April 4, 2017 – Council Meeting Highlights

Loan and Grant to SS Sicamous Marine Heritage Society

Council approved an interest free loan of up to $37,500 and cash grant of up to $12,500 for the SS Sicamous Marine Heritage Society for the construction of a walkway along the south side of the SS Sicamous. The loan is to be repaid by March 30, 2019.

Energy Retrofit Loan Program Update

Council received an update on the Energy Retrofit Loan Program (HELP) and directed staff to extend the program until the end of 2019. Since 2013, HELP has been offering loans residential customers to retrofit their homes to be more energy efficient. The program was scheduled to conclude on December 31, 2017.

Arena Task Force Update

Council received a report from the Arena Task Force and directed them to continue to work on a recommendation for the future arena needs of Penticton. The Task Force report covered arena needs and number of surfaces, arena usage including commercial use, and current programming. Council also authorized the Arena Task Force to proceed to request for proposal for the following two studies:

• Memorial and McLaren Assessment – Gather a team of architects, engineers and cost consultants to provide a more detailed analysis of Memorial and McLaren arenas to build on earlier cost estimates. The report will offer greater accuracy in the cost estimates complete with life cycle costing analysis to determine how each improvement will extend the life of the asset.

• Arena Feasibility Study Engage consultants to conduct a separate study on options to build a new arena on the SOEC site. The assessment will include conceptual drawings and costing information and will be based on a multi-use arena facility.

Interim Funding Agreement – Travel Penticton Society

Council approved an interim funding agreement for the Travel Penticton Society until existing agreements to collect the 2% hotel tax drawn up before the 2016 merger of the Penticton Tourism Society and The Penticton Hospitality Association expire on June 30, 2017. Funding for Travel Penticton in 2017 was approved in the budget and an interim agreement is required to facilitate the already approved 2017 funding until a new integrated agreement can be put into place with all of the involved parties.

Many Hats Theater Co-op Seat Request

The City has approximately 400 seats from the old Penmar Theatre now in storage. Many Hats Theater requested 110 of these chairs to upgrade their facility and Council referred the decision back to staff on how to best proceed with the distribution of these seats.

2017 Property Tax Multipliers

Council approved a staff recommendation to maintain the business tax multiplier at 1.58. The City was approximately halfway through a directive to reduce the business multiplier to 1.50 and has put that on hold and endorsed a staff recommendation to carry out business competitiveness review in 2017. This review will take a holistic look at the business climate, engage the City’s business community, review other jurisdictions and provide recommendations on the necessar y direction for consideration into the 2018 budget.

Official Community Plan (OCP) Task Force

Council amended the 20172018 Terms of Reference for the Official Community Plan Task Force to increase the number of voting members appointed by Council from 17 to 19. Council also appointed two members of City Council to the OCP Task Force, and received for information, an update on the OCP engagement process to date and an indication of next steps. The mandate of the OCP Task Force is to assist Mayor and Council in the creation of an updated OCP for Penticton, and to advise City staff on technical, process and engagement issues relating to the creation of the OCP.

Liquor application for lounge & special event area - Township 7 Vineyards & Winery

Council directed staff to commence public notification of the proposed Winery Lounge and Special Event Area Endorsement for Township 7 Vineyards & Winery, located at 1450 McMillan Avenue, and requested to have staff report back to Council at the May 2, 2017 Council meeting with the results of the public consultation for Council’s consideration. Total person capacity/occupant load requested for the patio lounge is 30 persons, and 150 persons for the Special Event Area. Hours of operation requested are 10:00am to 9:00pm Monday to Sunday.

Liquor Application for lounge and special event area– Highway 97 Brewing Company

Council approved recommending to the Liquor Control and Licencing Branch (LCLB) that it support the applications for Brewery Lounge & Special Event Area (SEA) Endorsement for Highway 97 Brewing Company Ltd, located at 954 Eckhardt Avenue W.

Land Matters

Information about Land Matter decisions can be found on the City of Penticton website under “Minutes”: http://www.penticton.ca/EN/main/city/mayor-council/ council-meetings/2017.html