Summerland bids farewell to CAO

by Wayne Moore CASTANET - Sep 17, 2014 / 2:38 pm
The District of Summerland is losing its top bureaucrat. The district announced Wednesday Chief Administrative Officer, Tom Day is retiring. Day has been in the position for the past two years. Over that time he has made many difficult decisions and provided staff and Council with the direction needed for a positive future. After over 30 years in local government, Day is looking forward to enjoying life and pursuing other interests. He will remain on until the end of the year and assist the new Council with orientation and budget. “Tom will be sadly missed. He has been an outstanding CAO and a tremendous asset for the District of Summerland. I can’t thank him enough," says Mayor, Janice Perrino. The current Council will start the process of finding a replacement CAO, but the decision will be left to the new Council and should take place in early 2015.

Summerland will get its new library

FRIDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2014 02:00 AARON D. MCCLELLAND Penticton Herald
SUMMERLAND - The location of Summerland's new library was announced during a Thursday afternoon press conference on the library's future site at the corner of Kelly Avenue and Main Street. The proposed 743-square-metre library will be built where Giants Head Automotive and the Summerland Art Gallery now stand. Those properties, once combined, will be 2,137 square metres, with surface parking and easy access.  Past Okanagan Regional Library chair Carol Zanon introduced the incoming chair, Catherine Lord, who was elected to her position on Wednesday. "We hope to start construction in 2014 and have completion in 2015," said Lord. "Libraries are changing, and this is an opportunity to design a library that is responsive to the community's evolving needs."Mayor Janice Perrino said they hope to break ground in August. "When I was elected, the first thing I heard was that our library was half the size it needed to be," Perrino said, going on to thank the library staff, the Friends of the Library, the ORL board and her council for making it a reality. Perrino gave special thanks to Coun. Peter Waterman, who has worked tirelessly since 2005 to find the library a new home. The cost of the library, which will sit across the street from Summerland Secondary School and the recreation centre, is estimated at $3.2 million. A spokesman for Giants Head Automotive said the municipality has not talked to him about a timeline, nor where, or even if, the repair shop could be relocated. The art gallery, next door, shares the same concerns. David Finnis of the Summerland Community Arts Council said he is working with the municipality on a plan that would see the art gallery move into the old library building on Wharton Street, but no solid plans have been made for the transition. The pottery guild that currently occupies the basement of the art gallery also will need to find a temporary home after its building is demolished. "The months ahead will be challenging as we make the move from our home of 16 years to a new interim facility," Finnis said, adding that the art gallery may find a temporary home in a vacant building on Main Street near Victoria until the old building is ready. Perrino vowed to work closely with everyone affected to ensure their needs are met during the construction phase. "Council is very supportive of this project," she said. "The new branch will enhance the downtown core and provide better library service for the citizens of Summerland."

Summerland cuts seven employees

TUESDAY, 14 JANUARY 2014 02:00 JAMES MILLER The Kelowna Daily Courier
The District of Summerland is now operating with seven fewer employees after council unanimously supported a reduction in staff. The downsizing, expected to save up to half-a-million dollars, was officially announced to the public at a committee of the whole meeting Monday morning. The affected employees learned their fate late last week. Among the reduction in services will be the immediate layoff of three CUPE staff - the public works secretary, engineering technician and a water supply technician. As well, one electrical employee, a groundman truck driver, is being laid off. One of the three laid-off CUPE members was able to move to another department due to attrition. Three vacant management positions are not being filled - the deputy fire chief, director of parks and recreation, and superintendent of works and utilities. With the seven job losses comes two newly-created positions ó a GIS/database technician and a manager of financial services. Mayor Janice Perrino said council's decision wasn't easy. "When you lay people off, you ruin their lives for months to come and you hurt people deeply," she said. "The reality check is that we have to do this to get our finances in order." Perrino said the vote of council was made in-camera and was unanimous. In a 25-minute preamble to council, chief administrative officer Tom Day noted the need for an infrastructure upgrade and the municipality's declining ability to fund it. He pointed to rising core costs without corresponding revenue increases, which directly resulted in a decrease in funds for capital operations. Day said inflation in the Okanagan is at one per cent, but the costs of energy, raw materials such as asphalt and gravel and skilled labour are all rising well above inflation. He said the district's surplus fund is low and although borrowing is an option, it creates a series of new problems. In an interview, Day and Perrino acknowledged the 2011 Helios Report, an independent study on municipal spending, gave Summerland favourable reviews on its level of staffing. "There will be some hiccups," Day said. "There will be impacts on the service levels offered, but they're impacts we can live with. I think the structure can work. This is good for the taxpayer of Summerland." Day said the savings from reduced staffing in 2015 will amount to $500,000 and slightly less in 2014. Coun. Marty Van Alphen noted, "Last week was not a good week here in Summerland. The employees who are being let go were all excellent people." Coun. Bruce Hallquist noted the restructuring was "long overdue" stating he believed Summerland began going downhill financially in 1996. Hallquist's thoughts were echoed by other councillors. "This council realized we had to make some substantial changes," Coun. Peter Waterman said. "Although it's a difficult pictures our CAO paints for us, it is a realistic one. I was very pleased with the way our CAO has grappled with the situation. He's made some very difficult decisions and changes." Darren Krell, president of CUPE Local 1136 in Summerland, declined to comment.

