12 min read city council cliff notes

City Council Cliff Notes - May 26, 2025 - Salmon Arm

City Council Cliff Notes - May 26, 2025 - Salmon Arm
Let’s be honest — most people aren’t spending their free time digging through Salmon Arm City Council minutes. The city’s website isn’t exactly a beacon of navigability, and the meetings hardly binge-worthy content. That’s where this comes in.
What you’ll find below is a plain-English summary of what actually happened at the latest council meeting — who said what, what got approved, and what got kicked down the road. It’s not thrilling, it’s not funny, and we don’t send it out to our subscribers because we respect your inbox. But it’s here if you want it — a way to stay informed without needing to decipher incorrectly uploaded PDF agendas or scrub through 3-hour videos.
Consider it your shortcut to civic literacy. Boring, yes — but useful. Actually, just boring.

Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and may (probably) contain errors or omissions. While we do our best to capture what happened, it is not an official record and should not be relied upon as a complete or fully accurate account of the meeting. For the official minutes and decisions, please refer to the City of Salmon Arm’s website. Also, it's seriously so boring so read at your own risk.

Video available here if you REALLY wanna watch the full thing:

Attendees (Day Session):

  • In Chambers: Mayor Alan Harrison, Councillor Debbie Cannon, Councillor Kevin Flynn, Councillor David Gonella
  • Virtual: Councillor Louise Wallace Richmond, Councillor Tim Lavery
  • Staff: Deputy CEO Erin Jackson, Director of Planning and Community Services Gary Buxton, Planner Melina Smyrl, IT Coordinator Mr. Patterson, Director of Engineering and Public Works Rob Niewenhuizen, Manager of Roads and Parks Mr. Gro, Corporate Officer Jaime Shorter.
  • Absent: Councillor Sylvia Lindgren

Meeting Summary:

1. Call to Order & Land Acknowledgement

  • [00:32] Mayor Alan Harrison resumed the meeting.
  • [00:46] Attendance noted.
  • [01:03] Acknowledgement of gathering on the traditional territory of the Secwépemc people.

2. Agenda Adoption

  • [01:14] Deputy CEO Erin Jackson noted one late submission: Item 9.2, Appendix 12, a letter from A. Denbigh dated May 23, 2025.
  • [01:46] Motion by Councillor Kevin Flynn, seconded by Councillor Debbie Cannon, to adopt the agenda as amended. Passed unanimously.

3. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

  • [02:05]
    • Councillor David Gonella: Items 12.1.5, 12.1.7, and 14.1 due to connection with his employer, the Salmon Arm Folk Music Society.
    • Councillor Louise Wallace Richmond: Item 14.1 as her company has done work for Salmon Arm Economic Development in the past. She will leave for the remainder of the meeting after this item.

4. Confirmation of Minutes

  • [03:30] Regular Council Meeting Minutes of May 12, 2025.
  • Motion by Councillor Tim Lavery, seconded by Councillor David Gonella. Passed unanimously.

5. Business Arising from Minutes

  • [03:53] None.

6. Committee Reports

  • [04:10] Development Planning Service Committee Meeting Minutes of May 20, 2025. No business arising.
  • [04:21] Community Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes of May 5, 2025. No business arising.
  • [04:37] Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2025.
    • [04:51] Councillor Tim Lavery, on behalf of absent Councillor Sylvia Lindgren, moved that Council invite Dr. Art Horen to give a presentation about mosquito repellent programs at a future regular council meeting. Seconded by Councillor David Gonella. Passed unanimously.

7. Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) Update

  • [06:10] Councillor Kevin Flynn thanked Councillor Sylvia Lindgren for attending a CSRD meeting in his absence. He and Councillor Tim Lavery attended a CSRD strategic planning session and suggested Salmon Arm should update its own strategic plan next term.
  • [07:27] Councillor Debbie Cannon inquired about the CSRD short-term rental (STR) discussion.
  • [07:40] Councillor Kevin Flynn stated it's primarily an Electoral Area (EA) director issue.
  • [08:08] Councillor Tim Lavery elaborated that STRs are a complex issue in areas without OCPs or zoning, especially concerning misuse (e.g., party houses). EA directors are exploring it further.

