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Kelowna  

Kelowna investment portfolio tops $950 million

City cash closes in on $1B

The City of Kelowna's investment portfolio continues to benefit from high interest rates set out by the Bank of Canada.

Interest rates, which have soared from almost nil during COVID to five per cent in the summer have been a boon to the city's investments.

The city's portfolio, which includes short and long-term investments as well as cash on hand has inched closer to the $1 billion threshold.

At the end of 2023, investments sat at $950.5 million, up by nearly $160 million just a year previous.

"The Bank of Canada started raising interest rates in 2022 and the city has garnered favourable interest rates as a result of the increases in 2022 and 2023," financial planning manager Melanie Antunes told council Monday.

"The city still expects to be able to cycle low interest investment vehicles into higher rate investment vehicles as investments mature throughout 2024 and beyond.

With the prospect of interest rates beginning to recede later this year Altunes says the city's return on investment will continue its upward direction, but at a more moderate pace that the past year.

The city presently has $295.5 million in short term investments which mature in less than a year, $493.5 million is long-term investments maturing in one to 10 years and another $159.4 million in the city's endowment fund created through the sale of its electric utility.

While the city appears to be flush with cash, much of it is already earmarked for specific purposes.

Finance director Joe Sass says investments are made up of a "number of different reserve funds," including development cost charges, grant funds from senior levels of government and various other funds not at the discretion of staff or council.

The City of Kelowna's investment portfolio reached a little more than $950 million at the end of 2023.

That's nearly $160 million more than the city had in investments and cash a year earlier.



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Lakeshore road application paused while developer prepares new drawings

Apartment proposal paused

Kelowna city council will have to wait a few weeks before getting a look at a development permit application for an apartment building on Lakeshore Road.

The item was scheduled to come before council Monday afternoon, however the property owner asked that the item be removed from the agenda.

"They have some updated drawings they are working on and providing to staff," said city clerk Laura Bentley.

"Staff expect that to come back within a few weeks."

The development at 3593 Lakeshore is significant in that it is the first low-rise infill application to for that area of the city.

It also sparked some debate around the council table over the impacts of traffic along the Lakeshore/Richter/Pandosy corridor considering the number of larger developments either approved or under construction.

Some of those concerns were put to rest when planning staff indicated they were not at the point, despite a large number of developments in the area, of putting a moratorium on building in the area.

The development it approved will see the creation of a 20-unit apartment.



Transparency urged in investigation of sex offender's Kelowna release

Calling for transparency

An advocacy group is calling on Community Living BC to thoroughly investigate how a sex offender ended up at Kelowna equestrian centre before he allegedly re-offended.

Taylor Dueck, 29, was arrested on Feb. 9 and charged with sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching and breach of probation, following an alleged incident involving an 11-year-old girl.

The repeat child sex offender was in the care of Community Living BC, which had subcontracted his supervision out.

Selena Martin, president of the Home Share Family Caregivers Alliance of BC, is urging for transparency in the investigation.

“Lack of transparency can be wrongfully seen as neglect,” she said.

"CLBC has a history of not disclosing all relevant information to caregivers stating privacy concerns, which can hinder proper support.”

The contractor who was responsible for the care of Dueck, Personal Lifestyle Support Ltd., told Castanet they were not aware of the extent of Dueck’s criminal history.

Martin has sent a letter to Premier David Eby expressing her concerns, specifically asking for a thorough investigation.

"Our apprehensions stem from CLBC's past lapses in following their own policies and procedures. In our interactions with CLBC, we have been informed that they do not conduct internal investigations. Consequently, we are left wondering who will be responsible for overseeing this critical investigation," Martin asks.

In an email to Castanet, Community Living BC says they agree a thorough investigation is necessary.

"We need to know what actions or inactions led to this terrible incident. Our own Quality Assurance Division has placed the service provider under review. CLBC is also participating fully in the external investigation being led by the Attorney General’s office," the Crown agency said.

"This young person never should have been put in harm’s way. We are devastated by what occurred and our hearts go out to her and her family. What happened was horrifying, and it’s totally unacceptable that the man was left unsupervised on February 9."

