Administration , Corporate Services , Human Resources & Finance
2015 Achievements
Administration , Corporate Services , Human Resources & Finance
CN Rail Corridor
The municipalities of Kelowna , Lake Country , Coldstream and Vernon , as well as the regional districts of Central Okanagan and North Okanagan , jointly identified the value the rail line could have as a continuous multi-modal transportation corridor connecting all the communities . The Inter-jurisdictional team is acting as a common voice for local governments to work collaboratively in achieving common goals for the mutual benefit of the valley ’ s residents .
On December 1 , 2014 the City of Kelowna , on behalf of the Interjurisdictional Acquisition Team signed a negotiated sales and purchase agreement with CN for the discontinued rail line between Kelowna and Mile 88 in Coldstream . The agreement was modified to allow for the District of Lake Country to hold a referendum after an Alternative Approval Process resulted in 960 qualified electors being opposed to the borrowing bylaw . The modified agreement stipulated that CN will attempt to remove the rail infrastructure from the corridor for salvage by the end of 2017 . Once the discontinuance process had
The unique opportunity to purchase and protect the rail corridor along the shores of Wood Lake and Kalamalka Lake through Lake Country has been the subject of much controversy since the purchase and sale agreement was signed in December 2014 .
As with other municipalities , Lake Country faces infrastructure maintenance and renewal challenges , but the District has master plans and funding parameters in place to ensure that infrastructure needs are addressed over time , yet still allow the District to take advantage of once-in-alifetime opportunities such as the rail corridor acquisition .
concluded , and public ownership was achieved , local governments will work to establish construction and operational agreements , determine future costs and other considerations as part of protecting the rail corridor for future generations .
The District of Lake Country Council took the first steps towards an alternative approval process by giving three readings to Loan Authorization Bylaw ( Okanagan Rail Corridor ) 906,2014 . The bylaw sought authorization to borrow up to $ 2.6 million to fund the purchase of 50 per cent of the discontinued CN rail line within the District of Lake Country ’ s jurisdiction .
District of Lake Country Council initiated an alternative approval process ( AAP ) January 2015 seeking elector approval to borrow up to $ 2.6 million to fund 50 per cent of the purchase of the discontinued CN rail line within District of Lake Country ’ s jurisdiction . When the AAP failed to provide elector approval , a full referendum was organized .
Referendum
A local government referendum was organized and conducted in Lake Country to determine the community ’ s interest in purchasing a section of the Okanagan Rail Corridor in collaboration with the City of Kelowna , the North Okanagan Regional District and the District of Coldstream .
“ It is critical for all residents to come out to vote , to ensure they have their say in shaping our community ’ s future and to be informed in making that decision ,” said Mayor James Baker .
The 2015 referendum elector turnout was the largest in Lake Country ’ s history with 48 % of the eligible electors attending the polling stations . There were a total of 4,462 ballots cast in the Lake Country referendum ; with 2,853 electors casting their vote on five Advance Voting Days and 1,606 voting on General Voting Day , Saturday , April 25 , 2015 . The results of the Referendum were overwhelmingly in favour of the purchase with 75 % of the voters in favour .
2015 Annual Report 24 | P a g e