Two roundabout projects within the City of Vernon are ahead of schedule.
The circle at Pleasant Valley Road and 39th Avenue could be open earlier in the fall than originally planned, council was told at its regular meeting Monday, July 14.
"The contractor has completed the retaining wall and is working on the fence and road construction," said staff in an update to council. "Fortis Gas is on-site to install new gas mains in the lane and along 39th Avenue. All traffic is detouring around the site, and the contractor is coordinating access with emergency services and affected residents as well as transit, garbage, and recycling services."
The roundabout on Silver Star Road at Phoenix Drive Roundabout is planned to be completed in September.
The contractor has installed the curbing, half of the roundabout, and is finalizing completion of the road for paving on the west side.
Traffic will then be detoured through the completed west side so that work can start on the east side of the roundabout.
The paving is done at 32nd Avenue and 38th Street. All that's left in that project is landscape restoration and clean-up, which is expected to be completed this month.
CAR DEALERS TAXED
Vernon's car dealers are feeling the pinch financially.
Coun. Brian Quiring wants the city to write a letter to B.C. Assessment or perhaps a provincial minister backing the local dealers who are being hit hard by tax increases.
"I've heard from a number of dealers in Vernon that their taxes have doubled, and one in the regional district (North Okanagan) says their taxes have tripled," said Quiring. "I've spoken to some dealers in Vancouver and it's the same there.
"Taxes are going up significantly with no improvements being made, and it's crippling, especially to some of the smaller guys."
'RUST'-IC BRIDGE
A newly installed bridge in Polson Park has a rustic look to it.
Coun. Kari Gares loves the rusty look and design of the bridge, part of the Vernon Creek rehabilitation project, but wondered if the bridge was to be painted, expressing concerns that the rust could transfer onto people's hands and clothes should they lean on the bridge.
"It was always intended to have a rustic look," said city manager of infrastructure services Mark Dahowniuk. "The design was to have that look and finish, and it came with a $60,000 savings cost on the project."
A hand grip rail has been installed on the bridge for people to grab hold of, should they need to while crossing the bridge.
FLEET TREATS
Council gave its unanimous approval to the city's fleet services to replace four vehicles that have reached the end of their expected service lives, in accordance with the Fleet and Equipment Replacement Strategy.
"We try to find vehicles that are the equivalent of the ones we hope to replace," said city fleet manager Belinda Bowden, who asked council to approve early budget approval for 2026 an amount not to exceed $620,000 to replace four vehicles.
Scheduled for replacement in 2025 are a loader ($370,000); bobcat ($90,000); Chevrolet 1500 ($90,000); and SUV ($70,000).
Other reasons for the early request, said Bowden, is continued monitoring of market pricing, vehicle and equipment condition, and asset age, extending life cycles where it's practical and cost-effective.
"There is also ongoing market volatility, and the potential for supply chain disruptions which may result in cost increases for 2026," said Bowden.
