This story was originally published February 23, 2021: 

Councillor Pete Coolio says he will not sign the Council Code of Conduct. It’s a document the Mayor and other councillors have signed and endorsed as part of their strategic plan for 2019 – 2022. They attended a workshop with a facilitator in November 2019 to review some general statements on what to include.

“We did talk about this publicly before,” said Mayor Fortin.

“It’s been signed by everybody but I can’t get ahold of you, Councillor Coolio, you still haven’t signed it. Do you plan to sign it?”

“No, I do not plan to sign it, Madame Mayor,” Coolio said.

“May I ask why?”

Coolio was on mute as he was speaking, but I caught this:

“I could call you about this specifically if you’d like to know. I’ve spoken with the municipality ministry, and they say I don’t have to sign it. I don’t think it’s in the best interest of taxpayers if I do….I’ve conducted myself professionally and I don’t need a code of conduct to prove that.”

Fortin then told Coolio he’s still bound by what the code of conduct says.

“Part of the thing we agreed to is that we would abide by consensus and the consensus of the majority, six out of seven voted in favour of this.”

Coolio answered by saying again he wouldn’t sign the code of conduct.

“Well I don’t know what you’re afraid of,” Fortin said.

“I didn’t do anything or you weren’t taken to task publicly or censored or sanctioned when you referred to me as Mommy. And that would have been a reason, if anything.”

I couldn’t find much info on the actual wording on the code of conduct (I’ve been in front of this screen for more than 12 hours, so that’s definitely a factor, getting tired) But basically, council created this code of conduct, adapting it from a model code developed by the province. According to what Mayor Fortin was saying it outlines “basic” behavioural respectful workplace guidelines.

Councillor Pete Coolio

Mayor Cindy Fortin

***

Travis Nixon is Peachland’s new BELO – Bylaw Enforcement Licensing Officer. He’s a local, and was introduced to councillors during last night’s Zoom meeting.

Mayor Cindy Fortin welcomed him.

“You’re part of the big Nixon family,” she said.

“I am,” said Nixon. He’s one of ten kids in the family and has lived here 33 years – “since I was two, and I have no plans to leave.”

He says he’s really excited to settle in to his new role.

“I’m really excited to be part of this and in this community. I can’t imagine where I’d rather be.”

***

Peachland’s yet to be built splash pad became pricier last night. Community Services Director Cheryl Wiebe asked councillors for some contingency money. The extra $24,000 from the Community Works Fund would ensure the project will progress without delays. She hopes to have shovels in the ground in six weeks’ time. Councillors were OK with that, but most decided against spending an extra $6,000 on two-tone paint for the splash pad. 

Councillor Keith Fielding expressed his concern about the increase (he was the only councillor who voted against Wiebe’s ask).

“It seems to me this budget keeps getting larger and larger and I have serious concerns about the scope of the project and how it’s expanding,” he said.

You can read more about the splash pad:

Feb 9: Pop-its, geysers and a light show: More splash pad details 

Jan 24: What do you want to know?

Dec 8, 2020: Splash Park could be open by Canada Day: District

***

Following the District’s recommendation, councillors last night decided sports teams from West Kelowna should be the only out-of-towners allowed to play in Peachland. Although the current health order from the province allows for athletes to travel to their home club if their home club is outside their immediate community, Community Services Director Cheryl Wiebe suggested the District exceed the current direction of the Provincial Health Officer.

“The challenge is regular, frequent out of town guests will increase our community exposure and resident comfort and perception about the District supporting and inviting out of town visitors to Peachland,” she said.

“And we know that because even when we have authorized events at the community centre, we do get emails and phone calls as to what the activity is and why it’s proceeding under the current health orders.”

She explained why staff recommend only teams from West Kelowna assign Peachland as their home club – this presumably goes for softball (the actual agenda did not mention a specific sport, although softball was mentioned during discussions).

“The rationale for this decision is that West Kelowna is where the majority of our youth attend middle and secondary school and therefore already share a similar cohort,” Wiebe said.

Councillors unanimously agreed.

***

And lastly, a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ item on the agenda – third reading was granted and now Megan Leckie can move forward with her plans to expand the childcare space she’s operated since 2015, Peachland Daycare. Councillor Keith Fielding had a previous question about whether neighbours of the Turner Park – area daycare had concerns. None were noted.

OK, that’s it! I will dream of the budget tonight (Nooo!) It was a four-hour meeting earlier today – are you caught up? Here’s the story.

As always, thank you for reading!