By Tiffany Goodwein

Washroom site to bring tax savings to Vernon residents

Dec 17, 2019 | 6:00 AM

A third public washroom location has been set – and it will bring a slight dip to the tax rate.

The washroom will be located at the downtown bus terminal which would bring the tax rate down to 4.84 per cent thanks to over $36,000 in savings.

Council previously approved a single washroom at the downtown transit terminus in October. Council’s approval of the third washroom means two stalls will be situated at the downtown transit terminal on 31 Ave.

City staff recommended placing the third public washroom in the 3500 block of Linear Park but many on council disagreed, citing the projected tax rate increase of 4.91 per cent and the availability of washrooms at other social services buildings.

“I don’t want to see a washroom up at Linear Park right now. They have the Upper Room Mission to go to during the day on the weekends. It’s literally a few blocks away, the one that we have on 30 Avenue, so there’s really no reason to have one there,” said Coun. Dalvir Nahal who suggested having the Polson Park washrooms open all day instead.

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Concerns were also raised about the recent closures and malfunctions at the washroom facility.

The public washroom was most recently closed during the downtown light up on Nov 30.

“It was a very unfortunate event that it was closed during the light up and that was just due to the cold temperatures. We are taking steps to remedy that so that in the cold temperatures we will not have the water freezing, but that was what was happening during that weekend,” said Shirley Koenig, director of operation services, who added that the issue is being addressed in the current facility and the washrooms in the design phase.

The hours of the washroom were also discussed with some calling for all day access.

“Regardless of which way we go, I think it does need to be 24 hours,” said Coun. Kelly Fehr.

But for Coun. Brian Quiring, it all came down to the projected tax increase.

“It’s budget for me Kelly, It’s the $35,000 that we are going to save in operating and I think if we need to in the spring, and we can find a little extra money we are going to put two porta potties down there like we did last time,” he said

According to city staff, council previously approved the washrooms to be open until 10 p.m. City staff argued that extending the hours to 24/7 may pose a number of issues.

“There is some concern that if the washrooms are open 24/7 that people will move in,” said Koenig who noted that the public washroom near the downtown Safeway has already been vandalized by graffiti since opening in October.

CAO Will Pearce also explained that operating a washroom 24/7 will most likely lead to a rise in cleaning and operating costs.

Council voted 5-1 in support of the transit washroom location with Coun. Kelly Fehr opposed. Coun. Scott Anderson was absent from the meeting.

by Tiffany Goodwein

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