Moving on over!

Hi everyone! I'm moving on over to WordPress and will start blogging there shortly :)

The new address is www.michelerule.ca - please add that to your favorites, follow it, whatever! You can also find me at my Facebook page and on Twitter at @michelerule. Thanks and chat soon!

Michele

Thank you Kelowna!

Thanks to everyone who came out and voted for me in the 2008 municipal election! I'm thrilled to be serving as your councillor for another three years!

Where to Vote!

KELOWNA VOTING LOCATIONS
NOVEMBER 15, 2008
AS Matheson Elementary School 2090 Gordon Drive
Bankhead Elementary School 1280 Wilson Avenue
Black Mountain Elementary School 1650 Gallagher Road
Casorso Elementary School 3675 Casorso Road
Cedar Creek Community Centre 5160 Chute Lake Road
Dorothea Walker Elementary School 4346 Gordon Drive
East Kelowna Community Hall 2704 East Kelowna Road
Glenmore Elementary School 960 Glenmore Drive
KLO Middle School 3130 Gordon Drive
North Glenmore Elementary School 125 Glenmore Road North
Okanagan Mission Secondary School 4544 Gordon Drive
Parkinson Recreation Centre 1800 Parkinson Way
Raymer Elementary School 657 Raymer Avenue
Rutland Senior Secondary School 705 Rutland Road North
Saint Joseph’s Elementary School 839 Sutherland Avenue
South Kelowna Elementary School 4176 Spiers Road South
Rutland Elementary School 200 Mallach Road
Springvalley Middle School 350 Ziprick Road
UBC Okanagan Arts Building (ART102) 3333 University Way
Watson Road Elementary School 475 Yates Road

Qualified electors of the City of Kelowna may vote at any of the above locations upon presentation of acceptable identification and registration (check out kelowna.ca for more information).

Phil Johnson's Questions to Me

I had an e-mail from Phil Johnson at AM 1150 today posing some interesting questions.

Community Gardens:
This is something I've been working on with the Community Garden people (mainly Ruth Mellor- and also the Healthy Food Council, which I sit on. You'll notice that community gardens appear in the draft of the OCP which was released last Monday. I fully support community gardens, especially in areas of high density, and support using public land to accomplish this (it doesn't take as much land as one might think - check out the newest garden at St Paul and Cawston!). I also think green space around buildings can be used for food production - we'll be looking at new landscaping policy in the next few months and while the focus is on xeriscaping I think there is also room there for edible landscaping. Green roofs are an excellent opportunity to increase growing space and I support including that as a requirement for new development. Of course, you need the cooperation of the residents to make a community garden work (people have to want to garden!), but I think that by providing the space and leading by example the concept will become more widely accepted.

Banning Plastic Bags:
A bit more complicated than it sounds, strangely enough! If we ban plastic bags, then people buy plastic bags to put their garbage in (not so much the big plastic bags, but the "kitchen catchers"). If some of the retailers switch to biodegradable bags, then those make good garbage bags but they wreck havoc if they get mixed in with the recycling! So I would support a ban on regular plastic bags as long as we could also ensure an adequate supply of biodegradable bags - of course biodegradable bags aren't really totally biodegradable because there are still little bits that never disappear.So what we really want in the long run is to change people's behavior so that they don't put a bag in the bucket under their kitchen sink, but rather just wash out the bucket periodically then we could ban the plastic bags and not worry about the side effect of people buying bags!By the way, my family uses cloth bags :-)

Solar Energy Options:
It's really exciting that Mayor Shepherd is part of the 100,000 Solar Roofs project because she can bring al kinds of information to the table. Interestingly, when in Holland year before last we had the opportunity to meet with one of the world's leading solar experts.I don't know if the new BC Building Code requires buildings to be "solar ready" but I would support our by-laws requiring this - it's very inexpensive to put in the conduits during construction and then when the cost of the technology comes down it's easy to install. In any public buildings I support some form of alternate energy being used - whether solar, geo-thermal or some other type we are not yet aware of!

Municpally Run Car Co-op Program:
I'd need to review the business case for a municipally run car co-op before I could agree to it, but I would support any business that wanted to put one in operating by providing the parking spaces! This sems to be how most of the models work that I have seen in places like Vancouver, Montreal and Portland - private enterprise with some support from the municipality for parking. The vehicles should be hybrid or electric (possibly solar!) or very small like Smart Cars. In Gronigen in northern Holland they have a bicycle co-op where you can take a bike and leave it at another station - I'd like to explore that idea as well!

Water Conservation:
We have set goals for reduction of water consumption within the city's water service area. The biggest user on our system is outdoor irrigation - summer water rates as high as seven times the winter rate of water use because of people watering their lawns and gardens. We've made some good progress but there is more to be done. Part of the solution is to encourage drought tolerant plantings. Another solution is the use of greywater for indoor use, such as toilet flushing, and for irrigation. I support changing our by-laws to allow for this.

