25th Street or Abbey Road?

By Castanet Staff - Oct 25, 2016 / 1:00 pm 

Mayor Akbal Mund and some local school kids had some fun this week posing in a Beatles-themed Abbey Road zebra crossing photo. However this was 25th Street in Vernon – and the photo marked International Walk to School Month (iWalk) in October and the completion of a new sidewalk along the well-used school route. The 25th Street sidewalk project began in early May, in response to resident concerns about traffic. The road is a major pedestrian and cycling corridor used by residents and students of Beairsto School, W.L. Seaton Secondary, and Harwood and Silver Star elementary schools.

The overall cost was approximately $634,000, and included:

http://www.1075kiss.com/top-news-stories/2016/10/25/safer-route-for-students

1,370 metres of new sidewalk from 45 Avenue to Pleasant Valley Road
a new pedestrian-activated flashing crosswalk at 43rd Avenue and 25 Street
two new crosswalks at 40 and 41 Avenues
bike route 'Share the Road' signage
pavement markings on 25 Street from Pleasant Valley Road to 45 Avenue, and on 45 Ave from 25 Street to 20 Street
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https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/financial/annual_reports/adopted_2016-2020_financial_plan.pdf P.439

Bid Results City of Vernon

BID RESULTS Excerpts Below:

Tourism MRDT Update

https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/meetings/agendas/160518_tac_agenda.pdf
THAT the Tourism Advisory Committee recommends that Council proceed with implementation of an additional 1% increase to the Municipal Regional District Tax.

A history of 2% MRDT Collected


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https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/adopted_2016-2020_financial_plan.pdf  P.86

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The difference between the $616,621 shown as MRDT revenue for 2015 and the actual budget figure shown in 2016 budget is that the $557,817 shown is only for the Jan to Oct 31 period. The last 2 months of Nov & Dec. if added would bring the actual figure to $616,521.

Downtown Detours

Posted on 4/19/2016 5:27 PM by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM

Several blocks of downtown Vernon

Link

will be torn up and closed to through traffic in a three month project starting Wednesday. Crews from Pyramid Excavation will be working on 32nd Avenue, from 27th to 29th Streets near Beairsto School. Businesses in the construction area will be accessible during the work, and vehicles will be able to use 35th Avenue to get in and out, including drop-off and pickup of students. The contractor will also provide access from 28th Street across 32nd Avenue from 7 to 9 each morning, and from 2 to 4 in the afternoons, on weekdays. The city says the project should be complete by the end of June.

Coldstream helps keep library open

by Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star posted Apr 17, 2016 at 1:00 AM
Residents will continue to have an opportunity to pick up a good book on Sundays. The Okanagan Regional Library Vernon branch continues to be supported by local funds to keep the doors open for four hours on Sundays October through April. “The problem is our readership is so high for this area,” said Coldstream. Coun. Gyula Kiss, also an ORL board member. “But they don’t get enough money for this area.” As a result, the region pitches in $21,420 to keep it open on Sundays, which is a popular day for families and working individuals to visit the library. For 2016, Vernon contributes $12,732, Coldstream will pitch in $3,255 and the electoral areas provide $5,417. But considering the request for funds is becoming an annual occurrence, Coldstream is asking the ORL if it can incorporate the request into its annual budget. “If it comes year after year for the same thing, just incorporate it into your annual operating,” said Coun. Peter McClean.

Road project gets go ahead

by Kate Bouey - CASTANET Apr 15, 2016 / 11:05 am
Vernon city council has given the go ahead to a major downtown road project that has caused friction with a business now in its busy season. Work on 32nd Avenue between 27th and 29th streets will begin next Monday, following a week of delay as city staff worked on how to accommodate Briteland, a garden retail and landscape company. Construction is expected to last two months. The company was only informed last week that the project was moving ahead immediately. In a special meeting on the topic Friday, council voted 5-1 to move forward with only Coun. Scott Anderson voting against. Coun. Catherine Lord was away. Anderson said there could be a significant impact on the 28th Street business, with construction driving away customers. “Where there is disruption, customers try to take the path of least resistance.” “I'm concerned about the message this is sending (to the wider business community),” Anderson said. “We're sending a message that we really don't care.” Coun. Brian Quiring also stated his concerns despite his yes vote, pointing to traffic congestion in the area during construction, especially as School District 22 uses Beairsto School as a major school bus transit point. “It is going to be very, very busy in there with parents dropping off kids, buses, etc.,” said Quiring. He called for extra measures to help with traffic circulation during hours when traffic would be able to cross 32nd Avenue to 28th Street, to aid school buses and delivery trucks. Those hours are expected to be between 7-9 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. during the work week.

