COUNCIL HAPPY WITH LEASE WORDING

The City of Kelowna has an out, should a supportive housing project
slated to open on St. Paul Street next year prove a nuisance to the public.

On Monday councillors voted to adopt a lease agreement which the
operator must sign in order for the facility to open. That lease
includes a public nuisance clause that gives the city a way out, if
the housing complex for mentally ill and addicted residents proves a
serious problem.

"I'm quite comfortable moving forward," said Coun. Brian Given,
pointing out the city has a number of ways of ensuring the building
is run properly.

The project is a joint partnership between the city, B.C. Housing and
the Interior Health Authority to provide housing and social supports
for addicted, homeless and mentally ill residents trying to clean up
their lives.

In line with provincial and federal harm reduction best practices for
dealing with addiction, the new units do not allow controlled
substances on the premises, but it is recognized that addicts may
slip up so drugs or alcohol infractions alone will not be grounds for
eviction unless problems persist. If there were drug problems on the
site, the RCMP would have room to act, said Coun. Carol Gran.

The lease states tenants are limited to behaviours which are not
"noisy, noxious, or offensive" and do not constitute "a nuisance or
annoyance to the landlord or to any neighbouring properties."

The clause places the city in a considerable position of power,
stated Coun. Andre Blanleil, who questioned why the IHA and B.C.
Housing would agree to the stipulation.

A group of downtown business owners remain vehemently opposed to the
project. After several attempts to dissuade council from pursing this
path, the group say they are now considering legal action. "To the
best of my knowledge a letter has been sent from our lawyers to the
city to respond to certain inquiries regarding the St. Paul Street
issue," said Mel Kotler, spokesperson for the group.

"Depending on the response we get, we will then decide if we will
pursue legal action."

Kotler said their legal plans stem from a question raised by a
Capital News reporter following the April 24 decision by council to
approve the $4.5 million project.

Part of the funding for the St. Paul's project comes from the
premier's task force on homelessness, mental illness and addictions,
which is also funding the Gospel Mission move from its current Leon
Avenue location.