By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: June 25, 2009 6:00 PM
An arbitrator has been appointed to look into the City of Vernon’s desire to withdraw from the Greater Vernon Water Service (GVWS). Brian Wallace’s job will be to determine how Vernon’s withdrawal affects all petitioners, including Electoral areas B and C, and the District of Coldstream. “We initiated the arbitration process because we put in the withdrawal notice,” said Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert. “Ultimately, it’ll end up Vernon’s decision whether or not we accept the arbitrator’s decision. Coldstream or B and C do not have that option because they did not initiate the process.” In a two-page press release, the City of Vernon explained they first raised issues about GVWS in June 2006, and that, by November 2006, there was agreement among the participants on how to move ahead, which included devolution of water distribution.
In February, 2008, prior to giving notice to the Ministry of Community Services, the GVWS participants attempted to resolve the water utility issues that had dragged on for 18 months. At that time, according to Vernon, its city council opted for the return of responsibility for domestic water distribution to the city. The responsibility of bulk water would remain with North Okanagan Regional District. The city says all participants agreed to that structure in November 2006. “Devolution was the solution to the problem, now the solution has become the problem,” said Lippert. The press release outlined six points for the City of Vernon giving notice to withdraw from GVWS, including significant changes to the service governance and administrative structure; lack of co-ordination of capital and replacement projects between GVWS and the City of Vernon; and lack of accountability to water customers in Vernon.
The city says its users have paid in excess of $3 million each year to subsidize discount water rates in Coldstream and areas B and C. Lippert hopes going to arbitration will result in a productive outcome for Vernon residents. “I’m looking forward to getting this issue resolved, which will give us clarification of the governance structure we’ve been looking for,” he said. “By bringing water distribution back to the city, we will be able to provide a more accountable service, protect Vernon residents’ financial interests and respond much more efficiently to people’s needs.” According to Lippert, the arbitrator is under no timeline to come up with his recommendations.
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Coldstream protects its interests Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: June 25, 2009 6:00 PM
Water woes in Greater Vernon are tapping into protective measures from Coldstream.The region’s water utility is in jeopardy of being split since the City of Vernon wants to withdraw from water distribution. With that in mind, Coldstream has dug up some old paperwork and wants to ensure its needs are addressed with whatever ends up happening. Back in 2006, all partners, including Coldstream, had approved a list of Greater Vernon Water principles. Mayor Jim Garlick (who was a councillor at the time) says the council of the day may have been misguided in believing that the principles weren’t a big deal. “We were told that it didn’t really matter. “What we found out since then is it did have a lot more behind it than met the eye,” said Garlick. “They’re very vague. They don’t make sense anymore.”
Therefore Coldstream has revoked the principles and is going back to supporting the original master water plan principles. The original principles better reflect what Coldstream would like to see, including importance on supply, equal quality at the same price and competitive agricultural rates. “I certainly believe those principles are viable and certainly would be applicable today and in Coldstream’s best interest,” said Michael Stamhuis, chief administrative officer, who was actually involved in forming the original principles. The entire water arbitration process is frustrating for Coldstream, which sees Vernon as having achieved what it wanted and now it wants to change everything.“They’re saying they want to change the rules part way through the game,” said Garlick, adding that this process is also going to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees, not just for Coldstream, but for every participant.
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