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
  • Carie Liefke, Manager of Current Planning
  • Steven Gubbels, Manager of Development
  • Scott Unser, Public Works Manager
  • Richard Wagner, Manager of Finance
  • Brian Zurek, Manager of Long Range Planning
  • Makayla Ablitt, Legislative & FOI Coordinator
  • Travis Tonn, Support Analyst
  • Mike Mitchell, Utility Operations Manager
  • 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. 

  • 2025-06-126 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the Regular Council Meeting Agenda of June 3, 2025 be adopted.

    Carried.
  • 2025-06-127 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the Regular Council Meeting Minutes of May 20, 2025 be adopted.

    Carried.

The District has joined the ParticipACTION Community Challenge and we need your help to win the title of Canada's Most Active Community! This is a nationwide event running through the month of June, which encourages everyone to get moving and track their physical activity. The winning community receives $100,000 to support local physical activity initiatives. Keep your eyes open for some free activities the District will host, and now that the weather has improved, let's get out there and stay active! Whether it’s biking, running, yoga, stretching, walking, or even an evening stroll – every activity counts! To learn more, visit lakecountry.bc.ca 

Mayor Ireland acknowledged the fire that started in Okanagan Centre last weekend.

Mayor Ireland asked the community to go to makewaterwork.ca and take a pledge.  

Commercial and Multiple Unit Development Permit with variance for a 6-storey mixed-use development

  • 2025-06-128 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Development Permit with Variance DP001059 (Attachment A in the Report to Council dated June 3, 2025) for the property at 11437 Bottom Wood Lake Road (PID 032-357-842), be approved.

    Carried.

A Bylaw to close a portion of road, and remove its highway dedication, adjacent to 1210 8th Street for residential use.

Peter Palma | Applicant
Mr. Palma addressed questions from Council regarding the proposed privacy screen.

  • 2025-06-129 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Road Closure Bylaw (RC2024-003) 1253, 2025 be read a first, second, and third time.

    Carried.
Amendment to the TOR to clarify residency requirements
  • 2025-06-130 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) Terms of Reference (TOR) be amended by deleting and replacing section 4.1. MEMBERSHIP, as shown on the amended TOR, attached to the Report to Council dated June 3, 2025.

    Carried.

Allocate funding to advance conceptual road design to allow acquisition of the road corridor.

  • 2025-06-131 It was moved and seconded

    THAT the 2025 Financial Plan be amended to include $265,000 for the Hwy 97 to Glenmore Rd Connecting Road Design funded from the Transportation Infrastructure Reserve.

    Carried.

Update to Council Procedures Bylaw

  • 2024-01-132 It was moved and seconded

    THAT Council Procedures Bylaw 1282, 2025 be read a first, second and third time.

    Carried.

    OPPOSED: Councillor McKenzie, Reed


Consideration of appointment to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee


2025-05-038 It was moved and seconded


THAT Rebecca Frechette be appointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee for a three-year term; 


AND THAT the appointment be declassified from confidential. 


Carried.

Councillor McKenzie sent his regrets for being in attendance virtually.  He heard Oyama Days was fantastic and wishes he could have been there. 

Councillor Irvine enjoyed laughing and smiling with everyone at Oyama Days.

Councillor Lewis was not able to attend Oyama Days, but noted it was a great day.

Councillor Reed thanked the Oyama Community for the opportunity to participate in Oyama Days.  She attended the Wounded Warriors Charity Event at the Oyama Zipline Adventure Park where 100% of the funds from that day were donated to Wounded Warriors Canada.  She hopes to follow Garry McCracken's bike ride next year from Vancouver to Winnipeg.  Councillor Reed announced the Carrs Landing Community and Recreation Association meeting is Wednesday June 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the District of Lake Country Firehall with a discussion on FireSmart.  She drew the communities attention to this summers events put on by Lake Country Health, especially the make your own air purifier workshop on Friday June 13 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.   

Councillor Patel participated in the first annual Lake Country Food Bank golf tournament on Friday May 30.  He also attended the 243 Royal Air Cadets Squadron Parade at the Airport Museum over the weekend.  Councillor Patel participated in the dunk tank at Oyama Days this year again. 

Councillor Brett summarized her time at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Conference in Ottawa over the last week.  She shared themes of discussions that occurred, including commonalities of problems across all municipalities in the country, the notion of an equity lens and the way communities can use it in decision making, and the importance of strong municipal leadership for the purpose of certainty and consistency.

Mayor Ireland summarized his time at Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), mainly discussing the last presentation which addressed the "superpower" municipalities hold; the opportunity to create strong and trusting communities which will contribute to a strong economy.

  • 2025-06-134 It was moved and seconded

    WHEREAS the oversight of wastewater management in British Columbia is divided between two provincial ministries, resulting in split jurisdiction over two key regulations — the Municipal Wastewater Regulation (MWR) (2001) and the Sewerage System Regulation (SSR) (2005);

    AND WHEREAS these regulations have not undergone significant updates since their enactment, despite evolving environmental standards, increasing concerns regarding the professional oversight of these systems, emerging technologies, and increasing community and ecological demands;

    AND WHEREAS the Province has established priorities to support housing development, infrastructure expansion, improved cumulative effects assessment in natural resource decision-making, and stronger integration of source water and drinking water protection;

    THEREFORE, be it resolved that UBCM requests the Province of British Columbia to undertake a comprehensive review and modernization of the Municipal Wastewater Regulation and Sewerage System Regulation to ensure alignment with current environmental pressures, technological advancements, and land use planning needs.

    Carried.

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:47 p.m.