Council contemplates hefty raise

by Wayne Moore - Castanet  Mar 6, 2012 / 1:41 pm

West Kelowna Councillors are in line for a hefty pay raise -- if they choose to accept it. A report before council Tuesday on council remuneration calls for 9.71 per cent increase for Mayor Doug Findlater and a 13.5 per cent salary bump for each of the six sitting councillors.  The report suggests the mayor's yearly stipend increase to $66,759 in 2012 (from $60,853 in 2011) while each councillor would receive $23,443 in 2012 (from $20,654 in 2011).  The recommendation is derived from a policy which takes the median council remuneration of six BC communities  including North Cowichan, Penticton, Campbell River, Vernon, Port Moody and Langley. A year ago, despite a recommendation for increases of 0.41 per cent for the mayor and 0.74 pert cent for councillors, council instead approved a zero per cent increase. Because council declined an increase a year ago, the recommended increase in 2012 based on the median remuneration of the six designated cities is higher because, in essence, it is a 'catch up' increase. Two years ago, Findlater attempted to turn down a $2,700 increase, however, when he learned he could not, he instead wrote a cheque to the municipality for the entire amount.
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8.5.2 Council Remuneration Pg. 81

  Don Quixote Note: Vernon Remuneration for 2011 and 2012 appears to have been calculated by adding the Base Pay and payment for Committee meetings at $137 meeting. In 2012 there was to be no increase for Council Base Pay and The Mayor declined his base rate increase. The Meeting pay that was scheduled to increase to $160 meeting was deferred until at least 2013 and remains at $137 per eligible committee meeting. Meeting pay will only be paid to those Council members who apply for it.

Actual Base Pay 2011    
Mayor: $63,466
Councillor: $20,474

Miscellaneous statutes bill introduced

VICTORIA – Bill 25, the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2012, was introduced in the legislature today by Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond. If passed, the amendments will affect the following provincial statutes:

LocalGovernment Act – Amendments support regional districts in providing open and transparent government and clarify accountability tools. The amendments will enable regional districts to directly engage with communities by allowing them to seek opinions on matters affecting their regions. They address requests from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and provide for greater harmonization between regional district and municipal rules.

Final Budget Discussions re NORD on Wednesday

Committee of the Whole

Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - 2:30pm

Download PDF (30 Kb)

1.    Financial Budget
-    2012 Financial Budget Workshop
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Don Quixote Note:
 Areas of controversy will be:

Building Inspection New Tax

Solid Waste New Tax

  The 9 participants in Building Inspections Function will decide whether they support using Taxation as a basis for building inspection for the first time. The taxation base is divided as shown on the basis of Land & Improvements.

The 11 participants in Solid Waste will decide whether they support using Taxation as a basis for Solid waste (Garbage Dumps) for the first time. The taxation base is divided as shown on the basis of Land & Improvements. 

The other ways of charging this to taxation through a parcel tax, Improvements only or Land Only may be part of the discussion in both cases. (Effects of these options shown below.

Building Inspection New Tax Options

Solid Waste New Tax Options

•  This use of Taxation for the first time on what is financed by user pay now (And effectively developer pay in the Building Inspection Function) will be an ongoing charge and the  taxation amount will be decided each year if approved.
• This use of Taxation for the first time on what is financed traditionally by user pay now will be an ongoing charge and the  taxation amount will be decided each year if approved. 
• In Vernon's case the average taxpayer (calculated by RDNO) will pay an additional $10.96 per year. In Coldstream's Case it will be $8.43. Vernon's taxpayer will for the first time have to pay a Garbage Tax. Recently Vernon raised the Garbage tax paid each quarter by residents from $24.12 to $26.59 (2.47 x 4 = $9.88 Annually)  and Quarterly recycling rates from $8.28 to $8.61 (.33 x 4 = 1.32 Annually). The Utility rates are paid by the Ratepayers who may or may not also be taxpayers. 

Don Quixote Note: I am not in favour of user pay services being financed through taxation without a thorough understanding of the implications of the change in a tax base. This is especially true in the case of utilities such as garbage, water and sewer which traditionally are financed under a user pay method. Although the tax can be removed or lowered in each and every subsequent year it is uncommon to see a tax rescinded once it is imposed as a financing method.