In a report to council, city staff said delay of the construction project until July could add another $100,000 to the cost of the project. As it is, the one week delay may cost an additional $26,717 according to the contractor, although Mayor Akbal Mund said council did not agree with that figure. He said council is seeking legal advice. The total cost of the project is expected to be $473,900, not including GST. Staff has promised to be more proactive in ensuring businesses are made aware of construction projects well in advance so there can be more time for public feedback. They are also working with the impacted businesses to help with delivery access during construction. Briteland owner Dave Weatherill was unavailable for comment, however, in an interview earlier this week, he expressed his distress over the lack of communication and worry that customers and delivery trucks would not be able to access his business.
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Also see: http://www.1075kiss.com/top-news-stories/2016/04/15/road-project-proceeds
and  http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/375870841.html
and http://infotel.ca/newsitem/city-of-vernon-moving-ahead-with-road-project-despite-local-business-concerns/it29667

Lack of public consultation for Vernon road project could cost the city

By Charlotte Helston INFONEWS.CA April 11, 2016 - 4:30 PM

https://www.vernon.ca/business/bid-opportunities/bid-results

VERNON - Vernon council might swallow a $100,000 loss after concerns have arisen about a business not being notified of a road construction project until mere days before the work was set to start. Council voted to put the brakes on a road and utility construction project on 32 Avenue from 27 Street to 29 Street during a meeting today, April 11 — the same day the work was supposed to get underway. Local businesses were invited to an open house about the project last year, but the original start date was delayed, Coun. Brian Quiring says. The project was rescheduled to begin this week, but that came as a surprise to affected business owners. “It appears that letters went out just days before the construction was going to start,” Quiring says. “I don’t think they were really fairly notified, and I just think it’s one of those cases where we have to do the right thing and lessen the impact.” Delaying the work could mean a hit of as much as $100,000, infrastructure engineer Mark Dowhaniuk told council. Staff will review the full financial and legal implications of delaying the project and report back to council at a special meeting this Friday, April 15. At that point, council will decide whether to delay the project until July or continue as planned. Delaying the start date until mid-July would reduce the impact on the business, which is busiest over the next couple of months, and minimize traffic impacts on Beairsto School, which by that time would be closed for the summer, Quiring says. In addition to delaying the project, Coun. Scott Anderson wants to know what will be done to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again. “The open house was held on Friday, the project set to start on Monday. It’s not optimal,” Anderson says. Dowhaniuk says an improvement would be sending a letter to every affected property as soon as budget approval is granted, informing them construction will be happening at some point in the future and to expect more details. While it would mean taking a financial hit, Anderson says it’s important to delay the project and show support for local businesses. “I think the message it sends is very negative if we don’t support this one business — and it’s not just one business,” Anderson says.

City of Vernon website earns top recognition

by Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star posted Jan 30, 2016 at 7:00 AM

https://enter.avaawards.com/entry/city-of-vernon-website/

The City of Vernon's new website, developed by Upandup Studios, has received the AVA Digital Gold Award. The new site includes enhanced features such as interactive maps, image gallery and improved search functions. Users can also subscribe to receive city updates including notice of upcoming meetings, career opportunities and news releases. "We are proud to see this recognition of the city's efforts to better communicate with our residents, businesses and visitors," said Tanya Laing Gahr, communications officer for the city. "Our goal was to create a site that was attractive, user-friendly and informative, as well as one that reflects this fantastic community. This award is an indication that the industry believes we are moving in the right direction." AVA Digital Awards is an international competition that recognizes outstanding work by creative professionals involved in the concept, direction, design and production of media that is part of the evolution of digital communication. AVA Digital Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.

Vernon Council Formally Approves Budget

Posted on 1/11/2016 KISSFM
Vernon Council has formally approved its 2016 budget. Council unanimously passed it this afternoon. Mayor Akbal Mund says staff did a good job crunching numbers and councillors were effective in going through the package. Infrastructure and road improvements are high priorities that will benefit from the overall 3.4 per cent tax increase this year.

