Minutes

Regular Council Meeting

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 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 Michael Lewis
• Councillor Todd McKenzie
• Councillor Bib Patel

Council Absent:

• Councillor Heather Irvine
• Councillor Cara Reed

Staff Present:

• Paul Gipps, Chief Administrative Officer
• Trevor James, Chief Financial Officer
• Darren Lee, Fire Chief
• Reyna Seabrook, Director of Corporate Services
• Matt Vader, Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture
• Steven Gubbels, Manager of Development
• Shaun Lesowski, Parks and Facilities Manager
• Scott Unser, Public Works Manager
• Richard Wagner, Manager of Finance
• Brian Zurek, Manager of Planning
• Makayla Ablitt, Legislative Technical Clerk
• Travis Tonn, Support Analyst
• Caitlin Brothen, Communications Officer
• Jeremy Frick, Director of Planning & Development
• Carie Liefke, Manager of Current Planning

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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

• 2024-10-187 It was moved and seconded

  THAT the Regular Council Meeting Agenda of October 15, 2024 be adopted.

  Carried.

3.

Adoption of Minutes

3.1

Regular Council Meeting Minutes of October 1, 2024

• 2024-10-188 It was moved and seconded

  THAT the Regular Council Meeting Minutes of October 1, 2024 be adopted.

  Carried.

4.

Mayor's Report

5.

Announcements

On October 17, five classes from Davidson Elementary School will be planting 700 seedlings in Jack Seaton Park. The seedlings were provided by Sharon McCoubrey from an Artwalk exhibit and the activity will be managed by Forestry students from Rutland as well as the Parks team.

The District was awarded the 2024 Organizational Safety Excellence Award for the fourth year in a row. The BC Municipal Safety Association (BCMSA) recognizes local governments for activities that improve their experience rating and ultimately reduce injuries, illness, disease and fatalities with this award. To be awarded the Organizational Safety Excellence Award, a municipality must demonstrate an outstanding safety record compared to peer organizations as well as year-over-year continuous improvement. Well done team!

Sarah Goodwin, Occupational Health and Safety Specialist, was awarded the 2024 Occupational Health and Safety Employee of the Year. The BCMSA recognizes a local government individual who has demonstrated an outstanding achievement in the occupational health and safety field. In receiving this award Sarah has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, driven organizational initiatives to improve process and safety performance, initiative and creativity in results that have contributed to the organization’s excellence, advocacy for safety committees annual goals and objectives, demonstrated tangible organizational improvement through metrics and demonstrated leadership to the commitment to health and safety in the workplace. Sarah has gone above and beyond the requirements of her position within our organization and she deserves all the accolades for being the 2024 Occupational Health & Safety Employee of the Year.

Congratulations!

There is a provincial election this week.  Lake Country residents can vote at Davidson Road Elementary School, the Lake Country Alliance Church,  Oyama Community Hall, and Winfield Memorial Hall. 

6.

Delegations

6.1

Lake Country Seniors' Centre

Mary-Lou Wightman, President - Board of Directors, presented.

A copy of the October events calendar was distributed which is available on the website: Calendar | (lcscs.ca)

7.

Planning and Development Applications

7.1

Zoning Bylaw Amendment | Z0000268 | 11511 Turtle Bay Court

To rezone a property allowing future Tourist Commercial development

• 2024-10-189 It was moved and seconded

  THAT Zoning Amendment (Z0000268) Bylaw 1245, 2024 be read a first and second time;

  AND THAT Zoning Amendment (Z0000268) Bylaw 1245, 2024 be forwarded to a public hearing.

  Carried.

7.2

Zoning Amendment (Backyard Chickens) Bylaw 1246, 2024

Proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment to Authorize the Keeping of Backyard Chickens.

• 2024-10-190 It was moved and seconded

  THAT Zoning Amendment (Z0000341) Bylaw 1246, 2024 be amended by: 

  • deleting and replacing "1000m²" with "500m²" in section 10.16.1(a)
  • deleting and replacing "4 Backyard Chickens" with "5 Backyard Chickens" in section 10.16.3(b);

  AND THAT Zoning Amendment (Z0000341) Bylaw 1246, 2024 be read a first and second time;

  AND THAT Zoning Amendment (Z0000341) Bylaw 1246, 2024 be forwarded to a public hearing.

  Carried.

  OPPOSED: Councillor Lewis

  
  

7.3

Department Update

A department update as it relates to the backlog of files, work plan and upcoming projects.

• For Information

8.

Departmental Reports

8.1

BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant | Authorizing Resolution

Authorizing / Supporting Resolution for BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Application

• 2024-10-191 It was moved and seconded

  THAT a grant application under the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant intake, for the Lodge Road and Rail Trail Improvement Project in the amount of $2,600,000, be approved;

  AND THAT the Project is confirmed as a municipal priority intended to be complete within the required timeline and is “shovel ready” in accordance with Section 3 of the Grant Application Criteria;

  AND THAT the District’s portion (local share) of the funding for the project in the amount of $2,100,000 is available and supported.

  Carried.

8.2

Lake Country Business Park | Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference and Next Steps

• 2024-10-192 It was moved and seconded

  THAT the Lake Country Business Park Area Structure Plan (ASP) Terms of Reference dated September 20, 2024 (Attachment A to the Report to Council dated October 15, 2024) be approved;

  AND THAT staff be directed to proceed with Phase 1 of the Area Structure Plan (ASP) - Technical Due Diligence - Biophysical Studies, Planning and Engineering Inventories

  AND THAT staff be directed to apply for the ETSI-BC grant in the amount of $50,000 to assist with Phase 1 of the Area Structure Plan (ASP). 

  Carried.

9.

Bylaws for Adoption and Readings Following a Public Hearing

10.

Rise and Report from In Camera

11.

Council Committees

12.

External Committees and Boards

12.1

Board of Education Meeting Highlights of September 25, 2024

12.2

Regional District of Central Okanagan Board Report of September 26, 2024

12.3

Okanagan Basin Water Board Report of October 10, 2024

13.

Strategic Priorities

14.

Report from Councillors

Councillor McKenzie was happy to see the BC Hydro Electric charging station project taking place along Pelmewash Parkway.

Councillor Brett thanked the volunteers that attended the Council meeting tonight.  She recently attended the Bringing the Salmon Home presentation at the library presented by the Lake Country Museum, Okanagan Nation Alliance and Penticton Indian Band. The presentation discussed the work that has gone into bringing sockeye back to the Okanagan and noted Sockeye have been seen in Mission Creek, which is exciting!  Councillor Brett reminded the community to purchase their tickets for the Okanagan Centre Hall Christmas party.

Councillor Patel announced he will be participating in Movember. 

Council Lewis echoed Councillor Brett's comments regarding volunteers in the community.  He encouraged the community to attend Beasley Park for the Halloween fireworks this year. 

Mayor Ireland attended a community event at Rose Hill farms over the weekend.  He encouraged the community to support local; he was impressed with the amount of local businesses over the weekend. He thanked the community volunteers for making so many events and programs happen. Mayor Ireland committed to participating in Movember this year. 

15.

Adjournment

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.