Banning Single Serve Water Bottles:
I'm not sure that we have the legislative ability at the city level to ban single serving water - probably would have to be provincial. But I do think that the availability of bottled water in vending machines has been a positive thing as it provides a healthy alternative to pop. We need to provide recycling boxes. Also, single servings are preferable to larger bottles in terms of not transmitting fluid borne illnesses.

Answers to EarthCare Questions

1. Are you in favour of sinking Okanagan Lake Bridge into Okanagan Lake? If so why and if not why?
No – I don’t think there has been adequate research done on the ramifications of that option. Unfortunately it is not the city’s decision to make, but I would support a resolution from council against the sinking to be forwarded to the province.

2. If you are elected, would you support amending the current pesticide bylaw to not allow commercial pesticide applicators to spray cosmetic pesticides in the City of Kelowna? When the bylaw comes into force in 2009 homeowners will not be allowed to spray cosmetic pesticides within City limits.
Yes – that was the original intent of the by-law before it was amended and I continue to support that.

3. On October 24, 2007, in a memo to the City Manager, the City planning department made recommendations regarding the OCP Growth Strategy for the South Pandosy Sector (Mission area). They included withholding support for any development until there has been public input into the Official Community Plan, withholding support for development variance permit applications or rezoning applications that result in height beyond four stories for commercial and residential and six stories for apartment/hotels and eight stories for the Lakeshore/Watt site.

Currently development applications for the Mission area have come before the Advisory planning commission such as the Mission group's Aqua project proposing variance of the height to accommodate three high rise towers. Other development applications in the area include Manteo, Hiawatha trailer park, Gyro Beach Resort (all seeking height variances) and a current project being built by MKS on Trusswell Road.

If elected, what is your position on the proposed developments in the Mission area? What course of action to you propose to deal with the height issues as well as the capacity and transportation issues?

I understand that these projects are in the queue but I feel that the OCP review should be completed before decisions are made. We don’t know what the capacity is for water, sewer, and transportation and we need to know that! Height is a more subjective discussion and I look forward to public input on this.

3. What is your vision on helping Kelowna become a sustainable City?

Sustainability is now part of our vision and I’m proud of that. I think the new reorganization within the City of Kelowna will help reduce the “silo” effect and ensure that departments are coordinated. This is an important step. Things like signing on to the Climate Action Charter (we were one of the first cities to do so) and supporting regional coordination on issues such as air and water quality will help guide us. Reviewing the OCP through a lens of sustainability will make sure we are on the right path. I ran on a platform of looking at each decision for its environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits and I will continue to make my decisions in that way.

4. Okanagan Lake is the major source of drinking water for the North, Central and South Okanagan populations. What steps would you take to ensure that water quality is protected and enhanced? As well, what is your opinion on how effective the Okanagan Basin Water Board has been on protecting Okanagan Lake.
We absolutely must look at water quality from a regional perspective. We have state of the art water treatment for the water users that we serve (only part of the city of Kelowna is served by our water utility – the others are irrigation improvement districts) but it is important to keep the water clean at its source. This includes the entire watershed as well as groundwater sources. I think the OBWB has done some good work and they have committed to looking at ground water extensively for their next focus. All of these steps protect the water in Okanagan Lake.

Rutland Uptown Business Association Questions

1. The CD Zone is being heralded as a tool that will efficiently and effectively act as a catalyst for the redevelopment of the core of downtown, would you support a similar planning and zoning exercise in the Rutland business district? If not, why?

I believe the CD Zone can be a useful tool as it dictates form and character for an area as well as provides opportunity for density transfer in order to accommodate more green space over a multi-owned area. We have recently had some very good examples of both effective and non-effective ways to go about the public process for the exercise. I feel that the model of community consultation and participation used for the Central Green project was excellent and would support a planning and zoning exercise for the Rutland Town Centre using that process.



2. Some may suggest that Kelowna is a victim of poor development which has led to urban sprawl and poor roadway infrastructure. Does the Municipal Candidate support the City of Kelowna's push for densification of Urban Town Centers? And if so, what do the candidates think of the C7 Zoning in Rutland and the new Rutland Urban Development plan involving the linear park that is currently before City Council?

Two major highways running through our community and a patchwork of agricultural reserve lands have created an unusual and difficult urban use form. It is vitally important that we concentrate on developing and densifying our town centres in order to create a more sustainable community – one where residents can walk, work, shop and play. I think the C7 zoning in the Rutland Town Centre, which allows for mixed use development, is supportive of the Urban Town Centre policies. I am excited about opportunities like community parks and transit centres in Rutland and look forward to seeing changes that the community supports.


3. In spite of the fact that most individuals being picked up by the RCMP are from other areas of town, there have been discussions with regard to locating a sobering station at Cross Roads in Rutland. These discussions have not involved URBA or the Resident’s Association. Do you support this initiative, and the location?

A sobering station is absolutely needed in our community. It just doesn’t make social or financial sense to have the RCMP put people in an intoxicated state into jail cells and then release them again without any support when they are sober. The sobering station allows a point of contact for people who need help with their addiction issues.
Regardless of where the sobering station is located, there should be a community advisory committee established to provide input and develop a set of “good neighbour” guidelines. I don’t believe that a sobering station would have a negative effect in the neighbourhood where it is located if guidelines are established in advance.


