[0:46] Good morning, everyone. Thank you for being here this morning.

[0:52] I would like to open this meeting, and I would

[0:54] like to acknowledge that we are gathered today. On the

[0:57] traditional ancestral unseated territory, the Celex Okanagan people. This meeting

[1:02] is open to the public and all representation to council

[1:06] form, part of a public record and a live audio

[1:08] video feed is being broadcasted and recorded on Kelo. Kelowna.

[1:14] Ca. May I now pass this over to the city

[1:17] manager, please? Thanks very much, your worship. And good morning,

[1:21] council. I'm pleased to present council with today's. Preliminary 2026

[1:27] budget, which is our funding roadmap to building the city

[1:30] of the future vision that we all share. Given that

[1:35] this is the last budget of the year term. It's

[1:39] kind of logically focused on delivering on all of your

[1:41] stated priorities and making investments in those essential services and

[1:45] infrastructure that are going to improve the lives for all

[1:49] of our citizens. Notably, today's budget makes fairly significant strides

[1:54] towards those goals that you have set out. For us

[1:57] while keeping our taxes. Competitive, stable, and certainly in line

[2:02] with the commitments that we've made to you throughout the

[2:05] entire term. As all of you know, this year's budget

[2:08] is part of a multi year. Financial cycle. With every

[2:13] funding decision focusing on community needs as defined in many

[2:17] of those plans and strategies that council has approved over

[2:20] the last three years and beyond. And from that perspective,

[2:25] there should be no surprises in this budget for council

[2:28] or for the public as you weighed through it today.

[2:32] It's simply the culmination of your collective decisions throughout the

[2:36] entire year and throughout the term and this budget truly,

[2:40] I think, reflects those decisions and your direction back to

[2:43] us. All of your six council priorities, and the 25

[2:48] action items that are in that document serve as our

[2:51] compass throughout the year and throughout the term. Particularly when

[2:55] we're building and amending our budgets, developing the strategies that

[2:59] we bring to you. And when determinations are made. On

[3:04] resource allocation or reallocation like we do many times throughout

[3:09] the year. Your direction makes sure that every dollar we

[3:13] spend or every new dollar we spend works towards tackling.

[3:16] Those biggest challenges that the communities told you about and

[3:19] that make up your priorities. Our budget also ensures that.

[3:25] We are building a very carefully planned future. As municipality,

[3:29] we try and take the view or the long game,

[3:33] and to that end, our budget. Supports the. Well developed

[3:37] plans and strategies like the official community plan. The ten

[3:40] year capital plan that you recently endorsed. Our fight of

[3:43] year financial plan and a whole host of master plans,

[3:46] some of which have been updated by you under this

[3:49] term. In the budget, you're going to recognize that the

[3:52] top community priorities, like community safety, transportation, have received the

[3:57] greatest attention and the greatest share of the budget increase.

[4:01] We're adding resources. For police fire bylaw to enhance public

[4:06] safety. We're accelerating the construction of roads. Bridges, sidewalks, multimodal

[4:12] transportation. And bike lanes to improve mobility for everybody in

[4:17] our community. And we've also earmarked new funding for transit

[4:20] operations and traffic safety, which we've talked quite a bit

[4:23] about. This term. At the same time, we're moving ahead

[4:27] with some transformational projects that are going to leave a

[4:30] real legacy in our community related to parks in many

[4:34] new neighborhoods distributed across the city. And building modern recreation

[4:39] facilities in sports fields through the. Building stronger colonial initiative.

[4:46] Well, much of the 26 budget looks to the future.

[4:48] Of course, we always have to look after today as

[4:51] well, to keep the city running smoothly. Road repairs, snow

[4:55] removal, upkeep of parks and boulevards, enhancements to traffic safety.

[5:01] We know, these are all escalating, and we have to

[5:04] keep up with that. Escalating. Budget if we want to

[5:06] keep our city safe, clean, and a strong place for

[5:10] people to move. To and do business that proactive maintenance.

[5:14] And I dare say our award winning asset management program

[5:18] are two ways we take care of our infrastructure behind

[5:21] the scenes. To ensure that services continue uninterrupted and that

[5:25] those assets get their full lifecycle. Inside the city. We're

[5:31] also modernizing how we do business, focusing on digital transformation

[5:36] and operational efficiencies. Now, I think we all know. That

[5:41] the city of Colon is recognized as a fairly high

[5:44] performing organization amongst our peers, and we're now really laser

[5:48] focused on automation, cybersecurity and improving customer service at every

[5:54] touch point. And to this end, for council's knowledge, we

[5:58] have added additional emphasis in 26 and beyond. On improving

[6:02] the customer experience. It has become one of our corporate

[6:06] priorities for the next few years. These internal investments are

[6:13] certainly going to make it a lot easier for residents

[6:16] to access our services. And ensure CD operations are efficient

[6:20] and effective. We also recognize that some of our costs,

[6:24] like policing transit, construction materials are all rising and well

[6:31] beyond our control. However, thanks to careful planning, strong investments,

[6:36] and a focus on partnerships and own source revenues, We're

[6:40] able to absorb many of these pressures with minimal impact

[6:43] on taxations. In fact, the cost to operate our city

[6:47] for 2026 will go up by somewhere in the range

[6:50] of 11%. While we're only proposing to increase property taxes

[6:54] by 4.47%, this means we can continue to deliver the

[6:58] essential services and your prior. Priorities around community safety, mobility

[7:02] and quality of life without putting that added burden on

[7:05] our citizens. And despite seeing a continual reduction in our

[7:10] reliance on taxation over the last number of years, we've

[7:13] gone from 25% tax reliance down to 20% tax reliance.

[7:18] We're continuing to pursue all those external funding opportunities, such

[7:23] as partnerships and grants, to further reduce the reliance on

[7:26] taxation. Across all of our service areas. Our funding decisions

[7:30] prioritize cost efficiency. High quality service and that meaningful impact

[7:36] on the community. And finally, your worship, before I turn

[7:40] the meeting over to you, I'd like to acknowledge. That

[7:43] the enviable financial position that we find ourselves in compared

[7:46] to many of our peers. Does not happen by chance.

[7:51] It's a result of the culture of fiscal responsibility and

[7:53] innovation that's embedded in our organization to make it possible.

[7:58] It's the people that are going to be in this

[7:59] room throughout today. Those that are out there on the

[8:02] front lines. Certainly my senior leadership team and of course,

[8:07] our incredible financial management group that make it all happen.

[8:11] So I hope today is an enjoyable discussion with council

[8:14] and that you see the decisions and direction that you've

[8:17] given. Reflected in the budget document that we're presenting. Thank

[8:22] you, worship. It's all yours. Thank you. And just a

[8:26] word from myself. On behalf of myself and on behalf

[8:30] of council. We recognize the work that needs to be

[8:35] done. By our city manager. By all senior leadership, by

[8:40] all department heads, and the commitment that is made all

[8:43] the way through. The organization with regards to all the

[8:45] different staffing levels. And this is, as we have said

[8:50] a few times, we've put it into a process. Where

[8:54] it goes through and is before us numerous times throughout

[8:58] the year. To help secure the direction of exactly what

[9:03] we're looking at trying to accomplish today. And. That is

[9:07] done because. Of the strong finance team that Mr. Sass

[9:13] runs. His whole team and the organization itself with regards

[9:18] to trying to meet the demands of the priorities that

[9:21] we set forward. So. It's going to be an interesting

[9:26] day. We are very looking forward to it. But before

[9:30] we start, we just wanted to thank all of those

[9:33] involved. In discussions with Mr. Sass. This day has comparisons

[9:40] to the Great cup, the Stanley bowl, the Stanley cup,

[9:45] the Super bowl. So all of those highlights. So I

[9:51] think it's only appropriate that we just thank them for

[9:54] everyone, for all the work that they've done and all

[9:55] the commitment that they've made to bring this forward to

[9:58] us today. And as I pass this over to the

[10:01] city clerk, let's kick. This off. Thank you, your worship.

[10:06] The general manager of corporate services will provide an overview

[10:09] of the 2026 financial plan, and then staff will go

[10:12] through each of the service areas. Thank you, your worship.

[10:16] Just a few slides for me this morning, and then

[10:18] you won't. Have to listen to me anymore. I know

[10:19] it's been a lot, but one of my favorite things

[10:21] about this time of year is the intensity of the

[10:24] communication that we get around budget. Time. And so we

[10:27] get more engagement, more feedback, more questions. From the community,

[10:31] the media council, the public, our colleagues in this week

[10:36] than we do in the other 51 weeks of the

[10:38] year, and so it's really important to me. And the

[10:41] rest of the finance team that we hear those questions

[10:44] and comments and are able to come back and provide

[10:46] some real time information to help address what we're hearing

[10:49] out in the community. So to that end, I have.

[10:51] A few new slides just to show to hopefully address

[10:55] some of the questions and comments that we're hearing from

[10:57] council and the public and so on. So this is

[11:00] exactly the slide that Mr. Gilchrist alluded to around. The

[11:05] total spend or service delivery in our budget as compared

[11:08] to the amount of taxation that's. Funding it. And so

[11:12] the blue bar there is the total budget. The red

[11:15] bar is the tax and the green bar there is

[11:17] the percent that is tax funded, so you'll see. That

[11:21] in 2022, we were north of 25% for the. 2026

[11:26] proposed budget we're just over 20% in terms of the

[11:28] overall service delivery. That's proposed to be funded by taxation.

[11:33] This slide. As you know, this time of year, the

[11:35] tax rates for our comparator communities come out very, very

[11:39] quickly. And so this is just an updated slide that

[11:41] we showed. Actually, I believe on Monday. This is our

[11:44] two year tax rate compared against our comparator groups. But

[11:49] more importantly, The team has very, very quickly put together

[11:54] this slide, and this shows the cumulative impact of the

[11:57] tax rates over the council term. Now, what is notably

[12:01] missing from this is West Kelowna. West Kelowna is just

[12:04] shy of 32%. I believe so would be in between

[12:08] New Westminster and mission, but this slide shows. Exactly what

[12:12] it is that we're trying to do year by year.

[12:14] There is a great deal of volatility in the tax

[12:16] rates. And our comparators, again are much more volatile than

[12:21] we are. And so there was a lot of, there

[12:23] was a lot of questions around Vancouver's 0% tax rate.

[12:27] And what we're doing here is predictable, stable increases. That.

[12:32] Pay dividends, so to speak, over time. And what you

[12:34] can see here is we've. Come in exactly between 3.7

[12:38] and 4.5% over this five year period and we remain

[12:42] the lowest over that period. So in any given year,

[12:45] a lot of things happen, but what we're really striving

[12:48] for is that long term financial planning and that's. What

[12:50] the financial planning team again. Was recognized for this year

[12:54] through the GFOA Budget Award is that we take that

[12:56] long. Term view and over time, This is good news

[13:00] for our community. Another slide that we've looked at in

[13:04] the prior year, which, again, is very dynamic because this

[13:07] data has not actually come out yet for 2025, but

[13:10] this shows our budgeted ftes per thousand population. Now, this

[13:14] one's a little bit different because the various municipalities as

[13:17] you know, offer various different services. And so what I'd

[13:20] say kelo. Kelowna in the middle of the pack, recognizing

[13:23] that we operate our own airport. None of our comparator

[13:26] municipalities operate their own airport, as well as the fact

[13:29] that. We run our own utilities, so our lower mainland

[13:33] comparators would not show. Metro Vancouver regional districts. Ftes, which

[13:40] run the commercial part of the utilities, where we handle

[13:42] that ourselves. So we're also the regional hub, whereas many

[13:46] of our comparator municipalities are. One of 22 relatively equally

[13:52] sized municipalities, whereas the city of Kelowna, we're a bit

[13:54] of a hub for the surrounding communities. So overall, this,

[13:58] to me, shows a lot of responsibility. I think the

[14:01] city of Kelowna, like I said, we offer more services

[14:04] broadly than many. Of our comparators. We're right around the

[14:06] middle of the pack on the FTE. Mark, and very

[14:09] much on the low end. Of the dollar mark and

[14:11] the tax mark. So with that said, this is just

[14:14] responding again to some of the feedback and comments that

[14:16] we've heard out in the ether, and with that said,

[14:19] unless there's any questions or comments, I'm happy to pass

[14:21] it over to Mel and we'll get underway. Mr. Sass.

[14:24] Thank you, counsel. Do we have any questions? Of Mr.

[14:26] Sass before we begin. Seeing none. Thank you. And once

[14:30] again, I just want to thank you for your work

[14:33] alongside your team's work and bringing this forward to us

[14:35] today. So thank you, Joe. So I'm going to start

[14:40] today with a quick summary of how today will run.

[14:45] So we're going to start the day with the airport,

[14:48] which is on page 77 of your budget volume, and

[14:51] we'll follow the order of the book, ending with enabling

[14:54] services at the end of the day. Each service area

[14:58] presentation will start with an introduction of the service area,

[15:02] including performance measures, accomplishments, and improvements. I'll then summarize the

[15:08] expenditure budget being requested and the recommended funding strategy. Then

[15:13] we will go through the budget request for 2026. We

[15:17] will start with the priority one operating request. Then we

[15:20] will look at the priority one capital. Request, and then

[15:23] we will look at priority two requests, if there are

[15:26] any. Council is invited to ask questions at any time

[15:30] throughout the day, and you are also welcome to make

[15:33] a motion to star budget requests, and what that will

[15:36] do is have them be brought back. At the end

[15:38] of the day, after deliberation of all other service areas

[15:41] is complete. We have senior leadership staff and various other

[15:46] staff members available throughout the day in council to answer

[15:49] any questions that you may have on any of the

[15:52] budget requests, and we also have staff listening. In the

[15:56] back and available to do research if required. So this

[16:01] budget recommends a 2026 taxation demand of $213.4 million, which

[16:08] is a 4.47% increase over 2025. The chart on the

[16:15] screen and the handout that you should have at your

[16:17] seat has a summary of different dollar changes and the

[16:21] taxation demand. With the associated impact to the taxation percent

[16:26] change. Before we start, I'll just want to walk through

[16:31] a couple budget funds that are being recommended for use

[16:34] is part of this plan. We'll start with the public

[16:37] safety levy. So the 2026 public safety levy is 1%

[16:42] of the 2025 taxation demand, or 2 million. $42,700. This

[16:52] is recommended to fund four additional firefighters, three RCMP members,

[16:58] one police services financial analyst and two by law enforcement

[17:02] officers. This will total 900,800 in 2026. And then be

[17:08] annualized in 2027. Ongoing the remaining 2026 balance of $1.14

[17:15] million. Is further recommended to be used as part of

[17:18] this budget to help fund the RCMP contract. Cost increase

[17:22] associated with maintaining our current RCMP complement. The second budget

[17:28] item is the council priority funds. So this plan included

[17:32] a recommended budget of $500,000 for 2026 to support council

[17:38] initiatives from this 500,000 250,000. Is being recommended to fund

[17:44] the sport and community. Events activation request and $100,000 for

[17:51] the enhanced business improvements area services request. This leaves $150,000.

[17:59] Unallocated and is available for additional requests in 2026 or

[18:04] to be used as a funding source today to bring

[18:07] forward other budget requests in the budget volume. You'll find

[18:12] this $150,000 as a budget request titled council initiatives under

[18:17] the governance and leadership service Area Council also has $185,000

[18:23] remaining in the council strategic reserve and this is available

[18:27] for one time purposes. So now I will welcome the

[18:31] acting director of Airport Finance and corporate services, parthartpartel. And

[18:36] we'll start with the airport. Thank you. Thank you. Good

[18:40] morning, parse. Good morning, your worship. The airport is a

[18:46] widow and rapidly growing aviation and transportation hub serving communities

[18:51] within the Okanagan Valley by being an economic engine for

[18:54] the region and providing high quality facilities in a safe

[18:58] and costeffective manner. Currently, the airport offers more than 60

[19:02] daily nonstop flights to 21 year round and seasonal destina.

[19:05] Destinations with eight airlines. Looking first at our key accomplishments

[19:10] for 2025. We are on track for another record year

[19:14] with annual passengers expected to exceed 2.3 million, which represents

[19:18] a growth of more than 9%. Over our previous all

[19:22] time high of 2.1 million passengers, which we reached last

[19:25] year. This. Passenger growth has been driven by enhanced air

[19:31] service, including up to four times daily service to Toronto.

[19:36] This includes service with Porter Airlines in Utah, which we

[19:39] welcomed in the spring of this year. Enhanced connectivity within

[19:43] the region, such as through the recently added Cranbrook service

[19:46] through Pacific coastal airlines and improved service to the sun

[19:50] destinations. Overall, the airport's 2025 seat capacity has seen an

[19:55] increase of more than 16%. 2025 has also been a

[19:59] very busy construction year for the airport. We have completed

[20:03] the construction of the operations and emergency services building. A

[20:07] multiyear project which has been completed on time and on

[20:10] budget. The airport also continues to make significant progress with

[20:14] the construction of the airport terminal building expansion, which is

[20:17] slated to open in Q one of 2026. This project

[20:22] is expected to be completed on budget and ahead of

[20:24] the original timeline. Finally, construction work is underway on the

[20:29] airport hotel in Parcade. As well as on the. Expansion

[20:32] of the campus childcare facility. With regards to continuous improvements,

[20:37] the airport continues to renew terminal building infrastructure, including both

[20:41] lifecycle replacements as well as upgrades to critical assets, in

[20:45] addition to ensuring that assets are well maintained to maximize

[20:48] their useful lives. Airport also continues to purchase airsite equipment

[20:54] as required. This includes additions to our fleet to keep

[20:57] up with our significant growth. A good example of this

[21:01] is our recent purchase of a third aircraft rescue and

[21:03] firefighting vehicle. Which was purchased because our growth require that

[21:07] we be able to provide a category seven emergency response.

[21:11] Rather than a category six response. Looking next at our

[21:15] performance measures. The airport's performance measures are based on the

[21:20] key strategic goals within the airport strategic plan one of

[21:24] these strategic objectives is regional economic development. As the largest

[21:28] municipality owned airport in Canada, the 9th busiest nationally and

[21:32] the second busiest in BC. The airport strives to be

[21:35] a key driver. Of economic growth within the region. In

[21:39] this regard, the airport has seen strong year over year

[21:42] passenger volume growth with a 9% growth expected this year

[21:46] and a further growth of over 6% expected in 2026.

[21:51] As for accountable leadership, the airport was able to achieve

[21:54] airport carbon accreditation level three this year. A significant milestone,

[21:58] which was reached one year ahead of target, as our

[22:01] goal was to be at level three. In 2026, the

[22:04] airport continues to implement initiatives and projects around sustainability and

[22:09] climate action. In line with the airport's overall objectives of

[22:13] being carbon neutral by 2030 and net zero by 2040.

[22:17] This concludes my. Comment of worship. Paris. Thank you. So

[22:22] the airport service area makes up $113.1 million of the

[22:28] total city's 1 billion. $50,000 budget. And is operated under

[22:37] seven cost centers. This area is predominantly funded from fees

[22:42] and charges. And also includes the funding recommendation of transfers

[22:46] from reserves and other revenues and grant funding. The 2025

[22:52] revised budget. Totaled $168,000,000. After the annualization of previously

[23:01] approved budget items. We are starting 2026. With the $74,572,000.

[23:11] In order for the service area to maintain current service

[23:14] levels, an additional $12,140,000 is being requested. And to enhance

[23:22] service levels, an additional $26,348,000 is requested. This area has

[23:29] three operating requests. Excuse me.

[23:42] The first one being additional revenue of $5.9 million. Ongoing.

[23:49] This is coming. From. Covers grant funding that was previously

[23:57] in budget. As well as be contributed to reserve for

[24:01] future years. The second request is for $1.8 million in

[24:06] 2026 and then $1.6 million ongoing, funded from reserves and

[24:13] other revenues. And the final one being the airport strategic

[24:17] enhancements at $124,000 in 2026. And 242,000 ongoing, funded from

[24:24] reserves. This area's capital. Request for 2026. Completely match. The

[24:34] council approved ten year capital plan. Does council have any

[24:38] questions on any of the airport operating or capital requests.

[24:43] Councilor Lovegrove, you have a question? I apologize. I was

[24:47] left behind because you'd mentioned you were going to start

[24:49] with the airport. But then you actually went into reserve

[24:51] funds, and I had a question about the reserve fund.

[24:54] If you were touching on them. If that's okay, your

[24:56] worship. I'm happy to answer questions right now. Or we

[25:01] can talk about them when the individual requests come up.

[25:04] It's actually about the airport reserve fund, and it's actually

[25:07] a general question. I have no problem with us being

[25:09] proposed, but the reserves for future. I want to make

[25:16] sure I was reading this right. Under the projected balance,

[25:19] 2025. Am I right that that shows a 14 million

[25:24] deficit carryover to 2026? Operations.

[25:35] Your worship. That chart in the financial plan. Makes the

[25:42] assumption that everything will be spent in 2025, but most

[25:48] likely it will be carried over into the 2026 budget

[25:51] year. So the balance will not fall into a zero

[25:54] balance. Okay. So it's shown here on page 42 as

[25:58] negative 14.418. And you're just saying that's basically. Bookkeeping. In

[26:03] practical sense, we're fine. Yes, you're welcome. And thanks for

[26:07] that. And then as our funding, our borrowing funds come

[26:12] online that we've just recently went to council, for they

[26:16] will be contributed to that reserve, and then it'll be

[26:19] put back into a positive balance. Okay, thank you. And

[26:22] just. Second question, Councilor Lovegrove. 1 second, I believe. Part

[26:25] is going to touch upon that first before you go

[26:27] to the second question. Your worship. We have two broad

[26:32] categories of reserves. One is aif, one is non eif.

[26:36] And so over the last several years, we had built

[26:38] up our EIF reserve balance for the purposes of carrying

[26:40] out what we are doing at this time, which is

[26:42] the expansion of the ATB and that's why we have

[26:45] drawn that reserve down. Going forward. As we have new

[26:50] facilities come online with the additional revenues and fees and

[26:53] charges that reserve balance. Will again start to build up

[26:56] and set us up for future capital projects. Exactly what

[27:00] I saw coming in projected contributions for 2026. So I

[27:04] appreciated that, and I was hoping that the answer you

[27:07] just gave was the answer. And so thank you for

[27:09] that. The other question I have. Was on the airport

[27:13] improvement fee for the operating request. It shows a dashed

[27:16] line, but I think you had mentioned just verbally as

[27:18] you were speaking to it is a 5.6 million. Revenue

[27:22] for 2026. You'll worship.

[27:33] Our expected revenue for AIF next year is around $35,000,000.35.

[27:38] Okay, Mr. 30. Okay, thank you. Councilor Cannon, do you

[27:42] have questions? Yeah, thanks, your worship. And I just wanted

[27:44] to, first of all, say thanks. Congratulations. Your recent award

[27:48] for the airport for your. Continued to lead in the

[27:51] environmental initiatives and. I think it's incumbent to reinforce the

[27:56] value of the airport from an economic perspective. I believe

[27:59] it's about a 1.2% taxation impact. We garner from about

[28:05] two and a half million dollars that you contribute to

[28:07] the city general reserves. We thank you. Just had a

[28:09] specific question. It's not addressed. In the budget. But I

[28:14] wonder if there's any operational or capital budget implications as

[28:16] a result of the third party cybersecurity incident that took

[28:19] place at the airport back in October. Morning, Philip. Morning,

[28:24] worship. Your worship through the councilor cannon. Yes. There will

[28:33] be some additional operating costs in regards to that I

[28:37] obviously can't get into the details of it. But what

[28:39] I can tell you is that the corrective action plan

[28:42] shows a number of items that are being addressed not

[28:45] just at our airport but across Canada, but those items

[28:48] are easily covered off in the existing budget, your worship.

[28:52] Thank you. Thank you. We will now move into community,

[29:01] safety and bylaw. Just before we start there, I just

[29:05] want. To thank Mr. Samadar and all of the team

[29:10] that are here. For the operational success of what they

[29:13] do in running the airport. From behalf of the community,

[29:17] we do truly appreciate it and thank you for being

[29:20] here today. This presentation and thank you for what you

[29:22] do in the success in running the airport. Thank you,

[29:27] your worship. So we will welcome 1 second. Councilor Lovegrove.

[29:31] Just 1 second, please. Before you leave, Councilor Lovegrove, please.

[29:35] Thanks for worship. Councilor Wolverich, my apologies. No worries. I

[29:43] just wanted to thank the team of the airport as

[29:44] well. And I think what's important that obviously gets lumped

[29:47] into our core budget. Here is the amount that is

[29:50] spent on the airport that has no taxation demand, and

[29:53] most of it is actually. Federally regulated for aviation. And

[29:58] I think when we look through our binder, we question

[29:59] certain items, but it does need to be acknowledged that

[30:02] the upgrades that are requested are generally regulated federally, and

[30:06] that's unique. To the city of Clonan with no taxation

[30:08] demand. So thank you to the YLW. Team for all

[30:11] the great work you do. Thanks for worship. Thank you,

[30:13] Councilwich. Thank you. Very much. My apologies on missing that

[30:15] on the light. Thank you very much. All right. Thank

[30:19] you. Your worship will now move to community, safety and

[30:21] bylaw and welcome the general Manager of People and Protective

[30:25] Services, Mr. Stew Leatherdale. Good morning, sue. Good morning. Your

[30:32] worship and council. So we're going to get into community

[30:36] safety and bylaw services first. The key objective of these

[30:40] groups. Are to maintain community standards as well as to

[30:45] preserve and enhance safety. And, of course, a sense of

[30:48] safety in our community. Bylaw services upholds community bylaw standards

[30:53] through a delicate balance of education and enforcement, and the

[30:58] branch consists of three different teams. Our general duty by

[31:01] law officer. Officers, our encampment response unit, and our newly

[31:05] formed informing investigative services team. The. Community Safety Services Branch

[31:12] focuses more on crime prevention and crime reduction initiatives and

[31:17] working on that sense of safety. A couple of key

[31:21] accomplishments that I'd like to highlight. Include the community safety

[31:24] plan. Again, which completed six and other six actions and

[31:28] initiated nine this year. In total, 18 separate actions are

[31:33] now on target to conclude before the five year strategic

[31:37] plan. Sunsets next year. One of those community safety plan

[31:43] initiatives, of course, is the recently announced. Two year crisis

[31:47] response community led initiative for addressing mental health in the

[31:53] community and assisting the RCMP that launched just recently here

[31:58] with our partner, the canadian mental health association. Of course,

[32:03] the marriage task force on crime reduction had a number

[32:06] of successes, including the completion of the chronic offender advocacy

[32:10] paper, which included calls to action both federally and provincially,

[32:15] on criminal justice reform. Finally, our teams reimagine and restructured

[32:20] our outdoor sheltering management strateg. Strategies with safety and security

[32:25] in mind for city staff, for people sheltering outside, and

[32:29] for the surrounding community. The new strategy is showing some

[32:33] really amazing successes at transitioning people from outdoors into housing

[32:39] in fact, this year, over 60 people have moved from

[32:42] our designated site. Sheltering outside. Into other housing options and

[32:49] shelters around the city. In the coming year, Bylaw will

[32:53] finalize the implementation of their investigative services team. This is

[32:57] a team of officers who tackle the most complex files,

[33:01] including property and agricultural files, often in collaboration. With many

[33:06] other city departments and other external agencies. Our new records

[33:13] management system will be implemented as well for bylaw in

[33:17] 2026, which is expected to improve service and create a

[33:22] new level of reporting and file management capability that is

[33:25] quite long overdue for the branch. And we'll continue to

[33:30] build on the bylaw officer training Academy to formalize a

[33:33] higher standard of training for our bylaw officers. The training

[33:36] is designed to reinforce consistent, credible, and professional service delivery

[33:43] across. The community. Take a look at a few of

[33:47] the performance measures for. The services performance measure number two.

[33:54] Al Khan Tan which is the number of general duty

[33:57] and encampment response service request. This measure helps us to

[34:02] follow both the increased increase in demand as well as

[34:05] the shifting nature of work for bylaw services. General duty

[34:09] files typically require just a single officer to attend, whereas

[34:13] encampment response files require at least two and often many,

[34:17] many more bylaw officers to work on those files. This

[34:21] year, bylaw services is actually projecting an increase of approximately

[34:25] 20%. In the number of files from 2024 due to

[34:29] a very busy summer season, as well as increasing ways

[34:33] that the public is able to access bylaw services, such

[34:37] as additional online options. Performance measure number three is the

[34:41] average number of days to close general duty and encampment.

[34:44] Response service requests. Most bylaw files are complaint driven, and

[34:50] they do vary quite a bit in complexity. So monitoring

[34:53] the average days to close a service request is a

[34:56] really good indicator of our overall responsive. Responsiveness and efficiency

[35:01] of the service that we're providing to citizens. The target

[35:05] was determined there internally to help drive. Citizen satisfaction results,

[35:10] which appears in performance measure number one. And finally, caseload

[35:14] per officer represents the workload on our bylaw officers, which.

[35:20] Has actually decreased quite substantially in the recent years. As

[35:24] a direct result of investments made by council. And with

[35:27] that, I'll turn it over. To Ms. Antuns. Excellent. Thank

[35:31] you, stew. So the community safety and bylaw service area

[35:36] makes up $11.4 million of the city's overall expenditure budget

[35:41] and is operated under three cost centers. The funding. For

[35:48] the service area is predominantly property tax, with the addition

[35:52] of some transfers from reserves and fees. And charges. The

[35:56] 2025 revised budget for the service area was $10,350,000. After

[36:05] approved ad analyzing and adding the previously approved budget request,

[36:12] The service area is starting 2026 within $9,300,000 budget. In

[36:18] order for this service area to continue to maintain current

[36:21] service levels, an additional $606,000 is requested. And enhancements of

[36:29] $1.55 million is requested. The service area has three operating

[36:36] requests, the first one being the bylaw service enhancements. This

[36:41] request is for $251,000 in 2026, increasing to 282,000 ongoing,

[36:49] and is recommended to be funded from the public safety.

[36:54] Levy. This request does include one vehicle as a one

[36:57] time. Expense in 2026. Second request is the enhanced business

[37:05] improvement area services. This is $100,000 ongoing, funded from taxation,

[37:11] but has been recommended to come out of the $500,000

[37:16] that was originally allocated. For council's strategic initiatives. And the

[37:21] third request is for $1.2 million in 2026 and 2027,

[37:27] funded from reserve. There are no priority one preliminary request

[37:33] for the capital program in the service area. Would council

[37:36] like to discuss any of these requests. Thank you. I

[37:39] do have a few questions, starting with councilor. Stock. Thank

[37:46] you. Thank you for the presentation. My question is just

[37:48] regarding the addition of two new bylaw officers. Stewart, as

[37:53] you pointed out, there is a dramatic improvement in caseload

[37:56] per officer. In the last two years. And my question

[38:00] is, with the addition of two, is that essentially. To

[38:05] man the department for growth. Deck our natural growth. And

[38:10] the backside of that question is, is the bylaw department

[38:14] number of officers appropriate. Now, for our city. Size now

[38:19] that we caught up two years ago. Yes, your worship.

[38:26] The additions to bylaw over the last number of years

[38:28] has been for growth and also as a result of

[38:31] council priorities. The two officers that were proposing this year

[38:36] will round out. The two that were provided last year

[38:41] specifically for a dedicated team in the Rutland area. With

[38:46] regards to a target. We are approaching our target. For

[38:50] what the bylaw team feels is the appropriate file per

[38:54] officer load. We will monitor the file count as we

[39:00] move forward. As mentioned, we are seeing some increases again.

[39:04] This year. However, we're currently at target. At target. Good.

[39:09] I think really worth emphasizing because we have done a

[39:11] push these last few years to really strengthen our bylaw

[39:15] team, and it sounds like we're actually getting to where

[39:17] we want to. Be. And I'm encouraged to hear that.

[39:20] Thank you, Councilor Hodge. Please. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, just

[39:25] two generic questions for you. First of all, could you

[39:29] just define encampment? What do you refer to? Cabinet responses,

[39:36] et cetera. What qualifies as an encampment. You're worshipping. An

[39:44] encambra would be where an individual. Arrests, a shelter, tent

[39:50] or other shelter. In the community. So it's not necessary

[39:55] to encampment. It's not like a tiny house. Or one

[39:58] of the places that we put together. It's an accountant

[40:00] that they put together. Correct, your worship. So it's an

[40:04] individual erecting a shelter in the community it does not

[40:07] refer to. Obviously any of our shelters, okay? People to

[40:13] understand when they're trying to sort through it. And the

[40:16] other point is just a formality for going through the

[40:18] day. When you're going from page to page flipping the

[40:23] boat, we put this manual I spent half my time

[40:26] trying to find out where we are, and then by

[40:28] the time I get there, you're on to the next

[40:31] page, it'd be really helpful if you could say. Go

[40:33] to page seven. Go to page nine. Thank you, your

[40:35] worship. I'm searching around for. It. And then I get

[40:38] there and you're off the next one. Damn. So I

[40:41] just appreciate that. Thank you. Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you.

[40:44] Councilor Cannon, please. Thank you. A couple of questions. One

[40:47] is the 100,000 that enhanced business improvement area. How will

[40:51] that be split between. Irba and downtunk, or is it

[40:56] all going to. Your worship. The 100,000 is placement funding.

[41:04] Coming out of the mayor's house. Force and crime reduction.

[41:06] This was an initiative to bolster. And strengthen our bia

[41:12] functions that are working there. So there is some work

[41:14] to do. To determine exactly how to deploy those funds

[41:20] next year to meet the objectives of the mayor's. Task

[41:23] force. Yeah, I was a member of the mayor's task

[41:25] force. That's why we didn't nailed it down. So I

[41:27] was just wondering if you were able to. Get that

[41:28] nailed down as how it's being split, but it's still

[41:30] uncertain. Your worship. There is currently a policy. Which determines

[41:35] the split for any of these BIa programs. So we'll

[41:39] look at that. We'll look at other options. Training and

[41:43] other options to try to support these BIA programs. Okay.

[41:46] And with regard to. Last year we had looking at

[41:50] our outdoor overnight sheltering and it looked at the request.

[41:56] It was a request for 100,000 last year and then

[41:58] 200,000 this year. It was basically increasing by 100,000 each

[42:03] year, so I'm not sure. It was overnight sheltering. Additional

[42:08] ongoing budget is requested to address the impact, so there

[42:11] must be a base budget and that we're adding to

[42:13] it. 100 last year, 200 this year. So it's just

[42:17] 1.2 over and above the base budget. Yes, correct. So

[42:21] what is the base budget then? The base budget is,

[42:25] I believe, around. $500,000. And your worship for clarity. That's

[42:31] materials and services. To help manage outdoor sheltering throughout the

[42:38] community, not necessarily just at our designated site. And it

[42:42] certainly does not include staff time or vehicles. This is

[42:47] just peripheral equipment and services that are needed to help

[42:50] manage this file. So at OS four. What do we

[42:54] cost to be responsible for the 24 and the 424?

[42:58] Seven security guards and. What else do we have? Correct?

[43:02] So. We have obviously, rental of fencing in that area

[43:06] under the current operation, security guards is a significant expense

[43:10] under the current operation. Refuge removal. Washroom, cement, bullards, all

[43:16] of the materials necessary to manage that area. Because you

[43:22] mentioned you've had good success. I went by there yesterday

[43:25] at 330 and accounted 26 people. Four security guards and

[43:29] four BYL officers. At 330 in the afternoon. And what

[43:33] I'm hearing from the community that designated outdoor sheltering site

[43:36] offered, often referred to as those four. It's not reducing

[43:39] illegal sheltering from taking place elsewhere in the community. It's

[43:42] spread it all over. I've met with the merchants at

[43:44] Willow Park Mall and Rotland. Peter Independent groceries Michael Neil

[43:49] Mosaic book downtown kelowna so I don't think. It's working.

[43:52] And I'd like to see OS four scale down rather

[43:54] than putting. 1.2 million into this, or 1.7 altogether. Because

[43:58] I'm compassionate, like all of us around this table. However,

[44:01] I don't think what we're doing is working. This. Catching

[44:04] a lease program is not working, and we need to

[44:07] take a different approach, and so. We can get the

[44:09] rail trail back to the citizens. And we added social

[44:14] staff to our social team a couple of years ago,

[44:17] adding more bylaw officers, I don't see this a productive

[44:19] use of taxpayers money. And I noticed that our superintendent.

[44:24] In the office, in the audience, and I'm just wondering

[44:25] if I could make a motion. To hear from the

[44:28] superintendent if he feels this is the best use of

[44:31] our taxpayers money or if there's a better way that

[44:33] we could address. This outdoor sheltering. And deal with the

[44:38] homelessness in a more efficient way. Councilor. Thank you for

[44:42] your comments. I'd like to make that as a motion

[44:44] to hear from the superintendent, you, worship. Do we have

[44:47] a seconder? All in favor? No. Opposed. Thank you. Well,

[44:56] just. Counselor. It was passed and it was opposed. Your

[44:59] worship. Sorry, I just want. To get clarity on. Counselor

[45:04] Lovegrove and councilor Cannon. For everyone else opposed. Thank you.

[45:08] Thank you. Councilor. That's the end of that motion. Thank

[45:12] you. Thank you for cutting me off. Councilor Walbridge, please.

[45:16] Thanks for worship. Pertaining to what's before us right now,

[45:19] I. Just wanted a little bit more clarity on. Stu

[45:23] on the Bia service improvements and councilor cannon went there

[45:26] a little bit just in. A follow up. The 100,000.

[45:29] I'm generally supportive of both the bylaw investments. And the

[45:32] BIA service improvements. But just for clarity, DK fully funds

[45:38] the clean team on their own through their requisitions from

[45:41] their members. Is the plan that IRBA will do the

[45:44] same in time. This is seed funding to get that

[45:46] program up and running or what's the overall strategy? Your

[45:51] workshop strategy to be determined early in the new year.

[45:55] I can confirm clean team is one of the options

[45:57] that our staff have heard from the bias. That are.

[46:00] That's important service in the community. Do we fund the

[46:04] DKA's clean team? Or is that all through their own

[46:06] requisitions. No, your workshop. We don't fund the clean team

[46:10] currently. Okay, so this. Would just be some seed funding

[46:12] to get them off the ground, essentially correct. Thank you.

[46:16] Councilor Weber, please. Yeah. I think last year in our

[46:20] budget, we did do a significant increase for the business

[46:23] improvement. Districts. Both downtown and in Rutland. So I'm curious.

[46:32] Another $100,000. If there seems to be, there should be

[46:35] a specific idea. Of what we needed for. But there

[46:39] isn't yet. Just a point of clarification. I'm going to

[46:43] ask the city clerk because it ended up being. It

[46:45] was something that came before us, so I'm just going

[46:47] to ask. For clarification on that with regards to that

[46:50] direction, just so council is well aware of. Exactly what

[46:53] we did on that one. Thank you, worship. As the

[46:56] general manager alluded to, council. Has established a policy for

[47:00] the funding for. Bias to support them. He may be

[47:05] able to provide additional details in terms of that, but

[47:07] the funding is intended to be following the direction set

[47:11] out in that policy to continue supporting that work. Yeah,

[47:15] actually it's. A policy I was referring to. They come

[47:17] out with predictable funding for this group, and I'm just

[47:19] curious whether this is part of that or something new

[47:22] and improved in addition to. I will let stew speak

[47:24] to that. Yeah. Your worship, the policy currently stands that

[47:29] will support those programs with $100,000 or 25%. Of the

[47:34] program costs. Our understanding is the mayor's Tas fours wanted

[47:39] to revisit other ways that we could continue to support.

[47:45] Those programs in the community to get them up and

[47:47] running and viable and providing a good service. So in

[47:52] order to do that, we need some funding to go

[47:54] back. And think through the different options, whether it's clean

[47:58] team or adjusting the formula or so. Forth. And obviously

[48:01] we can come back to council with that review, with

[48:05] the funding secured to implement. Councilor Weber. Just maybe a

[48:09] little bit of clarification on that with regards to it.

[48:11] There's different scales of time. That dka has had their.

[48:18] Team in force and then Irba, with regards to looking

[48:20] at establishing their time. So. The overall goal of it

[48:25] is to make them both extremely, extremely successful within the

[48:28] community. And who do needs potentially more assistance at this

[48:33] particular point in time and making it successful for business

[48:35] owners, and I believe what is being said. And stu,

[48:39] please correct me if I'm wrong on it is that

[48:41] there is a potential needs to look at assistance to

[48:44] keep that going. Because we've seen the reduce in calls

[48:47] that has to bylaw and RCMP officers. Dealing with those

[48:51] situations. It's just a matter of where. And that would

[48:54] be up to the team to say, which is, how

[48:56] do we do that so that it's as successful as

[48:58] possible. Well, because you appointed to me. I've been on

[49:03] the downtown Columbia board now for over three years, and

[49:05] I recognize. How much of their budget is going not

[49:09] towards promotion of the downtown, but cleaning up and promoting.

