RR2 - Rural Residential

  • 2025-05-110 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Rezoning application Z0000246 Bylaw 1251, 2025 (Attachment A to the Report to Council dated May 6, 2025) for the property at 15490 Carrs Landing Rd (PID: 030-634-002) not be read;

    AND THAT Rezoning Application Z0000254 Bylaw 1252, 2025 (Attachment B to the Report to Council dated May 6, 2025) Lot 2 Carrs Landing Rd. (PID: 030-634-989) not be read.

    Carried.

    OPPOSED: Councillor Lewis


Multiple-Unit Development Permit

  • 2025-05-111 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Development Permit DP001072 (Attachment A in the Report to Council dated May 6, 2025) for the properties at 9751 & 9819 Bottom Wood Lake Road, legally described as Lot 44 District Lot 118, Osoyoos Division, Yale District, Plan 457 Except Plans 20108, 36673, and 39429 (9751 Bottom Wood Lake Road; PID: 011-168-196); and Lot 2 Sections 10 and 11, Township 20, Osoyoos Division, Yale District, Plan 4169 (9819 Bottom Wood Lake Road; PID: 003-448-991), to allow for a multi-family residential development be approved.

    Carried.

Distribution of proposed tax rates for each property class.

  • 2025-05-112 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Tax Rates Bylaw 1275, 2025 with tax multipliers calculated so that the tax multipliers for Assessment Class 05 & 06 be set at 4.93:1 & 2.46:1 respectively (Attachment 3) be read a first, second, and third time.

    Carried.

To approve the results of the Alternative Approval Process

  • 2025-05-113 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the Certification of Results dated April 23, 2025 for the Alternative Approval Process (AAP) for a proposed boundary adjustment that would transfer 5 properties from the City of Kelowna to the District of Lake Country as shown on Attachment A to the Report to Council dated May 6, 2025, be approved.

    Carried.

2025-04-028 It was moved and seconded


THAT Donna Kirsch, Bob McCoubrey, and Charlene Undseth be appointed to the Council Remuneration Task Force in accordance with the Council Remuneration Task Force Policy 154.


Carried.

Councillor McKenzie thanked Staff for the opportunity to attend virtually.  He is in Peace River where wildfires have already started, and he warned the Lake Country community to be careful and be prepared. Councillor McKenzie enjoyed meeting with fellow Councillors and organizations at the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) convention last week.

Councillor Irvine echoed comments regarding SILGA where she was able to engage in a lot of learning.

Councillor Brett echoed comments regarding SILGA, and thanked the Community for the opportunity to attend.  She learned a lot from seminars and conversations with other communities.  She reminded Lake Country residents about the Community Centre Feasibility Study and how important their input is.       

Councillor Patel thanked the community for the opportunity to attend SILGA.  He was able to speak with BC Hydro regarding power outages and learned about future projects to place powerlines underground.  He wished Lake Country and Mayor Ireland a happy belated birthday.  Councillor Patel attended the Lake Country Bike Park grand opening, and gave kudos to the staff that put it together. 

Councillor Reed announced the successful grant application for road safety signage along Carrs Landing Road in collaboration with the District, and looks forward to road safety awareness week at the beginning of June.  She thanked staff for the early line painting on roads, and those who contributed to this year’s successful Financial audit. She announced the Carr's Landing Community hopes to organize a meeting in June with Paul Gipps, CAO to discuss the Carr's Landing Water Strategy. Councillor Reed acknowledged the influential people who have paved the way for Lake Country since 1995.  She paid respects to several powerful women of Lake Country who have inspired her.

Councillor Lewis echoed comments about SILGA, noting it is a very worthwhile convention.  He reminded the community FireSmart bins are out and ready to be used. Councillor Lewis attended the Lake Country Bike Park grand opening last weekend and recognized what an amazing asset it is to the Lake Country community.

Mayor Ireland enjoyed the conversations and learning at SILGA, it is a great opportunity to improve what is being done in Lake Country, and to see what other communities are doing.  He recognized how great Oliver is doing in their community with inclusiveness.  Mayor Ireland discussed the economic value the Lake Country Bike Park brings to Lake Country.  At SILGA he met people from Kamloops and Penticton who have already visited Lake Country to ride.  Lastly, Mayor Ireland reemphasized the importance of Red Dress Day, May 5, 2025.

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:08 p.m.

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