Be Prepared For Floods

Written by 107.5 Kiss FM Monday, 05 March 2012 17:41

  With the current snow melt and rain in the forecast,  North Okanagan residents are reminded that they are responsible for all measures required for flood protection of private property. To assist property owners who may experience flooding,  communities of the North Okanagan in conjunction with North Okanagan Emergency Management have implemented a comprehensive Sand Bag program. The locations for sand and sand bags are as follows, residents are reminded to bring their own shovels:
Armstrong - for sand and sand bags call 250.546.3023 (same number for after hours)
Coldstream - sand and sand bags located at 2 locations:

• Kalamalka Lake Rd, across from Postill Drive

• Lavington Area - School Road across from Jeffers Park
• For emergencies call Public Works at 250.550.1505 during work hours or 250.545.5304 after hours

Enderby - sand and sand bags located at Public Works yards 2309 McGowan St.  For after hours call
                   250.838.7230.
Lumby - sand and sand bags located in gravel parking lot across from Lumby Arena/Curling Rink parking lot located at 2230 Shields Ave.  For after hours please call 250.547.2160.
RDNO - Sand Bags only located outside gates at the Fire Training Centre - 300 Pottery Rd.  Call 250.550.3731 during work hours.
Spallumcheen - sand and sand bags located outside gate of Public Works yards located at 1511 Eagle Rock Rd.  For after hours please call 250.546.3013.
Vernon:
Sand and sandbags located at two locations:

• Vernon City Yards - outside main gate on Pleasant Valley Road
• Corner of Okanagan Ave. and Okanagan Landing Rd

Sand Bags available at two locations

• Work Hours - City Yards 1900 48^th Ave.
• After Hours - Vernon Fire Hall 3401 30^th St.

For more information on Flooding Preparedness and Response, please visit the Government of British Columbia's website at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/public_safety/flood/emergency.html
For Personal Preparedness for Floods and Flood Watch notifications, please visit the Provincial Emergency Program's website at http://www.pep.bc.ca/floods/index.html
To report a serious flood situation, please call the Provincial Emergency Program at 1.800.663.3456.

Vancouver’s operating budget not transparent, say councillors

By Frank Luba, The ProvinceMarch 5, 2012 1:06 PM

The civic opposition parties on Vancouver council have banded together to try get Monday night’s vote about the city operating budget deferred until they have more information.  Non-Partisan Association councillors George Affleck and Elizabeth Ball got together with Green Party councillor Adriane Carr to hold a press conference Monday morning on the steps of city hall to explain they want the vote deferred so they can get more information on the budget.  The trio maintained they have been unable to get the line-by-line, detailed information that used to be available to councillors. Consequently, they don’t believe they can really vote on a budget they haven’t examined in detail.  “It’s baffling to us,” said Ball of the lack of transparency compared to when she was previously on council from 2005 to 2008. Affleck has been frustrated in getting any answers to requests for more information. “They have said that each department has it [line-by-line budgets] but they can’t provide it to us,” he said. Carr has been in both provincial and federal budget lockups where detailed financial information is provided. She’s unhappy with the information provided at the civic level. “I was told it was probably too complicated to go through,” she said. All three councillors want to be given the opportunity to go over the budget in far more detail but those aspirations depend on a decision by the Vision Vancouver majority.

INVITATION TO TENDER

INVITATION TO TENDER City Of Vernon
Sealed Tenders marked “Tender # PW-12-23 - Asphaltic Crack Sealing Services” will be received at the office of the Purchasing Agent – Operations Yard Office, 1900 – 48th Avenue, Vernon, B.C., V1T 8Y7, up to and including 2:00 p.m., local time, March 21 (Wed), 2012 for:
A three (3) year contract to provide labour, materials and equipment required to supply and apply a "tack coat" and a mixture of asphalt binder and clean aggregate, or pre-mixed "spray patch" material, to pavement cracks and contiguous deteriorated pavement (up to 15 cm in width) and other defective areas on the pavement surface.