[49:12] And so. Certainly supportive of this help. So I wasn't

[49:17] trying to make a question. No. And I was just

[49:19] going for clarification. On exactly what it was. So I

[49:21] truly appreciate. Your acknowledgment of the work that DK does,

[49:24] their service is doing. What we couldn't do alone for

[49:27] sure, and it's saving us a lot of money, and

[49:28] it's costing them a lot of money, so I'm all

[49:30] about that. One other question. Is the outdoor sheltering site

[49:34] what councilor Cannon was saying? We've been hearing from the

[49:38] city manager over the past year or two that. We're

[49:42] spending a lot of money at that site, and it's

[49:44] really not part of our municipal responsibilities, but we're doing

[49:47] our best to keep the situation in control. In our

[49:50] city. I don't think it would be up to somebody

[49:52] like the RCMP. Commander to say is that money well

[49:55] spent has nothing to do with law enforcement. It has

[49:56] to. Do with the city trying to manage a problem

[49:59] that's in our lapse. But at the other. Same time

[50:02] we're trying to make changes to that camp and bring

[50:05] down the cost. So I was a little surprised to

[50:08] see it going up instead of down, because. We're trying

[50:11] to reduce how much we're spending on it, so I'm

[50:12] just curious what the plan is for that in the

[50:14] future. Stupid. Yeah. The costs increase this year. With. The

[50:21] new management strategy that we have there. As I mentioned

[50:24] in my comments, we're seeing good successes all around, both

[50:29] for individuals who are sheltering there as well as criminality

[50:32] in the surrounding community and safety of staff. So the

[50:37] plan is working. The costs are something, and the reason

[50:41] why it's in as a two year request is because

[50:44] we believe there's options to look at grant funding. There's

[50:49] options to look at different ways to manage that while

[50:51] still accomplishing the objectives. That we've set out. This year.

[50:57] Thank you, council. Dehart, please. I just have a comment.

[51:01] A comment? Okay. So this is an accepted motion. Direct

[51:06] the board, please do your comment, and then we'll just

[51:08] move from there. Thank you, worship. I just wanted to

[51:11] make a comment on the continuous improvements. Because sometimes we

[51:14] look at budgets and we're always looking at the numbers

[51:17] and we don't read between the lines. Well, I'm sure

[51:19] some of us do, but, I mean. Sometimes there's just

[51:22] so much, but. I wanted to make a comment on

[51:25] the establishment of an officer training academy, and I really

[51:29] thought about that. And I think it's really important because

[51:32] I think this is really critical to that department because

[51:36] it's going to give the officers the tools to tackle

[51:39] what actually council has asked for them to do in

[51:41] our priorities of crime and safety. So I just. Wanted

[51:45] to mention that it was just one little. Couple of

[51:46] little lines in the budget, but I think it's so

[51:49] important. And when we see our officers out there and

[51:51] how they interact. With businesses, how they interact with the

[51:56] homeless and how they interact with other people. I thought

[51:58] this was one of the most crucial things and fully,

[52:01] fully support that. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank

[52:05] you. Second question. Councilor Hutch thank you, Mr. Matt. I

[52:11] just wanted to clarify that on the previous motion. Presented

[52:16] by Mr. Cannon. I agree with what he would say.

[52:23] I just built up. To where it was. Counselor. The

[52:26] motion failed. And it was. I was going to add

[52:29] that. Mr. Merritt, I'm. Making a point that I think

[52:31] are valid in the fact that. I didn't disagree with

[52:36] what he was trying to accomplish. I think he's right.

[52:38] I just didn't like the process at which he was

[52:40] trying to accomplish it and that's why I made the

[52:42] boat. I did. But I wasn't supporting what he was.

[52:45] Saying it was just trying to get the RSMP to

[52:48] make comment. At that time, I didn't think it was

[52:50] a right fault. Thank you. I was just saying that

[52:54] it ended be it. It wasn't something up for discussion

[52:56] that. Was all counselors. Melanie. Anything else? To add. Note,

[53:03] you, worship. We will then. Council is ready. We will

[53:07] move. Into. There we go.

[53:17] If I may, before you move into that particular area.

[53:21] The bylaw service area has been extremely important to council.

[53:26] And. The way that I believe. Initially the bylaw service

[53:30] was structured when this council came in and the way

[53:34] that bylaw services is structured now. Are two completely different

[53:39] stories. And that's been at the hand of individuals like

[53:45] Kevin Mead, that's been at the hands of individuals like

[53:48] Darren Cole and now also Tory white that is in

[53:51] there. And the efficiency with regards to the operation itself.

[53:59] We are extremely grateful for. It obviously is a cost

[54:02] that as a municipality. It's been put upon us to

[54:07] deal with a lot of those issues. That we wish

[54:10] that we didn't have to spend taxpayer dollars on, but

[54:14] we need to do what we can in order to

[54:15] try to make the community as safe as possible. So

[54:20] in addition to those individuals I mentioned, Nick Bonnet, Ken

[54:24] Hunter and Kevin Dugan. I just truly want to appreciate

[54:28] the work that they have done to get this organization

[54:32] to the point of being as efficient as it can

[54:35] for the needs of our community. And hopefully there is

[54:38] a day that we don't need this cost at Os

[54:41] four and we don't. Need these other costs within our

[54:43] community, and I'd be very grateful when they kind of.

[54:46] Trim down substantially. But until that time, we recognize that

[54:50] we need our part to do our part in order

[54:52] to try to keep our community as safe as possible.

[54:54] So just very grateful for the work that they do

[54:57] and the work that you do in helping them along.

[54:59] Thank you, your worship. So we'll next move into police

[55:03] services in RCMP. This section starts on page 10. Five

[55:08] of your budget volume. All right. Thank you. Mel the

[55:16] key objective of this service, of course, is to preserve

[55:20] and enhance public safety in our community. And also to

[55:25] support longer term strategies to address the demands on police,

[55:29] such as addressing upstream determinants of crime. Or efforts to

[55:34] improve efficiency through innovations. The RCMP is our contracted policing

[55:39] agency are supported by over 100 City of Kelowna employees

[55:44] who deliver 24/7 operational support. Such as preparing documentation for

[55:51] criminal court proceedings, completing administrative duties for RCMP members so

[55:56] that they can spend more time working directly with the

[56:00] community, conducting investigations for lower level RCMP calls, ensuring good

[56:06] communication with our citizens and running some. Really important community

[56:10] safety initiatives such as event planning, volunteer management, and the

[56:15] reintroduction. Of our auxiliary program. Some key accomplishments throughout the

[56:22] year include. The significant improvements in RCMP and police services.

[56:34] Stopping levels. The vacancy rate has dropped substantially this year

[56:39] and is providing a good benefit to the community. The

[56:43] reintroduction, of course, of our speed watch program as well

[56:47] as the auxiliaries. Who are now hired, and they're busy

[56:50] completing their training this fall. We also had a major.

[56:55] Body camera rollout for our local RCMP officers. And we

[57:00] added the RCMP, added a dedicated community liaison for Rutland,

[57:06] and increased the number of school resource officers from two

[57:10] to four. And finally, while our city has been an

[57:13] advocate for change, on the impact of chronic offenders. The

[57:16] RCMP have really prioritized enforcement with. These individuals in our

[57:21] community. Looking forward to next year. Our primary work will

[57:25] be to implement the RCMP modernization recommendations, which began last

[57:30] year with our detachment formerly being reorganized from a regional

[57:35] mandate to focus solely on Kelowna. Next steps are to

[57:39] transfer the administrative services to each of. Our regional partners,

[57:44] and as we undertake that work, our police services leadership

[57:47] team will initiate an organizational effectiveness review to help determine

[57:52] that our current complement of municipal employees. And the structure

[57:57] aligns with operational needs of the RCMP that they support.

[58:02] Finally. A good successor. Detachment was able to complete a

[58:06] CCTV upgrade project for cameras outside of the building with

[58:11] existing funding last year, and we'll be moving on to

[58:16] upgrading CCTV cameras. Within the detachment in 2026. On the

[58:22] slide are some key performance indicators that I will touch

[58:26] on. Performance measure number one, citizen. Satisfaction with police services.

[58:32] The 2024 data did show an improvement from 2022, from

[58:35] 74% to 80% favorable. We expect to maintain that result

[58:39] going into next year and have established. A target of

[58:43] 83% favorable, which represents the Ipsos provincial average from 2024.

[58:50] Performance measure number two is response time. Please response to

[58:54] calls for service in minutes. The targets for party one,

[58:58] two and three calls are eight minutes, ten minutes and

[59:02] 20 minutes, respectively. These targets were selected after reviewing historical

[59:08] data, the city of Kelowna and cross referencing with provincial

[59:12] benchmarks. The 2026 forecast takes into account a number of

[59:17] fact. Factors, including the growth of the RCMP of specialized

[59:20] units beyond just the front line and also the implications

[59:24] of FIFA coming up in 2026, which could limit our

[59:28] ability to bring in additional officers for summer operations. Performance

[59:34] measure number three is citizen callbacks for. Police police service

[59:39] calls, which is a measure of responsiveness and is one

[59:44] of council's four top priorities for the RCMP that we

[59:49] established earlier. Since 2023, when the KPI was adopted. The

[59:53] RCMP have emphasized this area and improved from 43%. In

[59:59] 2022% to 77% in 2025. And we've set a target

[1:00:03] of 90% for that measure. On this slide, we have

[1:00:08] traffic safety, police enforcement interactions, which does show a drop

[1:00:13] in 2025. Due to operational demands, including some investigations on

[1:00:19] some very complex collisions. However, traffic services I understand is

[1:00:25] realigned recently to better meet enforcement objectives going forward and

[1:00:31] the RCMP and the city have also established a multi

[1:00:35] agency traffic safety. Committee. The last one. I'll just quickly

[1:00:39] touch on performance. Measure number five is caseload per. Officer.

[1:00:45] Which is like, by law. A very good indicator of

[1:00:48] the demand for police services and the workload on our

[1:00:51] officers in the past few years, Kelowna's caseload per officer

[1:00:55] typically has been about 33% higher than the provincial average

[1:01:00] for communities with more than 15,000 residents. However, significant council

[1:01:06] invest. Investments since the past few years means that case

[1:01:10] load officer has improved quite dramatically, and we're forecasting it

[1:01:15] to be down to 71 files per officer, which will

[1:01:18] be the best in eight years. We are continuing with

[1:01:22] Mr. Cal to do some analysis on this measure. With

[1:01:27] the eye to come back to council early in 2026

[1:01:30] to really establish what our target will be for caseload.

[1:01:34] With that, I'll turn it over to Ms. Anthoons. Thank

[1:01:38] you. So police services in RCMP budget makes up $83.2

[1:01:43] million of the city's overall $1 billion budget and is

[1:01:47] operated under several different cost centers. The recommended funding strategy

[1:01:53] is the predominantly property taxes, with the inclusion of $6

[1:01:57] million of other revenue, $6 million of transfers from reserves,

[1:02:01] as well as some fees and charges. The 2025 ending

[1:02:08] revised budget is. 75,935,000. After annualizing previously approved budget requests.

[1:02:19] The service area starting 2026 at 75,400,000. To maintain current

[1:02:26] service levels, an additional $7,259,000 is being requested. And enhancements

[1:02:36] of $500,000 $501,000 are requested. The service area has three

[1:02:43] budget requests starting on page 112 in the budget volume.

[1:02:48] The first one is for child and youth advocacy center

[1:02:53] enhancements of $58,000 ongoing, funded 11,500 from partnering municipalities. And

[1:03:02] 46,300 from taxation. Next is the DNA analysis service fee

[1:03:08] of $33,000, ongoing, funded from taxation. And the third is

[1:03:13] police services in RCMP enhancements. This is for four additional

[1:03:19] regular members, one police services, financial analysts. This request is

[1:03:25] a total of 349,300 in 2026, increasing to 1,144,250 ongoing.

[1:03:35] The recommended funding is for three regular members. And the

[1:03:39] financial analyst to be funded from the public safety levy

[1:03:42] and the one additional. Regular member to be posted at

[1:03:47] the airport to be funded 80% airport and 20% taxation.

[1:03:52] Which is $12,700 in 2026, increasing to 50,700 of taxation

[1:03:58] ongoing. There are no preliminary. Sorry. There is no priority

[1:04:03] one capital request for this service area. Would council like

[1:04:09] to discuss any of the priority one budget request? Thank

[1:04:12] you. Yes, there are a few questions. Councilor Singh, please.

[1:04:15] Thank you, worship. Stu, I just want to speak to

[1:04:18] the one. On the child and you advocacy center. It

[1:04:22] is a well funded center in the sense there's a

[1:04:25] lot of donation money that comes there. 58,000 in the

[1:04:29] grand scheme of life isn't a huge ask. What is

[1:04:33] it? 46,300. I wonder if you could speak to what?

[1:04:38] The money. Is required for is there demand for. Police

[1:04:43] services at the center. Has that gone up dramatically or.

[1:04:48] Is it? More complaints coming in. What is the situation?

[1:04:52] Your workshop. This budget request is to help support. The

[1:04:57] Child and family advocate program within the CYAC. This is

[1:05:01] a group of employees who provide a wide variety of

[1:05:04] service, and they also provide. Support and service to. Our,

[1:05:09] for our CNP members that are working there. All right.

[1:05:12] Also, then can I just move on. To. I totally

[1:05:16] appreciate the work they do. I just wanted to question

[1:05:19] it, get an answer as to why, if I could

[1:05:23] go to page 113. Am I wrong? Isn't the airport

[1:05:28] the rcmp? Person who member who's at the airport. Isn't

[1:05:35] it someone who's either a retired member or an auxiliary?

[1:05:39] Or is it? A paid full time member who's stationed

[1:05:42] at the airport? No. It's a regular member. All right.

[1:05:47] Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Councilor stock, please. Thank you.

[1:05:51] Thank you, Stewart. So just regarding our new additional members

[1:05:54] to the RCMP, we're looking for four this year. To

[1:05:58] looking at the budget of 68 four. I'm assuming those

[1:06:00] would be anticipated to start. Later in the year. Is

[1:06:03] that correct? Is there a target date for that? Yes,

[1:06:06] your worship, date. RCMP officers. We typically plan to hit

[1:06:10] the budget in Q four just because it does take

[1:06:13] some time to work its way through the process. So

[1:06:15] does this give you the placeholder to. Go to the

[1:06:18] rcmp depot. To select these candidates. Is there availability? And

[1:06:25] what's the likelihood of the four being added to the

[1:06:27] staff next? Year physically. Your worship, my understanding is deposed

[1:06:32] doing much better than years gone by. So we are

[1:06:35] confident they'd be added by Q four as a plan.

[1:06:39] Maybe a bit earlier, a bit later. But we're confident

[1:06:42] they'll be added. Okay, good. And second, this is just

[1:06:46] kind of a personal curiosity. We have 100 city employees

[1:06:50] that support our officers in the field. When we look

[1:06:54] at the way they're captured in our budget are those

[1:06:58] 100 city of Kelowna employees. Like would they be on

[1:07:01] the city of colonial payroll? Correct your. Just like all

[1:07:05] others is part of our compliment. Okay, but when we

[1:07:09] look at the funding of our RCMP division. Are they

[1:07:13] included in that budget category? Depending on what number. You're

[1:07:18] looking at, whereby no Mr. Zas and Ms. Antoons have

[1:07:21] talked about the RCMP contract. That would just be what

[1:07:25] we paid to the RCMP for our contracted policing service.

[1:07:29] There's also budget line items for all of the rest

[1:07:33] of the support services. The facility, support employees, as we're

[1:07:38] obligated to do under the municipal police unit. Agreement. Okay,

[1:07:42] so I interpret that all of this would be considered

[1:07:44] part of our RCMP. Policing services. We phrase it as

[1:07:49] that. And the RCMP contract is one of those line

[1:07:52] items in that correct. Okay. Thank you. And would it

[1:07:56] be fair just to answer that councilor's question that it's.

[1:07:58] Approximately about 20%. To your worship. Would it be fair

[1:08:03] that when to answer the council's question, that it's. Approximately

[1:08:06] about 20% of our overall line item. Somewhere in that,

[1:08:10] Mr. Sass. More. 25. That's more than that, Mr. Sass.

[1:08:16] Thank you, worship. Have to look that one up. The

[1:08:17] team's just checking on that, right? Now. Okay, thank you.

[1:08:20] Next. Councilor. Councilor Lovegrove. Yeah. Just clarification. So the funding.

[1:08:29] For. The member that will be at the airport. That's

[1:08:33] coming from the airport. I'm sorry, can you repeat? Sorry

[1:08:38] for jumping in there. The member that's going to be.

[1:08:43] Stationed more often at the airport. Where was the funding

[1:08:46] for that member going to come from? Would that be

[1:08:47] the airport improvement fee? You, worship. The airport members are

[1:08:51] shared 80% out of airport funding and 20% out of

[1:08:55] taxation. And yes. They will be solely stationed at the

[1:08:59] airport, serving the airport area and. How many members are

[1:09:03] we talking about total? They currently have one, and they're

[1:09:08] moving to two. Moving to two. Okay, thank you very.

[1:09:12] Much. I guess just a general comment on this. Just

[1:09:16] reading this look like a maintain, not an enhancement. I

[1:09:19] know we've been having fuzzy. Discussions about what's what, so

[1:09:22] just leave it at that. I was reading this thing,

[1:09:24] this. Looks like just managing growth. Thank you, councilor. Mr.

[1:09:28] Sass, now that you've done that research, just answer that

[1:09:31] question, please. Thank you. Your worship. Yes, 20% is approximately

[1:09:34] the right number, and I just want to make a

[1:09:36] clarification. Around the funding for this. I don't believe the

[1:09:40] AIF this would be considered eligible. Funding, but it is

[1:09:44] funded through other revenue streams at the airport. I just

[1:09:46] want to make that clear, because I don't believe that

[1:09:48] that would be eligible under the AIF program. Thank you,

[1:09:52] Mr. Sass, for that clarification. Councilor Cannon, please. Thank you,

[1:09:55] worship. Just a. Supplemental to councilor. Singh's question on the

[1:10:00] child's youth admission center. You worship myself or involved in

[1:10:03] that, and it's a great service. So will that be?

[1:10:05] Ongoing, then their baseline budget will be increased to 121,000.

[1:10:10] You, worship. The request is for just under 58,000. And

[1:10:16] yes, it'll be ongoing funding. And eleven five. So that's

[1:10:19] revenue that be generated. From other municipalities or using the

[1:10:24] services. Sorry, workshop. I'm not seeing where you're looking. For

[1:10:32] other revenue. Oh, yes, your worship, exactly. That recoveries from

[1:10:39] our partner municipalities. Fabulous and councilor stock, thanks for your

[1:10:44] question on the RCP. That's where I was going. I

[1:10:45] just know that's going to be a busy year for

[1:10:47] them, as you mentioned, with FIFA. And going to host

[1:10:51] a memorial cup and bc lions games and bc summer

[1:10:54] games. Appreciate the work of a men and women in

[1:10:57] uniform. Thank you. Thank you. You have a comment, please,

[1:11:02] council Dehrt. We'll go to comments, and then we'll move

[1:11:07] it forward. Please. Thank you. I just wanted to make

[1:11:11] sure that the citizens of Kelowna know one of the

[1:11:14] most. Significant changes. And I know, stew, you brought it

[1:11:17] up. Was the change from a regional to our. Municipal

[1:11:21] operations in the RCMP. I know I've been asked about

[1:11:24] it, but I'm. Really not sure if the average everyday

[1:11:27] public understands about it and how important. It is and

[1:11:31] how much of a change it's going to make to

[1:11:33] our city, so. I just wanted to bring that up.

[1:11:36] Thank you. Stu, please, if you have comments on that.

[1:11:44] No worship. That work has been going on for some

[1:11:46] time. We're very excited. To be moving in that direction,

[1:11:51] and I absolutely believe. It will have a great impact

[1:11:55] on. Services. Our OIC who's here today, and his inspectors

[1:12:00] will be solely focused on Kelowna. Issues. So I think

[1:12:03] it's good, and it'll be good for the region. As

[1:12:05] well, because our municipal partners will have their own OIC

[1:12:09] and begin to staff up appropriately. In their area, so

[1:12:12] I think it's a huge win for the region. Thank

[1:12:16] you. Just a point of. Clarification there, and I was

[1:12:18] speaking with city manager on it from a standpoint of

[1:12:21] it is RCMP that are representing our community, not municipal

[1:12:25] like they're representing Kelowna. With regards to RCF. Just don't

[1:12:28] want to get kind of caught up in that wording

[1:12:29] structure on differences in between it. Seeing nothing else. Council.

[1:12:37] Please. This service area has one priority to request. This

[1:12:42] is. For two regular. Rcmp members. We'd like council like

[1:12:47] to discuss this priority to request. Seeing that. I'm looking

[1:12:50] for council to look at moving this forward. I'll just

[1:12:54] move ahead. No good. Thank you. We'll move into fire

[1:12:58] safety now. Fire safety. We'll just hold for 1 second,

[1:13:02] please. Obviously, superintendent. Chris Cable, who is now our new

[1:13:07] superintendent alongside Darren Cole. We know that you have come

[1:13:12] into our community and made substantial changes with regards to

[1:13:15] the organizational structure of the operation. And working towards making

[1:13:20] this community a much safer place. And for your work

[1:13:24] and your team's. Work. We truly appreciate the efforts that

[1:13:27] you're doing. What we recognize, we see more activity out

[1:13:31] there, and that is because. Of the digging in that

[1:13:34] you're doing to working on making this community safer, so

[1:13:37] just. On behalf of myself and council superintendent and also

[1:13:40] Mr. Cole, thank you for your work. One more. Please.

[1:13:49] Okay. Thank you. We will now move into fire safety.

[1:13:53] This is start on page 116 of your budget volume.

[1:13:58] Thank you, Mel. The key objectives of the fire department

[1:14:01] are to provide effective fire protection and public safety. For

[1:14:05] all areas of the city. Services provided by the department

[1:14:08] include fire suppression who respond to fires in the community,

[1:14:12] along with urgent medical calls, mpas and other calls like

[1:14:15] Hazmat and rescue incident. They also have the fire prevention

[1:14:20] branch, which does their work through inspections and public education.

[1:14:24] Fire m. Mitigation who are working with community partners on

[1:14:28] preventing wildfires and engaged in some exciting and innovative technology.

[1:14:34] And we also have emergency planning, which includes. Preparation, response

[1:14:39] and recovery plans for a variety of emergencies that could

[1:14:43] arise within the community. KFD also, as you're aware, manages

[1:14:48] one of the largest dispatch centers in BC, serving 58

[1:14:52] departments, as well as various other clients in the Okanagan

[1:14:55] and in. The southern southeastern BC. Key accomplishments for fire

[1:15:02] safety. Fire department include the update of the fire strategic

[1:15:07] plan was an important document to get over the line.

[1:15:10] Also finalizing the fire facilities. Master plan to lay out.

[1:15:15] How we will grow in the future. When appropriate, completing

[1:15:19] the design and beginning the construction of the new Glenmore

[1:15:22] protective Services campus is. Very exciting for everybody at the

[1:15:26] department. And we're also happy to report that six Kelowna

[1:15:30] neighborhoods have now achieved their fire smart recognition. Fire smart

[1:15:35] neighborhood recognition. In the coming year, KFD will begin implementation

[1:15:41] of their updated strategic plan. The work towards improved data

[1:15:47] tracking and reporting across all departments continue to strengthen innovation

[1:15:52] and partnership with organizations working on wildfire detection and response

[1:15:57] and expand the fire smart neighborhood program. With 26 additional

[1:16:03] neighborhoods in the community. Looking at performance measures. Performance measure

[1:16:09] number one is fire inspections, which are completed both by

[1:16:12] the fire. Prevention Branch, dedicated employees as well as our

[1:16:16] on duty firefighters. Between these groups, our target is to

[1:16:20] complete 5200 inspections a year based on building ris. Risk

[1:16:26] levels. Performance measure number two is our dispatch center call

[1:16:30] response time, which is currently meeting our target of answering

[1:16:34] with 90% within 10 seconds. Number three is effective response

[1:16:40] time and effective response force, both of which are showing

[1:16:44] some gains over the past few years based on council

[1:16:47] investment and continuous improvement initiatives by the department. Effective response

[1:16:53] time refers to how quickly the fire department first apparatus

[1:16:58] arrives on scene. While effective response force measures our ability

[1:17:03] to quickly assemble three engines in one commander, a total

[1:17:06] of 13 staff to a structure fire. Currently, the target

[1:17:11] for response time is to arrive within nine minutes, 90%

[1:17:15] of the time for all types of emergencies and a

[1:17:18] target for effective response. Force will be set through council

[1:17:22] workshops in the coming year. Two other measures that we're

[1:17:26] following are suppression calls per population where Clona is slightly

[1:17:30] above the average compared to five comparable BC communities and

[1:17:35] firefighters on duty per population, where we're below average, but

[1:17:40] also have seen some improvements with the investments made by

[1:17:43] council. To get that additional squad in our downtown hall.

[1:17:50] Recently. And that concludes my comments. And over to Ms.

[1:17:53] Ante. So fire safety. As a budget of $78.4 million

[1:18:01] and is operated under five different cost centers. The funding

[1:18:07] for the service area is predominantly property taxes and transfers

[1:18:12] from reserves, but also includes some grant funding, fees and

[1:18:15] charges and other revenues. The 2025 revised budget. Is

[1:18:24] $42,324,000. After annulating previously approved budget request, we're starting 2026

[1:18:32] at 36,530 6,560,000. To maintain current service levels, an additional

[1:18:42] $37,000,475 is requested and enhancements of $4,335,000 are also requested.

[1:18:53] This area. Has three operating requests starting on page 125,

[1:18:59] and also one request for operating and maintenance impacts from

[1:19:04] capital. The first request is fire safety enhancement. This includes

[1:19:10] four firefighters and incidental cost. This request is in 2026,

[1:19:16] $368,000 and will increase to a full annualized cost of

[1:19:21] 537,000 ongoing and it is recommended funded from the public

[1:19:26] safety levy. Second request is for KFD fleet repair costs.

[1:19:31] This is $180,000 ongoing, funded from taxation. And then the

[1:19:37] KFD service support enhancement of 54,000 in 2026, increasing to

[1:19:44] $107,000 ongoing, funded from taxation. The operating. And maintenance impacts

[1:19:54] from the capital program is $415,000 in 2026, increasing to

[1:20:00] 492,000 in 2027. Ongoing funded from taxation. The capital program

[1:20:08] for 2026 is in full alignment with. The ten year

[1:20:13] council approved tenure capital plan. Is there any priority one

[1:20:17] request that council would like? To discuss. We have questions.

[1:20:22] Councilor Singh, please. Discuss. My question to Mr. Leatherdale is

[1:20:32] you said in your presentation, we are below. The national

[1:20:37] average for five others. In comparison to the population, I

[1:20:42] do believe we have approximately 130 to 135 fighters full

[1:20:48] time. Five fighters for a population of 165,000. That's sort

[1:20:54] of way under. The national standard set. For community safety.

[1:21:04] And I'm just wondering, the four firefighters we had agreed

[1:21:07] to in the public safety levy. Some time ago. That

[1:21:12] additional two firefighters. Wouldn't. That still put us under the.

[1:21:18] National standard. So, if so, my question really is, why

[1:21:22] is that priority too? Shouldn't that have been priority one.

[1:21:27] You were. Maybe for clarification. The performance measure that we're

[1:21:32] following is. Following. Comparable communities. Within BC. There are NFPA

[1:21:40] standards out there which are essentially an agreement of fire

[1:21:44] personnel. About ideas around North America where a variety of

[1:21:48] elements should. Be. We are under the average for the

[1:21:53] five comparable communities in BC. I will mention we do

[1:21:59] have targets to increase that over the span of a

[1:22:03] few years. All communities are quite different as well. You

[1:22:08] wish, but I'd see if we could start that item.

[1:22:13] For now. And open it for discussion towards the end,

[1:22:18] because in the summertime we are like a tinderbox. And

[1:22:23] I think there's a method to my madness. But I

[1:22:27] think at the end of the day, it's worthy of

[1:22:30] a discussion if we could start that and revisit it.

[1:22:33] It is starred. Thank you, your worship. We will need.

[1:22:36] A council resolution to do that. So if you want

[1:22:40] to accept councilor Singh as moving that we will need

[1:22:43] a second. All in favor? So we're starring basically priority

[1:22:49] two with regards to the number of recommended that is

[1:22:53] in the budget with respect to the advancement. Of. The

[1:22:59] fire department to a higher level. You worship. Just for

[1:23:02] clarification, just to be very specific, the motion would be

[1:23:05] that council. Star the firefighters two. So for two additional

[1:23:09] firefighters, item on page 130 for further discussion later in

[1:23:12] the meeting. Thank you. So this was moved by councilor

[1:23:16] Singh, seconded by councilor Woolridge. All in favor? Opposed. So,

[1:23:24] basically. It was. Stock. Weber and myself and everyone else

[1:23:32] in favor. Just to start, this is starring. So it

[1:23:36] is starred. Thank you for that, Councilor Singh. Councilor Wolverich,

[1:23:43] please. Thanks for worship and happy. To start that for

[1:23:46] further discussion at the end of the day, just to

[1:23:47] keep the day moving. Stu, just for clarity, as part

[1:23:52] of the 2025 strategic plan, From the fire department. Can

[1:23:56] you remind me? There was a ten year capital and

[1:23:58] staffing forecast. Associated with that plan. Originally. It would be

[1:24:06] helpful to know, as we discussed, the priority too that's

[1:24:09] been raised. How we're doing in terms of keeping up

[1:24:12] over that ten year staffing plan. Do you know if

[1:24:15] we'll have that? Yeah. Your workshop in the strategic plan.

[1:24:22] It identified the need to establish a service level. To

[1:24:26] come back to a council workshop and talk about. The

[1:24:31] response times and the effective response force and the related

[1:24:35] costs of changes to those service levels. So there is

[1:24:38] not a ten year stopping plan in that it's subject

[1:24:41] to the next. Review. Okay. And then was that part

[1:24:44] of the 2026 workshop that you mentioned early on in?

[1:24:49] Your preamble, correct? Yes. Okay, so the strat time was

[1:24:52] completed, and the next piece of work, the strap plan

[1:24:57] outlines. Many different factors of services by the fire department.

[1:25:01] The next piece of work is to determine. Where that

[1:25:05] service level will be at in response time, which will

[1:25:08] feed the staffing plan. Okay. That'll be really helpful to

[1:25:11] know as we debate that item. Thank you. Thank you,

[1:25:13] councilor. Cannon, please. Thank you, worship. Thanks. Mr. Loved. Just

[1:25:16] a question. Key performance measure number one, fire. And life

[1:25:20] safety inspections. I know the fire safety act was changed.

[1:25:25] A year and a half ago, August of 2004. And

[1:25:29] there's some different ways. Of enforcing. The whole risk compliance,

[1:25:34] but I'm just wondering. Your forecast, it's almost a 50%.

[1:25:37] Increase for number inspections anticipated next year versus over this

[1:25:41] year. It's been pretty level for the last year and

[1:25:46] a half, but this is going up. 50%. Yes, your

[1:25:49] worship. The number one driver behind the increase is we

[1:25:56] did suffer from some staffing issues. Due to unexpected medical

[1:26:01] absences this year. That's great. No, it's good to see

[1:26:04] that. Thank you. Hope they're better. And they're all coming

[1:26:07] back. That'll help the safety. Of our community. Thanks. Council

[1:26:11] stack, please. Steve, when we're looking at the addition or

[1:26:15] the new Glenmore. Fire hall and training center. We'll be

[1:26:23] closing the existing one, and then those staff will move

[1:26:25] to the new one. Is that correct? That's correct. And

[1:26:28] in the new one, is there an expanded number of

[1:26:30] staff anticipated for that. And does the current plan. Staff

[1:26:35] up for those, if required. Your worship. It'll be a

[1:26:39] lift and shift. It'll be the same number of staff.

[1:26:42] However, the new Glenmore Protective Services campus is being built

[1:26:47] on a much longer timeline and will have the ability

[1:26:50] to expand at some point in the future, but initially.

[1:26:54] It's the same staffing compliment. Okay, so under the current.

[1:26:59] Request and not talking about the priority too. But under

[1:27:01] the current plan, we will have the appropriate level of

[1:27:04] staff built for that at the time of its opening

[1:27:07] and for our overall department, correct? Thank you. Thank you.

[1:27:12] Fire services has two priority two requests. The first one

[1:27:17] of the two additional firefighters has been start for further

[1:27:20] discussion later in the day. And there is one other

[1:27:22] one for the KFD. Officer development training of $50,000 ongoing,

[1:27:27] funded from taxation. Would council like to discuss the second

[1:27:33] item? Seeing none. All right. We will thank Mr. Leatherdale.

[1:27:39] And next, welcome the general manager. 1 second, please. Just

[1:27:46] to Chief Seymour and Deputy Chief Watson, thank you for

[1:27:48] being here and thank you for the work you do

[1:27:50] within the community. Obviously, the controlled burns that you've initiated

[1:27:54] throughout the community. And the work that you've done. Has

[1:27:58] been extremely, extremely grateful. So thank you for both being

[1:28:00] here, and thank you on behalf of all of us,

[1:28:02] to all your team, for the work that you do

[1:28:04] throughout the community, very much. Appreciate it. Council, we are

[1:28:06] going to take a five minute break, please. Thank you.

[1:42:13] Thank you. Just want to look at calling this meeting

[1:42:21] back to order. Thank you. I'm just going to get

[1:42:26] the city clerk to start it. Just waiting a little

[1:42:30] extra minute there. Thanks, Melanie. Thank you very much. City

[1:42:32] clerk, please. Thank your worship. We are. Now moving to

[1:42:36] item seven on the agenda. And this is the wastewater.

[1:42:44] Utility service area. Thank you. Thank you. So as the

[1:42:49] city clerk just mentioned, we are moving into wastewater utility.

[1:42:52] This is on page 131. Of your budget volume. And

[1:42:57] we will welcome the general manager of infrastructure, Mr. Mac

[1:43:00] Logan, to present. Welcome, Mr. Logan. Thank you, your worship.

[1:43:04] It's my pleasure to walk council through the multiple services

[1:43:08] that the. City of colonial provides in these essential services

[1:43:13] that maintain the high quality of life that we enjoy.

[1:43:16] And depend on in this wonderful city. I'm supported here

[1:43:19] today by Kevin Van Bleet. Our manager of utility services,

[1:43:23] along with his individual service area managers. The wastewater utility

[1:43:29] had a number of key accomplishments in 2025. Council can

[1:43:35] read. So I won't read all of these, but I'll

[1:43:37] highlight what they mean to us with respect to service

[1:43:40] provision and budget. We have completed a comprehensive condition assessment

[1:43:44] of the wastewater treatment plant, which we will use to

[1:43:48] build our renewal and upgrading plans on a goforward basis

[1:43:52] to make sure that this critical facility continues to operate

[1:43:55] efficiently and reliably for years to come. This year also

[1:43:59] saw the completion of a three year program. To provide

[1:44:02] a sewer connection to 600 existing homes in the Rutland

[1:44:06] neighborhood, a project that helps owners with aging septic systems

[1:44:11] not have to worry about replacing those systems, as well

[1:44:13] as supporting the urban renewal within this neighborhood. In 2025,

[1:44:19] we finished a project with the District of Lake country

[1:44:22] to treat the affluent. Coming from their plant through the

[1:44:26] city of Colonos system before its return to Lake Okanagan.

[1:44:30] And finally, I'd like to highlight. The completion in 2025

[1:44:34] of the water security plan, which encompasses all aspects of

[1:44:38] our community's. Use of water and outlines our goals and

[1:44:41] objectives to protect the system over the long term. Switching

[1:44:46] to our continuous improvement and looking forward. The public service

[1:44:50] can never rest on its accomplishments and we continue to

[1:44:53] refine and improve the services we deliver. I mentioned the

[1:44:56] wastewater treatment plant assessment we now have moved out. We've

[1:45:00] now moved forward to modeling our future demands and working

[1:45:03] out how we can meet. The growth and changing affluent

[1:45:08] characteristics to ensure that we protect Lake Okinawgan when we

[1:45:12] discharge our treated water into it. Our sanitary lift station

[1:45:16] program continues with next year's highlight being the completion of

[1:45:19] the water. Street lift station. This positions the city for

[1:45:23] the growth in the north downtown area, including the redevelopment

[1:45:26] of the Tolco site. You will see in our capital

[1:45:29] budget that the RV Sandy dump request that council put

[1:45:32] forward has been included in our capital budget plan as

[1:45:35] well. We continue to renew aging sewers in residential and

[1:45:40] commercial areas and in certain locations we are combining these

[1:45:43] with street upgrades. A final highlight is the work that

[1:45:47] the wastewater team is putting forward to reduce the inevitable

[1:45:51] odors that our facilities unfortunately generate, especially as more and

[1:45:55] more development pops up around them. Our wastewater performance metrics

[1:46:01] assess a number of things. First, How much available. Capacity

[1:46:06] does our plant have? That's performance metric one. That's what

[1:46:09] it's telling us? Secondly, are we replacing enough of our

[1:46:13] pipe network to maintain the reliability and minimize breaks? This

[1:46:17] is an area that we have advised council that our

[1:46:19] spending needs to be increased and our capital plan reflects

[1:46:22] this. Third, we're providing the essential services. This essential services

[1:46:28] at a cost that families can afford. You will see

[1:46:32] in the lower left on performance metric three that our

[1:46:34] costs have been increasing gradually. Over time. But when you

[1:46:37] look at performance metric four, it's clear that we're providing

[1:46:40] this service at the lowest cost of a city within

[1:46:44] the Okanagan and amongst the lowest across the province. I

[1:46:49] will now pass the presentation back to the financial planning

[1:46:52] manager. Thank you. The wastewater utilities operating expenditure budget is

[1:46:58] $65.9 million for 2026. The utility is operated under several

[1:47:06] different cost centers. The funding strategy for this service area

[1:47:12] is predominantly transfers from reserves and fees and charges the

[1:47:16] majority of funding in the reserves actually is from future

[1:47:20] year or previous years. Fees and charges there are also

[1:47:24] some other revenues. The 2025 revised budget.

[1:47:34] It was $63 million 115,000 after annualizing previously approved budget

[1:47:42] requests, the utility is starting 2026 at 18 million. Dollars.

[1:47:48] To maintain current service levels, an additional 44,600,000 is being

[1:47:54] requested, and to enhance service levels. An additional 3,250,000 is

[1:47:59] being requested. This utility has three operating requests starting on

[1:48:08] page 140. The first request for network roadway Worksafe

[1:48:17] requirements is $120,000 ongoing, funded from the utility. Second is

[1:48:23] the sanitary and stormwater network integrity programs, at $150,000 funded

[1:48:29] from utility. And the third being the wastewater collection operations.

[1:48:34] Additional expenses due to growth at 132,000 in 2026, increasing

[1:48:40] to 168,000 ongoing. The capital program in the wastewater utility

[1:48:46] is in full alignment. With the council adopted ten year

[1:48:51] capital plan. Does council have any priority one request? They

[1:48:56] would like to discuss. Thank you. Seeing none. Then we

[1:49:04] will move into stormwater and flood protection starting on page

[1:49:08] 146 of your budget volume. Councilor Cannon. Your light was

[1:49:18] not on when I looked at it. You have a

[1:49:21] question on? I wasn't. Sure she's going through each one,

[1:49:23] but two quick ones on the hall road area. Contact

[1:49:27] by some people that are wondering. Looking at sewer connection

[1:49:31] areas. So that's just the connections that would be eligible

[1:49:36] because of. The mission Creek landing expansion. It wouldn't be.

[1:49:40] Additional homes and other parts of the road network in

[1:49:43] that neighborhood, is that correct? Good morning, Kevin. Thank you

[1:49:47] very much. Utility sewer connection areas. I believe it's the

[1:49:57] sewer connection area is on page 144. Thank you. Yes,

[1:50:01] the wastewater connection, the sewer connection area program. Has a

[1:50:06] prioritized list. Hall road is on that list, but it

[1:50:08] is. Down quite a ways. So. The focus this year

[1:50:16] is primarily as it relates to Hall Road is getting

[1:50:19] the sewer pipe that tied into. The seniors facility there

[1:50:25] across Mission Creek. That's why I thought. Okay, thanks. And

[1:50:29] as far as the recreation vehicle, the RB standing disposable

[1:50:33] facility. Do you have a specific location in mind? Yes,

[1:50:38] your worship. Thank you. Council did request that we look

[1:50:41] at a sandy dump facility and ask for us to

[1:50:45] put that in budget for consideration this year. Staff looked

[1:50:48] at twelve locations that were owned and operated by the

[1:50:52] city that we had control over. We also did hear

[1:50:55] from a couple of private property owners that could be

[1:50:58] interested in hosting one. I personally talked to two properties

[1:51:02] and gave them some feedback so have not yet heard

[1:51:05] back. If they are still interested. This budget would fund

[1:51:10] a site on Crowley at the north side of our

[1:51:13] branch Creek wastewater treatment. Plant. We also, the second best

[1:51:17] site that we have would be on Joe Rich Road,

[1:51:20] but the budget proposed here would not be able to

[1:51:22] fund that. We chose sites that we already own the

[1:51:26] land. Because if we have to purchase land for sandy

[1:51:29] dump, there's no way it would be economical. Thanks, Ann.

[1:51:32] I've been in contact with those two. Private individuals are

[1:51:35] still interested. Thank you. Thank you. Seeing. No further questions.

