Regular Council Meeting–July 15, 2025

City Hall front exterior

Delegations

Community Futures Thompson Country

Blair Gray, General Manager; Jennifer Brown-Binns, Projects and Communications Manager; and Stacey Owen, City Champion, Lemonade Day Kamloops, provided Council with information on Lemonade Day Kamloops, which will take place on August 22, 2025.

This free, community-wide program is for kids in Kindergarten to grade eight, teaching lessons like creating budgets, setting profit-making goals, serving customers, repaying investors, and giving back to the community. Along the way, the kids acquire skills in goal setting and problem solving and gain self-esteem, which are critical for future success. They keep all the money they make and are encouraged to spend some, save some, and share some. This program was first established in 2007 and has since expanded to more than 100 cities throughout North America, including Canada, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico. Kamloops is the first city in the Interior of BC to host Lemonade Day.

BC SPCA

Daria Evans, Manager, BC SPCA Kamloops Community Animal Centre provided Council with an update on the BC SPCA's programs and services. The BC SPCA Kamloops Community Animal Centre cares for animals in need and finds new, loving homes for them, while also providing programs and services to support the animals and people of Kamloops and the surrounding region.

Consideration of Bylaws

Temporary Loan Authorization for Kamloops Centre for the Arts and Arena Multiplex

Council adopted Kamloops Centre for the Arts Temporary Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 66-1, 2025, and Arena Multiplex and Recreation Initiatives Temporary Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 66-2, 2025, authorizing the City to temporarily borrow from the Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia for the Build Kamloops initiatives, including the Kamloops Centre for the Arts, the arena multiplex, and the development and planning for future recreation facilities.

  • View the full report from the June 24, 2025, regular Council meeting.

The following bylaws were considered upon reconvening after the evening's public hearing

Updates for Regulations to Support Subdivision of Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Development

Council adopted Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 55-98, 2025, to increase options for subdivision and tenure to accommodate the additional residential density permitted by provincial legislation.

  • View the full report from the June 24, 2025, regular Council meeting.

Thompson Rivers University Endowment Land Amendments

Council adopted Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 55-97, 2025, to amend boundaries, align parking requirements, and revise the maximum permitted office and commercial development on the endowment lands at Thompson Rivers University.

  • View the full report from the June 24, 2025, regular Council meeting.

Unfinished Business

Council approved an updated 2025 Council Calendar to reflect a new date and time for the upcoming Community to Community (C2C) Forum, which has been rescheduled to August 27, 2025, at 9:00 am, in the Kia Lounge at Sandman Centre (300 Lorne Street).

Reports to Council

Speedball Application for the Tournament Capital Ranch

Marvin Kwiatkowski, the City's Development, Engineering, and Sustainability Director, provided Council with a report on forwarding a non-farm use application to the Agricultural Land Commission to allow use of a section of the Tournament Capital Ranch for a recreational speedball (competitive paintball) facility.

In 2007, the City received approval from the Agricultural Land Commission to permit playing fields as a non-farm use at the Tournament Capital Ranch. The southern parcels of the Tournament Capital Ranch primarily consist of undeveloped fields and open space. The proposed speedball field would be an additional non-farm use that was not included in the previous application.

The proposed lease agreement between the City and the Kamloops Speedball Association includes a five-year term with one option to renew for five years. The location of the facility on municipal land and the nominal lease amount would reduce operational costs and support the Kamloops Speedball Association in its goal of providing affordable recreation programs.

Council authorized staff to forward Agricultural Land Reserve Non-Farm Use Application No. ALR00051 (5375 Yellowhead Highway) to the Agricultural Land Commission for its consideration.

Union of BC Municipalities Community Excellence Award 2025

Glen Cheetham, the City's Climate and Sustainability Manager, provided Council with a report seeking a Council resolution of support for the City’s application to the Union of BC Municipalities’ 2025 Community Excellence Awards under the Excellence in Sustainability category. This application showcases the Employee Bike Purchase Loan Program, a corporate wellness initiative supporting the mental and physical well-being of City employees.

