Vernon Mayor Tops List Of Local Politicos' Salaries, Expenses - Figures show Wayne Lippert pulled in just under $90,000 last year

Kate Bouey 105.7 SUNFM5/31/2011

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2010 salary amounts at the City of Vernon and North Okanagan Regional District are out. It shows that the combined salaries and expenses of Mayor Wayne Lippert worked out to a total of $89,555 last year. The next highest paid politician in the area was regional district chairman Herman Halvorsen who was paid just under $51,000 in 2010. Rural area directors get a higher salary at the regional district table than other participants. Mike Gavinchuk and Rick Fairburn made around $32,000 last year while Mike MacNabb made $27,000 and Eugene Foisy about $24,500.
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Don Quixote Note: As the above 2011 Table above shows the Total Remuneration for any of the local GVS Politicians. (Area B & C, Vernon & Coldstream) is different from the Total including expenses. Expenses are a reimbursement for Travel, conventions etc. and are not part of the Politicians take home pay. For example: Mayor Wayne Lippert's take home pay was $78,474.  (All Political Remuneration is 1/3 tax exempt.)

Heritage homes focus of new grants initiative

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 28, 2010 6:00 PM

Preservation of heritage homes will be getting a financial boost.  On Tuesday, Vernon city council decided to establish a program that provides grants to residents who retain their heritage properties.“It enables owners of heritage homes to proceed with maintenance,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough.“The heritage advisory committee wanted to create an incentive program to keep people on the heritage registry.”  The registry identifies heritage properties. It is voluntary to join and withdraw from.  Under the incentive program, a maximum annual grant of $500 per heritage registry property will be available. Grants will be awarded towards material and labour for completed works, and the funding is for up to 50 per cent of the value of the project.  “It would be at the scale of fencing or repainting the home,” said Dean Strachan, a planning assistant.  The budget for heritage grants will rise from $15,000 to $61,000 in 2012 to cover the program.  Opposition came from Councillors Patrick Nicol and Jack Gilroy.  “Providing that ($500) annually is something I don’t support on principle,” said Nicol.  Coun. Bob Spiers excused himself from the discussion because he owns a heritage home.

Parks Change Ordered

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.

New Contract for Vernon CAO

Written by Peter McIntyre Sunday, 17 October 2010 07:54 107.5 KISSFM

Leon Gous will continue to be the boss of Vernon City Hall for at least three more years.  Vernon council has given unanimous support to the renewal of it's Chief Administrator's contract for that time frame. In making the announcement, Mayor Wayne Lippert was pleased to endorse the decision.  "Council has established a positive working relationship with Mr.Gous (pictured) and we value the tremendous support and guidance he provides on a daily basis. His business acumen, profound sense of ethics and management style are the hallmarks of his leadership that have resulted in major positive changes for the workforce at City Hall."  The mayor says the South Africa native has "consistently advocated for fair and reasonable outcomes for Vernon on the many issues that confront the jurisdictional bodies in the North Okanagan." Gous has held the position since 2005.

Vernon comes to agreement with CAO

by Castanet Staff - Oct 15, 2010 / 5:30 pm

Vernon City Council has given full and unanimous support to the renewal of it’s Chief Administrator’s contract. With a three-year commitment, CAO Leon Gous will continue his tenure in the city’s top administrative position. In making the announcement, Mayor Wayne Lippert was pleased to endorse the decision.  “Council has established a positive working relationship with Mr. Gous and we value the tremendous support and guidance he provides on a daily basis. His business acumen, profound sense of ethics and management style are the hallmarks of his leadership that have resulted in major positive changes for the workforce at City Hall," says Lippert.  "Working in support of Mayor and Council, Gous has consistently advocated for fair and reasonable outcomes for Vernon on the many issues that confront the jurisdictional bodies in the North Okanagan." “Leon’s considerable judgment skills have been a tremendous asset to Council, and we look forward to continue working with him to build on the successes of the last few years.”

Let's Not Be Kelowna

Bunny Solution Needed Kate Bouey 10/13/2010 105.7 SUNFM

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Take a boy bunny and a girl bunny and you soon have alot of baby bunnies. Vernon council hopes to avoid that. It has endorsed a draft `animal regulation and pound bylaw' that would ensure pet stores sold rabbits that had been spayed or neutered. Council was assured that most stores are generally in compliance already. Vernon is hoping to avoid the feral rabbit problem which plagues Kelowna.

