Regular Council Meeting

Minutes

Tuesday, April 07, 2026 at 1:00 P.m. - 1:00 P.m.

City of Penticton, Council Chambers

171 Main Street, Penticton, B.C.

Council Present:

• Mayor Bloomfield
• Councillor Watt
• Councillor Graham
• Councillor Gilbert
• Councillor Reynen
• Councillor Stewart

Council Absent:

• Councillor Miller

Staff Present:

• Anthony Haddad, City Manager
• Angie Collison, Corporate Officer
• Angela Campbell, General Manager of Corporate Services
• Kristen Dixon, General Manager of Infrastructure
• Kelsey Johnson, General Manager of Community Services
• Julie Czeck, General Manager of Public Safety and Partnerships
• Paula McKinnon, Deputy Corporate Officer
• Audrey Tanguay, Manager of Planning and Licensing

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1.

Call Regular Council Meeting to Order

The Mayor called the Regular Council Meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.

2.

Introduction of Late Items

3.

Adoption of Agenda

• 81/2026

  THAT Council Adopt the Agenda for the Regular Council Meeting held on April 7, 2026 as presented.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4.

Recess to Committee of the Whole

• 82/2026

  THAT Council Recess to a Committee of the Whole meeting.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4.1

Call Committee of the Whole to Order

The Mayor called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order at 1:01 p.m.

4.2

Adoption of Agenda

• 83/2026

  THAT Council adopt the agenda for the Committee of the Whole Meeting held on April 7, 2026.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4.3

Delegations

4.3.1

The Dream Society Reopening Live Music Venue in Front Street

Richard Cannings, Kim Lymburner and Michael Mauws, The Dream Society, introduced The Dream Society, a new non-profit organization working to open a sustainable purpose-built performing arts venue at the former Dream Cafe opening in October. The Dream Society members requested that Council consider prioritizing the Society's application at each stage of the City's review of the construction milestones, approving the Society's permissive application once submitted, and providing a letter of support to the Society to share with prospective donors, grantors and the arts community as a whole.

4.3.2

Update on Okanagan College in Penticton

Dr. Neil Fassina, President, Okanagan College, provided Council with a presentation on Okanagan College’s activities.

4.3.3

Fare Review Kick-Off

Midhat Malik, Business Development Advisor, and Bart Walman, Government Relations Manager, BC Transit, provided Council with a presentation on the upcoming 2026 fare review as well as a preview into new upcoming programs.

Councillor Gilbert declared a conflict of interest due to his wife's employment with the Penticton Public Library and left the meeting at 1:55 p.m.

4.3.4

Okanagan Regional Library - Overview

Danielle Hubbard, CEO, Okanagan Regional Library, provided Council with a presentation on the Okanagan Regional Library model.

The Mayor recessed the meeting at 2:17 p.m. and reconvened at 2:27 p.m. Councillor Gilbert returned to the meeting at 2:27 p.m.

4.4

Adjourn to Regular Meeting of Council

• THAT Council adjourn the April 7, 2026 Committee of the Whole Meeting.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

Reconvene the Regular Council Meeting

Council Reconvened the Regular Council Meeting at 2:27 p.m. 

6.

Adoption of Minutes

6.1

Minutes of the March 17, 2026 Regular Council Meeting

• 84/2026

  THAT Council adopt the Regular Council Meeting Minutes of March 17, 2026 as presented.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.

Consent Agenda

• 85/2026

  THAT Council approve the Consent Agenda:

  1. February 26, 2026 Mayor & Council Remuneration Task Force Meeting Minutes;

  2. March 9, 2026 Mayor & Council Remuneration Task Force Meeting Minutes; and

  3. March 17, 2026 Public Hearing Minutes.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  Councillor Gilbert declared a conflict of interest due to his wife's employment with the Penticton Public Library and left the meeting at 2:29 p.m.

  
  

8.