The Employee Bike Purchase Loan Program offers eligible City employees an interest-free loan (taxable benefit) that covers up to 90% of the purchase cost of a new bike, pedals, and a helmet, to a maximum of $4,000. This loan is then repaid through payroll deductions over a period of up to 78 pay periods.

With 44 employees participating in 2024, the program was rebranded in 2025 to the Ride Easy Loan Program and expanded to include a loan of up to $1,500 towards the purchase of an electric kick scooter, repaid over a period of up to 12 pay periods. So far in 2025, 19 employees have participated in the program, totalling 63 participants since its launch.

Council authorized the resolution of support for the application.

2026 BC 55+ Games Board of Directors Endorsement

Andrew Smeaton, the City's Business Operations and Events Supervisor, provided Council with a report introducing the nominations to the BC 55+ Games' Board of Directors and seeking Council's endorsement of the governance structure for the 2026 BC 55+ Games. In December 2024, the BC Seniors Games Society announced Kamloops as the host community for the 2026 BC 55+ Games. This community-wide event will welcome over 2,500 participants, coaches, and spectators, promoting active lifestyles, tourism, and community engagement.

In accordance with the BC 55+ Games' hosting guidelines, a volunteer Board of Directors has been nominated to oversee the strategic direction, operations, and legacy of the Games. The Board consists of the following members, selected for their leadership experience, knowledge of sport and recreation, event planning capabilities, and community involvement:

  • President and Co-Director of Administration - Ron McColl
  • Vice President and Co-Director of Administration - Maureen McCurdy
  • Director of Culture and Events - Jan Antons
  • Director of Friends of the Games (Sponsorship) - Thompson Rivers University Sport Management and Faculty
  • Directors of Medical Services - Andy and Shirley Philpot
  • Director of Promotions - Tourism Kamloops
  • Director of Protocol - Tamara Hill
  • Director of Sport - Mark Faubert
  • Director of Venue Operations - Ian Shaw-Maclaren
  • Director of Volunteer and Participant Services - Cindy Logan

Council endorsed the appointment of the Board of Directors.

Public Engagement Opportunities

Council received an update on upcoming community engagement opportunities, as listed below.

Featured Engagement Opportunities

  •  Responsible Liquor Consumption Pilot Project: The City of Kamloops has launched a pilot program to allow responsible liquor consumption in a designated area of Riverside Park. As a pilot project, residents are invited to provide feedback throughout the pilot program, which will be accepted online until October 1, 2025.
    • Provide feedback at LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/ResponsibleLiquorConsumption.
    • Full details on the bylaw are available at Kamloops.ca/ResponsibleLiquor.
  • EPermit Project: Residents and builders are invited to sign up to be beta testers for a new digital permitting process. More information is available at LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/EPermit.

Follow On Let's Talk Website

Subscribe to ongoing projects to be notified when engagement opportunities arise:

Community Collaboration Activities

  • Call for photos! Residents of all skill levels and ages are invited to submit their digital photos for a chance to be featured in the 2026 City Calendar. We encourage submissions that highlight our City's diverse population, urban landmarks, breathtaking environment, and variety of leisure activities. The deadline to submit your photos is September 29, 2025. Visit Kamloops.ca/Calendar for details.

Committee Reports

In response to recommendations from the June 18, 2025, Livability and Sustainability Select Committee meeting, Council directed staff to:

  • engage in discussions with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and Thompson-Nicola Regional District representatives regarding opportunities for community forests
  • investigate a pilot project for two neighbourhoods with local roads to be converted to 30 km/h

Councillor Reports

  • In response to resident feedback about the lack of a dynamic video display format during Council meetings, Councillor Bass asked staff to address the status of pending technology upgrades to Council Chambers that would allow the use of multiple cameras and angles. Director Hallinan explained that the upgrades have been put on hold while staff investigate the possibility of moving Council Chambers to a different venue. Hallinan explained that Administration is exploring facility options that would address broad concerns over staff and public safety and better support the desired video technology, which will come to Council at a future date. 

Correspondence

Council reviewed a call for award applications received from the Union of BC Municipalities and supported an application for a Community Excellence Award for the City's work on the Kamloops Access Hub Leadership Group.