Summerland development ceased

By Wayne Moore - Kelowna - CASTANET Sep 24, 2013 / 2:35 pm
What was trumpeted just a year ago as an exciting new development that would help revitalize downtown Summerland has fallen by the wayside. The municipality stated Tuesday the Wharton Street multi-use development project has ceased. In a press release early Tuesday afternoon, the municipality said it had 'regrettably canceled the development contract with the proponents.' The Purchase and Sale agreement with the developers had expired and, due to unforeseen health issues of the owner, there are no plans to renew the agreement. The municipality announced in Aug, 2012, it had reached agreement for sale and development of municipal land at Wharton Street and Kelly Avenue to Kelowna businessman Dan Nonis. The development was to have included four buildings that would house commercial space on the first two floors and residential space on the upper three. The development was to have included a new museum, library and cultural space. "The district is disappointed we will not be continuing with the development due to unfortunate circumstances," says acting mayor, Marty Van Alphen. "We wish the owner a speedy recovery." Summerland council has acknowledged the library is in need of a new home and is committed to working with the Okanagan Regional Library Board to find a suitable location. The municipality will also be considering other options for the Wharton Street area over the next few months.
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Also see from 2008:  http://vernonblog.blogspot.ca/2008/01/summerland-cultural-complex-including.html  (Pictures from 2008)
Wharton Street Re Development Summerland

Lake Country pay revealed

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: June 21, 2013 1:00 AM Lake Country politicians insist they are providing taxpayers value for service.  Council wages and expenses have been released for 2012. “We’re not high at all with our remuneration,” said Mayor James Baker. “We accomplish a lot for the community but it’s not meant as a full-time job.” Last year, Baker had taxable remuneration of $26,502, non-taxable allowance of $13,251 and expenses of $5,690. Each councillor had taxable salary of $10,420 and non-taxable allowance of $5,210. Expenses were $3,155 for Lisa Cameron, $3,778 for Owen Dickie, $910 for Penny Gamble, $325 for Rob Geier, $114 for Barbara Leamont and $4,214 for Jamie McEwan. “I was registered for a sustainability conference in Windsor, Ont. and I went to the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference,” said Dickie. “I also participated in some training exercises.” In terms of his wage,  Dickie says considerable effort goes into representing residents and ensuring he understands key issues. “I’m working 20 to 30 hours a week,” he said. Details have also been released for employee remuneration. There were 14 staff who earned more than $75,000 in 2012. Leading the pack was Alberto De Feo, chief administrative officer, with $148,707 and expenses of $10,739. A total of $4.4 million was spent on all district employees while there was a total of $321,314 for expenses. Baker doesn’t believe taxpayers should be concerned about the level of staff salaries. “We do have a lean staff for the size of the municipality. Remuneration is within the market range and it ensures we have good staff here,” he said.
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2012 Schedules of Financial Information.pdf

 

