Kelowna Women’s Shelter, Integra Tire offering car maintenance ‘crash course’ – Kelowna News

Photo: City of Kelowna

Kelowna’s final 2024 budget has come in slightly lower than the provisional package endorsed during December deliberations.

The budget, approved with an 8-1 vote of council Monday, comes with a 4.72 per cent tax increase — 0.03% than the December number.

According to figures presented to council Monday, the final tax demand increased by a little more than $1 million, however new construction revenue also surpassed projections by slightly more than $1.3 million leaving an overall tax demand in 2024 of $184.9 million.

Overall, including capital expenditures not covered through taxation, the city’s overall spending for the year comes in at $854.9 million, $294 million more than anticipated at preliminary budget.

The increase will result in an increase for the average property owner of $112 over 2023.

As he did in December, Coun. Ron Cannan was the lone dissenting voice, again voting against the budget.

While he did agree with some aspects of the budget, Canaan says spending at city hall needs to be reined in, using a quote attributed to then mayoralty candidate Tom Dyas during the 2022 campaign.

“We need to rein in spending at city hall and ensure your money is being spent efficiently. With extraordinary tax increases you deserve extraordinary improvements. It’s time to respect your hard-earned tax dollars,” said Cannan.

“Your worship I totally agree with that quote and that was from yourself during your election. I worked with you on your campaign so I am well aware of that.”

Saying he looks at the budget through a slightly different lens, Coun. Luke Stack says he appreciates bringing in a budget below what was proposed back in the fall.

“Overall I am quite pleased with the number we’ve arrived at, particularly knowing how many major capital projects that are going forward,” said Stack while reminding council Kelowna has one of the lowest increases in the province including Okanagan communities struggling with much higher tax increases.

“I think this is good value for money for our residents and the monies we have will be well used to achieve the objectives they are seeking which are many of the recreation expansions, road expansions and other infrastructure things we have underway.”

“I am very proud of what staff have brought forward,” added Coun. Gord Lovegrove, deferring to “the wisdom” of those who are presenting the numbers.

“I said I would be happy to come in at five (percent) or less. I was prepared to make a lot of noise if it was over five. I’m happy with this, I can live with this,” added Coun. Charlie Hodge who also said zero increases like one passed a decade ago is just kicking the can down the road while attempting to get re-elected.

Photo: Patrick Kerr Holdings

Replacing 20 affordable housing units with 55 units may seem like a win for a city seeking more housing density, but not so says two Kelowna city councillors.

Councillors Rick Webber and Loyal Wooldridge spoke on the gentrification of a property on Mills Road which will see residents of the older apartment displaced to make room for a less affordable purpose-built rental.

“These 20 existing rental units are going to be replaced with 55 purpose-built rentals. The market rates are anticipated to be anywhere between $2,400 and $3,000 a month,” said Webber.

“What we are doing is trading in a small number of affordable units for a larger number of unaffordable rentals.

“Whatever we do as a council and our priorities to create more affordable housing…these 20 units being torn down will offset the number we are trying to create.”

Unlike the redevelopment of mobile home parks where there are some legislative requirements to assist residents, none exist in this situation.

“Right now the tenant relocation plan is, they get an extra month’s notice, a list of agencies that may or may not provide affordable housing and a list of potential moving companies they can hire,” Webber said.

Wooldridge, meanwhile, asked if there is anything the city can do with the belief more of these types of applications will be coming in the future.

“We do have options as a local government,” said planner Trisa Atwood.

“We have a couple of policies in our official community plan that states staff will work on a more broad tenant relocation plan and that work is underway as part of our housing supply plan, which should be brought forward later this year.”

“This has the potential to be an unintended consequence as we look to rebuild housing in our city,” added Wooldridge. “We need densification, absolutely, but it does give me concerns that we are eroding affordable stock by doing that.”

City manager Doug Gilchrist did caution council about concerns specific to obligations of the applicant, noting there is none at the present time.

While council may not think the relocation package offered to the Mills Road residents goes far enough, he stated they have gone out of their way to make an attempt to work with residents.

“If we want to make efforts to accommodate people that will be transitioning through these gentrification efforts, or densification efforts, we need to sit down and discuss that through a policy conversation with council and see what your options are,” said Gilchrist.

