Cramped quarters have staff on the move

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - June 13, 2008

City of Vernon employees are on the move. Council approved a plan Monday that will see civic workers and RCMP officers shifted throughout four different locations because of cramped conditions. “We are trying to make the best situation for each division and the public,” said Wayne Ikesaka, information services manager, in a report to council. The initiative will see RCMP officers move from the detachment to the basement of city hall. That will displace planning and engineering staff to rental space on 30th Street (the old MacDonald Realty office) and information services and human resources employees to the corporate services building at the Coldstream Hotel property. Bylaw enforcement officers, who are currently at the corporate services building, would move to rental space on the third floor of the Telus building on Coldstream Avenue. “Bylaws will benefit by having a downtown location,” said Ikesaka.

The proximity of the MacDonald Realty building to city hall has been deemed beneficial in terms of both staff and the public. “If people come to city hall for a meeting (by mistake), it’s easy to point them there.” “It provides an efficient location,” said Leon Gous, chief administrative officer. The search for additional space arose after plans for a new civic complex were defeated in a January referendum. The city needs an additional 6,148-square-feet of space, with 3,840 of it for the RCMP. “We will move 20 police resources into city hall which will free up much-needed space in the detachment,” said Insp. Steve McVarnock. Among those that will be moved are traffic, the rural detail, the police dog unit and the DARE program. McVarnock anticipates that these conditions will be suitable for five years, but the city will eventually need a new detachment. “We have to factor in the long-term growth of the city,” he said.

Council will meet July 11 to discuss long-term space needs for the RCMP and city staff. In a related matter, the city’s lease with the Sun Valley Mall ends July 31, and as a result, the community policing office will move into the first floor of the Telus building on Coldstream Avenue. The city opted to leave the Sun Valley Mall because of increased rent. Also on Monday, council agreed to spend $20,000 to review the existing exterior of city hall and adjacent buildings. “This place does look shabby on the outside,” said Coun. Barry Beardsell. In the hopes of renovations proceeding, the city will apply to the provincial government for $250,000 for a Spirit Squares grant. The city would also have to provide $250,000.