Council ratifies new agreement

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 17, 2010 12:00 PM

Social planning in Vernon will remain with a non-profit organization. The city will ink a five-year contract with the Social Planning Council to work on issues like affordable housing and homelessness. The deal calls for the agency to be paid $60,000 a year. “This relationship has worked very well for the city and its citizens,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. The contract will be reviewed after three years to ensure the needs of both groups are being met, and the agreement can be cancelled after 30 days. Opposition came from Coun. Bob Spiers, who only wanted the city to commit to three years because a civic election will be held in 2011. “Each (city) council should have the ability to look at each contract and services,” he said. But those concerns were not shared by Spiers’ colleagues. “With the three-year review, the next council could open it up and terminate it,” said Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe.

Missing from the contract is an original proposal to provide the Social Planning Council with a free office in city hall. Some politicians expressed concern that would negatively impact the Social Planning Council’s independence in dealing with other partners and seeking senior government funding. As a result, the Social Planning Council is trying to seek office space with another non-profit group. “Our board met and we don’t want the location to become the main focus,” said Annette Sharkey, executive director, of why city hall space was abandoned. “The programs are the essential part.” Sharkey has stated in the past that the Social Planning Council must raise about $20,000 a year to keep its storefront office open and it’s not necessary for her work, which is primarily out in the community.