Minutes

Regular Council Meeting

Tuesday, March 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

Council Absent:

• 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
• Matt Vader, Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture
• Carie Liefke, Manager of Current Planning
• Steven Gubbels, Manager of Development
• Shaun Lesowski, Parks and Facilities Manager
• Scott Unser, Public Works Manager
• Richard Wagner, Manager of Finance
• Kiel Wilkie, Capital Project Manager
• Makayla Ablitt, Manager of Corporate Administration
• Lauren Sanbrooks, Grant Funding Specialist
• Shara Glenn, Legislative and FOI Coordinator
• Cory Drinkwater, Support Analyst
• Nick Van Dalen, Engineering Technician II

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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 7:02 p.m. 

2.

Adoption of Agenda

• 2026-03-045 It was moved and seconded

  THAT the Regular Council Meeting Agenda of March 3, 2026 be adopted with the following amendments:

  • 9. Bylaws for Adoption and Readings Following a Public Hearing be considered prior to 7. Planning and Development Applications
  Carried.

3.

Adoption of Minutes

3.1

Committee of the Whole Minutes of February 17, 2026

• 2026-03-046 It was moved and seconded

  THAT the Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes of February 17, 2026 be adopted.

  Carried.

3.2

Regular Council Meeting Minutes of February 17, 2026

• 2026-03-047 It was moved and seconded

  THAT the Regular Council Meeting Minutes of February 17, 2026 be adopted.

  Carried.

4.

Mayor's Report

5.

Announcements

5.1

March 03, 2026 Announcements

6.

Delegations

6.1

Safe Family Internet Initiative

Colin Calnan presented.

6.2

2026 ORL Council Presentation

Danielle Hubbard, CEO, Okanagan Regional Library presented.

7.

Bylaws for Adoption and Readings Following a Public Hearing

7.1

(Agenda Item 9.1) 2026-2030 Financial Plan Bylaw 1310 2026 - for adoption

Read a first time December 2, 2025. Read a second and third time February 17, 2026

• 2026-03-048 It was moved and seconded

  THAT the 2026-2030 Financial Plan Bylaw 1310, 2026 be adopted.

  Carried.

7.2

(Agenda Item 9.2) Road Closure & Land Exchange|RC2025-009| 9751 Okanagan Centre Road E – Repeal and Replace

Read a first, second and third time February 17, 2026.

• 2026-03-049 It was moved and seconded

  THAT Road Closure Bylaw (RC2025-009) 1319, 2026 be adopted.

  Carried.

7.3

(Agenda Item 9.3) Zoning Amendment | Z0000343 | 11375 Woodsdale Court

To amend zoning from RU6 – Large Lot Small-Scale Multiple Housing to CD17 to allow a future multi-family residential development

Read a first, second and third time October 21, 2025

• 2026-03-050 It was moved and seconded

  THAT Zoning Amendment (Z0000343) Bylaw 1302, 2025 be adopted.

  Carried.

8.

Planning and Development Applications

8.1

(Agenda Item 7.1) Development Permit | DP001085 | 11375 Woodsdale Court

Multiple Unit Development Permit for form and character of residential buildings

• 2026-03-051 It was moved and seconded

  THAT Development Permit DP001085 (Attachment A in the Report to Council dated March 3, 2026) for the property at 11375 Woodsdale Court, legally described as THAT PART OF LOT 72 LYING EAST OF THE HIGHWAY AS SHOWN ON PLAN M69 SECTION 15 TOWNSHIP 20 ODYD PLAN 444, EXCEPT PLANS H936, H15689 AND 40347, be approved.

  Carried.

8.2

(Agenda Item 7.2) Development Permit | DP001071 | 9730, 9750, 9764, 9778 Highway 97 and 9743, 9751 Okanagan Centre Road East

A Town Centre Development Permit for a Mixed-Use Development

• 2026-03-052 It was moved and seconded

  THAT Development Permit DP001071 (Attachment A in the Report to Council dated March 3, 2026) for the properties at 9730, 9750, 9764, 9778 Highway 97 and 9743, 9751 Okanagan Centre Road East, for the development of a mixed-use commercial and multi-family complex, be approved.

