West Kelowna council wants the district’s new general manager of engineering and public works to review the Water Utility Master Plan before they give it the green light.
Council agreed to defer consideration of adoption of the plan during its council meeting Tuesday.
Chief administrative officer Jim Zaffino said the new general manager would ultimately be responsible for the successful completion and implementation of the master plan.
“It would seem kind of ridiculous to have that talent at our fingertips and not use (him) to at least have a look at this plan and see if there are any improvements that he would recommend,” said Coun. David Knowles.
Mayor Doug Findlater also supported the deferral; however, he requested the plan come back to council for adoption before the November election.
“This is very much this council’s baby…we should stand or fall with it,” said Findlater.
“This should be done before a new council is in place.”
The Water Utility Master Plan is intended to serve as the district’s roadmap for infrastructure development of the water system with a planning horizon until 2032. It considers drinking water treatment facilities, adequate fire protection and water distribution networks to satisfy the district’s current and projected water demands.
Coun. Duane Ophus agreed the current council needs to be responsible for adopting the master plan before the municipal election.
“There are elements of this that I do not support, so this is going to be an interesting discussion. And this discussion needs to be had by this council,” said Ophus.
“Otherwise we’re going to waste another year.”
The start date of the new general manager has not been determined yet.
wpaterson@kelownacapnews.com
Twitter: @PatersonWade
