Kelowna Councillor Ron Cannan香蕉视频直播檚 push to take the borrowing of $241 million for future recreation to public referendum fell flat at Monday regular meeting.
The loan will help pay for redevelopment of the Parkinson Recreation Centre as well as the Glenmore and Mission activity centres and Rutland Recreation Park.
香蕉视频直播淭his is the largest capital project the city has ever undertaken for borrowing, why would you recommend not going to a public referendum rather than the alternative approval method (AAP),香蕉视频直播 he asked staff.
The cost to conduct an AAP is approximately $2,500 compared to $150,000-$250,000 for a referendum, according to staff.
香蕉视频直播淐ouncil advanced the direction to staff in our previous meeting to proceed with an AAP, a little surprised we香蕉视频直播檙e having debate at this stage,香蕉视频直播 said Doug Gilchrist, city manager.
Cannan voted against an AAP at that meeting which took place last month.
READ MORE: Kelowna council eager to move forward with Parkinson Recreation Centre replacement
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 not against redeveloping Parkinson,香蕉视频直播 added Cannan. 香蕉视频直播淲e need to live within our means. That香蕉视频直播檚 what I香蕉视频直播檓 hearing from the public.香蕉视频直播
Cannan also said he felt there was a lack of information from staff.
香蕉视频直播淚 don香蕉视频直播檛 like how it香蕉视频直播檚 being proposed. If you want to railroad it through go ahead.香蕉视频直播
Councillors Gord Lovegrove and Charlie Hodge also voiced concerns about an AAP versus a referendum, however, they did vote in favour with most of council in giving consideration to a loan authorization bylaw to borrow the $241 million.
Cannan was the only one opposed.
Staff told council that the AAP would require 12,160 signatures from Kelowna residents opposed to borrowing the money.
If that happened council would have a decision to make, explained Stephen Flemming, city clerk.
香蕉视频直播淵ou could not adopt the bylaw. Your options would be to send it to referendum or to come up with a different funding strategy.香蕉视频直播
The AAP is expected to be conducted in late August to early September.
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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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