Madison Reeve

Every year, residents across the Thompson-Okanagan are faced with emergencies.

Whether it is flooding, fires, or heatwaves, the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre is urging residents to be prepared during Emergency Preparedness Week, running from May 5 to 11.

“It’s spring. Our summer is coming, and it’s going to get warm. We have had emergencies in the past, and some Central Okanagan residents haven’t been as prepared as they could be,” said Central Okanagan regional emergency management coordinator Sandra Follack.

Follack says residents should be prepared to be out of their homes during an emergency for at least 72 hours and have items with them, including medication, water, food, clothes, and emergency contact numbers.

She also recommends people take pictures of the inside of their homes for insurance purposes.

A heatwave is set to hit the Okanagan on Friday with a high of 31°C.

Follack says a dramatic change in temperature can catch people off guard.

“Because we are at 10 to 12°C … it is pretty cool. The sudden shift from normal weather to extremely hot, people just aren’t prepared for it. So just be very cautious about what you are doing outside and take some rests and drink lots of water,” she said.

For more information, click here.

Photo: Madison Reeve

A Kelowna senior has sued a BC Highway Patrol member over a confrontation downtown last year.

In a notice of civil claim, Robert David Neil Clarke, 71, alleges he was riding his bike on Sept. 26, 2023 in the area of Ellis Street and Bernard Avenue in downtown Kelowna.

A police officer, identified in the lawsuit as Const. James Ward, allegedly told Clarke he was going to cite him for riding his bicycle on the sidewalk and without a helmet.

Clarke claims he made his way to the window of the police cruiser and provided his name to Ward.

“The plaintiff asked Ward if he had anything better to do than write tickets for jaywalkers and cyclists without helmets,” the civil claim states.

“Again, Ward asked the plaintiff his name. Upon the plaintiff repeating his name, Ward jumped out of the RCMP SUV and ran around the passenger side where the plaintiff was standing.”

The lawsuit alleges that Ward then punched Clarke in the head several times and put him in a headlock. Two other officers joined the fray and Clarke was taken to the ground “violently.”

“Ward and the other officers placed handcuffs on the plaintiff and left him facedown on the pavement for seven to ten minutes,” the lawsuit alleges.

Clarke claims he did not resist arrest and sustained torn ligaments in his knee, a torn tendon in his shoulder along with bruises and injuries to his arms and legs.

Clarke was then released with a violation ticket and appearance notice.

“Ward and the other officers were aware or ought to have been aware that their actions toward the plaintiff were malicious and amounted to wilful misconduct,” the lawsuit alleges.

The lawsuit, filed by Penticton-based lawyer Michael Patterson, is alleging assault, arbitrary arrest and “intentional infliction of emotional suffering.”

The claim is seeking general damages and states the torn shoulder tendon and knee ligaments have caused Clarke to be unable to participate in physical activities such as hockey, tennis and hiking.

“The plaintiff is suffering from depression and a marked loss of enjoyment of life,” the lawsuit says.

None of the allegations in the lawsuit have been argued in court. Ward, the Attorney General of Canada and B.C. Solicitor General are all named as defendants in the lawsuit.

Staff Sgt. Kris Clark, BC RCMP senior media relations officer, said it would be inappropriate for the force to comment on a matter before the courts.

“Once served, the Department of Justice reviews all notices of claim and a statement of defense for the RCMP will be issued through the appropriate court process,” he said.

Photo: Wayne Moore/file

Gord Lovegrove

A Kelowna city councillor voiced his opposition to the way the city is rolling out a new program permanently allowing the consumption of alcohol in a select number of parks.

Gord Lovegrove, the lone councillor to vote against the new bylaw, voiced his concerns that allowing open consumption will promote “normalization” to those most vulnerable, “our youth.

“I am concerned about the optics and the motivation behind this. I read in the report from staff that it is to promote safe and responsible alcohol consumption,” said Lovegrove, who pointed to reports from the World Health Organization and health authorities in Canada who state there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.

Lovegrove said signs being erected to identify where alcohol could be consumed in each specific park and the number to call if the bylaw is being abused don’t go far enough.

