THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF VERNON

AGENDA

Regular Open Meeting of Council

Monday, November 27, 2023 at 1:30 P.m. - 4:30 P.m.

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER

3400 30 Street

Vernon B.C.

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1.

CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER

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

• THAT Council move to the Committee of the Whole meeting.

2.

RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING AND RESOLUTION TO CLOSE MEETING

2.a

Resolution to Close Meeting

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

  (a) personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality;

  (c) labour relations or other employee relations;

  (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.

3.

RECONVENE TO OPEN COUNCIL AT 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

• THAT the Agenda for the November 27, 2023 Regular Open Meeting of Council be adopted as circulated.

3.c

Adoption of Minutes and Receipt of Committee of the Whole

• THAT the minutes of the Regular meeting of Council held November 6, 2023 be adopted;

  AND FURTHER, that the minutes of the Special meeting of Council held November 14, 2023 be adopted;

  AND FURTHER, that the minutes of the Committee of the Whole Meeting of Council held November 6, 2023 be received.

4.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

5.

GENERAL MATTERS

5.a

Presentation - RCMP Quarterly Report

Supt. Shawna Baher, OIC, RCMP will provide Council with the Third Quarter Report for 2023 (July to September).

• THAT Council receives the RCMP Third Quarter Report for 2023 (July to September), as provided by Supt. Baher, OIC, RCMP at the November 27, 2023 Regular Council Meeting.

5.b

Delegation - Neuron Mobility 

Christopher Carroll, Vernon Operations Manager from Neuron Mobility will provide Council with an overview of Neuron's operations over the past year.

• THAT Council receive the November 27, 2023 presentation from Christopher Carroll, Vernon Operations Manager for Neuron Mobility, for information.

6.

COUNCIL INQUIRIES

7.

ADMINISTRATION UPDATES

• THAT Council receive the Administration Updates dated November 27, 2023 for information.

8.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

8.a

City of Vernon Parks and Greater Vernon Recreation Fees Assessment Update (7700-16)

• THAT Council receive the memorandum titled "City of Vernon Parks and Greater Vernon Recreation Fees Assessment Update" dated November 17, 2023 and respectfully submitted by the Manager, Customer Service - Recreation;

  AND FURTHER, that Council direct staff to work with Innovate Planning and Co at a cost of $40,000 to capture data, determine cost recovery and subsidy rates, and establish a two-year cycle for the Recreation and Parks Services Fees and Charges bylaw;

  AND FURTHER, that Council authorize the funds to come from the Prior Year Unexpended Uncommitted Balance. 

8.b

Request for Direction: Recreational Vehicles (RVs) as Dwelling Units on Lands Within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR)(6635-01)

• THAT Council select Option 1 and direct Administration to draft bylaw amendments allowing the ALR Use Regulations to govern all residential uses on ALR lands (including primary dwellings, secondary suites, accessory dwellings, and accessory buildings) as outlined in the report titled “Request For Direction: Recreational Vehicles (RVs) As Dwelling Units On Lands Within The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR)”, dated November 15, 2023, and respectfully submitted by the Planner;

  AND FURTHER, that Council direct Administration to establish regulations to align the implementation of Accessory Dwelling Units with the Okanagan Basin Water Board’s 1.0 Hectare Policy.

9.

MATTERS REFERRED

10.

NEW BUSINESS

10.a

Airport Runway and Taxiway Lighting LED Upgrade (8400-02)

• THAT Council receives the memorandum titled "Airport Runway and Taxiway Lighting LED Upgrade" dated November 2, 2023, respectfully submitted by the Manager, Roads, Drainage and Airport;

  AND FURTHER, that Council authorize administration to proceed with the "Airport Runway and Taxiway Lighting LED Upgrade" at a cost not to exceed $100,000, to be funded by reallocating unspent funding from the Apron Rehabilitation Project, which was approved from the Casino Reserve.  