Highlights Of COW Meeting Tuesday at 8:40

Committee of the Whole Start Time: 8:40am - October 12, 2010

Location: Council Chambers

• Agenda Index 
• Agenda Package 
• Notice   (Updated data re Parks service Review)

- Mr. Terry Pakenham representing the Jean Minguy Memorial RCMP Youth Academy, re: Sustained Program Funding.

- Verbal Report, Mayor Lippert, re: 2010 UBCM Conference.

-For Review, Draft Terms of Agreement for Regional District of North Okanagan Greater Vernon Parks, Recreation & Culture Service Review, September 2010. (P.14-28 agenda Package)

-Memo dated October 5, 2010, from Mr. Kevin Bertles, Manager, Finance, re: Estimated Financial Effects of Parks and Recreation separation. (P.29-31 agenda package)
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Service Review: Greater Vernon Parks

Agendas October 5, 2010 - Agenda Package June 4, 2010 - Agenda March 25, 2010 Meeting Notes Definition & Cost Sharing March 25, 2010 - Agenda Package December 10, 2009 - Agenda Package

Minutes July 27, 2010 June 4, 2010 March 25, 2010 February 10, 2010 December 10, 2009

Over Half Million in Tax Breaks

  Peter McIntyre Wednesday, 29 September 2010 09:58107.5 KISSFM

It's a big chunk of cash.
Councillor Bob Spiers  says the city Vernon gives community groups $595,000 in tax exemptions each year, representing two-and a-half-percent in taxes for the average home owner. He told council, "A lot of other cities have started looking at those lists. I have no problems with the tax exemptions we give, but I think the public has to know how much we are giving in tax exemptions." The latest groups getting 100 percent exemptions-- phased in over three years--- are the Upper Room Mission, the North Okanagan Community Life Society, The First Baptist Church, and the Vernon Muslim Association.
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Don Quixote Note: The full list was published as required on Page 18 of the Morning Star Wed. Sept.19 showing the details of the $595,807.13 tax exemption. This is the amount of City Taxes that have been permissively exempted. It does not include the NORD taxes, School Taxes, Library Taxes etc. which they will also receive.

Crack Shack Attacked

Peter McIntyre Tuesday, 28 September 2010 09:41107.5 KISSFM

Residents have gone to City Hall to try and shut down  a crack shack in East Hill.
Jane Austin speaks for 49 families in the East Hill Blockwatch says are fed-up with being being robbed, threatened and intimidated by a drug house at the top of 30-th Avenue.  She says the crack houses have an enormous cost, and in a time of tying to justify costs of policing, fire and emergency service, they use them all.  Austin says people would be shocked at how much the places cost taxpayers.
Austin is asking the city to look at ways to take action after a drug house bylaw was replaced by one with less "teeth" after changes made by the valley's main cities.  "It was under the guise of streamlining services up and down the valley, or potential litigation, someone could challenge it through litigation and overturn it, so they've taken that crack shack bylaw that targeted them off the books, and we don't have that anymore."

Councillor Patrick Nicol says the problem comes when the drug operator owns the house. "They have rights that extend these legal processes way beyond what they normally should, where in rental cases we were able to act (use the bylaw) quite quickly."  Nicol says the city will see what they can do, , adding the Nuisance bylaw may be one way. "There is some suggestion that within the nuisance bylaw you may have an opportunity and that's what the RCMP is looking at , and that's what they'll look at legally as well."

City staff say parts of the previous bylaw were deemed illegal.
Photo: Jane Austin makes a presentation to Vernon council on Monday (P.McIntyre)
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East Hill Blockwatch Decries End to Safe Premises Bylaw

Spokesperson says neighbours robbed, threatened by crack house patrons

Kate Bouey 9/28/2010  105.7 SUNFM

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Members of an East Hill neighbourhood have had to deal with ``seedy, skulking drug behaviour'' due to a local crack shack, according to a spokesperson for the local Blockwatch. Jane Austin urged city council on Monday to find a way to root out the problem which left neighbours in a state of fear and anxiety over robberies, prostitution and other criminal behaviour. Austin, accompanied by a large delegation of Blockwatch members, asked what would replace a `safe premises' bylaw that had been rescinded by Okanagan municipalities due to legal concerns. Austin suggested making residents or owners of drug houses pay for the time spent by emergencies services dealing with their presence. ``There's nothing like a bill to get your attention,'' she said. City staff say authorities are dealing with crack houses under other bylaws although there is uncertainty about the strength of these laws.