Summerland treasurer resigns

Beancounter Job Opening

By John Arendt - Summerland Review Updated: March 15, 2013 8:42 PM With just a few weeks remaining until the 2013 budget is finalized, Summerland municipal treasurer Ken Ostraat has resigned from his position.  Ostraat, the treasurer for the past two decades, said there have been a lot of recent changes within the municipality. Last year, while the municipality was without an administrator, Ostraat took on the role of acting administrator in addition to his finance duties. This left him in two roles which both had significant responsibilities. “Last year was a pretty stressful year for me,” Ostraat said. While the municipal budget has not yet been approved, Ostraat said the work has been completed. He is now looking for another treasurer position. Municipal administrator Tom Day said Ostraat finished his work at the municipality on March 11, but is now using his remaining vacation time. Mayor Janice Perrino said Ostraat’s decision to retire from the municipality means the municipality will need to hire a temporary treasurer to work with the last details of the budget before hiring a permanent replacement. She said Ostraat has been an asset to the municipality. “He’s a very, very special man and I wish him the best of luck,” she said. “He has my ultimate respect.”

Clean break with local firm hurts

Saturday, 22 December 2012 02:00 JAMES MILLER Kelowna Daily Courier

Emotions ran high in Summerland's council chambers Friday morning when a janitorial contract was awarded to a Kelowna firm.  Council voted 6-1 in favour of choosing Evergreen Building Maintenance to clean several municipally owned buildings, including municipal hall, the RCMP detachment, the public works building and the recreation centre. Evergreen's bid came in at $68,968 annually, by far the lowest of the eight tenders received. LA Beamish of Summerland, which had the contract since 2005, was the second-lowest bidder at $110,505 annually. Tenders, which included bids from Calgary and Delta, were as high as $193,500 annually. Although staff and council were satisfied with the service offered by LA Beamish, cost was the determining factor. Director of finance Ken Ostraat told council that Evergreen has contracts with several other municipalities, including Penticton, Kelowna and West Kelowna, and that the company received favourable reviews. Ostraat acknowledged that staff were pleased with LA Beamish's service, but admitted, "It's impossible to have no complaints (on custodial work), no matter with what contractor. Any time we did have issues, it was corrected." Ostraat said because the custodial contract includes the RCMP detachment, additional security clearance is required of all employees. "The only defining point was the dollar value, and it's not insignificant - it's 25 per cent. It would be a lot harder decision to make if it was only a five per cent difference," Ostraat said. "That's $40,000 a year and two-thirds of a percentage point of taxes." Mayor Janice Perrino said it's now required by law that municipalities accept the lowest bid unless there are extraordinary circumstances to support taking a higher-priced tender. She doubts the argument of "staying local" would hold up in court if the losing bidder chooses to sue. Perrino noted council faced a similar situation recently with a garbage contract. (more)
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Don Quixote Note: From Annual Contracts: City of Vernon:

FAC-11-7

Janitorial Services - Civic Buildings

Sep-16-2011

Sep-30-2013

2 (1) Yr

Evergreen Bldg Maintenance

$116,928.00

Summerland administrator out

By John Arendt - Summerland Review  Published: January 17, 2012 5:00 PM 
The municipality of Summerland is now without an administrator as of Monday.  “Council for the District of Summerland advises that Don DeGagne, the Chief Administrator, is no longer employed with the District effective Jan. 16,” Mayor Janice Perrino said. “Council and the District of Summerland thank Don DeGagne for his many years of service to the community and wish him the best in all of his future endeavours.” DeGagne was hired as municipal administrator six years ago, after former administrator Evan Parliament was dismissed. Perrino said DeGagne’s departure was amicable for all involved. At present, there are no plans to immediately fill the administrator’s role, although council will discuss filling the position in the future. In the interim, Ken Ostraat, municipal treasurer, will handle the administrator’s duties. DeGagne’s departure is the second time in just over a year that a senior member of staff has left the municipality. Late in 2010, Scott Boswell’s position of economic development officer was eliminated. In 2011, the municipality commissioned the Helios Group to conduct an organizational review of municipal operations. While the tone of the report was mostly positive, it identified a number of areas of concern. These included the need to focus on adherence to long-term plans, the need to improve communications within the organization and improve cooperation between department and the need to standardize business processes at the municipal level. The report also stated that the public believes the municipality has made significant improvements in the past couple of years. When the report was released in summer, Perrino said council would look at making improvements based on the recommendations.

