THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF VERNON

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL

Monday, October 28, 2024 at 8:40 A.m. - 9:40 A.m.

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER

3400 30 Street

Vernon B.C.

Mayor and Council Members Present:

• Mayor V. Cumming
• T. Durning
• K. Fehr
• K. Gares
• B. Guy
• A. Mund
• B. Quiring

Administration Present:

• P. Bridal, Chief Administrative Officer
• K. Poole, Director, Corporate Administration
• J. Rice, Director, Operation Services
• D. Lind, Chief, Fire Rescue Services
• B. Parsons, Deputy Fire Chief
• C. Isles, Deputy Corporate Officer
• J. Winquist, Communications Officer
• L. Walker, Manager, Customer Service - Recreation
• M. Dowhaniuk, Manager, Infrastructure
• M. Faucher, Acting Manager, Long Range Planning and Sustainability
• R. Nuriel, General Manager, City Planning
• T. Scott, Manager, Infrastructure Projects
• J. Blood, Director, Recreation Services
• J. Stewart, Senior Project Manager
• T. Barton, Director, Planning and Community Services
• K. McCarty, Specialist, Climate Action
• E. Hamming, Director, Financial Services
• S. Wood, Corporate Officer
• L. Yost-Johnstone, Manager, Human Resources
• W. Brassard, FireSmart Coordinator
• G. Gaucher, General Manager, Municipal Support Services
• M. Fyfe, Planner II
• R. Marshall, Manager, Procurement Services

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1.

CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER

Mayor Cumming called the meeting to order at 8:42 am.

1.a

Land Acknowledgement

As 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.

1.b

Move to Committee of the Whole

• Moved by: Councillor Gares
  Seconded by: Councillor Mund

  THAT Council move to the Committee of the Whole meeting.

  CARRIED

3.

RECONVENE TO OPEN COUNCIL AT 1:30 PM

Mayor Cumming reconvened the Regular Open meeting at 12:00 pm and recessed until 1:30 pm.

3.a

Land Acknowledgement

As 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

Agenda

• Moved by: Councillor Guy
  Seconded by: Councillor Durning

  THAT the Agenda for the October 28, 2024 Regular Open Meeting of Council be adopted as circulated.

  CARRIED

3.c

Adoption of Minutes and Receipt of Committee of the Whole

• Moved by: Councillor Mund
  Seconded by: Councillor Gares

  THAT the minutes of the Regular meeting of Council held October 7, 2024 be adopted;

  AND FURTHER, that the minutes of the Public Hearing held October 7, 2024 be adopted;

  AND FURTHER, that the minutes of the Committee of the Whole Meeting of Council held October 7, 2024 be received.

  CARRIED

4.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

5.

GENERAL MATTERS

5.a

Presentation - Social Planning Council

Annette Sharkey, Executive Director with the Social Planning Council provided the 2024 Third Quarter Report to Council.

• Moved by: Councillor Durning
  Seconded by: Councillor Guy

  THAT Council receive the 2024 Third Quarter Social Planning Council Report, as provided by Annette Sharkey at the October 28, 2024 Regular Council Meeting.

  CARRIED

5.b

Delegation - Downtown Vernon Association (0550-01)

Keelan Murtagh, Executive Director, Downtown Vernon Association presented to Council on free parking days downtown. 

• Moved by: Councillor Guy
  Seconded by: Councillor Durning

  THAT Council receive the October 28, 2024 presentation from Keelan Murtagh, Executive Director, Downtown Vernon Association for information and refer to Administration for a report to Council at the November 12, 2024 meeting.

  CARRIED

5.c

Delegation - Vernon Pickleball Association (0550-01)

Brent Bolin, President of the Vernon Pickleball Association presented to Council on safety concerns in the parking lots at Marshall Fields.

• Moved by: Councillor Guy
  Seconded by: Councillor Durning

  THAT Council receive the October 28, 2024 presentation from Brent Bolin, President, Vernon Pickleball Association for information and refer to Administration for a report to Council at the November 12, 2024 meeting.

  CARRIED

6.

COUNCIL INQUIRIES

Council inquired about a pleasure craft on the beach at Paddlewheel Park. Administration responded that the bylaw department is working with government agencies and an update will be provided. 

Council asked who enforces regulations around scooter usage, helmets and traffic violations.  Administration will provide an update. 