Polson Park Plan Outlined

  Peter McIntyre Friday, 24 September 2010 12:23107.5 KISSFM

Vernon's Polson Park could undergo ten million dollars in improvements over the next ten years.  That's what a landscape architect is recommending in a redevelopment plan for the park to be presented to Vernon council on Monday. Catherine Berris says in her 64 page report, the first phase of three upgrades include a multi purpose pavilion and fitness equipment, removing the fence around the oval, and repairing the floral clock in 2010 and 11.

Phase two (2012 to 2016) would include restoration of the duck ponds and channel, upgrading the washrooms, and rebuilding the water park, among other projects costing 4.6 million. The big ticket items in Phase 3 (2017-2020) include for Vernon Creek restoration north of the bridge for $1.6 million, a new road to a cul de sac ($154,950), and a new parking lot on the east side ($99,800). Berris is recommending vehicle access continue to be allowed in the park, but not with the current loop.  The road on the west side would be extended into a cul de sac near the new pavilion and fitness equipment, allowing the southern part of the park to be free of public vehicles.  City Planning and builidng manager Kim Flick tells KISS FM, says public response to the retaining the road or not, was 50-50. "There wasn't a clear direction on what the community wanted. What there was clear direction on though was a desire to keep and enhance access for those people with accessibility issues and particularly proximity to the duck pond. The cul de sac proposal provides several spaces designated for accessible parking only, and an area for drop-off, so this is a compromise that we hope will meet most people's needs."

Flick notes that part of the plan wouldn't be implemented until Phase 3, between 2017 and 2020.
Click HERE to view the report. (Pages 43 to 107)

Fire Dispatch Upgrade

Peter McIntyre Wednesday, 15 September 2010 11:16 107.5 KISSFM

Close to 100-thousand dollars has been budgeted this year to upgrade Vernon's fire dispatch system. Fire chief Jeff Carlisle says it's the first part of a four year plan costing $450,000. He says once it's completed, the service will cover Vernon, and could be offered to other communities as well. "That's not so much for profit but to help sustain the system." Carlisle says the current system is 20 years old and in bad need of a capital injection.

Council approved on Monday the following items from the fire dispatch reserve account:

*$5,000 for a consultant study by Dave Mitchell and Associates for fire dispatch system design, transition plan and cash flow analysis *$30,000 for complete dispatch centre renovations and purchase workstations *$5,000 to repair and secure system wiring *$2,000 for project travel and research $50,000 for a communication system study

Davison Rock won’t be sold

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: September 14, 2010 7:00 PM

A property commonly known as Davison Rock won’t be sold by the City of Vernon. On Monday, a majority of council refused to give third reading to a bylaw to rezone 3097 Davison Rd. from agricultural to rural small holdings. The goal had been to subdivide the 23-acre, city-owned site so one lot could be sold and other remain as a natural area. “There was no one that supported it at the public hearing,” said Coun. Patrick Nicol. The eastern, nine-acre portion is largely agricultural while the remainder has steep rocky slopes. A staff report indicates the rocky area has high ecological values, including rattlesnake habitat. “We are spending millions of dollars to try and locate public land. People have said keep this land public,” said Nicol.

Also shooting down rezoning were Mayor Wayne Lippert and Councillors Bob Spiers and Shawn Lee. While a park is not an allowed use in the Agricultural Land Reserve, Spiers believes that may be possible in the future. “Let’s not sell off the land now and regret it later,” he said. Support for rezoning and subdivision came from Councillors Jack Gilroy, Mary-Jo O’Keefe and Buffy Baumbrough. “This land is stagnant. I don’t see anything wrong with someone developing the land to farm,” said Gilroy, adding that a local resident has been leasing the entire property for years. “They can develop the land for farm. They’re not going to put a lot of money into leased land.”

O’Keefe expressed concern about comments made during the recent public hearing. “We’re not building a high-rise there. It’s in the ALR and will remain in the ALR,” she said of the property. As a result of the rezoning bylaw being defeated, city staff has been asked to consider options for the property, including a long-term lease for someone to farm it.

