Committee holds closed-door meeting with council
By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Nov 05 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Vernon council was cloistered behind closed doors Friday as legal action continues to hang over its head. A two-hour meeting was held with the Committee Regarding Okanagan Landing Sewer. It was held in private under provincial legislation regarding litigation or potential litigation. The committee has suggested in past that a municipal lawyer may be hired to study the city's handling of sewer extension in the Landing and advise on a class action suit. No details of the meeting were made available. "We're still very much in discussion. We made a presentation and the issue needs more time," said Don Gibbs, with the committee. The committee is concerned that the city's extension project hasn't involved residents and includes expensive sewer grinder pumps. However, its primary focus is the belief that the city agreed to cover sewer-related expenses when Okanagan Landing was annexed into Vernon in 1993.
"It goes back to the agreement made at the time of annexation, and coming up with a solution for both the residents and the city," said Mike Nolan, who lives in the Landing but says he's not a member of the committee. Council members were pleased with the tone of discussions. "We've agreed to keep talking," said Mayor Wayne Lippert. "They came up with some ideas and we have to take them back to staff," added Coun. Jack Gilroy. But Gilroy cautions that 
the committee's suggestions may not be accepted. "We're listening to them but the decisions we make impact the whole city and not just the Landing," he said. Back in September, council voted unanimously to send information to all Landing residents who have recently had sewer extended into their area or could in the future. An offer of a public meeting was also made if there are further concerns. Gilroy says Friday's session was partly a result of that offer, but admits it wasn't public because it was in-camera. "There will be public meetings. We want to talk to all residents and not just one group," he said.
Vernon council was cloistered behind closed doors Friday as legal action continues to hang over its head. A two-hour meeting was held with the Committee Regarding Okanagan Landing Sewer. It was held in private under provincial legislation regarding litigation or potential litigation. The committee has suggested in past that a municipal lawyer may be hired to study the city's handling of sewer extension in the Landing and advise on a class action suit. No details of the meeting were made available. "We're still very much in discussion. We made a presentation and the issue needs more time," said Don Gibbs, with the committee. The committee is concerned that the city's extension project hasn't involved residents and includes expensive sewer grinder pumps. However, its primary focus is the belief that the city agreed to cover sewer-related expenses when Okanagan Landing was annexed into Vernon in 1993.
"It goes back to the agreement made at the time of annexation, and coming up with a solution for both the residents and the city," said Mike Nolan, who lives in the Landing but says he's not a member of the committee. Council members were pleased with the tone of discussions. "We've agreed to keep talking," said Mayor Wayne Lippert. "They came up with some ideas and we have to take them back to staff," added Coun. Jack Gilroy. But Gilroy cautions that 
the committee's suggestions may not be accepted. "We're listening to them but the decisions we make impact the whole city and not just the Landing," he said. Back in September, council voted unanimously to send information to all Landing residents who have recently had sewer extended into their area or could in the future. An offer of a public meeting was also made if there are further concerns. Gilroy says Friday's session was partly a result of that offer, but admits it wasn't public because it was in-camera. "There will be public meetings. We want to talk to all residents and not just one group," he said.
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