[1:51:42] Then we will now move into the stormwater and flood

[1:51:45] protection. Service area on page 146. Thank your

[1:51:54] worship. Now, like to highlight some of the key accomplishments

[1:51:57] from stormwater and flood protection. Team in 2025. We have

[1:52:01] completed a plan for the central area stormwater basin. This

[1:52:05] plan enables the city to plan for our growth while

[1:52:09] ensuring that the stormwater runoff from new impervious areas. Can

[1:52:14] be safely managed to avoid flooding and excessive impacts to

[1:52:17] the quality of our streams in lake the team has

[1:52:21] also completed the assessment condition assessment of 103 storm ponds

[1:52:25] without our system. So. I thought council might be surprised

[1:52:29] to see that number. How many storm ponds we have.

[1:52:33] These inventory and condition assessments provide an overall picture of

[1:52:36] the state of our infrastructure, and we use this to

[1:52:39] develop a dashboard for the system and inform our capital

[1:52:42] renewal plans during 2025. Work was also undertaken on 15

[1:52:46] stormwater projects, summer construction. But many are at the design

[1:52:50] phase with construction plan for. 2026. Next year, the stormwater

[1:52:57] team will be moving forward with the condition assessment and

[1:52:59] inventory work to develop programs to efficiently invest in dams,

[1:53:03] ponds, pipes, and culverts that best address. Our community's needs,

[1:53:09] and we plan to reestablish the stormwater gauge program. Which

[1:53:13] was shut down a number of years ago. And finally,

[1:53:16] we will be studying the street sweeping program's impact on

[1:53:19] stormwater quality to better understand how we can efficiently and

[1:53:22] effectively protect lake coconagin by collecting the material before it

[1:53:26] enters the storm sewer, and that's sand and the chlorides

[1:53:30] that come. With our winter road maintenance. Looking at the

[1:53:35] performance metrics in the stormwater area, the first performance measure

[1:53:39] is the quality of the water in the creeks that

[1:53:41] feed Lake Okanagan. We are forecasting this performance. Measure to

[1:53:46] remain constant. Next is the measure of the wastewater performance.

[1:53:50] That is the percentage of the existing system that we're

[1:53:54] replacing on. An annual basis. Our target is 1.33%, which

[1:53:59] represents an average lifespan of 75 years for the stormwater.

[1:54:02] Asset the following capital plan. In today's budget improves on

[1:54:07] recent years as we see the need to increase the

[1:54:10] investment. In this asset renewal program. Performance measure three simply

[1:54:14] reports on how well we are delivering on servicing all

[1:54:17] of our catch basements. To avoid local area flooding and

[1:54:21] to remove debris from these pipe before it reaches the

[1:54:24] lakes. The final metric is how well are we doing

[1:54:26] at servicing all of the non catch basement assets in

[1:54:30] the network. You can see from both performance metric three

[1:54:33] and four the recent arrival of a new VAC truck

[1:54:35] is delivering improvements towards our service level targets, and we

[1:54:38] have an additional unit. Coming online soon. I would now

[1:54:42] like to hand the presentation back to the financial planning

[1:54:45] manager. Thank you. The stormwater and flood protection service area

[1:54:51] has. A service area expenditure budget of $14.9 million and

[1:54:58] it is operated under four cost centers. Funding for. This

[1:55:04] service area is predominantly from transfers from reserves and property

[1:55:08] taxes, with additional funding from grants and other revenues. 2025

[1:55:14] revised budget is 15,254,000. And after annualization of previously approved

[1:55:22] budget requests, the service area is starting the year at

[1:55:26] a budget of 2,967,000. To maintain current service levels. The

[1:55:33] service areas requesting $6,046,000 and to enhance service levels. It

[1:55:39] is requesting $5,931,000. The service area has one priority one

[1:55:48] operating request found on page 154. For utility infrastructure planning.

[1:55:56] This request is $87,000 in 2026, increasing to $170,000 ongoing.

[1:56:05] And. Is funded. 25% from the water utility, the wastewater

[1:56:11] utility, solid waste and stormwater. With stormwater being the taxation

[1:56:17] portion. The capital program for this service area is in

[1:56:22] complete alignment with the council adopted ten year capital plan.

[1:56:26] Is there any request that council would like to discuss

[1:56:28] further? Council, Dehart. Thank you, worship. Mac, I just wanted

[1:56:37] to ask you, and I don't. Remember. And maybe I

[1:56:39] shouldn't remember. But you said you're going to reinstate. The

[1:56:42] stormwater gauge program. Why? And when was that shut down?

[1:56:46] And now? We're going to reinstate it. Can you just

[1:56:49] talk about that a little bit, councilor? Dehart through the

[1:56:52] chair. I think Mr. Van Blee is best able to

[1:56:54] answer that. Thank you, worship. At one time, we had

[1:56:59] quite a number of rankages on our SCaDA system. That

[1:57:04] due to costs as well as some internal transfers, we

[1:57:07] reduced some of those. We still have some rain gauges

[1:57:11] and the mention there is really that we are trying

[1:57:13] to within our existing. Funding start to reestablish them because

[1:57:18] they provide excellent data for us to help drive. Data.

[1:57:23] Good data driven decisions. But we're not asking for additional

[1:57:26] funding at this time, okay? Good. Because I think that's

[1:57:30] quite important. I think. In stormwater and flood protection. I

[1:57:35] would say that is quite important to have that data.

[1:57:39] Yes, you, worship. It is important. And that is something

[1:57:42] that you're looking at improving over. Time. Thank you, Councilor

[1:57:46] Lovegrove. Please. Yeah, thanks to worship. Actually, I fully support

[1:57:49] the proposed. Budget items. I just have a question. On

[1:57:53] the 2025 key accomplishments, and I appreciate. The infrastructure manager

[1:57:59] highlighted the Stormwater Pond Asset renewal program study that was

[1:58:02] done. I'm just wondering. You say that to better understand

[1:58:06] our stormwater management ponds. From a risk based asset management

[1:58:11] and GIS lens. Was there also a climate lens applied

[1:58:14] there? I mean, ponds are also looked at as potentially

[1:58:18] wetlands. Given our climate change that we're experiencing, was that

[1:58:23] looked at or will that be looked at at some

[1:58:25] point. Yes, your worship. Climate change is impacting the amount

[1:58:29] of stormwater that we receive, and so. We are looking

[1:58:33] at all of our stormwater infrastructure from that lens that

[1:58:37] the amount of rainfall we're getting in the summer and

[1:58:39] in the winter is changing, increasing generally in the winter.

[1:58:43] And that is part of all of our stormwater management

[1:58:46] is that. The new paradigm that we can anticipate. Thank

[1:58:50] you. So you're going to need more. Last, is there

[1:58:53] a recommendation on that study? That we can look at

[1:58:55] at some point, or is it being represented? And I

[1:58:57] just forgot about. It. I apologize if I did. It

[1:59:01] has not yet been presented. We're still in the process

[1:59:03] of evaluating the assets. Their condition. Part of it is

[1:59:07] lifecycle. How do we renew a storm pond? Over time,

[1:59:12] storm ponds will fill up with debris and silt. Et

[1:59:15] cetera. And how do we manage them, especially if they've

[1:59:17] become a wetland? And there's critters living in them, et

[1:59:19] cetera. So. We're at the early stages of that program,

[1:59:23] and we have not reported any details back. To council

[1:59:26] yet. Okay. I really appreciate that answer. Thank you, worship.

[1:59:29] Council Cannon, please. Thank you, worship. Okanagan Basin waterboard. We

[1:59:33] just had a five hour strategic plan, and it was

[1:59:34] a big issue as far as. Performance measurement number one,

[1:59:38] protect the Oakland and lake by minimizing the contaminants. In

[1:59:41] the creek so that protecting the watershed so. I really

[1:59:46] see appreciate the efforts you're doing. To minimize the impact,

[1:59:50] whether it's through development or climate change. My question is

[1:59:53] on page 155. The flood Protection Mill Creek budget is

[1:59:57] requested to continue the seven year program. So what year

[2:00:01] are we into the seven year program? Thank you. Councilor

[2:00:05] Hodge, please. I know the answer is in here somewhere,

[2:00:13] but I look far enough. I think that's the adventure.

[2:00:17] Look at the numbers. Measure number one. The grid that

[2:00:25] shows the protection leak by minimizing contaminants. And the torque

[2:00:31] and. Most of the time in the 30s, which is

[2:00:35] fair. But in 2014, we're down to 22, which is

[2:00:40] pretty good. Why is that number there amongst all the

[2:00:44] lower number that are rail? You worship a lot of

[2:00:49] this. This is a performance measure that we've made in

[2:00:52] house. Taking data from nine different creeks. Three different aspects.

[2:00:59] And my technical expert is not here. He's somewhere in

[2:01:03] the United States. But I can. Assure you that it's

[2:01:06] very likely just a data driven the quantity quantity of

[2:01:10] data that we had at that time. It says, judge.

[2:01:13] A dramatic shift from all the other ones on the

[2:01:15] chart. Maybe it's a flunder, but. There's no particular. Yeah,

[2:01:20] I suspect that's more of a data anomaly at this

[2:01:23] time, but I can really. Look back. I guess I

[2:01:26] have a habit of finding anomalies. There we are. All

[2:01:29] right. Thank you. Melanie, please. Thank you, your

[2:01:38] worship. We will now move into the water utility and

[2:01:42] I will pass it back. To Mr. Logan. Thank you,

[2:01:46] Mel. Looking at this year's accomplishments in the water utility,

[2:01:50] I would like to reiterate the completion of the water

[2:01:53] security plan. And say a particular thank you to Rod

[2:01:57] McLean. Council has seen us refer to this program during

[2:02:01] our various presentations, and it represents a foundational document to

[2:02:05] preserve and protect this most important of natural assets. In

[2:02:10] 2025, the team from the Glen irrigation. District began their

[2:02:16] transition to become part of our utility, and I'm happy

[2:02:19] to stay with no impact to customers and. Excellent staff

[2:02:23] retention. Out of the public eye. Our team has also

[2:02:27] been improving the. Quality of water treatment at the El

[2:02:31] Dorado and McKinley water supply points. With the introduction of

[2:02:36] sodium hypochloride treatments of the supply, which reduces the risk

[2:02:40] to our staff, the environment and the public, and in

[2:02:44] numerous locations around Kelowna, we've been upgrading and renewing the

[2:02:47] city Ngid water networks, including along Glamor Road north, which

[2:02:52] we have just wrapped up for the year and are

[2:02:54] about to start next. Year's program. Looking at how we're

[2:02:58] improving the quality and reliability of our network. We've applied

[2:03:03] more advanced computer analysis of our water network to identify

[2:03:07] the optimal locations and frequency for system flushing. We've been

[2:03:12] incorporating Giid into our city water utility, which also means

[2:03:16] integrating our systems. And developing tools for Gid that inform

[2:03:22] their maintenance programs. We were successful in receiving a small

[2:03:26] grant of 25,000 to develop a new asset. Assessment for

[2:03:30] the GID system. Finally, council, I would like to highlight

[2:03:34] the ongoing program to replace and upgrade critical water supply

[2:03:38] mains in 2026, the program will focus its investment on

[2:03:42] the pipe that links the McKinley reservoir. To other areas

[2:03:45] of the network, as well as continuing to replace water

[2:03:48] pipelines along the glamour road. Looking at the performance metrics

[2:03:53] in the water utility. The water utility does a great

[2:03:58] deal of testing and monitoring, and as a result, we

[2:04:00] have no problem demonstrating our performance to colonial citizens. Please

[2:04:05] note that we have updated several of these performance metrics

[2:04:08] to include the Gid system. Performance measure number one demonstrates

[2:04:14] that water quality almost always meets water guidelines with limited

[2:04:17] quality warnings for a variety of reasons, such as turbidity.

[2:04:21] Performance metric two demonstrates that we continue to produce our

[2:04:26] targeted water supply, and I also find it interesting that

[2:04:29] if you look at the five years on this report,

[2:04:32] we've maintained a fairly continuous amount of consumption, even while

[2:04:36] our population has been growing. Performance metric three shows water

[2:04:41] main brakes, and that is important is that it inflicts

[2:04:44] a supply disruption on customers. And while Gid is commendably

[2:04:49] low, We do see a number that the city would

[2:04:52] hope to increase with or would hope to improve. On

[2:04:55] with our increased investment. In replacement. Performance metric four and

[2:05:01] five. Repeat our observation that the current level of renewal

[2:05:05] spending is below the recommended long term goals, so we're

[2:05:07] gradually improving that and performance metrics. Six demonstrates that. Kelowna's

[2:05:13] water utilities, delivering safe and reliable supply of both drinking

[2:05:17] and non potable water at one of the lowest rates

[2:05:20] within british. Columbia. And now we'll pass it back to

[2:05:22] the financial planning manager. The water utility has an operating,

[2:05:28] sorry, an expenditure budget of $93.9 million and is operated

[2:05:33] under several different cost centers. Funding for this utility is

[2:05:40] predominantly from reserve funding, fees and charges, and borrowing. With

[2:05:44] the addition of some other revenues and grants. The 2025

[2:05:50] revised budget for the utility is 52,164,000. After annualizing previously

[2:05:57] approved budget request. The utility will start the 2026 year

[2:06:02] with a budget of 25,484,000. To maintain current service levels,

[2:06:10] an additional 65,970,000 is requested. And to enhance service levels.

[2:06:16] An additional 2,412,000 is requested. This service area has three

[2:06:23] priority one operating request, and they start on page 166

[2:06:28] of your budget. Volume. The first is the dam safety

[2:06:32] program. It starts at 72,000 in 2026, increasing to 140,000

[2:06:39] ongoing. Next is the network road safety. Requirements at $60,000

[2:06:46] ongoing and the third being water operations at 77,000 in

[2:06:50] 2026 increasing 247,000 ongoing. The water utility capital program for

[2:07:00] 2026 is mostly in alignment with the ten year Capital

[2:07:04] Plan with the exception of the codable water Network Growth

[2:07:09] and renewal program, Where we have included in the last

[2:07:17] budget amendment report. An advancement of $1.5 million in the

[2:07:23] water meter replacement program and the deferral of 300,000 for

[2:07:27] the potable PRV renewal program. Is there any request that

[2:07:32] council would like to discuss further? Council. Weber. Weber, please.

[2:07:38] I see that we're going to be spending a lot

[2:07:40] of money in the next few years. As you mentioned,

[2:07:42] the capital in the capital request potable water network growth

[2:07:45] and renewal and water treatment, growth and renewal. 22. $23

[2:07:50] million. This coming year and then more to come, and

[2:07:54] it's coming from reserve, various reserves, and borrowing. I'm just

[2:07:58] curious how that comes to be. As opposed to there's

[2:08:01] nothing. Listed for taxation. Thank you, your worship. As this

[2:08:07] is the water utility, it is operated as a self

[2:08:10] funded area using utility fees and charges to fund this

[2:08:14] as opposed to property taxation. So I guess the question

[2:08:18] is, when you're borrowing money, is that a cost that

[2:08:20] would be prevented if you were doing it some other

[2:08:22] way. Thank you, your worship. At the time of borrowing,

[2:08:26] we will look at the different options that we have

[2:08:29] for borrowing. We could borrow city funding and funded ourselves

[2:08:35] internally. Or we will look at MFA funding and then

[2:08:38] return to council to ask for approval on borrowing that

[2:08:40] way. Thank you. We're just going to go to Mr.

[2:08:46] Sas, please. Thank you, worship. It's a good question. The

[2:08:50] utilities are actually one of the areas because. We build

[2:08:53] such long range, large infrastructure that really lend itself well

[2:08:56] to. Debt financing, as opposed to raising rates today to

[2:09:04] fund that significant infrastructure. It's also important to note that

[2:09:07] these are not taxation funded areas and so they don't

[2:09:11] hit things like our tax supported debt service ratios and

[2:09:14] things like that. So it's actually a very opportune place

[2:09:17] to utilize debt to be able to facilitate the investment

[2:09:20] in infrastructure. Requ. Required. Thank you. And we've learned from

[2:09:24] Mr. Sass that we're bringing in. More money on our

[2:09:26] investments and having money in the bank than it costs

[2:09:28] us to borrow money. So it's only more efficient. It's

[2:09:32] not like I was sitting here going, let's put it

[2:09:33] on the tax bill. That wasn't my point of my

[2:09:35] question. Seeing. No further questions. Thank you. Thank you. We

[2:09:41] will next move into solid waste in landfill. This starts

[2:09:45] on page 172 of your budget volume. Thank your worship,

[2:09:52] and it's my pleasure. To round out the utilities with

[2:09:56] our solid waste management line of service, and I often

[2:10:00] tell citizens that. Ask me what I do. Say I

[2:10:04] make sure when you turn on your top, you've got

[2:10:05] drinking water. When you flush your toilet, it goes away

[2:10:08] somewhere and gets properly treated, and we come and collect

[2:10:10] your garbage. Once a week. So I consider these the

[2:10:13] fundamental services that we often take for granted, but. The

[2:10:18] city does seamlessly and very cost effectively. In 2025, the

[2:10:23] Glenmore landfill area three. Liner was completed and began to

[2:10:27] accept waste. This was a major capital project and was

[2:10:31] completed without disrupting the operation of the landfill. The result

[2:10:35] is a significant increase in the capacity of the site

[2:10:38] to accept waste from our growing region. And speaking of

[2:10:42] the region, working with RDCO, we supported the evaluation. Of

[2:10:46] further organics waste diversion. While we did not ultimately implement

[2:10:50] a full program at this time, we did learn a

[2:10:53] great deal about the region's organic waste production and the

[2:10:56] options to divert that reusable material from the landfill. And

[2:11:00] I would like to highlight that we've begun the construction

[2:11:03] of a diversion of the stormwater in the Glenmore valley

[2:11:06] around the. Landfill. And what that does is maintains the

[2:11:09] quality of the water. Entering Brance Creek and traveling through

[2:11:12] Kelowna towards the lake. And finally. Our ongoing fleet modernization,

[2:11:17] the reduction of climate impacts. We have now have our

[2:11:20] first fully electric front. End loader in service at the

[2:11:23] landfill. Looking at our continuous improvement measures in 2026, the

[2:11:30] solid waste team will continue our work on a system

[2:11:32] to pretreat the fluids that leach out from the landfill

[2:11:35] before they entered the wastewater collection and treatment system. This

[2:11:40] helps protect and maintain. The performance at the water treatment

[2:11:44] plant. We're beginning the crushing of waste concrete and asphalt

[2:11:50] to generate a renewable aggregate for new concrete in Asheville,

[2:11:53] and that's a really effective way to put that material

[2:11:56] back on. The street and keep it out of the

[2:11:58] landfill. It's also, I would highlight found that it's a

[2:12:02] dimensionally stable material and you can use it in wet

[2:12:05] conditions and get back to construction more quickly. We're implementing

[2:12:10] an online booking system so that contractors dropping off drywall

[2:12:14] can do so. At a scheduled time. And drywall is

[2:12:16] something we definitely want to keep out of the landfill.

[2:12:18] It produces. Some. Undesirable byproducts. And finally, we are continuing

[2:12:25] to gradually electify our operation, with next year's focus being

[2:12:29] removing the diesel power from our composting equipment. Solid waste.

[2:12:34] Performance measures cover a variety of ways. We assess how

[2:12:37] well we are serving the city. Performance metrics number one

[2:12:41] and two monitor how well our societal programs are at

[2:12:44] reducing waste and diverting waste. You can see that in

[2:12:49] post Covid waste generation is stable. Perhaps an area we

[2:12:53] continue to seek community improvement. Performance metric three demonstrates that

[2:12:57] we are capturing and using an increasing amount of landfill

[2:13:01] gases. Performance metric four demonstrates that organic waste generation is

[2:13:07] also relatively stable relative to the household waste collection so

[2:13:12] even though our population is increasing, That is staying stable,

[2:13:16] which may reflect that we have higher intensification abuse on

[2:13:19] a given lot. And now I'd like to hand the

[2:13:22] presentation back to the financial planning manager. So these solid

[2:13:26] waste in landfill service area has an expenditure budget of

[2:13:30] $38.9 million. And is operated under three cost centers.

[2:13:40] Funding. For this service area is predominantly fees and charges

[2:13:45] and transfers from reserves. The 2025 revised budget was $43,260,000.

[2:13:56] After annualizing previously approved requests, we will start 2026 at

[2:14:00] a budget of 27,970,000. To maintain current service levels and

[2:14:07] additional 10,085,000 is being requested and to enhance service levels.

[2:14:12] $850,000. This service area has two priority one operating requests

[2:14:20] that are on page 181, first one being landfill emissions

[2:14:25] monitoring at 110,000 ongoing and the second being. Landfill operations

[2:14:32] for 133,000 in 2026, increasing to 137,000 ongoing. The 2026

[2:14:42] Capital Plan for this service area is in 100% compliance

[2:14:46] or alignment with the council approved ten year capital plan.

[2:14:50] Are there any individual requests that council would like to

[2:14:52] discuss further? Seeing none. Thank you. Thank you. We will

[2:15:00] next move to the transportation service area. Starting on page

[2:15:04] 184 of your budget volume. Thank you, worship. Continuing with

[2:15:10] the infrastructure division, we're now at transportation. I may tell

[2:15:16] them about water, sewer and garbage. They usually ask me

[2:15:18] about transportation. As council is well aware, our ability to

[2:15:22] move people around Cologne is easily one of the top

[2:15:25] concerns of residents, businesses and visitors. During 2025, there's been

[2:15:31] a record level of investment in maintaining, expanding and efficiently

[2:15:35] operating our system. A few highlights include. The record level

[2:15:42] of resurfacing that we did this year all over the

[2:15:44] city. It was about $5.3 million, I believe, at year

[2:15:47] end. We had. A number of major road projects completed.

[2:15:52] These included a new roundabout and roadway connection at Frost

[2:15:55] Road and Shoot Lake and a second roundabout completed on

[2:16:00] Valley Road. A new program in 2025 for the reconstruction

[2:16:05] of inner city roads. Was undertaken. We completed three roads

[2:16:10] this year, and these projects take existing roads. They add

[2:16:14] curb and gutter and introduce stormwater. They repave the roads.

[2:16:19] They renew the utilities and they prepare the streets for

[2:16:21] the completion of the envisioned urban renewal. We typically are

[2:16:25] selecting roads where the urban renewal on the street is

[2:16:28] about 50% and expected to continue to develop. We've also

[2:16:33] put a significant amount of our current budget towards the

[2:16:36] design of major road projects which will show up in

[2:16:40] the 2026 capital budget for construction. The future projects, our

[2:16:45] future projects include two new road segments, one at North

[2:16:49] Hollywood Road to support the future transit garage. And also

[2:16:53] the land exchange deal from the Colonial Springs Golf Club,

[2:16:57] as well as the extension to the south, a birch

[2:16:59] road from Gushigan down to Klo. Looking at our continuous

[2:17:03] improvement. We've introduced a suite of new policy advancements. The

[2:17:11] department is following on from the city's accessibility strategy. The

[2:17:15] Jim Gabriel's team delivered to create an accessibility strategy specifically

[2:17:20] focused on the transportation network, and the council will see

[2:17:23] that report in the first quarter of 2026. We've just

[2:17:28] completed the safe mobility action plan, which council will see

[2:17:31] at next Monday's. Meeting and this response to council's priority

[2:17:35] to improve the safe operation of our transportation. Network. In

[2:17:40] 2025, we commenced a review of the downtown transportation system,

[2:17:44] and we will complete that work. Mid 2026. The Downtown

[2:17:48] transportation review will help identify the key function of each

[2:17:51] of the roadways. In our city center and inform the

[2:17:53] design. For future developments that are occurring adjacent to those

[2:17:57] roads, and one of the best value for money. Projects

[2:18:00] that we delivered in 2025 was the implementation of smart

[2:18:04] signal management along Springfield Road that pilot program. Demonstrated, had

[2:18:11] a successful demonstration, and the value of this type of

[2:18:14] an approach was clearly articulated. Our next phase of signal.

[2:18:20] System management is currently in the testing phase along enterprise

[2:18:24] and will and additional sites will be identified around the

[2:18:27] inner city to be installed in the coming year and

[2:18:30] beyond. The transportation department reports on six performance metrics at

[2:18:36] this time. Performance metric one tracks the injury rate on

[2:18:40] a per capita basis. We can see a steady, positive

[2:18:46] downward trend. Council will hear more about this at next

[2:18:49] Monday's. Council report, so I won't get into that. Performance

[2:18:52] metric two is a measure of how our development, our

[2:18:56] growth and population is showing up as congestion on our

[2:19:00] key roadways. We recognize that it's a balance between expanding

[2:19:06] roadways and the cost associated with that. With accepting a

[2:19:09] certain amount of congestion that comes along with intensification of

[2:19:13] the inner city. Performance metric three and four speak to

[2:19:17] enabling travel by means other than driving a car. By

[2:19:21] adding the missing sidewalk and providing safe cycling routes in

[2:19:25] the inner city. Both metrics show that our current level

[2:19:28] investment is improving and the situation is gradually improving. Performance

[2:19:33] metric five. Measures the overall pavement quality. And this is

[2:19:38] something that. We do. About a third of the city

[2:19:42] each year is measured and we set a target for

[2:19:45] about. A performance quality of about 60, and we're at

[2:19:50] 67, so we're slightly above. Our target and it informs

[2:19:53] the investment in our repaving program. And finally, performance metric

[2:19:58] six is a measure of how well we are able

[2:20:01] to clear all of the snow and ice control how

[2:20:04] well we are able to clear all of the roads

[2:20:06] after snow. Events. And this is a balance, again, between

[2:20:10] the cost of providing that service. And. The public expectation

[2:20:15] on how quickly their roads are addressed. And I'll pass

[2:20:19] it back to the financial planning manager. Thank you. The

[2:20:23] transportation service area. Has an expenditure budget of $117.6 million

[2:20:30] and is operated under several cost centers. The funding for

[2:20:37] this service area is predominantly made up of transfers from

[2:20:40] reserves, property tax, and borrowing. The 2025 revised budget was

[2:20:48] 116,298,000. After annualization of previously approved budget requests,

[2:20:58] the service area will start the year at 23,765,000. To

[2:21:05] maintain current service levels, an additional 84,179,000 is requested. And

[2:21:11] to enhance service levels, an additional 9,670,000. This service area

[2:21:20] has four operating requests prior to one operating request. Starting

[2:21:23] on page 193 of your budget volume first being bike

[2:21:29] path sweeping and litter and debris, starting at 275,000, increasing

[2:21:35] to 295,000 in 2020. Seven and $315,000 ongoing, funded from

[2:21:42] taxation. The gravel operations. Clean fill removal in 2026 of

[2:21:48] $450,000 funded from reserve sidewalk inspections and furniture repair for

[2:21:55] $103,000 ongoing, funded from taxation and transit litter at $60,000

[2:22:03] ongoing. Funding from taxation. The 2026 capital program is in

[2:22:10] alignment with the council approved ten year capital plan. But

[2:22:14] at this time, staff would like to make a recommendation

[2:22:18] to have the Wrbennet Bridge dynamic lighting. Request on page

[2:22:23] 202 be deferred to. Future years. Thank you. Anything

[2:22:33] to add to that, I do have boarding on a

[2:22:35] resolution for that particular. Please just share us the wording

[2:22:38] at the moment. Thank you, worship. So, just following up

[2:22:40] on staff's. Recommendation for removal of the bridge. I do

[2:22:48] have resolution wording should council wish to advance that recommendation.

[2:22:53] So that would be that. Council remove the Wrbent bridge

[2:22:56] dynamic lighting, p. One item on page 202 from the

[2:23:00] 2026 financial plan, volume one preliminary budget with no impact

[2:23:04] on taxation, and that council direct staff to further evaluate

[2:23:07] opportunities to. Add dynamic lighting along the bridge for future

[2:23:10] consideration. Moved by Councilor Woolridge. Seconded by Councilor Singh. Any

[2:23:16] further discussion on that? Seeing none. All in favor? Is

[2:23:20] there discussion? So my apologies. It looks like it was

[2:23:25] moving forward anyways with the hands that were up. But

[2:23:27] discussion there was a number of series of names up

[2:23:31] prior to this, so I'm uncertain of who has discussion

[2:23:33] on this in seeing it. Can I have a show

[2:23:36] of hands? Who has discussions. Councilor Singh, please. Thank you,

[2:23:39] worship. And I appreciate the fact that. We're making this

[2:23:44] motion. I have heard a lot from the public. And

[2:23:47] honestly, this time. In the economic environment that we're facing.

[2:23:55] It may be something that is a little bit. Nice

[2:23:58] to have, but not absolutely essential. And so I appreciate

[2:24:04] the fact that staff is suggesting. We set it aside

[2:24:09] for another day. I agree. We use the term iconic

[2:24:12] and giving the bridge a certain. Picturesque look. But now

[2:24:22] is not the time. So thank you. Thank you. Was

[2:24:24] there other comments? Just please, you raise your hand if

[2:24:28] there's. Trying to understand the law to why we're pulling

[2:24:33] it out now, and I guess I've just heard. Staff

[2:24:36] is making a recommendation. But. It seems we have more

[2:24:45] of a discussion than just that to make a decision.

[2:24:49] I think. Perhaps. Frivolous for some people. But I look

[2:24:56] at it as a fear marketing tool. I think it's

[2:24:59] a great idea, and I think it's worth. Looking at,

[2:25:07] so. I don't support throwing it out. And, counsel, that's

[2:25:11] the recommendation that we're. Doing. It's been moved and seconded.

[2:25:14] We're doing comments and then you can either vote in

[2:25:16] favor or against, and that will show your approval with

[2:25:18] regards to the position. That we're taking. I thought that

[2:25:20] was part of seeing. No further comments. Was there any

[2:25:24] further comments. No further comments. All in favor? Opp? Opposed.

[2:25:29] Councilor Hodge opposed to the removal. Thank you. So now,

[2:25:33] going back to the. Now that. That motion has moved

[2:25:36] forward going back to the other areas that were brought

[2:25:41] forth in this section. And I'm going to go back.

[2:25:45] To just calling the names. I'm assuming that you weren't

[2:25:47] commenting on the last. One, but let's go to councilor

[2:25:49] stack, please. Thanks, worship. Thanks, Mac. I just want. To

[2:25:52] touch on the bike path, sweeping and litter and debris.

[2:25:56] It's one of the things we hear quite frequently from

[2:25:58] the public. So we're looking at increase enhancing the service

[2:26:03] 275,000 this year. Is there a base budget that's already

[2:26:07] in there, and this will be adding to. Yes, your

[2:26:11] worship. There is a base budget in this area. Some

[2:26:16] of that budget was, I believe, on a temporary basis.

[2:26:20] One of the things that we've been spending a lot

[2:26:22] of attention on in the downtown core is making sure

[2:26:24] that we're sweeping literally on a daily basis in front

[2:26:26] of city hall. For those of you. Councilor sack, I

[2:26:28] know you come in quite early. You'll notice the sweeper

[2:26:31] goes through there before we ever get to work. And

[2:26:34] also. The litter collection is something that shows up for

[2:26:37] our city along the lakefront. If that's not addressed, some

[2:26:42] of the details I'm sure Mr. Boss can add. More

[2:26:44] to that. Good morning, Mr. Boss. Good morning, you, worship.

[2:26:50] To councilor's next question. It is indeed maintaining the current

[2:26:53] service level. So over the last two years, we've added

[2:26:55] quite a few kilometers. Of infrastructure to the network, and

[2:27:00] we're also trying to deliver the service according to the

[2:27:03] service description that we have, which says that every bicycle

[2:27:06] lane needs to be swept a minimum of ten times

[2:27:08] per year. So that's really the service level that we

[2:27:11] try to deliver to. And in order to make that

[2:27:14] happen, that's where also some of the money goes, okay?

[2:27:16] Thanks. Yeah. Because I think that's. We hear frequently and

[2:27:19] also in the winter. And I think the shoulder seasons

[2:27:22] with the leaf build up in some of those things.

[2:27:24] So from the citizens perspective, the goal is ten times

[2:27:29] sweep per year. But if there's a big snowfall as

[2:27:32] an example. What would be the expected time before bike

[2:27:37] lanes would be addressed? Your ship? That's a good question.

[2:27:40] And that expenditure sits in the snow and ice control.

[2:27:43] Budget. So that's outside of this one. This is predominantly

[2:27:46] for sweeping and literally removal in the bicycle parts. But

[2:27:48] the philosophy there is very much that if we have

[2:27:50] separated infrastructure that we try to get that particular bicycle

[2:27:54] infrastructure first because we are in a better position to

[2:27:58] deliver a good quality service. On that piece of infrastructure

[2:28:01] as to where the on road bicycle lanes or the

[2:28:04] one that are painted on the side. They typically need

[2:28:07] to wait until we have an opportunity to move the

[2:28:09] snow. Out because in the end, those were built in

[2:28:11] the snow storage for the road system. So it always

[2:28:14] takes a few extra days, but we're always trying to

[2:28:16] endeavor to deliver some infrastructure. Early on, so that. People

[2:28:20] know that they can use that infrastructure to get on

[2:28:23] their whereabouts. Good. Thanks, Mr. Vas. Councilor Wolverge, please. Thanks

[2:28:28] for worship. Just on the item that we removed earlier,

[2:28:32] I had a question when it was time for comment.

[2:28:36] Because it was funded from reserve. That has been obviously

[2:28:38] removed, which I support. That doesn't affect tax rate. Correct.

[2:28:42] Because. We're still contributing to reserves. Just so that we're

[2:28:46] clear, city manager that's. Correct your thank you. Councilor Lovegrove,

[2:28:51] please. Thanks, your worship. I'm just following up on. A

[2:28:58] couple of. Not clear on why. We've got a couple

[2:29:03] of. They're showing as enhanced, but I thought. We had

[2:29:07] base budgets. For safe route to schools. So on page

[2:29:12] 201, Active transportation upgrades. So budgets request that there's annual

[2:29:19] program. What's the base budget? Are we increasing the base

[2:29:24] budget or what's changed there? Thank you, your worship. For

[2:29:31] the active transportation upgrade on page 201, that request, that

[2:29:36] is a capital program. So we actually do not have

[2:29:39] base budget for any capital programs or capital budgets. This,

[2:29:44] in this case, is being considered an enhancement as it'll

[2:29:47] be. New infrastructure for different areas that doesn't right now

[2:29:54] exist. This is not renewal. This is an addition of

[2:29:57] new infrastructure and new services in the area. But I

[2:30:01] thought we had an existing safer to school program, but

[2:30:04] let me focus in on that. One along. We do

[2:30:06] have something for that already. Yes. Thank you, your worship.

[2:30:09] There is a line item in the ten year capital

[2:30:11] plan with an. Annual allocation for it, okay? So this

[2:30:16] is adding to that or something else. If we don't

[2:30:20] approve this, for example. We're not wiping out the safe

[2:30:24] route to school program. Now our safe fruits to school.

[2:30:27] Program. Is funded and the recommendations that come out of

[2:30:32] that program. Are often funded by a variety of different

[2:30:36] capital programs. Could be sidewalk program, could be a road

[2:30:39] crossing for RfB. Or cycling facility. Okay. Councilor 1 second.

[2:30:46] City manager, please. Yeah. Thank you, worship. Council may recall.

[2:30:49] Probably at the beginning of your term. We brought forward

[2:30:51] a report that talked about the utilization of funds that

[2:30:54] were collected for cash in lieu for frontage improvements for

[2:30:57] small scale developments and a creative means that Mr. Logan's

[2:31:00] team came up with with our finance group to get.

[2:31:03] More of that work done in a timely way so

[2:31:05] that those funds didn't continue to sit in reserve and

[2:31:08] degrade in value. And we would get the infrastructure put

[2:31:11] into the ground. That's what you're seeing. Is the outshot

[2:31:13] of some of that work. Fantastic. Okay. And you can

[2:31:16] see some of those. Urbanization projects probably closer to the

[2:31:20] Pandozi Francis streets in and around that area. This year

[2:31:23] are a couple of good examples of where we've urbanized

[2:31:26] those streets and improved pedestrian safety through. Those urbanization works

[2:31:31] and drainage and such. Okay, thanks for clarifying that. That's

[2:31:35] great. So none of the base budgets are impacted by.

[2:31:37] This is just accelerating. And, in fact, appreciate that answer

[2:31:40] because I had an earlier question on reserves, and I

[2:31:43] see our DCC reserves coming down to a point. I'm

[2:31:46] wondering, how many more years have we got DCC reserves

[2:31:49] to accelerate. Our roads capital program yourself. Yeah. Thank you

[2:31:55] for worship. I'll start. And if there's. More detail needed.

[2:31:57] Joel, jump in. But our accelerated capital delivery program, particularly

[2:32:02] related to roads, is in very good shape, and we

[2:32:04] anticipate at least a few more years well into the

[2:32:07] next term of council before we're at a place where

[2:32:10] we have to have a question. About slowing down. That.

[2:32:13] Acceleration. That's great news, councilor. Mr. Sass, do you have

[2:32:16] anything to add to that? Just a quick addition. Thank

[2:32:19] you, your worship. And a lot of that will depend

[2:32:21] on the pace. Of development and the revenue that comes

[2:32:25] in the future as well. So, yes, I would agree

[2:32:28] with the city manager. We've got a few years well

[2:32:31] into next council term, and we're watching the revenues very

[2:32:33] closely. All right, awesome. And then some questions. On the,

[2:32:39] I guess the birch road upgrades we're continuing to see.

[2:32:45] And hear from residents about not the portions supporting the

[2:32:48] PRC, but the portion connecting from Klo north. I'm going

[2:32:54] to throw this out there and see if anybody has

[2:32:56] any appetite to split. A motion to go for the

[2:33:00] PRC birch upgrade portion of it and split out, or

[2:33:04] at least starve for discussion this afternoon. The southern portion

[2:33:08] at Klo. I'm going to make a motion in your

[2:33:10] worship. I don't know if I've. Got a seconder. Do

[2:33:14] you have a second? Seconder. You do not. Okay. And

[2:33:19] I'll leave that. Sorry. And I believe the city manager

[2:33:25] is just. Do you have anything? No. Good. Okay. Thank

[2:33:28] you. And then. I won't speak to. Others other than

[2:33:35] the p two. If we do not fund this p

[2:33:40] two because this looks to move. This is page 204

[2:33:44] for any of my other colleagues want to follow along.

[2:33:48] The description says moving it from the collaboration from the

[2:33:52] sustainable transportation partnership of the Central Okanagan. To. Trying to

[2:34:00] find the quote, but. It's basically to do more of

[2:34:03] a Clona centric, I guess, to introduce a city of

[2:34:05] Clona led go by bike week. If we don't fund

[2:34:09] this p two, do we end the whole. Is the

[2:34:12] bike to work week not happening at all, or do

[2:34:15] we just stay with the partnership? Of the central Okanagan.

[2:34:18] Mr. Logan, please. Yes. Council. Yeah. If we did not

[2:34:24] fund the go by bike week. The program, as we've

[2:34:28] seen it over the last year, through several years, would

[2:34:31] stop. And we would reach out to the biking community

[2:34:35] to try to find a different way to deliver. That

[2:34:37] program. With volunteers, with maybe more business or local support

[2:34:42] of that program, but the city would not be carrying

[2:34:45] a line share of the funding for the regional. Gobi

[2:34:49] bike week, okay? I'm glad I asked that question then,

[2:34:53] because I do not want that to stop. But then

[2:34:57] I see a $45,000 tax. Yet if we bump this

[2:35:01] up to p. One. Can we not give my council

[2:35:04] colleagues question? And we've deferred the bridge lighting. Can we

[2:35:08] not take this or fund us out of reserve? Or

[2:35:10] does it not qualify? Typically, we don't fund. Reserves for

[2:35:15] operating we typically use capital. Or fund capital programs with

[2:35:19] reserves. I stand to be corrected by the finance department,

[2:35:23] but I think. This is. A small. But significant. To

[2:35:31] some program, and we've been doing it for a number

[2:35:34] of years, but maybe it's time to look at a

[2:35:36] crowd or a community sourced or funded program versus one

[2:35:40] that's bankrolled by the taxpayer. Okay. That's a fair comment.

[2:35:45] I appreciate partnerships. Absolutely. I guess I would like that

[2:35:48] one. Starred to talk about later. For my colleagues. Support

[2:35:52] me. Your worship, do we have a second? So we

[2:35:56] have first and a second on it. So that's basically

[2:35:58] starring that particular item. For further discussion. I see no

[2:36:01] further discussion. All in favor? Opposed. Opposed. Counselor Weber. Councillor

[2:36:11] Stack. Okay. And then the Pandoza Urban center transportation plan.

[2:36:17] That's. An interesting one. There's a lot of stuff happening,

[2:36:22] a lot of growth happening there, and I feel the

[2:36:24] same about that. Again, same answer. I presume if I

[2:36:27] ask if this can be funded out. Of reserve. It's

[2:36:29] operating, so no. Or generally no. In this particular case,

[2:36:34] I'm advised we can. There are reserves that are available

[2:36:37] to fund this. I also believe council may be aware

[2:36:40] that we deferred some of the urban planning. Work in

[2:36:43] that area as well. So then I would like to

[2:36:48] star this one. And discuss it later, your worship. So

[2:36:53] there is a city manager. Just a comment, please, before

[2:36:56] we go to that. Yeah, thank you. Your worship given

[2:36:58] it to p two item. I think it would be

[2:37:00] worthwhile having Mr. Logan. Comment on the capacity of the

[2:37:03] team to be able to deliver on it if it

[2:37:04] was funded. Thank you. City manager. Yeah, I would say

[2:37:10] that. We would probably be looking to defer this by

[2:37:14] a year, at least. We've got a number of policy

[2:37:18] reports that we're bringing through, including the Richter. Corridor study

[2:37:22] getting that finalized. And I just highlighted three other studies

[2:37:25] earlier that we're delivering. Over the next six months. Okay,

[2:37:28] on that basis. I'll withdraw. Thank you. Thanks. Thank you.