  Carried.

  The Mayor called a recess at 8:14 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:24 p.m.

  
  

9.

Departmental Reports

9.1

(Agenda Item 8.1) Grant Application - Local Government Development Approvals Program

Application for LGDAP funding to advance development approvals process improvements.

• 2026-03-053 It was moved and seconded

  THAT an application to the Local Government Development Approvals Program for up to $200,000, be supported;

  AND THAT staff be authorized to apply for, receive and manage the grant funding on behalf of the District of Lake Country;

  AND THAT if successful, the 2026-2030 Financial Plan be amended to include the receipt and expenditure of the grant funds.

  Carried.

9.2

(Agenda Item 8.2) Small-Scale Farming Policy 223, 2025 and Water Regulations and Rates Amendment Bylaw (Small-Scale Farming) 1320, 2026

Consideration of policy that allows small-scale farming operations to access agricultural water rates

• 2026-03-054 It was moved and seconded

  THAT Small-Scale Farming Policy 223, 2025 be adopted as a three-year pilot project;

  AND THAT Staff be directed to report back annually over the three-year period to update on the uptake of the policy and usage related specifically to food security;

  AND THAT Water Regulations and Rates Amendment Bylaw (Small-Scale Farming) 1320, 2026 (OPTION 1), be read a first, second, and third time

  Carried.

9.3

(Agenda Item 8.3) Council Authority to Approve for 2026 Travel

Council authorization for members to attend various conferences in 2026

• 2026-03-055 It was moved and seconded

  THAT all members of Mayor and Council be authorized to attend the 2026 Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) Conference, the 2026 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Conference and the 2026 Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Conference within the allocated Council Travel Budget ; 

  AND FURTHER THAT any additional costs incurred for the attendance of members at the Conferences be allocated from Council Contingency.

  Carried.

10.

Rise and Report from In Camera

11.

Council Committees

12.

External Committees and Boards

12.1

Regional District of Central Okanagan Board Report of February 19, 2026

12.2

Okanagan Basin Water Board Report of February 3, 2026

13.

Strategic Priorities

14.

Report from Councillors

Councillor Brett made the following notice of motion:

THAT staff be directed to investigate opportunities to work towards a Lake Country Safe Internet Initiative including logistics, communications, and website updates.

Councillor Brett reminded the community of the Official Community Plan (OCP) open house on March 5 at 6:30pm at the Okanagan Centre Hall and encouraged residents to attend.

Councillor Lewis encouraged the community to attend the OCP meeting on March 5.  He thanked Colin Calnan for his presentation on Safe Family Internet Initiative.

Councillor Irvine requested Staff to coordinate with the Winfield Community Hall regarding outstanding parking contract.

Councillor Patel attended the Pink Shirt Breakfast in Kelowna by the Boys and Girls Club, which was a fantastic event.  He echoed Councillor Lewis' remarks about Colin Calnan.

Councillor McKenzie echoed the comments regarding Colin Calnan and thanked Danielle Hubbard from the Okanagan Regional Library for a great presentation.  He attended the recent Agriculture Meeting and looks forward to further discussions.  He will be attending the Lake Country Health meeting on March 5 and hopes to join the Okanagan Centre OCP meeting afterwards on March 5.

Mayor Ireland reflected on the Pink Shirt Day event and the recent Province Wide Agriculture Advisory Committee Meeting noting valuable information was shared. He echoed Councillor McKenzie's comments regarding Lake Country Health and agreed with the remarks about Colin Calnan and the Safe Family Internet Initiative presentation. Mayor Ireland met the George Elliot Secondary School Senior Boys Basketball team last Friday, February 27 and is excited for them to attend Provincials.  He attended the Okanagan Basin Water Board meeting and cautioned draught and contingency plans. 

15.

Adjournment

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:18 p.m.