Staff Reports

8.1

Review of Library Service Delivery Models

• 86/2026

  THAT Council direct staff to engage a third party to review the library service delivery in Penticton and shifting to a regional model with the Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) at an estimated cost of $15k to 
  be funded by General Surplus; 
  AND THAT Council direct staff to engage with the Library Board, Library employees and the Public on the impact and opportunities of a regional library model as outlined in the report dated April 7, 2026. 

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  Councillor Gilbert returned to the meeting at 2:48 p.m.

  
  

8.2

Council Remuneration and Expense Bylaw No. 2026-17

• 87/2026

  THAT the Council continue to follow the Council Remuneration Bylaw 2019-27 reflecting annual increases of BC CPI; 
  AND THAT Council rescind the Meal and Travel Reimbursement Policy dated Aug 6, 2019.

  Opposed (2)

  Mayor Bloomfield, and Councillor Gilbert

  CARRIED

8.3

License to Use Agreement Renewal – Coyote Cruises Limited Partnership

• 88/2026

  THAT Council refer the proposed renewal of a 5-year License to Use Agreement with Coyote Cruises Limited Partnership, for the use of 215 Riverside Drive; for the operation of food services, concession rentals and transportation to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee for their review and recommendation;

  AND THAT Council approve a budget amendment to provide a total budget of up to $40,000 for roof replacement and washroom upgrades at 215 Riverside Drive, to be funded from $20k of savings realized in the Okanagan Lake Park Washroom Renovation project and $20k from the Asset Sustainability Reserve;

  AND THAT the 2026-2030 Financial Plan be amended accordingly.

  Opposed (6)

  Mayor Bloomfield, Councillor Watt, Councillor Graham, Councillor Gilbert, Councillor Reynen, and Councillor Stewart

  DEFEATED
• 89/2026

  THAT Council direct staff to proceed with renewing the License to Use Agreement with Coyote Cruises Limited Partnership for an additional five (5) year term, authorizing the continued use of 215 Riverside Drive for food services, concession rentals, and transportation operations; 
  AND THAT Council authorize the GM of Corporate Services and Corporate Officer to execute the License to Use Agreement. 

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• 90/2026

  THAT Council approve a budget amendment to provide a total budget of up to $40,000 for roof replacement and washroom upgrades at 215 Riverside Drive, to be funded from $20k of savings realized in the Okanagan Lake Park Washroom Renovation project and $20k from the Asset Sustainability Reserve;

  AND THAT the 2026-2030 Financial Plan be amended accordingly.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.4

Decorative Crosswalk & Banner Policies 

• 91/2026

  THAT Council approve CP2026-01 Decorative Painting on City Right of Way Policy and CP2026-02 Decorative Street Banners on City Right of Way Policy.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.5

Memorandum of Understanding between City of Penticton, RDOS, and United Way BC (UWBC), on behalf of 100 More Homes (100MH)

• 92/2026

  THAT Council approve the Memorandum of Understating (MOU) 2026-2028 between the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, the City of Penticton, and United Way BC (UWBC) as the neutral backbone organization of 100 More Homes (100MH) for the term January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028;

  AND THAT Council authorize the Mayor and Corporate Officer to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the City of Penticton.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.6

Modular BC and National Research Council Modular Housing Initiative

• 93/2026

  THAT Council authorize the Mayor to provide a letter of support to the National Research Council of Canada in support of Modular BC’s manufacturing and research hub initiative to advance factory-built and modular housing in British Columbia, with a focus on Penticton.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.7

Housing Target Order 6-Month Interim Report

• 94/2026

  THAT Council receive into the record the report dated April 7, 2026 titled “Housing Target Order 6-Month Interim Report”;

  AND THAT Council direct staff to publish the report (Attachment ‘A’) on the City website and send the report to the Province, as required by the Housing Supply Act.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.8

Housing Actions Review (2023-2026)

• 95/2026

  THAT Council receive into the record the report dated April 7, 2026 titled “Housing Actions Review (2023-2026)”.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.9

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2026-18

Re: 98 Duncan Avenue East

The applicant stated that they would like to run a food truck business from their residential property and let Council know that after speaking to nearby neighbours, there has not been any objection towards the applicant running a food truck business from their property. The applicant was available to answer Council's questions.

