Fintry Queen owner hopes West Kelowna is all aboard

The Fintry Queen might find a home in West Kelowna.

Council received a request from Andy Schwabb, owner of the Fintry Queen passenger ship to temporarily and eventually, permanently dock at the CNR Wharf in West Kelowna. District staff will take a close look a the feasibility of providing a home for the ship and incorporating it into West Kelowna's CNR Wharf Park Plan, paying close attention to parking and safety issues. The CNR Wharf is a popular swimming area during summer months.

Recently, the City of Kelowna told Schwabb docking the ship in City Park wasn't possible because of public safety concerns.

District of West Kelowna highlights:

SILGA Resolutions

Council agreed to submit four resolutions for consideration at the upcoming Southern Interior Local Government Association’s annual general meeting beginning May 1, in Salmon Arm, BC. Council will submit resolutions on the following topics:

• Gas Tax Distribution Formula: requesting Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) negotiate to change the Gas Tax funding formula to be distributed on a per capital basis to municipalities and regional district electoral areas.
• Provincial Prisoner Cost Recovery: requesting UBCM engage the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General in discussions on an equitable recovery for provincial prisoner costs.
• Grow-Op Bylaw Authority: Requesting UBCM lobby the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General and the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development to amend the Local Government Act to provide authority to regional districts to enact marijuana grow operations regulatory bylaws in electoral areas.
• Federal Funding-Police Officer Recruitment Fund: requesting UBCM lobby the federal Ministry of Public Safety and the provincial Minister of Justice and Attorney General to continue funding the Police Officer Recruitment Fund.

 
Library Board Chair

West Kelowna Councillor Carol Zanon was re-elected as Chair of the Okanagan Regional Library Board at the board’s meeting February 20.
 
Municipal Hall Future Options

Council received information from consultant Jonathan Huggett regarding municipal hall future options. In its 2013 Strategic Priorities, Council requested a presentation on the next steps, including market sounding, for a municipal hall facility, given that the current facility is close to capacity. Mr. Huggett specializes in the delivery of public infrastructure and innovative approaches to procuring public projects. Council agreed to pursue Mr. Huggett’s recommendation to initiate a market sounding exercise on the development of a municipal hall facility. The market sounding initiative is intended to determine market place interest and explore potential business or partnership arrangements. It will be an opportunity for key stakeholders, including but not limited to the development industry, to provide input so that the District can develop an effective strategy, process and project that will benefit the community and provide for economic development. The next step is to finalize a communication plan, engage with stakeholders and then issue the market sounding document. Mr. Huggett advised Council that it is important to engage the public during this initiative.

Sign Bylaw

Council was provided an update on the ongoing review of Sign Bylaw No. 885 and provided direction on key decision points including what signs are allowable and permitting requirements. Staff has conducted public consultation on the sign bylaw review, including an online survey to businesses, neighbourhood associations and the general public. The majority of respondents (56.5%) felt the existing signage in West Kelowna required improvement. The next step in the process is to draft an updated Sign Bylaw for Council consideration of first reading along with a public consultation plan.
 
Bulk Water Station

Council adopted the rates for the Bulk Water Dispensing Station that is installed at the northwest corner of Shannon Lake Road and Asquith Road. The goal is to have the station operational by March 2013. Both commercial and residential customers will have to sign up for an account to use the station and will receive a pin number to be used at the facility. Customers will receive a monthly invoice for water used. Residential customers will be charged a $25 setup fee and commercial and non-resident customers will be charged a $50 setup fee and the water rate is set at $.82 per m3. There will be a $5 minimum charge on each fill. Council requested staff bring back a report within 60 days seeking a reduced minimum charge.
 
2013 Road Rehabilitation Program

Council directed staff to design and tender the 2013 Road Rehabilitation Program and Pedestrian Improvement Program. Council has budgeted $1.25 million for roads and sidewalk improvements this year. The following roads will be improved:

• Shannon Lake Road – Golf Course Drive to 300 metres south of bridge
• Elliott Road – Reece Road to Smith Creek realignment
• Smith Creek Road – Elliott Road to Rubicon Road
• Gellatly South – Whitworth Road to the Cove Resort

The following roads are listed as optional for consideration if tendered prices are lower than expected:

• Stuart Road – Harmon Road to Rumney Road
• Bering Road – Old Okanagan Highway to Elliott Road
• Gill Road – McKellar Road to Turnbull Road

The pedestrian improvement projects are:

• Shannon Lake Road – 2840 Shannon Lake Road to Swite Road parking lot
• Elliott Road widening – bend at 3200 Elliott near cemetery
• Gellatly Road South
• Whitworth – Gellatly South to Gellatly Nut Farm

The optional pedestrian improvements are:

• Shannon Way – Woodstock west to existing sidewalk
• Stuart Road – Harmon Road to Thacker Drive
• Woodstock Drive – Shannon Way to Sandstone Drive

Along with the 2013 Road Rehabilitation Program, Council has also included additional road improvement projects in its 2013 capital budget:

• Gellatly Road – Angus Drive to IR#9 (construction)
• Gellatly Road – Carrington Road to Boucherie Road (design)
• Westlake Road – Highway 97 to Sunview Drive (design)
• Brown Road – Ingram Road to Gosset Road

 
Communities In Bloom

Council directed staff to compete in the provincial non-evaluated Communities In Bloom category for 2013. The District and Westbank First Nation have partnered in the competition provincially and nationally for the past eight years and have jointly achieved a five-bloom rating. The District’s participation for 2013 has been reduced as Westbank First Nation has declined to participate this year and the District’s staff lead is on leave.