Regular Meeting of Council - October 7, 2025

City Hall front exterior

Delegations

Speak Up Self-Advocacy Awareness Society

Tami Pedersen, Co-Chairperson, and Kandra Amos, Director at Large, Speak Up Self-Advocacy Awareness Society, provided Council with information on Community Inclusion Month. This observance is not just about recognition but about celebrating all members of the community and involving everyone in all facets of everyday life. The month kicked off with a dinner and dance on October 3, 2025, and there will also be a film festival on October 18, 2025, screening two films: CODA (2021) and Radio (2003). The presenters also noted that the increased cost of living is having a particularly negative impact on persons living with disabilities, and encouraged Council to keep the City's cultural events and activities affordable and inclusive. 

Community Futures Development Corporation of Thompson Country

Blair Gray, General Manager, Community Futures Thompson Country, provided Council with a report on the outcomes of Lemonade Day, which took place on August 22, 2025. Over 50 youths participated in the event, gaining valuable skills in budgeting and money management. There was a lot of positive and constructive feedback on the events from the kids, community members, and businesses involved. Community Futures Thompson Country plans to run the program again next year and will also run a Big Pitch event again in spring 2026 to support local entrepreneurs.

Public Submissions

Permissive Tax Exemptions for Not-for-Profits and Places of Worship

Council adopted Permissive Tax Exemptions for Not-for-Profit Organizations Amendment Bylaw No. 22-2-159, 2025, and Permissive Tax Exemptions for Places of Worship Amendment Bylaw No. 48-103, 2025, providing the approved applicants an exemption on property taxes for lands owned and operated for specific purposes by these organizations as defined by the appropriate legislation.

  • View the full report from the August 19, 2025, regular Committee of the Whole meeting.

Consideration of Bylaws

Development Cost Charges Amendment

Council passed a motion to include an effective date of January 1, 2026, before giving three readings to Development Cost Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 48-103, 2025. 

This bylaw, effective as of January 1, 2026, will be presented for adoption at a future regular Council meeting. 

Unfinished Business 

Council approved a proposed 2026 Council Meeting Calendar and rescheduled the regular Committee of the Whole meeting previously scheduled for October 21, 2025, to start at 11:00 am. 

Reports to Council

2026 Utility Rate Review and Bylaw Updates

Dustin Rutsatz, the City's Planning and Procurement Manager, provided Council with a summary of the 2026–2030 five-year budget for the City’s water, sewer, and solid waste utilities and their corresponding utility rates. The utilities (water, sewer, and solid waste) are stand-alone municipal services that are accounted for, budgeted for, and funded separately from the general operating and capital funds. The utility budgets must be approved and implemented by December 31 each year so that billing may begin on January 1.  

Council directed Administration to prepare bylaw amendments reflecting a 10% revenue increase for the water utility, a 3% revenue increase for the sewer utility, and a 10% revenue increase for the solid waste utility. For the water utility, the 10% revenue increase is made up of a 15% increase in variable rates and a 5% increase in fixed charges, giving residents more control over their water levies based on the amount of water used.

 20252026    2026 Increase
Water$519$564$45
Sewer$518$534$16
Garbage (245 L)$184$224 $40
Organics$12$24$12
Recycling (245 L)$16$24$8
Total annual Utility Fees$1,249$1,370$121

Alternative Approval Processes

In light of the current Canadian Union of Postal Workers labour action, Council passed a motion to postpone consideration of all alternative approval process launch details until mail services resume or until the first regular Council meeting in January 2026, whichever is earlier.

Active Transportation Plan Update 2025

Nii Noi Akuetteh, the City's Transportation Engineer, provided Council with the Active Transportation Plan Update 2025 for adoption. The updated plan reflects a comprehensive approach to encourage and safely accommodate walking, cycling, and other forms of active transportation in Kamloops. The Active Transportation Plan will ultimately be incorporated into a new Transportation Master Plan. 

The existing active transportation network includes 30 km of bicycle lanes, 40 km of multi-use pathways, and 295 km of sidewalks. The Active Transportation Plan includes proposed facilities suitable for all ages and abilities, including 33 km of protected bicycle lanes, 97 km of multi-use pathways, and 100 km of new and improved sidewalks, and other facilities, such as crossings and neighbourhood bikeways. 

The priority projects identified will develop a core active transportation network that enables pedestrians and cyclists to travel throughout Kamloops on safe and efficient infrastructure. The plan also includes a range of supporting programs and actions to complement the active transportation network. All projects identified in the Active Transportation Plan will be subject to broader organizational prioritization with other infrastructure projects to determine timing and coordination with other work being  performed in the same area.  

Council provided recommendations for future plan improvements before approving the Active Transportation Plan Update 2025.