Attachment A - Drawings
TENDER Asphaltic Pavement Crack Sealing Services  Mar-21-2012
(Project List Page 15) Estimated annual quantity - Hot air lance and seal cracks 50,000 lineal meters Council Approved budget for 2012 - $100,000.00

Bee Safe Launched

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM  Monday, 05 March 2012 01:31

 Huguette Allen

A new program based in Lumby aims to educate the public about growing food that is safe for bees and people.  Former Green Party candidate Huguette Allen is a co-founder of 'Bee Safe' which has opened an office in the village.  Allen says genetically-modified crops and pesticides are linked to various health problems, and are threatening organic growers "There is no coexistence with those crops. If they're grown around us, what happens is they contaminate the organic or traditional crops." Allen says they're asking growers that support safe agriculture to put a 'Bee Safe' sign on their property. "We are planning workshops where we are going to teach all about seeds, about growing food, processing their food, conserving it, and how to cook with local food." She says people have to change some of their long standing practices, such as getting rid of every weed. "Many of the things that are considered weeds are really not damaging, and maybe we need to learn to live with them, because the pesticides are harming not just the air and the soil, but they're getting into our water." Allen believes the green initiative could provide a boost for Lumby's tourism, drawing visitors in. For more information, go to www.senssociety.org
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Want to learn how to start your own vegetable seedlings? Attend this  workshop by Bee SAFE on when and how to plant vegetable seeds indoor, how to care for your seedlings, and how to transplant them in your garden later.

When: Friday March 9th, 3PM to 4PM.
Where: Bee SAFE office, at 1961 Vernon Street, Lumby. Look for the Bee S.A.F.E sign.
Other times can be scheduled based on demand.

Please register by calling 778-473-3029 Monday to Friday between noon and 5PM or emailing beesafemonashees@gmail.com  Everyone is welcome. Entrance is by donation.

Final periods for old-time shinny on natural ice, climate scientists say

By PNG, Vancouver SunMarch 4, 2012
 A team of Canadian climate scientists is predicting the widespread disappearance of outdoor hockey rinks across the country in the next 50 years due to global warming — with some regions of the sport’s  spiritual birthplace likely to witness an even earlier eclipse of old-time shinny on natural ice. “The ability to skate and play hockey outdoors is a critical component of Canadian identity and culture,” three researchers from Montreal’s McGill and Concordia universities write in the latest issue of the U.K.-based scholarly journal Environmental Research Letters.(more)

Matthews said he and his fellow researchers “knew this would be an issue that would resonate with Canadians,” and called it a “fortuitous coincidence” that Prime Minister Stephen Harper is a well-known “hockey enthusiast.”  Matthews expressed hope that the grim outlook for outdoor hockey rinks might “push the Conservative government to take action” to curb Canada’s contribution to global carbon dioxide emissions, widely seen by scientists as a key driver of climate change.

West Kelowna makes Kraft Hockeyville top 15

By Kelowna Capital News - Kelowna Capital News Published: March 03, 2012 9:00 AM
Let the votin begin.  West Kelowna is one 15 communities across Canada that will compete for the title of Kraft Hockeyville, named during the first period intermission of the Vancouver-Buffalo game on Hockey Night In Canada.  Voting has begun on the first phase of the contest, which will see a winner chosen from each of the five regions.  At stake for the Kraft Hockeyville final 5 will be $100,000 in improvements to the community's local arena, chance to host an NHL exhibition game and earning the moniker of "soul of the game" for the next year.  The Pacific Region will see West Kelowna grouped with Campbell River and Osoyoos.(more)

Votes can be submitted two ways, either online at www.krafthockeyville.ca or via toll-free telephone at 1-866-533-8066.

Published: March 04, 2012 1:00 AM Morning Star:
  City budget goes before public
The date has been set for Vernon residents to speak out on the city’s proposed two per cent tax increase. On March 12, there will be a 2012 budget open house from 4:30 to 5:30 at city hall, followed by a public input session.  Coun. Bob Spiers is pleased that public input will be received before council considers three readings of the proposed budget bylaw. “It gives the idea that there are some things we can still change,” he said. It’s anticipated three readings of the bylaw will occur March 26, with the financial plan adopted April 10.

