Regular Council Meeting - June 9, 2026

City Hall front exterior

Delegations

Junior Council

Members of Junior Council provided their year in review for the 2025–2026 term, which included monthly meetings, learning about City Council and municipal government, providing a youthful perspective on community topics, raising points of concern, asking engaging questions, and voting on potential events, projects, and the supplemental budget items.

Junior Council members shared their individual experiences and collectively highlighted the opportunity for youths to voice their opinions, listen to City Council members' reports, and contribute to the future of Kamloops.

Junior Council - Council Meeting - June 9, 2026

Consideration of Bylaws 

New Neighbourhood Development in Iron Mask

The regular Council meeting reconvened following the 7:00 pm Public Hearing, and Council adopted Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 68-2, 2026,to amend KAMPLAN: City of Kamloops Official Community Plan by redesignating 2440, 2450, and 2600 Trans-Canada Highway West from Iron Mask North Future Development Area to Light Industrial, Mid-Rise Commercial, Mid-Rise Urban, and Parks and Open Space, and gave third reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 55-117, 2026, to rezone the properties totalling 36.4 ha from FD (Future Development) to I1 (Light Industrial) site specific, C1 (General Commercial) site specific, RM4 (Multi-Unit 4 - Medium–High Density) site specific, P1 (Parks and Recreation), and OS (Open Space) to facilitate subdivision and development of light industrial (24.6 ha), residential (5.5 ha), mixed-use commercial/residential (2.1 ha), and park (4.2 ha) uses. The maximum total number of residential dwelling units is 900.

  • Read the full May 26, 2026, report here.

Proposed Vape Business on 8th Street

Also during the reconvened Regular Council Meeting following the 7:00 pm Public Hearing,  Council adopted Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 55-113, 2026, to amend the C8 (Neighbourhood Pub Commercial) zone on a site-specific basis for 1048/1050 8th Street to allow retail trade as a permitted use for a proposed vape business.

  • Read the full May 26, 2026, report here.

Reports to Council

Affordable Market Rental Housing on Precinct Lands

Marvin Kwiatkowski, the City's Development, Engineering, and Sustainability Director, presented Council with Housing Agreement Bylaw No. 64-11, 2026, for the issuance of a housing agreement for the first phase (126 units) of a two-building, 251-unit affordable market rental housing development at 535 Columbia Street. The proposed development is being delivered through the Province's BC Builds program and will be operated by Connective Support Society. BC Builds supports the creation of attainable rental housing by partnering with non-profit, public, and private sector organizations to increase the supply of homes for middle-income households. In accordance with BC Builds program requirements, a minimum of 20% of units must be rented at below-market rates. The housing agreement facilitates the mechanism for ensuring the provision of affordable market rental housing units in perpetuity in exchange for reduced parking requirements and eligibility for a 10-year revitalization tax exemption.

Council will consider adoption of the bylaw at a future Council meeting.

Official Results of Alternative Approval Processes

Maria Mazzotta, the City's Corporate Officer, provided Council with the certificates of sufficiency for 965 McMaster Way Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 57-4, 2025, and Tranquille Phase III Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 57-5, 2025, and presented the respective bylaws for Council’s consideration of adoption.

Earlier this year, Council approved the number of eligible electors in Kamloops as 85,273 and the 10% threshold as 8,527 responses. After all forms submitted by the May 29, 2026, deadline were received and processed, the Corporate Officer certified that the 10% threshold was not met for either alternative approval process, meaning that elector approval was obtained for both loan authorization bylaws.

  • The number of forms received in response to the alternative approval process for 965 McMaster Way Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 57-4, 2025, was 1,255, representing 1.47% of eligible electors.
  • The number of forms received in response to the alternative approval process for Tranquille Phase III Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 57-5, 2025, was 849, representing 0.996% of eligible electors.

Council adopted both bylaws.

Memorandum of Understanding with the Kamloops Centre for the Arts Society

In response to a presentation by Dušan Magdolen, the City's Cultural Services and Events Manager, Council authorized the finalized memorandum of understanding with the Kamloops Centre for the Arts Society. The memorandum of understanding sets out a clear, non‑binding framework for collaboration during the transition period and outlines the society’s advisory role in governance development, board recruitment, funding readiness, and communications.

Council’s authorization of the memorandum of understanding allows staff to continue working collaboratively with the Kamloops Centre for the Arts Society to support the establishment of a new, independent, not-for-profit society to operate the Kamloops Centre for the Arts.