Summerland owes $500K

byGiant FM News - Castanet Dec 1, 2011 / 11:23 am

A lawsuit involving the town of Summerland has finally been resolved but taxpayers are on the hook for more than $500,000.  The town wanted to rebuild a decades-old dam to improve the municipal water supply.  But the Thirsk Dam was in worse condition than originally thought so the project was delayed for nearly a year.  Mayor Janice Perrino is relieved the court case dating back to 2007 is finally over.  Jim Dent Construction, the contractor, blamed the oversight on an engineering company the municipality hired.  It sued the town, saying the delay cost the company time and money.  Jim Dent is settling for almost $800,000, about half of which will be paid for by the municipality. The district says the structural problems were difficult to foresee.  Legal fees included, Summerland must pay $530,000 but the town says the money will come from a reserve fund.  The remainder will come from a Kelowna engineering company involved in the project.

RDOS discusses ban on GMO

By JOHN MOORHOUSE/Penticton Herald Monday, October 24, 2011 
A proposal calling for a local ban on genetically modified organisms has been rejected by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.  Allan Patton, RDOS director for Area C (Oliver rural), had suggested the regional district designate itself as a GMO-free zone and wanted a moratorium on uncontained GMO research in the area. However, the idea was soundly rejected by an 8-4 vote among RDOS directors. Some directors opposed anything which might impact genetic research at the Pacific Agrifoods Research Centre in Summerland. Others wanted more information, including an opportunity to hear a representative from the pro-GMO side. Patton said in an interview afterwards, the idea for the ban came from a recent meeting in Osoyoos on genetically-engineered (GE) food crops. Some of the panellists explained how they had convinced local governments to establish a GE-free zone. Patton said he is concerned that allowing genetically modified fruit crops will have a negative impact on the local fruit industry. He noted his motion wouldn‘t have meant a ban on controlled research at PARC, only uncontained research which could see GE fruit grown outdoors. He pointed to the large number of organic orchards in the South Okanagan-Similkameen and how they could be negatively impacted by genetically engineered fruit grown nearby. Growers would lose their organic certification by any cross-pollination with GE fruit. “When you have a GE apple crop, you‘ve wiped out the organic industry,” he said. “Secondly, we are putting our markets at risk.” Patton said many markets don‘t want anything to do with genetically engineered apples. “When you‘ve got multi-nationals being in control of seed stock, then you‘ve got a reduction of genetic and biological diversity,” he added. “We should be going the other way.” While disappointed by the vote result, Patton said he remains hopeful the matter will come back at a later date. It was suggested the RDOS might invite experts on both sides of the issue to appear at a future meeting. “We left the door to being able to approach it once again, maybe with more information in hand. Whether that will change anything, I don‘t know.”

Jail Decision Within Weeks - The Solicitor General doesn't want the new provincial prison to become an election issue

Betty Selin 10/4/2011 105.7 SUNFM

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Lumby's Mayor says he got some very good news during his recent meeting with the Solicitor General. Kevin Acton says Shirley Bond explained why the decision on where a new jail will be located is now three months past due.  He says she also apologized for taking so long, but it is such an important decision because money is tight.  He also says Bonds doesn't think it would be fair to have to go through a municipal election with this a campaign issue.   The Mayor says Bond also told him all four communities, Lumby, Summerland and the Osoyoos and Penticton Indian Bands are still in the running for the 360 cell facility.

Summerland in good financial shape

byDennis Walker - Giant FM - Aug 23, 2011 / 2:00 pm

Good news for the Municipality of Summerland. A core review of how the district does business has been completed by the Helios group. Mayor, Janice Perrino says they are in good financial shape.  "We are financially extended but we're in good shape for paying our bills so our debt is manageable. We are very pleased to hear that," says Perrino.  "What our problems were and what Helios suggested for us was take a look at the inside things, take a look at how you communicate between your management team and your staff."  The core review, released by council Monday, also shows staffing is right where it should be.  "They look at everything from whether or not we have enough staff, whether our staff are being paid appropriately, how our finances are extended and so forth. Actually, the good news is that we are at the appropriate number of staff. We're not over staffed, we're not under staffed, we're in very good shape."  Perrino says job cuts will not have to be made as a result.
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Organizational Review Report   http://www.summerland.ca/newsitempopup.aspx?ID=504