[2:37:34] Councilor Cannon, please. Thank you, worship. Our sidewalks. I really

[2:37:39] like the performance measure three. You're trying to get that

[2:37:42] up to. 70% completion by 2040, and right now we're

[2:37:46] at about 64. 65%. That's on page 194. Talks about

[2:37:51] sidewalk inspections and furniture. What is our baseline budget? Right.

[2:37:54] Now. For sidewalk repair replacement and what. We need to

[2:38:02] get to 70%. Hang on just a second, council, and

[2:38:07] we'll get. That number? 245,000. For inspections. For sidewalk based

[2:38:13] budget. Amount based budget is $245,000. So how many? Linear

[2:38:21] meters or feet to get. It's not very far. Many,

[2:38:23] probably $1,000. A foot meter at least. So it's a

[2:38:28] substantial. So. With this 5 million plus that we're looking

[2:38:34] for. Capital bundling that city manager is alluding to. Well,

[2:38:41] some of that be used. For street urbanization, for sidewalks

[2:38:46] in as well. The missing links, the street urbanization program

[2:38:50] council that is identified. Yes, that includes adding sidewalks in

[2:38:55] most of the ones that we have done do not

[2:38:57] have sidewalks. Some do, but the ones. For example, down

[2:39:02] in Morrison this year, that. We did. We just had

[2:39:05] gravel soak away shoulders and onto front yard. So that

[2:39:09] did add sidewalk along both sides. We've also added sidewalks

[2:39:12] where we've retrofitted. Roads after other types of improvements that

[2:39:18] we've done. So it's a variety of ways that we

[2:39:21] have not only had a dedicated sidewalk program, but incorporate

[2:39:24] sidewalks and other capital projects. That we've done. I think

[2:39:26] you're familiar with the Klo bridge, and on the west

[2:39:29] side of the bridge. We added a piece of sidewalk

[2:39:31] that connected down towards. The community and the gas station

[2:39:35] that's there at Ben Vulin. Thank you. Access awareness committee.

[2:39:40] Also, they mentioned. Connecting those. Especially those missing links. I

[2:39:44] know our new park at the end of Cedar Avenue

[2:39:48] and. There's a mission group just built a condo, and

[2:39:51] then there's a missing piece. Between. Dandozi. It's half a

[2:39:55] block, but it's for person. That's. With a disability. It

[2:39:58] means the world to them. So we can get those

[2:40:00] missing links. With this street urbanization. That'll be great. Thank

[2:40:04] you. There's one on the other side of that street

[2:40:05] now. Thanks. Thank you. Seeing nothing further. Only, please.

[2:40:18] Okay, so we'll next move into transit, and this is

[2:40:22] on page 205 of your budget. Volume. Thank you, council.

[2:40:27] And similar to transportation, there's been a great deal of

[2:40:30] council emphasis on public transit. And expanding both the service

[2:40:36] and the infrastructure to meet the demands now and into

[2:40:39] the future. Out of the council priorities who have been

[2:40:43] working on in 2025 and. Will be on into 2026

[2:40:48] is to advance the new Kelowna Transit Operations center on

[2:40:51] Hollywood Road. I'm happy to report that that. We have

[2:40:56] preliminary design and updated cost estimates that we've worked with

[2:40:59] BC Transit and infrastructure BC. The design of Hollywood Road

[2:41:03] and the construction of that road is in servicing is

[2:41:06] progressing and that work will start in 2026. So we're

[2:41:10] preparing a shovel ready site and continue. To pursue funding.

[2:41:15] Similarly, to respond to our immediate needs, the administration has

[2:41:20] been working with BC Transit on the expansion. And upgrades

[2:41:22] to the existing operations center at the Hardyards and work

[2:41:26] in that area. As currently expanding the remainance facility, parking

[2:41:30] for increased fleet, and installing of new charging infrastructure for

[2:41:36] the introduction of battery electric buses later in 2026. We're

[2:41:41] well under the way on the construction of four bus

[2:41:44] exchanges. And you may have noticed when we had our

[2:41:47] council to. Tour on Monday when we stopped in Rutland.

[2:41:51] That the bus exchange at the end of that parking

[2:41:53] lot in Rutland is at the landscaping phase. Who were

[2:41:56] effectively complete. And you will see further that we're adding

[2:42:00] another exchange at the airport. That's coming up in a

[2:42:04] couple of years. In addition to those major improvements, we're

[2:42:08] continuing to improve individual stops and shelters, and most recently

[2:42:12] focused on the Rutland area. In response to the new

[2:42:15] Rutland service plan. Continuous improvement in 2026. We'll continue to

[2:42:21] work with BC Transit to improve transit service. In a

[2:42:24] variety of ways. The recently introduced UMO electronic fare payment

[2:42:30] system will continue to be expanded to include some of

[2:42:32] the special fair products currently approved and planned for the

[2:42:36] community. Those include working with community partners who roll those

[2:42:41] programs out. And council will be seeing a report early

[2:42:44] in the new year talking about special fares. We're working

[2:42:48] with the Ministry of Transportation in transit to design transit

[2:42:52] service improvements along Highway 97, and we anticipate coming back

[2:42:56] to council early in 2026 to discuss these improvements. In

[2:43:00] detail. Those will be things such as transit priority measures

[2:43:04] along the highway quarter. And following on from council's recent

[2:43:08] approval of transit support of land use plan along the

[2:43:11] Richter corridor. Transportation, integrated transportation will be bringing back. A

[2:43:18] detailed plan for protecting the right of way to realize

[2:43:22] a transit service improvement plan along that corridor. And finally,

[2:43:26] I would like to highlight that the on demand transit

[2:43:29] service that was introduced as a trial in the Crawford

[2:43:32] neighborhood. It was the first trial in British Columbia. Was

[2:43:36] a success, and that trial is continuing, and BC transit

[2:43:39] is planning to expand this type of service in Colonia

[2:43:42] in 2026. The most important performance metrics for transit is

[2:43:48] ridership, and that is performance metric number one. Showing the

[2:43:51] per capita number of people that are utilizing the service,

[2:43:55] we are making steady progress. But we have a long

[2:43:59] way to go towards our 2040 goal, and that demonstrates

[2:44:03] that continuing to invest in additional capacity and improved service

[2:44:09] is warranted. Performance. Metric two demonstrates how satisfied people are

[2:44:15] with our service, and that's usually a combination. Of. Are

[2:44:17] we reliably, are we coming on time? Is the bus

[2:44:21] clean? And do they feel safe on our service. So

[2:44:24] I'm glad to see that we have a steadily increasing

[2:44:26] performance there. Performance metric three is one of those service

[2:44:30] and satisfaction is how reliable are we at getting to

[2:44:33] that stop on time, and this is typically. Early in

[2:44:37] the day. Are we hitting that stock when somebody's waiting

[2:44:40] to go to work? Where they have a tremendous sensitivity

[2:44:42] to being on time. And finally, performance metric four is

[2:44:46] a measure for counsel on how much are we investing

[2:44:50] overall? And we have been making a considerable increase here

[2:44:54] over the last couple of years and working well. Towards

[2:44:58] our target of 1.28 hours of service per capita, which

[2:45:01] is about a 9%. Gap that we have between next

[2:45:04] year and our target in two years from now. So

[2:45:06] we're making great progress there, and I will now turn

[2:45:09] it back to the champion of finance. Mel. Thank you,

[2:45:15] max. The transit surface area has a $53.6 million. Expenditure

[2:45:24] budget for 2026 and it is operated under three different

[2:45:27] cost centers. The service area is funded predominantly from grants.

[2:45:34] This included in here is the provincial contribution for the

[2:45:37] transit contract, as well as property taxes, fees. And charges

[2:45:41] transfers from reserves and other revenues. The 2025 revised budget

[2:45:48] is $44,069,000. And after annualizing previously approved budget requests, we

[2:45:57] will start the 2026 year at 40,080,000. To maintain current

[2:46:03] service levels, an additional $10,408,000 is being requested and to

[2:46:09] enhance service levels, an additional 3,130,000. The service area has

[2:46:18] three operating requests. These are on pages 212 and 213

[2:46:23] of your budget volume. First one being the Hollywood Transit

[2:46:27] center. Phase two, planning a one time request of $125,000

[2:46:32] funded from reserve. Second is the Orchard Park Transit exchange.

[2:46:38] Security. This is it. For requests for $50,000. In 2026,

[2:46:44] increasing to 60,000 in 2027. Ongoing, funded from taxation and

[2:46:50] then transit. Operations. This is the enhancement for the year

[2:46:55] at 2 million. $654,000 ongoing. This is funded in 2026.

[2:47:03] Through funding from the province at about approximately 50% of

[2:47:07] the contract amount. We will use additional funding. From. Tickets

[2:47:14] and sales on bus routes, as well as a one

[2:47:17] time use of reserve funding. Of one point. 26 from

[2:47:24] the province, which is residual grant money that has been

[2:47:28] being held by BC Transit. The ongoing impact in 2027.

[2:47:34] Ongoing is $1.2 million of taxation. The service area is

[2:47:40] 2026. Capital program is in complete alignment with the council

[2:47:46] approved ten year capital plan. Is there any priority one

[2:47:50] request that council would like to discuss? Councilor Lovegrove. Questions?

[2:47:57] Yes. Actually. I'm just looking at the performance indicators.

[2:48:08] That Mr. Logan shared with us, and I'm looking to

[2:48:12] see no change in. Not ridership. Sorry. Transit service hours

[2:48:20] per capita, but in effect. Those would be expected to

[2:48:25] go up. This? Page 207. Actual is 1.6. 25 estimate

[2:48:34] 1.6 but with population growth. Does that imply we've got

[2:48:38] a service hour increase there or not? For 24 to

[2:48:43] 25, our service level did increase, but it only kept

[2:48:46] pace with our population growth. And the service level increase

[2:48:49] that we have in this year's budget will exceed population

[2:48:52] growth. So we have a net increase. And that actually

[2:48:55] leads me to my question, because I was trying to

[2:48:56] figure out. Where that is under the maintain operating request.

[2:49:02] And I don't see it because. The one. Transit operations

[2:49:06] enhance. Doesn't talk about service hour increases. So where is

[2:49:11] service hour increases for 2026? Thank you, worship. The contract.

[2:49:21] For the transit. If it is just to pay for

[2:49:25] the current contract that we have in place. It is

[2:49:29] not put in as a council budget request for discussion.

[2:49:33] If you look on page 210 of your budget volume,

[2:49:36] you'll see a maintaining service line. Or column, I should

[2:49:40] say sorry. And so in that case, it's a contract

[2:49:43] that we. Are already committed to doing. Okay. Thank you

[2:49:49] very much. You've just reduced my concern. Thank you greatly.

[2:49:53] But then the other thing that you mentioned. In your

[2:49:56] key accomplishments for 2025, Mr. Logan, was you now have

[2:49:59] a preliminary design. Can we share that with council? Is

[2:50:02] that a public number? The cost estimate for the new

[2:50:05] transit. Op center. It is not a public number, but

[2:50:09] we are planning to bring an update report back to

[2:50:11] council. Early in 2026. I'm excited. I'm sure you can

[2:50:15] tell. Your worship. Thank you for that. I think. That

[2:50:24] is fantastic. Thank you, worship. Councilor Dehart, please. Thank you,

[2:50:29] worship. I do have a. Question on Orchard park transit

[2:50:32] and then a comment on it, too. Can I do

[2:50:33] them both together? Please. Okay. Thank you. So, Mac, just

[2:50:37] wondering. On the Orchard park transit exchange improvements, There is

[2:50:43] no ten year agreement in place with Orchard park. So

[2:50:45] my question is, should we be? Working towards one or

[2:50:48] why don't we have one? Or what's going to happen?

[2:50:51] There because you did list it right in the comments.

[2:50:55] Just a little concern about that. It's a variety of

[2:50:57] things going on at the Orchard park right now. The

[2:51:01] operation. You'll see a transit exchange line item for operating,

[2:51:06] for security. That's to enhance the security in that location

[2:51:11] outside of the regular operating hours of the mall. So

[2:51:14] we've agreed to do that. With respect. To. The reconstruction

[2:51:19] of the exchange. As you may be aware, Orchard Park

[2:51:25] Mall. Hasn't really come up with a plan on how

[2:51:30] they want to redevelop. Their mall in the near term,

[2:51:32] and given the fact that they've lost the tenant, that's

[2:51:34] directly adjacent to this area. We recognize that there may

[2:51:38] be a lot of work. By that landowner on how

[2:51:41] they want to redevelop that part of the mall. So

[2:51:45] while we do see the need and the desire to

[2:51:47] improve that transit exchange, we are being patient and waiting

[2:51:51] until they have a better sense of what they want

[2:51:53] to do on their property. Okay. That's great. Well, thank

[2:51:55] you. And I'm in that area a lot, but. I

[2:51:58] was really happy to see the Orchard Park Trans exchange

[2:52:01] security because I do go by there. A lot. Since

[2:52:05] the bay is closed, to which you just commented on,

[2:52:07] I do see a lot of activity. Around there, and

[2:52:11] I think it's really good that you're getting the additional

[2:52:13] security. Because like I said, I do notice a lot

[2:52:18] of movement, and there are a lot of people around

[2:52:21] there at all hours of the day and night, so

[2:52:23] just very happy to see that. Thank you for your

[2:52:25] comments. Thanks. Thank you, Councilor Singh. Questions? Comment. I'll get

[2:52:31] you to hold. Councilor Weber, questions? Yeah. I'm not much

[2:52:36] on p two s, but I want to look at

[2:52:38] the p. Two. That's in this one. The transit fare

[2:52:40] program initiatives. A little while ago, the council voted in

[2:52:46] terms of a BC by plan to increase transit fares

[2:52:49] and councilor Lovegrove, and I voted against it, partly because.

[2:52:53] It affected certain users, seniors and so forth. More they

[2:52:58] were losing some of their discounts or their passes. So

[2:53:02] I'm wondering if that's what this transit fare program initiative

[2:53:04] would cover. It's not very much money. $30,000. So I

[2:53:07] don't know. What it would do. And it has some

[2:53:10] strange wording in here. About. Supporting delivery ups. Referendum triggered

[2:53:16] by the transit faring. I have no idea. To help

[2:53:20] with this. Good morning, Brittany. Good morning. So, your worship.

[2:53:29] That getting the wording right. Transit fare program initiatives. It's

[2:53:34] actually just a supporting budget. Line. So we are already

[2:53:37] undertaking an affordable transit pass study. You'll see that coming

[2:53:40] forward. To you in Q one of next year. We

[2:53:43] actually hope to have it here sooner, but there's been

[2:53:45] a delay. That will recommend. An implementation of that. This

[2:53:52] was just funding in case we needed to support some

[2:53:55] of the partners that are helping us. To administrate the

[2:53:58] program. But we do have other means in which to

[2:54:02] support them. So that is why it has become a

[2:54:05] p two. But it does not stop anything from the

[2:54:08] program moving forward. If the PT wasn't added, the program

[2:54:12] could still move forward. Yes? Correct. Okay, then I'll leave

[2:54:15] it at that. Thank you. Thank you. Councilor stack, please.

[2:54:19] Thank you. I have two questions. One is just regarding

[2:54:23] the transit exchange improvements. We're doing mission Okinawagan College. Orchard

[2:54:30] park. But it's quite significant money. And I have two

[2:54:33] questions. One, why is it a grant? And why do

[2:54:36] we get a grant for that? And my second question

[2:54:39] is, why is it so expensive? Because we have upgraded.

[2:54:43] These transit locations in the past, and it seems like

[2:54:45] every few years there's another very large cost to upgrade

[2:54:49] them once again and. I just am a little puzzled

[2:54:53] why it keeps coming up. Councilor, thank you for the

[2:54:56] question. Councilor stack through the chair that is the mission

[2:54:59] exchange and. The grant funding is ISIP funding. It's federal

[2:55:03] government funding. So that's what's been supporting our transit exchange

[2:55:08] program. The mission recreation transit exchange. Is in some ways,

[2:55:14] combined with. The work that we're doing to expand the

[2:55:19] h 20 facility and also the activity center. At the

[2:55:23] mission as well. We're reconstructing the whole bus loop we're

[2:55:28] introducing. A new intersection along. Glenmore Road to access and

[2:55:34] egress the site because we're taking the public access off

[2:55:37] of the driveway that's closest to the H 20. So.

[2:55:42] There's more work outside of just the actual area where

[2:55:44] the buses are stopping, so you're moving it over to

[2:55:47] Gordon, I think. Is that what you're saying? We're adding

[2:55:49] another intersection farther to the south. We're reconfiguring the parking

[2:55:53] lot. For the MNP center, and so there's some bigger

[2:55:57] improvements in that area, plus. Expanding some of the sidewalk

[2:56:01] and boulevards around both facilities that are adjacent to the

[2:56:06] bus exchange it's really interesting because I remember many years

[2:56:09] ago, one of our mayors pushed really hard to make

[2:56:12] sure that the buses went right in front of the

[2:56:13] h two center and took them. Off, Gordon. And now

[2:56:15] we're spending money to take them out of there and

[2:56:17] put them back onto Gordon, so hopefully. This will be

[2:56:20] the winter combination for our bus stop council. We're keeping

[2:56:25] them on the site. Yeah. Okay, my second question is,

[2:56:29] and I guess obviously these grants are a great opportunity

[2:56:31] for. Us to upgrade them. I think that's what I'm

[2:56:32] hearing between the lines is. The funds were available through

[2:56:34] the federal programs, we might as well use them effectively.

[2:56:37] Is that fair? To say we want to maximize the

[2:56:39] use of those. Funds. Yes, council, my second question goes

[2:56:42] back to page 210, which is regarding to the preliminary

[2:56:47] budget. And the fees and charges on that projection for

[2:56:51] 2026 is 9,000,605. Am I correct in assuming that's transit

[2:56:57] fares, essentially? The nature of my question is I know

[2:57:01] our objective was to claim approximately 25% to 30%. Of

[2:57:06] our revenue in bus fares. But when I do the

[2:57:09] calculation of the total revenue budget, it only comes out

[2:57:12] to 17%, so I'm probably missing something. Thank you, worship.

[2:57:19] Yes, I do believe. Those are directly related to transit

[2:57:25] fair revenues. I'm guessing right now. But. This is a

[2:57:33] holistic budget of everything that's included in transit. Not just

[2:57:37] the transit. Contract, so that could be the difference in

[2:57:40] the percentage. There's also advertising council. Yes, it's a small

[2:57:44] amount of advertising revenue. Yes, and, councilor, I'm just also

[2:57:47] going to ask potentially the city manager just kind of

[2:57:50] comment on that because you just raised a point. With

[2:57:52] regards to the operational overall oper. Operational aspect of it.

[2:57:55] Yeah. Thank you, your worship. And there may be others,

[2:57:57] Mac or Joe, who want to weigh in. But. As

[2:58:00] a heavily subsidized service, and we only target a small

[2:58:03] percentage of revenue recovery. Associated with this service. We are

[2:58:06] looking at opportunities to do more with that. Although the

[2:58:10] expansion of the service in the garage. And other aspects

[2:58:15] of the service as it grows into the future, will

[2:58:17] continue to have heavy tax associated funding. Councilor. Just one

[2:58:22] moment. I'm just going to get clarification. If there's. Anything

[2:58:24] to add, Mr. Logan or Mr. Sass, with regards to

[2:58:26] that, because there's always that question that comes with regards

[2:58:30] to when we're looking at providing these particular services. What

[2:58:33] is the city adding? Or what is the city contributing

[2:58:36] towards these? And we know. This is not a profitable

[2:58:41] service. That we're trying to maintain at a level pricing

[2:58:44] range. Just anything to add in that? Particular area. Yeah.

[2:58:47] Thank you. Maybe directly to your question, I believe Mel

[2:58:50] is correct that based on this budget book, there is

[2:58:53] more included in the total cost, which makes the revenue

[2:58:55] as a percentage look lower. But when we have our

[2:58:58] target, and I believe it's 35%, but Mr. Logan can

[2:59:01] correct me if. I'm wrong around transit fair recovery, which

[2:59:04] would have different costs included. Not all of the. Overall

[2:59:09] supports within the transit area are included in that cost

[2:59:12] recovery calculation. So that's why it looks lower than you'd

[2:59:14] anticipated. Thank you, councilor. Thank you. I just want to.

[2:59:18] Make sure that at least our objectives of collecting. Has

[2:59:22] not been diminished. In other words, we're still working toward

[2:59:26] a particular goal because even in this particular one, the

[2:59:29] fares, fees and charges are 9.6 million, but the property

[2:59:32] tax hit is 14 million. I just want to emphasize,

[2:59:36] because often we're saying, hey, we need better transit. But.

[2:59:42] What we're saying is the general taxpayer in the city

[2:59:44] is paying for more transit and the users are paying

[2:59:46] less and less as a percentage of it. The trend,

[2:59:48] if I'm seeing it, is concerning me a little bit

[2:59:50] and I just flag it for future consideration. Thank you.

[2:59:55] More questions. Councilor Wolverich, please. Thanks, Arisha. I can't help

[2:59:59] but jump. In with a comment on this because we

[3:00:01] often talk about transit being heavily subsidized. And it's a

[3:00:05] bugbear for me because snow removal, repairing our roads, also

[3:00:09] very tax heavily subsidized as well. So we often talk

[3:00:15] about cost recovery on transit. But we subsidize a lot

[3:00:20] of other maintenance in the city that is also taxpayer

[3:00:23] subsidized, so we also have to keep that in mind.

[3:00:26] I have to mention that because it's a bugbear of

[3:00:28] mine when we continue. To go back to that narrative.

[3:00:30] Thank you. Councilor Cannon. Questions? Just the supplemental. I know

[3:00:36] the target is 35%, but what are we? Running out

[3:00:38] of boat rail. Do we know? We're in the mid

[3:00:42] twenty s, I believe. Thank you. Councilor love. Councilor saying

[3:00:49] you had a comment. Just 1 second. Do you have

[3:00:52] a question? Just. Okay, please. Okay, so I wonder, given

[3:01:00] councilor Stack's question, And it seems to come up regularly.

[3:01:05] If we could add that as a performance factor. Fair

[3:01:09] recovery. I mean, our target is 35%. We ask it

[3:01:12] all the time, and I don't. Know if that's something

[3:01:14] we want to state publicly, but we're asking. It anyways

[3:01:16] publicly. Maybe we can add it. Thank you. That was

[3:01:19] okay. Appreciate that. So, seeing no further questions. Councilor Singh,

[3:01:23] you had a comment? Thank you, but I just want

[3:01:26] to go. Back to the Orchard park trans. Transit exchange

[3:01:30] security. Really appreciate that because. It's up till midnight. There

[3:01:35] are a lot of young people who work in the

[3:01:37] service. Industry who use that transit exchange, and it's important

[3:01:42] to have that assurance of safety. If there's any opportunity

[3:01:47] of it going further into the night wind, buses stop.

[3:01:52] Sorry, that turned into a question. Brittany, please. Your worship

[3:02:00] bus is at the Orchard Park Exchange run until 01:00

[3:02:04] a.m. on weekdays and until midnight on Sundays. Right. So

[3:02:08] that's why the recommendation, and we were balancing those hours.

[3:02:12] Thank you. So I just want to say appreciate that,

[3:02:14] because I know a lot of young people who are

[3:02:17] there taking a bus home. Thank you. Thank. You. Do

[3:02:21] you have a question or a comment? Just a comment.

[3:02:24] Just on getting the fair recovery at the box. I

[3:02:28] know it's a challenge for the drivers of talk to

[3:02:31] them, but I've also heard from residents. Even city staff

[3:02:35] member came to me and said that. They pay their

[3:02:39] monthly fee, but they see a lot of people go

[3:02:41] on the bus without paying. And I don't know if

[3:02:45] that's responsibility or who's enforcing. That's a conversation I put

[3:02:50] out there maybe for a management decision or discussion, because

[3:02:54] it isn't fair for people that. Are law buying, paying.

[3:02:58] Following the rules and contributing where others just decide to

[3:03:01] walk on and go pay. Thank you so. This is

[3:03:05] just comment. Councilor, comment, please. Thank you. I just want

[3:03:09] to give a shout out to our team here. As

[3:03:12] well as our drivers. And councilor Cannon's last comment is

[3:03:16] a really good comment. And I have to confess, when

[3:03:20] my yumo card had a hiccup, And I've asked for

[3:03:23] it in lieu of a parking stall at city hall.

[3:03:26] The drivers did not strictly enforce me getting on the

[3:03:29] bus. I mean, I was waving. I was trying to.

[3:03:31] Say I'm so sorry. I could have paid cash, but

[3:03:34] I knew I had that, so. I think there's a

[3:03:37] balance in there. It's pretty good. I've heard that 3%

[3:03:41] is typical. A fair evasion rate. That's typical. It's hard

[3:03:45] to get that lower unless we had stricter enforcement. But

[3:03:48] just two things. Councilor Singh raised the transit exchange security.

[3:03:52] I love that. And guess what? It's not. Just young

[3:03:54] people. There's old people, all people that benefit from that.

[3:03:58] So thank you for complimentary team. For jumping on that.

[3:04:01] Thank you very much. And then just one last comment

[3:04:04] regarding councilor Wolfage's. Comment. Transit is a social determinant of

[3:04:10] health. It is an act of transportation mode, and absolutely

[3:04:14] just like snow clearing and everything else keeps us healthy.

[3:04:18] And we need to do this. This is. A cost

[3:04:21] effective service that benefits the whole community. Because one more

[3:04:25] person on a bus or one more person on a

[3:04:26] bike or one more person. A sidewalk. There's one less

[3:04:29] person in a car in front of you. Comment. Councilor

[3:04:33] Stack, I know you want one more comment, you're welcome.

[3:04:39] Through the board, and it just will light back up

[3:04:40] and throw it out through the word light. Back up.

[3:04:44] I can see his eye right there. Okay, let's go.

[3:04:49] Just. Two brief comments, your worship. Back to councilor Woodbridge.

[3:04:55] Comment? We have a target of 35%, which were falling

[3:04:58] far. Short of. So if the decision is made by

[3:05:01] council that we want to offer much higher subsidized. Transit,

[3:05:05] then we need to make a policy decision of that.

[3:05:07] But at the current time. We just don't ever meet

[3:05:09] our objectives. So then it means if we want to.

[3:05:12] Change that. We need to relook at our objectives. That's

[3:05:14] my response to that. And the other comment? I just

[3:05:20] wanted to wait on councilor Lovegrove and cannons comment about

[3:05:23] fair evasion. I also have. A citizen reach out to

[3:05:27] me. And they're very concerned that the fair evasion is

[3:05:30] far, far higher than we might think. And he had

[3:05:33] asked us to look into this, and I. Indicated. I

[3:05:35] would raise that with the city manager. As an inquiry,

[3:05:39] but I have heard that we've heard that, obviously from

[3:05:41] multiple sources that there seems to be quite a bit

[3:05:44] abuse in the far Ab asian area and that it

[3:05:46] needs some attention to determine whether that is happening and

[3:05:50] if so, what we should be doing to address it.

[3:05:54] Councilor Weber, please. I give the mayor and aneurysm here

[3:05:56] in a minute. But another one, it just raises the

[3:06:02] question to me in the long run about transit security

[3:06:05] in general and how we may want to look at

[3:06:08] that. Transit cops. I don't know. The stations. The bus

[3:06:13] stops need to be more secure. The buses themselves need

[3:06:15] to move more secure. And then. That would also affect.

[3:06:19] How your percentages of bringing in fares and everything. It

[3:06:22] may just be a long term discussion. We have to

[3:06:24] look at. That's all. Thank you. Thank you. So, in

[3:06:28] closing, Yeah. No. When I asked that question and when

[3:06:36] I brought about that question, I brought it out about

[3:06:38] for a specific reason. And yesterday when we went out

[3:06:43] first thing in the morning and we're at Stewart park

[3:06:44] and opened up Stewart park alongside the food bank and

[3:06:46] the Salvation army, an individual came up to me and

[3:06:50] stated how grateful they were that the city. Opened up

[3:06:55] Stewart park at no cost. So that residents, whether, depending

[3:07:00] upon their financial situation, we're able to kind of go

[3:07:02] down. At Stewart park and enjoy the skate with them

[3:07:04] and their families. And he was so grateful over the

[3:07:06] years. And one of the reasons why I brought that

[3:07:08] up, and yes, it goes to our snow plowing. And

[3:07:11] yes, it goes to those other items, but it also

[3:07:13] goes to the positive. Aspect of that we recognize there

[3:07:16] is a need to maintain. This particular service within our

[3:07:19] community, but we subsidize it and we subsidize and sometimes

[3:07:23] that's not recognized that we subsidize it. And yes, we

[3:07:26] have a target that we want to get to at

[3:07:28] some particular point in time, and we'll work towards that.

[3:07:30] But that's an operational cost that we pay through taxation

[3:07:34] and through other items to subsidize that, like we do

[3:07:36] with regards to Stewart Park. So it was kind of

[3:07:39] a positive comment and a sense of recognizing what we're

[3:07:42] doing. To kind of subsidize it, that it is an

[3:07:45] expense that we incur, that we do not recover for

[3:07:48] the operational aspect of it, but it is something we're

[3:07:50] working. Towards, but it's also a service within the community.

[3:07:53] But I truly like the trigger points. On all the

[3:07:55] different discussions and went different ways, so truly appreciate. That.

[3:07:59] So in that we're closing. Melanie. So just to counsel

[3:08:05] and to everybody that's here, we're going to go through

[3:08:07] parks. Then we're going to break for lunch. That allows

[3:08:10] Mr. Logan to finish off his section. So we're going

[3:08:13] to continue through parks. And then after that, we will

[3:08:15] break for lunch. Thank you, your worship. So, moving into

[3:08:19] the park service area. This is on page 220 of

[3:08:25] your financial plan. Thank your worship. We will wrap up

[3:08:31] the infrastructure operations. Recap and I would like to highlight.

[3:08:37] That the parks planning team has run out of Derek's

[3:08:40] area and Melanie Stefoon has joined us as well of

[3:08:43] council has questions in that regard. I'd like to highlight

[3:08:47] in 2025, we had a banner year opening the outstanding

[3:08:51] to heart community park the waterfront stage renewal. Improving the

[3:08:56] accessibility of Strathcona park as well as the burn Avenue

[3:08:59] park and Summit parks. Which many members of council were

[3:09:03] at those great community facility openings. Looking forward for the

[3:09:08] next couple of years. We've broken ground on the Parkinson

[3:09:10] rec center. You had to look at where we're at

[3:09:12] with that. It's coming along extremely. Well, glenmore park, phase

[3:09:17] five is well underway. And the tennis dome is under

[3:09:21] construction in southeast Mission Park. We've also opened the upgraded

[3:09:28] lookout on Knox Mountain, which is a tremendous combination of

[3:09:32] public art with an indigenous tone to it and improving

[3:09:37] a very, very popular park in our city and finally.

[3:09:42] We also in Knox Mountain, the team has spent a

[3:09:44] considerable amount of time decommissioning. What we were calling rogue

[3:09:47] trails. And those trails are contributing to soil erosion on

[3:09:52] the hillside. And depleting our natural vegetation. Looking ahead of

[3:09:58] continuous improvements and focusing a little bit more on the

[3:10:00] operation. We have investigated autonomous moors for our secure area

[3:10:06] so that we can reduce our staff complement or. What

[3:10:10] I've noticed is actually the staff go and deliver the

[3:10:13] device and then they go. Off and do something else

[3:10:15] while that device is doing its job. And one of

[3:10:19] those devices that we have in the field now is

[3:10:21] a robotic line painter and we have a second robotic

[3:10:24] line painter coming so that we have redundancy and we

[3:10:28] can ask to do more. That'll be a big help

[3:10:30] next year when we tackle touchdown, Kelowna. And we also.

[3:10:35] Continue to expand our battery powered equipment. And there's two

[3:10:39] reasons for this. First is our environmental goals and objectives

[3:10:42] to reduce gas powered, but they're also a lot quieter.

[3:10:46] And you may have noticed when you're down at city

[3:10:49] hall and the staff are maintaining Stuart Parker or City

[3:10:52] park. How much quieter that equipment is from. Our traditional

[3:10:55] equipment. Looking at some of our performance metrics. Performance metric

[3:11:00] one is around the user satisfaction. I'm very surprised that

[3:11:04] we only have 90% for 2026 estimate. I think with

[3:11:07] everything we're doing, I would expect that number is going

[3:11:09] to increase, not stay constant. We've put a lot of

[3:11:14] emphasis on performance metric number two and keeping our washrooms

[3:11:18] cleaner. It's a public amenity that families, particularly under beaches,

[3:11:24] want, and we've increased. The frequency of service there and

[3:11:28] similarly waste bins. We've done two things we've increased the

[3:11:31] frequency in key areas, and we've also changed out to

[3:11:34] much larger. You see, in the bottom line, we've come

[3:11:37] from 100 liters to 1300 liters. So that we don't

[3:11:40] have to empty the bins in city park five times

[3:11:43] a day. One of the things that people love about

[3:11:47] colon is the number of plants, our planters, our parks,

[3:11:50] the parks around city hall, Stewart park. It's really outstanding

[3:11:53] feature that we do. We're maintaining that service level into

[3:11:57] next year. And finally, tree planning. We are as well,

[3:12:04] maintaining the targets for both. Our neighborhoods, programs and our

[3:12:09] parks planted trees. So again, we're greening up the city.

[3:12:12] And we're working towards. Our targets in that regard. Thank

[3:12:16] you, worship. And I will turn it back to. Mal.

[3:12:21] The park service area. Has an expenditure budget of $80.4

[3:12:28] million and is operated under six different cost centers. This

[3:12:34] service area is predominantly funded from transfers from reserves, property

[3:12:39] taxes, and borrowing. The 2025 revised budget was $86,614,000.

[3:12:51] After annualizing previously approved budget request, the 2026 year will

[3:12:56] start at 20,260,000. The service area to maintain current service

[3:13:02] levels is requesting 48,000,330 7 million. Dollars and to enhance

[3:13:11] service levels, is requesting 11,768,000. This service area has one

[3:13:18] priority one operating request, as well as operating and maintenance

[3:13:23] impacts from their capital program. The one operating request is

[3:13:29] for park maintenance, and it's an increase of 1,063,000. In

[3:13:32] 2026. Increasing to 1,089,000 in 2027, then 1,115,000 in

[3:13:40] 2028. Ongoing funded from taxation. The

[3:13:47] 2026 capital. Plan fully aligned to the council adopted ten

[3:13:54] year capital plan. Is there any request that council would

[3:13:57] like to discuss further. City manager, please. Yeah. Thank you.

[3:14:03] I can just make a quick comment generally about the

[3:14:05] park development program for council gets into questions. Typically, when

[3:14:10] we're advancing or accelerating an area like we have with

[3:14:14] parks, You have to make a trade off discussion between

[3:14:17] quality or quantity. And in our case, we're. Doing both.

[3:14:21] We're doing very, very high quality parks, and we're doing

[3:14:23] a lot of them over the kind of a five

[3:14:26] year window. And it is putting pressure on our operating

[3:14:30] budget. I'm sure Mr. Logan and Mr. Boss could have

[3:14:33] easily doubled this request. And, in fact, I think they

[3:14:36] may have, and we brought it. Back down to what

[3:14:38] we could afford. And to get it to the standard

[3:14:41] that I think this council and this community would like

[3:14:43] to see in terms. Of maintenance in our parks, and

[3:14:47] what's keeping us on track is the innovations that. Mr.

[3:14:51] LoGaN talked about the team is coming up with, through

[3:14:54] their own initiative and passion to do a great job,

[3:14:57] but it is putting pressure on our operating budget. On

[3:15:00] the planning side, the team is well aware of those

[3:15:03] operating pressures as well, and taking great strides. To try

[3:15:06] and create things. That are efficiently operable. In their consistent

[3:15:11] design of new facilities like you're seeing. In the community

[3:15:15] centers for under BSK. By using common fixtures and things

[3:15:19] like that, you'll see that in the washroom program as

[3:15:21] well as we start to develop new washrooms. To see

[3:15:24] a little bit more homogeneous designs with. Commonalities to them

[3:15:27] to reduce operating costs ongoing. So I just wanted to

[3:15:30] let council know. There's a lot of effort in this

[3:15:32] area, but that does create pressure and teams working really

[3:15:36] hard to continue to advance the program at an accelerated

[3:15:39] pace like we're doing, right. Now. Thank you. Questions. Councilor

[3:15:43] Wolverge, please. Thanks for worship. And before I go to

[3:15:46] my question, I just really want to acknowledge performance. Measure

[3:15:49] four, which is the beautification. And high impact areas. This

[3:15:53] was highlighted in our city at work project earlier this

[3:15:56] year and the passion that the parks team brings to

[3:15:59] their work every day in terms of the floral plantings

[3:16:02] and all of the beautification we've seen throughout the city,

[3:16:04] I really have to commend it. Something that's raised often

[3:16:07] to me throughout the year. And that's reflected in that

[3:16:10] performance measure there. So I just really want to acknowledge

[3:16:13] the team for all the hard work that goes into

[3:16:15] that, because residents continually raise that with me. The one

[3:16:20] question that I had was around the capital opportunities and

[3:16:24] partnerships of parks. I know that we've done quite well.

[3:16:28] In the past with our partnerships office on seed funding.

[3:16:32] There's a $500,000 request. And the justification is a little

[3:16:37] bit of a word salad. So I'm wondering if we

[3:16:40] can just have a little bit more clarity around. What

[3:16:43] that fund is to be used for, what the strategy

[3:16:46] is behind it, obviously. It hasn't been identified yet, but

[3:16:50] it's on page 231. And it says the focus of

[3:16:54] the Capital Opportunities Partnership Fund is to leverage funds through

[3:16:57] partnerships to achieve much greater community benefit. To represent a

[3:17:02] significant multiplier of the investment, and so I'm hoping we

[3:17:05] can just get a little bit more clarity on. Good

[3:17:09] afternoon. What that is? Good afternoon, Mr. Edson. Thank you,

[3:17:12] your worship. And to answer council's. Question. This is one

[3:17:16] part of two parts of the partnership fund. The total

[3:17:19] amount is $1.5 million, and these are directed by council.

[3:17:26] To leverage partnership opportunities. So when I come forward with

[3:17:30] my partnerships office, I'll speak to the performance metrics of

[3:17:33] two to one. I believe council regularly refers to that.

[3:17:35] Two to one. Metric, and this is the base funding

[3:17:37] that allows us to do it without the base funding

[3:17:40] in place. We're not able to be nimble and agile

[3:17:43] to have those negotiations and all. Of it will be.

[3:17:46] Negotiated by staff and brought forward to council a couple

[3:17:50] of examples of how council directed those funds. In the

[3:17:53] past year and made some major community investments happen at

[3:17:58] a lower taxation than we would otherwise would see would

[3:18:00] be the Okragon College wellness facility as well as the.

[3:18:05] Tennis dome that has been identified. Those are the two

[3:18:07] significant ones, but it's also available to partner on parks

[3:18:11] development, where a developer could come forward and we could

[3:18:14] see a park delivered. At a lower cost. So all

[3:18:17] of those are brought forward and reported to council, but

[3:18:19] that is. The two to one leverage metric that you

[3:18:21] will see coming forward and. It's a requirement for us

[3:18:25] to be able to activate that program. Thank you, Mr.

[3:18:27] Edstream. And I think that's really important that the public

[3:18:29] understands how those strategic funds are. Used because after the

[3:18:32] fact, they're often very much appreciated. So thank you for

[3:18:35] the explanation. Councilor Dehart, please thank your worship. Yeah, I

[3:18:39] have just a question. On the cook road. Boat launch.

[3:18:42] But just as a prelude, I just. Wanted to comment

[3:18:45] on the manager's, city manager's comments. Completely agree. And just

[3:18:49] wanted to thank Mr. Boss and his team, and we're

[3:18:52] constantly, constantly get kudos and compliments. On parks. I know

[3:18:56] we all do, but I think we should say it

[3:18:58] more often, but. My question is. On the Cook road

[3:19:02] boat launch. I just wanted to know because. There is.

[3:19:08] A substantial. Private operation there that uses the launch extensively.

[3:19:14] Do we get any cost recovery on what we're? Doing

[3:19:17] on this? Because. We see that. I mean, it's constant

[3:19:22] and it's a huge operation, so. I just want clarification.

[3:19:27] On that. And if we are in what they should

[3:19:29] or shouldn't or whatever, I'm going. My answer is yes.

[3:19:36] But I think Derek wants to expand on that. Okay,

[3:19:39] you're correct. For your worship. Yes. We have, and we

[3:19:41] have for a long period of time. We have a

[3:19:43] standing agreement with them. Good. So you feel it's sufficient?

[3:19:46] City is happy with it, we think. We're getting what

[3:19:51] we should because it is a huge operation. Yes, your

[3:19:53] worship, we always transact a fair market value and. They

[3:19:58] have. Been a good partner, I would say, but also

[3:20:02] have provided the appropriate revenue that they should for the

[3:20:06] number of boats, what you are seeing. In there just

[3:20:10] for council to be aware of because there has been

[3:20:13] service level conversations about the amount of sediment that's in

[3:20:16] there. This is a movement going forward to actually see

[3:20:21] a groin in place to reduce the sediment going. Forward.