Mayor Cumming, on behalf of Council, acknowledged Chief Administrative Officer Patti Bridal and thanked her for her service and dedication to the City and wished her well in retirement.

7.

ADMINISTRATION UPDATES

• Moved by: Councillor Guy
  Seconded by: Councillor Durning

  THAT Council receive the Administration Updates dated October 28, 2024 for information.

  CARRIED

8.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

8.a

BC Building Step Code and BC Zero Carbon Step Code (3760-08)

• Moved by: Councillor Gares
  Seconded by: Councillor Quiring

  THAT Council receive for information the memorandum titled "BC Building Step Code and BC Zero Carbon Step Code" dated October 15, 2024 and respectfully submitted by the Manager, Building and Licensing, and the Specialist, Climate Action. 

  CARRIED

8.b

Follow Up - Downtown Washrooms - Calls for Service Update (0810-20)

• Moved by: Councillor Durning
  Seconded by: Councillor Guy

  THAT Council receive for information the memorandum titled "Follow-Up - Downtown Washrooms - Calls for Service" dated October 21, 2024 and respectfully submitted by the Manager, Legislative Services. 

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

  THAT Council direct Administration to bring back a cost analysis to revamp the landscaping by adding boulders, pruning shrubbery and removing benches directly in the vicinity of the bathroom to address congregation in and around the area.

  Opposed (4)

  Councillor Fehr, Councillor Mund, Councillor Durning, and Councillor Guy

  DEFEATED (3 to 4)
• Moved by: Councillor Quiring
  Seconded by: Councillor Mund

  THAT Council direct Administration to remove the benches and trim shrubbery in the area around the downtown washrooms to discourage loitering, funded from the current operations budget. 

  CARRIED

9.

MATTERS REFERRED

• Moved by: Councillor Gares
  Seconded by: Councillor Guy

  THAT Council ratifies and confirms the following resolutions adopted at the October 28, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting of Council:

  OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN AND TRANSPORTATION PLAN: PHASE 2 ENGAGEMENT & COUNCIL WORKSHOP (6480-02/8300-07)

  THAT Council receive for information the report titled “Official Community Plan and Transportation Plan: Phase 2 Engagement & Council Workshop” dated October 21, 2024, and respectfully submitted by the Acting Manager, Long-Range Planning and Sustainability;

  AND FURTHER, that Council direct Administration to open the Phase 2 Engagement Survey running from October 28, 2024, to November 14, 2024, and to host an open house on November 7, 2024, to receive input from the community on considerations for development of a growth strategy for the City of Vernon over the next 20 years.

   

  2025 COUNCIL COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS AND DRAFT COUNCIL LIAISON EXTERNAL COMMITTEES POLICY (0530-01)

  THAT Council receive the memorandum titled "2025 Council Committee Appointments and Draft Council Liaison External Committees Policy" dated October 18, 2024, respectfully submitted by the Manager, Legislative Services;

  AND FURTHER, that Council approve the Council Liaison External Committees Policy as presented;

  AND FURTHER, that Council rescind Appointments to Non-City Committees Policy, dated June 4, 2001; Council Rep Votes on Committees Policy, dated June 7, 1999; and Commissions/Boards - Information Policy, dated April 10, 2000.

  Amendment: THAT the policy includes: the Mayor appointed Council Liaison positions be ratified by Council.

  CARRIED

10.

NEW BUSINESS

10.a

Vernon Fire Rescue Services 2024 FireSmart Update (7320-10)

Councillor Quiring left the meeting at 3:00 pm and returned at 3:04 pm. 

• Moved by: Councillor Guy
  Seconded by: Councillor Durning

  THAT Council receive for information the memorandum titled "Vernon Fire Rescue Services 2024 FireSmart Update" dated October 16, 2024 and respectfully submitted by the Deputy Chief, Fire Prevention and Life Safety. 

  CARRIED

10.b

BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Application - Kalamalka Lake Road Capital Project (5410-10)

• Moved by: Councillor Mund
  Seconded by: Councillor Gares

  THAT Council receive the memorandum titled "B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Application - Kalamalka Lake Road Capital Project", dated October 9, 2024, and respectfully submitted by the Senior Project Manager;

  AND FURTHER, that Council authorize Administration to make an application to the Province of British Columbia's Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant for the "shovel ready" Kalamalka Lake Road Project;

  AND FURTHER, that Council authorize early budget approval for the 2026 Kalamalka Lake Road project at a cost not to exceed $5,877,000, to be funded from 2026 Gas Tax Reserve funds in the amount of $2,407,000, 2026 Transportation Development Cost Charge Reserve funds in the amount of $3,085,000, 2026 Stormwater Development Cost Charge Reserve funds in the amount of $150,000 and 2026 Sanitary Sewer Reserve funds in the amount of $235,000.

