The Clean Team at work in the downtown core (Image Credit: City of Vernon)

By Liam Verster

Downtown Maintenance

Clean Team could operate year round: Vernon Councillor

Mar 9, 2026 | 5:16 PM

A Vernon City Councillor has suggested extending the Clean Team program.

The Clean Team is made up of a pair of city workers who are tasked with maintaining Vernon’s downtown core by removing graffiti and stickers, cleaning bus stops, picking up trash, cleaning sidewalks and pathways, and maintaining street furniture.

The program was launched on a two year pilot in 2025 and saw the team operate over the spring and summer months, but one city official believes they could be working year round.

“I had a meeting with a [Downtown Vernon Association] representative with regards to the benefits of the Clean Team, and one of the suggestions they requested was the possibility of extending it so it’s running all year round,” Councillor Kari Gares stated at the meeting Monday, March 9.

“Businesses in the downtown core, and residents alike, are highly receptive to the program we’ve invested in.”

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Staff were asked to bring options on how to run the program on a year-round basis back before council at a future meeting, where the matter will be discussed further.

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