O’REILLY – The big question: are mayor and council getting anything done?

By MIKE O’REILLY
Kamloops City Councillor

“THIS COUNCIL has lost its way.”

I remember reading this exact comment on a social media post in November of 2018.

Fast forward four-and-a-half years and I see similar comments: “We need a new election,” “This is the worst council I have ever seen,” “None of these people will get my vote again,” “They aren’t getting anything done,” etc.

One thing that has been consistent over my two terms on Kamloops council is that these comments will be made regardless of who is on council or who occupies the mayor’s chair.

This council has eight months under its belt and, judging by my previous term, things are a lot different this time around. As I see it, the major challenge facing this council is the new faces, all without prior council experience, seeking an example of leadership.

Our mayor has been the focus of a lot of controversy, but I want to put that aside. It doesn’t matter if you voted for Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson, whether you approve of his approach or like him personally. The fact is, he is helming a council that is craving leadership that the first-time mayor is simply not equipped to provide.

The mayor has a unique approach, which can make for interesting media coverage, social media traffic and water cooler talk. But I think the important question remains: Is the Kamloops mayor and council getting anything done?

Later this month, just short of nine months since the election, mayor and council will introduce its strategic plan.

This plan will guide our decision-making over the next three-and-a-half years. The previous council introduced its plan seven months into its mandate. Those are fairly similar time lines.

I think it’s also important to highlight the fact that, during the past eight months, this council has hosted the nation twice with two major national sporting events.

Council has also supported Tk’emlups te Secwépemc in a bid to host the North American Indigenous Games, which would be the largest event the City of Kamloops has ever seen.

And council has made policy changes to help make housing more affordable.

These are some of the things council has accomplished in the past eight months:

• New housing units: Approval of 538 new housing units.

• Significant policy change: Opened up a significant amount of single-family residential lots on the North Shore to be redeveloped into duplex lots to increase housing and densification.

• Significant policy change: Delegating staff to approve development variance permits to reduce red tape and approval times.

• DCC reduction: We reduced development cost charges on newly created housing units, helping with housing affordability.

• Hosted events: In 2023, we have already played host to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and the Memorial Cup.

• Riverside Park skating rink: Council voted to continue with the redevelopment of the downtown park by looking at adding an outdoor skating rink that would mean year-round park use.

• Passed the 2023 budget: Council got its first in-depth look at the city budget and worked for months trying to strike a balance of current needs, future demands and affordability.

It’s easy to focus on the gossip, the controversy and the impacts of a team that can often be at odds with the mayor. However, the fact is this council is getting the job done.

It hasn’t been easy and, in my mind, the way this mayor and council have operated since its inception, burnout and fatigue will start to set in.

I think it’s critical to recognize that despite this internal strife, we have accomplished so much, in major part because of the City staff.

These public servants, led by our incredible senior management team, have risen to challenge after challenge these past several months. Their resilience is a testament to their capacity and integrity.

Their commitment to the city and all its citizens makes me so incredibly proud.

If there is one thing people take away from this column, let it be how lucky they are to have the talented and dedicated staff members serving the community, day in and day out.

Collectively, staff and council always want what’s best for Kamloops and this term is no different.

What’s unique this term is our path to Making Kamloops Shine.

The above column by Coun. Mike O’Reilly was published today (June 15, 2023) in Kamloops This Week. He can be contacted at moreilly@kamloops.ca.