THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF VERNON

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL

-
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
3400 30 Street
Vernon B.C.
Mayor and Council Members Present:
  • T. Durning
  • K. Fehr
  • K. Gares
  • B. Guy
  • B. Quiring
Mayor and Council Members Absent:
  • Mayor V. Cumming
  • A. Mund
Administration Present:
  • K. Poole, Director, Corporate Administration
  • J. Rice, Director, Operation Services
  • D. Lind, Chief, Fire Rescue Services
  • C. Isles, Deputy Corporate Officer
  • D. Wright, Transportation Technician
  • J. Winquist, Communications Officer
  • L. Walker, Manager, Customer Service - Recreation
  • M. Faucher, Current Planner
  • R. Crosson, Manager, Financial Operations
  • D. Devries, Manager, Transportation
  • T. Barton, Director, Planning and Community Services
  • E. Hamming, Director, Financial Services
  • S. Wood, Corporate Officer
Also Present:
  • Supt. B. MacLeod, OIC, Vernon RCMP


Acting Mayor Durning called the meeting to order at 8:40 am.

As Acting Mayor of the City of Vernon, and in the spirit of this gathering, I recognize the City of Vernon is located in the traditional territory of the Syilx People of the Okanagan Nation.

  • Moved by:Councillor Quiring
    Seconded by:Councillor Gares

    THAT Council move to the Committee of the Whole meeting.

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Gares
    Seconded by:Councillor Quiring

    THAT the meeting be closed to the public in accordance with Section 90 (1) of the Community Charter as follows:

    (c) labour relations or other employee relations;

    (e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the Council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality;

    (g) litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality; and

    (k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the Council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public.

    CARRIED

Acting Mayor Durning reconvened the Regular Open Meeting at 10:45 am and recessed until 1:30 pm.

As Acting Mayor of the City of Vernon, and in the spirit of this gathering, I recognize the City of Vernon is located in the traditional territory of the Syilx People of the Okanagan Nation.

3.b

 
  • Moved by:Councillor Gares
    Seconded by:Councillor Fehr

    THAT the Agenda for the August 12, 2024 Regular Open Meeting of Council be adopted with the addition under New Business 10(h) Committee of the Whole Meeting, September 3, 2024 - time change.

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Guy
    Seconded by:Councillor Gares

    THAT the minutes of the Regular meeting of Council held July 15, 2024 be adopted;

    AND FURTHER, that the minutes of the Special Meeting of Council held July 29, 2024 be adopted;

    AND FURTHER, that the minutes of the Special Meeting of Council held July 30, 2024 be adopted;

    AND FURTHER, that the minutes of the Committee of the Whole Meeting of Council held July 15, 2024 be received.

    CARRIED

Pursuant to Section 40 of the Community Charter, this is an opportunity for the public to make submissions to Council regarding the proposed  "Snowberry Road Closure Bylaw 6001, 2024".

The Corporate Officer advised that no written submissions had been received.

Acting Mayor Durning called a first time for representation from the public.

Acting Mayor Durning called a second time and there being none, called a third and final time for representation from the public.  Acting Mayor Durning closed the public input regarding the proposed "Snowberry Road Closure Bylaw 6001, 2024".

Superintendent, Blake MacLeod, OIC, Vernon RCMP provided Council with the Second Quarter Report for 2024 (April - June). 

  • Moved by:Councillor Guy
    Seconded by:Councillor Fehr

    THAT Council receives the RCMP Second Quarter Report for 2024 (April - June), as provided by Superintendent, Blake MacLeod, OIC, Vernon RCMP at the August 12, 2024 Regular Council Meeting.

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Gares
    Seconded by:Councillor Guy

    THAT Council receives the letter dated July 9, 2024 from Michele Mark Levine, Director, Technical Services Centre, Government Finance Officers Association regarding receipt of the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and Certificate of Recognition, for information.

    CARRIED

Sherrilee Franks, Manager, O'Keefe Ranch and Bruce Cummings, President, O'Keefe Ranch and Interior Heritage Society presented to Council their request for financial assistance and for a meeting to discuss a new lease agreement or a transitional plan. 

Council requested further financial information, including past financial statements, to assist with the decision.

  • Moved by:Councillor Gares
    Seconded by:Councillor Quiring

    THAT in accordance with Council Procedural Bylaw 4840, Item 12(c), requiring a 2/3 vote of Council present, Council consider the request of the O'Keefe Ranch delegation during this meeting.

