(file photo/Vernon Matters Staff)

By Liam Verster

Camps on RDNO Land

Options being explored to address homeless camps and garbage outside Vernon boundary

Nov 7, 2023 | 1:00 PM

The City of Vernon is taking action to address homeless encampments, even if they are outside the city’s boundary.

At the regular council meeting Monday, Nov. 6, Councillor Kelly Fehr noted there has been increased attention drawn to encampments along Highway 97 north of Vernon, which are technically outside the city’s jurisdiction and in the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO), and that there seemed to be a need to have a collaborative effort to clean up after these camps.

“I think it’s important that at the next regional district meeting we have a conversation around how do we ensure we are collaborating with the RDNO and that everyone’s doing their due part in keeping our area safe,” Fehr said, adding he would bring it up at the next RDNO meeting.

Councillor Teresa Durning followed up by saying if no action is taken by the RDNO following Fehr’s presentation, that she would put forward a motion at a future city council meeting to write a more formal letter requesting the issues be addressed.

Fehr noted his request to the RDNO will be very clear in “finding out what is being done” and what a collaborative effort will entail to address the matter.

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Councillor Brian Quiring noted the BX Swan Lake Fire Department treat the encampments north of Vernon as hazmat sites, and members are required to wear full respirators when responding to calls.

He recommended the Ministry of Environment also be informed of the issues and request a more aggressive approach be taken with addressing the encampments, especially those around the sensitive areas like the Swan Lake Nature Reserve and bird sanctuary.

Councillor Kari Gares reiterated the encampments Fehr referred to are outside the city’s jurisdiction, and requested staff come up with an official statement to clarify what role and responsibility the city has and what legal challenges would the city face should it go clear out an encampment outside its jurisdiction without collaborating or partnering with the other entity.

“This is just for more of an understanding for the general public to understand why these processes exist that we simply can’t just go in there for the sake of going in, even if we would love to do so,” Gares explained.

Mayor Victor Cumming said he would also like to see an official statement on the matter, and staff were tasked with reporting back at the next meeting with the information.

During the meeting, Councillor Brian Guy inquired as to what action the city could take to clean up garbage on the side of the highway at the north end of Vernon, which is within the city’s boundaries but technically under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

“It’s unattractive, it’s affecting our brand, it’s in a really visible location and I think really paints the city in a bad light, gives the impression that we don’t care about the city,” Guy remarked.

“I know we’re trying to work with the Ministry of Transportation on this, but I’m just wondering if we can do a little more to keep this area free of garbage. Is there anything we could do to compel the Ministry to keep their property clean? Can we clean it up ourselves and send them the bill? Or can we just say ‘we’re going to send someone around once a week to clean it up?'”

Staff informed Guy that the city does contact both the Ministry of Transportation and CN Rail at regular intervals regarding complaints and issues with garbage along the highway and rail tracks, and that practice will continue.

It was also noted that taking over the cleaning of the areas in question would require an agreement with the province, and would come at the cost of Vernon taxpayers.

During the meeting, Gares noted a possible encampment was being built up behind Kal Tire Place, and asked staff to investigate the site and report back with options to address the camp. A report on the matter will be presented to council at its next regular meeting.