UPDATE: School district discussing sewer service for BX Elementary with city

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That Council reaffirm its resolution of October 28, 2019, supporting provision of sanitary sewer services to BX Elementary in accordance with the “City Sewer Services Beyond City Boundaries Policy,” and further, supports the CAO in assisting School District 22 with the required boundary extension application, in order to expedite the process for obtaining the sanitary sewer service.

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In regards to the vote, Councillor Brian Quiring declared a conflict of interest and stepped out of the meeting; Councillors Kari Gares and Dalvir Nahal voted in opposition to the motion.

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Jan. 27

There is an effort to connect BX Elementary School to Vernon’s sewer system, but not if it means annexing the site into the city.

School District 22 and the city are discussing the possibility.

The school on Silver Star Road is located in Area C of the Regional District, and RDNO director Amanda Shatzko says her residents don’t want it to become part of Vernon which the city is demanding as part of its policy.

Shatzko says provincial officials have told her it could take several years for annexation to be approved which would put the school at risk of losing its construction grant.

“As per your staff report, waiving [the city policy] will not set precedence, as Hillview Elementary School is connected to City of Vernon sewer and still remains within the jurisdiction of Area C (and that demonstrates that this type of relationship does work, and issues that are projected would come up due to connection have not happened),” writes Shatzko in a letter to the city.

Shatzko goes on to say it would be a good decision on behalf of the environment and the students.

“Due to this new information for you, I kindly request that you please make a motion to accept to work across boundaries to connect BX Elementary school to sewer without annexation. Please do not pressure SD22 to back into a corner and request annexation, when there is a simple solution that we can make together,” she added.

Will Pearce, the city’s chief administrative officer, doesn’t appear to be budging on the policy.

“The CAO has made the offer to assist School District 22 staff with the boundary extension application and to proceed with permitting connection to the City’s sanitary sewer service once the City receives confirmation of an irrevocable application by School District 22 to include BX Elementary property within City limits and an irrevocable resolution of the RDNO Board supporting the application. This would be consistent with recent past practice (Butcher Boys),” writes Pearce to council.