    Opposed (2)Councillor Fehr, and Councillor Guy
    DEFEATED (3 to 2)
  • Moved by:Councillor Guy
    Seconded by:Councillor Quiring

    THAT Council receive the August 12, 2024 presentation from S. Franks, Manager, O'Keefe Ranch and B. Cummings, President, O'Keefe Ranch, for information and direct Administration to report on their request for financial assistance at the September 3, 2024 Regular Council meeting.

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Durning
    Seconded by:Councillor Fehr

    THAT a Special Meeting of Council be scheduled, before the end of August, to discuss the financial request from O'Keefe Ranch.

    WITHDRAWN

Council asked whether or not users could add additional time to their parking meter through the hot spot app. Administration will provide an update. 

  • Moved by:Councillor Gares
    Seconded by:Councillor Quiring

    THAT Administration report on possible options for the downtown washrooms, located by Nature's Fare (3400 30th Ave), in relation to the ongoing issues reported by local business staff of overdoses, encampments, fires, etc. occurring at this location.

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Quiring
    Seconded by:Councillor Gares

    THAT Council receive the Administration Updates dated August 12, 2024 for information.

    CARRIED

THAT Council receive the memorandum titled "Active Living Centre Sponsorships" dated May 24, 2024, and respectfully submitted by the Manager, Project Program and the Senior Manager, ALC Project;

AND FURTHER, that Council endorses the strategy to pursue sponsorships for the donation of amenities as gifts and authorizes Administration to issue an expression of interest for donations;

AND FURTHER, that Council endorses the strategy to pursue naming rights for individual spaces, including but not limited to, the Aquatics Centre, Double Gymnasium, Walking/Running Track, Lobby/Community Living Room, Fitness Centre and Multipurpose Rooms, and authorizes Administration to issue an expression of interest for naming rights;

AND FURTHER, that Council authorizes Administration to notify the Okanagan Indian Band of the opportunity for an indigenous name in nsyilxcen to be used in conjunction with the Active Living Centre name should the opportunity present itself during engagement efforts;

AND FURTHER, that Council declassify this resolution following the notification of the Okanagan Indian Band.

THAT Council direct Administration to purchase the property at 3902 29th Street, Vernon BC, Legal: Lot 4, Block 1, Section 3, Township 8, ODYD, PID: 012-468-533, for the purchase price of $430,000, for a potential future site for a housing project;

AND FURTHER, that Council direct Administration to close approximately 11,061 ft² (1,027.6 m²) of surplus road situated northwest of the roundabout intersection of 39th Avenue and 29th Street and consolidate it with 3902 29th Street, all as shown in the Attachments to this report titled "Land Purchase - 3902 29th Street - Potential Future Housing Site" dated May 17, 2024 and respectfully submitted by the Land Agent/Negotiator;

AND FURTHER, that Council direct Administration to fund the property purchase and up to $40,000 for the transfer, road closure and consolidation from the Land Sale Reserve;

AND FURTHER that Council declassify the resolution after completion of the purchase. 

  • Moved by:Councillor Fehr
    Seconded by:Councillor Gares

    THAT Council receive for information the 2024-2025 Transit Annual Operating Agreement as attached to the memorandum titled "BC Transit 2024-2025 Annual Operating Agreement" dated July 31, 2024;

    AND FURTHER, that Council direct Administration to allocate any unspent 2024 transit budget funds into the Transit Reserve to mitigate BC Transit operating changes compared to budget. 

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Fehr
    Seconded by:Councillor Quiring

    THAT Council receive the report titled "2024 Lake Access Site Development" dated July 24, 2024 for information. 

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Guy
    Seconded by:Councillor Gares

    THAT Council authorize Administration to apply for the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation Housing Accelerator Fund 2024 Intake, as described in the memorandum of the same title, dated July 26, 2024;

    AND FURTHER, that Council authorize Administration to assume overall grant management should the grant application be successful. 

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Gares
    Seconded by:Councillor Quiring

    THAT Council support amendments to Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw 3843 to designate the Manager of Development Infrastructure and Servicing, and the Manager of Building and Licensing as Servicing Officers and assign the associated powers, duties and functions as per Section 513 of the Local Government Act as outlined in the report titled "Appointment of Servicing Officers" and dated July 25, 2024. 