The spokesperson for CLBC tells Castanet the organization does not provide service for people with developmental disabilities but they do provide funding for qualified agencies that do.

Whenever a service provider is working with someone involved in the criminal justice system, CLBC says it's their expectation that the service providers work closely with the probation officers to ensure that their staff are doing what they can to secure everyone’s safety.

Martin points to a case on Vancouver Island where a woman with Down syndrome starved to death while in the care of a Coquitlam non-profit.

"One such case that resonates deeply with us is that of Florence Girard. Despite her caregiver being found guilty of failing to provide the necessities of life in connection to the death, charges against the agency were not pursued. We are left questioning how this case was investigated, especially considering that both CLBC and the agency were involved prior to her tragic passing," Martin says.

Dueck appeared in court Thursday, March 14, 2024, and it was determined that he will remain behind bars as he awaits a possible trial.



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Lime launches new parking wardens to reward responsible parking

New Lime parking patrol

As the warm temperatures continue across the Okanagan, you're likely to see more Lime scooters on the streets in the coming weeks.

On Monday, Lime launched a new initiative to help improve Lime scooter parking around Kelowna, especially downtown.

New "Lime Wardens" will be offering incentives to those who park their e-scooters and e-bikes properly as they work to improve the shared micromobility experience.

“Lime promised Kelowna we would build on the success we’ve had in previous years with real, tangible differences and we’re working hard to deliver right out of the gate in 2024," says Sonia Kandola, Lime director of government relations.

The Lime Wardens have been tasked with trying to improve rider behaviour by offering free rides and gift cards. The program comes on the heels of several changes for the 2024 season.

"Our mandatory parking zones and early morning maintenance and rebalancing hours are already marking a difference and now we’re getting creative to try and incentivize riders as well. Our Parking Wardens program has been successful in global cities like London and Melbourne and we’re excited to bring it here to Kelowna," said Kandola.

"We look forward to handing out these awards and to continued results from our efforts to promote safe riding, proper parking, and keeping the Kelowna streets we know and love clutter free."

Participating riders who qualify by parking properly will receive a free 5-minute ride, and two lucky winners will receive $75 gift cards to partner restaurants.

Lime has also included mandatory parking zones in downtown Kelowna which now require riders to leave their vehicles near digital parking pins visible in the Lime app. The changes are designed to reduce clutter and keep streets safer.

Kandola says Lime will also spend time on the maintenance and rebalancing of vehicles in the early mornings which she says has already helped reduce clutter from the beginning of the day onwards.



Large power outage in Rutland restored

Power outage restored

UPDATE 5:15 p.m.

FortisBC says power has been fully restored to the Rutland neighbourhood.


UPDATE 4:25 p.m.

Power has now been restored to another 2,500 homes and businesses in Rutland.

Electricity remains out to another 2,500 properties with not estimated time of restoration.


UPDATE 3:55 p.m.

A large power outage in the Rutland area has been partially restored.

FortisBC says electricity was restored to 2,000 homes at 3:35 p.m.

Another 5,000 homes and businesses remain in the dark. 2,500 properties in southwest Rutland should have power restored by shortly after 5 p.m., said the utility.

There is no estimated time of restoration for the third block of 2,500 homes without power.


ORIGINAL 2:55 p.m.

More than 7,000 homes and businesses are in the dark amid a large power outage in Rutland.

FortisBC is reporting the outage started at 2:48 p.m., impacting most of Rutland roughly south of Hartman Road. The outage area stretches as far west as the Walmart on Banks Road and south into Belgo.

The cause of the outage is not known at this time. There is no estimated time of power restoration.



Former Kelowna city councillor Marion Bremner loses battle to ALS

Bremner loses ALS battle

The City of Kelowna has lost one of the true pillars of the community.

Marion Bremner, former Chamber of Commerce business leader of the year and city councillor who spent nearly half a century championing various charitable causes, has passed away.

Bremner died recently after a two-year battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

She was diagnosed with the disease in 2022, the day after receiving the business leader of the year honour.

"Marion dedicated her life to serving others and gave generously of her time and abilities to the community," her obituary stated.