Vernon seeks support for RCMP costs

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: September 14, 2010 7:00 PM
The City of Vernon claims it’s unfairly covering policing costs for the rest of the region. Council will meet with the RCMP and the Ministry of the Solicitor General to discuss concerns that it is absorbing the bulk of the costs for officers and support staff for adjacent communities. “It appears from the numbers we are over-paying,” said Coun. Bob Spiers. According to a report, the city currently supplies virtually all support costs for the North Okanagan RCMP detachment of 38.5 employees. The city funds 33.5 full-time equivalent employees, while Coldstream covers two and three are provincially funded. The costs and manpower increases due to a new records management system and other level service increases have also been largely covered by Vernon.
“Vernon has been home to an integrated detachment since 2004,” said Kevin Bertles, finance manager, in the report. “The integration concept is simple, that shared resources can provide a higher level of service for a lower cost than operating a series of independent emergency response organizations. The concept fails, however, when the partners participate in funding with different levels of commitment.” According to Coun. Jack Gilroy, Vernon taxpayers shouldn’t be footing most of the bill at a regional detachment. “All we want is some relief from the province,” he said. Spiers insists there’s a need to look at staff positions, what their duties entail and how the costs should be distributed. “With the crime analyst, how much time is spent in Vernon and how much elsewhere?”
It’s been previously suggested that Vernon could withdraw from a regional policing model and have its own arrangements with the RCMP, but Gilroy doesn’t believe that’s likely as the force provides a valuable service. “Sometimes you have to say some things for leverage,” he said.

Animal Ban Nixed

Peter McIntyre Tuesday, 14 September 2010 08:55 107.5 KISSFM

Circuses with exotic animals will still be able to perform in Vernon. Council decided not to pass a bylaw banning animals like lions, tigers and elephants, as some other communities have done. The majority of council felt there was already other levels of government providing adequate regulation on the issue. Councillor Buffy Baumbrough felt more action was needed. She says cruelty concerns had her supporting the ban dealing with circuses, but council feels there's already enough regulation. It was also noted circuses can circumvent city bylaws by storing the animals in other municipalities.

Circus Exotics Can Visit

You can keep your pets Kate Bouey 9/14/2010 105.7 SUNFM:

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Animals in travelling circuses are still welcome in Vernon. City council was asked to consider a bylaw banning exotic species in the community. Mayor Wayne Lippert says council decided it wasn't needed so if they come to town they can set up shop. He says council has decided to let the province and Ottawa enforce regulations dealing with exotic animals and pets. There were a few protestors this summer when the circus stopped in Vernon.

Council won’t force showers for cyclists

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 14, 2010 12:00 PM

Anyone wanting to shower after cycling to work may be left spinning their wheels. City of Vernon staff recommended Monday that it investigate end-of-trip facilities, such as change rooms and showers, for businesses. While a motion of support was made by Coun. Buffy Baumbrough, it wasn’t seconded and the concept died on the floor. “I guess they feel we’re not ready for that kind of initiative,” said Baumbrough of her colleagues. Currently, bylaws enquire businesses to provide bike racks. Baumbrough says staff didn’t want to necessarily change the bylaw but wanted a chance to investigate options for new developments. “One of the barriers to cycling is when people get to work, there is no place to change or shower,” she said. “Because it’s a barrier, it was worth pursuing. What would it take to provide a shower?”

Baumbrough believes such a staff review would have reinforced the city’s commitment to providing opportunities for alternative transportation. “Vernon, through the official community plan, has committed to reducing single-occupant vehicle trips,” she said. Mayor Wayne Lippert isn’t surprised there wasn’t broad support for end-of-trip facilities. “Staff was looking for a bylaw that any business doing renovations or going into a new building would be obligated to put in showers and change rooms for people riding bikes,” he said. Lippert insists provision of showers and change rooms should be voluntary. “For the city to mandate this is not right. It’s a cost that would be passed on to consumers somewhere along the line.”

In a written report, Wendy Majewski, transportation demand management co-ordinator, states many employees are trying alternate modes of transportation to get to work. “The main complaints and concerns are related to the lack of secure bicycle storage and the provision of lockers and shower facilities,” she said. Majewski points out that walking and cycling are considered high priorities in the city’s transportation plan. “A target of 20 per cent for walking, cycling and transit mode share has been set for 2031 to further encourage the use of alternative forms of transportation,” she said. “Many other cities have bylaws in place to ensure end-of-trip facilities are in place for employees.”

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Don Quixote: Bylaws that I have found on this subject:

City of Richmond Development Permit Guidelines (pdf) prescribe the general criteria for new development and are one of the tools that the OCP uses to achieve its objectives. The guidelines encourage non-residential projects to provide end-of-trip facilities such as showers and lockers for the convenience of employees.

City protests census change

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 12, 2010 6:00 PM

The City of Vernon is joining the fight against Ottawa over the census. Council will fire a letter off to the federal government demanding that the long-form census be reinstated. “According to all of the experts, including our own economic development officer, they get a lot of information from the census,” said Coun. Bob Spiers. “Without it, the data won’t be as accurate.” Federal officials have stated the mandatory long form contains information that is intrusive on Canadians’ lives, but Spiers doesn’t believe that is enough reason to completely scrap the census process. “Perhaps the questions could be changed but to do away with the mandatory aspect of it, makes it less effective,” he said.