4. What do you see as priorities for Rutland and what would you do to help achieve them?

What I have heard from Rutland citizens is the need to upgrade streetscapes, improve transit, add more parkland and beautify and enhance the town centre. I believe this can be done through a community consultation process which establishes the specific areas of need and prioritizes them and then by assigning the appropriate budget amounts.



5. Recent economic events have shaken the entire financial world. Kelowna is not immune to these events and we are now starting to see large projects either fail or cease, job losses and property value losses. The City of Kelowna, as a corporation, has an annual budget of close to $500 million dollars, with millions in assets and hundreds of employees. As a councilor, you are really a Board of Directors for the on-going viability of the City as a corporate body. During these uncertain times, all organizations must be run with clear direction and knowledge of the ramifications for all decisions. Please tell us what specific education and experience you have that will assure us that you have the requisite skills for the job.

I have three years of experience now as a councillor and have a good understanding of how our budget and taxation processes work. I believe in hiring the best staff possible with the expertise to provide the advice that we need to make the right decisions. I have a university degree with a focus in archive studies and as a result have learned to sort through large volumes of information and extract the important parts – a valuable skill for the position of councillor. I support planning for the future by creating reserve funds for upcoming expenses and having a financial plan for capital projects. This is the same procedure I follow in my personal financial matters!
Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any other questions. Contact therules@telus.net or 250-762-3749.

Poverty and Homelessness Action Week All Candidates Forum Questions

Poverty and Homelessness Action Week All Candidates Forum
Answers from Council Candidate Michele Rule

What have you done in the community to address issues of poverty and homelessness?
I have been involved for over 6 years on the Poverty and Homelessness Action Team of the Central Okanagan, first as a liason from the City's housing committee, then as an executive member and now as an ex-officio executive member. I sit on the provinical Sustainable Community Parterships Committee, bringing business and community together to solve homelessness. I am also a member of the Central Okanagan Healthy Food Council.

What role do you think the city could/should play in doing more to address poverty and homelessness?
I think the city has two roles. Firstly, to advocate to other levels of government about the needs of our community. We are the level of government closest to the ground and should have the best understanding of what our issues are. Secondly it is vital that the city be prepared to partner with other levels of government and NGOs to provide housing and other services.

The city has a role in economic development. What are you prepared to do to encourage development of employment opportunities that would provide a living wage for Kelowna’s citizens?
The city currently supports the Economic Development Commission financially. The EDC is mandated to increase high quality employment opportunities and I would continue to support this. Council can also act as an advocate to have minumum wages increased and to provide the necessary increases to welfare and disability rates.

How do you plan to increase child care spaces in Kelowna?
I support rezoning and density bonuses that would provide child care facilities in both residentail and commercial developments. I will continue to support child care initiatives through the Women's Advisory Committee and partnerships with groups such as CATCH.

What would you be prepared to do to improve conditions for people with special needs and vulnerable women and men?
I will continue to be actively involved in groups like PHATCO and also the council committees that are working on these issues, such as the Women's Advisory Committee and the Committee for People with Disabilities. Council is in a position to actively lobby the provincial government for increases in welfare and disability allowances and the provincial and federal governments for the creation of more core-need housing

Would you support the food charter? Why or why not?
I absolutely support the City of Kelowna adopting the food charter. I have been actively involved in the Healthy Food Council for the past few years. It is more and more important that cities become resilient in the face of global food and economic crisis and enshiring food policy into documents like the OCP is the best way to alleviate poverty and strengthen the economy, enhancing urban food security and health.

How would you improve transportation options in Kelowna?
Over the past three years I have continuously supported budget increases for transit expansion, bicycle paths and pedestrian routes. I believe that this is the best way to improve our environment and improve the health of our citizens, and it also saves tax dollars as these items are much cheaper than building new roads.

If you are elected, what would be your first priority?
My first priority will be enacting the recommendations of the Affordable Housing Task Force of which I was a member. Theses recommendations include creating a housing authority, enacting density bonuses for affordable housing and making changes to the OCP to allow for affordable in-fill housing.

What would you do to increase affordable rental options in Kelowna?
With a rental vacancy rate of 0.3%, Kelowna is in dire need of more rental housing. This has been the focus of discussion at our Community Housing Committee for the past six months and a workshop on how to increase rental housing will be hosted by the City in November. Council has already been involved in lobbying the federal government to reinstate the tax incentives for rental housing. Secondary suites and other inovative options like lock-off suites are also important to create adequate supply.

What do you see as the root cause(s) of poverty?
There are a number of root causes of poverty, and most people become impoverished through a combination of these. The most notable are income, education and literacy, early childhood development, health and availability of proper care, and, unfortunately, gender and race. It will take a concentrated effort by all levels of government, business and community to overcome poverty but I believe it can and will happen.