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Quiring
    Seconded by:Councillor Gares

    THAT Council receive the Downtown Vernon Association 2023 Financial Statements as presented in the memorandum of the same title dated August 2, 2024, respectfully submitted by the Manager, Financial Operations;

    AND FURTHER, that Council approve payment of the second and final installment of the 2024 BIA tax levies for the total amount of $235,203.

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Fehr
    Seconded by:Councillor Gares

    THAT Council receive the memorandum titled "Semi-Annual Grants Update: January - June 2024" dated July 29, 2024, respectfully submitted by the Manager, Communications and Grants, for information. 

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Quiring
    Seconded by:Councillor Gares

    THAT Council appoint Councillor Mund as Acting Mayor beginning Monday, September 16 at 9:00 am until Friday, September 20 at 10:00 pm as described in the memorandum titled "2024 UBCM Annual Convention - Acting Mayor" dated July 30, 2024 and respectfully submitted by the Senior Executive Assistant, Mayor and CAO. 

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Quiring
    Seconded by:Councillor Gares

    THAT Council approves the September 3, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting start time of 8:00 am. 

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Quiring
    Seconded by:Councillor Gares

    THAT Bylaw 6001, "Snowberry Road Closure Bylaw 6001, 2024", a bylaw to authorize closure and removal of the dedication as highway located at Snowberry Road, be adopted. 

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Fehr
    Seconded by:Councillor Quiring

    THAT Bylaw 5999, "Vernon Block Road Closure Bylaw 5999, 2024", a bylaw to authorize closure and removal of the dedication as highway located at the Vernon Block, be read a first, second and third time. 

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Gares
    Seconded by:Councillor Fehr

    THAT Council support the proposed amendments to Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909, 1993, as outlined in the report titled "Proposed Amendments to Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909" dated July 17, 2024. 

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Gares
    Seconded by:Councillor Quiring

    THAT Bylaw 6006, "Fees and Charges (Planning Application Fees) Amendment Bylaw 6006, 2024", a bylaw to amend Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909, be read a first, second and third time. 

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Guy
    Seconded by:Councillor Quiring

    THAT Council support the proposed amendments to Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 5250, 2011, and Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 5300, 2011, as outlined in the report titled "Align Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw and Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw with Zoning Bylaw 6000" dated July 29, 2024. 

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Fehr
    Seconded by:Councillor Guy

    THAT Bylaw 6007, "Municipal Ticketing Information (Zoning Bylaw 6000) Amendment Bylaw 6007, 2024", a bylaw to amend Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw 5300, 2011, be read a first, second and third time. 

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Fehr
    Seconded by:Councillor Quiring

    THAT Bylaw 6008, "Bylaw Notice Enforcement (Zoning Bylaw 6000) Amendment Bylaw 6008, 2024", a bylaw to amend Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 5250, 2011, be read a first, second and third time. 

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Quiring
    Seconded by:Councillor Fehr

    THAT Council approve the proposed amendments, as shown in red, to Schedule A of the Recreation & Parks Services Fees & Charges Bylaw 6011 for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2025 as outlined in Attachment 1 to the memorandum titled "Recreation & Parks Services 2025 Amendments to Fees & Charges Bylaw", dated August 1, 2024 respectfully submitted by the Manager, Customer Service - Recreation. 

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Gares
    Seconded by:Councillor Quiring

    THAT Bylaw 6011, "Recreation and Parks Services (2025 increases) Amendment Bylaw 6011, 2024", a bylaw to Amend Recreation and Parks Services Fees and Charges Bylaw Number 5472, be read a first, second and third time. 

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Guy
    Seconded by:Councillor Fehr

    THAT Council receive for information the report titled "Overlay: Drive-through Services and Minor Fuel Stations for existing operational businesses" dated July 24, 2024. 

    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Gares
    Seconded by:Councillor Guy

    THAT Bylaw 6009, "Zoning Text (Drive-through Services and Minor Fuel Stations) Amendment Bylaw 6009, 2024", a bylaw to authorize the use of Drive-through Services and Minor Fuel Stations on lots with existing businesses, be read a first and second time;

    AND FURTHER, that the Public Hearing for Bylaw 6009 be scheduled for Monday September 23, 2024, at 5:30 pm, in Council Chambers.  

    CARRIED

All members in attendance provided an update on their activities and meetings attended. 

Acting Mayor Durning adjourned the meeting at 3:41 pm.