Decisions at the Regional District Board meeting today:

1. Unanimous – RDOS board says NO to any funds for Penticton Challenge Race organizers. Mayor Andrew Jakubeit declared a conflict and removed himself from any discussions about subsidies or sponsorship on this race event (formerly Ironman).

‘Heartless’ said Tom Siddon

‘Sideways’ said Michael Brydon

RDOS supports are for seed funding not on-going grants said Mayor Ron Hovanes. Concern was raised as to whether the money would be just profit or a “pay back” for debts to Penticton from previous years.

2. CAO Bill Newell told Board members that getting approval for a new Economic Development joint service may be difficult. Town of Oliver said no and Newell says the matter is very soft in the Similkameen. Back to square one this subject leaving funding for the Okanagan Film Commission up in the air.

3. Gary Grelish subdivision (2815 – 85th Street) on Osoyoos Lake south of Haynes Point kicked off the rails again. Developer had less than two weeks to get approval on a parkland dedication before the zoning change lapses to a lower density zone.

Agent Brad Elenko said the parkland dedication offered was sufficient and can be accessed from the lake and Haynes Point.  Elenko says a cash settlement was also possible. The RDOS wants the best land adjacent to the lake for parkland dedication including a legal access road. Threats of actual or proposed legal action remain up in the air.

Research shows this land has a history with government since 1992. Most of it wetlands. Grelish wants an eleven lot bare land strata. Area ‘A’ Director Mark Pendergraft says the proper dedication of parkland is necessary before development goes ahead. He won the vote.

3. RDOS has purchased a part of the Oliver garbage dump that was thought to be on crown land but actually owned by Bill Freding of Southern Plus Feedlot. $220 thousand spent by the regional district to get title to this land that has been used for mixed garbage for many years. It may come to the surprise of many that the majority of the dump is on crown land and now the dump must gain legal access to its own land just purchased.

4. Willowbeach Osoyoos – Directors agreed to abandon all old bylaws and await further instruction and direction from the currents owners. RDOS CAO Bill Newell says the district expects to see a different type of proposal in the not-to-distant future. Not much information for those living there or interested in the beach’s future.

5. Foreshore at Kaleden in front of homes and parkland at the bottom of hill – tenure granted by province for another ten years.