Kevin on Kelowna Musings from a political mind

Happy New Year! Wait, there’s probably a cooler way to get that message across…

That’s better.

After a brief hiatus that included an election loss, some final exams, and a whole lot of Christmas junk food, I’ve decided to wipe the dust off my website. I’ll be using this little corner of the internet to chime in occasionally on Kelowna issues, provincial and federal politics, and anything else I’m compelled to rant about.

Stay tuned!

Do you believe increased funding for public transit is a priority? If so, would you work to put pressure on the provincial and federal governments to increase funding for transit infrastructure and quality across the province? What would you do to help improve transit in Kelowna?

As someone who relies on the transit system to commute to school, I have seen first-hand the progress made in our transit system, and the challenges which remain. The City of Kelowna has recognized the importance of funding public transit, and the statistics reflect that: since 2005, Kelowna’s spending on transit has doubled from $9 million to $18 million. Over that same period, total annual service hours have increased by 55 per cent, from 113,000 to 176,000. I am in favour of continuing to improve transit in Kelowna. My overall priorities for the transit system are increased frequency and reliability. Long-term, I envision 10-15 minute service on key routes, as well as late-night service on weekends. Specific projects I support are a bus to the H2O Centre in the mission, a transit exchange in Rutland, and expansion of the transit network to include Quail Ridge and the airport on routes. During my two years on Council, I have been an advocate for transit and if re-elected, this will remain high on my list of priorities.

What will you do to make the downtown core more attractive and safer for citizens? 

This summer, the community came together to draft a new downtown plan which sets a vision for our main urban centre, incorporating new development, better pedestrian and cyclist connections, and new amenities throughout the area. If re-elected, implementing that Downtown Plan will be an important priority for me. The first step in this process has already taken place, with Council endorsing a construction plan for Bernard Avenue infrastructure renewal which minimizes the impact on business owners in the area and will result in a rejuvenated main street to act as a catalyst for new development downtown. One of the primary issues affecting downtown Kelowna is a lack of residential units in the key areas of Lawrence and Leon. Having more people living in the area would ensure there is more activity on those often-empty streets, as well as ensure there are ‘eyes on the street’ to help prevent any unwanted criminal activity. I have supported improvements to the City’s tax incentive program for redevelopment in urban centres, and also favour a public market in the downtown area. If re-elected, revitalizing the downtown core will be an area of focus for me.

Do you view the further development of recreation facilities and programming as important to developing a sense of community and to increase the value of Kelowna as a liveable city? What do you view is the municipal government’s responsibility in the development of such facilities and programmes?

Access to recreation is an essential component of a high quality of life. Just like a home is much more than a house, a community is much more than simply a city where you live and work. Kelowna has some world-class recreation facilities, with the new H2O Centre continuing to receive more and more recognition and awards with each passing year. Municipal government is the level of government most responsible for recreation, and as the city grows, it is important to ensure we incorporate recreation facilities into all neighbourhoods. Council has purchased land for a Rec Centre in Glenmore, and I am committed to seeing that project through to completion. Opportunities for partnerships with non-profit groups could be explored to ensure we are maximizing community benefit in our recreation facilities.

Will you commit to working with locally-based manufacturers, businesses, and service providers in an effort to increase job growth in the region?

In my re-election campaign, I made a conscious effort to use only local suppliers for my signs, flyers and all other materials. In my personal life, I strive to buy local fruit and vegetables when shopping for groceries. Given this, it should not come as a surprise that as a Councillor, I have supported all efforts to make sure the City is spending taxpayer dollars within our community.

Do you support the work of the Urban Cycling Initiative for the creation of more bike lanes throughout Kelowna?

I support the creation not only of more bike lanes, but also of new multi-modal corridors. Over the past few years, we have seen substantial investment in creating many new multi-use pathways all over Kelowna, and these new transportation links ensure cyclists and pedestrians can get around our community safely. I believe we need to expand on this network and connect the existing pathways to ensure people have safe routes to use for alternative transportation. The City of Kelowna has set a goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions 33% below 2007 levels by 2020. This will not be achieved if we don’t invest in cycling infrastructure and make it more feasible for people to stop using cars for their daily commute.

What endorsements do you currently have?

