New parks plan going to council

Summerland—Summerland needs more city, community and neighbourhood parks, plus more off-leash space for dogs, according to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan to be presented at this evening’s meeting of council.

The district has considerably more total parkland than other B.C. communities of similar size because of two large parks in natural areas: Giant’s Head and Conkle mountains.

However, Summerland’s provision of city, community and neighbourhood parks is below the provincial average and falls at the low end of the range compared to nearby municipalities.

The town also has fewer off-leash dog parks than selected other communities in the Okanagan, including smaller communities such as Peachland and Osoyoos.

The master plan notes a lack of a districtowned gymnasium and multi-purpose rooms, which is resulting in residents using facilities in other communities.

Recreation manager Lori Mullin will present these and other findings of the master plan along with recommendations and plans for implementation.

A 71-page annual municipal report including, among other items, a report on municipal services and operations for the previous year, and a progress report on the municipal objectives and measures established for the previous year, will also come before council.

The report includes audited financial statements and a list of permissive tax exemptions.

The Summerland Fall Fair Society has applied to close Main Street from Henry Ave. to Victoria Road, and Henry Ave. from Main Street to Wharton Street for the Fall Fair Street Party on Sept. 7 from 5-10 p.m.

“The street party is planned as a celebration of Summerland’s agricultural bounty and will provide an opportunity for local businesses to connect with customers,” director of work and utilities Kris Johnson wrote in his report to council.

Staff recommend council support the district’s two applications to acquire tenures over crown land along Okanagan Lake to allow for flood recovery work to commence on the public pathway along the waterfront and the docks at Rotary Beach.

Repair work at these sites has been delayed due to a requirement for proof of tenure prior to provincial government issuing relevant permits.

Community development co-ordinator Angelique Wood recommends that the Canada 150 Mosaic be installed at the Summerland Museum following completion of renovation work at the adjacent Arts and Cultural Centre.

The Canada 150 Mosaic has been temporarily on display inside Municipal Hall.

Staff will later recommend council give first, second and third readings to two resolutions that would amend the Solid Waste Management Regulation Bylaw to accommodate the delay and full implementation of the curbside collection program, including the amended fees and charges.

Originally scheduled to begin July 1, the program has been rescheduled to Aug. 1, 2018 due to issues at the cart manufacturing plant.

At the morning committee of the whole meeting, economic project manager Andreas Boehm will inform council about the business plan for the Okanagan Agricultural Innovation Centre.

The public is welcome to attend the committee of the whole which begins at 9 a.m. and the regular meeting at 7 p.m.

Both meetings are held at the Municipal Hall, 13211 Henry Avenue.