Regular Council Meeting - March 24, 2026

City Hall front exterior

Delegations

East Kamloops Business Improvement Association

Clare Warner, Executive Director; Randy Ruygrok, Chair; Tory Maltais, Vice-Chair; and Jason O’Driscoll, Treasurer, East Kamloops Business Improvement Association, provided Council with a 2025–2026 Annual Report, outlining the first year of operations for the business improvement association following its launch in 2025. That first year focused on establishing governance, engaging local businesses, and setting strategic priorities for the Valleyview, Dallas, and Campbell Creek areas. The organization emphasized extensive member outreach—particularly through surveys and events—to identify key concerns such as safety, beautification, economic development, and improved public spaces, which will guide future initiatives.

Council authorized the $405,637.35 East Kamloops Business Improvement Association levy to be paid in 50% increments in accordance with East Kamloops Business Improvement Area Bylaw No. 61, 2024.

Consideration of Bylaws

Revenue Anticipation Borrowing

Council adopted Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw No. 66-5, 2026, which will allow the City to short-term borrow, if required, up to $40 million to assist in reducing the variability of the City’s cash flow until the collection of property taxes that occurs from late May to July.

View the full report from the March 10, 2026, regular Council meeting.

Council Calendar Updates

Council adopted a location and time change for the April 21, 2026, regular Council meeting, now to be held at 3:00 pm at the Kia Lounge, Sandman Centre (300 Lorne Street), to accommodate significant public interest in Temporary Use Permit Application No. TUP00065 for 142 Tranquille Road (Pathways Shelter).

  • View the updated Council calendar here.

Reports to Council

2026 Clean the Beach

Ashley Ekelund, the City's Social and Community Development Supervisor, provided Council with information and details regarding the 2026 Clean the Beach event, a City-hosted, volunteer-driven, community-wide event and celebration to help keep our riverfront clean. The event will take place on Sunday, April 19, 2026, 11:00 am–2:00 pm at Riverside Park. Kick-off and wrap-up events will take place at Riverside Park, including educational tables and materials, live music, and a thank-you barbecue.

The Clean Team will once again be conducting a sweep of the beaches before the event. The Community Services Officers Outreach Response team will also be present at the event to support community safety and assist with any interactions involving people experiencing homelessness who may be sheltering outdoors.

Community Climate Action Plan Implementation Report

Glen Cheetham, the City's Climate and Sustainability Manager, provided Council with an update on the progress made in implementing the Community Climate Action Plan since the last Council update in January 2025. The fourth annual Community Climate Action Plan Implementation Report provides a progress update on the 48 short-term and 16 medium-term actions, an overview of climate resilience initiatives, a financial summary, and key priorities for the year ahead. In the first four years of implementation, 90% of short-term actions and 32% of medium-term actions have been initiated.

Key highlights included the adoption of new land use designations, positive utilization of new active transportation infrastructure, and successes with programs, including CleanBC Rebates, Retrofit Assist, Bike Valet parking, FireSmart assessments, and Repair Cafés.

Public Engagement Opportunities

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

Advocacy Update

  • Letter highlighting the City’s federal advocacy priorities is being finalized and will be sent to the appropriate federal and provincial ministries this week.
  • Staff are actively working on in-person meeting requests with federal and provincial ministers.

Community Collaboration Activities

  • The annual Volunteer BBQ is back! Residents are invited to join us for this free event on Friday, April 24, 2026, 11:30 am–1:30 pm, at Sandman Centre.
  • A survey has been issued to over 40 ice user groups for input into the arena multiplex project.

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Notices of Motion

  • Councillor Bepple’s Notice of Motion: Car Share, which was presented at the March 10, 2026, Council meeting, was considered. In response, Council directed staff to report on options to support car share services in Kamloops, including:
    • criteria for reducing off-street parking requirements in multi-family developments that provide access to car share vehicles
    • provision of free on-street parking for car share vehicles
    • designation of car share spaces in public lots and curbside areas
    • public education and outreach
    • data sharing and planning partnerships to optimize service coverage
    • establishment of a developer-funded contribution program to support long-term service viability
  • Mayor Hamer-Jackson's Notice of Motion: Postpone/Delay Advancement of Major Capital Projects (Kamloops Centre for the Arts and Arena Multiplex) presented at the March 10, 2026, Council meeting was considered and defeated.   

Committee Reports

In response to recommendations from the March 3, 2026, Committee of the Whole meeting, Council directed staff to keep the Citizen Satisfaction Survey on a two-year schedule with an adjustment so that the next survey takes place in spring 2027 and that the next elected Council determine if that frequency can be maintained beyond spring 2027.

Council also directed staff to bring forward options for an updated budgeting process that would allow for incremental annual increases in not-for-profit City grant opportunities.

Councillor Reports

  • In response to Councillor Bepple's report, Council passed a motion to send a letter of thanks to retiring Union of BC Municipalities Executive Director Gary MacIsaac for his stewardship and leadership. Also in response to a motion from Councillor Bepple, Council approved submitting a request to the provincial Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services to provide input on the Province’s 2027 budget during the committee’s upcoming visit to Kamloops, with emphasis on provincial funding for the Red Bridge replacement and highway improvements in the Interior.
  • In response to Councillor Karpuk's report, Council passed a motion to rescind its December 9, 2025, resolution to postpone consideration of alternative approval process launch details until after Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers provide public notice that they have finalized their collective agreement, in order for staff to bring forward options for a potential alternate approval process launch this spring for borrowing related to the acquisition of 965 McMaster Way and sanitary sewer upgrades as part of the Tranquille Phase 3 project.
  • In response to Councillor O’Reilly's report, Council passed a motion to invite Kelowna City Council to take part in a friendly challenge: municipal elected officials from whichever City loses the first round of the Western Hockey League playoffs will wear the opposing team’s jersey for a photo.