  CARRIED

10.c

Procurement Policy Text Amendments (1200-FIN)

• Moved by: Councillor Quiring
  Seconded by: Councillor Durning

  THAT Council receive the memorandum titled "Procurement Policy Text Amendments", dated October 10, 2024 and respectfully submitted by Manager, Procurement Services;

  AND FURTHER, that Council approve the amendments to the Procurement Policy as attached to the memorandum of the same title.

  CARRIED

10.d

RCMP Youth Academy Grant Increase Request (7400-30)

• Moved by: Councillor Mund
  Seconded by: Councillor Durning

  THAT Council receive the memorandum titled "RCMP Youth Academy Grant Increase Request" dated September 27, 2024 and respectfully submitted by the General Manager, Municipal Support Services;

  AND FURTHER, that Council support a service request for $8,000 in annual funding for a 3-year term from 2025 to 2027 for the Jean Minguy Memorial RCMP Youth Academy program be brought forward to 2025 budget deliberations. 

  CARRIED

10.e

BNA - Application for a Liquor Primary Licence (4320-20)

• Moved by: Councillor Mund
  Seconded by: Councillor Gares

  THAT Council advise the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch that Council supports the application for a new liquor primary licence, submitted by 1714 Kalamalka Enterprises Inc. for a brew pub (BNA) located at 1714 Kalamalka Lake Road (Lot 2, Sec 34, Twp 9, ODYD, Plan KAP84037) as outlined in the report titled “BNA – Application for a Liquor Primary Licence” dated October 16, 2024 and respectfully submitted by the Planner II;

  AND FURTHER, that the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch be advised that Council is in support of the subject liquor licence application as it addresses the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch criteria in the following manner:

  • The proposed liquor primary licence would have a total capacity of 500 persons and hours of service from 9:00am to 2:00am daily. Noise levels due to the proposed licence is not expected to negatively impact surrounding properties; 
  •  Views of residents were gathered. A total of 99 property owners and occupiers, including businesses, were contacted. Advertisements requesting public input were published in the October 3 and 10, 2024 editions of the Vernon Morning Star newspaper. No comments were received by the response deadline; and
  • The applicant has operated the BNA brew pub in Kelowna for the past nine years and are looking to operate a similar venue in the City of Vernon. The proposed liquor primary licence is not expected to negatively impact the community.
  CARRIED

10.f

Climate Action Advisory Committee Official Community Plan and Transportation Plan Status Updates (6410-01)

• Moved by: Councillor Guy
  Seconded by: Councillor Gares

  THAT Council receive for information the memorandum titled "Climate Action Advisory Committee Official Community Plan and Transportation Plan Status Updates", dated October 15, 2024 and respectfully submitted by the Specialist, Climate Action;

  AND FURTHER, that Council direct Administration to continue following the Council endorsed engagement plans, adopted on March 25, 2024, as outlined in the "Engagement Strategy and Communications Plan for the Joint Review of the Official Community Plan and Transportation Plan" and the supplemental "Engagement Strategy: Community Groups List", that Council received for information at its meeting of April 8, 2024

  CARRIED

10.g

2025 Climate Action Community Outreach Strategy (5280-01)

• Moved by: Councillor Fehr
  Seconded by: Councillor Gares

  THAT Council authorize the release of up to $720,000 from the Local Government Climate Action Program funding to enable Administration to develop and deliver the climate action community outreach initiatives, as presented in the report titled “2025 Climate Action Community Outreach Strategy,” dated October 4, 2024 and respectfully submitted by the Specialist, Climate Action;

