Virtual Event Background Package - City of West Kelowna
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Virtual Event Background Package 0
WHAT’S INSIDE • 2020 – What A Year! • Adapting City Operations with COVID-19 • Partnering and City Support to Local Businesses • COVID-19 Grants and Business Supports • City Budget 2021 and Council’s Strategic Priorities • Regional and Local Economic Indicators • 2021 – We Remain On Solid Ground • Signing Off With Our Thanks…
WE EXPRESS OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION TO YOU FOR GETTING THROUGH AN UNPRECEDENTED YEAR – WEST KELOWNA COUNCIL
2020 – WHAT A YEAR!
ADAPTING CITY OPERATIONS WITH COVID-19
• Implemented COVID-19 safety protocols to protect workers and the public.
• Modified Council and Committee Meetings, Public Hearings and our facilities.
• Enhanced the City’s digital services, issued progress videos and expanded business support
information.
• Led the safe closures and re-openings of 17 City facilities adhering to changing protocols.
• Implemented immediate financial support measures including pausing projects, put on a
partial freeze on hiring staff, deferring penalties on utility bills/property taxes and reduced the
property tax increase to 2% in 2020.
• Following the announcement of BC’s ReStart Plan in June 2020, Jim Lind Arena was the first
public indoor ice rink to re-open in the province.
• Royal LePage Place was the first public arena to host a BC Hockey League game (without
spectators).
PARTNERING TO SUPPORT TO LOCAL BUSINESS • Joint video produced with the Greater Westside Board of Trade and Mayor Milsom to help support local businesses. • ‘Support Local’ joint campaigns on social media feeds, through e-newsletters and online (with more to come!). • Blanket support for expanded licensed patio areas for wineries, breweries, and restaurants. • Collaborating with the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission at the Mayor and Staff-level to advocate for increased grants and funding, regional recovery strategies, and local plans to help as businesses adjusted business models (e.g. It’s Time For Take-out).
CITY’S SUPPORT TO LOCAL BUSINESSES
• City’s ‘Spotlight On Business’ industry-specific videos and
advertising ran across various City social media channels.
• Property Tax increase reduced to 2% in 2020, waived
interest charges on outstanding utility bills, and delayed the
late penalty on property taxes by three months in 2020.
• Following the announcement of BC’s ReStart Plan in June
2020, Jim Lind Arena was the first public indoor ice rink to
re-open in the province.
• Royal LePage Place was the first public arena to host a BC
Hockey League game (without spectators).
CITY’S SUPPORT TO LOCAL BUSINESSES
• Continuing to keep property taxes low yet support growth, streamlining our operations and
service models to help keep the economy moving forward.
• Continued industry-type business awareness and ‘stay local, play local’ campaigns with
more to follow.
• Virtual roundtable discussions with economic development and tourism industry members,
business outreach and continued support strategies.
• Increased Westside Wine Trail signage, barrel stacks, route and wayfinding signage.
• Continuing to adapt our culture with an ‘all hands on deck’ approach to help local business
owners and their employees, entrepreneurs, developers, tourism operators and others
recover as quickly and effectively as possible.
COVID GRANTS AND BUSINESS SUPPORT
2020 2021
• City received a $4.6 million COVID-19 Safe • Gas Tax Community Works Fund – $2.86M
Restart Grant announced on Nov. 5, 2020. anticipated in 2021 for investments in roads
• Gas Tax Community Works Fund – $1.43M. and infrastructure projects in the community.
• The BC Government’s Community Resiliency • City will replace a 21-year old ammonia chiller at
Investment (CRI) Program provided a $64,500 Jim Lind Arena and Royal LePage Place, thanks to
grant for wildfire mitigation work. a $442,000 to a grant from the Province of BC
(Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure
• UBCM Community to Community Forum Program
Program).
(Westbank First Nation Council and West Kelowna
Council) received $2,650. • $150,000 from the BC Community Resilience
Investment Program for wildfire mitigation.
• Gas taxes to fund McIver Road sidewalk
improvements. • Tree Canada to BC Hydro’s
Community ReGreening Program $4,750.