Pedestrians demand improvements

Residents in one neighbourhood fear someone will be killed while walking unless action is taken. A 118-name petition calls for the City of Vernon to build a pedestrian bridge across the creek on the south side of Okanagan Landing Road, near Myriad Road. “It’s only a matter of time before we have another serious accident,” said resident Fred Keber referring to a fatal pedestrian accident that occurred there in January. Presently to walk east into Vernon, people must jaywalk across Okanagan Landing Road before the creek and then go on to the crosswalk to get on to a walking path. Keber said concrete barriers make the road too narrow to walk beside.

Flooding causes havoc throughout Coldstream

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 03, 2012 5:03 PM

Warm temperatures have led to significant flooding in parts of Coldstream.  There are reports of snow and frost melt causing high water problems near the regional district office, on Howe Drive, on Kalamalka Road and near MClounie Road. A ditch along Kalamalka Road is raging, forcing district crews to dump a berm of gravel across Kalamalka Road at Aberdeen Road. Gravel has also been dumped along some driveways to prevent water from reaching homes. Traffic has been disrupted on Kalamalka Road because of the closure at Aberdeen Road.

 

Water issues -- Presentations by Dr Hans Schrier.

Water issues -- Presentations by Dr Hans Schrier.

Professor Dr Hans Schrier kindly made his presentations available for viewing by the general public. If you are interested in the presentations they can be found at the following websites:

The Urban water Challenge

Agriculture: Water Use and Water Quality

Budget Surprize Mar 29

Budget March 29, 2012

Okanagan braces for squirrel invasion - Fruit and grape crops could be under threat, experts say

CBC News Posted:Mar 2, 2012 9:30 PM PT
 It might be a cute and fuzzy creature, but the grey squirrel is actually considered by some to be a serious invasive threat.  We see them everywhere in B.C.’s Lower Mainland — as they also come in black — but the squirrels have recently made their way to the Okanagan and conservationists there are sounding the alarm.  “They're notorious around the world for getting established in new locations and spreading,” said wildlife biologist Karl Larsen. As the CBC’s Leia Hutchings reports, there are concerns that the critters are making their way into the region’s grape-growing area.

Website launched for independent justice system review

2012JAG0007-000223 March 2, 2012

Ministry of Justice

  

VICTORIA – In his role as chair of B.C.’s Justice Reform Initiative, Geoffrey Cowper, QC, has launched a new website to initiate conversation and generate ideas about how B.C.’s justice system can be made more efficient, transparent and accessible for all British Columbians.

The British Columbia Justice Reform Initiative website – www.bcjusticereform.ca – provides a forum for the public and stakeholders to provide their input. It invites constructive dialogue on the challenges facing – and potential solutions for – B.C.’s justice system through the use of an interactive blog and social media updates, as well as regular surveys seeking public feedback.

Employment Opportunities

PAID-ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS
Closing Date:          March 12, 2012 at noon
Vernon Fire Rescue Services
Paid-on-Call Firefighter Application Package

City releases details on land sale

By Simone Blais - Penticton Western News Published: March 01, 2012 10:00 PM

Penticton could be issuing a call for buyers as early as the end of March to sell city-owned Eckhardt Avenue lands through a public RFP process, as one way of resolving the failed hockey dorm project. In an exclusive interview with the Western News Thursday, Penticton Mayor Dan Ashton, chief administrative officer Annette Antoniak and development services director Anthony Haddad gave a step-by-step accounting of what transpired leading up to the sale of the city lands on Eckhardt Avenue, the construction process, how the city found out things were going sideways and what was next for the site. Although land sales typically fall under in-camera subject matter, they said the city was releasing the information after hearing many from the community ask for details. “We also feel we have a responsibility to disclose the information. It’s a bit of a difficult one because some of the legalities around it, but we feel it’s important to provide our residents with the facts,” Antoniak said. “That’s really important. These are the facts. There’s lots of rumours and innuendo flying around out there. These are the facts,” Ashton said, adding an open letter to residents and chronology of events will be on the city’s website. (more)

