Watch meetings live or via the webcast archive
Council meetings are livestreamed at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts and archived within one business day. To view the May 13 webcast archive, please visit pub-westkelowna.escribemeetings.com.
B.C. Economic Development Minister meets with Mayor, CAO and local businesses
Mayor Milsom thanked Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Minister Diana Gibson for meeting with local business leaders on May 6 to discuss current issues and for her commitment to continue to find solutions to supply chain and labour challenges, regulations that cause inefficiencies and red tape, and tariffs and interprovincial trade barriers.
Mayor participates in Mental Health Day events at Mount Boucherie Secondary School
Mayor Milsom gave the welcoming address at Walk for Mental Health Day on May 8 at Mount Boucherie Secondary School and thanked Grade 12 student Delaney Neukomm for organizing the event, which raises funds for mental health services for young people. Some find it difficult to navigate the post-pandemic world, and our community has a growing need for mental health services. The City is lobbying Interior Health and the B.C. Health Ministry for more mental health services for youth.
Okanagan Nation Alliance releases salmon fry to replenish populations
Mayor Milsom participated, on behalf of Council and the City, in the Okanagan Nation Alliance’s annual ceremonial release of salmon fry at Rotary Beach Park in Kelowna on May 7. Local students raise fry through the Fish in Schools Program and children released 3,300 fish into Okanagan Lake during the event. The Okanagan Nation will release more than 5.3 million salmon this year, including 50,000 at Powers Creek, to restore salmon populations throughout Syilx traditional territory.
Local Government Awareness Week focuses on infrastructure
May 11 to 17 is Local Government Awareness Week. The 2025 focus is the delivery of sustainable infrastructure. Our community’s Youth Ambassadors will visit City Hall to learn about the important role that the City of West Kelowna plays and the challenges, such as extreme weather, rapid growth and inflation, in providing key infrastructure. The City continues to seek grant funding and to lobby the federal and provincial governments to invest in our community and help overcome these challenges.
Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) conference report
Councillors Zanon and Da Silva presented a report on the Southern Interior Local Government Association conference in Merritt from April 29 to May 2. SILGA consists of over 30 local governments that collaborate to find solutions and advocate on issues that impact the region. West Kelowna’s two resolutions, seeking provincial funding for accessibility and FireSmart initiatives, were passed and will be forwarded to the Union of BC Municipalities convention in September, for consideration of provincial support. Councillor Da Silva was elected as SILGA’s second vice president.
Council defers motion to remove pit meter requirement for new single-family homes
Council deferred a motion that proposes to remove the requirement for the installation of pit meters for new single-family homes and duplexes. The deferral allows time for the motion to be rewritten for clarity, prior to Council’s consideration at a future meeting. Watch Council’s deliberations via the May 13 webcast.
Public notice of special meeting to be held June 9
Council will hold a special meeting on June 9, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery at 829 Douglas Road.
Council accepts 2024 Audited Financial Statements
Following a presentation and report from staff, Council accepted the 2024 Audited Financial Statements. View the full presentation via the May 13 webcast archive.
Lounge area endorsement for Terrabella Wineries and Truck 59 supported
Council supported an application to the B.C. Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for a Lounge Area Endorsement, requesting a maximum capacity of 95 customers and liquor service from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. for Terrabella Wineries and Truck 59 at 3887 Brown Road. Citing noise and parking concerns, Council did not support a Special Permits Area Endorsement application.
Accessibility Plan approved
Council approved the Accessibility Plan, which includes three goals and 16 actions. Implementation will consider staff resources, time, and financial capacities. The 10-year capital plan provides $51,500 every three years to conduct accessibility audits and $51,500 annually for improvement projects.
Council awards contract to Old Okanagan Highway and Butt Road Improvements
Council awarded a $3,240,103 contract, for improvements to Old Okanagan Highway and Butt Road, to BC General Contracting, the lone bidder. The budget was $2.90 million. Additional funds will be diverted to the project from the 2025 Pedestrian Improvement Program. The B.C. Transportation and Transit Ministry is contributing $600,239. Work will include additional left turn lanes, a right turn lane westbound on Butt Road, sidewalks, and bike lanes, new watermain, and drainage improvements. Project information is also available at OurWK.ca/buttroadintersection.
Quarterly project update provided on Operations Centre project
Staff gave a quarterly report on the Operations Centre at 2515 Bartley Court. Substantial completion is expected this month and staff are scheduled to move in, in June. The facility will provide centralized, efficient operations for more than 80 staff who maintain and operate critical City infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, parks, athletic fields, beaches, water, and sewer, year round.