The lone opposition to writing Ottawa is Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe. “The long-form census has a lot of information that is private,” she said. O’Keefe also takes issue with Canadians being forced under law to fill out the census, and if they don’t possibly facing jail time or fines. “Citizens shouldn’t be mandated to sign the long form,” she said. Kevin Poole, economic development officer, believes Vernon’s planning initiatives could suffer if the long-form census is scrapped. “Without the long form, we don’t have access to labour force data. We also can’t get information on income levels,” he said. “Without it, it will be difficult for communities to determine what their strengths and weaknesses are economically.” Poole says many companies consider census data when looking for towns to invest in. “A company wants to compare apples to apples between communities,” he said. “They want the data to be the same and the majority of the data comes from the long-form census.”

MP Colin Mayes defends the government’s actions. “The issue for us is there are threatening messages on the forms. If you don’t fill them out, you could be jailed or fined,” he said. “We don’t want to make it compulsory.” Mayes believes shifting from a mandatory to voluntary form could prove beneficial for collecting statistics. “There may be a better response if we’re not being aggressive,” he said. Mayes also says that he isn’t hearing from constituents about the issue. “I’ve got about three e-mails on it. If all we’re doing wrong as a government is the census form, then we’re doing a good job,” he said. On Wednesday, the federal government announced that two questions revolving around languages will be added to the short-form census, and legislation will be introduced eliminating the prospect of jail time for people who don’t fill out mandatory surveys.

Predator Ridge Fire Station on Track

Peter McIntyre Wednesday, 11 August 2010 10:041-7.5 KISSFM

Vernon's fire chief is pleased with progress on starting a new volunteer fire hall at Predator Ridge. Jeff Carlisle says the current response time from downtown to the resort is 20 to 25 minutes. He says that's too long especially with the risk of wildfires in that forested area. "So the idea is to get a volunteer fire department up there and put the campfire out before it becomes a full blown forest fire." Carlisle says a site near the maintenance area has been chosen for a fire hall, and recruitment of volunteers is continuing. "We started with trying to recruit staff from Sparkling Hill Resort and the golf resort but that didn't work out and know we're looking at trying to recruit residents. We've also got a conceptual site identified for the fire station." He says the service is in the city's plan to possibly be running by 2013. Meantime, Carlisle says Vernon Fire-Rescue has responded to just over 1,300 calls over the first six months this year. 75 percent were medical responses, 13 percent for fires, and 9 percent on motor vehicle incidents.

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Don Quixote Note: Fire Chief's report can be found at Agenda Package P.49-59. (Call out portion at Page 52-53)

Fire Chief's Report

Wed, 2010-08-11 08:58. Kate Bouey - Vernon 105.7 SUNFM:

Vernon fire chief Jeff Carlisle says things are now moving on the plan to put a volunteer fire station at Predator Ridge. Carlisle says a site has been found and conceptual drawings have been done for the station, which won't be up and running until 2013. He says recruitment is underway. On the matter of the fire department's big overtime budget, Carlisle has assured city council that no overtime is involved in the first medical response call outs by his crews. His report states that almost 75 percent of call outs in the first six months of this year were for those types of emergencies. Council has been told that the fire department's big overtime budget is likely to get quite a bit smaller due to the hiring of two dispatch operators. Fire chief Jeff Carlisle says that budget has gone down 20-grand in two months, and this during peak vacation time.

Rezoning bylaw takes off for lands near airport

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 31, 2010 12:00 PM

Mass rezoning is underway for an area near the Vernon Airport. City council has given two readings to a bylaw that would change the zoning on 12 properties on Okanagan Landing Road from airport industrial to rural residential. “This just reflects what they’ve always had there,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert of the proposed amendment. The properties had been previously zoned residential but were switched to industrial status in 2004 because of future expansion of the airport. However, the 2008 review of the official community plan determined that land on the south side of Vernon Creek was not required for further expansion of the airport because property north of Tronson Road has been obtained for growth at the airport. A staff report also indicates that proximity to the creek also makes the potential use of the 12 properties for airport activities unlikely. The rezoning process was launched after several property owners asked for the change to rural residential. “This would bring the properties into a legally conforming state with single-family residential uses and a greenhouse operation,” said Dean Strachan, a planning assistant with the city. The city owns three of the properties. A public hearing on the proposed rezoning bylaw will be held Sept. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.