Positive audit anticipated in Armstrong

By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 02, 2012 1:00 AM

Financially speaking, the City of Armstrong is a sound corporation.  Chief financial officer Terry Martens presented Armstrong’s finance and administration committee with the 2011 financial results.“Our audit is winding down and we anticipate a clean bill of health,” said Coun. John Trainor, chairperson of the finance committee. The city’s general, water and sewer funds will all carry surpluses into 2012. There was a $155,000 surplus in the general fund with revenues in 2011 on target. Expenses were at 93.1 per cent of the budget.  Not counting grants and transfers from reserves, water revenue was on course, and a surplus of slightly more than $42,000 was obtained. Sewer revenue was on target at just shy of 96 per cent, but expenses were under budget. A surplus of more than $181,000 will be carried forward to this year. In his report to council, Martens explained the city has three statutory reserve funds that all saw activity in 2011. The municipal reserve balance increased from $2.7 million at the beginning of the year to $3.6 million. “This reserve is broken down into 11 different sub-reserves, each for a specific purpose,” wrote Martens. The capital reserve increased from $1,092,876 to $1,127,521. It decreased by just more than a $1 million on Jan. 3, 2012 to fund the completed Heaton Place real estate deal. The special reserve increased from $391,000 to $396,000, thanks to interest. “These are very good results from what could have been a difficult 2011,” said Trainor.arm

City of Vernon committee raises concerns over staff workload

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 02, 2012 1:00 AM
Vernon’s committee structure has grown and that has some politicians demanding changes. The city will form a committee to examine the concerns of people with mobility issues. “We have 38 committees already. Can we combine some of these committees?” said Coun. Catherine Lord. “The more committees you have, the more time people spend at them and the less that gets done.” Lord believes too many committees are open-ended in terms of how often they meet, and she would like a specific time span for them to conclude their mandate. “I’d like to see less committees because it costs a lot in staff time.” Mayor Rob Sawatzky admits the city’s desire to be responsive to residents creates challenges in terms of workload. “We want to be engaged with the public but there’s only seven of us,” he said of council members. “There will be more requests for committees and we need to look at it.” Coun. Juliette Cunningham suggests not all committees need to gather once a month. “If you look at the frequency of meetings, it may take some of the pressure off,” she said. The accessibility committee is being created after Independent Living Vernon expressed concerns that residents with mobility issues have difficulties accessing some buildings, transit and gas stations. “This is a fundamental issue,” said Cunningham. “They need to be heard and right now they don’t feel they are being heard.”

Coldstream seeks fair representation at RDNO

By Jennnifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 02, 2012 1:00 AM

Coldstream wants to amp up its voice when it comes to regional decision-making.  Considering recent census figures that saw its population increase 8.9 per cent, Coldstream says it deserves a second seat at the Regional District of North Okanagan table.  “Our population is under represented,” said Coun. Maria Besso, who hopes to make her proposal at the March 21 RDNO board meeting. Coldstream’s population rose from 9,471 in 2006 to 10,314 in 2011. That population is represented by one director at the RDNO board, but Besso says it’s time for two. “I don’t think anybody would disagree,” said Coun. Doug Dirk. Vernon currently has three directors at RDNO, but having also experienced a population surge, the city is gaining an extra director. Since the current voting structure does not allow a second seat for Coldstream, Besso proposes a fairer system. Currently, each region is granted one vote per 2,500 in population, but it takes an accumulation of five votes to gain a director at RDNO. If the structure were changed to one vote for every 2,000 Coldstream would gain an extra seat at the table (all other representations would remain as is). “We would still be respecting representation by population, and achieving a representation that would be more balanced,” said Besso. “So this proposal would make the RDNO representation slightly more democratic...in my view.” Meanwhile, Coldstream is pleased with other regional progress being made, specifically with the parks review. Representatives met last week to try and resolve some of the conflicts and concerns regarding the structure of the parks service. “The intent seemed to be to move along to keep the bylaw we have in place and make improvements to it,” said Coldstream Mayor Jim Garlick, adding that discussions were amiable. “What we have to do is move forward.” Coun. Peter McClean was also pleased with the progress. “There seems to be a willingness on all parties. I thought it was a positive first step. “I think by not throwing everything away and building on what we’ve got is a good idea.”