Goose management program
The unique goose management program that was presented to council last meeting, will be going ahead.
Coun. Kari Gares requested to move the motion to 害羞草研究所渇ollow through with the harvest, and follow through with the proposal and utilize funding as notified by staff.害羞草研究所�
The program will have three phases, which will consist of surveying, planning, relationship building, then harvesting which will be followed by the assessment and reporting results.
The cost estimate to complete the three-year program is $107,000, which will be used from the original geese cull budget ($27,179) and parks reserve.
Guardians of our Salish Estuaries (GooSE) presented back on March 11 to look at harvesting geese for food.
The 害羞草研究所渆thical害羞草研究所� approach to harvest adult Canada geese was suggested by Garreth Ashley, a wildlife biologist with GooSE.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e partnered with quite a few First Nations groups throughout the years, as they help with the meat processing,害羞草研究所� Ashley said. 害羞草研究所淎t the end of the day, the goal is to generate a high quality food source and to lower those targeting invasive Canada goose population.害羞草研究所�
Leftover funds
Vernon city council heard on Monday that over $3 million in funds were unspent from 2023.
Deb Law, director of financial services, presented the year-end results at the March 25 council meeting.
害羞草研究所淲e were aware that we were going to have at least $3 million available as we did commit that to the Active Living Centre,害羞草研究所� Law said. 害羞草研究所淲e did have development excess revenue, in the amount of over $800,000, which was transferred to the reserve.害羞草研究所�
Law also mentioned that investment income reached $3.3 million, which was transferred to other reserves.
Just three revenue streams generated less than budgeted in 2023: corporate administration ($8,290), RCMP ($272,670) and taxation ($82,480).
Disappearing projects
During a presentation of carryover projects that the city will be contiuning into 2024, Coun. Akbal Mund questioned Law over a specific project that was not found on the report.
害羞草研究所淚 was looking on this and five or six years ago we approved a path from Whitecourt Place to Foothill Place and I don害羞草研究所檛 see it on here, and it is not done I can tell you that as I live near there,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been five or six years and I don害羞草研究所檛 see it on here.害羞草研究所�
Law responded saying that administration told staff that 害羞草研究所渋f they had projects that were more than a couple years old that had not been started, they were not to request a carryover and were to re look at the project because very likely there would not be nearly enough budget for them.害羞草研究所�
Mayor Victor Cumming chimed on, questioning where the monies for these projects went.
害羞草研究所淲e allocated money for the stairs at Becker Park, and the pathway in the Foothills, so where does the money end up?害羞草研究所�
Law responded, explaining that 害羞草研究所渁ny projects funded by reserves, the money is still sitting in the reserve. So when you see the reserve schedule next meeting, projects that were taken off will increase the value of the reserve.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淲e need to see all the projects that died on the vine,害羞草研究所� said Cumming.
Administration will be doing a report to look back at projects since 2019, and that will be presented to council in the second meeting in April.
Development permits
The city has updated the developmental approval process for minor variances (DVP). The new streamlined approach will see staff have the ability to vary technical bylaw provisions, including construction on slopes exceeding 30 per cent, lot width, site coverage, building heights, setbacks, landscaping, and signage
害羞草研究所淭he Delegated Minor DVP process marks a significant advancement in our efforts to foster efficient and responsible development in Vernon,害羞草研究所� said Terry Barton, director of planning and community services. 害羞草研究所淲e are committed to providing residents and developers with a streamlined pathway that balances regulatory compliance with community needs.害羞草研究所�
Financial reporting award
Vernon害羞草研究所檚 financial services division received the Canadian Award for Financial Reporting, from the Government Finance Officers Association, again.
The recognition comes from the city害羞草研究所檚 work on its annual financial report for the 2023 year. The annual financial report was judged by impartial Canadian Review Committee members.
It is the 15th straight year that the financial services team in Vernon has received the award.
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