Council also approved Councillor Bob Spier's motion to return the city's portion of the regional hospital account surplus to taxpayers. That's 232 thousand 500 dollars. It won't lower the overall tax hike, but will be reflected on individual tax bills later this year.
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Actual Resolution passed unanimously:
THAT Council directs Administration to apply Vernon’s share ($232,734.64) of proceeds arising through dissolution of the North Okanagan Regional Hospital District to the 2016 tax requisition for the North Okanagan/Columbia Shuswap  Regional Hospital District, effectively returning the proceeds ($232,734.64) in their entirety to the current property taxpayer by reducing the 2016 tax requisition payable;
AND FURTHER, that Council direct the Administration to note the return of the proceeds to the property taxpayer on
the 2016 tax notice or supplementary information included with the 2016 tax notice. (

RCMP ranks waiting for new officers

by Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star posted Jan 6, 2016 at 1:00 AM
Two new officers have been approved for the Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP detachment. Excellent news, indeed, for newly appointed detachment commander, Insp. Jim McNamara. When the bodies will get here, however, remains to be determined. “I can’t give you a timeline when we’ll have the two bodies in place,” said McNamara. “We have more than 50 bodies on-site now. My goal and commitment to the city is to get the new boots on the ground as soon as we can.” The two new officers will make a difference but McNamara vows his detachment will be providing the same top level of service as in the past. A community stakeholders meeting is held every March with RCMP to determine the detachment’s top priorities for the year. There was no change in 2015 with road safety, crime reduction and communications remaining as the top three priorities. “Everything is just as important as the other and sometimes we have to change our focus on the priorities throughout the year, based on what’s happening,” said McNamara, citing 2014’s rash of unsolved arsons as an example. A lot of resources and time went into those investigations. “We had to change our focus from other crime reduction activities,” he said. Downtown Vernon remains a detachment focus for McNamara, who arrived in Vernon in 2010 as the operations officer. In October 2015, McNamara was promoted to inspector, replacing his good friend and colleague Reg Burgess, who retired. While he doesn’t expect to make drastic changes at the detachment, McNamara will be looking at the operations to make sure the detachment is being as effective and efficient as can be. “I like to think of myself as an inclusive leader,” he said when asked about his leadership style. “I work closely with the senior management team on decisions. “I have high expectations of my members in terms of the work they do. I will make sure we are providing service to the community, and I like to think all of our members are doing the best they can to provide that service.” Originally from Edmonton, McNamara got his first taste of RCMP while studying sociology at the University of Alberta. McNamara, who graduated with a bachelor of arts degree, majoring in sociology and minoring in psychology, was an RCMP summer student in 1982 in Evansburg, a town of 1,200 an hour west of Edmonton. “I did general duties, rode around with regular members and it was a great experience,” he said. I”ve always said it’s probably been the best four months of my RCMP career. It certainly influenced me joining the force (which he did in 1985).”

Hefty Kelowna property tax increase resting on contract obligations, mayor says

December 12, 2015 - 6:30 PM By John McDonald INFO-TEL.CA
KELOWNA - Mayor Colin Basran would love to pare down the 4.11 per cent tax property tax increase council is considering but says they don’t have much room to move. Basran says the combined costs of recent union contracts with city workers and firefighters, plus initial borrowing cots for the new police station, all contractual obligations, amount to 3.5 per cent. “That leaves us 0.6 per cent for infrastructure and operations and if we want to increase services. I hate to say it but where are we going to cut.” Taxation revenue will make up 38 per cent of next year’s budget of approximately $350 million. Basran’s first budget as mayor last year was similarly dominated by the police services building and the hiring of six new officers, the last of 21 hired since 2013 to help lower caseloads in Kelowna, which were amongst the highest in the province. At the time, Basran characterized a 3.5 per cent tax increase as “bare bones” because of the built-in contractual costs, which left just 1.7 per cent for new spending. “Well this is double bare bones,” he says. The city signed a seven-year union contract in June with Kelowna firefighters providing for annual increases of 2.5 per cent. Kelowna council will go over the budget line by line at a day-long meeting at city hall on Dec. 17. That’s when councillors would typically try to pare down the budget where possible, even if by a couple of points. Basran confirms council also has the option of adding items and going above the recommended tax increase although its not often done. “We can do that but I that’s unlikely to happen,” Basran says. Basran says the city is looking at ways to boost revenue such as subletting dark fibre capacity to tech companies or advertising sponsorships at city facilities. The mayor says the budget increases will likely level off after next year once these new costs have been absorbed into the budget. Basran says he would rather see a smaller increase but is still happy with Kelowna’s place in the bottom third of property tax rates for bigger B.C. communities.