Photo: Contributed - KMBR Architects and Planners Inc

Construction of the new Summerland RCMP building is finally set to begin.  A ceremony will be held Friday at Pineo Court, to break ground on the new building. MLA Bill Barisoff and Mayor Janice Perrino will be in attendance.  "We have been working to replace the existing (building) for several years now and I am very pleased to finally see the new building under construction," says Mayor Perrino.  The new building will cost $4,500,000 and was designed by KMBR Architects and Planners Inc. to meet RCMP standards.  Funding is made up of a grant from the Province under the Towns for Tomorrow Program.  It will be built will energy savings and sustainable development.  The most significant energy saving will be a heat recovery system that utilizes the wasted heat from the neighbouring ice arena plant to heat the the new RCMP building.  The new system should eliminate the use of natural gas for heat and reduce the overall carbon emissions for the building.  "We are happy to be moving forward with the project and appreciate the support we have received from the citizens of "Summerland," says Mona Kauffeld of the Summerland RCMP.

Summerland asks for prison feedback

Dennis Walker - Giant FM - Castanet Feb 9, 2011 / 12:20 pm

The District of Summerland is now accepting resident's feedback on the possibility of being home to a corrections facility.  Mayor Janice Perrino says there were several reasons why they didn't get involved earlier.  "The first letter that we got said that this needed to support the Kelowna and Vernon court houses, so of course we immediately took ourselves out. They also said that the site had to be 20 acres and had to be fully serviced. We since have heard that the Penticton court house is also part of the mandate, so they were wrong in saying that. And even if a site was not serviced, they would consider helping us to service it," says Perrino.  Perrino wants residents to forward the comments to the District office. "It's still a long long ways off, but just to let the public know: please we do want your opinions on the survey." Perrino says council has unanimously agreed to support a facility of this type within their region.
The survey is found online at www.summerland.ca

LINK TO 4 PAGE SOLICITOR GENERAL LETTER/INFORMATION

 

 PROVINCE OF BC QUESTION & ANSWER FACT SHEET

Job severance cost five months’ wages

Published: February 02, 2011 5:00 PM Summerland review:

When municipal council eliminated the economic development officer position in late November, it was a decision that came at a price.  Municipal administrator Don DeGagne said the severance amounted to five months’ wages for economic development officer Scott Boswell.  Boswell had held the position for five years and the severance of one month’s pay for every year of employment is the municipality’s standard payout, DeGagne said.  In April 2010, council renewed the position for a three-year term.  When the economic development officer position was cut, members of council said the community could not justify the cost of the position, which was around $140,000 a year, including wages, programs and other costs. However, since that time, council has been meeting to discuss how to bring back an economic officer position with a new job description.  Mayor Janice Perrino has said the new role will likely work on assisting existing businesses, helping businesses looking to relocate to Summerland and working with the Summerland Chamber of Economic Development and Tourism to promote the community.

District eliminates position

Penticton Western December 07, 2010 6:00 PM
 Summerland no longer has an economic development officer as Scott Boswell’s position was terminated Nov. 29.  The termination comes as a result of a council decision and was not based on Boswell’s performance in the role. Instead, municipal administrator Don DeGagne said council decided the long-term strategic approach to attract businesses was not needed at present.  The costs of an economic development officer are around $140,000 a year, including wages, programs and other expenses. DeGagne said council is looking at another position to address economic development needs for the community.

Mayor Janice Perrino said the job cut was necessary. “The economy is terrible,” she said. “This is a very expensive position and Summerland can’t afford it.”  Boswell has worked as the municipality’s economic development officer for the past six years. He was given severance when his contract was cut short.  The contract had been renewed for three years in April, at a time when Perrino and others on council had expected an improvement in the economy. “The world has changed in the past six months and it’s worse,” she said, adding that since April Summerland has lost several businesses. “This position, with its current model, is not working, said Perrino, adding council will rethink ways to meet the needs of economic growth.

