Regular Council Meeting - March 10, 2026

City Hall front exterior

Delegations

Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association

Howie Reimer, Executive Director; Bryce Herman, President; Adil Hosenbocus, Treasurer; and Ricky Marshall, Customer Care and Patrol (CAP) Team Supervisor, Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association, provided Council with a report on last year's activities along with their 2026 budget.

The report outlined partnerships with local governments, businesses, community organizations, and grant partners that supported community safety, economic activity, and downtown initiatives over the past year. The CAP and Clean Team provided patrols, safety outreach, event support, surveys, and ambassador services throughout the downtown and North Shore areas. In 2025, the teams walked over 7,100 km, removing hundreds of hazardous items and graffiti tags. The Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association also helped deliver events and public art installations that contributed to a safer and more vibrant downtown.

Council authorized the $375,553 Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association levy to be paid in 50% increments in accordance with Kamloops Central Business Improvement Area Bylaw No. 13-1-21.

Kamloops North Shore Business Improvement Association

Arthur Loring, President, and Jeremy Heighton, Executive Director, Kamloops North Shore Business Improvement Association, provided Council with a report on their 2025 progress and 2026 plans, noting a year of strong momentum marked by new building project groundbreakings, lower interest rates supporting development, and successful community events that connected thousands of residents, businesses, and partners.

The organization emphasized its focus on member-driven advocacy, ongoing improvements, and a comprehensive review of its marketing, strategic planning, and operational systems following several years of rapid growth. Looking ahead to 2026, the board-approved budget includes maintaining operational stability, allocating surplus funds for future audits and operations, and continuing events and programs that deliver value to members and support local initiatives.

Council authorized the $379,525.78 North Shore Business Improvement Association levy to be paid in 50% increments in accordance with North Shore Business Improvement Area Bylaw No. 60, 2024.

Consideration of Bylaws

Updated Subdivision and Development Controls

Council adopted Subdivision and Development Control Bylaw No. 4-35, with updates that sought to balance the preservation of safety and system capacity with the provincial mandate to encourage the construction of more housing. The new bylaw applies minimum water supply standards for new subdivisions to all building permits, but enables the Development, Engineering, and Sustainability Director, in consultation with the Fire Chief, to exempt single-detached dwellings with a secondary suite from needing to meet the new subdivision standards. Any exemptions to the water supply standards will require alternative solutions.

This approach allows older existing dwellings to be replaced using existing water servicing while requiring more intensive infill developments (e.g. duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes) to comply with the new water supply standards established. View the full report to Council from February 24 for more information.

Council Calendar Updates

Council authorized closed and open Community-to-Community Forums with Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc on March 30, 2026, to be added to the 2026 Council Calendar. Council also authorized the open Committee of the Whole Meeting scheduled for March 31, 2026, at 10:00 am to be rescheduled to 1:30 pm that day. Find the updated calendar here.

Reports to Council

Local Government Development Approvals Program Grant Application

Marvin Kwiatkowski, the City's Development, Engineering, and Sustainability Director, provided Council with a report seeking authorization to apply for grant funding under the Local Government Development Approvals Program, which is administered by the Union of BC Municipalities, to further advance the efficiency of the City’s development approvals process. Eligible applicants to this program may receive up to 100% of project costs to a maximum of $200,000.

The proposed project for the 2026 intake would build on existing efforts to improve the City's coordination of development approval processes. It would review and streamline internal workflows and external inputs involving applicants, City departments, and partner agencies. The project would also implement recommendations from the 2024 Digital Strategy, including standardizing processes to support digital platform integration and future data and artificial intelligence capabilities.

Council authorized the application for funding.

Temporary Use Permit Application for Shelter Renewal

Marvin Kwiatkowski, the City's Development, Engineering, and Sustainability Director, and Natasha Hartson, the City's Social, Housing, and Community Development Manager, provided Council with a report seeking a three-year renewal of a temporary use permit to allow an emergency shelter within an existing building at 142 Tranquille Road. Council authorized distribution of notice of intent and also directed staff to investigate an alternate location to hold the Council meeting at which public submissions will be heard, acknowledging the high level of public interest in this renewal.

Kamloops Fire Rescue False Fire Alarm Policy

Ken Uzeloc, the City's Protective Services Director/Fire Chief, presented Council Policy No. PS-4, Kamloops Fire Rescue False Alarm Policy, for consideration. As part of the services delivered by Kamloops Fire Rescue, the department responds to reports of fires and fire alarm activations originating from individual callers, localized fire alarm systems, and monitored fire alarm systems. Most fire alarm calls to individual residences turn out to be false alarms. The proposed policy would allow Kamloops Fire Rescue the option to not attend the address if a notification has been made to Fire Dispatch confirming a false fire alarm.

