West Kelowna

The following are highlights from the District of West Kelowna Council meeting held September 18, 2012.

Kelowna’s Ironman Bid

West Kelowna agreed to send a letter of support in principle to the City of Kelowna for its bid to host the Ironman Canada competition in 2013 and beyond. Kelowna Mayor Walter Gray sent a letter requesting West Kelowna’s support.

Economic Development Strategy 2013-2014

Council approved the 2013-2014 Economic Development Strategy which outlines a recommended course of action for the Business Development within the District of West Kelowna for the following year. The intent of the strategy is to support the creation of a positive local business climate, encourage local job opportunities, expand the business tax base and work with regional partners to support business.

Park Improvement Projects

Council directed staff to prepare and complete a request for proposal (RFP) for the design and construction of Paddlewheeler Park (Pritchard Drive), Osprey Park (Green Bay Road) and Springer Park (Elliott Road) based on the District’s conceptual designs. The District took three conceptual plans, created a survey asking people to choose park features, with associated costs, that they would like to see in the parks. The next steps are:

• Develop an RFPs for washroom construction, landscaping improvements and playground supply – September 2012
• Award of design and construction – October 2012
• Start construction – October 2012. Project completion – 2013
• Council has allocated $209,000 for the development of Paddlewheeler and Osprey Parks and the developer of the Gateway Project donated $100,000 towards improvements at Springer Park.
   

2013 Permissive Tax Exemptions

Council gave first, second and third readings to the Property Tax Exemption Bylaw which contains 2013 tax exemptions on fifteen (15) properties in the “places of worship and private schools” category, seven (5) in the “miscellaneous non-profit” category and one (1) in the “public/local authority” category. No new applications for tax exemption were received in 2012. The total 2013 District of West Kelowna property taxes exempted through permissive exemptions is $114,103.

2013 – 2022 Budget Schedule

Council received information about the upcoming budget planning schedule. The first draft of the 2013-2022 Financial Plan will be provided at Council’s December 11 meeting to seek Council direction and deliberations will start at the January 15, 2013 meeting of Council. Staff will provide opportunities in the new year for public input into the draft 2013 budget.

Music in the Park

Council was provided a report on the success of the inaugural Music in the Park program this summer. The family-friendly concert series ran each Friday night from July 6 to August 31. Nine concerts took place, two were cancelled due to weather. The concerts were held in Memorial Park, adjacent to Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre and were very well attended. Approximately 3,000 people attended the 2012 Music in the Park concert series. The cost to run the program was $20,000, with a further $3,200 received through grants and sponsorships.

Kid Sport Fundraising

Council received information on the Kid Sport hockey swap fundraiser. West Kelowna Kid Sport provides grants for children to help cover the costs of sport registration fees. The program is financed through an annual hockey equipment swap, minor hockey team donations, Kid Sport BC corporate initiatives and annual West Kelowna Warrior game events. This year the Kid Sport Hockey Swap was hosted by Ultimate Hockey and Skate in West Kelowna. The swap earned $2,035.50, with a further $454.10 raised from barbeque donations. Ultimate Hockey matched the barbeque donations, bringing the total raised for West Kelowna Kid Sport to $2,943.70. In
2011, the hockey swap raised $1,200.

Strategic Priorities

Council was provided its strategic planning dates to review the 2013 and 2014 considerations in its 2012-2014 Strategic Priorities. Council will take part in two sessions before considering the updated 2012–2014 Strategic Priorities at its meeting December 18, 2012.