Summerland settles with employees

Castanet Staff - Oct 7, 2010 / 12:50 pm

There will be labour peace within Summerland City Hall for the next three years.The municipality and its civic employees, members of CUPE 1136, have ratified a new three year collective agreement. The new deal will expire December 31, 2012. In a news release issued Thursday, the municipality says the agreement provides for a 1.5% increase in 2011 and 1.75% in 2012. There is no pay increase in 2010.

It also gives cost saving measures and more operational and management flexibility for the employer. "We wanted an agreement that would be fair to our employees and recognize their value in providing services to the community while being mindful of the state of the local economy and the taxpayer's ability to pay," says Summerland Mayor, Janice Perrino. "We believe we have achieved that objective."  CUPE Vice-President, David Scott, says the agreement shows the pride union members take in working for the municipality. "We work in Summerland and care about the community and the services we provide to the residents and visitors," says Scott. The previous contract expired at the end of last year. Negotiations on a new deal began in April. The new contract also contains many housekeeping items which improve the language and administration of the agreement.

Summerland police station referendum passes

John Arendt - Summerland Review Published: October 02, 2010 9:00 PM

The Summerland RCMP will get a new police station as a referendum on borrowing the money for the project received overwhelming public support.  A total of 3916 valid votes were cast on Saturday, with 2,655 in favour and 1,261 opposed.  With the referendum passing, the municipality is now able to borrow up to $3.125 million for the new police station. The station, at around 835 square metres of usable area and a basement of around 450 square metres, will replace the aging and crowded facility on Jubilee Road East.

Referendum sought for new police building in Summerland

SUSAN McIVER/Special to the Penticton Herald Wednesday, July 28, 2010
SUMMERLAND – A referendum to seek approval to borrow funds for the construction of a new RCMP facility in Summerland will be held on Oct. 2. Council gave first three readings Monday night to the RCMP building referendum bylaw and appointed election officials. Corporate officer Gillian Matthews is the chief election officer and her assistant, Maureen Fugeta, is the deputy chief election officer for the referendum. In late June, council voted to proceed to referendum for elector consent to borrow $3.125 million for the proposed RMCP building and to approve a referendum budget of $30,000. Approval from the provincial government to proceed to referendum was subsequently obtained. The referendum date must be within 80 days of provincial approval.

The Local Government Act requires jurisdictions to advertise for volunteer scrutineers who are both for and against the referendum question. “The legislation allows council to make provision for more than one scrutineer per voting place and staff are recommending two for and two against the question,” Matthews told council. Voting on Oct. 2 will take place at Summerland Secondary School with advance voting on Sept. 15 and 22 at Municipal Hall. “There will be lots of information to come. A website will be opened this week,” said Mayor Janice Perrino. In late spring, council sought elector consent through the alternative approval process which was blocked by a counter-petition. Once an alternative approval process fails, the only way to obtain the required approval for a loan authorization bylaw is through a full referendum

Summerland Council mulls its options on RCMP issue

SUSAN McIVER The Penticton Herald 06/21/2010
In the wake of the recent failure to obtain approval to borrow funds for a new RCMP facility, council in Summerland is considering its options. A counter-petition blocking the alternative approval process to obtain voter assent to borrow $3.125 million was signed by 1,247 electors, far more than the required 843 signatures. The alternative approval process requires people to sign if they are opposed to the project, but to do nothing if they support it. The rejection surprised council and staff because of the widespread community support for the project shown in surveys.

“Council will decide the best course of action and present a recommendation at the June 28 regular meeting,” said Ken Ostraat, director of finance and deputy chief administrative officer. The options include holding a referendum, initiating negotiations with the RCMP detachments in Penticton or West Kelowna to provide police coverage, and having only a community police office in Summerland. In the latter case, all administrative work would be done either in Penticton or West Kelowna. A somewhat analogous arrangement exists in Lake Country, which does have its own RCMP building, but all administrative work is done in Kelowna. Upgrading the current RCMP facility on Jubilee Road East is not an option, because it would cost more to do so than to build new, according to Ostraat. Mayor Janice Perrino raised the possibility of having an outside contractor build a facility, which the municipality would then rent. The current facility is much too small and falls far short of accepted RCMP standards. For several years the cells have been condemned, which necessitates prisons being transported to Penticton. “We must do something, and the least expensive way in the long run to provide good police coverage is to construct a new building,” Ostraat said.