Vernon reins in tax hike

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Dec 6, 2015 at 1:00 AM
Public safety and reducing vandalism have been added to the City of Vernon’s 2015 budget but taxes are lower than first expected. After three days of discussions, Vernon council agreed Friday morning to increase 2016 taxes by 3.4 per cent, down from the earlier projected 3.7 per cent. “It shows good fiscal restraint managing taxpayers’ dollars,” said Mayor Akbal Mund. Some additional expenditures were approved Friday, including $16,800 for Polson Park security. “Private security will patrol the park between midnight and 6 a.m. from May 1 to Sept. 30,” said Shirley Koenig, director of operation services. There will also be $30,000 spent to replace security cameras in the parkade. However, some concerns came from Coun. Dalvir Nahal. “Is it going to be useful if no one is using it (parkade)? Wouldn’t a security guard make more sense?” she said. However, staff and some council members pointed out that costs related to a guard can be expensive and cameras are effective at all hours. “Bylaw staff monitor the cameras and they are constantly on,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham. It was originally proposed that the $30,000 for parkade cameras would come from taxes but an $11,000 grant will go towards that project. As a result, the $11,000 saved in taxes will possibly go towards setting up security cameras downtown. “With the vandalism we’ve had, we need to do something like that,” said Coun. Catherine Lord of almost 100 parking meters being damaged. The budget’s overall 3.4 per cent tax increase consists of 1.5 per cent for operations and 1.9 per cent for infrastructure. “I’m pretty pleased because we maintain services and we’re adding two new police officers. It’s a good balanced budget,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham. Budget bylaws will be before council for consideration Dec. 14.

Capital projects get green light

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Dec 6, 2015 at 1:00 AM
An overhaul of Vernon’s infrastructure is moving ahead next year. On Thursday, council approved the budget for the 2016 capital plan, which includes 28 projects. “The projects contained in the 2016 capital project list continue to strategically replace city assets as guided by the sustainable infrastructure investment plan and the integrated transportation framework,” states a staff report. Among the work is an upgrade to the final section of Pleasant Valley Road, this time from 32nd to 36th avenue. It will include sidewalks, underground services and new pavement. On 30th Street, from Highway 6 to 30th Avenue, the plan is for two vehicle lanes, a multi-use path and sidewalks, while the road surface and underground pipes will be redone on 28th and 29th avenues downtown. “The utilities are past their prime,” said Mark Dowhaniuk, infrastructure engineer. Other initiatives call for crack sealing along roads, inspection of sewer trunk mains to ensure their integrity and reconstruction of the railway crossing at 41st Avenue. Roofs will also be replaced at the downtown fire hall, the Okanagan Landing fire hall and the RCMP detachment. “This will help realize the true life of those buildings,” said Dowhaniuk. The crosswalk on Alexis Park Drive will be upgraded while concrete pads will be installed at transit stops for benches to sit on. Also in 2016, the city will continue with improving access points along Okanagan Lake, with the primary focus being on Beachcomber Bay Road. “We’re looking at some fencing and basic facilities at that site,” said Dowhaniuk. Sewer could be extended to Cameo Drive at a cost of $2.4 million, but there is no guarantee the project will proceed. “Several residents are interested but it’s 100 per cent dependent on a successful local vote. Residents there would pay for the service,” said Dowhaniuk. The 2016 capital budget also calls for $50,000 to be invested in benches, picnic tables and trees throughout the community and $15,000 to improve the trails in Becker Park. “We’re looking at providing a more gentle grade,” said Dowhaniuk of the trails. A replacement playground at Heritage Park in the Bella Vista area could cost $90,000 while $25,000 would be spent on a trail that connects Whitecourt Place, Foothills Place and Copper Mountain Court in the Foothills subdivision. As part of the transition from the regional district to the city operating most parks, $30,000 will be spent on signage in five parks. “This will let you know you’ve entered a city park,” said Dowhaniuk. The 2016 capital plan originally called for sidewalk to be installed on 25th Street from 35th Avenue to Pleasant Valley Road, but council has decided to do all of 25th Street from 30th Avenue to 46th Avenue. The total price tag for the project is $853,000. “We have the money available in the gas tax reserve so it makes sense to extend the size of the project to get more competitive bids and get a bigger bang for our buck,” said Coun. Bob Spiers. “There is also a safety factor for citizens accessing schools, etc. along the route. It makes sense to accelerate and complete the project rather than spread it over three more years.”