• 96/2026

  THAT Council, after hearing from the applicant, deny Zoning Bylaw Amendment No. 2026-18, for Lot 4 District Lot 250 Similkameen Division Yale District Plan 7560, located at 98 Duncan Avenue E, a bylaw to add the following site-specific text amendment to the R4-L – Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing: Large Lot zone as follows “Section 10.1.5.7, in the case of Lot 4 District Lot 250 Similkameen Division Yale District Plan 7560, located at 98 Duncan Avenue E, a mobile vending unit not exceeding 23m² shall be permitted.”

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.10

Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) Non-Adhering Residential Use – PL10142

Re: 1210 Evans Avenue

• 97/2026

  THAT Council authorize “ALR Non-Adhering Residential Use – PL10142”, for Parcel Z District Lot 204 Similkameen Division Yale District Plan 1599 Except Plan KAP47886 located at 1210 Evans Avenue, to proceed to the Agricultural Land Commission with support.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.11

Development Variance Permit PL2025-10127

Re: 276 Abbott Street

• 98/2026

  THAT Council approve “Development Variance Permit PL2025-10127”, for Lot A District Lot 202 Similkameen Division Yale District Plan EPP147819, located at 276 Abbott Street, a permit to vary the following sections of Zoning Bylaw 2024-22:

  1. Section 8.2.3.10 to allow a deck on a carriage house in an urban residential zone;
  2. Section 5.4.1.b to allow a screen 2.13m in height on the carriage house deck for privacy;

  AND THAT Council direct staff to issue the permit.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

9.

Bylaws and Permits

9.1

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2026-04

• 99/2026

  THAT Council adopt "Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2026-04".

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.

Notice of Motion

10.1

Notice of Motion introduced by Councillor Stewart for consideration on April 21:

THAT Council request the Province of British Columbia to commission an independent third‑party audit of all BC Housing funded shelters and low‑barrier supportive housing facilities in Penticton, including:

• Burdock House
• Fairhaven Supportive Housing
• Compass Court
• Dawson Avenue Shelter
• Snp̓aʔx̌tantn Healing House

AND THAT the purpose of the audit be to provide updated comparative results to the April 14, 2022 Penticton Supportive Housing Review, as well as include metrics reflecting:

• Evaluation of program delivery and overall operational effectiveness;
• Assessment compliance with contractual, service, and performance requirements specifically around a sound business plan and a robust safety and security strategy;
• Identify opportunities for improvement within each facility;
• Examine the broader impacts of these facilities on surrounding neighbourhoods, informed through engagement with nearby residents; and
• Recommend actionable steps for the Province and BCH to address any issues identified through the audit.

10.2

Notice of Motion introduced by Councillor Graham for consideration on April 21:

THAT Council direct the CAO and Regional District CAO to dialogue with eBus for a regional service.

11.

Business Arising

11.1

Business Arising from COW Item 4.3.1 - The Dream Society

• 100/2026

  THAT Council provide the Dream Society (non-profit organization) with a letter of support to provide to prospective donors, granting agencies and arts community as a whole.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

12.

Public Question Period

13.

Council Round Table

14.

Adjourn to a Closed Council Meeting

• 101/2026

  THAT Council adjourn to a Closed Council Meeting pursuant to the provisions of the Community Charter as follows: Section 90 (1)

  (e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality;

  (i) the receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;

  (k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public; and Section 90 (2)(b)

  (i) between the municipality and a provincial government or the federal government, or both, or between a provincial government or the federal government, or both, and a third party; and

  (iii) between the municipality and a first nation or a prescribed Indigenous entity, or between a first nation or a prescribed Indigenous entity and a third party.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  The Regular Meeting adjourned at 5:07 p.m.