8. Staff Reports

  • 9.1 UBCM Grant Application - Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) Evacuation Route Planning [09:59]
    • Presented by the Director of Planning and Community Services Gary Buxton.
    • Motion: That Council authorize the submission of a grant application to the UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for Evacuation Route Planning on behalf of the City of Salmon Arm; and further, that Council authorize the Columbia Shuswap Regional District to manage any grant funds received. Moved by Councillor Kevin Flynn, seconded by Councillor Louise Wallace Richmond.
    • The emergency program made the application; UBCM now requires a Council motion. The grant is for extensive evacuation route planning.
    • Mayor Alan Harrison and Councillor Kevin Flynn spoke in support.
    • Passed unanimously. [12:59]
  • 9.2 ALC Subdivision Application – Andre & Bonnie Denbigh (4670 30th Ave NE) [13:06]
    • Presented by Planner Melinda Smyrl.
    • Motion: That Council authorize Agricultural Land Commission Application No. ALC 430 for two-lot subdivision for submission to the Agricultural Land Commission. Moved by Councillor David Gonella, seconded by Councillor Louise Wallace Richmond.
    • Staff recommended defeating the motion as the property is outside the Glenn Eden area where the OCP supports subdivision under specific ALC-approved circumstances.
    • Councillors Flynn, Cannon, Gonella, Lavery, and Mayor Harrison spoke, generally acknowledging the applicant's points but citing OCP policy and ALC mandates as reasons for not supporting the subdivision.
    • Motion DEFEATED unanimously. [25:10]
    • New Motion: That Council NOT authorize Agricultural Land Commission Application No. ALC 430 for submission to the Agricultural Land Commission. Moved by Councillor Tim Lavery, seconded by Councillor Louise Wallace Richmond.
    • Passed unanimously. [26:02]
  • 9.3 IT Coordinator - Next Generation 911 (NG911) [26:16]
    • Presented by IT Coordinator Mr. Patterson.
    • Motion: That Council endorse the City of Salmon Arm’s participation in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District’s Request for Proposal for a Next Generation 9-1-1 GIS Data Aggregation Solution. Moved by Councillor Kevin Flynn, seconded by Councillor Debbie Cannon.
    • NG911 is a federally mandated modernization of the 911 system. UBCM provided $45,000 to municipalities. Salmon Arm is collaborating with CSRD and other local municipalities for data aggregation.
    • Passed unanimously. [30:06]
  • 9.4 Manager of Utilities - Budget Amendment & Sole Source Purchase: Water Treatment Plant Low Lift Flygt Pump Rebuild [30:19]
    • Presented by the Director of Engineering and Public Works Rob Niewenhuizen.
    • Motion: That Council approve a budget amendment and the sole source purchase for the Water Treatment Plant Low Lift Flygt Pump rebuild to EMPS for $51,003.44 plus applicable taxes, with funding from the Water Reserve Fund. Moved by Councillor Tim Lavery, seconded by Councillor Louise Wallace Richmond.
    • The pump requires a rebuild. The initial estimate was $25,000, but additional work increased the cost. EMPS is the authorized dealer.
    • Passed unanimously. [32:15]
  • 9.5 Manager of Utilities - Purchase Recommendation: Wastewater Treatment Plant Return Activated Sludge Pump [32:23]
    • Presented by the Director of Engineering and Public Works Rob Niewenhuizen.
    • Motion: That Council approve the sole source purchase of one (1) Return Activated Sludge pump from Westcan Pump & Equipment Ltd. for $27,073.00 plus applicable taxes, with funding from the Sewer Reserve Fund. Moved by Councillor Kevin Flynn, seconded by Councillor Debbie Cannon.
    • The existing pump is due for replacement. Westcan is the exclusive distributor for Hydrostal pumps.
    • Passed unanimously. [34:41]
  • 9.6 West Bay Connector Trail Climate Risk Assessment [34:53]
    • Presented by the Director of Engineering and Public Works Rob Niewenhuizen.
    • Motion: That Council award a sole source contract to ISL Engineering and Land Services to complete a Climate Lens Assessment for the West Bay Connector Trail for an upset limit of $20,000 excluding GST, with funding from the Shuswap-Thompson Recreational Trail Reserve. Moved by Councillor Debbie Cannon, seconded by Councillor Tim Lavery.
    • The project, with an estimated construction cost of $57 million, requires a climate risk assessment for grant applications over $10 million. ISL did the preliminary design.
    • Councillors Cannon, Lavery, and Mayor Harrison spoke in support.
    • Passed unanimously. [41:45]
  • 9.7 Downtown Food Truck Application (Ricochet Tap House) [41:58]
    • Presented by the Director of Planning and Community Services Gary Buxton.
    • Motion: That Council authorize the use of the parking stall on Ross Street NE immediately adjacent to 331 Ross Street NE (Ricochet Tap House) for the purpose of locating a food truck from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Friday, May 30, 2025. Moved by Councillor David Gonella, seconded by Councillor Debbie Cannon.
    • A one-day request, varying slightly from policy (which requires placement across the road). Staff support the variance.
    • Passed unanimously. [43:22]
  • 9.8 SASCU Sports Field at Little Mountain Playground Replacement Project Award [43:31]
    • Presented by Manager of Roads and Parks Mr. Gro.
    • Motion: That Council award Request for Proposal No. 2025-ROADS-01, SASCU Sports Field at Little Mountain Playground Replacement, to Green Roots Play Equipment Inc. for $128,885.00 plus applicable taxes. Moved by Councillor Louise Wallace Richmond, seconded by Councillor Tim Lavery.
    • The current playground is over 25 years old. Green Roots also did Canoe Beach and Raven Park playgrounds. Funding is from the Growing Communities Fund.
    • Passed unanimously. [47:08]