COVID-19 GRANTS AND BUSINESS SUPPORT
Government Of British Columbia Government of Canada
• Small & Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant ($10,000 to • Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
$30,000 per business) • Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)
• Tourism-Specific SME Business Recovery Grant (Additional $5,000 • Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program
to $15,000)
• Business Credit Availability Program
• Launch Online Grant Program (up to $7,500 to help businesses
• Strategic Innovation Fund
create an online shop/e-commerce platforms)
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CREWS)
• Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant (up to $10,000 for businesses
impacted by April 2021 PHO) • Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy & Lockdown Support
• BC Increased Employment Incentive tax credit • Employment Insurance work sharing program
• Industry specific grants and funds for those impacted by COVID-19 • CanExport SME Program
• BC Employer Training Grant • Industry specific grants and funds for those impacted by COVID-19
• PST & Tax rebates and deferrals • Funding through Western Economic Diversification & Community
Futures
• BC Hyrdo, FortisBC, ICBC flexible payment optionsCITY BUDGET 2021 AND COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
BUDGET 2021
• The 2021 Budget is comprised of capital and operating
revenue costs to deliver a wide range of programs and
services to the citizens of West Kelowna and across the
Greater Westside.
• Budget adoption (April 20) includes a 4.05% increase in
property taxes, including a 1% infrastructure levy to fund
priority projects like roads, sidewalks, bicycle lanes,
drainage, and other community infrastructure
improvements.
• A total of $35M invested in Capital projects for water, storm
and drainage improvements, facilities, parks and others
outlined in the budget and Council’s Strategic Priorities
(and part of the 1% infrastructure levy).BUDGET 2021 INVESTMENTS AS WE GROW
COUNCIL’S 2021 – 2022 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE We will invest in annual capital programs that maintain our core assets, further extend sidewalk and active transportation networks, improve roadways, provide parks and recreation opportunities, and support numerous other infrastructure needs. In addition to these ongoing investments, we will direct resources to the following projects over the remainder of this term: • City Hall — Design and Build • Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant — Construction Underway, Oversight and Approvals • Major Roadworks — Transportation Master Plan Update; Gellatly Rd./Carrington Rd. Roundabout.; Glenrosa Rd.; Shannon Lake Rd.; Stevens Rd./Bartley Rd. Roundabout; and sidewalks along Stevens Rd. from Westlake Rd. to Shannon Lake Rd.; on Westlake Rd. from Rose Valley Elementary to Parkinson Rd.; and on McIver Rd. from Glenrosa Rd. to McTaggart Rd. • Fire Hall #32 — Design and Build • Mt. Boucherie Community Centre — Community Engagement To Restore Building; Facility Plan • Public Works Yard — Design and Build
ECONOMIC GROWTH & PROSPERITY We support initiatives that promote the community's livability, local business recovery and growth, agriculture, wineries, natural beauty, amenities, rich culture, and other attributes that position West Kelowna as a place to live, invest, work and play. During the remainder of this term we will: • Revisit the Westbank Centre Revitalization Plan to promote increased vitality and growth in the City's core • Promote efforts to develop a diverse range of housing options throughout the community • Develop and implement policies, action plans and initiatives aimed at helping local businesses to succeed • Initiate the regulation of short-term rentals across the city • Communicate the City's expectations for, and give priority to, quality and innovative urban development, including initiating a review of Development Cost Charges • Continue our economic development advocacy and strengthen our partnerships to enhance economic prosperity, such as through our work with the Economic Development Commission task force and all levels of government • Promote continued growth in tourism to West Kelowna and the Greater Westside
STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY Council supports efforts to engage residents of all ages and backgrounds in community programs, long-term visioning, and long-term community planning. During the remainder of this term, Council will focus resources on promoting: • Community-building partnerships with Westbank First Nation, local governments and organizations in the region; along with inter-governmental partnerships involving Federal and Provincial agencies • Future events and festivals across the community, including in City's parks, Westbank Centre, neighbourhood centres and elsewhere once it is safe to do so • Undertake long-term planning initiatives, such as the Community Visioning Exercise, and the broader Official Community Plan initiatives