I have not actively sought endorsements in this election. In 2009, I received the endorsement of almost 2900 voters who placed their trust in my ability to serve as a City Councillor. I am proud of the work I have done during two years in office, and feel that my record speaks louder than any endorsement could.

What are your top three budget priorities for the next fiscal year?

Heading into this budget, one priority stands above all others: balance. Deliberating over a municipal budget is one of the most challenging processes a Council goes through. Every single expense is pored through line-by-line, with Councillors deciding what to include and what to remove. Each time, I have focused on achieving a balance between meeting community needs and maintaining a reasonable level of taxation. I would like to see funding for transit, for implementation of the Housing Strategy, for downtown revitalization, and for arts and culture, but I also want to ensure that taxpayers on limited incomes – including students whose landlords may pass on property taxes as part of rent – are not hit with a large tax increase. Budgets are a highly challenging and complex task, but I am confident I can speak up for balance in this year’s deliberations.

As you may be aware, there is a U-Pass Referendum currently being conducted on campus at UBC Okanagan. This Referendum, initiated by Kelowna Regional Transit and the City of Kelowna, is whether or not to raise the current U-Pass fee from $50 per semester (less a 10% subsidy from the University) to $60 per semester (less a 10% subsidy from the University). What is your vision for the future of Kelowna Transit? Do you support a ‘Yes’ vote or a ‘No’ vote on the U-Pass Referendum?

As a student, I feel it is an absolute no-brainer to vote Yes in the upcoming referendum. Voting no means having to pay for a pass every month, which is substantially more expensive than the proposed $60 per semester. The U-Pass has been a tremendous success, allowing students to lobby the City and BC Transit more effectively for improvements to the system, and providing the City with a stable user base to justify transit upgrades. As outlined in the earlier question, I believe we must continue to support and invest in our transit system. My priorities include increased frequency and reliability. Even with a slight increase in the U-Pass fee, our transit system will recover only 30% of its costs from fares. The rest is subsidized by government. In order to achieve this vision of a higher level of service for Kelowna’s buses, we need Councillors who will advocate for investment in transit – and I am committed to providing leadership in that area – but we also need users of the system to be willing to support that improvement by paying their share.Respon

1.       “What can the city do to adopt and encourage the adoption of renewable energy technologies? Do you think the city should make net-metering and time-of-use metering available to all its electricity customers?“

During this most recent term of Council, Kelowna joined a growing number of BC municipalities in requiring new homes to be solar-ready. This will reduce costs for homeowners who decide to convert to solar in the future. As we move forward, I believe the City should be exploring opportunities for district energy systems, and looking at incentives for residents and developers who avail of renewable energy sources. Finally, I believe we should lead by example. All new civic facilities should be sustainably built, with as small a carbon footprint as possible. Given that Kelowna has committed to being 33% below 2007 levels of GHG emissions, this is absolutely essential. As for net-metering and time-of-use metering, I support making both available. There will be a cost associated, so it is important that such measures are implemented in a responsible way with a financial plan in place, but in order to reduce electricity consumption, we must empower users to make informed decisions, and this cannot be done without making all information available to customers.

Having relocated to Kelowna from Ireland, I can attest first-hand to Kelowna’s beautiful natural environment being a competitive advantage. Our community offers a four-seasons playground where people can enjoy the lake during summer and the ski hill in winter. The availability of quality entertainment and festivals will also make Kelowna a more attractive to young professionals, who are looking for more than simply a job and a house – they are searching for a home, somewhere to build a career and a life. With the establishment of UBC Okanagan and the population growth experienced during the last decade, Kelowna has become a more diverse city, and I have supported initiatives to ensure all residents feel safe and welcome in our community. I believe collaboration with groups such as the Inter-Cultural Society of the Central Okanagan, Okanagan Rainbow Coalition, and Kelowna Community Resources will be useful in identifying and addressing the barriers to inclusion faced by some members of our community. In addition, I believe there is significant opportunity to use arts and culture as a tool to increase understanding and acceptance of other cultures and backgrounds.

