Arguments about landscaping costs heat up in Turtle Mountain

It was a neighbourhood versus the city, and after a long heated discussion, Vernon council voted to ask staff to bring forward a design plan for residents and council to approve for Turtle Mountain Boulevard.

Prior to the decision, council chambers were packed Monday afternoon, with residents concerned about the future of their landscaping. The concern came after the neighbourhood developer, Wesbild Homes, suddenly pulled out of landscaping duties this spring, putting the onus on the city.

City staff recommended spending $175,000 to improve the irrigation system and remove grass islands and shrubs with more water conscious rock landscaping. The city also earmarked $75,000 a year to maintain the landscaping every year.

The cost would also include replacing several trees on the boulevard which are near the end of their life cycle. The trees, according to the city, require lots of irrigation and were planted in a rock pot which stunted their ability to grow.

But the cost estimates by the city caused a rift with residents and even some city councillors.

Coun. Dalvir Nahal said she spoke to Brad Pelletier, the senior vice president of Wesbild and he informed her that it would cost just $30,000 a year to maintain their neighborhood.

Cheers and applause erupted in the audience after Nahal addressed staff about the price difference.

“The last thing I want to do is remove anyone from here,” Acting Mayor Akbal Mund said.

Residents of Turtle Mountain also sought pricing from other landscaping companies, and they provided a similar price estimate.

Staff later defended their pricier estimate and said the price tag for the kind of work that is required is realistic.

“This is our cost numbers for our guys doing the work. That being said, that cost should not change. If you are doing this job correctly it should not change that price,” Parks and Public Spaces Manager Kendra Kryszak said.

Staff also noted the $30,000 estimate likely wouldn’t cover the cost of water and added planting standards have changed from when the community was first developed in 2006.

The Turtle Mountain community consists of 168 properties and contributes $343,948 in municipal taxes annually. The funding is used to fund fire services, which make up 40 per cent of the budget, police, and other municipal services.

City staff contacted residents by mail to gather input in regards to funding the landscaping and a majority of residents voted against cost sharing as an option.

“We are not a strata community. We have no desire to become one at this juncture. In fact, our purchases at Turtle Mountain represent a purpose driven decision to not be at one,” Turtle Mountain resident Wanda Remfort said.

A design plan that would suit the $75,000 budget will come forward at a later council meeting.

Wanda Remfert addresses council about concerns regarding the Turtle Mountain Boulevard landscaping #vernonbc pic.twitter.com/89YGtnWqww

— Tiffany Goodwein (@misstiff_94) July 29, 2019