[3:20:24] So we're not going to have the annual. Dredging costs

[3:20:28] and impacts going forward, as well as a full reconstruction

[3:20:31] of the actual pads coming in to the Cook Road

[3:20:34] boat launch, because right now there is a bit of

[3:20:36] the problems at the toe of the pads as well.

[3:20:40] So yes to the revenue and yes to finding a

[3:20:43] longer term solution. So we're not dredging on an annual

[3:20:46] basis. Good. Thank you very much. And council Dehart, to

[3:20:49] your question. I believe it has come about with regards

[3:20:52] to private industry. Also stating great concern that if they

[3:20:55] have private businesses and are using that particular launch. That,

[3:21:00] facilities like that. Are not being charged accordingly, and it

[3:21:06] is good clarification that they are being charged accordingly. As

[3:21:11] our private industries, according to current legislation or current bylaws

[3:21:15] that we put into place. So it's just important points.

[3:21:19] I mean, sometimes that message doesn't get always carried. Out,

[3:21:21] so I appreciate asking that question. Councilor Cannon, please. Thank

[3:21:27] you. Thanks to councilor Dehartlo is my question as well.

[3:21:29] Because I've had a lot of comments and concerns on

[3:21:32] that. As far as the art walk expansion. I'm going

[3:21:35] to ask. Member of the Casagai society last year they

[3:21:39] talked. About this, so I just want to clarify, so.

[3:21:42] We're moving closer to the Queen's Way, extending through just

[3:21:45] in the back by casket gardens that won't be affected?

[3:21:48] I don't believe, but. There'll be Bennett clock and that

[3:21:52] area, then. Will be renovated, updated. I think Mr. Poon

[3:21:57] might be the best one to add the details. I

[3:22:00] know we did. Reduce. We have a master plan or

[3:22:02] a vision for the whole walk, but we've reduced. The

[3:22:05] initial construction phase. Your worship. I'll handle. The question. It

[3:22:13] is a renewal. Of the walk that you see beside

[3:22:16] casket gardens now. And as you can imagine, as you

[3:22:20] walk. From the ben o'clock down that corridor. It ends

[3:22:25] right inside of a parking lot. So? The focus is

[3:22:27] to actually provide the connection all the way through. And

[3:22:31] if you think about the downtown and our cultural plan.

[3:22:35] Eventually, it will connect behind the colon, community theater, and

[3:22:37] then connect to the art walk. So this is the

[3:22:39] next stage, so it doesn't provide that feeling right now

[3:22:42] where you just kind of dead end in the city

[3:22:44] parking lot. Thank you very much. I appreciate that explanation.

[3:22:48] Just one. Last question on the performance measure five, the

[3:22:51] sustainable urban forest strategy. It talks about 3140 trees per

[3:22:57] year is what we're trying to do, but we're only

[3:22:59] at 2700. And then it might not even be 27,

[3:23:02] because it could be less than that. With trees removed

[3:23:05] and damaged and vandalism. Is that correct? Yes, unfortunately, is

[3:23:09] correct. As you know, homeowners that think they can cut

[3:23:13] down trees in public property. Do we know? How significant

[3:23:20] that is. Last year. I can think of at least

[3:23:25] 20 to 25 that came down. And we applied fines.

[3:23:29] And I know for one we settled with property owner

[3:23:34] for. Over $55,000. Thank you. Councilor Weber, please. Just going

[3:23:43] back to the art walk expansion again. I see that

[3:23:47] it includes updating Bennett Plaza last night at the Downtown

[3:23:51] Colonial association board meeting. They were talking about a lack

[3:23:54] of public washrooms in some parts of downtown, and I

[3:23:58] said, I remember seeing something about this in the budget,

[3:24:01] and so literally, we've had various reiterations or iterations of

[3:24:04] washrooms and. Facilities in that area. And is that part

[3:24:09] of the overall plan for that, too? For that area.

[3:24:15] The public washroom plan that we have right now is

[3:24:16] focused more on renewals in the beach areas, not in

[3:24:19] the downtown area. Mel could correct me if I'm wrong,

[3:24:22] but I don't think Carrie park has any contemplated public

[3:24:25] washrooms being added there. But we are looking at City

[3:24:28] park and potentially a change room facility in that area.

[3:24:32] Okay. No, the reason I mentioned it is that ciS

[3:24:34] public washrooms. In the art walk expansion description. So, anyway,

[3:24:37] that's besides the point, I guess. For now. Thank you.

[3:24:42] Councilor Lovegrove. Do you have questions? Thanks. So appreciate questions,

[3:24:48] my colleagues. I just want to follow up on the

[3:24:50] performance measure five. So am I reading this right? Our

[3:24:54] target is. And you wrote it in the last sentence,

[3:24:56] 31 40 per year. And so for 2026, our estimate,

[3:25:00] or forecast is we're going to. Stay at 2700. The

[3:25:04] same amount we planted this year? That's our expectation, yes,

[3:25:07] council. Okay, good. Okay, great. And then. Where is it?

[3:25:13] Come on. I just moved my finger. There it is.

[3:25:19] What's the timing on the aquatic center? This is page

[3:25:21] 232. Carry park. We're currently constructing phase three a, which

[3:25:30] is the twinning of the pathway from the sales towards

[3:25:33] the west to connect to the previous. Previously constructed. Phase

[3:25:39] two. Phase three. B is the aquatic center that's currently

[3:25:43] in the design. Stage and the construction is non anticipated

[3:25:48] to start until at least the fall of next year.

[3:25:50] After this or the heart of the tourist season. Even

[3:25:54] if we have an opportunity to move in a little

[3:25:56] earlier. With Memorial cup and touchdown Kelowna. In our usual

[3:26:01] summer activity, we're going to hold off until the fall

[3:26:04] for the start of that, and that'll also coincide with

[3:26:07] the start of construction on the carry park. Reconstruction of

[3:26:11] that area. Okay, fair enough. That's exciting. And thank you

[3:26:14] for that. The park upgrades. Just detailed looking at all

[3:26:19] the different parks. Great. Strathcona. There's more work to be

[3:26:25] done in Strathcona Beach Park. Maybe I should ask. What?

[3:26:30] Sorry. What work is going to be done in Strathcona.

[3:26:34] Oh, sorry. Page 233. I'm not 100% sure. What the

[3:26:40] details are and that what the plan is for that

[3:26:42] park. Maybe Ms. Dapun. Can advise council on that likely

[3:26:46] small item. The quantities association that has been key with

[3:26:51] regards to kind of bringing forward apparatus that is completely

[3:26:55] user friendly. Has future plans to look at expanding that

[3:26:59] through their initiatives, and that would kind of be working.

[3:27:02] Alongside, if you care to add anything else to that.

[3:27:05] Sorry. I knew you guys were just chatting. There for

[3:27:07] a second, so I jumped in. Yes, your worship, that

[3:27:10] is correct. So the master plan. For Strathcona park is

[3:27:14] done in phases. And the next phase that we work

[3:27:19] with. Typically KGH foundation is for swings and a splash

[3:27:24] area for accessibility. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Thank you

[3:27:29] very much. Thanks. Thank you. Seeing no further questions. One

[3:27:34] more question, Councilor Dehart. Thank you, Mila. Matt, just to

[3:27:38] clarify, because I don't know if anyone. Well, I got

[3:27:43] lost because of. Mr. Councilor Webers. So it says. On

[3:27:48] our artwalk expansion. On page 231, it does say public

[3:27:52] washroom. But. You said. Well, I got mixed up when

[3:27:57] you start talking about it, because it does say that.

[3:27:59] In the program, and there is a washroom there. I

[3:28:02] know it was volunteer run and whatever. I don't know

[3:28:04] what's happening with it now. So can you explain that

[3:28:08] public washroom bit there? Because it does say that in

[3:28:11] the budget. Thank you, Councilor Dehart. I do not know

[3:28:14] the details on that, so I'm. Going to look, Mr.

[3:28:17] Boss. Councilor. Good question. So I think it's an issue

[3:28:22] of write up here. We have a project for also

[3:28:30] the Queen's Way Plaza design. Which was a different portion,

[3:28:36] which would contemplate a building. For transit, bicycle storage, et

[3:28:41] cetera, et cetera. This portion of that funding is related

[3:28:44] to the artwork. Phase three only. So, basically, starting at

[3:28:48] the plaza. Moving its way through. The parking lot up

[3:28:52] to Doyle. Confusion there with regards to two. Great. Thank

[3:28:56] you for the clarification. No further questions. Comments councilor stack

[3:29:01] yes, thank you. I just wanted to lend my voice

[3:29:03] to councilor Woolridge. Indy hart on complimenting our parks department

[3:29:08] on the condition of our parks. I just seem to

[3:29:11] be spending more and more time in them. And I

[3:29:15] do believe from all the parks I've seen in the

[3:29:17] different communities I visit, that the quality of grass. The

[3:29:21] flowers and the cleanliness of our parks are second to

[3:29:25] none. And I think even, like with the new waistbands

[3:29:29] that are in there, I've not seen overflowing like. We

[3:29:31] used to. We used to have a real problem with

[3:29:33] that. And. Staff have come up with a very, very

[3:29:37] good response. But just the quality of the grass. Like,

[3:29:40] even in late August when the weather is super hot.

[3:29:43] And dry here. Our grass in our parks is absolutely

[3:29:46] beautiful. So it's something I take. A lot of pride

[3:29:50] in. And I also touched on the Dehyd park. It's

[3:29:53] just absolutely spectacular and even. As down there last week.

[3:29:57] Once again, the grass condition is fantastic. So something I

[3:30:01] think we as citizens should all take a lot of

[3:30:04] pride in. Thank you, Councilor Odge. Please. Well, ditto, Mr.

[3:30:09] Merrier. At the end of this term, some of us

[3:30:13] may or may. Not come back again to council. I

[3:30:15] know I won't be, but I will leave here. With

[3:30:18] the one thought of my mind, the thing that I'm

[3:30:21] proudest of. With this council and with this. Staff. For

[3:30:28] this city is our parks. And it's a direct hard

[3:30:31] work of staff who have just done a phenomenal job.

[3:30:35] They've found land. They've enhanced land. We've got some brilliant

[3:30:40] staff that have worked very hard to find good property.

[3:30:46] And then the workers. That have turned them into magic.

[3:30:50] So. That'll be my greatest memory. And the greatest pride

[3:30:55] of this council. And this council. And this whole group.

[3:31:00] Is our parks, and it's directly due to. A cohort

[3:31:05] and staff, and I just want to say thank you.

[3:31:07] Thank you very much. Thank you. Councilor Hodge. Councilor, logo,

[3:31:10] please. Just one final adding to the dittos. Gudos. And

[3:31:15] thanks again. Yesterday when you and I were on the

[3:31:17] Rinka, the third person that joined us at 07:00 a.m.

[3:31:20] was. A recent. Transfer from Vanderhoof to Kelowna, and he

[3:31:26] could not say enough about our parks. He was just

[3:31:30] blown away. He used to be one of the parks

[3:31:32] and recreation managers up there, and he's got the eye,

[3:31:35] he's got the expertise, and that was high. Prayers for

[3:31:38] our city. Absolutely proud of what we do. Thank you

[3:31:40] so much. Thank you. Just final comment with regards to,

[3:31:45] obviously. What the team, Mr. Logan, Mr. Boss, and all

[3:31:50] of the partnership teams that's involved with regards to this.

[3:31:53] Thank you for the work that you do in our

[3:31:54] community. As council was just saying? It's. Very obvious. Of

[3:32:01] the concern that we have around parks and the recreation

[3:32:03] elements within this community, and I know there was discussion

[3:32:06] that came up earlier this week with regards to an

[3:32:09] area of our community that we are using potentially for

[3:32:12] something a little bit different. But the plan is that

[3:32:15] I hope that that even activates that park more, as

[3:32:17] councilor Stack had mentioned, and brings it even that much

[3:32:20] more into the forefront. Within our community and based upon

[3:32:22] the work that you've done in other areas, to kind

[3:32:25] of treat our parks appropriately. I know that we care

[3:32:29] about them, and it will definitely be done. So I

[3:32:32] thank you for that. And that I would say we

[3:32:36] are adjourned. Is there one other item to go through?

[3:32:41] Just that there is two priority two items in this

[3:32:44] service area. One for the bear proof waste. Receptacles and

[3:32:47] one for trail network. So, just to ask if council

[3:32:51] would like to. Discuss either of those requests. Seeing none.

[3:32:55] We are breaking for lunch. Thank you. Excellent. Thanks. Council,

[3:33:05] we will reconvene. At 115. And just to a note.

[3:33:17] We have an appointment this afternoon at. 345. Oh, it's

[3:33:22] Monday. Okay. Sorry. My apologies with regards to it. Thank

[3:33:25] you.

[3:38:05] Good God. Way to back me up. Good. Thank you.

[3:38:13] Just going to call this back to order. City clerk,

[3:38:20] please. Thank you, your worship. For those following along on

[3:38:23] the agenda, we are now on. Item 14 for the

[3:38:26] support and recreation service area. Afternoon, Ms. Gabriel. Thank you,

[3:38:34] your worship. As Laura just mentioned. Start with sport and

[3:38:39] recreation and just anyone who's following along in their budget

[3:38:43] volume. We are on page 236. And we welcome the

[3:38:48] divisional Director of Active Living in Culture, Mr. Jim Gabriel.

[3:38:53] Thank you, Ms. Gabriel, for being here. Thanks. Good afternoon,

[3:38:56] your worshiping council. Great to be here. So sport and

[3:38:59] recreation play a pitiful role in shaping a vibrant, healthy

[3:39:03] and cohesive communities. This service area recognizes that accessible sport

[3:39:07] and recreation is essential for everyone. People of all ages,

[3:39:11] abilities and interests. Through the programs and activities and services

[3:39:15] provided, numerous benefits are achieved, including advanced. Enhanced mental, physical

[3:39:22] and social well being, help build strong families and connected

[3:39:25] communities, improve quality of life. Provide significant economic stimulus and

[3:39:31] contribute to community growth. In 2025, numerous projects and initiatives

[3:39:37] were advanced. A couple examples include the development of a

[3:39:40] corporate accessibility plan. Per legislative requirements and accessibility Advisory committee

[3:39:48] was established that supported the development of. Accessibility to plan

[3:39:53] and we continue to support this group in the advancement

[3:39:56] of the actions from this plan. The building stronger. Klona,

[3:40:00] which has been referenced numerous times today, continues to play

[3:40:03] a big role within our world. And there's probably three

[3:40:06] touch points for us, which is the RPRC. Detail design

[3:40:11] activity center validation. And operational work looking when we open

[3:40:17] the facilities, and I'll make reference to that in the

[3:40:19] next slide as well. Also updating our fees and charges

[3:40:22] program where fees set become more transparent and intentional. We

[3:40:27] now have a framework to continue to build on that

[3:40:30] connects our fees to the cost of delivering the service.

[3:40:34] Community benefit and target investment. And again, the program is

[3:40:38] connected back with the corporate fees and charges. Policy. A

[3:40:43] couple items for continuous improvement. The first one I was

[3:40:45] going to take just a minute on. Is the BSK

[3:40:47] operational planning. Recognizing the complexity and significance of launching five

[3:40:53] new recreation facilities and I put Okanagan collage into that

[3:40:56] bucket as well. Across divisional team has begun operational planning

[3:41:01] for BSK. The team is creating the framework. For the

[3:41:05] allocation of time and space within the facilities, operations, memberships,

[3:41:10] programs, staffing, and financial modeling with a focus on data

[3:41:14] and user experience. This will ensure the facilities will open

[3:41:18] up when they're ready to go. The last one I'll

[3:41:21] comment on. Just under this area is the event framework

[3:41:25] with significant intention on event and upcoming events, major sport

[3:41:29] and community events, and the fact that event tourism is

[3:41:32] now part of the action within council priorities under economic

[3:41:37] development. We are in the process of updating our event.

[3:41:41] Framework and service levels. We've been to council numerous times

[3:41:44] over this last year, talking about some of the different

[3:41:46] events that have happened, the community value, community benefit, economic

[3:41:50] impact, and this will be kind of a segue into

[3:41:54] workshops starting on Monday, and we'll do some more. Work

[3:41:57] over the course of next year to update the event

[3:41:58] framework. Understanding the vision. And where we're going to be

[3:42:01] going with this portfolio. Couple performance measurements to highlight. I

[3:42:07] won't go through them all, but I'll touch. On just

[3:42:09] a few. The first one is the sport park area

[3:42:12] per 1000 residents. This metric measures the area of grass

[3:42:16] sports fields is the field itself in the surrounding area.

[3:42:23] And it's provided in hectares per 1000 residents compared to

[3:42:25] other municipalities. You can see that were midstream, slightly below

[3:42:29] midstream in terms of what we offer. And then when

[3:42:32] you consider this metric, the important aspect, I think, is

[3:42:35] you take the numbers that we have the combination of

[3:42:38] that with the level of use on the site. And.

[3:42:43] Their availability becomes a pretty important combination of things to

[3:42:46] look at and I'll touch on. That a bit more

[3:42:48] in the next slide. The next area. Citizen satisfaction. Performance

[3:42:54] management number two. And so every two years, the citizen

[3:42:57] survey is carried out to assess the public satisfaction with

[3:43:00] the Mitchell programs and services. Evaluating resident satisfaction with city

[3:43:06] provided support and recreation facilities, programs, and the area really

[3:43:10] looks at parks and sports fields, rec facilities and programs.

[3:43:14] And one of the things you'll notice in 2026 sports

[3:43:17] fields have taken a bit of a dip and it's

[3:43:20] got nothing to do with the quality of them just

[3:43:22] through the. Building sunglass bundle. We've taken five key sports

[3:43:27] fields out of our inventory. And they're key facilities and

[3:43:31] so, of course, that's going to have a bit. Of

[3:43:32] an impact on what we can do. But come 20,

[3:43:35] 27, 28, we'll have a net gain. I think of

[3:43:38] about 4.5. When you look at Glen Moore with natural

[3:43:41] light. Natural. Turf field, wet lights. Retland will have an

[3:43:45] artificial turf with lights, and so that combination will be

[3:43:49] better off than where we are today. So a bit

[3:43:50] of a. Bit of a pain today. But net gain

[3:43:54] down the road. The last two. The first one, tournaments

[3:43:58] and events. The advantages of hosting tournaments and events has

[3:44:03] been documented significantly over 2025. Our approach adopts a proactive

[3:44:10] approach on event hosting by securing tournaments and events, aiding

[3:44:14] in the growth of existing events and ensuring. The availability

[3:44:19] of well maintained facilities and tournament sites. The objective is

[3:44:24] to foster a dynamic and balanced mix of tournaments and

[3:44:27] events throughout the community. One of the things that we're

[3:44:30] looking at over the course of 2026 right now. It's

[3:44:34] more of an output. It just shows a number of

[3:44:36] things that we've been able to secure and that we

[3:44:38] host. We're looking to change that to something a bit

[3:44:40] more. Looking at the economic gain of these events and

[3:44:45] turn it around from an output to an outcome. Kind

[3:44:48] of framework? The last one. Is the sports facility and

[3:44:53] capacity hours. So appreciating the importance of sport and recreation.

[3:44:57] Facilities play in enhancing community life. Understanding. The facility capacity

[3:45:02] as a key aspect in terms of how we can

[3:45:05] service the community and how we can influence future planning.

[3:45:09] The aim is to optimize the use of these facilities.

[3:45:12] Maintain adequate public access, required maintenance time and anticipate future

[3:45:17] needs. Presently, our sports fields, arenas and stadiums are at

[3:45:22] capacity. With that. I'll flip it back over to bell.

[3:45:34] The Sport and Recreation service area has an expenditure budget

[3:45:38] of 2026 of $146.6. Million and is operated under six

[3:45:45] cost centers. The funding strategy for the year is predominantly

[3:45:51] borrowing. That is all attributed to the replacement of the

[3:45:56] Parkinson Recreation center as part of the capital program. The

[3:46:01] other major funding sources are transfers from reserves and property

[3:46:05] taxes. The 2025 revised budget was $48,598,000.

[3:46:16] After the annualization of previously approved budget requests, the 2026

[3:46:20] year is starting at 25,880,000. To maintain current service levels,

[3:46:27] an additional 77,083,000 is being requested and to enhance service

[3:46:33] levels. An additional 43,588,000 is requested. This service area

[3:46:43] has two priority one operating requests as well as one

[3:46:47] request for operating and maintenance. Impacts from the capital program.

[3:46:50] These can be found on page 246 of your budget

[3:46:54] volume. First request is for community partnerships starting at $70,000

[3:46:59] in 2026. Increasing to 135,000 ongoing funded from taxation. Second

[3:47:07] is the sports and community events activation for 170,000 in

[3:47:11] 2026, increasing to 235,000 ongoing, which is funded from taxation,

[3:47:18] but is recommended to be funded as part of the

[3:47:21] council stra. Strategic initiatives budget request the original $500,000. The

[3:47:28] sport and Recreation 2026 capital requests. Are in alignment with

[3:47:36] the council approved ten year capital plan. Is there any

[3:47:41] priority one request that council would like to discuss further?

[3:47:46] Councilor Wolverich. Thanks to worship. Thanks, Jim. Just a question

[3:47:50] about the community partnerships position. The explanation kind of shares

[3:47:56] what it will function as. But how is that being

[3:47:59] managed right now? And what are the implications? If we

[3:48:02] don't have this position, yes. You worship this position within

[3:48:06] the partnerships office. They pay attention. They do a lot

[3:48:09] of work on the major partnerships, the big ones and

[3:48:11] the things that we do with some of the major

[3:48:13] facilities and stuff. So this one takes a deeper like

[3:48:15] a lower level look within the community itself. So it'll

[3:48:19] be working with a number. Of different not for profit

[3:48:22] organizations within the community as they look after their facility.

[3:48:25] So it's. Going to be looking at how. We can

[3:48:28] leverage and manage existing relationships and existing partnerships, and I

[3:48:32] can give you a couple of examples and service agreements.

[3:48:35] Be proactive in how we manage them and how we

[3:48:38] work with them. Managing partnerships is a two way process.

[3:48:43] In the service, you don't just do it and sort

[3:48:44] of walk away. So we have some responsibilities and accountability

[3:48:47] with that as well, so. It's going to deal with

[3:48:50] that, but also help us with new opportunities are at

[3:48:53] the door and we get numerous that come in through

[3:48:55] the sport and recreation area and arts and culture. Area,

[3:48:58] how we can advance them and either to move them

[3:49:00] forward. Or. To. Stop the process. Okay, so. It's going

[3:49:07] to allow us. To work better, I think, within our

[3:49:10] organizations that we deal with and also be more responsive

[3:49:13] to. New opportunities that are coming in. Okay, so it

[3:49:15] moves us outside of just. The large facilities like the

[3:49:18] YMC that manages some of the bigger. For example, those

[3:49:23] ones still fall within AOC in terms of the day

[3:49:25] to day contract administration. Okay, so this position would play

[3:49:29] a part of that. Right now. Often I wouldn't say

[3:49:32] it's side of desk, but. Without the proper attention. You

[3:49:36] get the attention when it's almost like issues management versus

[3:49:40] how are things going? Get proper reporting, looking at the

[3:49:43] facilities, doing proper walkthroughs and. Things like that. Okay, that

[3:49:46] makes sense to me. Thank you. Thank you, councilor stack.

[3:49:48] Please. Thank you. Melanie, can you speak once again? To

[3:49:52] the sports and community events activation. You mentioned that. This

[3:49:57] is in alignment with the also council priorities. But is

[3:50:00] this as well as or just refresh how the whole

[3:50:03] package comes together so I can understand what the total

[3:50:06] impact is. Your worship. I think it would be. Archie.

[3:50:11] Thank you. Thank you, your worship. So. When we were

[3:50:13] planning the budget for 2025, we had earmarked $500,000. To

[3:50:18] be included in this budget as part of the council's

[3:50:21] strategic initiatives. Top up like this is a funding source

[3:50:24] that was in the budget a couple years ago that

[3:50:26] has been fully allocated out now. From that $500,000. Two

[3:50:32] requests were identified and are being recommended to be funded

[3:50:35] out of that amount. So the first one being the

[3:50:38] business improvements area service area request. And then this one

[3:50:42] as well, the sports and community event. The result is

[3:50:46] that $500,000 is now a $150,000 request that is included

[3:50:51] under governance and leadership. Okay, but. The other parts of

[3:50:55] it are worth showing up in the other parts of

[3:50:57] the budget now, correct? You're. Thank you. Thank you. Thank

[3:51:00] you. Councilor Hodge, please. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm just

[3:51:03] going to, for clarification here on the community. Partnerships. 69,600

[3:51:08] is for half a year. Then next year we'll go

[3:51:12] to 135. Feet. That 69,000 represents. What is that, just

[3:51:19] one wage? Your worship. That would be half. We'd come

[3:51:23] in halfway through the year, so it'd. Be like a

[3:51:26] June type start scenario, and then it would be full

[3:51:29] on come 2027. That's just one person's salary. Okay. Thank

[3:51:38] you. Councilor Cannon, please. Thanks, Mr. Gabriel, and to your

[3:51:45] team for the great work and. A great pasteas. And

[3:51:47] I just wanted to know on page 249, $10 million

[3:51:51] set aside. For recreation facilities, infrastructure upgrades. It's kind of

[3:51:56] broad. Just large and small. Recreation facility. I wonder if

[3:52:00] you can drill down a little bit more, which is

[3:52:02] envisioning with that. These upgrades. Okay.

[3:52:15] This one is for. A variety. A variety of different

[3:52:22] facilities. It's work to look at things around the upper

[3:52:27] bowl, different arenas, facilities and stuff like. That. So it's

[3:52:31] an allotment that funds that we can begin to look

[3:52:32] at. Different. Facilities and look at upgrades in terms of.

[3:52:38] Better able to service the public in different events. So

[3:52:41] if you think about the Apple bowl for example, could

[3:52:43] be items in the Apple bowl, looking at the bleachers,

[3:52:46] looking at the dressrooms. Looking at electrical requirements and stuff

[3:52:48] to make that facility better for current users, but also.

[3:52:52] For future. Opportunities, and it would be looking at a

[3:52:56] number of different facilities over time, but I think that

[3:52:58] would be the priority at this time. Okay, so there's

[3:53:01] no definitive plans for 2026. For the 10 million. There's

[3:53:06] no definitive plans with the $10 million to be spent

[3:53:09] in 2026, Mr. Estrom, any comments on this?

[3:53:19] If you'll get Derek, can you help out there?

[3:53:34] Your worship, as part of our facilities department, we undertake.

[3:53:39] Condition assessments of all our facilities. So these are the

[3:53:41] renewal and enhancement aspects of it for the most part.

[3:53:46] They're identified, and they all are identified for building renewal.

[3:53:51] Specifically, Coldwell family Y is the largest one for building

[3:53:56] systems renewal. The replacement of two of the air handling

[3:54:00] units is of vital importance to move forward, and so

[3:54:04] these are the types of things that are identified. OK

[3:54:07] Talking gymnastics center as well has a comprehensive renewal of

[3:54:11] its HVAC systems. So as we've gone through the listing

[3:54:15] of the renewal projects that are needed within the area.

[3:54:19] The building renewal systems are of the highest prone priority,

[3:54:23] and they go across a number of different facilities. As

[3:54:27] Mr. Gaber alluded to, possibly the Apple bowl then as

[3:54:29] well, and just again, just to confirm that it is

[3:54:31] approved in our ten year capital. I was just wondering

[3:54:34] as far as what there is planning for next year.

[3:54:38] And when will we know what our cost will be

[3:54:40] to host the Lions game? Your worship. Your worship. We're

[3:54:48] working closely with. Them. We're looking at funds like this

[3:54:53] to look at what improvements we're going to. Be doing?

[3:54:56] With the applicable understanding. What they're set up for. Game

[3:55:01] day will be. Events like the apple, events like the

[3:55:04] Okanagan or the BC lions, significant economic impact. They're bringing

[3:55:08] to the community. And when you look at locations where

[3:55:10] they're going to be the ability to influence how those

[3:55:15] facilities are set up. Will be. A key events in

[3:55:20] the past, CCMAs and things like that. Our investment has

[3:55:25] been in the tune of like, 450 or so $1,000.

[3:55:29] And I think as we look at facility upgrades, And

[3:55:33] the relationship with the lines will be probably in that

[3:55:36] realm as well. When you look at facility upgrades that

[3:55:39] will support them using existing resources. Operational opportunities. That we

[3:55:46] can leverage to support them. That's sort of the game

[3:55:49] plan that we're working. This fund could be used for

[3:55:51] that. Possibly. Then. The fund would be used. For appable

[3:55:56] improvements. And one of the things that would be important

[3:55:58] is to line, where possible. Align these improvements to the

[3:56:02] needs of the lines. First and foremost, it's going to

[3:56:05] be about improving the facility itself. Thank you. City manager,

[3:56:10] please. Yeah. Thank you, your worship. Just for clarity on

[3:56:13] one aspect of that, Mr. Gabriel is correct. When he

[3:56:17] mentioned drawing on existing funds to support this event. And

[3:56:20] I think that's the bottom line is that within the

[3:56:22] existing budgets that are presented to you today, And other

[3:56:27] budgets, such as major event development and major partnerships. We

[3:56:32] anticipate funding the cost from there. And as council knows,

[3:56:36] when we had the BC lines here and we introduced

[3:56:40] that those games were coming to our community. That was

[3:56:43] a very question that was asked by the media, and

[3:56:46] we directed that question when we answered back the media.

[3:56:49] I think, as all of councilor is aware, that as

[3:56:51] soon as we were aware of exactly what that would

[3:56:53] be, we would share that publicly, but we're still working

[3:56:55] through that process. I think that was shared with council.

[3:57:00] Seeing. No further questions. Excellent. So we'll now move into

[3:57:07] arts and culture. This is on page 251 of your

[3:57:12] budget volume. Again. Thank you, your worship. The goal of

[3:57:15] arts and culture is to inspire, support and develop a

[3:57:19] rich variety of high quality arts, culture, and heritage experiences

[3:57:23] for residents and visitors. We do this through investing in

[3:57:26] infrastructure, artists and nonprofit organizations. The goal is to empower

[3:57:32] the local creative sector to deliver arts and culture events,

[3:57:35] programs, and activities through various grants and artists led initiatives.

[3:57:41] Again, a number of accomplishments have been achieved over the

[3:57:43] course of this year. A couple of highlights would be

[3:57:46] a busy Clona community theater. KCT hosted over 200 performances

[3:57:50] with over 90,000 patrons. A key piece to this success

[3:57:54] is our volunteer program that further supports audience experience. With

[3:58:01] over 150 volunteers contributing over 7500 hours of quality service.

[3:58:07] We continue to expand the box office and our ticketing

[3:58:10] services with inclusion of the RCA appable. Elk Stadium and

[3:58:15] Ubco. Including ticketing partnerships with Clona Falcons, Okanagan sun and

[3:58:21] Ubco Heat and one of the great Advancements this year

[3:58:25] was an agreement with Ubco Heath for the Heat games.

[3:58:28] In 2025, we processed over 200,000 tickets for nearly 300

[3:58:33] community events throughout the box office. In terms of continuous

[3:58:38] improvement. The continued development of the cultural plan. This plan

[3:58:42] will incorporate lessons learned community feedback and emerging trends. To

[3:58:50] shape the future of our cultural landscape. Also another one

[3:58:55] to highlight is the continued development. Of our nonprofit governance

[3:59:00] and capacity building annual conference. This event has started off

[3:59:04] as a learning opportunity to one day event attracting over

[3:59:09] 350 participants from over 135 not for profit organizations from

[3:59:13] the sectors of sport, recreation, culture and social. Numerous educational

[3:59:20] opportunities and dynamic speakers. The goal again is to continue

[3:59:24] to support the development of a strong nonprofit sector, and

[3:59:27] in turn, deliver programs and services to the community. That

[3:59:32] we all benefit from. A couple performance measures to highlight.

[3:59:36] The first one is the arts and culture investment per

[3:59:39] capita. This measurement recognizes. That sustained in response to funding

[3:59:46] is essential to ensure programs and services grow alongside our

[3:59:49] population and continue to enrich the community. As costs rise

[3:59:53] and expectations evolve, maintaining strong investment will be critical in

[3:59:57] achieving the goal set out. In our cultural plan. Along.

[4:00:01] Sec. You may recall from last year a long standing

[4:00:04] industry benchmark for Missville and arts and culture. Investment has

[4:00:07] been $25 per capita. This hasn't been adjusted through annual

[4:00:16] increases, and we've pulled it out and through. The course

[4:00:18] of updating the culture plan, we're going to have a

[4:00:21] relook. At what the benchmarks for us should be. Another

[4:00:24] one to look at is the leverage. Investments in the

[4:00:27] arts and culture local, not for profit. Arts and culture

[4:00:30] programs or groups use city funding to attract additional revenue,

[4:00:35] such as grants, sponsorship, government support and earned income. This

[4:00:40] indicator shows how early investment helps sustain organizations and diversify

[4:00:44] their. Funding. With the aim to continue increased leverage dollars

[4:00:48] and expand clonish creative sector and economic impact. The final

[4:00:53] two deal with KCT. The first one is the average

[4:00:57] fill rate. So the fill rate refers to the percentage

[4:00:59] of tickets sold to. Main stage performances compared to the

[4:01:05] capacity for audience. The rate provides one indicator that the

[4:01:10] shows being offered are of interest to the community members

[4:01:13] and shows our right size for the venue. The goal

[4:01:16] would be to maximize the average fuel rate while balancing

[4:01:19] our goal and cultural development by supporting less popular genres

[4:01:24] and emerging performers. So it's finding that right balance. And

[4:01:27] the final one is. The kct. Revenue. And it includes

[4:01:32] income from theater rentals, front of house operations and other

[4:01:35] sources of revenue recovery. The financial measure is important for

[4:01:40] the city to show how clonic community theater supports the

[4:01:43] city's economy and cultural life. So. Arts and culture service

[4:01:49] area has an $8.6 million expenditure budget for 2026. And

[4:01:55] operates under four cost centers. Funding for this. Service area

[4:02:03] is made up of property taxes, transfers from reserves and

[4:02:07] fees, and charges. The 2025 revised budget with $7,551,000 and

[4:02:16] after the annualization of previously approved budget requests. The service

[4:02:20] area will start 2026 with the operating budget of 5,475,000.

[4:02:28] To maintain current service levels, an additional $1,076,000 is being

[4:02:33] requested. And to enhance service levels. An additional $2,010,000 is

[4:02:42] requested. This service area has no priority one operating budget

[4:02:47] request this year. The 2026 capital Program is fully in

[4:02:54] alignment with the council adopted tenure capital plan. That is

[4:02:58] fully funded. And at this time, I just want to

[4:03:01] make a note for council. That, as council is aware,

[4:03:05] we move to cash flow budgeting for the capital plan

[4:03:09] over the last couple of years and. As part of

[4:03:12] that. Includes every year updating timelines for project delivery. So

[4:03:16] some of the items that are being shown here in

[4:03:18] the 2026 year are actual budgets that were already in

[4:03:23] budget in 2025. But the project will not be completed.

[4:03:27] And so is being pushed forward into 2026 instead of

[4:03:30] there being a carryover brought forward. To council in the

[4:03:33] spring. Is there any budget request that council would like

[4:03:36] to discuss further? Thank you for that, clarification. On those

[4:03:40] items. I think that's just good clarification because I know

[4:03:43] that those are items that we approved in the past

[4:03:45] and there just haven't been distributed out. Yet at this

[4:03:48] particular point in time. Councilor Lovegrove, please. Thanks, you, worship.

[4:03:53] A couple of questions, actually. Page 254, the performance indicator.

[4:03:58] Number four community theater average. Phil is the estimated 2025

[4:04:03] fill rate lower because of memorial cup in DC Lions,

[4:04:06] page 254 sorry, the. Performance indicator. Four. Is that expected

[4:04:14] to dip? Because we've got the big events coming to

[4:04:17] town number four. Mr. Gabriel, we have someone behind you

[4:04:22] who could maybe help with that question. So the question

[4:04:26] again, please. The question is, why would it go from

[4:04:29] 66.6 actual 2024? To a forecast 61.6%. 2025. Christine, please.

[4:04:37] Or maybe that's a CCMA. Actually, that's this year. That's.

[4:04:39] Not next year, your worship, this is only at. Clone

[4:04:43] community theater. So those events you're speaking of are not

[4:04:46] impacting the clunky. Theater. The reason is that the fill

[4:04:49] rate decreases when we have more rentals, so more space

[4:04:54] becomes available. So the rental number needs to be considered

[4:04:58] with the number of rentals needs to be considered. Because

[4:05:01] there's more tickets available for sale, so it slightly decreases

[4:05:04] when we have more rentals oh, interesting. So this year

[4:05:07] was a great year for rentals. Just didn't have as

[4:05:09] many sellout crowds. Your worship. 67% fill rate means that

[4:05:14] across all bookings, across the whole entire theater, 67%. Of

[4:05:18] the seeds are sold, which is actually quite a high

[4:05:20] fill rate considering we have a large number of community

[4:05:23] events that might have three or 400. So it depends

[4:05:25] what those additional rentals would have been, that might have

[4:05:27] lowered the fill rate, might have been a 300 rental,

[4:05:30] which now brings it slightly down. Overall, we have a

[4:05:33] very strong fill rate and a strong rental in the

[4:05:37] theater. Certainly meeting the target in 2024, but dipping in

[4:05:40] 2025, which is this year, actually, so I probably shouldn't

[4:05:44] wait for 2026, which forecasts calling them back up again.

[4:05:48] I was noticing a dip. Not to believe or the

[4:05:51] point. Let's move on, if that's okay. The city's signature

[4:05:55] sign. This is an enhance, and I'm wondering if we

[4:05:59] should start this one. Your worship. Council is already approved

[4:06:03] it. 's one of the ones that Melanie was speaking

[4:06:10] about that it's just bringing it forward into budget for

[4:06:12] this year, but it's already been approved and we begun

[4:06:14] commissioning and design on the project. Commissioning design, but we

[4:06:17] haven't actually approved construction yet. You've passed resolution to give

[4:06:22] counsel or give staff direction to proceed. Yes. Okay, then,

[4:06:26] I guess. Appreciate that. Thank you, Mr. City manager. The

[4:06:33] $100,000 for the Colonial Performing Arts center. So that's page

[4:06:36] two. 60. It's just a feasibility study. Given what we

[4:06:40] just passed earlier. We're not going to design. That's only

[4:06:46] $100,000. That's all we need for 2026. You might have

[4:06:51] to repeat the question. The $100,000 on the Colonial performing

[4:06:59] arts center seems a little light. I thought, based on

[4:07:02] what we had approved as a council. We were going

[4:07:04] closer to design. Is it just a feasibility study business

[4:07:07] case, and that's only. All we need is $100,000. That's

[4:07:11] what it is. Correct. Just for the continuing on what?

[4:07:14] The feasibility study. Okay. And then, Mr. City manager, I'm

[4:07:19] going to stand and be corrected on this last question.

[4:07:22] And that is. The North City entry monument. Is that

[4:07:26] one that we've already approved? That's correct. Both of the

[4:07:28] same, and I will just back right off. Thank you,

[4:07:30] worship. Thank you, councilor. Cannon, please. Just on the city's

[4:07:36] signature signage last year was 500,000, covering design, fabrication, insulation,

[4:07:41] permits and other associated costs. So now it's 900,000. You

[4:07:47] correct, your worship, the sign itself. Is within the budget

[4:07:51] that was originally presented. As it's being built out. We

[4:07:54] were doing a bunch of flat work and prep around.

[4:07:57] The area to expand the footprint where it can be

[4:07:59] placed. So. That's the preparation work and the work surrounding

[4:08:04] it in Stewart Park. Mr. Sas, please. Thank you, your

[4:08:09] worship. Just to provide a little bit more of an

[4:08:11] overview. That, Mel provided we're in the middle of changing

[4:08:18] our capital plan to operate more like. Our operating plan,

[4:08:23] where, with our quarterly amendments and cash flow reporting, the

[4:08:26] budget updates kind of automatically through those processes as we

[4:08:31] are kind of in the middle of switching to cash

[4:08:32] flow from a capital perspective. Some of these items that

[4:08:36] you are seeing today are actually a function of that

[4:08:38] which is we had too much budget in last year,

[4:08:41] not. Enough in next year. And so these requests are

[4:08:45] actually just moving budget from this year into next. Year

[4:08:48] to facilitate that cash flow. Next year, this will not

[4:08:51] be an issue, as we will be. Fully onboarded with

[4:08:54] the capital cash flow, but that's what you're seeing. What's?

[4:08:57] Causing a little bit of confusion right now. I hope

[4:08:59] that clarifies. City manager, please. And one other point, because

[4:09:04] I can anticipate the question coming. When will we see

[4:09:06] this infrastructure in place. We are hopeful for next summer

[4:09:11] for both of these signatures or both these signs that

[4:09:13] council is approved. Just on last year. I had looked

[4:09:18] at last year's budget. We had approved 1.3 million for

[4:09:21] place making. I had note that 850,000 of that was.

