Minutes

Special Council Meeting

Tuesday, January 04, 2022 at 4:30 P.m. - 11:00 P.m.

Council Chambers/Video Conference

10150 Bottom Wood Lake Road

Lake Country, British Columbia V4V 2M1

Council Present:

• Mayor James Baker
• Councillor Penny Gambell (electronic attendance)
• Councillor Blair Ireland
• Councillor Todd McKenzie
• Councillor Cara Reed
• Councillor Bill Scarrow

Council Absent:

• Councillor Jerremy Kozub

Staff Present:

• Tanya Garost, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)
• Reyna Seabrook, Director of Corporate Services
• Steve Windsor, Director of Protective Services
• Greg Buchholz, Director of Utilities
• Matthew Salmon, Director of Engineering & Environmental Services
• Matt Vader, Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture
• Brent Penner, Deputy Fire Chief
• Kiel Wilkie, Utility Manager
• Scott Unser, Public Works Manager
• Shaun Lesowski, Parks and Facilities Manager
• Ruth Sulentich, Communications & Public Engagement Specialist
• Steve Petryshyn, Parks and Landscape Planner
• Trevor James, Chief Financial Officer
• Caroline Barnhart, HR & Safety Manager
• Travis Tonn, Support Analyst

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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 4:30 pm. 

2.

Adoption of Agenda

• 2022-01-001

  THAT the Special Council Meeting Agenda of January 4, 2022 be adopted.

  Carried.
• 2022-01-002

  THAT Council hear from members of the public. 

  Carried.

3.

Budget Items

The Mayor declared a recess at 6:19 p.m. and the meeting reconvened at 6:53 p.m.

Bill Chiplick (via phone)

Mr. Chiplick advised Council he is appalled at the lack of restraint shown by Council and their administration. There is continued deceit and misinformation year after year. He noted the financial plan indicate a 2% in assessment plus a 4.8% tax increase which is 6.9% and is unjust. All combined, over the past 8 years, there has been a 40% tax increase while inflation has barely gone up. Year in and year out, taxes continue to increase. When is it all going to stop? This is what is going to put people out of their homes.

• 2022-01-003

  THAT the following item be removed from the 2022 Additional Operating Supplemental Potentially Funded through Taxation: Visitor Centre Changes 2022-16 $20,000

  Carried.
• 2022-01-004

  THAT the following 2022 Additional Operating Supplemental items, with a total value of $273,000 be approved using one time funding and removed from the proposed list of 2022 Additional Operating Supplementals Potentially Funded Through Taxation:

  2022-19 Community greening project $10,000
  2022-20 Invasive plant species management $25,000
  2022-21 Community engagement grant $15,000
  2022-22 Private Lands Wildfire Mitigation Program $10,000
  2022-23 Radon testing $8,000
  Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan Increase $205,000

  AND THAT the resulting revised list of 2022 Additional Operating Supplementals Potential Funded Through Taxation with a total value of $299,930 and an additional tax increase of 1.83% be considered through Council deliberation.

  Carried.

3.1

2022 - 2026 Financial Plan Bylaw 1179, 2022

• 2022-01-005

  THAT 2022-2026 Financial Plan Bylaw, 1179, 2022 be amended by:

  Approving the following items with a total value of $273,000 to be funded through one-time funding:

  2022-19 Community greening project $10,000
  2022-20 Invasive plant species management $25,000
  2022-21 Community engagement grant $15,000
  2022-22 Private Lands Wildfire Mitigation Program $10,000
  2022-23 Radon testing $8,000
  Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan Increase $205,000

  
  Adding the following items with a total value of $289,933 and a tax increase of 1.77% to Schedule A, to be considered as a potential increase to the base tax increase of 4.85%:

  2022-07 Deputy Fire Chief $118,171
  2022-08 Part-Time Parks, Recreation & Culture Assistant $16,400
  2022-09 RCMP Detail Clerk from 0.5 FTE to 1 FTE $38,362
  2022-10 Engineering & Environmental Services Casual Support $10,000
  2022-11 Increase to Halloween fireworks cost $3,000
  2022-12 Additional Engineering & Environmental Services consulting services $20,000
  2022-13 Additional line painting funding $20,000
  2022-14 Additional road signage funding $20,000
  2022-15 Additional fleet maintenance funding $40,000
  2022-17 Lake Country Arts Council increase $2,000
  2022-18 Rotary Canada Day Funding increase $2,000

  
  AND THAT 2022-2026 Financial Plan Bylaw, 1179, 2022 be read a first time as amended;
  AND THAT Reserve Fund Policy 149, 2016 be repealed and Reserve Fund Policy 195, 2022 be adopted.

  Carried.

3.2

2022 Financial Plan

3.3

2022 Early Approval of Capital and Staff Requests

• 2022-01-006

  THAT the following Capital Projects and new staff positions be given early approval to allow expenditure prior to adoption of the 2022-2026 Financial Plan:
  a. 2022-07 Asset Management Software $25,000
  b. 2022-08 Facility Renewal & Replacement – Construction $310,000
  c. 2022-10 Major Sport and Recreation Needs Assessment – Planning $60,000
  d. 2022-16 Trail Mapping, Signage, and Wayfinding – Design & Construction $98,050
  e. 2022-19 Okanagan Centre Park Improvements – Construction $350,000
  f.  2022-24 Davidson Rd (Camp – McGowan) – Construction $1,100,000
  g. 2022-27 Bottom Wood Lake Road Construction – Nexus to Beaver Lake Rd $312,000
  h. 2022-28 Bottom Wood Lake Road Construction – Swalwell to Berry Rd $375,000
  i. 2022-49 Woodsdale Lift Station Improvements $300,000
  j. 2022-53 WWTP – Roof Safety Improvements $50,000
  k. 2022-56 Hare Road Watermain Extension $1,100,000
  l. 2022-62 Mainline Valve Improvements $300,000
  m. 2022-69 Okanagan Lake Pump House Motor $50,000
  n. Building Inspector $80,681
  o. Building-Planning Clerk $65,136
  p. Land Agent $100,000
  q. Legislative Clerk $65,000
  r. Utilities Operator $92,514
  s. Development Manager $148,781

  Carried.

4.

Water Regulation and Rates Amendment Bylaw

• 2022-01-007

  THAT Water Regulation and Rates Amendment Bylaw 1174, 2021 be read a first, second, and third time;
  AND THAT staff be directed to conduct public engagement as part of the proposed rate increases prior to adoption.

  Carried.

5.

Adjournment

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.