I believe we should ensure a co-ordinated approach to supporting agriculture in Kelowna by updating the current Agriculture Plan. The last draft was completed in 1997, and I believe it is time to measure the progress which has been made, assess which of the incomplete recommendations are still relevant, and consider new approaches which can support farmers in our area. I do not support allowing development to encroach on agricultural land, and my voting record on Council proves this. The City must play a leadership role in preserving farmland, or development pressures will make land costs even more unaffordable for those looking to get a start in agriculture. Furthermore, I believe we can create a more sustainable food system by ensuring farmers have abundant opportunities to sell their produce. Progress has been made towards finding a permanent home for the Kelowna Farmers and Crafters Market, and I am also in favour of a year-round public market in the downtown core. The expansion of community gardens in our city has been a highly worthwhile investment and I am eager to see this initiative continue. Finally, we must lobby senior levels of government to ensure adequate investment is made in agriculture. BC has the lowest level of per-capita spending on agriculture in all of Canada, and I am committed to reminding our MLA’s and the Premier of the importance of this sector.

4.       “Kelowna has a concerning and considerable number of homeless people. There are the visibly homeless and the hidden homeless. What kinds of initiatives would you take to identify and provide safer, more permanent housing options for individuals of both groups?”

The most effective tool at Council’s disposal during the past few years has been leveraging city-owned land to form partnerships with senior levels of government and non-profit groups to create affordable housing. I support a continuation of this approach, combined with the adoption of recommendations outlined in the recently-adopted Kelowna Housing Strategy. The strategy includes initiatives which reduce the time and cost of developing affordable housing, particularly rental housing, and which will diversify the housing supply in Kelowna through the introduction of fee-simple townhouses and courtyard housing. Affordable housing is a significant and growing issue for our community, and it is important to have a Council committed to taking action to address it.

Kelowna’s new Cultural Plan was created through an extremely collaborative, inclusive process and outlines a path to ensuring the cultural community thrives into the future. Council has already endorsed the non-monetary items in the plan, but I believe we must not abandon the arts even as we aim for fiscal restraint in a tough economy. Municipal investment in arts and cultural organizations can have a tremendous multiplier effect, allowing the groups to apply for matching funding from other levels of government, donors, and foundations. Particular features of the Cultural Plan I support are increased support of professional arts organizations phased over a three-year period, addressing the lack of production space in Kelowna, measuring the economic impact of Kelowna’s creative sector, and further integration of arts and culture with tourism. When provincial and federal arts funding was cut, the City took a leadership role in ensuring organizations could keep their doors open, and I am proud of our city’s efforts but the municipality cannot implement the Cultural Plan alone. Co-operation is needed from other levels of government, as well as businesses and non-profit in our community. If re-elected, I hope to be a leader in enabling this collaboration.

The newly-adopted Official Community Plan charts lays out a guide for growth and development in the city all the way to 2030, and part of this is ensuring a sustainable transportation network exists. Kelowna is one of the most car-dependent cities in Canada, and part of this reliance on single-occupant vehicles is caused at least partially by inadequate infrastructure for sustainable alternatives. During my term on Council, there was substantial spending on new multi-modal corridors throughout our entire community, and I believe the next step is to expand and connect this network of multi-use pathways. The transportation network envisioned in the OCP makes a much-needed shift, focusing on pedestrians and cyclists first, then meeting the needs of cars. In addition to measures aimed at improving pedestrian and cyclist safety and connectivity, a key priority for me is continued improvement of our transit system. As someone who relies on the bus system for my commute to school, I have seen first-hand the progress we have made, but I recognize there is still a ways to go before people consider leaving their cars and using transit for their day-to-day transportation. My overall priorities for the transit system are increased frequency and reliability. One of the reasons the express bus system works so well is that people can simply show up at a bus stop without a schedule and know there will be a bus within 15 minutes. We must strive to bring that number down to 10 minutes on key routes, and raise the level of frequency throughout the system as a whole. In addition to these general principles, specific projects I support are a bus to the H2O Centre, a transit exchange in the Rutland Town Centre, and expansion of the transit network to include Quail Ridge and the airport.