[4:09:25] For the entrance sign. So I'm just wondering what the

[4:09:28] 1.3 million was used. For then. Mr. Edstrom, please.

[4:09:41] Your worship as to. The 1.35. I'd have to get

[4:09:47] a bit more detail. I can confirm the. $850,000 for

[4:09:51] the north end monument remains the same. Yeah. You want

[4:09:55] to look at page 252 of last year's budget? I

[4:09:57] don't have. Last year's budget right in front of me.

[4:09:58] Right now, I have to finance I'm assuming it is

[4:10:01] 850 plus $500. 1.3 million was for because. Duplicate, I

[4:10:08] thought was $500,000 for the one sign and 850 for

[4:10:11] the other. That was 1.3 million. But now we've got

[4:10:13] separate entries for both of those, which is another 1.3

[4:10:16] million. Mr. Sass. Thank you. Maybe you can give us

[4:10:24] a moment. The team's currently digging into last year's. Budget

[4:10:26] and doing it on the fly. Reconciliation, 1 second. And

[4:10:29] the last question is colonial. Performing arts center, so 100,000.

[4:10:34] That's for your task force. And do you have a

[4:10:36] budget already? Your budget that you had some allocated before.

[4:10:43] For the task force for the new Performing Arts Center.

[4:10:49] The amount of capital that this council approved. Was. Million

[4:10:55] dollar amount. In order to do the preliminary stages of.

[4:11:00] That process. Rate at this particular point in time. The

[4:11:05] only cost associated that we've used is the cost associated

[4:11:09] with reverie architecture assisting us. In coming with the plans

[4:11:16] that came before council earlier this week. Which is a

[4:11:20] very small percentage of that amount of money. So I'm

[4:11:23] just wondering. You used that million. That was for capital

[4:11:26] for no. I'll let the city. No, it was not.

[4:11:30] That was something that council approved and came. To council

[4:11:33] in great depth, but that million was for design and

[4:11:37] architectural work. When we get to that stage, and we're

[4:11:39] not anywhere near that stage at this point in time.

[4:11:43] So I guess what money had we been using then

[4:11:44] to pay for revelery? We've. Been drawing on the approved

[4:11:48] money by council, so we drew on that million to

[4:11:52] pay reverie. But there's still substantial amount left because wherever

[4:11:55] we was not doing the design, they were doing conceptual

[4:11:58] work, and that's where this request would be funded from.

[4:12:01] Thanks. Mr. Sass, please. Thank you, your worship. And thanks

[4:12:08] to the finance team putting the little quick reconciliation together.

[4:12:13] So the 1.3 million for place making included four projects.

[4:12:17] One of them was to do with the art walk.

[4:12:22] Noel's Heritage park. There were some funds. To start the

[4:12:26] crane workers memorial. North End City monument for 850,000, which

[4:12:31] is what you see here. As well as. Some design

[4:12:35] money for 250,000 for the Stuart park signature sign at

[4:12:39] that time. Excuse me, council, your lights not on? You

[4:12:42] have request for 850 for reserves for the north end.

[4:12:45] Entrance. You had it in last year's budget. Thank you.

[4:12:54] Thank you, your worship. Yeah. As we just discussed. That

[4:13:02] cash flow is being moved from last year to this

[4:13:04] year. Sorry. From this year to next year is what

[4:13:07] I should say, which in the future will not. Show

[4:13:09] as it ends up being there, changing the accounting structure.

[4:13:11] So it's just kind of like a flow through overcrossed.

[4:13:16] Seeing. No further questions. Thank you. Mr. Gabriel. Thank you

[4:13:25] very much. To you and to the whole team for

[4:13:31] everything that we have been doing. We definitely know that.

[4:13:34] We have been putting some weight upon your shoulders with

[4:13:38] regards to the activation that has been happening. Within the

[4:13:40] community. And on behalf of myself and on behalf of

[4:13:44] council, truly appreciate all the teamwork that is. Being done

[4:13:48] to make those events successful. Thank you very much. Mr.

[4:13:51] Smith. Good afternoon, your worshiping council. The community development service

[4:13:57] area is made up of four distinct teams that span

[4:14:01] two divisions. Mr. Gabriel's division in my division. They include

[4:14:05] a climate and environment team, the housing policy and programs

[4:14:08] team, the social development team, and the long range planning

[4:14:12] team. And I'll give you an overview of what they

[4:14:16] do and where they're headed. Today in budget. Some key

[4:14:20] accomplishments from the 2015 year across these teams. With the

[4:14:25] completion of the north end plan, The establishment of internal

[4:14:30] and external working groups to support the implementation of the

[4:14:33] climate resilient colonial plan. The delivery of. 60 rapid transitional

[4:14:39] housing units under the Harden Hearth program. Partnered with the

[4:14:42] province for a total of 180 units, and I'd be

[4:14:45] remiss. If I didn't point out that the three sites,

[4:14:48] each 60 units, Were all provided by the city of

[4:14:51] Kelowna on our land. We also initiated the community information

[4:14:58] library, community housing information library. Project a streamlined and update

[4:15:03] city housing data practices, including the housing dashboard. So we

[4:15:06] now have a robust housing dashboard on our website to

[4:15:10] track our housing stats. And in terms of being able

[4:15:14] to report out on those and make progress and report

[4:15:17] on progress. Whether we're making progress or have challenges in

[4:15:20] some areas in direct future policy, it's. A fantastic tool

[4:15:24] and one of the more robust dashboards in the country.

[4:15:28] In terms of continuous improvement. The social development team is

[4:15:34] looking at. Basically a lot of their data right now

[4:15:39] from shelters is a good example, comes from VC housing.

[4:15:45] Or different nonprofits, and so an effort to ensure that

[4:15:49] they're getting good quality data. Across the social service sector.

[4:15:54] Is a major focus for the year ahead, as well

[4:15:57] as advanced planning for extreme weather and disaster. Driven events

[4:16:00] to ensure vulnerable populations are cared for. Expanding and improving

[4:16:04] on indicators to support better measurement of climate environmental performance.

[4:16:08] Our climate environment team launched a dashboard to track the

[4:16:12] implementation of the climate resilient colonial plan this year and

[4:16:16] to ensure that we can report out and provide community

[4:16:19] transparency long term. Increasing across those initiatives. Better dashboard data

[4:16:24] is a major priority. Also, we have a final bullet

[4:16:29] seeking funding sources to advance key initiatives and expand departmental

[4:16:32] resources. Sounds a little nebulous. And it's a fancy way

[4:16:35] of saying keeping. An eye on grant opportunities that are

[4:16:40] available out there, whether that is the housing accelerator fund

[4:16:44] for example that can help support the various operations of

[4:16:47] our teams without putting that cost on the taxpayer. In

[4:16:51] terms of performance measures through these teams. I'm just going

[4:16:54] to highlight a couple. Under performance measure two greenhouse gas

[4:16:59] emissions. We can see the per capita emissions. Starting to

[4:17:03] go down. I would note that there's always a lag

[4:17:06] in this data. Through our consultants. And so this is

[4:17:09] normal that we're only reporting out on 2022? To this

[4:17:11] point. You can also see. Again. Some overall gyps during

[4:17:17] the Covid period, where there was certainly less traffic on

[4:17:21] our roads. In terms of overall growth in the OCP,

[4:17:26] if you look at performance measure three, making sure that

[4:17:30] our growth. Growth is predominantly happening in our urban centers.

[4:17:34] In core area. We're right on target, if not a

[4:17:36] little bit above for that performance measure, which means the

[4:17:39] OCP is working. A lot of the growth, whether it's

[4:17:43] residential or commercial or industrial. That councils and staff work

[4:17:48] towards is going in the right spots and is consistent

[4:17:50] with that plan. From a new housing standpoint, which would

[4:18:00] be performance measure five. Interesting data here and trying to

[4:18:05] make sure that. We track how much of our new

[4:18:09] housing is of what type, and when we look at

[4:18:12] this is more economy driven than anything we look at.

[4:18:16] 2025 estimate going up from 76% to 84% and then

[4:18:20] to a 90% forecast. That really shows right now that

[4:18:24] a lot of our housing is apartment housing that's being

[4:18:27] delivered because it's heavily incentivized through all three levels of

[4:18:31] government. And what we're not seeing there is. Much infill

[4:18:37] single family like small multifamily construction going on because it

[4:18:41] doesn't have the same incentives in place. So not a

[4:18:44] bad thing, just an interesting characteristic of the data. Moving.

[4:18:50] Into performance, measure six. Individuals transitioning from hardheart sites to

[4:18:55] support if housing or market housing. Again, this is a

[4:18:59] performance measure that really related to the importance of getting

[4:19:02] good data from our social services sector in BC housing.

[4:19:06] And I just wanted to point out an example of

[4:19:07] that. These performance measures get better. And the information that

[4:19:10] we can give counsel and make decisions on the future

[4:19:12] gets better when. That gets better. So again, it's something

[4:19:14] that we're looking to improve on all the time. And

[4:19:18] then performance measure seven. Would be people experiencing. Unsheltered homelessness.

[4:19:25] And key messages on that front right now is there's

[4:19:29] 1100 beds in Kelowna that span. From like a rapid

[4:19:34] housing, shelter type housing all the way to transitional housing

[4:19:39] and sort of everything. In between. And so a lot

[4:19:42] of heavy lifting has been done in Kelowna over the

[4:19:45] last few years to ensure there's a lot of housing

[4:19:47] options in that area. And more to do on that

[4:19:51] front as well. So I'm going to hand it back

[4:19:54] over to Mel. Thank you. The community development service area

[4:20:01] has an expenditure budget of $5.4 million for 2026. And

[4:20:06] operates under four cost centers. The funding for the community

[4:20:10] development is predominantly property taxes, with some from reserves, other

[4:20:15] revenues and grants. 2025 revised budget was $5,171,000. After annualizing

[4:20:24] previously approved requests, we're going to start 2026 at $4,644,000.

[4:20:33] To maintain current service levels, an additional $336,000 is requested.

[4:20:38] And to enhance service levels an additional 409,000. Is requested.

[4:20:46] Service area has two priority one operating requests on page

[4:20:50] 276. First one for climate. And environment initiatives at $403,000,

[4:20:58] which is funded from local government climate Action program funding.

[4:21:04] And the second being 37,000 in 2026, increasing to 47,027,

[4:21:10] then 57,000. Ongoing for the neighborhood association affiliation program funded

[4:21:16] from taxation. This area of this area has no priority

[4:21:21] one capital request and has one priority two request for

[4:21:26] community Social development grant, an increase of $50,000 in 2026.

[4:21:33] Increasing to $100,000 in 2027, then $150,000 in 2028. Ongoing.

[4:21:41] Are there any priority one or priority two requests that

[4:21:43] council would like to discuss? Councilor Stack, please. Thank you.

[4:21:49] Your wish just goes back to the performance measures. Is

[4:21:51] that right? So thanks, Ryan, for your report. I just

[4:21:54] want to circle back to your comments on performance measure

[4:21:58] number five, which is. Providing diverse housing options, and I

[4:22:02] had flagged that one as we're looking to 2026. At

[4:22:06] 90% rental and I'd never thought these. Words would come

[4:22:09] out of my mouth, but is that too much rental

[4:22:12] in our city? I mean. We've been short for like,

[4:22:14] 20 years, but anyway. But when I see it hitting

[4:22:17] 90%, and that is a significant number. And I just

[4:22:20] wondered if this indicator. Will then trigger us to review

[4:22:26] some of our policies to see if they should be

[4:22:28] modified in this next year for going forward. You, worship.

[4:22:33] An astute question. And one that we're actually working on

[4:22:36] right now. And when I say we're working on it,

[4:22:39] we've been working on an infill. Barriers examination right now

[4:22:43] to see. For that sort of anything that's less than

[4:22:46] four units. What are barriers out there that are within

[4:22:50] our control that we could bring forward to council to

[4:22:52] discuss. Changes to those types of things, and so. That

[4:22:57] will be Q one of 2026. That report coming for

[4:23:00] council? Yeah, that's good. It's also. Great. Now that we

[4:23:05] see these performance indicators, it's a really nice flag for

[4:23:08] us to trigger us to do that very work, so

[4:23:11] I'm glad to hear it's coming. Back in Q one.

[4:23:13] Thank you. Councilor Lovegrove, please. Thanks, your worship. Actually, performance

[4:23:21] indicators. Apparently that's subject to our questions. At least two

[4:23:24] of my three. Can we at some point, given we've

[4:23:28] got an urban forester and I believe in. One of

[4:23:31] our previous reports. We were told there are going to

[4:23:33] be some advanced tools we're going to use on urban

[4:23:35] canopy. So indicator number one, this is page 264. Will

[4:23:40] we at some point get year over year trends on

[4:23:42] this. Do we know if they're going up? Down. We're

[4:23:43] hopeful they're going up. That's our target. But how are

[4:23:46] we. Doing? Your worship. Yeah, it's a tough measure, and

[4:23:51] at this point, we've made a number of policy and

[4:23:55] regulatory tweaks and what can actually continue to. And the

[4:23:59] next steps would be like regular lidar. Reporting on that

[4:24:04] analysis and reporting so that we could give counsel year

[4:24:07] over year, or at least sort of every other year

[4:24:10] data on that. That's not long term. So we're not

[4:24:12] measuring out to 2050. We're seeing it and can track

[4:24:17] areas where we're challenged and areas where we're making progress.

[4:24:20] And so with the changes we've made and are making,

[4:24:24] start to see progress over the next three or four

[4:24:26] years. As new roads get built and they put in

[4:24:31] more trees on the public right of way as new

[4:24:33] developments occur and their tree planting requirements are higher than

[4:24:36] in the past. For example. Thank you. Mr. Smith and

[4:24:39] I think Chris just stood up to assist with regards

[4:24:41] to some of the answers. On that question, councilor? Yeah,

[4:24:43] you're worship. I'll just say that our team. Has come

[4:24:46] and working with urban forestry is committed to kind of.

[4:24:48] A three to five year cadence on the data for

[4:24:51] urban updating. The urban forest canopy. It's expensive data to

[4:24:55] get, so. Pretty onerous process. I think last time we

[4:24:58] spent upwards of over $100,000, $120,000 to get the data

[4:25:03] through Lidar. And then analyze it. So right now, we're

[4:25:05] kind of committing more to that three to five year

[4:25:07] time. I understand. Okay. Thanks. This is going to be

[4:25:10] my next is when, and so. Basically, I'm hearing three

[4:25:12] years from now. But once we get. The data. I

[4:25:15] sure hope it's a lot less expensive. Keep it up.

[4:25:19] Is that a fair comment? Okay? Yes, I think so.

[4:25:21] All right, thanks. So, second question, you, worship. Hold on.

[4:25:27] There it is on number two. Perhaps don't sit down

[4:25:32] too quickly because. The community. Greenhouse gas emissions. I apologize.

[4:25:37] Everything else we've had the 2023 actual. 2024 actual 2025.

[4:25:42] 2026 27. Forecast. Is this just because it's coming from

[4:25:46] the province that we can't show? That we don't even

[4:25:48] have estimates. Correct, your worship? Yeah. As Mr. Smith mentioned,

[4:25:54] the data is to your leg behind. We get our

[4:25:56] data from the community. Energy and emissions inventory, which comes

[4:25:58] from the province. BC we're luckier than most provinces. In

[4:26:02] that we actually get data at the community level for

[4:26:05] emissions. But it is a two year leg. And unfortunately,

[4:26:08] we're kind of at the hands of the province on

[4:26:10] that. All right. So I guess. Forego a question on

[4:26:15] trends. Last question, you, worship. And this is actually a

[4:26:19] p two question. I can hold off until we get

[4:26:21] there if you'd. Like, but I do have a question

[4:26:24] on page 278. As show. It'll be presented after the

[4:26:30] py. Wait, please. Yes, thanks. Thank you. Please only. This

[4:26:39] service area has one priority two request. The Community Social

[4:26:44] Development grant. For $50,000 in 2026, increased to $100,000 in

[4:26:50] 2027 and then $150,000 in 2028. Ongoing councilor. As I

[4:26:57] read this. It sure seemed like this should be a

[4:27:02] maintained because in the past five years. We've had 118%

[4:27:07] overspend, and we want to maintain that level of service.

[4:27:11] We're just recognizing the actual cost. So I'm just wondering

[4:27:15] why, number one, this is an enhance. And if we

[4:27:18] know we're going to be there next year, should we

[4:27:20] just bump it up right now. So I guess I'm

[4:27:22] asking, should we start this for. Discussion later on. Councilor,

[4:27:25] are you making a request to start? Do we have

[4:27:27] a seconder? Question first. Sorry, apologies. So, councilor, you're going

[4:27:37] to have to probably ask the question one more time,

[4:27:40] because I don't think it was picked up as I

[4:27:42] read this. On the second line. Of that description said,

[4:27:48] it's just recognized. In the past five years, we basically

[4:27:50] had 118 overspend. So to me this is more of

[4:27:54] a maintain ask where we just recognizing the previous cost

[4:27:58] overruns and let's plan for it instead of react to

[4:28:01] it. So is that a fair comment that this is

[4:28:04] really a maintain ask? You worked here just for clarity.

[4:28:08] The 118% over is what been asked for. It's not

[4:28:11] what's been. Provided. So we have a base budget within

[4:28:14] our grant, and that's what we work within. And on

[4:28:17] a regular basis. We get like with most grant areas,

[4:28:19] you get more asks than what you're able to provide.

[4:28:22] So that just forces us to kind of relook at

[4:28:24] our priorities and make sure that we're deling them in.

[4:28:27] I misread that. I understand. So you're. Getting asked to

[4:28:31] give money at 118 above what you've been funded. Okay,

[4:28:36] so then I. Will withdraw that request. Thank you so

[4:28:38] much. Thank you, council. Cand is this around the p

[4:28:41] two or just wanted to know what? The base budget

[4:28:43] is. If I could, please.

[4:28:53] 231,000. Yeah. You, worship. The base budget is $231,000. Thank

[4:29:03] you. Seeing no further comments. We can just move on.

[4:29:06] I'm just going to make one comment. With regards to

[4:29:09] performant measure number six. Obviously. The tiny homes, the heart

[4:29:17] and hearth that we have in place within this community

[4:29:21] to see. The actual success of that over the last

[4:29:26] two years with regards to how it is moved forward.

[4:29:28] Very grateful for that tracking. There has been some other

[4:29:32] comments potentially made in the community that the success is

[4:29:36] not as great. As it has been. So I'm very

[4:29:38] grateful for that information to be there for us. So

[4:29:41] thank you very much. Melanie, please. Next, we will move

[4:29:46] into development services. This service area starts on page 279

[4:29:52] of your budget volume. You worship. The development services service

[4:29:56] area is comprised of building and permitting teams, development engineering

[4:30:00] teams, and business licensing teams. They are one of the

[4:30:08] busiest building departments and one of the most efficient building

[4:30:10] departments in the country, and they're always excited to tell

[4:30:13] you that. For. Their 2025 accomplishments, they implemented both a

[4:30:22] new city works software program to replace legacy software. That

[4:30:27] was about 35 years old, and so there was some

[4:30:30] growing pains going along with that, that also included an

[4:30:34] online building permit application submission portal allowing property owners to

[4:30:38] submit building permit applications online. Onlinely as well as. Some

[4:30:44] new payment options as well online. One of the other

[4:30:48] services that we've moved online is our property information requests,

[4:30:51] and so we've partnered with a third party service provider.

[4:30:55] In a digital improvement to allow. Property related information to

[4:31:00] be delivered. To mainly realtors, but sometimes banks and lawyers

[4:31:05] in a more efficient way. And we are actually able

[4:31:08] to redeploy staff within the division because of this digital

[4:31:11] innovation to another area that required extra resources. So. Meaning

[4:31:17] we're not coming to council for extra budget requests for

[4:31:20] new bodies. One of the. Other highlights here is the

[4:31:26] accreditation from the International Accreditation Service. For the building and

[4:31:30] permitting team. I believe they remain the only accredited building

[4:31:34] department in Canada and certainly. There are rigorous processes, and

[4:31:38] attention to constantly reviewing and improving those processes goes a

[4:31:43] long way, and shows in their service to our customers.

[4:31:46] And finally. We had. Some key retirements. In that department

[4:31:51] this year. And that led to a little bit of

[4:31:54] reorganization and some succession planning that was necessary to be

[4:31:57] done. So again, business has gone on through that division

[4:32:02] without a blip, and we're not. Getting complaints about timelines.

[4:32:06] In terms of continuous improvements. Update bylaws is a little

[4:32:10] bit nebulous, but as a result of a lot of

[4:32:12] the technology change. In the building and permanent team. We've

[4:32:18] delayed the updates to various bylaws, and our building bylaw

[4:32:21] would be one of them. So council could expect to

[4:32:23] see that in 2026. And we've also updated some licensing

[4:32:28] related bylaws and that started council saw one of those

[4:32:31] in the last couple of weeks. In terms of policy

[4:32:34] and procedures updates. Something that is ongoing is that provincial

[4:32:37] government changed. Their legislation related to how and when DCCs

[4:32:42] are collected as an incentive to development, which has required

[4:32:46] some technology change and process change behind the scenes. So

[4:32:49] that's an example of what we mean on that front?

[4:32:52] And then. The software transition from our legacy software to

[4:32:58] city works. I wish I could say that. Always smooth.

[4:33:01] Sailing, but lots of little pieces that are getting resolved

[4:33:03] behind the scenes. And one that I set out in

[4:33:06] this week was an update on the financial reporting to

[4:33:08] make sure that we're getting accurate financial reporting from the

[4:33:12] new software system to our finance team. So that's delaying

[4:33:15] some of the software implementation that will move into our

[4:33:18] development planning team. That will happen next year. From a

[4:33:23] performance measure standpoint. I'll touch on a couple of different

[4:33:26] areas here. Fast track building permit program issuance for building

[4:33:31] permits within two days. This is a service that differentiates

[4:33:34] Kelowna from many other municipalities in British Columbia and Canada

[4:33:38] is our ability to get those to get simple permits

[4:33:41] out very quickly and not let them bug up our

[4:33:44] system. When you look at. So that would be PM

[4:33:48] number 03:00 p.m. number four. Business licenses issued within two

[4:33:52] weeks. We see that a goal of over 80% there,

[4:33:56] but hovering sort of between 75%, 70%. And the reason

[4:34:02] for that is we have permit types that we've introduced

[4:34:05] over the last few years that are a little bit

[4:34:06] more labor intensive and so there's been more effort that

[4:34:09] staff are putting into the review. And inspection. And a

[4:34:11] good example would be short term rentals. And so getting

[4:34:15] five or 600 short term rental license applications and making

[4:34:19] sure that the parking spots are adequate, that there's been

[4:34:23] a coordination with the province. The number of bedrooms is

[4:34:26] right. We take a look at the floor plans for

[4:34:27] the house. We have the right documentation from stratas. If

[4:34:31] we need all that information. Slows down that issuance sometimes.

[4:34:37] But by and large, we do get, if you look

[4:34:38] at that number and put it in context. We get

[4:34:41] between eleven and 12,000 business license applications. A year, so.

[4:34:47] Having between 69 and 70%. Issued within two weeks. That's

[4:34:53] a pretty. Good amount. And just on the development engineering

[4:34:59] front, tracking like PM number six. Tracking the engineering drawings

[4:35:03] approved within two submissions. Our development engineering manager is spending

[4:35:09] quite a bit of time working with the consulting engineering

[4:35:11] community to raise the quality of the submissions so that

[4:35:15] we can approve them more quickly. It's been common in

[4:35:18] the past for staff to do five, six, seven revisions

[4:35:22] with a local civil engineer to get it to sort

[4:35:25] of the level that. Staff need to approve those plans

[4:35:29] and when we can do it. Into each of the

[4:35:32] staff members, then we don't need to add resources to

[4:35:35] the division. We can do more with fewer staff members

[4:35:37] when there's fewer submissions or revisions necessary. The development services

[4:35:42] service area has an expenditure budget of $7.6 million in

[4:35:48] 2026. And operates under five cost centers. The funding strategy

[4:35:55] for. This service area is predominantly fees and charges. With

[4:36:01] $1.2 million coming from transfers from reserves. The 2025 revised

[4:36:07] budget was $7,441,000. After the annualization of previously approved budget

[4:36:15] requests, we're starting 2026 with a budget of $7,208,000. To

[4:36:24] maintain current service levels. This service area is requesting an

[4:36:29] additional $368,000. And to enhance service levels, an additional $9,000.

[4:36:38] This service area has no priority one or priority two

[4:36:42] operating or capital request. Is there any questions that council

[4:36:47] has for Mr. Smith? Thank you. Seeing no questions, please

[4:36:51] move forward. Well, next we'll move into development planning. This

[4:36:57] section starts on 287 of your budget volume.

[4:37:08] The development planning service area is responsible for the review

[4:37:10] and evaluation of new development related applications that involve sort

[4:37:16] of the future planning of our city, so. That commonly

[4:37:19] be rezoning development permit applications. Temporary use permit applications sometimes

[4:37:24] changes to our official community plan. Maintenance of the zoning

[4:37:28] bylaw, things like that. In terms of key accomplishments. The

[4:37:35] development planning team. Worked with our zoning bylaw to help.

[4:37:42] Put incentives in place to help facilitate rental housings along

[4:37:47] with provincial and federal programs. We've seen the vacancy rate

[4:37:51] increase to 3% this past year than the last reporting

[4:37:53] period, and it's likely to rise again. In the next

[4:37:57] reporting period, which I'm told will be in the next

[4:37:59] few weeks. We've actually changed our planner of the day

[4:38:03] and planning tech role in the department to reduce some

[4:38:07] low value tasks. And redirect efforts to improve service delivery

[4:38:13] to customers who have paid for development applications and reduce

[4:38:15] interruptions for staff. We've done a couple of council workshops.

[4:38:20] That were high profile over the year. So one, parking

[4:38:24] strategies. So we did two workshops on that with a

[4:38:26] consultant and a third coming. For council Monday morning of

[4:38:29] next week. And as well, we did a number of

[4:38:34] infill related workshops for council over the year. In terms

[4:38:39] of continuous improvements. The planning team development planning team is

[4:38:43] working on review of their short term rental program because

[4:38:47] our vacancy rate. Is over 3% now for their second

[4:38:52] year, and council has provided direction to move forward with

[4:38:56] a bit of a hybrid mating Kelowna approach. To seeing

[4:39:00] a little bit more short term rental housing or short

[4:39:03] term rental accommodation on the market. So we continue to

[4:39:05] work through that in the first quarter of 2026. We've

[4:39:10] did a little internal process review. And so, like. The

[4:39:15] development services division in their accreditation. There isn't the same

[4:39:19] type of accreditation for planning that we did have a

[4:39:21] consultant do sort of an initial review with the development

[4:39:24] community and suggest some improvements internally, so we're going to

[4:39:26] be working on some of those. In 2026 with a

[4:39:31] staff member who has some time devoted in their work.

[4:39:33] Plan for that. We'll continue to work on the refinement

[4:39:37] of the Density bonus program with council. And we've got

[4:39:41] a number of zoning bylaw updates that are more maintenance

[4:39:44] related coming for council related to concerns we've heard with

[4:39:49] the rollout of Bill 44. So tweaking some of the

[4:39:52] zoning related to that and parts of buildings that are

[4:39:55] impacts of buildings that are not very desirable in neighborhoods.

[4:40:01] From a performance measure standpoint. I'll highlight a couple here

[4:40:04] from council. PM number 2% development application streamlined approvals. What

[4:40:10] this means is the component of our components. Of our

[4:40:13] development application process that staff can approve at a staff

[4:40:16] level and don't need. To come to council for an

[4:40:18] approval, and so we've made a number of process changes.

[4:40:22] And the provincial government has made process changes over the.

[4:40:26] Last few years, and so right now, 70% of our

[4:40:30] approvals can be done in a streamlined manner, and that

[4:40:33] could be development. Variance permits. Are provable at a staff

[4:40:37] level. Lower scale form and character development permits. For three

[4:40:43] to six unit buildings or approved at a staff level

[4:40:47] environmental and hazardous condition development permits. And delegated agricultural area

[4:40:52] development permits as well. We don't expect any more requests

[4:40:57] in the year ahead for delegations, and so we expect

[4:41:00] that to remain relatively constant. And there may be areas

[4:41:04] where we want to discuss with council refining that balance

[4:41:07] further in the future if there's areas that aren't working

[4:41:09] for council. The other one was percent. Residential building permits

[4:41:16] in growth districts and another OCP alignment. Indicator. And what

[4:41:22] we try and make sure of is that our policy

[4:41:24] and planning team, that. Are in the community development service

[4:41:28] area, set the high level policy and development planning implements

[4:41:31] that policy and so in the areas where we expect

[4:41:34] growth, are they directing growth to the right areas? The

[4:41:38] development planning service area. Has an expenditure budget of $2.9

[4:41:44] million in 2026 and is operated under four cost centers.

[4:41:50] Funding for this service area is predominantly property taxes, with

[4:41:54] $900,000 coming from fees and charges. The 2025 revised budget

[4:42:01] was 2,841,000 after annualization of previously approved budget request. The

[4:42:08] 2026 year will start at 2,711,000. To maintain current service

[4:42:16] levels, an additional $187,000 is being requested. And to enhance

[4:42:21] service levels, an additional $3 million. This service area has

[4:42:27] no priority. One operating or capital request. Is there any

[4:42:33] questions from Mr. Smith that council would like to bring

[4:42:36] up now? Councilor saying comment. Councilor comments? Councilor can in

[4:42:42] question. Yeah, thanks, Mr. Smith. I just wanting in your

[4:42:44] work plans for 2026. Working on the area structure plan

[4:42:50] for McKinley and North UBCo. Without becoming council as well.

[4:42:56] And also possible area structure plan. For the area. Around

[4:43:01] Kasor. So inland Franco area. Your worship staff continued to

[4:43:05] work. With the applicant team on the North Glenmore sector

[4:43:10] study, and there'll be a reporting. Touchpoint with council on

[4:43:14] that in January of 2026 that staff introduced, but it

[4:43:19] will be applicant led, so you'll see that right away

[4:43:21] in the new year. In terms of. Other study planning

[4:43:25] study areas in 2026. There's nothing on our radar at

[4:43:29] this point, and I would say we don't. Actually have

[4:43:32] the capacity to do more. At this point, we'll probably

[4:43:34] need to finish up. The North Glenmore before we dive

[4:43:37] into another one. Toll call as well. Right. Good. Thank

[4:43:41] you. Seeing no further questions. Comments Councilor Singh. Yosh, but

[4:43:47] I just want to commend Mr. Smith and his team

[4:43:49] for the work. They do. We're just heads down as

[4:43:54] his team is. Hard at work. It wasn't until I

[4:43:58] went to UBCM and I heard. From counselors and other

[4:44:01] municipalities. Commending us for the speed with which we move

[4:44:07] applications, how professionally and how advanced. Our staff as and

[4:44:12] our processes, so I just wanted to throw it out

[4:44:15] there. And thank staff for. Their work and their diligent

[4:44:21] efforts in making things happen. Councilor Lovegrove. Well, you beat

[4:44:27] me to it, but I'm going to say the fact

[4:44:28] that. We're expediting approvals, permits, inspections. Is not to say

[4:44:33] we're skimming over. We're actually doing a quality job at

[4:44:37] the same time. And so let me add my kudos

[4:44:39] in that regard. I just appreciate how much smarter you're

[4:44:43] working through reorganizing your processes, your organization, and updating your

[4:44:47] technology. So you can do all of that. My one

[4:44:50] ask is that the urban tree canopy data be a

[4:44:54] budget item for next year, not wait three to five

[4:44:57] years because that's two departments that nothing's come forward, so.

[4:45:00] Thank you. Thank you, thank you. Mr. Smith. Thank you.

[4:45:04] Just echoing the comments that were made by the rest

[4:45:07] of council. Appreciate, definitely, truly appreciate the work that you

[4:45:12] and your department does. Thank you very much. Thank you.

[4:45:16] Melanie, please. Thank you, your worship. Next, we're going to

[4:45:20] move into the parking service area, and we are going

[4:45:22] to welcome the divisional Director of partnerships at Investments, Mr.

[4:45:26] Derek Edstrom. Thank you. Thank you, Melanie. It's a pleasure

[4:45:35] to be here today to talk about parking. Services parking

[4:45:39] services operates under five parking management principles endorsed by council

[4:45:43] in 2014 following a thorough public engagement process. As in

[4:45:47] years past, our efforts as a year focused on excellent

[4:45:51] in short term parking management financial self sufficiency excellence in

[4:45:56] customer service, facilitating. Economic growth and supporting a balanced transportation

[4:46:01] system. Key accomplishments included bringing internal and external staff and

[4:46:07] contractors together underneath one roof at our new St. Paul

[4:46:11] location. It is unique to. Have both our internal staff

[4:46:17] work alongside contractors and just shows the commitment that Mr.

[4:46:21] Duncan has had. Around making sure customer service. Is first

[4:46:25] and foremost. We made significant investments in parcade renewal projects.

[4:46:30] We continue to expand our sustainable offerings by installing ten

[4:46:34] additional level two electric vehicle chargers in Rutland in South

[4:46:37] Pandozi, which complements 20 public chargers already in operation. And.

[4:46:45] The one that we are proud of as we continue

[4:46:46] to look at alternative revenue as a city. And the

[4:46:49] city manager identified our level of alternative revenue as a

[4:46:53] whole. This area continues to operate in a prudent manner

[4:46:57] and contributes $1.65 million. Per year to the general fund

[4:47:03] as we look to continuous improvements. I guess new glasses.

[4:47:12] Don't. Show everything as we look forward to continuous improvements.

[4:47:19] We are focused on customer services. We identified. As well

[4:47:25] as looking to make sure that. We have really good

[4:47:29] information to make informed decisions. The parking services team has

[4:47:34] really focused on the quality of data. That they take

[4:47:37] in. And really, for our purposes, it's not just to

[4:47:40] know what we're taking for long term planning. But eventually,

[4:47:44] as we move to more dynamic pricing in the future,

[4:47:47] we will have to make decisions going forward with our

[4:47:50] parking services to either increase supply. Or to manage occupancy

[4:47:55] by undertaking dynamic pricing. So a lot of effort has

[4:47:57] gone into the background systems to make sure that we

[4:48:00] can provide informed, evidence based decisions to counsel as we

[4:48:03] bring those programs forward with respect to excellence in customer

[4:48:06] service, we remain focused on improving the customer facing technology

[4:48:11] this past year. The pay by phone app. That we

[4:48:14] utilize when underneath renewal, there's a lot of work to

[4:48:17] make sure that it was seamless for our customers. And

[4:48:20] as a data point, We were one of the first.

[4:48:25] To really implement and by, say, push forward, pay by

[4:48:28] phone in Clona. So by the time we hit 2022,

[4:48:32] we already got to 59% of all transactions were being

[4:48:35] utilized by payby. Phone. I'm happy to say that now,

[4:48:39] in 2025, we're projected to hit. 71% of all transactions

[4:48:43] will be utilized by payway phone. And obviously. The. Benefit

[4:48:47] is not only a good customer experience. But also reduced

[4:48:51] infrastructure costs going forward by not having as many pay

[4:48:53] stations that need to be maintained. Going forward. To performance

[4:49:00] metrics. We have three performance metrics in parking that we

[4:49:04] monitor closely. The first one follows the canadian municipalities municipal

[4:49:08] median benchmarks. This is one that I think the team

[4:49:12] can be proud of, but just shows our prudence and

[4:49:14] how we operate in an efficient manner, not only parking

[4:49:18] services, but I think. You see this? Similarly, across city

[4:49:21] departments. In this one particularly, it's a revenue to cost

[4:49:26] ratio. So the way to think about it is. The

[4:49:30] amount of revenue. To how much it costs to run.

[4:49:34] We are targeted at two. We have exceeded it this

[4:49:39] year. And if you look at. The yellow dashed line.

[4:49:44] That's the municipal benchmark. And you can see that we're.

[4:49:47] Considerably higher than other municipalities and how efficiently we run

[4:49:52] our operations. Performance metric. Number two is peak capacity of

[4:49:57] parking stalls. Our target is 85%. This. Had been emboldened

[4:50:04] when we brought forward our parking principles. 85% effectively means

[4:50:08] for on street parking that at any given time, if

[4:50:11] you were to drive around a block. There would be

[4:50:13] one space that would be open. So we want to

[4:50:16] make sure that we're balancing supply to make sure that

[4:50:19] there's an availability. For our businesses in the area. We

[4:50:24] are right on the verge of exceeding that. This is

[4:50:27] an overall number now of 82.7% but. If we break

[4:50:31] down to a couple of our areas. We know in

[4:50:34] August. In downtown, we are at 93.5%. In South Pandozi,

[4:50:39] we had 100%. In August, so we're starting to get

[4:50:42] that conversation. About supply. Or changing our practices around demand.

[4:50:49] Our last one, performance metric number three is blocks of

[4:50:51] time limited. Or residential restrictions. As we continue to urbanize,

[4:50:56] we are undertaking more blocks with residential restrictions and this

[4:50:59] is a more pure measure of a service level improvement

[4:51:04] where we're. Increasing the amount of infrastructure and the amount

[4:51:09] of hours our staff. Are monitoring these areas and I'll

[4:51:14] pass it back to Mel. The parking service area. Has

[4:51:19] an expenditure budget of $13.2 million for the year it's

[4:51:24] operated under two cost centers. Funding for this service area.

[4:51:30] Is properties and charges, as well as some transfers from

[4:51:33] reserves. The 2025 revised budget was $10,486,000 after the annualization

[4:51:43] of previously approved budget requests. The service area is starting

[4:51:46] 2026 with a budget of 7,898,000. To maintain current service

[4:51:54] levels, the service area is asking for an additional $5,114,000

[4:51:58] and an additional $150,000 to enhance service levels. There are

[4:52:07] no priority one operating request for the service area. And

[4:52:11] their 2026 capital program is in alignment. With the council

[4:52:17] approved ten year capital plan that is funded. Is there

[4:52:20] any questions? For Mr. Edstrom? Yes, there are. Councilor Weber.

[4:52:26] Questions. Yeah, it's about the South Pandozi parcade. Apparently it's

[4:52:32] part of the ten year capital plan. By the way,

[4:52:34] I was taken aback. By who? With the glasses. Who's?

[4:52:37] That extra intelligent guy standing over there? Anyway, I keep

[4:52:42] wondering about the south Pandozi, parcade. It seems to me

[4:52:46] like a mystery project that keeps coming back every year,

[4:52:48] and yet I feel like maybe I've forgotten, but I

[4:52:51] don't remember council ever having a debate over where in

[4:52:53] town. We've never been given a choice or options or

[4:52:57] any kind of debate. Or a business case about why

[4:53:00] the next parquet needs to be there and may be

[4:53:02] true. But I haven't ever seems to have come. Before

[4:53:06] us and it's being asked for 400,000 this year, and

[4:53:09] then we're launching into almost like $18 million over the

[4:53:12] next five years. So it seems to be it seems

[4:53:14] to me it's going to become a fact pretty quickly

[4:53:17] here. And yet. Maybe it's because it all started before

[4:53:20] I was on council or something, but. It just seems

[4:53:22] like something. There's an assumption we're going to do, but

[4:53:25] we never said it. And councilor just says a point

[4:53:28] there. I know Mr. Edson is going. To answer it,

[4:53:29] but it did all start before you were on account.

[4:53:31] So it did, Mr. Edstrom. Please. Yes, you, worship. It

[4:53:35] did start before you're on council, and as part of

[4:53:37] our area specific. Plans. We identified parking need based off

[4:53:41] what we see, the current or the supply to be

[4:53:43] in. Projected supply. So this came for the first time

[4:53:46] before council last year. We heard loud and clear from

[4:53:49] council. That they wanted this to come back to them.

[4:53:53] Before any decisions were made. Up to now, staff have

[4:53:57] undertaken preliminary design and are currently looking at an option

[4:54:01] for it within the Osprey parking lot in south Pandozi.

[4:54:06] That said. There is a conversation we're going to come

[4:54:10] back to council on specifically with the data. Of what

[4:54:14] will be the highest priority, because some of the numbers

[4:54:17] we're starting to see in the downtown. Are increasing. And

[4:54:21] so there will be a prioritization conversation that will happen

[4:54:24] about where the next parcade should go, but we will

[4:54:27] not move forward with spending anything more than design money

[4:54:31] before we come back to council for approval. I want

[4:54:34] to make sure that's very clear that there's a condition

[4:54:36] associated with that. I appreciate the response. Councilor 1 second

[4:54:41] city manager, please. Yeah. Thank you, worship. And maybe in

[4:54:44] addition, Mr. Edson, speak to the property that we acquired

[4:54:48] for this purpose. And when we acquired that for the

[4:54:50] Pandozi perky. The property that is there is the osprey

[4:54:55] parking lot. Osprey parking lot is. Right beside the park

[4:54:59] in South Pandozi, and it has been identified for a

[4:55:02] long period. Of time as being the potential for. A

[4:55:07] future parcade. If council approved the project. So I'm not

[4:55:11] quite sure how to approach this, but your report did

[4:55:13] say that we're reaching. Parking. Your report just a few

[4:55:16] minutes ago, you said we're reaching parking limits, both downtown.

[4:55:20] And Pandosi, so certainly we need to move ahead. So

[4:55:24] the question is, if we approve this $400,000 now, and

[4:55:27] that's for. Planning purposes, that usually implies that the project

[4:55:31] is going to go ahead, because otherwise you're wasting $400,000.

