Council Highlights for January 26, 2021

Council Highlights for January 26, 2021

Click on button to watch the video of the Committee of the Whole and Regular Open meetings.
 
Committee of the Whole Regular Open
 

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

Petitions And Delegations

• Dorothy Paukste, Rod Trites, and Tom Shields from the Desert Park Exhibition Society made a presentation to Council regarding the society’s annual review.

New Business

• Council discussed possible amendments to the SILGA constitution, as well as SILGA’s call for nominations and resolutions. Allan Chabot, Chief Administrative Officer, stated that he would look at the Town’s suggested resolution for electronic voting, originally submitted in 2015, and the provincial response.

REGULAR OPEN MEETING

Public And Other Hearings

• Council authorized the issuance of Development Variance Permit No. 20-07. This permit allows for the construction of an accessory building within the front yard at 8516 32^nd Avenue with a reduced setback from 6 metres to 4 metres.

Correspondence

• The Osoyoos Museum Society’s request for financial assistance with utility costs at the new museum was forwarded to the Special Open Budget meeting on January 28, 2021 for Council’s consideration.
• Council provided a letter of support for the Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society (OASISS) for funding from the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation to monitor Osoyoos Lake and other lakes in the Okanagan Valley for invasive mussels.

Staff Reports

• Council funded three bursaries to graduates of Osoyoos Secondary in the amount of $1,500.00 each for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023 and instructed staff to pay the bursary funds to Osoyoos Secondary School. Funds will be held in trust and if unclaimed for 18 months they will be transferred to the Osoyoos Secondary Scholarship Foundation for disbursement to future graduating students.
• Council opted to continue to provide curbside collection at current service levels as per the Town’s contract with Waste Connections Canada and to possibly look at increasing service levels upon renewal of the Town’s curbside collection contract in 2026.
• Council authorized staff and signatories to draft and sign a letter of support for the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen and District of Summerland for their CleanBC Organic Infrastructure and Collection Program grant applications.
• Council approved the agreement with Penticton Model Aviation Club for use of the Osoyoos Airport until December 31, 2021 and authorized the Town’s signatories to execute the agreement.

Reports

• Councillor Bennett noted that School District #53 had 155 students who decided not to return to school in September, who then registered with YouLearn or have done home study. There are still 138 students who have not returned, with 11 students returning to school after Christmas.
• Councillor Bennett attended a Zoom meeting with the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce with MP Richard Cannings and MLA Roly Russell as guests on January 15.
• Mayor McKortoff attended a Zoom meeting with the Resort Municipality Mayors where they discussed how tourism has been affected by COVID-19. There have been four communities – Osoyoos, Harrison Hot Springs, Ucluelet, and Tofino – that are in a better situation than the other 10 resort municipalities.
• Mayor McKortoff noted that the Town is looking for ideas for celebrating Osoyoos’ 75^th Anniversary.
• Mayor McKortoff noted that the Museum is getting ready for its opening at its new location at 8702 Main Street.

Business Items To Report From In-Camera Meeting

• Council approved the Town’s participation in the effort to undertake the development of a feasibility study for a South Okanagan Regional Aquatic Centre and allocated the 2021 funding available ($40,000.00) for the study.

Copies of reports are available within the Council Agenda packages located on the Town’s website www.osoyoos.ca.