Minutes

Regular Council Meeting

Tuesday, April 15, 2025 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

Council Absent:

• 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
• Richard Wagner, Manager of Finance
• Brian Zurek, Manager of Long Range Planning
• Makayla Ablitt, Legislative Technical Clerk
• Travis Tonn, Support Analyst
• Mike Mitchell, Utility Operations Manager
• Philippa Harding, Manager of Corporate Services
• Collette Beggs, Senior Advisor Intergovernmental Relations

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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 7:00 p.m. 

2.

Adoption of Agenda

• 2025-04-097 It was moved and seconded

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

  Carried.

3.

Adoption of Minutes

3.1

Regular Council Meeting Minutes of April 1, 2025

• 2025-04-098 It was moved and seconded

  THAT the Regular Council Meeting Minutes of April 1, 2025 be adopted.

  Carried.

4.

Mayor's Report

Mayor Ireland and Paul Gipps travelled to Victoria last week to meet with the Minister of Transportation and Transit, and Minister of State and Small Communities.  They have plans to meet with the Minister of Health soon.

5.

Announcements

• The 30th anniversary of Lake Country’s incorporation as a district municipality is May 2nd We value the contributions of all four Mayor’s and many dedicated Council members during the past 30 years.
• At the end of November we were excited to announce the strategic purchase of the BC Tree Fruits property at 9718 Bottom Wood Lake Rd as a community amenity. Now we want to engage with the community to help establish priorities for the use of the property to meet the needs of the community now and into the future. Watch the Let’s Talk Lake Country online portal for more information about how you can get involved, and make sure to come out to the public engagement sessions April 16 (5:30-7:30pm) and April 17 (3:00-5:00pm) in the atrium lobby area of the MAC building.
• Municipal Hall will be closed for Good Friday, April 18th and Easter Monday, April 21st.
• The Lodge Road infrastructure upgrades project is progressing well and the Okanagan Rail Trail between Lodge Rd and Woodsdale Rd will be closed April 15 to April 25 for site works and then paving. In the interest of public safety we request everyone to avoid that section of the trail.
• Do your spring cleaning and bring your styrofoam packaging, glass jars, plastic bags and overwrap to the monthly Pop-up Recycling Depot on Saturday, April 26 10am-2pm at the corner of Main Street and Hill Road.  Everyone that brings in their recycling can enter the April prize draw for a recycling organizer set, or a $50 gift certificate to a Lake Country business of their choice; and get their name in the end of season Grand Prize draw for an e-bike from Lake Country Cycle.
• The Lake Country Bike Park on Okanagan Centre Rd West is now open for use and a grand opening celebration will be held on Saturday, May 3rd (2-4pm).

6.

Delegations

7.

Planning and Development Applications

8.

Departmental Reports

8.1

2024 Surplus Allocation

Allocation of Surplus

• 2025-04-099 It was moved and seconded

  THAT the 2024 general fund surplus of $8,888 be allocated to the general fund surplus reserve;

  AND THAT the 2024 sewer fund surplus of $210,378 be allocated to the sewer capital reserve.

  Carried.

8.2

Grants-in-Aid Policy 175, 2019 Amendments

To amend Grants-in-Aid Policy 175, 2019 to include athletic and sporting events and update the Community Hall operating grants.

• 2025-04-100 It was moved and seconded

  THAT Grants-in-Aid Policy 175, 2019 as shown on Attachment A to the report to Council dated April 15, 2025, be amended by deleting and replacing section 4.2 with the following:

  4.2 For the purpose of this section, a high-level sporting event is a provincial, national, world, Olympic, major-games or Western Canadian event.  

  AND THAT Grants-in-Aid Policy 175, 2019 as shown on Attachment A to the report to Council dated April 15, 2025, and as amended above, be adopted.

  Carried.

8.3

First Quarter Statistics

For information

9.

Bylaws for Adoption and Readings Following a Public Hearing

9.1

Zoning Amendment Bylaw 1251, 2024|Z0000337 | 3551 & 3583 Woodsdale Road

To rezone from RU1 – Small Scale Multiple Housing to RM5 – Medium Density Multiple Housing

Read a 1st, 2nd, 3rd time December 17, 2024

• 2025-04-101 It was moved and seconded

  THAT Zoning Amendment (Z0000337) Bylaw 1251, 2024 be adopted.

  Carried.

9.2

Zoning Amendment Bylaw 1266 |Z0000277| 3118 Reimche Rd

To rezone from RM4 – Low Density Multiple Housing to RM5 – Medium Density Multiple Housing

Read a 1st, 2nd, 3rd time January 21, 2025

• 2025-04-102 It was moved and seconded

  THAT Zoning Amendment (Z0000277) Bylaw 1266, 2025 be adopted.

  Carried.

9.3

Subdivision and Development Servicing Amendment Bylaw 1269, 2025

Read a 1st, 2nd, 3rd time April 1, 2025

• 2025-04-103 It was moved and seconded

  THAT Subdivision and Development Servicing Amendment Bylaw 1269, 2025 be adopted.

  Carried.

9.4

Reserve Fund Amendment Bylaw 1273, 2025

Read a 1st, 2nd, 3rd time April 1, 2025

• 2025-04-104 It was moved and seconded

  THAT Reserve Fund Amendment Bylaw 1273, 2025 be adopted.

  Carried.

9.5

2024- 2028 Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw 1274, 2025

Read a 1st, 2nd, 3rd time April 1, 2025

• 2025-04-105 It was moved and seconded

  THAT 2024-2028 Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw 1274, 2025 be adopted.

  Carried.

10.

Rise and Report from In Camera

10.1

Public Art Advisory Commission (PAAC) | New Member Appointment

2025-04-022 It was moved and seconded

THAT Emma Simpson be appointed to the Public Art Advisory Commission for a 3-year term;

AND THAT the appointment be declassified from confidential.

Carried. 

11.

Council Committees

11.1

Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee DRAFT Meeting Minutes of March 31, 2025

12.

External Committees and Boards

12.1

Regional District of Central Okanagan Board Report of April 3, 2025

12.2

Okanagan Basin Water Board Report of April 1, 2025

13.

Strategic Priorities

14.

Report from Councillors

Councillor Irvine participated in the Oyama Clean Up on Sunday.  She noted how great it was to see the community together and noted the significant impact and contribution the Community Halls provide for residents.

Councillor McKenzie echoed Councillor Irvines comments regarding the Oyama Community Hall.  He thanked her for her comments, and thanked community members who helped with the clean up.  He has noticed fast drivers through school zones and reminded everyone to slow down.

Councillor Brett noted that Okanagan Centre Community Hall's clean up is on April 27th.  She further noted Okanagan Centre had a 50/50 raffle to raise funds and announced the winner.  Councillor Brett reminded everyone to buy local.

Councillor Patel echoed comments from around the table.  He reminded drivers to slow down and noted spring is on the way.  Councillor Patel asked the community to do their part for Fire Smart.

Councillor Lewis noted that Folktale Cider has opened, and echoed comments regarding supporting local.

Mayor Ireland asked drivers to give space to walkers, bikers, and runners on the road.  He is excited Folktale Cider is opening and encouraged families to stop by.

15.

Adjournment

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m.