10.b

2023 ICBC Road Improvement Program Grants (5410-30)

• THAT Council allocate $136,400 towards the Priority Intersection Improvements capital project budget, $25,800 towards the Transportation Safety capital project, and $1,500 towards the Sidewalk Ramps capital project from the ICBC Road Improvement Program grants as outlined in the memorandum titled "2023 ICBC Road Improvements Program Grants", dated November 14, 2023 and respectfully submitted by the Transportation Planner. 

10.c

Electric Vehicle Charger Rebate (8300-09)

• THAT Council allocate the $55,000 CleanBC EV charger rebate to the existing EV Charging Stations capital project budget as outlined in the memorandum titled "Electric Vehicle Charger Rebate", dated November 7, 2023 and respectfully submitted by the Transportation Planner. 

10.d

E-Scooter Pilot Program Survey Results and Next Steps (8300-10-06)

• THAT Council receive for information the e-scooter pilot program survey results, as outlined in the report titled "E-Scooter Pilot Program Survey Results and Next Steps' dated November 15, 2023 and respectfully submitted by the Active Transportation Coordinator;

  AND FURTHER, that Council direct Administration to develop and implement a new application process for shared e-scooter vendors to operate in Vernon, should the Province extend the Pilot or make the e-scooter regulations permanent. 

10.e

2023 Vernon Business Walks Report (6750-01)

• THAT Council receive for information the memorandum titled "2023 Vernon Business Walks Report" dated November 17, 2023 and respectfully submitted by the Manager, Economic Development and Tourism.

10.f

Development Applications Process Improvements - Information Services Staffing (6410-04)

• THAT Council receive for information the memorandum titled "Development Application Process Improvements - Information Services Staffing", dated November 17, 2023 and respectfully submitted by the Director, Planning & Community Services;

  AND FURTHER, that Council authorize Administration to establish and recruit a 2-year term full-time Business Analyst, Applications position funded from the previous approved Development Application Process Review budget.

10.g

Council Discretionary Grants - October Intake (1850-02)

• THAT Council approves the recommendations regarding the Council Discretionary Grants from the Finance Committee as follows:

  1. THAT Council approve a Council Discretionary Grant to 6^th Vernon Scout Group in the amount of $2,000 to purchase equipment and supplies for the group.
  2. THAT Council deny a Council Discretionary Grant to AURA Chamber Choir Society in the amount of $23,000 as the City has limited funds for disbursement.
  3. THAT Council deny a Council Discretionary Grant to Canadian Home Builders Association in the amount of $7,500 as the City has limited funds for disbursement.
  4. THAT Council deny a Council Discretionary Grant to Fresh Outlook Foundation in the amount of $20,000 as the organization submitted a grant application in April 2023.
  5. THAT Council deny a Council Discretionary Grant to Kindale Development Association in the amount of $9,121.28 as the City has limited funds for disbursement.
  6. THAT Council approve a Council Discretionary Grant to Literacy Society of the North Okanagan in the amount of $4,000 to support the increase of wages and materials for four new facilitators in an 18-week program.
  7. THAT Council deny a Council Discretionary Grant to North Okanagan Cycling Society in the amount of $3,800 as the organization submitted a grant application in April 2023.
  8. THAT Council deny a Council Discretionary Grant to North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society in the amount of $5,000 as the organization submitted a grant application in April 2023.
  9. THAT Council approve a Council Discretionary Grant to North Valley Gymnastics Society in the amount $7,460 of a requested amount of $202,473.60 for the replacement of equipment.
  10. THAT Council deny a Council Discretionary Grant to Santa’s Anonymous Society in the amount of $3,000 as the City has limited funds for disbursement.
  11. THAT Council approve a Council Discretionary Grant to Special Olympics BC – Vernon Committee in the amount of $6,000 to expand training programs with additional space, practices, equipment and uniforms.
  12. THAT Council approve a Council Discretionary Grant to Vernon & District Funtastic Sports Society in the amount of $1,500 to buy tables and chairs for their events.
  13. THAT Council deny a Council Discretionary Grant to Vernon Community Band Society in the amount of $800 as the organization submitted a grant application in April 2023.
  14. THAT Council deny a Council Discretionary Grant to Vernon Community Music School in the amount of $3,000 as the organization submitted a grant application in April 2023.
  15. THAT Council approve a Council Discretionary Grant to Vernon District Riding Club in the amount of $5,000 to install a better irrigation system for sand rings.
  16. THAT Council approve a Council Discretionary Grant to Vernon Figure Skating in the amount of $1,000 to purchase on and off ice equipment.
  17. THAT Council deny a Council Discretionary Grant to Vernon Folk-Roots Music Society in the amount of $5,000 as the City has limited funds for disbursement.
  18. THAT Council deny a Council Discretionary Grant to Vernon Lawn Bowling Club in the amount of $7,500 as the organization submitted a grant application in April 2023.
  19. THAT Council approve a Council Discretionary Grant to Vernon Pride Society in the amount of $3,000 to purchase gender-affirming garments for youth and adults.

