Trepanier water study scrapped

The following are highlights from the Regional District of Central Okanagan board meeting held Thursday, November 8, 2012.

No Proposed Water Feasibility Study - The Regional Board has received a report from staff on a proposed feasibility study for a water system to serve properties in the Paradise and Trepanier areas of the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area.  Almost two-thirds of property owners in the areas that responded to an online questionnaire did not support the idea of establishing a community domestic water system that would provide fire flows.  Based on the lack of support from the community, the Board agreed not to consider a feasibility study for at least three years.

Starling Control Program Funding - The Regional Board will ask local government partners and the North and South Okanagan regional districts if they wish to continue funding a program to control starlings across the Okanagan.  If they agree that they will fund the program from 2013 through 2015, a new service establishment bylaw will be considered providing $25,000 each year from the Central Okanagan.  The City of Kelowna, District of Lake Country, District of Peachland and the two electoral areas have participated over the past three years in funding the program, spearheaded by the BC Grape Growers Association.  The valley-wide program is designed to control the number of starlings that cause damage to agricultural crops across the Okanagan Valley.  The District of West Kelowna has provided its own grant-in-aid to support the program.

Short-term Borrowing Bylaw - The Regional Board has approved a short-term (under five years) borrowing bylaw to finance the Stage 3 upgrade expansion of the Westside Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Up to $3-million will be borrowed through the Municipal Finance Authority, with the principal portion of the debt to be repaid at least each year and interest payable monthly.  The debt repayment is budgeted in the current RDCO Five Year Financial Plan.

Westbank First Nation Handi-Dart Request - The Regional Board supports a request from the Westbank First Nation to establish its own Handi-dart service Operating Agreement with BC Transit.  The Board has agreed to repeal RDCO Handi-Dart Transit Local Service Area Establishment Bylaw No. 419 which saw the Regional District provide the service on WFN reserves.  The Board has now given three readings to an Amendment Bylaw No. 1313 to reflect the service change.  Once approved by the Province, the amendment bylaw will be considered by the Regional Board for adoption.

National Child Day Recognition - The Regional Board will send a letter to the Community Action Toward Children's Health (CATCH) recognizing November 20th as National Child Day.  CATCH is a coalition of individuals, agencies, businesses and government representatives that advocate for and raise awareness of the importance of providing the best opportunities for children during their early years.

Regional Board Meetings

• Monday, November 26 - 7 p.m.
• Monday, December 10 - Inaugural Meeting - 7 p.m.

Regional Board meetings are held in the Woodhaven Board Room at the Regional District office, 1450 KLO Road. The public are welcome to attend.