“We are putting up signs but it’s not a warning. Health Canada is requiring our alcohol containers to have warning signs on them.

“At a minimum I think we need warning signs. We don’t even have lifeguards on our beaches and this is being allowed at our beaches.

“We need warning signs, we need to step up our patrols and consumption shouldn’t be near the water.”

He added 44 percent of fatal drownings include alcohol as a contributing factor.

“I share some of the concerns raised,” countered Coun. Charlie Hodge, “but I also believe what we are doing here is allowing people to rise to their own level of logic and rationale.

“I think it’s time like many European cities, that we treat alcohol with maturity. And part of that maturity is allowing it to be consumed in public like this.”

Hodge acknowledged some people will take advantage of the bylaw but added that will happen with, or without permission.

Council agreed to the permanent bylaw change after a successful dry run in three parks last year.

The eight parks where open alcohol consumption will be allowed include Cedar Creek, Boyce-Gyro, Kinsmen, Rotary Beach, Sarsons, Strathcona, Sutherland Bay and Waterfront parks.

Open consumption will be allowed by May 15 to Sept. 15 from noon to 9 p.m.

Glass containers will not be permitted.

Photo: Contributed

Three Kelowna businesses are banding together to make Mother’s Day shopping easy for you and to raise money for the community at the same time.

Details Design, Manteo Resort and Furnish by Isabey Interiors have teamed up to create designer-curated luxury totes you can purchase for your mom this Mother’s Day. Part of the proceeds for the Mother’s Day Tote Drive-Thru Event will benefit Mamas for Mamas.

Some of the items included in the self-care bundle are a Turkish towel from Pokoloko, a luxurious body exfoliating sponge from Spongelle, custom baked cookies from Lakeview Custom Cookies and a free car wash from Canco.

Everyone who ends up receiving a tote for Mother’s Day will also be entered to win gift cards from the Eldorado and Manteo resorts, Passionate Blooms, California Closets and Furnish by Isabey Interiors.

Anyone who purchases a Mother’s Day tote here will need to pick it up on Saturday between 9 and 11 a.m. at Manteo Resort, located at 3762 Lakeshore Rd.

Photo: Andrew Hennessey

No charges are expected to be laid after an arrest in a Rutland parking lot Sunday morning.

Nine RCMP vehicles filled the parking lot of the Willow Park Shopping centre at Highway 33 and Hollywood Road at about 8:15 a.m. Sunday.

Officers had their weapons focused on a white cube van.

On Monday, Cpl. Michael Gauthier said Mounties conducted a “high-risk takedown and arrest” involving the white van and driver.

“Police received information that the driver was possibly in possession of a firearm following an altercation with another individual elsewhere earlier in the morning,” Gauthier said.

“Police confirmed there was no firearm present and the driver was released,” he continued. “No one was injured from either incident and there are no criminal charges pending.”

Photo: Madison Reeve

A crash is slowing the afternoon commute on Harvey Avenue at Gordon Drive.

The multi-car crash is partially blocking lanes on Harvey Ave., but traffic is getting by in both directions.

All the occupants of the vehicles involved are out and being attended to by emergency crews. The extent of any injuries is not known.

Drivers should expect delays while travelling through the intersection while the wrecks are cleared.

Photo: Madison Reeve

Photo: Jon Manchester

Transit electrification projects are getting started in the Thompson-Okanagan.

BC Transit announced Monday Kelowna and Kamloops will be two of nine communities in B.C. to install charging points for electric buses. The city is also slated to receive electric buses, as the province ordered 66 to divvy out.

“As we start to electrify our transit fleet more people will be able to make cleaner transportation choices affordably,” said B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming in the release. “Innovation in our public transit system helps us create a greener future for everyone.”

There was no word on how many buses Kelowna and Kamloops will receive out of the 66. Media relations at BC Transit wrote that this information will come at a later date.

The communities of Chilliwack, the Regional District of Nanaimo, Nelson, Powell River, Sunshine Coast, Victoria and Whistler are also slated to receive charging points.

The projects are paid through a fund of $395.5 million that was announced last year, said BC Transit.

“Costs are shared with the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and local government partners. In total, BC Transit expects to procure 115 new battery electric buses,” the transit authority said.