10.h

Draft New Investment Policy (1690)

• THAT Council receive the memorandum titled “New Draft Investment Policy” dated November 17, 2023 and respectfully submitted by the Manager, Financial Operations;

  AND FURTHER that Council approves the recommendations regarding the Investment Policy from the Finance Committee as follows:

  1. THAT Council rescind the July 11, 2005 “Investment of City Funds” policy.
  2. THAT Council adopt the new “Investment Policy”.

10.i

Provincial Speculation Tax - Item for Discussion

11.

LEGISLATIVE MATTERS

11.a

Bylaws for First, Second and Third Readings

11.a.1

Bylaw 5977

• Memo dated November 15, 2023 from the Manager, Customer Service - Recreation re: Recreation & Parks Services Amendments to Fees & Charges Bylaw

• THAT Bylaw 5977, "Recreation and Parks Services (2024 Tiered Fees and Charges) Amendment Bylaw 5977, 2023", a bylaw to amend Schedule A of Recreation and Parks Services Fees and Charges Bylaw Number 5472, 2013, be read a first and second time. 

11.b

Bylaw for Adoption

11.b.1

Bylaw 5935

• Memo dated November 15, 2023 from the Planner re: Official Community Plan and Zoning Amendment Adoption Request for 2800 40th Street

• THAT Bylaw 5935, “2702 and 2800 40 Street Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 5935, 2022” - a bylaw to redesignate the subject property from “Residential Small Lot” to “Public and Institutional”, be adopted. 

11.b.2

Bylaw 5936

• Memo dated November 15, 2023 from the Planner re: Official Community Plan and Zoning Amendment Adoption Request for 2800 40th Street

• THAT Bylaw 5936, "2702 and 2800 40 Street Rezoning Amendment Bylaw Number 5936, 2022” – a bylaw to rezone the subject property from "RM2 - Multiple Housing Residential" to “P3 - Private Institutional”, be adopted. 

12.

COUNCIL INFORMATION UPDATES

12.a

Mayor and Councillors Reports

13.

INFORMATION ITEMS

13.a

Correspondence

1. Letter dated November 9, 2023 from the Honorable Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing re: New legislation to support local government housing initiatives.
2. Letter dated November 17, 2023 from M.P. Mel Arnold to the Honorable Mark Holland, Federal Minister of Health re: Non-Enforcement of Health Canada Regulations for Cannabis Cultivation Facilities (For reference: Letter dated November 8, 2023 from Mayor Cumming re:  Cannabis cultivation facility at 1701 Kosmina Road, Vernon, BC)

13.b

Minutes from Council Committees

• Board of Variance, June 22, 2023
• Tourism Commission, July 19, 2023
• Climate Action Advisory Committee, August 30, 2023
• Finance Committee, August 30, 2023
• Tourism Commission, September 6, 2023
• Advisory Planning Committee, September 12, 2023
• Advisory Planning Committee, September 26, 2023
• Tourism Commission, October 18, 2023
• Climate Action Advisory Committee, November 8, 2023

14.

CLOSE OF MEETING