9. Introduction of Bylaws

  • 10.1 Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4722 (481 Hwy 97B NE) [47:20]
    • Presented by Planner Melinda Smyrl.
    • Motion: That Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4722 be read a first, second and third time. Moved by Councillor Kevin Flynn, seconded by Councillor David Gonella.
    • This bylaw rezones the property from R6 (Mobile Home Park Residential) to R10 (Residential) to allow secondary suites for 30 strata lot manufactured homes, as per Bill 44. It corrects an error in a previous bylaw attempt.
    • Passed unanimously. [48:54]
  • 10.2 Council Procedure Amendment Bylaw No. 4721 [49:01]
    • Presented by Corporate Officer Jaime Shorter.
    • Motion: That Council Procedure Amendment Bylaw No. 4721 be read a first, second and third time. Moved by Councillor David Gonella, seconded by Councillor Louise Wallace Richmond.
    • Proposes changing the regular Council meeting start time to 1:00 PM (from 1:30 PM) and moving presentations earlier in the agenda, with In-Camera sessions later.
    • Councillor Tim Lavery moved an amendment: To remove Item 16, Salmon Arm Secondary Youth Council, from the regular order of business in the procedure bylaw, as it has been inactive since 2020. Seconded by Councillor David Gonella.
      • Amendment Passed unanimously. [55:45]
    • Discussion on the main motion as amended.
    • Motion as amended Passed unanimously. [56:54]

10. Reconsideration of Bylaws

  • 11.1 Tree Protection and Fee for Service Amendment Bylaw No. 4707 (Adoption) [57:13]
    • Motion: That Tree Protection and Fee for Service Amendment Bylaw No. 4707 be adopted. Moved by Councillor Kevin Flynn, seconded by Councillor David Gonella.
    • Corrects language to clarify the penalty for tree removal is $500 per tree.
    • Passed unanimously. [58:02]
  • 11.2 Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4693 (1490 10th Ave SW - W. LeLievre) (Adoption) [58:09]
    • Motion: That Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4693 be adopted. Moved by Councillor Louise Wallace Richmond, seconded by Councillor Debbie Cannon.
    • Passed unanimously. [59:02]

11. Break [59:10 - 1:07:27]

12. Informational Correspondence [1:07:38]
* Councillor David Gonella declared interest in 12.1.5 and 12.1.7 and would leave for those items.
* 12.1.2 Letter re: Zero Carbon Step Code: [1:08:12]
* Councillor David Gonella (for absent Councillor Sylvia Lindgren) moved to refer the letter to the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) for review and recommendations. Seconded by Councillor Debbie Cannon.
* Councillor Kevin Flynn moved to amend the motion to also refer the letter to the Shuswap Construction Industry Professionals (SCIP). Seconded by Councillor Debbie Cannon.
* Amendment Passed unanimously. [1:15:17]
* Motion as amended Passed unanimously. [1:15:34]
* 12.1.3 Letter re: Lake Level Monitoring: [1:15:53] Discussed by Councillor Kevin Flynn. Director of Engineering and Public Works Rob Niewenhuizen confirmed staff update the City's local monitoring as a courtesy and the provincial monitoring site link is on the City website.
* 12.1.8 Letter re: Wastewater Treatment Plant Odor: [1:18:37] Discussed by Councillor Kevin Flynn, who noted much odor is agricultural. The Director's response was comprehensive.
* 12.1.4 Letter re: Street Lights on Multi-User Path (16th St to RCMP): [1:18:09] Discussed by Councillor Tim Lavery. Director of Engineering and Public Works Rob Niewenhuizen stated staff have asked BC Hydro about adding Davit arm lights on two poles; budget implications will be considered. Staff will contact the letter writer.
* 12.1.6 Letter from Ms. Pukus re: Marine Park Wharf Parking for Paddling Group: [1:24:45] Discussed by Councillor Debbie Cannon, requesting consideration for an annual parking pass for the group. Director of Engineering and Public Works Rob Niewenhuizen will discuss with Bylaw.
* [1:28:30] Councillor David Gonella excused.
* 12.1.5 Letter from Salmon Arm Folk Music Society re: Community Benefit: [1:28:54]
* Motion by Councillor Kevin Flynn, seconded by Councillor Debbie Cannon: That Council provide a letter to the Salmon Arm Folk Music Society confirming the significant community benefit of the Roots and Blues Festival.
* Passed unanimously. [1:29:55]
* 12.1.7 Request from Shuswap Agricultural Association re: Fall Fair Parade Route (Deferred from May 12): [1:30:00]
* Motion on the table: That Council refer the request from the Shuswap Agricultural Association for temporary road closures, use of City space, and equipment to staff for review.
* Discussion ensued regarding the proposed new parade route. Councillors Cannon, Flynn, Wallace Richmond, and Mayor Harrison supported the Association's request for the new route for this year. Councillor Tim Lavery opposed, citing concerns about lack of collaboration and preferring the downtown route.
* Motion Passed (Councillor Lavery opposed). [1:43:43]