[4:55:35] Would that be a way of looking at it? I

[4:55:37] wouldn't look at it that way. Your worship from our

[4:55:39] perspective. There's the feasibility to undertake long term planning. Regardless,

[4:55:44] we want to make sure that whatever sites that we

[4:55:47] are holding for parking purposes can actually work from a

[4:55:50] feasibility perspective. So that includes just based geotechnical and then

[4:55:54] having some massing, as you can imagine. Parcades.

[4:56:05] Put in, say Lego is the wrong way to say

[4:56:06] it, but effectively. They need to fit within a certain

[4:56:10] box or rectangular, and we want to make sure that

[4:56:13] it can actually be constructed and built within that space.

[4:56:16] Before we come back to council, we know that. Is

[4:56:18] a tighter space. That's one of the reasons for it.

[4:56:20] Also, anything in the downtown as well. If it was

[4:56:23] to come forward, we'd want to make sure that before

[4:56:25] we make the recommendation to move to the next level

[4:56:27] that has gone underneath. Gone. Underneath. Gone underneath the initial

[4:56:31] feasibility analysis. What would that 400,000 be used to? Look

[4:56:35] at more than just one location in the city for

[4:56:37] a yes, it would have the ability to do that,

[4:56:39] you, worship, but we're going to undertake the pandozi one

[4:56:41] first. Yeah. And yet we're going to be at some

[4:56:44] point debating at some point. You're? Coming back to us

[4:56:47] with where options for where parcade is most needed. We

[4:56:51] will have evidence backed information to make sure you can

[4:56:54] make an informed decision. And as our commitment was before,

[4:56:57] that we would not move forward. Beyond the feasibility stage.

[4:57:06] Until we had council's blessing to move forward. Thank you.

[4:57:11] Councilor stock, please. Comment on councilor Weber's question and then

[4:57:18] a question. But. Council. There used to be a parking

[4:57:23] lot in the middle of Pandozi, which included the site

[4:57:27] of where now Canada is, and we took that parking

[4:57:31] out in favor of providing supportive housing. To that community.

[4:57:34] And at that time, I recalled her being a commitment

[4:57:37] to the business community out there that we would replace

[4:57:39] that space. Which is why we bought Osprey and then

[4:57:43] used that as future enhancement. So it does. Go back

[4:57:46] about 18 years ago, the root of this. But the

[4:57:50] objective was to make sure that there was adequate parking.

[4:57:52] Depends the area through parking management. I think there's been

[4:57:56] huge improvements. In that area. But that is part of

[4:57:59] the history of it, so I'm not surprised to see

[4:58:01] this. Come in. But it has had such a long

[4:58:03] history. Sometimes it's easy to forget how we got here.

[4:58:08] Anyway, my question. Is on the budget. I noticed on

[4:58:13] page 299, Melanie, we have a transfer from reserves of

[4:58:18] 3,000,818. As a revenue. But then when I went further

[4:58:24] down the page, we have transferred to reserves of 3,000,655.

[4:58:27] And it just seemed like an interesting accounting thing, and

[4:58:31] I'm just curious. To the story behind that. Thank you,

[4:58:35] worship. When we put money into reserve, it is typically

[4:58:41] for future capital. So most of the time when you

[4:58:44] see money coming in that line of transfer from reserve,

[4:58:47] it is coming in to fund that. Capital work with.

[4:58:54] The parking operation. Money that is received that is not

[4:58:58] used within the year in the operations of that year

[4:59:00] get contributed to that reserve and then are used for

[4:59:03] future capital. So. It's just like old money. Old revenues

[4:59:08] coming in to pay for today's capital. And today's money

[4:59:11] going into reserve to pay for tomorrow's capital. I knew

[4:59:14] you'd. Have a good answer. Thank you. Thank you. Councilor

[4:59:19] Dehart, please. I have a comment. If everybody else was

[4:59:23] finished. Hold. Questions? Councilor Singh. Questions? Yes. Thank you, worship.

[4:59:30] I just wondered. I may be drawing a blank here.

[4:59:36] Did we not talk about a parcade in Rutland? Or

[4:59:39] was it last term or this term? It's sort of

[4:59:42] all rolling into one. Wasn't that an issue at one

[4:59:45] point? Councilor. No. All right. I'm drawing a blank. Or

[4:59:55] I dreamt of it. Thank you. Dreaming again? Any questions,

[5:00:00] councilor? Lovegrove. Questions? Yes. Two questions, your worship. Thanks. So

[5:00:07] just to go back to the south Pandozi. Park aid

[5:00:10] and finish up. Part of that will be whatever location,

[5:00:14] whatever they're looking at a business case to confirm feasibility,

[5:00:17] and then it would help you establish priorities, so I.

[5:00:21] Get that 400,000. Okay, fair. Enough. Then the real question

[5:00:26] was, you talk about expenses when you have your goal

[5:00:29] of 2.0. That's operating, right. That doesn't include land and

[5:00:32] construction. The two to one ratio. That's just revenue versus

[5:00:38] operating. That's correct, Georgia. Okay. Thank you. Councilor Wolverich, please.

[5:00:44] Thanks for worship. Just to carry on with the south,

[5:00:47] Pandozi. Parcade questioning. I understand the methodology behind it, Mr.

[5:00:53] Edstrom, around the planning. But where I get confused is

[5:00:58] we're going to come back to council, but. We're already

[5:01:01] subsequently approving the 27, 28 and 29 projections of the

[5:01:06] construction. Those wouldn't come back to us, would they? So,

[5:01:09] basically, by approving this, we're locking in those capital commitments

[5:01:12] into the subsequent years. Is that not true, Mr. Sass?

[5:01:17] Please thank your worship. No, you're not locking in. Those.

[5:01:21] Costs, but it does help the finance team in our

[5:01:24] long term financial strategy to be able to anticipate that

[5:01:27] the parking team will be coming back with a plan.

[5:01:31] For a parcade. And then once that's authorized that the

[5:01:35] funding will be allowed to be expended. But what this

[5:01:39] is. Allowing the finance team to have a fighting chance

[5:01:42] at that long term financing strategy. But the funds would

[5:01:45] not be authorized to be expended until council endorsed. The

[5:01:50] construction of the parcade. Okay. I guess there's just a

[5:01:56] lot of things at play that I'm pondering. About this?

[5:01:59] Because we're talking about a citywide parking strategy that we've

[5:02:02] had. Workshops on. We're talking about. A dynamic pricing strategy.

[5:02:08] And so then I guess I'm just uncomfortable seeing. Those

[5:02:12] numbers committed to in Fels Pandozi before we know that

[5:02:15] it's going to be in that location. Councilor. Just a

[5:02:19] point of clarification from the city manager, because. The capital

[5:02:22] always sits within a ten year capital plan already. But.

[5:02:24] City manager, please. Thank you, worship. Maybe just to give

[5:02:26] council. Of additional comfort. Having this in tenure in the

[5:02:31] approved tenure capital plan. Puts it to a place where

[5:02:35] you're going to be reviewing on an annual basis, regardless.

[5:02:38] So on. The ten year capital plan comes back for

[5:02:40] review again next year. You'll have another opportunity to take

[5:02:44] a look at that with the progressive information that Mr.

[5:02:47] Edstrom team has come up with in terms of design.

[5:02:49] So before you endorse next year's tenure, cop or re

[5:02:52] endorse next year's tenure capital plan. You'll have that opportunity

[5:02:55] again. But you'll have more information at that time. Boat

[5:02:59] location, design, fit and those types of things. Okay. Thank

[5:03:06] you. Comments councilor Dehurt, just before we move on. Thank

[5:03:12] you. Yeah, I know that this isn't. What I'm going

[5:03:15] to say is not in one of the items of

[5:03:17] b one or b two? But I really again wanted.

[5:03:23] To just thank staff and council and the city manager

[5:03:27] for the free parking for the veterans, the reason I'm

[5:03:30] bringing it up today is I have had many veterans

[5:03:33] in the last couple. Of weeks, actually, since November 11.

[5:03:36] Come to me. The first thing they said. It's really,

[5:03:39] really easy to register here at the city because I

[5:03:42] wasn't sure. And sometimes things happen. And secondly, they said

[5:03:47] that how pleasant it was that everyone they've gone to

[5:03:50] and that it was a quick form and how pleasant

[5:03:52] everyone was at the city and I've had many of

[5:03:55] those, so I just wanted to bring it up in

[5:03:57] the public. Realm, because I think. It's really important that

[5:04:00] we did it. We followed through, and now they're all

[5:04:03] really happy on the system, so thank you. Thank you.

[5:04:07] No further comment. Just before we move on, just a

[5:04:09] point of clarification for council with regards to the concern

[5:04:12] around the parking elements on it, there is a substantial

[5:04:15] need within this community. That it ends up being we

[5:04:17] deliver this, and this has come about as part of

[5:04:20] this report. And part of this moving forward. What Mr.

[5:04:23] Edstrom is saying, and what he's saying is that they're

[5:04:25] looking at that. Now, we don't know exactly where. It'll

[5:04:29] land where it will land in the future, but it's

[5:04:32] going to come. Back before council, before it lands anywhere.

[5:04:35] So we're advancing the idea that we recognize that this

[5:04:38] has to be done within the community, and it all

[5:04:40] started out as councilor stocks said 18 years ago. In

[5:04:44] the south, Pandozi. Or whatever the number of years you

[5:04:47] use in the south Pandozi. But it may be somewhere

[5:04:49] else within the community, but it will come back to

[5:04:51] this council before we advance it, so. It's just so

[5:04:53] that it ends up being everyone is aware. Saying anything

[5:04:57] specific. Where I'm uncomfortable. I'm totally comfortable with the 400,000

[5:05:02] in planning to understand where it's going to be. In

[5:05:06] the community, but where I continually have challenges. Is the

[5:05:09] forecasting of the capital build in the subsequent years, and

[5:05:12] I know the city manager. Says it'll come back at

[5:05:14] a capital plan, but we never remove anything from the

[5:05:16] capital. Plan. It just gets endorsed as a whole document.

[5:05:20] But the forecasting of the build may happen. On this

[5:05:23] site or it may happen on some other site that

[5:05:26] is part of the process of them going back through.

[5:05:29] So it allows finance to recognize that it will be

[5:05:33] something that. And Mr. Sass jump in. Here at any

[5:05:35] particular point in time, but it allows finance to recognize

[5:05:38] that it will be something that happens within our community.

[5:05:41] For them to kind of. Structure, budget forwards moving forward.

[5:05:45] It's a study and it's a capital allocation for something

[5:05:48] to happen, and that will be a process that comes

[5:05:50] back before council. Mr. Sass, am I off mark on

[5:05:52] that? Sorry. My buttons are having some delays. Thank you,

[5:05:56] your worship. I think. The hardest thing for us to

[5:06:03] handle in finance. In how we're funding capital is to

[5:06:08] have substantive capital projects land in the near term. In

[5:06:12] the plan that were unanticipated a few years out. And

[5:06:17] so. Not opining or presenting any comment on where the

[5:06:23] parquet may go or how that works. But it is

[5:06:26] very difficult. In our financial plan to have, say, a

[5:06:29] large parcade dropped in next year that was not contemplated

[5:06:32] a few years out. Thank you, Melanie, please. I'd move

[5:06:38] ahead. Yes. Okay. Thank you. The next service area that

[5:06:42] we will visit is the partnerships office. This starts on

[5:06:46] page 303. Of your budget volume. It's a pleasure to

[5:06:52] present. The partnerships office. The team that. Is here with

[5:06:59] me today. Really? Bodies. The vision that we challenged, the

[5:07:04] way the organization thinks about designs, pays for and delivers

[5:07:08] infrastructure. To make Kelowna a city of the future. It

[5:07:14] is a multidisciplinary team that really advances that notion of

[5:07:19] challenge. Our key accomplishments in 2025. One of the key

[5:07:26] areas was to establish foundational policies, program systems to support

[5:07:29] the evolution and immaturity of the partnership's office. These policies

[5:07:34] and programs have helped to guide. And optimize the work

[5:07:37] we are doing, as well as enhance the city's reputation.

[5:07:40] Through recognition. With our partners. It's included a strategic plan.

[5:07:47] Our major partnership development policy, and we've activated. Our alternative

[5:07:51] revenue program. That council has saw previously. We've also created

[5:07:57] two major partnerships. As we continue to focus on the

[5:08:00] more significant. Partnerships for our community. We've partnered with tennis

[5:08:05] clubs in Canada to provide year round play. With five

[5:08:09] new courts and a winter tennis facility admission, recreation park

[5:08:14] and we've partnered with Okinawkan College on a new recreation

[5:08:17] and wellness facility at their Klona campus. Providing funding to

[5:08:21] build a larger facility that would not otherwise be constructed

[5:08:25] at OC in the intergovernmental relations portfolio. The team led

[5:08:30] many key opportunities. In high profile meetings, including two meetings

[5:08:35] with Premier deep. To advance council priorities around economic development

[5:08:40] at YLW, addressing repeat property offenders and to see a

[5:08:46] regional mandatory care facility in the Okinawan. The team also

[5:08:51] facilitated advocacy tours to Victoria and Ottawa, and we're starting

[5:08:55] to see. Greater success by going. And working alongside the

[5:09:00] federal government. The team also managed Cola's delegation and participation

[5:09:05] at the UBCM convention and notably we received two awards

[5:09:10] the team was pretty proud of. From climate energy awards

[5:09:15] for the Climate Resilience Colon Strategy and the Dhart park

[5:09:18] carbon neutral design. We also developed and launched a corporate

[5:09:23] awards program. To undertake a systematic approach to how we

[5:09:28] apply for awards and the hoping that we continue to

[5:09:32] have corner recognized as a national leader. On the grants

[5:09:37] portfolio. The team was successful in managing $119,000,000 in grants.

[5:09:42] And part of it, as we hear, is not just

[5:09:45] being awarded the grant, but how you manage. It successfully

[5:09:48] over time to make sure your reputation stays strong. We

[5:09:51] were able to celebrate the success of the grants program

[5:09:54] by the opening of the new waterfront stage. Which was

[5:09:57] attended by the provincial minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and

[5:10:00] Sport. We celebrated the opening of the second phase of

[5:10:03] drath Kona beach with Kiwanis and KGH foundation and we

[5:10:08] celebrated the opening of the Bertram overpass. As we focus

[5:10:12] on improvements for the partnership's office service level. A couple

[5:10:18] areas to note. We continue to work very well alongside.

[5:10:24] UBCo with our city and UBco Research alliance and continue

[5:10:27] to leverage the collaboration. Research, but also, very interestingly, the

[5:10:32] level of grant opportunities when we work together with Ubco.

[5:10:35] The city is committed to continue to partner on this

[5:10:38] research. And that brings together both our municipal staff and

[5:10:41] university researchers to explore local challenges through applied research. We

[5:10:47] continue to refine our evidence based background materials. For council

[5:10:54] as we continue to advocate both the provincial and federal

[5:10:57] government. On council's key advocacy priorities around economic development at

[5:11:03] YLW, increasing local crown prosecutors a regional compassionate mandatory care

[5:11:07] facility, new transit operations center, and the Clement Avenue extension.

[5:11:12] And then what's? Under development currently is the team is

[5:11:15] working on a new major partnership strategy to pursue the.

[5:11:19] Highest impact partnerships. I think you've heard from the team

[5:11:22] before that they're really focused on national level partners. And

[5:11:28] making sure that it aligns well with our ten year

[5:11:30] capital plan. As for performance metrics, we have three performance

[5:11:35] metrics to bring to council. The first is our partnerships

[5:11:39] leverage ratio. I spoke about that earlier. And the importance

[5:11:44] of having. The opportunities fund. Our commitment when we look

[5:11:47] at partnerships is at minimum we have a ratio of

[5:11:50] two to one. In 2025, the full fund was successfully

[5:11:54] allocated. Meaning all funds were spent. And the leverage ratio

[5:12:00] was estimated at four to one, with a significant portion

[5:12:03] directed to the two major projects that identified earlier, which

[5:12:06] was the winter tennis facility and the OC recreation facility.

[5:12:12] Performance metric number two considers the success rate on grant

[5:12:15] applications. Per year, as you can see. We are targeting

[5:12:23] close to 80% in 2025, but historically have always been

[5:12:27] about 70%. This one is interesting because. We have had

[5:12:32] this performance metric for a long time, and we always

[5:12:34] started at a baseline of about 50% and we've exceeded

[5:12:38] it. It's something that we're going to look at going

[5:12:40] forward. But part of our thought process around it was

[5:12:43] not. To put a performance metric so high that you're

[5:12:46] only taking safe applications if that makes sense that. We

[5:12:52] know that we can continue to get better, but also

[5:12:55] making sure that we're going after some of the bigger

[5:12:57] applications or ones that might be more opportunistic. And so

[5:13:00] we're not being driven to just go after the money

[5:13:03] that we know is safe, but. We're going after, we

[5:13:05] believe to be the bigger. Harder grounds to try to

[5:13:09] apply for, but it's one that we're going to continue

[5:13:10] to look at. And then lastly, performance metric number three

[5:13:15] successfully completed efficacy priorities through. Minister meetings. It's a combination

[5:13:20] of the number of meetings that we have with ministers,

[5:13:23] our target is that we complete one advocacy priority per

[5:13:26] year. When we talk about advocacy priorities with council of

[5:13:30] having. Kind of between three to five. Accuracy, priorities. We

[5:13:35] know that some of them are going long term, and

[5:13:36] some of them may. Span over councils to see them

[5:13:39] come to fruition. The one that we're proud to say

[5:13:41] that we completed in 2025 is the completion of the

[5:13:44] 180 heart and hearth homes. Milni. The partnership's office has

[5:13:52] an expenditure budget of $1.8 million and is operated under

[5:13:56] two cost centers. Funding for the partnership office is predominantly

[5:14:02] from property taxes, with a small amount coming from reserves

[5:14:06] and fees and charges. The 2025 revised budget was $2,149,000

[5:14:16] after previously approved budget amendments have been added. The 2026

[5:14:21] year is starting at 1,733,000. To maintain current service levels,

[5:14:27] an additional $113,000 is requested. And to enhance service levels

[5:14:32] an additional 2000. There are no operating or capital requests

[5:14:39] for this service area. Does anyone on council have any

[5:14:42] questions? For Mr. Edstrom. Councilor Hodge, questions or comments? Questions

[5:14:50] minor. In your. Boxes. You've got 2025 estimates.

[5:15:01] Like the union numbers. And make. Their. Number four. 2025

[5:15:09] that says estimate. It's the end of the year, so.

[5:15:14] Can you not say it's complete? And that's a gap.

[5:15:19] Right. Do you follow what I'm saying? I do, your

[5:15:27] worship. So the first thing is when this is submitted,

[5:15:30] it's submitted prior. To the end of the year so

[5:15:32] be submitted likely back in September. At that time, we

[5:15:36] knew that. The funds have been fully allocated to those

[5:15:41] two projects, and we were able to have an average

[5:15:44] funding ratio of four to one. So we were able

[5:15:46] to identify it, but it was just identifying. It towards

[5:15:48] the end of the year because at that time it

[5:15:50] was submitted in September approximately with global focus, but it's

[5:15:53] still too early for us. You're quite sure? And if

[5:15:56] you notice all three performance? Metrics say estimate as well.

[5:16:01] Exactly. That's why I was 21. Okay. I just want.

[5:16:03] To make comment, Mr. Merlit. Since council approved this. Coming

[5:16:09] forward, this old projecting group. Tremendous, tremendous success we've had

[5:16:14] from their involvement, and I think that. It's really. Partnership

[5:16:23] office concept has been a huge upswing for us. I

[5:16:26] think it's tremendous value. To the city. And proof is

[5:16:31] in the pudding and what we call over the years.

[5:16:34] So I just want to. Thank. Thank you. I think

[5:16:37] it's great. What you're done. Councilor Wolverich, please. Okay. Comment?

[5:16:42] I think we're on comments. We have no. More questions,

[5:16:44] so please proceed. Thanks for worship, and thanks, Mr. Edstrom,

[5:16:47] for the presentation today. And though there's no budget request,

[5:16:49] I just want to express my gratitude for all the

[5:16:53] support. That the group gives council and the rest of

[5:16:55] the city throughout the year. Definitely couldn't be doing the

[5:16:59] advocacy that we do and garner the level of attention

[5:17:02] both from provincial and federal partners. And our investment pays

[5:17:07] tenfold, so it's a best in class, in my view.

[5:17:11] And our relationship and trust. Driven division that continually works

[5:17:15] to support the community. So thank you for all the

[5:17:17] work you and the team do? Councilor Dehart, please, just

[5:17:22] quickly. I wanted to dittle. What? Councilor Wolverich. Said it

[5:17:26] is just a real pleasure to work with that department.

[5:17:29] And whether it were in counselor or whether we're on

[5:17:32] a field trip or whether we're somewhere else, it is.

[5:17:35] Really nice to know that. Absolutely. Everything is perfect. And

[5:17:43] the governance that you do and actually the leadership with

[5:17:45] the different levels of government is incredible. Really. It's something

[5:17:49] that we can't do alone. I guess that's what. I

[5:17:51] want to say that we need your help to do

[5:17:54] what we do. So thank you all. Very much. Councilor

[5:17:58] Singh, please. Thank you, worship. I want to add to

[5:18:01] what my colleagues just said. We saw them at work,

[5:18:05] at the UBCM. At UBC. And we saw them hit.

[5:18:07] The ground running. And just. They were all over, trying

[5:18:11] to. Trying to make sure they were connecting with the

[5:18:13] right. People to get the best for Kelowna. So thank

[5:18:16] you very much for all the work. You and your

[5:18:18] team do, Councilor Lovegrove. Okay, well, this is a new

[5:18:22] one. I actually. Just want to go like this. Well

[5:18:26] done, because I think you win the applause award. We

[5:18:28] have applauded your team more. Often than any other. Perhaps

[5:18:31] the events are a close second, but just well done,

[5:18:35] especially herding. A cat like me because I know it's

[5:18:38] difficult. Thank you, worship. Thank you. Any other. Comments. Derek,

[5:18:43] if I may, just before you leave. To Michelle, excel,

[5:18:48] Valentina, Christine, and obviously Kirby, too. Everything that was set

[5:18:53] up here is correct. You do assist myself, you do

[5:18:57] assist counsel, and you do assist the city with regards

[5:19:01] to the work that you do. And the ability of

[5:19:04] advancing initiatives for the betterment of the community. So on

[5:19:09] behalf of all of us, I know it's been said,

[5:19:11] but we truly thank the team for the work that

[5:19:14] they do. Very much appreciate it. Thank you. Council. We

[5:19:18] are going to take a five minute break. We just

[5:19:20] have a couple of items done. I mean, back after

[5:19:22] that. We're going to take just a 510 minutes break.

[5:30:56] You're on right now. I guess we should.

[5:32:00] Thank you. I'm just going to call. This meeting back

[5:32:04] to order. Deputy city clErk. Please thank your worship. We

[5:32:08] are now in service area 21, governance and leadership. Thank

[5:32:12] you, your worship. This is on page 311 of your

[5:32:17] budget volume. Thank you, your worship. The goal of this

[5:32:22] service area is to ensure an accountable and transparent government.

[5:32:25] Through strong counsel and administrative governance. We prioritize transparent and

[5:32:30] responsive information sharing with council and the public through council

[5:32:34] reports, regular city manager updates and memos, consultation and advice.

[5:32:40] And responses to inquiries. Our operational services include council and

[5:32:44] committee meeting management bylaw and policy development, information management, responses

[5:32:50] to council correspondence, access to information and protection of privacy.

[5:32:55] And these are all done with a view to advancing

[5:32:57] council and corporate priorities. While meeting legislative compliance. In terms

[5:33:03] of key accomplishments, this year included a review of an

[5:33:07] update to council's priorities focusing on key initiatives and programs

[5:33:11] to achieve council's goals across the priority areas and the

[5:33:14] 2026 preliminary budget reflects these priorities. We also developed a

[5:33:19] new council policy framework for the regular review and development

[5:33:23] of council policies through this effort, council rescinded over 30

[5:33:27] obsolete policies, helping to provide clear and consistent direction to

[5:33:30] the public and staff. Highlighting some continuous improvements. We continue

[5:33:35] to advocate on council priorities with federal and provincial governments

[5:33:39] and engage with the province on initiatives that affect the

[5:33:42] city and local governments more broadly. And operationally, we advise

[5:33:47] on bylaw and policy development to add value to the

[5:33:49] work of other service areas and support digital transformation initiatives

[5:33:53] with guidance on records and privacy considerations. We've also started

[5:33:58] enhancements to our service delivery by using digital solutions to

[5:34:01] automate certain tasks. Looking at our performance measures. Measures. I'll

[5:34:07] start with our policy function. As mentioned, there were quite

[5:34:10] a few council policies that were rescinded, with over 40

[5:34:14] policies reviewed, created or rescinded this year, which is well

[5:34:17] above our target of 15. We do expect this to

[5:34:20] return. To more normal levels in 2026. Through the regular

[5:34:25] review and development of policies. For council correspondence. We've maintained

[5:34:30] responsiveness with respect to responding to correspondence, with responses coming

[5:34:36] from the mayor on behalf of council or from staff

[5:34:38] on operational matters. Council received well over 2500. Pieces of

[5:34:42] correspondence a year, and we're advancing opportunities to improve this

[5:34:46] function through technology solutions. For FOI. Our compliance with legislative

[5:34:51] timelines for access to information requests is slightly above our

[5:34:54] target and higher than comparative municipalities providing responsive service to

[5:34:59] the public. And with that, the financial planning manager will

[5:35:02] provide the budget overview. Thank you. Thank you, Laura. So,

[5:35:09] for the governance and leadership service area, the expenditure budget

[5:35:12] for 2026 is. $5.4 million. This area is operated under

[5:35:18] five cost centers. The funding strategy for 2026 for this

[5:35:24] service area is predominantly property taxes with a small amount

[5:35:28] coming from reserves and other revenues. The 2025 revised budget

[5:35:37] was 4,786,000. After the annualization of previously approved budget requests.

[5:35:44] We will start 2026 at 4,498,000. To maintain current service

[5:35:52] levels, an additional $779,000 is requested. And to enhance service

[5:35:57] levels. An additional $156,000 is requested. The service area has

[5:36:06] two operating requests, and they're found on page 317. The

[5:36:11] first request is for the 2026. Local government election request

[5:36:16] is in 2026 for 374,400. Funded from reserve and then

[5:36:22] ongoing. Is a top up of 40,700 each year to

[5:36:29] be used towards next year's. Election funded from taxation. The

[5:36:35] second request is the council initiatives request. So this is

[5:36:39] the council funding that can be used. For any council

[5:36:43] initiatives throughout 2026 or can be used today. This is

[5:36:47] $150,000. Taxation ongoing. There are no capital requests or priority

[5:36:54] two requests for the service area. Is there any request

[5:36:58] that council would like to discuss. Councilor Cannon, please. Questions.

[5:37:03] Thank you. Two questions. One. Laura. On performance measure three.

[5:37:07] Approximately how many FOI requests you receive a year? Your

[5:37:11] worship does vary year to year on average. We're looking

[5:37:16] at usually between 110 to 120, with varying complexity and

[5:37:21] therefore timelines to respond. Okay, thanks. And on. With regard

[5:37:24] to operating request on 317, the council initiated how much

[5:37:29] was spent in 2025. If you could give me a

[5:37:33] few minutes. You're worshipping? I'm happy to. Get back to

[5:37:35] you on that. Thank you. We will come back. Councilor

[5:37:38] Dehart, please. Well. Thanks. I know. Maybe it's late in

[5:37:44] the day, or maybe. I want you to refresh my

[5:37:47] memory on something. So under the council initiatives, I remember,

[5:37:51] like. Grant funding to support business associations, electric mobility, the

[5:37:56] Incentives program, and public safety tax force. But for the

[5:38:00] life of me, I can't remember or I can't figure

[5:38:03] out our enhancement. Of snow and ice clearing, so. I

[5:38:07] thought that would just have gone under our yards budget.

[5:38:11] I don't get that one and I can't remember it,

[5:38:14] so why would that. Be in there. Because if we

[5:38:18] needed an enhancement of snow and ice clearing, That would

[5:38:21] go in a different budget, wouldn't I? Like council initiatives.

[5:38:26] Thank you, worship. So those are examples of items that

[5:38:29] council has previously funded through. This budget. With the ability

[5:38:35] to respond to emerging items as they've come forward. That

[5:38:39] council has identified and so that's the intent behind that

[5:38:42] budget, is to be able to respond to things. Like.

[5:38:46] Increased funding to business improvement areas. For example, So those

[5:38:49] are examples from the last couple of years. With the

[5:38:52] idea that council would then decide as other opportunities come

[5:38:57] forward on funding from this. And then in future years,

[5:39:01] if those are ongoing, then those would be captured within

[5:39:03] the appropriate service. Area. Okay, I understand that, but I

[5:39:07] don't understand why snow and ice clearing wouldn't. Why that

[5:39:11] would come as a council initiative and why it just

[5:39:14] wouldn't be dealt. With staff. And I guess I just

[5:39:17] don't get that council to hurt Mr. Sass. Please. There's

[5:39:20] something I'm missing. I'm sorry. Thank you, worship. If you

[5:39:25] can recall, over the last few years, it's how we've

[5:39:27] given council. Some latitude outside of. What we have recommended

[5:39:31] to staff within the approved taxation budget. And so, as

[5:39:34] an example, we would have brought forward. A service level

[5:39:38] recommendation and a taxation level to support it. And then

[5:39:43] council would have said, we would like to allocate more

[5:39:46] funds from that, but. Not to increase taxation. So you

[5:39:49] would have allocated a piece of those funds now. They

[5:39:53] will form operationally part of the snow and ice budget,

[5:39:56] but for transparency and showing counsel what you have approved

[5:39:59] historically, based on those priorities, we bring it back and

[5:40:02] show you, okay, that's. Good. I get that. And councilor,

[5:40:04] I think that was your initiative. It was your initiative

[5:40:07] to bring it forward. Mayor, I think you're completely wrong.

[5:40:17] No, I got approval on the other side of the

[5:40:18] table there. Other questions. Other questions. There was that one

[5:40:25] clarification. Melanie, please. Thank you. So in 2025, the council

[5:40:30] initiative budget was $900,000. It was allocated as $478,000 towards

[5:40:37] mayor task force initiatives. $50,000 for bylaw services enforcement coordinator.

[5:40:45] $75,000 was input towards council. Advocacy. 151,000 for two bylaw

[5:40:52] officers and $150,000 for economic development. Thanks. So when we

[5:40:58] help, for example, we gave funding to help the Okanagan

[5:41:02] son go. To the nationals that come under there as

[5:41:05] well. Thank you, your worship, but that comes out of

[5:41:09] the council contingency funding, so every year. In budget, I

[5:41:14] believe we have $35,000 for. Council contingency that is available

[5:41:19] for use throughout the year. As council. Thanks. And we

[5:41:23] still have 185,000 for one time projects under the strategic

[5:41:27] council. Strategic initiatives that is being held in reserve right

[5:41:31] now. Thank you. Thank you. Seeing. No further questions. Laura,

[5:41:36] thank you very much. So we'll now move. To the

[5:41:44] enabling services. And we will welcome the general Manager of

[5:41:46] corporate services, Mr. Joe sass. Thank you. Thank you, Mel.

[5:41:52] And thank you, your worship. Just before I get going.

[5:42:00] Wanted to provide a little bit of an observation of

[5:42:02] today and when I was speaking to the organization and

[5:42:04] council about transitioning to service based budgeting and KPIs a

[5:42:07] few years ago one of the things that I recall

[5:42:10] saying to everyone is that when we get mature with

[5:42:12] this, when we have a budget conversation, it's going to

[5:42:14] be just as much about performance and what we get

[5:42:17] as it is about our investments and in observing. The

[5:42:21] conversation today. I can say it's been a lot of

[5:42:24] conversation around the performance measures and how we're actually doing.

[5:42:27] So just wanted to commend everybody who's been part of

[5:42:30] that because this is exactly what we were trying to

[5:42:32] create when we took that step a few years ago.

[5:42:36] So I will be presenting the budget for our enabling

[5:42:38] services areas which are not always visible, but are crucial

[5:42:42] to delivering our services to our community. These services ranging

[5:42:46] from building services, financial services, human resources, communications fleet and

[5:42:52] information technology provide the foundation that supports the work of

[5:42:56] all. Of our operating departments. Each of these areas plays

[5:42:59] a critical role in enabling us to meet our strategic

[5:43:02] goals, legislative services. Ensures compliance and governance, while risk management

[5:43:08] helps safeguard our operations and our assets. Real estate and

[5:43:12] internal construction delivery help us manage and develop our assets

[5:43:15] efficiently, while strategy and performance and senior leadership guide us

[5:43:19] towards achieving our long term objectives, ensuring we remain accountable

[5:43:23] to our taxpayers. Together, these services ensure that our frontline

[5:43:28] teams can focus on delivering direct value to our citizens.

[5:43:32] As always. There's a lot that the enabling services do,

[5:43:35] but I'll just provide. You a few highlights in line

[5:43:37] with council priorities. So partnering with BC Housing as part

[5:43:41] of the BC builds initiative to deliver approximately 150 units

[5:43:44] on city owned property, partnering with nonprofit to deliver 195

[5:43:49] new rental units, including approximately 80 below market. Implementation of

[5:43:54] our community safety dashboard to enhance transparency to the community

[5:43:58] and show how we're making the city a safer place

[5:44:01] to live. Groundbreaking for the Parkinson Recreation center. So obviously

[5:44:06] a long time coming. The largest project we've ever done

[5:44:11] as a city, as part of the building stronger colona.

[5:44:14] Program as well as breaking ground on the North Glenmore

[5:44:17] Protective Services campus. So another piece of infrastructure that's been

[5:44:21] long awaited by the community. We've also commenced and completed

[5:44:25] a record number. And value of capital projects. As we've

[5:44:30] discussed many times throughout this council term, particularly in the

[5:44:33] last year. We continue to enhance our KPIs and focus

[5:44:39] on targets and benchmarking again to round. Out that conversation

[5:44:42] and to continue to provide better performance data to provide

[5:44:45] context for our budget. And we've designed a new smart

[5:44:50] search to help customers select correct service request types, reducing

[5:44:55] frustration and submission times as we pivot our focus towards

[5:44:58] customer experience as an organization. Talking about a couple of

[5:45:03] our performance measures in the enabling services area. Enabling services

[5:45:07] as a percentage of total budget. I mentioned that key

[5:45:10] performance indicator on Monday. If you look over the long

[5:45:13] term there's a trend down, which is what we like

[5:45:15] to see, and that tells us that we're investing more

[5:45:18] in the frontline service deliverers than we are. In the

[5:45:22] overheads of the organization, which is a story we like

[5:45:24] to tell and making significant progress on our deferred building

[5:45:29] capital renewal. Deferred capital renewal refers to the postponed investments

[5:45:33] required for maintaining and renewing facility assets if not addressed

[5:45:37] in a proactive manner. This tends to cost us more

[5:45:40] money over time. Infrastructure investment, of course. A major. Measure

[5:45:49] given the mandate of current council and one that. We're

[5:45:54] really proud of our planning and delivery teams continuing to

[5:45:56] show strong performance. Safe workplace insurance discount measures and highlights

[5:46:01] our safety performance record at the city and also tracks

[5:46:05] the benefit we receive. In our overall workplace insurance premiums.

[5:46:09] We currently spend over $3 million on these premiums. And

[5:46:12] this measure shows our returning of over 300,000. Obviously, communication

[5:46:17] with our citizens is critically important. So looking at measuring

[5:46:21] our communication channels and touch points, with our citizens is

[5:46:24] important. To measure this. Measure highlights the substantial growth in

[5:46:32] engagement points with our citizens over time. Process automation as

[5:46:36] we look to enhance efficiency. And again, we've had an

[5:46:40] MPI conversation. Thinking about coming in below that. So, looking

[5:46:43] to use innovative technology to be able to offer high

[5:46:46] quality services in a more efficient way. And finally, the

[5:46:50] last one I will show you is a snapshot of

[5:46:53] our financial health indicators. We've discussed these multiple times, but

[5:46:57] just keep in mind that this is something that guides

[5:47:00] every investment decision we make at the city of Kelowna.

[5:47:02] With that said, I will pass. It back to Melanie.

[5:47:06] Thank you, Joe. The enabling service areas combined make up

[5:47:11] $156.7 million of the city's. Expenditure budget enabling. Services includes

[5:47:19] several different cost centers, as you can see on the

[5:47:23] screen, with the largest one being financial services, which includes.

[5:47:28] Debt and other. The funding strategy for the enabling services,

[5:47:35] the majority of it, that enabling allocation that you can

[5:47:39] see. On the screen of $52.6 million. That is the

[5:47:42] amount that has been allocated out over all the service

[5:47:45] areas as services to the community. Could not be delivered

[5:47:50] without the enabling services there to support them. The remainder

[5:47:53] of the area is funded from reserve funding, other revenues,

[5:47:57] fees and charges and grants. The 2025 revised budget was

[5:48:03] $141,337,000. After the annualization of previously approved budget

[5:48:12] requests, the areas will start 2026 with an operating budget

[5:48:16] of 99,667,000. The service areas combined to maintain their current

[5:48:24] service levels are requesting $51,218,000. And to enhance service levels

[5:48:33] and additional 5,839,000. The enabling services has a number of

[5:48:40] priority one operating requests. We'll do them in order. So

[5:48:47] the first area for facilities has facility support, service enhancements.

[5:48:52] Starting at $63,000, increasing to $123,000 ongoing. Facted from taxation.

[5:49:01] Next is facility maintenance at $810,000, ongoing, funded from taxation.

[5:49:09] Next is human resources, organizational development. At $200,000 ongoing, funded

[5:49:15] from taxation. And the pre employment testing software implementation at

[5:49:20] $23,000 funded from reserve under it, we'll start with cybersecurity

[5:49:28] or, sorry, cyberstrategy. At $150,000 ongoing first year funded from

[5:49:33] reserve and then taxation afterwards. The data center as a

[5:49:39] service at $150,000 each year, ongoing, funded from taxation. It

[5:49:47] resourcing redevelopment at $200,000 in 2026, increasing to $400,000 ongoing

[5:49:55] funded from taxation. IT software and services maintenance starting at

[5:50:01] 674,000 in 2026, increasing to 682,000 in 2027 and 690,000

[5:50:09] in 2028. Ongoing, all funded from taxation. In real estate.

[5:50:18] The strategic land development projects at $150,000 ongoing first year

[5:50:23] funded from reserve and then ongoing at taxation. In risk

[5:50:28] management. The insurance premiums being requested is an additional $400,000

[5:50:34] ongoing, funded from taxation. The risk management recovery program at

[5:50:40] $104,000. Ongoing, funded from revenues received through the program. The

[5:50:48] security contract increase of 71,000 in 2026, increasing to 75,000

[5:50:54] in 2027. Then 79,000 ongoing funded from taxation. And then

[5:51:02] there is operating and maintenance impacts from the capital request

[5:51:06] from the ten year capital plan. The capital request included

[5:51:14] in these area are all in alignment with the council

[5:51:17] endorsed and funded ten year capital plan. Is there any

[5:51:22] request that council would like to discuss further? Councilor Cannon,

[5:51:27] please. Thank you. Page 341. What's the base budget for

[5:51:32] the security contract? And wondering what facilities were providing the

[5:51:40] services for. One moment, please.

[5:51:58] $1.4 million. Those are for security guards for. Different

[5:52:08] city buildings. Thank you. It just looks like the inflationary

[5:52:12] costs associated with. The security guard program, and it looks

[5:52:19] like it's going up faster. Thank you. Page 345. For

[5:52:28] park washrooms. Growth and renewal. What's the base budget on

[5:52:31] that? Well, there is not just. A specific. Because it

[5:52:39] seems like both. It's a maintenance. And a renovation, so

[5:52:43] I don't know if it's combined operation and capital. Because.

[5:52:51] It talks about maintaining levels of service for park washrooms,

[5:52:53] but it also talks about renovating existing washings. You're worshipping

[5:52:58] the ten year capital plan, the washroom program. Has year

[5:53:03] by year difference. So one year, I believe, will be

[5:53:06] design and renewal of small renewals. Followed by construction of

[5:53:12] future washrooms. So this is a capital program. In just

[5:53:17] the 2026 portion of it. That helps explain. Thanks. The

[5:53:20] next one down for the sports stadium. Is there a

[5:53:22] field identified for that yet, or is it still. Not

[5:53:26] sure. Your worship. This will impact several different fields across

[5:53:32] the city. And I believe they have a program that

[5:53:37] they've built where we will do certain fields. Each year.

[5:53:41] I don't know the fields that are planned for the

[5:53:43] first year. Okay? And. The next page. The fleet management

[5:53:46] system. Just wondering, is that half a million dollars for

[5:53:49] a software program. Thank you, your worship. It would be

[5:53:52] the software program plus the associated peripherals and implementation, so.

[5:53:56] There's some work that has to go in around implementing

[5:53:58] the software. You have to save a lot of fuel

[5:54:01] if it's going to be for half a million just

[5:54:02] for a software. So. Thanks. Appreciate it. Councilor Lovegrove, please.