FOSTER SAFETY & WELL-BEING Council supports efforts, taken in collaboration with provincial ministries, Interior Health, BC Housing, Westbank First Nation, non-profit societies, and others, aimed at creating a safe and healthy community for all residents. During the remainder of this term, Council will direct resources to support: • The integration of the new Urgent and Primary Care Centre into the City's growing network of community health facilities • Facilities, services and partnerships with non-profit groups and others to build the community's supply of affordable and attainable housing types, and to reduce homelessness • Climate action initiatives, including mitigation and adaption efforts for the City corporation and the community • Increase police services, including adding additional resources required to serve our community • Wildfire mitigation and adaptation measures
REGIONAL AND LOCAL ECONOMIC INDICATORS
REGIONAL RESILIENCY DURING COVID-19
1.9% 3.5%
Growth Rate Growth Rate
222,748 119,900 7.2%
2020 Kelowna 2020 Regional 2020 Average Regional
CMA population Labour Force Unemployment Rate
Source: Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey (2020)OUR RESILIENT BUSINESS COMMUNITY
4%
20%
1988 272 62%
14%
Active Business # of new Business
Licences in 2020 Licences issued in 2020
Agriculture Commercial
Industrial Residential
Source: City of West Kelowna - 2020 Development ServicesINCREASED JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES
24% Growth in 12% Growth in 11% Growth in
Job Postings in Regional Part-Time Regional Full-Time
West Kelowna Jobs in 2020 Jobs in 2020
1562 vs 1942
(2019) vs (2020)
Source: COEDC Vicinity Job Data (2020) | Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey (2020)CONSTRUCTION SUPPORTS GROWTH
4% 6%
increase over 5 increase over 5
year average year average
619 $120,268,854 3486
Building Average Value of Permits Issued Inspections
Permits issued in 2020 took place in
in 2020 (5 year average)
2020
Source: City of West Kelowna - 2020 Development ServicesTHE REAL ESTATE MARKET HEATS UP
36% 18%
increase over increase over
2019 2019
893 283
Single Family Home Strata Residential
Transactions Transactions
60% 16%
increase over increase over
2019 2019
37 $694,000
Commercial & Median Single Family
Investment Home Price in 2020
Transactions
Source: DataBCOUR COMMUNITY IS GROWING
131%
1.5% 23% increase in
townhouse
Growth Rate increase over
2019 units vs
2019
57%
36,496 85 218 Decrease in
apartment
2020 population Single Family Multi Family Dwelling units
Dwelling Unit starts in 2020 vs 2019
starts in 2020
Source: BC Stats | City of West Kelowna: 2020 Development Statistics2021 – WE REMAIN ON SOLID GROUND
• Regional Unemployment Rate Average: 4.9%
(compared to an average of 5.3% in Q1 2019 and 7.2% for 2020)
• Residential Real Estate Sales Transaction
Volumes for January & February: 206
(136% increase over 2020 and 37% increase over 2019)
• Building Permit Applications: 184
(40% increase over 2020)
• Building Permit Value: $50M
(45% increase over 2020)
• New Business License Applications: 150
(250% increase over 2020)
BC’s 8th Most Resilient City in 2021
February 2021
Source: Statistics Canada | City of West Kelowna - 2021 Development ServicesWE HAVE A LOT TO GET DONE…
• Community Vision (Complete)
• Official Community Plan
• Transportation Master Plan
• Zoning Bylaw Update
• Fee & Charges Bylaw Update
• Corporate Climate Action Plan
• Housing Strategy and Point-In-
Time CountOUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT…
• There remains a strong interest in West Kelowna as a
community to live, work, invest and play in that
continues at an accelerated rate.
• Council continues to focus on how we will effectively
manage growth in the coming decade for both
businesses and residents.
• We remain focused on building a community that
attracts and retains sustainable industry and quality
talent for our growing and evolving businesses.
• And, particularly evident during COVID-19, we are a
caring and compassionate community that remains
progressive and forward thinking.THE GREATER WESTSIDE REMAINS OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND WE’LL SEE YOU SOON!
COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES
• Government of Canada Portal for Economic Supports, Grants, and Financial Relief:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html
• BC Provincial Government Portal for Economic Supports, Grants, and Financial
Relief: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/economic-recovery/business-
supports
• Small Business British Columbia COVID-19 Support Portal:
https://covid.smallbusinessbc.ca/hc/en-usAttachment 3
Development Feedback
Survey Results from May 2020 to March 2021
Total Responses by Total Survey's completed = 67
Department
"I had a wonderful experience
with 2 staff members. I said
previously that sometimes the
right people do not hear the
positive feedback. It is often
only the negatives that are
reiterated. My hat goes off to
these two. Thank you for your
help."
"The staff member was
very prompt and
thorough in their "The staff member was
response to my request really helpful and polite in
for assistance." answering my questions.
