Times Chronicle Staff

The Town of Oliver has come up with a draft list of strategic priorities for 2023 and beyond.

After two brainstorming sessions in January, council bundled its priorities under three headings: short term, medium term, and long term.

Under short term, council wants to transform the downtown core into a bustling community hub via its Station Street master plan review (scheduled for Feb. 13).

It also wants to promote economic development by taking inventory of town-owned land in a review scheduled for Feb. 27. 

The third short-term item is quick capital projects such as new sidewalks.

Under medium term, council wants to improve the “walkability” of the town by reviewing the Active Transportation Plan and Traffic Calming Study.

Another priority is to address affordable housing challenges by providing incentives to support the development of affordable units. Council also wants to explore incorporating this type of housing in a future town hall. It has been trying to obtain grant funding for such a project on a town-owned lot on Main Street.

A third medium-term priority is to invest in social development by establishing a new project coordinator position to assist residents in navigating social conundrums.

Under economic development, council is working on a strategy to enhance the Oliver Airport, while continuing to support the “Grow Oliver” plan.

Council plans to build strong relationships by arranging a meeting with the Osoyoos Indian Band to discuss issues, such as Spillway Road ownership.

A meeting will also be organized with Osoyoos town council to discuss regional issues.

It also plans to engage partners in the regional aquatic centre study.

Improving governance is another priority to be tackled by adjusting council meeting schedules and adding more items to committee of the whole sessions.

Under its long-term banner, council envisions a farmer’s market/public plaza project in which the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce will conduct surveys to gauge interest from vendors.

A wine centre feasibility study is still in the works.

Another priority is to incorporate all local trails into the upcoming parks master plan.

Walk-in health clinics will also be promoted by researching other models such as the one in Peachland. In the same vein, council wants to attract more doctors to town by meeting with local physicians to discuss relocation incentives.

Under safety initiatives, council will study the options of installing surveillance cameras in town.

Exploring new tools to engage citizens and developing a public complaint policy are other priorities council will work on.

Councillor Terry Schafer said he learned a lot during the strategic planning sessions, labelling them as “extremely valuable.” In fact, he would like to see them held more regularly.

Fellow Coun. Petra Veintimilla said the priorities identified “capture our intent quite well.”