[5:54:09] Thank you, worship. So. I'm seeing that. There was no

[5:54:15] general taxation in the funding strategy, so I'm guessing came

[5:54:19] out of enabling. Allocation where. You've got each of these

[5:54:23] individual items from taxation. Am I correct on that interpretation?

[5:54:28] Thank you, your worship. There is taxation, funding, but it

[5:54:33] has been allocated to all the different service areas. When

[5:54:36] you were looking at each one, there will be a

[5:54:38] line for enabling allocation. Okay, thank you. That's what I

[5:54:40] thought, okay? So going down the list, then? The. Data

[5:54:48] center. Is that our data catalog that's online right now

[5:54:52] on our website. That's going to. A different infrastructure set.

[5:55:00] Thank you, your worship. That's actually the core data center

[5:55:04] infrastructure that's actually on premise and looking to move that

[5:55:07] off premise to a cloud solution. Okay. And will that

[5:55:10] include fees then, for use? I don't even know if

[5:55:13] it's costed. Out now. It changes the dynamic of how

[5:55:18] the funds are captured. So it's often referred just to

[5:55:22] software as a service versus managing. The actual physical infrastructure

[5:55:26] and amortizing it over time. So it's a very different

[5:55:28] model with a very different funding profile, okay? So we

[5:55:33] don't have to buy the servers and then maintain them

[5:55:35] and amortize. Them. We simply would pay a service provider

[5:55:38] to provide that service to us. Okay, then the last

[5:55:41] question is. Sorry, I'm on page 344. I forgot to

[5:55:45] mention the pages, but page 344, infrastructure operations. Facility $10

[5:55:50] million from reserve. The eventual infrastructure operations facility. What is

[5:55:58] that? I'm sorry, I forgot. Thank you. Your worship, this

[5:56:02] relates to a discussion in the capital planning. The capital

[5:56:07] plan that we had around. The requirement for growth and

[5:56:12] our primarily utility areas and the growth of really their

[5:56:16] works yard that is no longer. An adequate size for

[5:56:20] them as they continue to grow. So there was some

[5:56:22] discussion within the capital. Plan around making sure that we

[5:56:25] had the funds in there to allow for the growth.

[5:56:28] Of our yards to support our utilities. So it could

[5:56:32] be somewhere other than hardy street. In other words, Like

[5:56:35] you said, for capital planning, it's the start. Correct. Okay.

[5:56:38] Thank you, councilor stock. Please. Thank you. I'd like to

[5:56:41] just look at. Page 336. Under facility maintenance. And it's

[5:56:49] kind of a general question on process. So in this

[5:56:52] particular budget, We have. 2026. Requirement of $810,000. I guess

[5:57:01] the question in my mind is why is this coming

[5:57:03] from straight from taxation rather than. Some existing reserve to

[5:57:09] maintain our buildings because many of our other buildings are

[5:57:13] maintained through some reserves. But this one seems to go

[5:57:15] straight to taxation. Thank you, your worship. It's effectively the.

[5:57:19] Increase in the taxation that goes to the reserve so

[5:57:21] that we can pull it out to fund the capital.

[5:57:23] So your way of thinking about it is not incorrect,

[5:57:25] but what this is saying is. We'd like to add

[5:57:27] 810,000. Dollars to the funding that would go into that

[5:57:30] reserve that we would then later pull out for. The

[5:57:32] purposes of facility maintenance. So is this potentially, like a

[5:57:35] one year thing? So next year, if we see our

[5:57:37] reserve being built up, it may be funded, our maintenance

[5:57:40] strictly from the reserve. Thank you. That's something we would

[5:57:44] always consider as we do our capital planning. As Mr.

[5:57:48] Edstrom's team has talked about the ongoing work around the

[5:57:52] facility's master plan will be a big piece of determining.

[5:57:56] That kind of reconciliation of our funding to our demand.

[5:58:00] But we also have a performance measure on our deferred

[5:58:02] maintenance. That I mentioned at the very beginning. And so

[5:58:06] the team's done some great work to improve that, but

[5:58:08] there's still a ways to go. So what is the

[5:58:11] base budget for? Our facility maintenance that this will be

[5:58:13] adding to. City manager, please. Yeah, well, the finance team

[5:58:18] is looking up that number. I'll just add. A comment

[5:58:21] probably similar to. What? The comment I made around maintaining

[5:58:28] our parks. While we were trending in a great direction,

[5:58:31] we have a lot of really good data that shows

[5:58:34] we need to continue to invest significantly in our existing

[5:58:37] buildings to keep them up to a standard. Both the

[5:58:39] community council. Employees and contractors are satisfied with. The request

[5:58:45] that came through the budgeting process. And eventually, through my

[5:58:49] review, was much larger than this and we have right

[5:58:52] sized it to fit. Within the targeted taxation rate. So

[5:58:57] we'll continue to work on improved performance in that area

[5:59:01] and bring a performance discussion. In future years. We're trending

[5:59:05] in a good direction, but there's a lot of money

[5:59:06] that's needed to invest in this area. It's one that.

[5:59:11] We? I don't want to say ignored, but I'd say

[5:59:13] that over the years, we didn't fund it to the

[5:59:16] standard that we perhaps should have, and we're playing a

[5:59:18] bit of catch up. Thank you, worship. It's 3.4 million.

[5:59:24] 3.83.8 million is the base budget, but. I can tell

[5:59:28] you in terms of that, in and out of reserve,

[5:59:30] there's more funds. Coming out of that reserve than there

[5:59:32] is is going into them. Based on the historical funding

[5:59:35] file. And so that is definitely one of the areas

[5:59:38] on the capital side where there is a little bit

[5:59:40] of pressure, for sure. And just Mr. Edge from reminded

[5:59:44] me that actually the lighting is for Mission Rec park

[5:59:46] and that had been identified. Okay. Thank you very much.

[5:59:51] Council. Any other questions? Comments? Seeing none just from myself.

[5:59:58] Just before we move this on, Nice to see with

[6:00:02] regards to performance measure one, with regards to our operating,

[6:00:07] which used to be at 27 26, now down to

[6:00:12] 24 with regards to the amount of growth that we've

[6:00:16] had within it so that our operating cost overhead outside

[6:00:19] of any major infrastructure. Cost is coming down. So good

[6:00:22] work on the team on looking at managing those particular

[6:00:24] items. The one thing that I would comment on is,

[6:00:28] with regards to the request for priorities, looking at as

[6:00:32] you go into just kind of looking at this. Are

[6:00:34] all of. Those items accomplishable within this next year, and

[6:00:39] if they are not accomplishable within this next year. Should

[6:00:41] they potentially be deferred with regards to restructuring or looking

[6:00:45] at the overall tax rate. Just as a thought on

[6:00:48] it. Thank you, worship. That is certainly one of the

[6:00:52] filters that. We apply. Through finances review and the city

[6:00:57] manager's review. And there's a number of things that have

[6:01:00] already been pulled or delayed or pushed later in the

[6:01:04] plan. So I would say that we're reasonably confident everything

[6:01:07] in this plan. Is deliverable on the timeline that we've

[6:01:11] put it. Recognizing on the capital side, we're aiming for

[6:01:14] approximately 75% of that plan. Recognizing things happen on the

[6:01:17] capital side. Thank you. Thank you, Melanie. So this service

[6:01:22] area has two priority, two requests, the first one being

[6:01:26] the infrastructure. Planning and design request with zero cost in

[6:01:30] the first year, but 33,300 in 2027. Ongoing and then

[6:01:35] the IT project feasibility and evaluation at 125,000. Dollars ongoing,

[6:01:41] both from taxation. Is there any questions council has on

[6:01:45] either of those priority two requests? Seeing none. Thank you.

[6:01:49] Your worship. That ends our council deliberations. If you could

[6:01:56] you please give us a few minutes, we can come

[6:01:59] back with the start items. Thank you. Council will take

[6:02:05] just about a five minute break then, please.

[6:19:40] Thank you. Just going to call this meeting back to

[6:19:42] order. City clerk, please. Thank you, your worship. We are

[6:19:46] now in the wrap up and discussion item on the

[6:19:49] agenda, and I'll go. To the general manager of corporate

[6:19:51] services. Thank you, your worship. And thank you for the

[6:20:00] opportunity to go. And look in more detail in light

[6:20:04] of. The question around are we able to deliver all

[6:20:08] of. The software and technology improvements within the plan. We

[6:20:13] do think that there is an opportunity to reduce. Next

[6:20:17] year's operating impact. Just given the timing of some of.

[6:20:20] Those actual service or those technology delivery pieces. And so

[6:20:25] in working with Ms. Antoouns and the city manager, we

[6:20:27] think that we can find about $200,000 of operating associated

[6:20:31] with better recognition of the timing. In when those projects

[6:20:35] will be completed and then the associated ongoing maintenance associated

[6:20:39] with that. So we do think that we can find

[6:20:40] that within the budget today. Thank you, Mr. Sass. Thank

[6:20:44] you. I believe that. Now goes towards your start items.

[6:20:54] And a discussion around the overall tax rate. Correct. And

[6:20:56] I do appreciate you reviewing that initial item. That was

[6:20:59] one of concerns that I had, that there was an

[6:21:01] opportunity there to lay some of those. So I truly

[6:21:03] appreciate that. And as you had said, just looking at

[6:21:06] the start items at this time. So the first start

[6:21:10] item was two firefighters presented as a priority. Too. It's

[6:21:16] on page 130 in the financial plan. Thank you. So

[6:21:22] initially, council, what we need to do with this one

[6:21:24] is put this on the floor as a motion first,

[6:21:28] and then we can have discussion around it and then

[6:21:30] vote on it. From there, please. So I just need

[6:21:34] a motion on this. This is moved by councilor Singh.

[6:21:37] And seconded by councilor Hodge. Discussion around this before we

[6:21:42] vote. Councilor Hodge. Do you have discussion? No, Mr. Mayor.

[6:21:47] In favor of tutor? I think that we can't. Make

[6:21:50] any better investment when it comes to adults and safety

[6:21:52] of our community, then making sure we provide adequate service,

[6:21:56] and I think this only helps to enhance that ability

[6:21:58] to guarantee a safer community. So I think it's well

[6:22:01] worth the investment. Thank you, councilor Sing. Singh. Thank you,

[6:22:06] worship. And I recognize a lot of work has gone

[6:22:10] into our budget. And everyone looked at it with a

[6:22:13] very sharp pencil to ensure we get the best bang

[6:22:17] for our buck as well as our community is safe,

[6:22:21] including the chief in this case. But honestly, if we

[6:22:24] don't keep pace. With the growing community. We're only kicking

[6:22:31] the ball further down to other councils and a couple

[6:22:35] of councils later. They're going to have to hire ten

[6:22:37] more firefighters to keep up. I'm just. Throwing that figure

[6:22:40] out to keep up with the growing community. So what

[6:22:43] I'm saying, just. Like increasing. Our taxes little by little.

[6:22:50] And not little by little to keep up. With the

[6:22:53] needs of the community. I think it's important we keep

[6:22:57] up with the need. Or. The formula that is in

[6:23:04] place. To have. Enough. First responders. In comparison to the

[6:23:12] growing community. So I will, of course, be supporting this.

[6:23:16] I brought this to the floor. So I think it's

[6:23:18] important. I think I'd like to see council. Give it

[6:23:20] some thought. We have rolled back on the lights. That

[6:23:26] was a million dollars that was going to be on.

[6:23:27] The budget. The lights on the bridge, though it comes

[6:23:32] from two different parts. It's still money. That is the

[6:23:37] city. So if there's any juggling that can be done

[6:23:39] at the end of the day. I would appeal to

[6:23:43] my council colleagues to really give this a thought. Thank

[6:23:46] you, councilor stack. Thank you, worship. And thank to my

[6:23:50] colleague for her comments. I guess from my interpretation of

[6:23:53] this and reading the plan. We do have a safety

[6:23:57] levy of 1% that we've added every single year, and

[6:23:59] we're using that to add police officers as well as

[6:24:03] firefighters and. Other safety services, but those are really the

[6:24:07] two big ones. And when I look at the plan,

[6:24:10] It's been laid out by staff. I feel the addition

[6:24:12] of. Four additional firefighters this year is the appropriate level.

[6:24:17] That's the priority one that they want. And have asked

[6:24:19] for, and I feel good. We'll fund that, and we're

[6:24:23] going. With what the request is. I don't think we

[6:24:25] need to go beyond that. We know. We've got a

[6:24:27] very strategic plan in place to build our Glenmore hall

[6:24:30] and staff. It, which we asked earlier today, I think.

[6:24:34] We're right on track with our fire department. I'm very

[6:24:35] proud of the service. Levels that they're offering, and I

[6:24:38] think the request for Ford is the correct request, so.

[6:24:41] I won't be supporting the two additional firefighters beyond that.

[6:24:45] Thank you, Councilor Wolbert. Please. Thanks for worship. I certainly

[6:24:49] respect our fire department and all the hard work that

[6:24:52] they do to improve safety in Kelowna. There's a little

[6:24:56] bit of work that's going on in 2026. That I

[6:24:58] think is very important to inform further investments and councilor

[6:25:02] stack already alluded to the safety levy was. One of

[6:25:05] those steps was to have consistent and steady investment into.

[6:25:09] Safety, which is what's allowed us to bring on those

[6:25:11] four members and bring on members. Every single year. But

[6:25:14] what I think is really important for council to have

[6:25:17] the discussion about is the resourcing plan that's coming forward

[6:25:19] in 2026, I would much rather have that discussion and

[6:25:23] discuss service levels before ad hoc, adding more members without

[6:25:28] hearing the full. Rationale behind it. There's been an immense

[6:25:32] amount of rigor that's gone. Into the budget that's presented

[6:25:34] today, both from Chief Seymour and the city manager. So

[6:25:37] I won't be supporting the additional members this year. But

[6:25:40] I would be interested to know what comes out of

[6:25:42] the 2026 resourcing plan. In the future because I know

[6:25:46] there's a little bit of a rub between the NFPA

[6:25:48] standards and other industry led initiatives. So I think it's

[6:25:52] important that if council we have that resourcing study before

[6:25:55] we make further investments. Your worship. Thank you, councilor. Councilor

[6:25:58] Lovegrove, please. Thanks, your worship. I appreciate my colleagues being

[6:26:04] reluctant to support this and others that are behind it,

[6:26:06] so. I see that this is specifically for station one.

[6:26:14] We've got new high rises coming online. So it's not

[6:26:17] just about wildfires and being in tinder box each summer

[6:26:20] is actually, absolutely. As my colleagues have said, it's about

[6:26:23] growth. And being able to get up and out as

[6:26:28] we are growing, especially downtown. This is now maybe I'm

[6:26:32] wrong. But. I also recognize our chief is in the

[6:26:38] room. And would have been part of the discussion to

[6:26:42] put this to a priority, too. So I see. Both

[6:26:44] sides of this. And I'm just asking, your worship, is

[6:26:47] it appropriate that perhaps we let the expert in? The

[6:26:49] room. Speak to why this became a priority too? No,

[6:26:52] counselor. So we have to decide this. On its own

[6:26:55] merits. Well, I'd like to hear the rest of my

[6:26:58] colleagues before I vote on this or. Maybe we don't

[6:27:01] have. And we got a call to question, but I'm

[6:27:02] uncomfortable. Voting on this without hearing from the experts. Sorry.

[6:27:07] Councilor. I don't see any other. Is there more comments?

[6:27:13] Councilor stack, did you have another comment on that? Thank

[6:27:16] you. So that's where councilor cannon. Thanks, your worship. Just

[6:27:18] is going to remind the council we did hire additional

[6:27:21] four last year as well. Correct. Just one thing. Yes,

[6:27:25] thank you. Any other comments? Seeing none, I will comment

[6:27:30] on it. I think that this whole council recognizes the

[6:27:33] value of the fire department and Chief Seymour and what

[6:27:36] he's been able to do with it, and we have

[6:27:38] been at a number of functions in the last few

[6:27:40] years with the induction. Of new members as. Fire members

[6:27:45] to our community, and we want to continue along that

[6:27:48] line, but we have to put our faith in those

[6:27:50] individuals that turn around and establish these budgets for us.

[6:27:53] And there was great consultation with the chief. There was

[6:27:55] consultation with the city manager and that whole team. We

[6:28:00] are also looking at going through a process of more

[6:28:02] of a service delivery model next year. With regards to

[6:28:05] the number of individuals that we need into the future,

[6:28:08] you can compare it to many different comparisons with regards

[6:28:11] to whether we have the need or whether we don't

[6:28:13] have and I'd rather go through that process and make

[6:28:15] an informed decision more so than go to a point

[6:28:18] of making something. Where it's an item that it ends

[6:28:21] up being we haven't backed up with. Any data and

[6:28:23] we have not informed that information. So I basically put

[6:28:26] it as an uninformed decision at this particular point in

[6:28:28] time. So, seeing no further questions, I call the questions

[6:28:31] all in favor. Opposed. It does not. Carry. And, Chief

[6:28:37] Seymour, you know that's with the utmost respect of you

[6:28:40] and your team. Thank you very much for everything you

[6:28:42] do for our community. Melanie, please. Thank you, your worship.

[6:28:47] The next starred item is the Kelowna go by week,

[6:28:50] go by Bike week. Apologies. $45,000 funded from taxation. Thank

[6:28:56] you. This is moved by Councilor Woolridge, seconded by. Councilor

[6:29:05] Lovegrove. And it has discussion around it. Councilor Wolverich, please.

[6:29:12] Thanks for worship. I think this is a flagship event

[6:29:15] in Kelowna. That's a relatively low number. It improves different

[6:29:18] modes of transportation. And at a $45,000 investment, I think

[6:29:22] there could probably be a way to finance this. Into

[6:29:26] a billion dollar budget. So a bit surprised that this

[6:29:28] was going to end the program in Clona's involvement, so

[6:29:30] I'm supporting. It because it's a relatively low investment, but

[6:29:35] it does bring community together, and it's an important event

[6:29:37] in the community. Thank you, Councilor Lovegrove. Please. Yeah, I

[6:29:40] couldn't. Agree more. It's one of council's priorities to get

[6:29:43] folks out of their cars. And this is just another

[6:29:45] way to encourage folks to get informed, get educated, get

[6:29:49] onto a bike and try active living. It's also impacting

[6:29:54] and benefits our health. We put hundreds of thousands of

[6:29:59] dollars in the bike paths. We better use them, and

[6:30:02] I think this is one way to encourage that use,

[6:30:04] and it's ongoing. We need this. Not approving this. Would

[6:30:09] actually cancel the bike to work week for Clona. That's

[6:30:11] not a reputation I want to have on city council.

[6:30:16] Thank you. Councilor Stack, please. Yes, I just wonder. There

[6:30:19] was some discussion in the presentation today. About perhaps looking

[6:30:22] for other community involvement in this particular program, perhaps a

[6:30:27] partnership. And I wonder if this is something that couldn't

[6:30:29] be handed over to our partnerships office to consider seeing

[6:30:32] if there was some sponsors or others that would like

[6:30:34] to participate so that. The city doesn't carry 100% of

[6:30:37] this cost, and maybe there's opportunities to. Find. Teamwork through

[6:30:42] the partnership office. Just a suggestion, councilor Stacca. Maybe just

[6:30:45] get the city manager to address your question, please. Yeah.

[6:30:48] Thank you. Your ship. If I'm reading the tea leaves.

[6:30:51] There seems to be a bit of general support for

[6:30:53] the idea of this program. And if council were to

[6:30:56] direct us to look for funding source and bring it

[6:30:58] back prior to final budget. Be happy to do that

[6:31:01] for you. Prior to final budget. We'll look for a

[6:31:07] funding source, either internally or through a partnership, and see

[6:31:10] if we can find a way to fund it for

[6:31:11] you and bring it back as part of final budget.

[6:31:15] Council deart comments well, I just think that's a great

[6:31:18] idea. Both. From the city manager and from councilor Stack,

[6:31:24] as I think there will be people out there. That

[6:31:26] would like to support it. Not that it's, and because

[6:31:29] of the amount that it is, but I think a

[6:31:31] partnership would be really great and. That would take also,

[6:31:34] they would probably like to enhance the event and do

[6:31:38] the event instead of the city doing it. I think

[6:31:40] it would be really great. I would certainly be in

[6:31:42] favor of that. Thank you. I'm going to ask the

[6:31:44] city clerk just to kind of put those. Words into

[6:31:48] an understanding, and then we can go from there. I

[6:31:51] know where it's up. And there's a motion, and this

[6:31:54] has been moved, and we were speaking to it, but.

[6:31:58] I'll let her speak, and then we'll go from there.

[6:31:59] Please. Thank you, worship. So with the intent to identify

[6:32:03] a funding source that would have no impact on taxation,

[6:32:06] of course. That would be. Pending. Those discussions and negotiations,

[6:32:12] but the direction would be that council amends that. Kelowna,

[6:32:14] go. By bike, p two. Item on page 204 to

[6:32:17] p. One and direct staff to identify a funding source

[6:32:20] for final budget considerations with no impact on taxation. This

[6:32:25] has been moved and seconded, so I'm going to ask

[6:32:27] the question all in. Favor. Opposed. Carried. Thank you. Thank

[6:32:33] you, your worship. The next one is the one that

[6:32:35] Mr. Sass identified. Is the reduction of the operating and

[6:32:40] maintenance of some. It major system enhancement projects that is

[6:32:46] not required in 2026. So a reduction of $200,000. So

[6:32:52] can I have a mover on that, please? Move by

[6:32:54] Councilor Weber, seconded by. Councilor Lovegrove. I'm not certain there's

[6:32:57] any discussion on that required. If there isn't. All in

[6:32:59] favor? Opposed. Carried. Thank you. Thank you, your worship. So

[6:33:05] that results in an end of day tax increase of

[6:33:09] 4.37%. Wow. Fantastic. Mr. Sasson team. That is amazing. Thank

[6:33:16] you very much for the work that you did. And

[6:33:18] thank you for making that all work out. Very, very

[6:33:20] much appreciated. City clerk, please. Thank you, worship. With that

[6:33:24] in mind, we do need a final motion and resolution

[6:33:27] from council that reflects. That final tax increase. So this

[6:33:31] would be that. The 2026 financial plan, volume one preliminary

[6:33:35] budget, as amended by council and resulting in a 4.37%

[6:33:40] tax increase be approved subject to final budget considerations. Thank

[6:33:44] you. Just before I move. That forward. I'm just wondering.

[6:33:46] From the finance team, Mr. Sasswell. Is there any more

[6:33:50] comments? I thank you for the work that you've done.

[6:33:52] I think it is very clear what council will be

[6:33:54] voting on and commenting on. No further comments. Just to

[6:33:58] thank you to Mel, who carries the torch all day.

[6:34:03] And Jay and his team. And you can't see Jay's

[6:34:05] team, but they're in the back somewhere answering all of

[6:34:09] our, what is our opening budget? Questions, and so just.

[6:34:11] A big thank you to Mel and Jay and the

[6:34:14] rest of the budget team that you can't see for

[6:34:16] all their great work. Thank you.

[6:34:29] Thank you, Mr. Sass. And Melanie, obviously, thank you. Any

[6:34:32] comments that you would like to make? Before we move

[6:34:34] on? No, thank you, you, worship. Thank you. Didn't mean

[6:34:42] to put you on the spot. Be polite. You've heard

[6:34:46] enough of me today. That's why we have her. I'm

[6:34:51] just going to go back to the city clerk one

[6:34:53] more time, just for clarification. To kind of state exactly

[6:34:56] what we're voting on on this last phase. Thank you,

[6:34:59] worship. So with the amendments that council has decided on,

[6:35:04] The final resolution that we are looking for is that

[6:35:06] the 2026 financial plan, the volume one. Preliminary budget, as

[6:35:10] amended by council and resulting in a 4.37% tax increase,

[6:35:15] be approved. Subject to final budget considerations. Thank you. So,

[6:35:19] do I have a mover? Please move by councilor. Wolverge

[6:35:21] seconded by councilor Hodge. Discussion. Just before we vote on

[6:35:25] it, councilor Singh. Okay. Thank you. So, discussion councilor Dehart.

[6:35:34] I think this has been a really good budget, and

[6:35:36] I really like the way that it was. Presented. I

[6:35:39] remember how we used to pull pages and mail. You

[6:35:42] sat there. But anyway. In not even saying that. Thank

[6:35:47] you. I really want to say thanks to the staff,

[6:35:50] including the city manager Laura everybody. Mr. Sass, your team

[6:35:54] and council really like to thank council for the robust

[6:35:58] discussion. I think it was a very good budget, and

[6:36:00] I'm really happy at the percentage that we came to,

[6:36:04] and I think that the citizens will be very. Happy

[6:36:07] with what we've given them, considering they're always asking us

[6:36:10] for added services. And I think we've done a great

[6:36:12] job. And compared to just about everybody else in the

[6:36:16] province. I think that we've done an exceptional job. So

[6:36:20] thank you. Thank you, councilor stock. Please. Thank you. I'll

[6:36:24] continue on with the accolades. I want to thank our

[6:36:27] city manager. Because I know this is not a day

[6:36:29] project. This is about a six month project. And Mr.

[6:36:32] Sass and Melanie as well, for an excellent presentation today,

[6:36:36] but overall. The one document that Mr. Sass handed out

[6:36:41] this morning which shows the cumulative tax increases over this

[6:36:45] term for ourselves and many of our comparative cities. Really

[6:36:51] emphasizes the consistency that the city has adopted to keep

[6:36:54] our tax increases between four and 5%. On a consistent

[6:36:58] basis. Which I know sometimes sounds a lot, but when

[6:37:00] you put it in perspective to what the other cities

[6:37:02] are doing. I think any of them would be thrilled

[6:37:07] if they could come up with a budget like this.

[6:37:09] But on top of that, it's not just the budget

[6:37:12] amount. And what we're charging. The amount of development and

[6:37:18] capital projects that we are doing is phenomenal. Like I've

[6:37:22] been on council for many, many years, and we've never

[6:37:25] seen anything like our road packages. Expanding. We've never seen

[6:37:29] anything like our community centers that are underway. The Parkinson's.

[6:37:32] Breck center. The new community center in Rutland, a new

[6:37:36] community center in the mission and one in Glenmore. Which

[6:37:39] has been on the books for years and years. But

[6:37:41] when you look at the cumulative amount of work that's

[6:37:44] being accomplished at the same time that we're able to

[6:37:46] keep our taxes at this low level. Is phenomenal. And

[6:37:50] it goes back to very, very good strategic financial planning

[6:37:54] that we're able to do this. I was just listening

[6:37:56] to a story very briefly the other day about Prince

[6:37:58] George is looking at closing their main pool for two

[6:38:00] years because their maintenance has fallen so far. Behind that

[6:38:04] they're looking at, they would lose two years of swim

[6:38:06] programs. And you can just imagine the kind of impact

[6:38:09] that would have. On their community. But here we're looking

[6:38:12] at adding. A brand new ten lane pool to ours,

[6:38:17] as well as maintaining the existing services we have. So

[6:38:20] I just think it's something we as a council, and

[6:38:22] I think the city staff. Should take great pride in

[6:38:24] the amount of things that are being accomplished at the

[6:38:26] budget that we're bringing forward, so kudos to all. Thank

[6:38:30] you. Councilor Singh, was that you? Thank you. I didn't

[6:38:35] realize. I was supposed to comment at that stage when

[6:38:39] you asked me to speak, but I, too, concur. With

[6:38:42] what my colleagues say. Thank you, Mr. Sas. For taking

[6:38:47] all my basic questions and walking me through everything. And

[6:38:52] simplifying it for me. Thank you, Mel. Thank you, team,

[6:38:56] for everything. And your worship. We should be so proud

[6:39:01] that. With such a progressive city that's growing so fast.

[6:39:06] We're still able to keep our taxes at the level

[6:39:08] they're at and provide the service to the best of

[6:39:11] our ability. We have issues that we're dealing with that

[6:39:14] are not municipal issues, and yet. Though we are spending

[6:39:20] money on end, we're still able to keep our taxes

[6:39:24] at the lower end of the spectrum. I just want

[6:39:26] to take a second. And thank one of our citizens

[6:39:29] who comes every year. Thank you very much for your

[6:39:33] interest and support. In our budget. You came late today.

[6:39:37] I was looking for you this morning. Thank you for

[6:39:39] being. Here. Thank you, worship. Thank you, councilor. Love, girl,

[6:39:42] please. Thanks to your worship. It's not lost on me

[6:39:46] that the opening comments from our city. Manager said if

[6:39:49] not for the ability of his expert team, we would

[6:39:53] be looking at an 11% tax increase. And this is

[6:39:57] 4.37. It's even below what we started with. During the

[6:40:00] day. So I just want to thank the city manager

[6:40:03] and his team for that. Having said that, and I

[6:40:06] suspect. There will be other colleagues that echo this comment.

[6:40:13] Citizens see the inflation rate at 2.6. So we need

[6:40:18] to be cognizant of we are above the consumer price

[6:40:21] index and we had the report on. Was it Monday?

[6:40:24] About the municipal. We're even below the municipal price index

[6:40:27] increase if you look at that. That was 4.9. All

[6:40:30] that to say. It's tough, but I appreciate that during

[6:40:34] this term. We've been fiscally responsible overall compared to our

[6:40:38] comparator communities. Everybody's in the same boat, and we're doing

[6:40:42] the best we can, and I. Think we've got the

[6:40:44] best team to do the best we can. Thank you,

[6:40:47] councilor. Cannon, please. Thank you, worship. And, yeah, Cologne is

[6:40:51] an exceptional city, and I'm honored to serve with you

[6:40:54] folks and the residents who call at home. And we've

[6:40:58] got some exciting things happening, especially if the upcoming Memorial

[6:41:02] cup hosting the lions. BC's summer games. A lot of

[6:41:07] great things, and I want to acknowledge the hard work

[6:41:09] of our staff and the many positive developments that contribute

[6:41:11] to the quality of life. However, with that acknowledgment must

[6:41:14] come responsibility. And today our responsibility is fiscal stewardship. So

[6:41:19] more and more I hear from concerns from residents. That

[6:41:23] the overdevelopmental proper infrastructure, parking problems. We continue to have

[6:41:28] issues with regard to worsening Tropic, as Mac alluded to

[6:41:32] millions spent in homelessness and community safety with limited results

[6:41:35] and taxes that continue to place inflation. Many employers are

[6:41:40] finding it difficult. To find and retain staff because of

[6:41:43] the cost of living in Clona, especially the affordability of

[6:41:45] housing residents, likewise are telling me they're struggling to keep

[6:41:49] up with rising expenses, so I also understand the MPI

[6:41:53] or municipal price index as the cost of city incurs

[6:41:56] to operate. As my steam colleague across the way mentioned

[6:42:00] on Monday. It's a resident, especially seniors and folks on

[6:42:03] fixed income. It doesn't matter because. Their income is based

[6:42:07] on consumer price index, or CPI, which actually right now

[6:42:10] in BC is 2.3%. So this 4.3% increases about 45%

[6:42:16] above the CPI and simply more than many households, I

[6:42:18] believe, and businesses can manage at this time because. We're

[6:42:22] living in some very. Uncertain economic times. Unemployment is elevated.

[6:42:28] And budget proposes to add additional staffing to grow by

[6:42:32] 40% beyond the population growth to me. That's not sustainable.

[6:42:36] So fiscal responsibility requires discipline, prioritization and efficiency. So bigger.

[6:42:42] Budgets and larger bureaucracies do not automatically produce better outcomes.

[6:42:47] Citizens also told me that our current homelessness strategy is

[6:42:49] not reducing illegal sheltering across the community. Many states actually

[6:42:53] gotten worse, which I talked about earlier this morning. If

[6:42:56] we want better results, I believe we need to take

[6:42:57] a different approach. Our residents expect us to focus on

[6:43:00] core services. And essential. So when council considers multimillion dollar

[6:43:04] decorative signage where many families are struggling with. Basic expenses.

[6:43:07] To me, it sends the wrong signal about our priorities.

[6:43:11] So, you worship, for all these reasons, and out of

[6:43:12] respect for the financial capacity our community, I cannot support

[6:43:15] the 4.37% tax increase. I believe fiscal responsibility is not

[6:43:20] simply an accounting. Exercise. It's a commitment to ensuring that

[6:43:23] government lives within its means. Justice families are expected to

[6:43:26] do every day. I hear that over and over, all

[6:43:29] levels of government are living beyond their means and. I

[6:43:31] believe colonial is no exception. So I believe we can

[6:43:33] deliver responsible budget, but only if we focus on essential

[6:43:36] strength and accountability efficiencies and align tax increases with what

[6:43:40] residents can realistically afford. Thank you, worship. Thank you. Councilor

[6:43:44] Hodge, please. Thank you, Mr. Nair. Well, first of all,

[6:43:49] ingest, but not give me my fireman now. If we

[6:43:53] did so well. That being said, I want to jump

[6:43:58] in on. The low fest for our staff and our

[6:44:03] city and appreciate you for the kind of day we've

[6:44:07] had. And. Although everyone might agree, I think a superb,

[6:44:14] well handled. Taxation budget. And I just want to make

[6:44:20] a side comment. Earlier tonight, during the deliberations, I had

[6:44:25] a little choking session. Not uncommon. And I was talking

[6:44:32] pretty good, and I went around the door and opened

[6:44:34] the corner because they didn't want to disturb the entire

[6:44:37] room. And the next thing you know, someone's hands on

[6:44:41] my back. Great concern in his voice and says, are

[6:44:44] you okay? Can I help you? This is Mr. South.

[6:44:49] Now here's a man. I'm supposed to be the most

[6:44:52] important day of his year. Under full stress, I'm sure

[6:44:58] responsible for the entire performance. He's made his whole thing

[6:45:02] work, and he's in the back alley here with a

[6:45:07] whole little counselor of my house. That's a character of

[6:45:11] the man, that he would take the time. And this

[6:45:15] moment to care about someone else and thought, I just

[6:45:18] want to thank you. It's a quality person. That does

[6:45:23] that. And I just thought today of all days for

[6:45:26] him to do that, so I just want to say

[6:45:28] thank you, and I think it's important that I'd say.

[6:45:30] That and follow up because you deserve it. Thank you,

[6:45:32] Mr. Mayor. Councilor Hodge. Thank you. And Mr. Sass. Thank

[6:45:36] you, Councilor Wolverich, please. Thanks for worship. Being this is

[6:45:43] our final budget of this term, which is hard to

[6:45:45] believe. I do want to take a little bit of

[6:45:47] time and so bear with me. I just want to.

[6:45:50] Really want to say that I'm really proud of the

[6:45:52] city that. We're building together, along with council and some

[6:45:55] of the best 1200 staff in Canada in my view,

[6:45:58] including our city manager. Director, finance and the senior leadership

[6:46:02] team and everyone that supports them. It's not lost to

[6:46:06] me that we've accelerated our capital program by more than

[6:46:08] 300% and a pace of investment that the city has

[6:46:12] never seen before. Some of my colleagues have mentioned wanting

[6:46:15] to see more capital investment into infrastructure to support housing

[6:46:19] and that's what we've been doing. We've been building more

[6:46:21] parks, recreation facilities. Public spaces and a scale that has

[6:46:25] been unmatched. From previous council terms, and the budget for

[6:46:31] me really had no surprises. It reflected numerous council meetings

[6:46:35] and collective decisions where we all came together. And with

[6:46:40] administration to inform the financial plan. This doesn't just happen

[6:46:42] in one day. And the majority of the budget isn't

[6:46:46] taxpayer funded, and we're one of the only municipalities that

[6:46:48] does that. We rely on revenues, grants, fees and charges.

[6:46:53] And many service reviews of different departments to make sure

[6:46:55] that we're operating optimally and with that colon has always

[6:46:59] had the methodology of a consistent, stable and predictable tax

[6:47:03] rate. When we saw the chart at the beginning of

[6:47:06] the meeting. We saw how there's peaks and valleys. Through

[6:47:08] different municipalities, and we've always maintained consistency in that 4%.

[6:47:14] So that we're predictable. Most of what we saw in

[6:47:16] the budget were contractable. Obligations like policing and fire and

[6:47:22] wage agreements dealing with rapid population growth and then also

[6:47:27] resident expectations. To maintain and improve our services. As counselors,

[6:47:32] our inboxes are often filled with more demands for investment

[6:47:36] into safety, transit parks. It goes on and on. And

[6:47:40] then we forward those on to the city manager. With

[6:47:43] requests and demands like sandy dumps and other solutions that

[6:47:48] we ask for. And we ask them to be done

[6:47:49] quickly, and we ask them to be done. To make

[6:47:53] lives better. In fact. The public are reaching out to

[6:47:56] save $50,000 programs to make sure that they can be

[6:47:59] enjoyed in the community, and so that doesn't happen by

[6:48:02] accident and predictability. Requires planning and investment, and so for

[6:48:08] me to be responsible is to respond to that. And.

[6:48:13] It's unfortunate that when people say our tax rate is

[6:48:16] too high, they aren't. Proposing what we should cancel or

[6:48:18] what we should reduce. That doesn't solve the tax rate

[6:48:23] to vote against the financial plan year after year and

[6:48:26] still attend groundbreaking. Groundbreakings. These projects don't happen by accident.

[6:48:34] They're responsible investments and deliberate choices and disciplined budgeting that

[6:48:39] the city manager and the team bring forward. So I'm

[6:48:41] really excited and pleased to see what the city that

[6:48:44] we're building. And that's what responsible decisions do, your worship.

[6:48:48] So I'm really. Happy to support the plan today as

[6:48:50] our final plan at this term. Thank you. Thank you,

[6:48:52] councilor. Councilor Weber. Please. Well, I didn't write out a

[6:48:56] fancy speech, but thinking about the budget, I'm. Thinking about

[6:48:59] when I moved to Kelowna here over 30 years ago,

[6:49:01] 35 years ago now. And you think of the state

[6:49:04] of the city today and things that are under our

[6:49:06] responsibility for instance, traffic. Traffic is getting heavy. Majority of

[6:49:10] colonial residents, I'm absolutely sure, want us to. Expand and

[6:49:12] improve the road network. I don't think they'd like it

[6:49:14] if we. Voted no. Against that. I have my friends

[6:49:17] who have kids who have been had a long waiting

[6:49:19] list for swimming lessons. They're extremely pleased. There's a Parkinson

[6:49:22] rec center going in. I don't. Think the majority clonor

[6:49:24] residents would be happy if we voted against it. I

[6:49:26] think if we all join that, let's vote no against

[6:49:29] it, I think. We'd have a lot of disgruntled people

[6:49:32] on our hands in Kelowna. I think what we're doing,

[6:49:35] what colonial residents want us to do, we're doing it

[6:49:37] at a cost that we said we would do at

[6:49:39] the tax increase. We said we would do. So I'm

[6:49:41] proud to vote in favor of this budget. And I

[6:49:44] think it's unwise to start keep voting against it. Counsel.

[6:49:48] Thank you. I think I want to start off by

[6:49:52] just obviously thanking our city manager. Thanking Mr. Sassa's team.

[6:49:59] Thanking senior leadership and thanking the 1200 or so employees

[6:50:05] that help us deliver upon our priorities. Mr. Sass started

[6:50:09] out today, and he spoke about our tax rate as

[6:50:13] it compares to other communities within the province on a

[6:50:17] single year basis. And showed us exactly where it was

[6:50:22] sitting. He showed us our tax rate over a four

[6:50:26] year. Cumulative type of structure. Against 16 other communities in

[6:50:32] the province. And that we were the lowest. He showed

[6:50:36] us with regards to. Where our employee numbers were from

[6:50:40] an operational standpoint. One time had an operational expense of

[6:50:45] 27 28% and. We're now staff and them have get

[6:50:50] it down to 24%. This is the first time this

[6:50:54] city has seen a budget that is over a billion

[6:50:57] dollars. The delivery of capital that. We are advancing within

[6:51:04] this community because this council has asked to look at

[6:51:08] doing that. And council. You're correct. I mean, we celebrate

[6:51:12] groundbreakings and we celebrate events, and we. Cut ribbons. And

[6:51:16] the reason why we look at doing that is because.

[6:51:19] We advance. These. Tax rates. We advance budget day because

[6:51:26] there's a plan to look at making this community a

[6:51:29] better city, so. I am very grateful for the process

[6:51:34] that we go through now when we look at our

[6:51:38] budget. It is not a one day event. It comes

[6:51:43] to us four times a year. I look at some

[6:51:47] of the questions that came up today. And none of

[6:51:51] them were truly financial questions. More of them were theater.

[6:51:57] And it's regrettable because what we're dealing with is the

[6:52:01] financial issues and concerns that it ends up being that

[6:52:04] we have within this community. So I am grateful for

[6:52:10] the team on what they've looked at doing. We need

[6:52:13] to continue to advance this. I am grateful that. It's

[6:52:17] consistently within the range that they're looking at advancing on

[6:52:20] a tax rate. Basis. And all of the checks and

[6:52:24] balances that we have and that our finance team does

[6:52:28] on a year by year basis makes a difference when

[6:52:31] we get to this day. So I am very grateful.

[6:52:34] And thank you and counsel, thank you for establishing those

[6:52:37] priorities so we could advance those initiatives. Within this community,

[6:52:41] and that's the true. Reality of it more so than

[6:52:44] just an aspect of talk. With all that in question?

[6:52:49] I asked the question. All in favor? Opposed. Councilor cannon

[6:52:54] opposed? Again to everyone. Thank you very much. We are

[6:52:59] adjourned.

Untitled meeting

Transcript