The policy only applies to the residential occupancies of single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, and mobile homes and would not apply to multi-unit residential, commercial, or industrial properties, nor civic properties, including hospitals and detention centers. Fire Dispatch would be required to gather and confirm certain information, which would be documented in the incident record before the discontinuation of response would be applicable.

Council adopted Council Policy No. PS-4, Kamloops Fire Rescue False Fire Alarm Policy.

Responsible Liquor Consumption Pilot Project Feedback

Andrew Smeaton, the City's Business Operations and Events Supervisor, provided Council with an update on the feedback received regarding the Responsible Liquor Consumption Pilot Program and presented the planned next steps for its continuation. The pilot permitted adults aged 19 and older to responsibly consume their own liquor within a designated area surrounding the Rotary Bandshell in Riverside Park from noon to 9:00 pm between June 24, 2025 (the date when relevant amendments to the Parks and Public Lands Bylaw were authorized by Council), and October 1, 2025. The location was selected for its visibility, accessibility, and connection to existing activities, such as picnicking and the popular Music in the Park. Clear guidelines remained in place to ensure safety, including municipal bylaws and enforcement measures prohibiting intoxication or disturbances.

Early in the pilot, feedback was almost evenly split between supporters and opponents. This period could reflect people expressing their pre-conceived opinions about the pilot program. As the pilot progressed, and as residents gained a better understanding and experience of the Responsible Liquor Consumption Pilot Program, the nature of the feedback shifted towards much stronger support. Given the evolving feedback and the importance of gathering comprehensive data, the intent is to continue with the responsible liquor consumption area in Riverside Park in 2026. Under the Parks and Public Lands Bylaw, responsible consumption will be permitted in the designated Riverside Park Rotary Bandshell area between May 15 and October 1, between noon and 9:00 pm. Staff will continue to monitor and collect community feedback, which will inform future reporting to Council.

Public Engagement Opportunities

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

Featured Engagement Opportunities

  • Exemplary Service Awards: Each year, City Council formally acknowledges individuals who have dedicated their time and service to the city with an Exemplary Service Award. The nomination window for 2026 Exemplary Service Awards is February 13– March 14, 2026. The nomination form is available at Kamloops.ca/ExemplaryServiceAward.
  • Ride and Roll Community Day: This free event is 11:00 am–3:00 pm on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Sandman Centre. It includes youth bike rodeo skills training, test driving a Bird Canada e-scooter and e-bike, free food and refreshments for participants, games, music, and prizes. More information is available at Kamloops.ca/RideandRoll.

Advocacy Update

  • Advocacy letters about pilot shortages and local gas prices are being finalized and will be sent to the appropriate provincial and federal ministries this week.
  • Staff are working on in-person meeting requests with federal and provincial ministers.

Follow On Let's Talk Website

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Notices of Motion

Councillor Reports

In response to Councillor Middleton's report, Council passed a motion calling on the Mayor to comply with his legal obligation and submit all  records in response to a Freedom of Information request within 24 hours and to provide written confirmation that he has conducted an adequate search and turned over all responsive records. If he fails to do so, Council will convene a hearing to consider whether the Mayor will be required to reimburse the City for all costs arising from his failure to comply with the law and whether that amount should be deducted from his pay.

Correspondence 

Council reviewed correspondence received from the City of Prince George and passed a motion to sign their Council's petition to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada calling upon the federal government to:

  • amend the Criminal Code of Canada to strengthen bail requirements for prolific and nonviolent offenders to include provisions for repeat offences to lead to:
    • automatic detention,
    • release to be dependent on reverse onus
    • demonstration of the Principle of Respect for the Law
  • appoint more judges, Crown prosecutors, and paralegals to end court backlogs
  • provide funding and resources for Crown Counsel to increase capacity and decrease delays in preparing and bringing cases to court in a timely manner
  • provide funding and resources to provincial correctional centres and support services to increase capacity for detention of individuals, as well as provide rehabilitation and release planning services

Council reviewed correspondence received from the District of Peachland and passed a motion to send a letter of support for their resolution that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities request that the Province of British Columbia exempt municipalities from Provincial Sales Tax on professional services required for municipal operations, legislated requirements, and capital projects or provide equivalent financial offsets to ensure these additional costs are not borne by municipal taxpayers.