Public Engagement Opportunities

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

Featured Engagement Opportunities

  • Arena Multiplex: As the City starts the design of the arena multiplex as the next facility of the Build Kamloops program, neighbours and Kenna Cartwright Nature Park users are invited to provide input to better understand how the park is currently used and how the addition of an arena adjacent to it could enhance their experience.
  • Child Care Action Plan: While child care is primarily a provincial responsibility, the City plays a key role in supporting local solutions through planning, partnerships, and advocacy. Families, caregivers, and providers have the opportunity to share their insights and experiences regarding local child care needs, challenges, and gaps by participating in a survey, which is open until October 13, 2025.

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Community Collaboration Activities

  • Fire Prevention Week is October 6–12, 2025. Learn more about home fire safety at Kamloops.ca/HomeFireSafety.
  • The Kamloops Fire Rescue Junior Fire Chief Contest is open, inviting kindergarten to grade 4 students from Kamloops and Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc to apply for a one-year honourary role. Two winners will be selected to participate in fire safety education, community events, and public outreach alongside firefighters and Sparky the Dog. The contest runs October 6–15, with winners announced October 16. Apply at Kamloops.ca/JuniorFireChief.
  • The grand opening of the McArthur Island Mini Rink is on October 9, 2025, 4:15–6:15 pm, at the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre at 1655 Island Parkway. This free community event will include public skating, prizes, and refreshments. Skate rentals will be available. The new mini rink is part of the Build Kamloops program and aims to build capacity for ice sports and create more opportunities for residents to stay active and engaged.

Notices of Motion

  • Councillor Bass’s Notice of Motion - Access to Affordable Child Care, which was presented at the September 9, 2025, Council meeting, was considered.  In response, Council resolved that the City of Kamloops advocate to the Government of British Columbia to: 
    • increase funding for recruitment, retention, and fair compensation of early childhood educators 
    • provide sustained support for existing $10/day child care centres to ensure program stability and increase the number of $10 per day child care centres in Kamloops 
    • invest in the construction of new child care facilities, including partnerships with local governments and community organizations 
    • adequately fund and support the strategic integration of child care centres within school facilities to improve accessibility for families 

Council further resolved to forward the motion to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and the Southern Interior Local Government Association for support and broader advocacy to the provincial government. 

  • Councillor Bass’s Notice of Motion - Supporting Residents During Extreme Heat Emergencies, which was presented at the September 9, 2025, Council meeting, was considered. In response, Council resolved that the City of Kamloops call on the Province of British Columbia to work with British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority and British Columbia Utilities Commission to:
    • provide targeted financial relief and supplemental bill credits for low-income, seniors, and medically vulnerable residents during extreme heat emergencies
    • develop a long-term energy affordability strategy in light of climate change, including equitable billing models and protections for essential cooling 
    • expand income-qualified rebates for heat pumps and portable cooling solutions under the CleanBC program to reduce future cost burdens and health impacts to extreme heat emergencies 
    • co-ordinate with municipalities, utilities, and public health agencies to ensure clear protocols for supporting residents during extreme heat emergencies, including financial assistance, cooling centres, and public-awareness campaigns 
  • Councilor Middleton presented a Notice of Motion: Vegetation Management, which will be considered at the October 21, 2025, regular Council meeting. 

Committee Reports

In response to recommendations from the September 4, 2025, Governance and Service Excellence Select Committee meeting, Council:

  • directed staff to postpone any discussion of the City’s Mayors for Peace membership until November 2026 
  • authorized updates to Council Policy No. GGA-40, Council Procurement Policy, as shown in Attachment “A” to the Procurement Policy Updates report dated September 4, 2025 
  • directed staff to bring forward the three capital projects for review by the Governance and Service Excellence Select Committee, which were chosen with the support of an external expert, to ensure that cost controls are in place, best value is prioritized, and project delivery is at an expected level 

Councillor Reports

  • In response to Councillor Bass’s report, Council resolved to send a letter to Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare asking for clarification on statements in their advocacy meeting at the 2025 Union of BC Municipalities Convention regarding the wage grid for early childhood educators as a condition for federal funding.
  • In response to Councillor Bepple's report, Council resolved to send a letter of sympathy to the colleagues of the local BC Transit bus driver who recently lost their life in a traffic accident. 

Correspondence

Council reviewed correspondence received from Teck Highland Valley Copper Partnership and authorized a letter of support for efforts to gain federal government approval for their merger to create Anglo Teck, which would be headquartered in Vancouver and provide significant investment across British Columbia. 

Council reviewed correspondence received from Kruger - Kamloops Pulp Mill and authorized a letter of support for Kruger's advocacy efforts to fast-track the decision making needed to access fibre and keep mills running.