ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

RE: Penticton Channel Maintenance Agreement

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Regional District enter into partnership with the City of Penticton and the Penticton Indian Band to maintain the Okanagan River Channel through Penticton; and,

That the funds be budgeted in the Regional Trails Service

HISTORY:

The Regional District has been partnering with the Province to acquire and upgrade various sections of the Kettle Valley Railway to develop a trail system, hoping to eventually link Osoyoos to Summerland, over to Naramata and then over into the Similkameen. Exciting progress has been made over the past decade, with progress escalating in the last few years with the expansion of the RDOS Trails Program.

The Penticton Indian Band (PIB) owns the trail adjacent to the Okanagan River through Penticton, a trail used by residents from throughout the Okanagan and Similkameen Valley’s and a popular attraction that draws tourists to our area.

With the amount of use this section of the trail and the channel receive, it’s essential that there be enhanced accessories and maintenance on the trail for both safety and aesthetic purposes. Prior to 2009, there was an informal partnership between the three governments to share the cost of trail maintenance. For various reasons, that arrangement has been dormant and the PIB has been solely funding the maintenance of the trail between the Dam at the north end of the channel and the parking lot at the south end at a cost of approximately $40,000/year.

In 2013, a $2.00/person environmental fee was introduced to assist PIB with the maintenance costs. Negative public reaction led to subsequent discussions between the City, RDOS & PIB to retract the fee so as not discourage use of the Channel during the summer. It was proposed that the partnership be set out in writing.

Draft Agreement could look like this:

Term of Agreement – 5 ½ years, commencing 1 August 2013

RDOS 2013 pro-rated cost – $5,833.00

RDOS annual cost – $14,000.00, to increase annually by CPI

Proposed source – Trails Budget; Grants

Budget amount to be approved by all three parties each year

No fee for use of the Channel to be introduced during the term of the agreement

Termination of Agreement by consent of all parties; or, 1 month for substantial breach

There is room in the Trails budget for the 2013 contribution and, should the Board agree to enter into the agreement, funds would be identified in the Trails budget each year to cover the RDOS portion of the cost.

Admin report to Board