City Of Vernon

The City of Vernon was incorporated in 1892. Vernon is located in the North Okanagan Regional District. The land area is 77.92 square kilometers and the elevation is 416 meters. The City of Vernon is enjoyed by the population especially because of the four seasons that we are blessed with.

Vernon

Vernon has two city council meetings a month. The standing committees that represent the city of Vernon are as follows: Development Land Use Committee - Advisory Planning Board - Public Art Advisory Committee - Transit Advisory Committee. Darwin Horning is the Official Community planner for the City of Vernon Long Range Planner (OUC). The citizens of Vernon are urged to volunteer and apply to chair this plan. There are a number of people interested in being part of the OUC plan. The City of Vernon has several volunteer committees that consist of Advisory Planning Board; Affordable Housing Advisory; Athletic Commission; Audit Committee; Board of Variance; Environmental Advisory Committee; Finance Committee; Heritage Advisory Committee.

Public Art Advisory and The Transit Advisory Committee planning board consists of nine citizens, two councilors and a staff liaison which purpose is to provide Vernon city Council with advice and recommendations proposed land use and planning changes any pertinent information relevant to these functions.

Affordable Housing Board consists of eight citizens, the Mayor, one city council member and one staff liaison whom provide advice to implement the City of Vernon Affordable Housing Policy by collecting data on rental housing needs for Vernon and surrounding area also advising city council on effectiveness and value of the afore mentioned data. The Affordable Housing group has serious issues to resolve with the lack of housing in Vernon.

Vernon Athletic Commission consists of four citizens, one city councilor, and one staff liaison the purpose is to provide advice to regulate sports, specify equipment to play sports safer, rules of conduct, and recommend police officials in sporting events, issue permits, approve contracts for regular sports with by-law enforcement ruling. The Athletic Commission establishes and imposes by-law infractions pertaining to license permit fees.

Audit Committee consists of the Mayor, two city councilor's one alternate and three staff liaisons that are responsible for the annual audit report and management report which are supplied by city auditors. The reports are of any and all relevant facts. The City of Vernon's auditors also report in regards to City of Vernon financial report.

The Board of Variance consists of five citizens and one staff liaison appointed by city council that process all applications made for minor variances in relation to the City of Vernon zoning by-law.

Environmental Advisory Committee consists of eight citizen's one city councilor that dictates protection, enhancement, restoration and management of local environment to provide environmental sustainability for the community.

Finance Committee consists of two city councilor's , the Mayor and two staff liaisons to review the annual and quarterly budgets and reports thus making recommendations to review any instance pertaining to financial matters a City Hall.

Heritage Advisory Committee consists of five citizens, one councilor, and one staff liaison to review the designation of heritage buildings, structures and demolition. The Heritage committee also monitors and creates funds and availability for this committee for example grants available for heritage owners.

The Public Art Advisory Committee consists of four citizens and one staff liaison that are responsible for the establishing of public visual art policy. Items to implement and monitor are location, style, guidelines, donations, commissioned art work by working with city standards.

The Transit Advisory Committee consists of seven citizens, two staff liaisons that are responsible for needs, costs, benefits, expanding and modifying existing transit service and routes. Transit will try to update travel provisions by reviewing varying demographic factors especially the influx of Vernon's population.

By: Elaine Harrison