National Day of Mourning honoured
Mayor and Council paused their Council Meeting on Monday to join communities across B.C. to observe National Day of Mourning—a time to honour workers who have lost their lives, been injured, or fallen ill due to workplace incidents.
A small ceremony was held outside Vernon City Hall, featuring remarks from representatives of the Province of British Columbia, WorkSafeBC, CUPE Local 626, Vernon Fire Rescue Services, and the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP. To watch the video of the ceremony, visit the City’s Facebook page.
Official Community Plan and Transportation Plan update
Council received an update on the progress of the Official Community Plan (OCP) and Transportation Plan (TP) ahead of the upcoming Phase 3 public engagement, scheduled to begin later this spring. The OCP and TP review is entering its final phase, with completion targeted by the end of 2025 to align with Provincial requirements. To stay informed of upcoming engagement, subscribe for updates at engagevernon.ca/ocp-tp.
Protective Services update on downtown Vernon
Council received a presentation from Protective Services on the volume and nature of 2024 calls for service within Vernon’s Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA). A total of 895 calls for service were recorded from the public via in-person visits, phone, or email—and identified by Bylaw Officers during regular foot, bike, and vehicle patrols.
New downtown Clean Team
Council approved the implementation of a Downtown Clean Team two-year pilot project, running from June 1 to September 30, to improve the overall cleanliness and appearance of the downtown area. The initiative is funded up to a maximum of $88,000 per year. Council has also directed Administration to bring forward a proposed service level adjustment for the Downtown Clean Team for consideration during the 2027 budget deliberations.
Economic Development update
Council received a presentation on development activity highlighting key improvements to streamline Vernon’s development processes, including faster permit approvals and a new zoning bylaw. These changes significantly reduced processing times and improved customer service.
Development activity in early 2025 has increased, with $54.4 million of new investment and 53 residential units approved for construction, compared to $20 million and 20 units in early 2024. Ongoing updates aim to support continued community investment, including new planning tools and tracking systems.
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