Solid Waste Disposal and Diversion Statistics

Glen Farrow, the City's Civic Operations Business Manager, provided Council with updated solid waste disposal and diversion statistics. The Community Climate Action Plan targets a 50% reduction in per capita waste disposal (below 2017 levels) by 2028 and a 90% reduction by 2050. In 2017, per capita waste disposal was 720 kg. By 2025, this figure had declined to 650 kg, representing an 11% reduction.

The City supports diversion through collection (including residential curbside recycling and organics, multi-family recycling, and commercial cardboard), landfill and yard waste site drop-off programs, and special events. Waste reduction and diversion are also promoted through resident education, communications, and direct engagement.

Between 2021 and 2025, overall landfill disposal decreased steadily, indicating a downward trend in waste sent to the landfill. The most significant drop from 2022 to 2023 was due to the establishment of the Stswékstem Engineered Waste Management Facility in August 2023, which introduced greater competition for local landfill services. Clean fill tonnages declined significantly after 2021 and remained relatively stable at lower levels through 2025, due to increased tipping fees for clean fill. Yard waste fluctuated year-to-year, with volumes peaking in 2023 before declining in 2024 and 2025. Landfill diversion remained comparatively stable, with a modest decline over the period. Collection diversion increased overall, with higher diversion levels in 2024 and 2025 compared to earlier years, following the implementation of residential curbside organics collection in late August 2023.

A graph showing City Waste Streams

Since the opening of the Stswékstem Engineered Waste Management Facility in 2023, both the Mission Flats Landfill and the Kamloops Resource Recovery Centre have seen significant reductions in the amount of waste sent to landfill each year. A recent study conducted by the City’s landfill consultant provided revised projections for the sites' lifespans, with Kamloops Resource Recovery Centre’s total remaining capacity increasing from 43 to 75 years and Mission Flats Landfill extending from 38 to 62 years.

Community Engagement Opportunities

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

Featured Engagement Opportunities

  • Provincial Engagement Session: Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc–City of Kamloops Transportation Network Improvements Project, which includes options to replace the Red Bridge. Everyone is encouraged to attend this public session to support the engagement process, connect with the provincial project team, and participate in meaningful discussions.
    • June 11, 4:00–7:00 pm - City of Kamloops engagement session in the Kia Lounge at Sandman Centre, 300 Lorne Street

Advocacy Update

  • Letters have been sent to Rechie Valdez, federal Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), and Marc Miller, federal Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, to request in-person meetings to discuss alignment opportunities between shovel-ready Build Kamloops capital projects and federal priorities.

Community Collaboration Activities

  • The City, Tourism Kamloops, and community partners will be hosting Riverside Park Watch Parties for every match during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ from the opening kick-off on June 11 to the final whistle on July 19. During that time, games will be broadcast on a large screen at the Rotary Bandshell, with enhanced events planned around Team Canada matches and the World Cup final. These events will feature family and soccer-focused activities, live entertainment, food trucks, and beer gardens.
  • In addition, the City and Tourism Kamloops are pleased to announce that Kamloops has been selected as one of 35 Canadian communities to host Canada Celebrates during the FIFA World Cup 2026™. This free event will take place at Riverside Park on June 18, bringing together residents, visitors, and football fans for live match viewing, music, culture, and community. Details are listed on the Tourism Kamloops website.
  • Kamloops Pride and the City are joining forces to host an unforgettable day of inclusivity, joy, and unity. This event is a wonderful opportunity for the 2SLGBTQPIA+ community to explore programs and initiatives focused on building inclusivity and creating safe spaces.
    • Friday, June 12, 3:00–6:00 pm - Pride Open House at the east end of Riverside Park
    • Sunday, June 14, 11:00 am–12:00 pm - Pride Parade along Victoria Street from 2nd Avenue to 5th Avenue

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Notices of Motion

  • Councillor Bass' Notice of Motion: Cooling Requirements Amid Extreme Heat Events, presented at the May 26, 2026, Council meeting, was considered. In response, Council directed staff to explore the tools available for the City to adopt a bylaw that requires existing rental units to have cooling equipment, or passive means, that prevent at least one room in the unit from exceeding the standard recommendation of 26oC (79oF).
  • Councillor Bass and Councillor Bepple's Notice of Motion: Data Centres, presented at the May 26, 2026, Council meeting, was considered. In response, Council resolved to request the Federation of Canadian Municipalities advocate to the federal government for the development of a coordinated policy framework respecting data centres, including considerations related to infrastructure capacity and jurisdictional responsibilities, and that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities consult with municipalities to identify emerging challenges, best practices, and policy recommendations respecting AI infrastructure development in Canadian communities.