Bremner moved to Kelowna in 1974 and almost immediately began serving the community.

She became the first female director of the Chamber of Commerce and, in 1985, its first female president.

Bremner helped establish the Kelowna chapter of Habitat for Humanity and ran and managed Kelowna Meals on Wheels from 2000 until 2022.

She ran for mayor in 1984, losing by just 232 votes but was successful in a run for city council four years later where she served for 11 years.

Bremner also worked in real estate, focusing on helping first-time homeowners achieve their dreams.

For all her charitable work, Bremner was named a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Award for community service in 2012.

In one last act of service before she passed, she volunteered to donate her brain and spinal cord to further ALS research.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Kelowna Meals on Wheels or the ALS Society of BC.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 23 at Willow Park Church beginning at 1 p.m.



Kelowna RCMP say incident at Queensway bus stop was a stabbing

Police confirm stabbing

Kelowna RCMP say Saturday night's incident by the Queensway bus loop was a stabbing.

The incident happened just before 10 p.m. on March 16.

Releasing a few more details Monday, police say the victim was a man.

"RCMP responded to the Queensway bus loop area, where a male was allegedly assaulted with a knife, sustaining a minor injury as a result," said Cpl. Michael Gauthier.

Officers are still looking at CCTV footage and speaking with witnesses to determine what happened.

Police say no arrests have been made, and the matter is still under investigation.



Uncorroborated weapons call sparked police response Sunday in Kelowna

Report of gun drew police

A large police response near Enterprise Way and Highway 33 in Kelowna on Sunday was due to a firearms call that police have been unable to substantiate.

A statement from the Kelowna RCMP says they were called on March 17 at 12:49 p.m. to the 1500 block of Highway 33 for a report of a possible altercation involving a firearm.

“Several units attended and followed up with the caller who couldn’t corroborate what transpired, not having actually witnessed an altercation nor a firearm,” said Cpl. Michael Gauthier.

“It’s unclear at this time why this information was reported to the police.”

RCMP say a person in the area at the time of police arrival, who matched the description provided by the caller, ran away across Highway 97 and was never located.

“At this time, it is uncertain of their involvement, if any,” Gauthier said.

The incident resulted in the closure of Enterprise Way Sunday afternoon.

No other details were released.



Kelowna Fan Experience back with cosplay and fun for all

KFX back for 11th year

If you're looking for something to help keep you busy during spring break you're encouraged to check out the KFX Pop Culture Festival in Kelowna.

KFX celebrates its 11th festival from March 22-24 at Kelowna's Cultural District and the Innovation Centre.

“We can’t wait to celebrate Kelowna’s first and oldest pop culture event, this year returning to our favourite locations at the Black Box Theatre. Okanagan Regional Library with our new location at Kelowna Innovation Centre," says artistic director Bonnie Gratz.

The Kelowna Fan Experience features a mix of performance, film, cosplay, animation, art, gaming, comics, and horror.

Local and international celebrity guests like young Hollywood Marvel movie star Jett Klyne, will be at the event to share their experiences. The event also features movie/anime screenings, live D&D and magic shows featuring Leif David.

The event kicks off Friday with a video game trivia contest and screening of Super Mario Bros. at the Kelowna Innovation Centre. Snow White and Captain America are expected to make appearances at the weekend-long event.

The Saturday cosplay contest encourages kids, families and even professionals to get dressed up as their favourite characters and is always one of the highlights of the weekend.

For more information or to purchase tickets click here.



Preparations underway for prescribed burn east of Kelowna

Ready for prescribed burn

Preparations are underway for a prescribed burn in the McCulloch area, east of Kelowna.

The burn is being managed by the BC Wildfire Service and Westbank First Nation as a multi-year project.

“This phase of the burn is part of a larger ongoing project that covers 86 hectares. The target area for this year’s burn will be approximately 40 hectares. The project is expected to continue through next week, as site conditions permit,” BCWS said on Facebook.

“Westbank First Nation and the BC Wildfire Service will carefully control and continuously monitor the burn throughout the project. Smoke may be visible from Kelowna, West Kelowna and possibly Lake Country,” BCWS continued.



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