Tax hike proposed for budget; Parcel tax could kickstart Transportation For Tomorrow

by Kevin Parnell - Lake Country Calendar posted Nov 27, 2015 at 10:00 AM— updated Nov 27, 2015 at 11:07 AM
The District of Lake Country will be asked to pick one of four options to fund the 20-year, $30-million Transportation for Tomorrow Plan at a special budget meeting on Tuesday. District staff is recommending a proposal that would levy a $100 parcel tax in 2016 following by a series of tax increases over three years beginning in 2017, to raise the $30 million dollars necessary to deal with its 200 kilometres of roads, many of which are aging and in need of repair.The parcel tax would collect around $500,000 for the first year of the Transportation for Tomorrow Plan. "This would give us an opportunity to begin the program with some confidence that targeted projects be executed and completed in accordance with the programs identified in the Transportation for Tomorrow Plan," wrote Lake Country chief administrative officer Alberto De Feo in a report to council. Along with the one-time parcel tax to begin implementing the plan, the recommendation calls for subsequent tax hikes in 2017, 2018 and 2019 at a rate of approximately 2.27 to 2.32 per cent. On top of that council will also meet on its regular 2016 budget on Tuesday which at this time is proposing a 2.85 per cent tax increase next year.The Transportation For Tomorrow funding strategy is separate from the budget discussions.(more)

Cops and cameras

Kate Bouey - CASTANET Nov 9, 2015 / 10:45 am
Public safety and security are top priorities for Vernon heading into 2016, according to Will Pearce, the city's chief administration officer. Council was presented with the proposed 2016 budget on Monday. Pearce said two service improvement programs next year would focus on public safety. One program would see nighttime police patrols in Polson Park. This follows the August murder of Jason Hardy, who's body was found near the lawn bowling clubhouse on Aug. 26. Three people have been charged with second degree murder. The second would see an increase in surveillance cameras in certain areas, including the parkade and the transit station. Council is being asked to okay early funding for two additional RCMP officers, ahead of 2016 budget approval. Pearce said this would allow for two full-time officers to be hired in January. “It is not inexpensive,” Pearce said, calling it the “biggest single change” in the proposed budget. Pearce told councillors the approximately $330,000 cost could add a full percentage point to the tax rate and suggested paying for the positions through non market funded growth and reserves. In October, North Okanagan RCMP Superintendent Jim McNamara said the detachment has carried on doing 50 jobs with funding for 48 bodies since 2013. “It's just not going to be sustainable anymore with rising police costs,” McNamara said. The proposed 2016 budget calls for a increase in property taxes “not to exceed 1.8 per cent,” said finance manager Kevin Bertles. He said it works out to an increase of $555,470 in the city's operating budget. Bertles said provisions for salary increases of 1.5 per cent for CUPE staff and 2.5 per cent for fire fighters had been built into next year's budget.
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Proposed 2016 - 2020 Financial Plan - PDF -

Library board approves budget increase

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Oct 23, 2015 at 1:00 AM
Okanagan Regional Library’s 2016 financial process is wrapped up. Directors met Wednesday and agreed to a 1.98 per cent increase in the budget. “We are now including replacement of equipment and furniture in the capital budget,” said director Catherine Lord. “For operations, this will be a big improvement.” Individual communities will continue to be responsible for purchasing new furniture for their branches, but any existing items that need to be replaced will be covered by ORL’s collective tax base. “It creates an easier process to get equipment and not keep bothering everybody,” said director Mike Macnabb. One of the challenges has been the inability of electoral areas to individually fund furniture through regional districts for ORL’s 29 individual branches. The 1.98 per cent budget increase is largely a result of inflationary pressures, including wages and higher rent for branch sites, utility costs and book purchases.
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Vernon Library Furnishings Reserve Balance Jan. 2015  $88,086  (p.57)

