Minutes

Regular Council Meeting

Tuesday, February 03, 2026 at 7:00 P.m. - 11:00 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:

• Paul Gipps, Chief Administrative Officer
• Jeremy Frick, Director of Planning & Development
• Trevor James, CFO, Director of Finance & Administration
• 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
• Carie Liefke, Manager of Current Planning
• Steven Gubbels, Manager of Development
• Scott Unser, Public Works Manager
• Richard Wagner, Manager of Finance
• Kiel Wilkie, Capital Project Manager
• Brian Zurek, Manager of Long Range Planning
• Makayla Ablitt, Manager of Corporate Administration
• Lauren Sanbrooks, Grant Funding Specialist
• Shara Glenn, Legislative and FOI Coordinator
• Cory Drinkwater, Support Analyst

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1.

Call to Order and Territorial Acknowledgement

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 7:07p.m. 

2.

Adoption of Agenda

• 2026-02-020 It was moved and seconded

  THAT the Regular Council Meeting Agenda of February 3, 2026 be adopted.

  Carried.

3.

Adoption of Minutes

3.1

Public Hearing Meeting Minutes of January 20, 2026

• 2026-02-021 It was moved and seconded

  THAT the Public Hearing Meeting Minutes of January 20, 2026 be adopted.

  Carried.

3.2

Regular Council Meeting Minutes of January 20, 2026

• 2026-02-022 It was moved and seconded

  THAT the Regular Council Meeting Minutes of January 20, 2026 be adopted.

  Carried.

4.

Mayor's Report

The Mayor was re-elected as the Chair of the Okanagan Basin Water Board for the duration of 2026.

5.

Announcements

6.

Delegations

6.1

Lake Country Health Update

Brad Buie, Executive Director of Lake Country Health presented

7.

Planning and Development Applications

7.1

Area Structure Plan | ASP00005 | 9850 Chase Road (Lakestone)

Zoning Amendment for Lakestone Comprehensive Development Zone and 9850 Chase Road

• 2026-02-023 It was moved and seconded

  THAT Zoning Amendment (ASP00005) Bylaw 1316, 2026 be read a first, second and third time.

  Carried.

7.2

Development Variance Permit| DVP00428| 15830 Whiskey Cove Rd

To request a variance to allow the construction of a new pile-driven, U-shaped dock.

• 2026-02-024 It was moved and seconded

  THAT Development Variance Permit DVP00428 (Attachment A to the Report to Council dated February 3, 2026) for the property located at 15830 Whiskey Cove Rd, legally described LOT 3 SECTION 8 TOWNSHIP 14 ODYD PLAN 22222 (PID: 007-026-951), to permit a variance to the dock shape requirement, be approved.

  Carried.

7.3

Agricultural Land Reserve | ALR00198 | 10220 Konschuh Rd

To permit a second residence on an A1 – Agriculture 1 parcel for farm helps

• 2026-02-025 It was moved and seconded

  THAT Agricultural Land Reserve ALR00198 application for the property located at 10220 Konschuh Road, legally described as LOT C DISTRICT LOT 118 OSOYOOS DIVISION YALE DISTRICT PLAN 457 EXCEPT PLANS B1030, DD1617D, 2087D, 20009, 20771, 25047 (PID 004-709-985), to permit a second residence, be supported with the requirement that the additional dwelling be sited a minimum of 14.0 m from the east property line.

  Carried.

  OPPOSED: Councillor Brett 

  
  

8.

Departmental Reports

8.1

Grant Application | Emergency Operations Centres Equipment and Training

Regional grant for temporary relocation of EOC to Ellison Heritage Community Centre.

• 2026-02-026 It was moved and seconded

  THAT the District of Lake Country support a regional grant application by the Regional District of Central Okanagan to the February 2026 intake of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) for Emergency Operations Centres Equipment and Training stream;

  AND THAT the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) be authorized to apply for, receive and manage the grant funding on behalf of the District of Lake Country.