                                    Table 1: Summary of the 2025 Climate Action Community Outreach Strategy 

  Focus Areas	Community Climate Action Program Solutions	Budget Estimates
  Active transportation solutions	Provide equitable e-bike rebates to reduce purchase price	$110,000
  	Coordinate GoByBike Week events to promote cycling	$20,000
  Low-carbon building solutions	Provide building energy retrofit rebates to lower costs	$110,000
  	Offer coaching services to homeowners to simplify building energy retrofit processes	$110,000
  	Collaborate with building industry stakeholders to enhance capacity around low-carbon building solutions	$10,000
  Climate resiliency workshops	Deliver community workshops for residents to learn simple, effective ways to adapt to severe weather events	$20,000
  Green business planning	Coordinate free consulting services for businesses / non-profits to enhance green business practices	$30,000
  Youth climate careers	Support high school climate education programming	$20,000
  	Sponsor youth climate employment opportunities	$50,000
  Grow the community tree canopy	Enhance the City’s existing Tree Voucher program to increase planting of shade trees in Vernon	$15,000
  Additional Implementation Expenses
  Human resources	Hire a temporary, 2-year Project Coordinator to lead community outreach	$160,000
  	Source a temporary contractor to fill the HR gap until the Project Coordinator is recruited	$50,000
  Event activation supplies	Source supplies for events where the outreach programs will be promoted (e.g., tent, handouts, displays, signage)	$15,000
  	Total Budget	$720,000

  AND FURTHER, that Council support the creation of a full time, 2-year temporary Project Coordinator position in 2025, funded by the Local Government Climate Action Program.

  CARRIED

10.h

2025 Budget Format Changes Update

• Moved by: Councillor Guy
  Seconded by: Councillor Fehr

  That Council receive the memorandum titled “2025 Budget Format Changes Update” dated October 17, 2024 and respectfully submitted by Director, Financial Services.

  CARRIED

10.i

Hesperia Development Corporation Shareholder Meeting (1660-20)

• Moved by: Councillor Guy
  Seconded by: Councillor Durning

  RESOLVED, as a resolution of the sole shareholder of Hesperia Development Corporation (the Company) entitled to vote at an annual general meeting, that:

  1. WHEREAS there will be no financial transactions for the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and the Company has no assets, liabilities and equity, the appointment of auditors for the Company for the 2024 fiscal year is waived;
  2. October 10, 2024 is hereby selected as the annual reference date for the Company for its current annual reference period;
  3. The number of directors of the Company is hereby fixed at three;
  4. The following persons, each of whom has consented in writing to act as a director, are hereby elected as directors of the Company, to hold office until the next annual general meeting of the Company (or unanimous resolutions consented to in lieu of holding an annual general meeting) or until their successors are appointed:

     PATTI BRIDAL

     BRETT BANDY

     ELMA HAMMING

  5. All lawful acts, contracts, proceedings, appointments and payments of money by the directors of the Company since the last annual reference date of the Company, and which have previously been disclosed to the shareholders, are hereby adopted, ratified and confirmed.
  CARRIED

10.j

CBW Development Corp. Shareholder Meeting (1660-20)

• Moved by: Councillor Mund
  Seconded by: Councillor Gares

  RESOLVED, as a resolution of the sole shareholder of CBW Development Corp. (the Company) entitled to vote at an annual general meeting, that:

  1. WHEREAS there will be no financial transactions for the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and the Company has no assets, liabilities and equity, the appointment of auditors for the Company for the 2024 fiscal year is waived;
  2. October 12, 2024 is hereby selected as the annual reference date for the Company for its current annual reference period;
  3. The number of directors of the Company is hereby fixed at three;
  4. The following persons, each of whom has consented in writing to act as a director, are hereby elected as directors of the Company, to hold office until the next annual general meeting of the Company (or unanimous resolutions consented to in lieu of holding an annual general meeting) or until their successors are appointed:

     PATTI BRIDAL

     BRETT BANDY

     ELMA HAMMING

  5. All lawful acts, contracts, proceedings, appointments and payments of money by the directors of the Company since the last annual reference date of the Company, and which have previously been disclosed to the shareholders, are hereby adopted, ratified and confirmed.
  CARRIED

10.k

2025 Regular Council Meeting Dates and Appointment of Acting Mayors (0530-01)

• Moved by: Councillor Mund
  Seconded by: Councillor Gares

  THAT Council receives for information the memorandum titled “2025 Regular Council Meeting Dates and Appointment of Acting Mayors” dated October 9, 2024 respectfully submitted by the Manager, Legislative Services;

  AND FURTHER, that Council approve the 2025 Council meeting schedule as presented;

  AND FURTHER, that Council appoints the 2025 Acting Mayors as follows:

  Month	Acting Mayor
  January	Councillor Durning
  February	Councillor Gares
  March	Councillor Quiring
  April	Councillor Guy
  May	Councillor Fehr
  June	Councillor Gares
  July	Councillor Mund
  August	Councillor Durning
  September	Councillor Quiring
  October	Councillor Guy
  November	Councillor Fehr
  December	Councillor Mund

  CARRIED

11.

