Minutes

Special Council Meeting

Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 7:00 P.m. - 10:00 P.m.

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
• Councillor Bib Patel
• Councillor Cara Reed

Staff Present:

• Tanya Garost, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)
• Greg Buchholz, Director of Utilities
• Trevor James, Chief Financial Officer
• Jared Kassel, Director of Planning and Development
• Darren Lee, Fire Chief
• Matthew Salmon, Director of Engineering & Environmental Services
• Reyna Seabrook, Director of Corporate Services
• Matt Vader, Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture
• Shaun Lesowski, Parks and Facilities Manager
• Scott Unser, Public Works Manager
• Richard Wagner, Manager of Finance
• Kiel Wilkie, Utility Manager
• Steven Gubbels, Manager of Development
• Caroline Barnhart, HR & Safety Manager
• Stacia O'Brien, Legislative Technical Clerk
• Cathy Faulconer, HR Advisor

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1.

Call to Order

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. 

2.

Adoption of Agenda

• 2023-02-042 It was moved and seconded.

  THAT the Special Council Meeting Agenda of February 23, 2023 be adopted with the following amendments:

  Item 3. Public Comment

  Item 5. SILGA Resolutions

  AND THAT the Agenda be renumbered accordingly. 

  Carried.

3.

Public Comment

Bruno Saccomani, Centrestone Drive

Mr. Saccomani expressed his concerns with the proposed tax increase. 

4.

RFCD 2023-2027 Draft Financial Plan 2nd & 3rd Reading

2023-2027 Financial Plan

• 2023-02-043 It was moved and seconded.

  THAT the 2023 Road Budget be reduced by 0.7%;
  AND THAT the 0.7% be applied to the 2024 Budget.

  Motion Fails.

  OPPOSED: Councillors Brett, Irvine, Lewis and Patel 

  
  
• 2023-02-044 It was moved and seconded.

  THAT the 2023-2027 Financial Plan Bylaw 1197, 2023 be held pending additional information regarding options for the RCMP funding using $500,000.00 of the RCMP reserve budget to smooth the introduction of the 90% RCMP costs over the next four years. 

  Motion Fails.

  OPPOSED: Councillors Brett, Irvine, Lewis and Patel  

  
  
• 2023-02-045 It was moved and seconded.

  THAT the 2023-2027 Financial Plan Bylaw 1197, 2023 be read a second and third time as amended;
  AND THAT the Capital Carryforwards 2022 to 2023 ($31,718,076) projects, attached to the report from the Chief Financial Officer dated February 23, 2023, be carried over from 2022 to 2023 to allow expenditure in the 2023-2027 Financial Plan.

  Carried.

  OPPOSED: Councillors McKenzie and Reed

  
  

5.

SILGA Resolutions 

• 2023-02-046 It was moved and seconded.

  WHEREAS BC Hydro suspended their Beautification Program in July 2022 which provided financial assistance for relocating electrical services to underground facilities;
  AND WHEREAS overhead electrical services are vulnerable to wildlife interference or emergency events such as fire; require space within municipalities limited right of way area which conflicts with municipal infrastructure, causes barriers to creating active transportation improvements and limits greening projects such as street trees;
  AND WHEREAS costs to convert overhead electrical services to underground facilities have become unsustainable for taxpayers in local government to carry alone;
  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM request that the Province of British Columbia reinstate the BC Hydro Beautification Program funding to support local governments in moving overhead electrical services to underground facilities.

  Carried.
• 2023-02-047 It was moved and seconded.

  WHEREAS the Water Sustainability Act (WSA) was brought into force and effect to ensure a sustainable supply of fresh, clean water that meets the needs of B.C. residents today and in the future and the Okanagan, like most of B.C., faces real threats to watershed security over the next decade and beyond;
  AND WHEREAS inadequate enforcement tools, compliance monitoring, resources and penalties for contraventions under the WSA are perpetuating damages to streams, watersheds and aquifers that provide drinking water, irrigation and fisheries resources
  NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that UBCM request the Ministry of Forests allocate more staffing, funding and enforcement tools, prioritize enforcement to ensure watershed security is maintained and work collaboratively with local governments.

  Carried.

6.

Adjournment

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:17 p.m.