Glen Morrison Tuesday, 26 October 2010 14:07107.5 KISSFM
Coldstream's mayor says our regional parks system will change, the status quo is not an option.
Jim Garlick (pictured) notes the province has ordered a change in the voting structure. There will be another seat on the board for Vernon due to population increases, which is dictated by provincial legislation, and Coldstream wants one as well. "If that is not possible, then what we're saying is, the District of Coldstream, probably what it would look like, would be a withdrawal from the service completely, and then a separate agreement where we would give a grant to the city of Vernon to run the facilities." Garlick says they'd be willing to pay for use of park facilities, but the city would run them. "We would have very little, or no control, over any of the parks function, but we're willing to pay for access to the parks." He notes there are several parks models that work including the central Okanagan where there are local parks, but a regional system as well. Vernon council has approved a special meeting to review draft terms of the parks review with Coldstream, Areas B and C, for November 9, 4:30 to 6:30PM at the Vernon Rec Centre.
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Someone, please, explain regional district voting rules to our Mayors and Councillors and decision-makers!
From the Guide to Regional District delegation to committees and commissions"
"Section 800.2 of the Local Government Act provides additional flexibility for regional districts to delegate the operation and administration of services.
In a service establishment bylaw the board can:
• establish the method for determining the number of votes to which a director is entitled for voting on resolutions and bylaws respecting the administration and operation of a service which can be different from the default weighted voting rules established under section 791 (4) (b); and
• if the administration and operation of the service is delegated to a body established by the board, provide for appointments to the body and establish voting rules for the body in relation to the service."
Vernon may receive another seat on the Board, but the service establishment bylaw for whatever the new Parks service morphs into, can specify CUSTOM voting rules.
Voting at the board (e.g. on the establishment of the service in the first place) would be done as usual, with Vernon's additional seat, but decisions about the administration and operation of the service could be made by the 4 participants.
The voting rules under the Greater Vernon model ensured that Vernon did not have veto power - i.e. Vernon needed support from either Area B or C, or Coldstream, to move forward.
Let's hope our regional reps can agree to something similarly reasonable for the new Parks service.
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