LEGISLATIVE MATTERS

11.a

Bylaws for Adoption

11.a.1

Bylaw 6016 - Permissive Tax Exemption

Councillor Fehr declared a conflict of interest as he is employed by Turning Points Collaborative, who are being considered for a permissive tax exemption, and left the meeting at 3:52 pm.

• Moved by: Councillor Mund
  Seconded by: Councillor Gares

  THAT Bylaw 6016, "City of Vernon Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw 6016, 2024", a bylaw to exempt from taxation certain lands and improvements in the City of Vernon for the years 2025 through 2029, be adopted. 

  CARRIED
• Councillor Fehr returned at 3:53 pm. 

11.a.2

Bylaw 6017 - Subdivision Servicing Bylaw Amendment (Designation of Servicing Officer)

• Moved by: Councillor Guy
  Seconded by: Councillor Durning

  THAT Bylaw 6017, "Subdivision and Development Servicing (Designation of Servicing Officer) Amendment Bylaw 6017, 2024", a bylaw to designate and define the role of the Servicing Officer, be adopted. 

  CARRIED

11.b

Bylaws for First, Second and Third Readings

11.b.1

Bylaw 6018 - Amendment to Fire Services Bylaw 5635 - Open Burning Smoke Control Regulations

• Moved by: Councillor Mund
  Seconded by: Councillor Gares

  THAT Bylaw 6018, "Fire Services (Burning Permits) Amendment Bylaw 6018, 2024", a bylaw to amend Fire Services Bylaw 5635 to include the Province of British Columbia Open Burning Smoke Control Regulations, be read a first, second and third time. 

  CARRIED

12.

COUNCIL INFORMATION UPDATES

12.a

Mayor and Councillors Reports

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

13.

INFORMATION ITEMS

13.a

Correspondence

13.a.1

Okanagan Water Board letter dated September 11, 2024 - Sewerage Facilities Assistance Grants: Additional Exemption to 1.0 Hectare Policy

13.a.2

BC Affordable Housing Conference November 18 - 20, 2024

13.b

Minutes from Council Committees

13.b.1

Joint Biosolid Advisory Committee - April 24, 2024

13.b.2

Economic Development Advisory Committee - May 30, 2024

13.b.3

Advisory Planning Committee - August 13, 2024

13.b.4

Tourism Commission - September 18, 2024

2.

RESOLUTION TO CLOSE MEETING

Mayor Cumming requested a motion to move to In Camera at 4:05 pm.

2.a

Resolution to Close Meeting

• Moved by: Councillor Gares
  Seconded by: Councillor Fehr

  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

14.

RECESS MEETING TO 5:30 PM FOR PUBLIC HEARING

Mayor Cumming reconvened the Regular Open Meeting at 5:33 pm and recessed at 5:34 pm for the Public Hearing.

15.

RECONVENE MEETING

Mayor Cumming reconvened the Regular Open Meeting at 6:05 pm.

15.a

Bylaw(s) for Third Reading

15.a.1

Bylaw 6014 - 6092 Okanagan Landing Road Official Community Plan Amendment

• Moved by: Councillor Quiring
  Seconded by: Councillor Gares

  THAT Bylaw 6014, "6092 Okanagan Landing Road Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 6014, 2024", a bylaw to redesignate the subject lands from "Public & Institutional" to "Residential Medium Density" be read a third time. 

  Opposed (2)

  Mayor Cumming, and Councillor Guy

  CARRIED (5 to 2)

15.a.2

Bylaw 6015 - 6092 Okanagan Landing Road Zoning Amendment

• Moved by: Councillor Quiring
  Seconded by: Councillor Fehr

  THAT Bylaw 6015, "6092 Okanagan Landing Road Zoning Amendment Bylaw 6015, 2024", a bylaw to rezone the subject lands from "Community" to "Multi Unit Medium Scale" be read a third time. 

  Opposed (2)

  Mayor Cumming, and Councillor Guy

  CARRIED (5 to 2)

16.

CLOSE OF MEETING

Mayor Cumming adjourned the Regular meeting at 6:26 pm.