Disagreement over use of Vernon dog park has council at end of leash

September 30, 2015 - 9:00 PM By Charlotte Helston INFOTEL.CA
VERNON - City officials continue to spar over the use of a green space near Marshall Fields as an off-leash dog park. Residents have been using the area, which runs alongside Marshall Fields by the Lakers Clubhouse, to let their dogs run off leash for years, but now the City of Vernon is now tightening up the rules, and that doesn’t sit well with Coun. Scott Anderson.“What I’m concerned about is the people who have walked their dogs there for eons, because dogs need to be off leash,” Anderson says. “This is one of the nicest dog parks we’ve got here.”Greater Vernon has five designated fenced off-leash dog parks in addition to a number of other on-leash only parks, including Marshall Fields. City staff told council allowing off leash dogs at the site threatens the spadefoot toad that inhabits the creek, but Anderson insists that argument is moot because of possible airport expansion plans to reroute the creek or pave over it.“Clearly that is going to affect the frogs much more than anything any dog could ever do, even hoards of dogs,” Anderson says.He’s heard somewhere in the neighbourhood of 200 people use the area to let their dogs off leash and expects an uproar if the city starts enforcing on-leash restrictions.“I’ve got a whole whack of people who are ramping up to be quite vociferous about this,” Anderson says.Anderson opposed a new Parks Master Plan at a public meeting Sept. 28 on the basis that it calls for the area to be on-leash only — a move that left at least one fellow councillor visibly frustrated. Coun. Juliette Cunningham felt the issue shouldn’t ‘unravel the parks plan’ but rather be dealt with separately by the city and regional district. She pointed out the topic was debated at length during council’s last meeting.“I’m not going to sit here for another hour and discuss dogs (going) off leash, that’s what we did last time. I’m not going to do that this time,” she said.

Coun. Bob Spiers also opposed the Parks Master Plan, but for a different reason; the one per cent tax it calls for over the next ten years for park improvements.“The Parks Master Plan has merit but I still want to see the financial implication,” Spiers said.The plan was ultimately accepted, with Spiers and Anderson the only councillors who voted against it.
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Don Quixote Note:
My Concern is that the revised estimated shortfall on this 13.1 million 10 year plan is stated to be $3.9 million. The shortfall is determined to be only 3.9 million after allowing for items such as outside contribution of $1.1 million, $1 million from parkland dedication and $7.1 million from DCC's. While this is a shortfall that is better than the $5.4 million shown to the public in the original DRAFT plan  this will only be the actual shortfall if DCC funds can be used beyond the $3.2 million for property acquisition. If only property acquisition can be funded from DCC's then there is an additional $3.9 million shortfall.  (Total $7.8 million)

The projected taxes required could go from an estimated 1.2% to 2.4%. (Each year for 10 years).

The final estimates should be incorporated in the Master Parks Plan (P.92-231) before placing it into the OCP (After a public hearing)
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Difference between Total $$$ figures is rounding

http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/intergov_relations/library/DCC_Best_Practice_Guide_2005.pdf   (p.42 & 43)

Parkland Acquisition and Improvement Projects While section 933 (2) (b) of the Local Government Act generally mentions “providing” and “improving” parkland, sections 935 (3) (b) and 936 provide some clarification to the conditions that make parkland acquisition and improvements eligible for a parkland DCC program. Regarding parkland acquisition, the land must have: • a location and character acceptable to local government; and, • a market value that is at least equal to the amount of the charge (section 936 (2)). Regarding parkland improvements, works are limited to: • fencing; • landscaping; • drainage and irrigation; • trails; • restrooms; • changing rooms; • playground equipment; and, • playing field equipment (section 935 (3) (b) (ii)).

When compiling a parkland acquisition DCC program, DCCs should not be used to make up past deficiencies in parkland. For example, DCC funds should not be used to acquire parkland in an older area of the municipality which is not experiencing new development. In the case where a parkland deficiency exists, parkland acquisition funding must come from general revenue or means other than DCCs.