  Carried.

8.2

Grant Application | Public Notification and Evacuation Route Planning

Regional grant application to refine the 250 evacuation zones and update the evacuation plan.

• 2026-02-027 It was moved and seconded

  THAT the District of Lake Country support a regional grant application by the Regional District of Central Okanagan to the April 2026 intake of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) for Public Notification & Evacuation Route Planning stream;

  AND THAT the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) be authorized to apply for, receive and manage the grant funding on behalf of the District of Lake Country.

  Carried.

8.3

2026 General Election Officer Appointments

Appointment of Chief Election Officer and Deputy Chief Election Officer

• 2026-02-028 It was moved and seconded

  THAT pursuant to section 58 (1) of the Local Government Act, Reyna Seabrook, Director of Corporate Services, be appointed as the Chief Election Officer for the purposes of conducting the 2026 General Local Election;

  AND THAT the Makayla Ablitt, Manager of Corporate Administration, be appointed as the Deputy Chief Election officer for the 2026 General Local Election.

  Carried.

8.4

2025 Fourth Quarter Statistics

For Information

9.

Bylaws for Adoption and Readings Following a Public Hearing

9.1

Road Closure Bylaw | RC2025-009 | 9751 Okanagan Centre Road E

Read a first, second and third time January 20, 2026

For adoption

• 2026-02-029 It was moved and seconded

  THAT Road Closure Bylaw (RC2025-009) 1312, 2025 be adopted.

  Carried.

10.

Rise and Report from In Camera

11.

Council Committees

12.

External Committees and Boards

12.1

Okanagan Regional Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Minutes of November 19, 2025

13.

Strategic Priorities

14.

Report from Councillors

14.1

Notice of Motion from Councillor Reed made January 13, 2026

• 2026-02-030 It was moved and seconded

  THAT staff be directed to evaluate the potential benefits, risks, and community impacts with aligning the Districts Short-Term Rental (STR) policies with current Provincial legislation, specifically to the inclusion of carriage houses as eligible short-term rental accommodations.

  AND THAT the evaluation include, but not limited to: 

  • Alignment with Provincial STR regulations and intent;
  • Impacts on long-term rental supply and housing affordability;
  • Neighbourhood compatibility, enforcement capacity, and compliance considerations;
  • Infrastructure, parking, and servicing implications;
  • Economic and tourism impacts; and 
  • Any required zoning, bylaw, or policy amendments.

  AND FURTHER THAT staff report back to Council with findings and options for consideration.

  Carried.

14.2

Report from Councillors

Councillor Reed thanked everyone for attending the Carr's Landing Official Community Plan (OCP) open house. She reminded that the Oceola Fishing Game Club is having a banquet on February 21 which is sold out.

Councillor Lewis enjoyed the Winfield OCP meeting and felt it was very productive.  He encouraged residents to attend community town halls and open houses and ask direct questions. He reminded all to attend the Budget Open House tomorrow February 4.

Councillor Patel thanked the community for their involvement in the open houses.

Councillor Brett thanked all who attended the Okanagan Centre town hall and is looking forward to the future OCP open house will be March 5 at 6:00pm at Okanagan Centre Hall. She reminded that residents can attend any open house, not ward specific.  She also encouraged residents to help protect the pet population.

Councillor McKenzie stated that he enjoyed attending the town halls and appreciated the engagement from the community.  

Councillor Irvine had great turnout at the recent Winfield town hall.  She reported on resident Kane Blake's documentary "What lies beyond the trees" on YouTube, regarding garbage collection from the forests in and around Lake Country.

Mayor Ireland echoed the remarks from the Councillors and extended a thank you to the community for being engaged.  He encouraged all to attend the Budget open house on February 4 from 3:00pm-6:00pm at the Municipal Hall.  He also stated the Okanagan Basin Water Board has reported record high temperatures.

15.

Adjournment

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:39 p.m.