Appreciate their help. "
Building (37)
Planning (24)
Development Engineering (6)
Total Survey Responses to Each
Question
"I was looking to purchase a
4.1 % home in West Kelowna and the
1.1 % people whom I communicated
with were fantastic and
1.5 % informative."
14.2 %
"I have not had service that "This staff member has
good in a very long time, been very attentive
this staff member was throughout the entire
amazing. They truly made building permit
79.1 % my day." process."
Strongly Agree (212)
Agree (38)
Neither Agree nor Disagree (4)
Disagree (3)
Strongly Disagree (11)Development Feedback
91%
Strongly Staff were
Agree or pleasant, professional
Agree and happy to assist
96%
Staff responded to Strongly
your inquiry in a Agree or
Agree
timely manner
Staff were able to
91%
Strongly
Agree or answer my questions
Agree and address any
concerns I had
Staff were able to
92%
Strongly
clearly provide Agree or
information about any Agree
applicable City processDevelopment Services Q1 - 2021
Building
Building Permit Types (Q1 2021) Construction Value ($)
Q1 - 2021 $50,727,161.00
Single Family Dwellings (23)
Single Family Dwellings w suite (21)
Carriage Houses (4) Q1 - 5 Yr.
$20,824,680.42
Secondary Suites (10) Average
Residential Demo/Add/Alt (49)
Multi-Family Dwellings (4)
Mobile / Modular Home (1)
Accessory Buildings (11)
Retaining Wall (1)
Signs (1)
Swimming Pools (22)
Sewer Connections (17) 2021 Q1 processed permits totalling over
Wood Burning Appliances (1) $50,000.00 in construction value. This is the highest
Commercial - New/Add/Alt (13) volume in CWK history.
Industrial - New/Add/Alt (4) No significant decreases due to the pandemic shut
Institutional - New (1) downs.
Farm/Agri - Add/Alt (1)
Inspections Building Permits
Q1 - 2021 966 Q1 - 2021 184
Q1 - 5 Yr. Q1 - 5 Yr.
759 122
Average Average
Increase in building permits for Single Family Dwellings (SFD) and SFD's with suite. SFD's are on the rise compared to the last
few years.
Inspection and building permits are being done at very high levels.
* Q1 2021 is compared to an average of Q1 2016 to 2020Development Services Q1 - 2021
Business Licensing & Bylaw
New Business Licenses Total Business Licenses
New BL 2021 202 Total BL 2021 2,548
2 Yr. Average 182 2 Yr. Average 2,377
Business licensing is anticipated to increase with the implementation of short term rentals.
Bylaw Activities
Q1
2021
Q1 - 2021 677
Bylaw
Activity
Types
Q1 - 5 Yr.
562
Average
Proactive Inspections (237)
Tra ic Bylaw (103)
Public Health Orders (77)
Good Neighbour (47)
Parks and Public Spaces (28) Public Health Orders Bylaw Activity includes
Zoning (24) complaints and pro-active inspections of Businesses,
Other (10) Parks, & Trails.
Secondary Suites (32) Pro-Active Inspections Bylaw Activity includes patrols
Business Licensing (12) of Parks, beaches, transit stations, skateboard park,
Solid Waste/Illegal Dumping/Bears & Bins (8) Lions Hall, shelter area etc.
Building Regulation (10) Good Neighbour Bylaw Activity includes, unsightly
Signs (1) premises and noise complaints.
Assist Other CWK Dept. (88) Despite COVID-19 overall work load has not decreased.
* Q1 2021 is compared to an average of Q1 2016 to 2020Development Services Q1 - 2021
Development Engineering & Planning
Subdivision New Lots Created
Applications
10
9
8
7.5
34
27
5
2.5
Q1 - 2021 Q1 - 5 Yr. Average
0
Q1 - 2021 Q1 -5 Yr. Average
1 - lot line adjustment
1 - infill subdivision, with 1 lot proposed
6- large greenfield subdivisions, with a total of 276 lots proposed
1 - phased strata
Planning Application Planning Applications
Types (Q1 2021)
1 2
3 Q1 - 2021 32
11
Q1 - 5 Yr.
16
Average
15
Zoning (2)
Variance Permit (11) Planning applications have increased
Development Permit (15) compared to Q1 of previous years.
ALR (3) Development Permits remain the leading
application type, followed by Development
Temporary Use Permit (1)
Variance Permits.
* Q1 2021 is compared to an average of Q1 2016 to 2020You can also read