Castanet offered each candidate a chance to air a 2-minute video introducing themselves and their platform. Here’s what I had to say:

AM1150 sent out the following questionnaire to all candidates. Here are my responses:

1. How are you going to revitalize the downtown?
If re-elected, I will make the implementation of the Downtown Plan a top priority. The first step in this process has already taken place, with Council endorsing a construction schedule for Bernard Avenue infrastructure renewal which will minimize the impact on downtown merchants during summer and the Christmas shopping period. I feel that this can act as a catalyst for redevelopment in our downtown, and intend to advocate for action on the other recommendations which came out of this summer’s charette. In addition, Council has improved its Revitalization Tax Exemption program, which provides incentives for property owners to redevelop or renovate their land in the Downtown or Rutland urban centres, and I believe we will start seeing results when property owners begin taking advantage of this opportunity. Furthermore, I am in support of a convention centre for downtown as well as simplifying our application processes to attract more entertainment and events into the downtown core.

2. How would you tackle the problem of organized crime?
Keeping our streets safe will require a collaborative approach between the City, the province, RCMP, and businesses. From the local government perspective, I believe we should be raising awareness of the presence of organized crime groups by publishing a list of gang-affiliated businesses so residents can choose to stop supporting them. If re-elected, I will continue to lobby our provincial representatives to secure long-term stable funding of the RCMP Anti-Gang task force. Finally, I would encourage the business community to become a partner in tackling organized crime by instituting ‘no gang colours’ policies in their establishments. Collectively, we can address this issue and make Kelowna a safer place to live.

3. How would you improve transit?
In the last 6 years, service hours on our transit system have increased 55%. Ridership has grown to the point where some of our routes experienced overcrowding and pass-ups this fall. Needless to say, we’ve taken great steps forward and I’m committed to continuing that progress. I believe in strategic, balanced increases to transit funding through the annual budget, and frequent reviews of routes to ensure efficiency. Some changes I support are having a bus go to the Capital News Centre, establishing a transit exchange in the Rutland Town Centre, and creating a route which includes Quail Ridge and the airport. As someone who relies on the transit system for my commute to university, I recognize there is much progress to be made, but I have confidence we can continue to improve the system and the number of people choosing to take the bus.

4. What would you do to increase the supply of affordable housing?
As a Council representative on the City’s Housing Committee, I am supportive of many of the ideas proposed in the draft Housing Strategy. The most effective tool at the City’s disposal has been land. We have seen three successful partnerships where the City has provided land, and the provincial government and a non-profit agency signed on as partners to create affordable housing units on the site. I favour a continuation of this approach. In addition, I believe we can increase the variety in our housing stock by changing the zoning bylaw to allow courtyard housing – which provides developers an opportunity to make more efficient use of their site thereby lowering land costs – and by allowing fee simple townhouses. Finally, I believe it is important to look at lowering the costs of creating housing, particularly rental units. This can be done through incremental increases in the City’s Housing Opportunities Reserve Fund budget allocation and by waiving the requirements for certain projects to go through the Advisory Planning Commission.

5. What are your plans to make Kelowna a more attractive place to work, live and play?
First, it is important to acknowledge that Kelowna already is a very attractive place to call home. My family fell in love with this community and chose to relocate here from Ireland. That said, there is always room for improvement and I feel there are some key issues we can address to make our City an even better place. The first challenge is a lack of high-paying jobs. Kelowna needs to focus on industries with significant potential, such as the high-tech and health-related sectors, and collaborate with partners such as the Economic Development Commission, the Chamber of Commerce, Accelerate Okanagan and our post-secondary institutions to attract high-paying jobs in those fields to Kelowna. I also believe in increasing the quality of life in our community by encouraging densification of our town centres so people can work within walking distance of their homes, and I support achieving this vision by adhering to the goals in our Official Community Plan. The issues of affordable housing and public safety, which I have discussed earlier, also need to be addressed to ensure Kelowna becomes an even more desirable place to live, work, and play. Finally, these goals will only be achieved by a Mayor and Council who are collaborative, focused, and committed to engaging the community. In my two years on Council, I have been an effective team member, and hope to serve the community through another Council term.

One of the big issues facing Kelowna, and something particularly close to home for me, is the challenge of keeping young people in the valley. The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission has identified this as a key to sustaining economic growth in our region, and the following video introduces an initiative they’ve started to tackle the problem:

Okanagan Young Professionals from Michael Blonde on Vimeo.

There’s more information on their website.

The 2011 Kelowna Civic Election is underway! I will be updating this site regularly with blog posts and other features. In the meantime, please feel free to read my bio or learn about my  platform.