City surveys market's future

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Sep 30, 2015 at 1:00 AM
The City of Vernon wants to know, once and for all, if a public market has broad-based appeal. Council instructed staff Monday to proceed with a survey of affected 30th Avenue business owners to determine support for the Avenue Market organized by the Downtown Vernon Association. I want this survey to cover all of the bases and to be objective,” said Coun. Catherine Lord. The city will conduct the survey and merchants can respond anonymously. “There will be no names attached to the survey,” said Lord. While a number of businesses have come out in support of the market, which runs Friday nights, others have indicated that it has negatively impacted parking and revenue. Businesses will be asked if they participate in the market, do they want the market to continue in 2016 and if they believe the market has been good for downtown. However, two other questions have been added after prompting from Lord. “There should be a question about whether you would support a market on Saturday,” said Lord, adding that merchants should be asked for specifics on any benefits or costs they have seen due to the market. As part of the survey, businesses at street level on 30th Avenue, from 30th to 33rd streets, would be given one type of code for tracking. Businesses above and below street level on those blocks would be given another code and businesses on each adjacent block would be presented with a third code. “This would allow the results to be analyzed separately and together,” said Cleo Corbett, long range planner. Coun. Juliette Cunningham hopes the survey will end the ongoing debate over the market.“We are putting a fair amount of effort into this. I don’t want this to be, ‘he said, she said.’ I want everyone to freely give their opinion,” said Cunningham, who owns a business in the affected blocks.
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For original report and 2 page survey:
http://www.vernon.ca/images/uploads/council/agendas/packages/150928_reg.pdf (P.34)

Opposition to parks plan

by Darren Handschuh CASTANET Sep 28, 2015 / 5:08 pm
Vernon city councillors Bob Spiers and Scott Anderson did not endorse the city's master park plan, Monday – but they did so for different reasons. Spiers didn't like the one per cent annual tax over 10 years worked into the plan. “There is language in there that concerns me,” said Spiers. “Once you put something in the master plan, it could come back to haunt you.” Anderson, meanwhile, was standing up for dog owners who want an area near Marshall Fields left as an off-leash dog park. The plan calls for the entire Okanagan Landing park to be on-leash only. The matter was discussed at length at council's last meeting, with city officials told there is concern dogs running up and down the banks of Vernon Creek could erode frog habitat. But, Anderson said, the airport expansion plan will have a much greater impact on the amphibians. He said opponents' argument doesn't hold water. He said he is more concerned for the dog owners, adding “there is a great deal of support” for the off-leash park and he has yet to speak with anyone against it. Coun. Juliette Cunningham said “one email won't unravel the parks plan,” referring to people wanting an off-leash park. “I received emails from people congratulating us on our plans. We can talk with our partners and look at the on-leash off-leash issue,” said Cunningham, who chairs the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee. But Anderson fired back, saying the matter has “nothing to do with GVAC, because the park is city property.” In the end, council agreed to accept the master park plan as is.

Vernon airport plan draws public feedback

Question of the Day:Vernon Morning Star
Should the City of Vernon continue to operate an airport?

Results at 6:30 PM SUN FINAL.

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Sep 23, 2015 at 1:00 AM
Opinions about the future of Vernon’s airport range from a smooth approach to turbulence. About 60 people attended an open house on the city’s draft 20-year master airport plan. “Some would like to see development and some are concerned a runway extension will increase noise,” said Roy Nuriel, planning assistant. Each of the plan’s four options provides a different level of development, including airfield enhancements within the current airport site (hangars, helipad, terminal upgrade, apron and taxiway), a runway extension to 1,220 metres towards Okanagan Lake and optional eastward expansion of the airport. Option one with some facility enhancements but no runway extension would cost about $700,000, while option three has an extension and a $9 million price tag. Surveys were filled out by those at the input session. “Sixty per cent of the surveys would like to see the big plan (extension),” said Nuriel, adding that there is 40 per cent support for development among those who are filling out the survey online.  One resident did not select any of the options. “I don’t feel there is any need for this money to be spent on the airport,” said Dave Lowry, who lives nearby.
“The small development that is being explained in option one seems to be a lot of money spent on a few buildings that will only supply housing for a very few people and aircraft. The option that requires the extension of the runway seems to be a foolish idea as we have an international airport just 25 minutes down the road.” Nuriel says all of the input is being considered. “We will analyze the results and see what we will recommend as staff to council.”Information is at www.vernon.ca/airportmasterplan.
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http://www.vernon.ca/services/airport/masterplan/docs/Vernon-Regional-Airport-Development-Alternatives-Summary.pdf