13. Presentations

  • 14.1 MRDT Annual Report 2024 [1:04:03]
    • Councillor Louise Wallace Richmond excused due to conflict.
    • Presented by Lana Fitt (ED) and Jennifer Broadwell (Manager, Economic Development & Tourism) from Salmon Arm Economic Development Society (SAEDS).
    • Report highlights:
      • 2024 MRDT revenue: $371,452 (11.5% YoY growth).
      • 2024 average annual occupancy: 51% (up 1%).
      • 2024 average daily rate (ADR): $153.34 (up 7%).
      • Extended high occupancy season (June-Sept).
      • Supported 68 events; new SA Green Fund.
      • Infrastructure improvements: entrance signs, banners, digital kiosks.
      • Successful hosting of 55+ BC Games.
      • Financials: $248,684 carry-forward to 2025.
    • Questions from Council included local tourism GDP data (SAEDS working on it), possibility of increasing MRDT rate to 3% (focus is DMO launch, renewal 2027/28), traveler demographics, and 2025 tourism outlook (positive).
    • Motion by Councillor Kevin Flynn, seconded by Councillor Debbie Cannon: That Council authorize the submission of the 2024 MRDT Annual Performance Report to the Province of British Columbia.
    • Passed unanimously. [1:17:07]

14. Council Statements [1:17:13]

  • [1:17:29] Mayor Alan Harrison spoke about attending the opening of the Station 106 Shuswap Lifeboat Society boathouse in Sicamous.
  • [1:19:49] Councillor Tim Lavery commented on the successful official opening of the Multi-User Path.
  • [1:20:34] Councillor Kevin Flynn mentioned a large golf tournament held in Salmon Arm.

15. Other Business [1:21:32]

  • Released from In-Camera: Information about the Old Municipal Hall Options and an invitation to a Public Input Session on Tuesday, June 17, 6:00-7:30 PM at Town Hall.

16. Question & Answer Period (Day Session) [1:42:00]

  • None.

17. Recess [1:42:21]

  • Meeting recessed until 7:00 PM for the Public Hearing.

Evening Session (Public Hearing):

Attendees (Evening Session):

  • In Chambers: Mayor Alan Harrison, Councillor Kevin Flynn
  • Virtual: Councillor Debbie Cannon, Councillor David Gonella, Councillor Tim Lavery
  • Applicant: Mr. Geesbergen (virtual)
  • Staff: Director of Planning and Community Services Gary Buxton

1. Call to Order & Disclosure of Interest [1:43:06]

  • Mayor Alan Harrison resumed the meeting.
  • No disclosures of interest.

2. Development Variance Permit Application VP615 (Applicant: Geesbergen - 302 2nd St SE) [1:43:50]

  • Motion: That Development Variance Permit No. VP615 for Lot 1 Section 16 Township 20 Range 10 West of the 6th Meridian Kamloops Division Yale District Plan EPP114464 (302 – 2 Street SE), to vary Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw No. 4170, Section 6.1.2(b), to waive the requirement for underground Hydro and Telecommunication services, be approved. Moved by Councillor David Gonella, seconded by Councillor Debbie Cannon.
  • Director of Planning and Community Services Gary Buxton explained the variance is to waive the requirement for undergrounding hydro and telecommunication lines for a proposed duplex, due to the significant cost ($26,000) and limited aesthetic/resilience benefit as the rest of the street is above ground. Staff supported the waiver.
  • [1:46:24] Applicant Mr. Geesbergen stated agreement, citing cost savings for the project.
  • [1:47:03] The public was asked three times if there were any submissions; there were none.
  • [1:47:28] Hearing closed.
  • Motion Passed unanimously. [1:47:55]

3. Question & Answer Period (Evening Session) [1:48:02]

  • None.

4. Adjournment [1:48:16]

  • Meeting adjourned.
That’s the meeting — in all its procedural glory. If you made it this far, congrats: you now know more about local government than 99% of your neighbours.
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