Agenda Package - City of Vernon

THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF VERNON
2008 Annual Report
ADM IN ISTRATION SERVICES
ln 2008, the City established a tour¡sm function and hired a Tourism Manager. lt also consolidated its
real estate services and hired an in-house real estate Manager. These two services, as well as Bylaw
Enforcement, Corporate Services, lnformation Services, Safe Communities, Human Resources and
Grants/Media were amalgamated into the Administration Services Department. Highlights of 2008 for
the various Divisions are as follows:
Tourism Services
Tourism Services act on behalf of the tourism industry and citizens to promote the community's diverse
attr¡butes; co-ordinates the Tourism Advisory Committee and Spirit of B.C. initiatives, as well as
providing Visitor Services through the Visitor Centre at the Watson House on Hwy 97 South.
W¡th the creation of th¡s function, the City positions itself
as a major player in the Okanagan tourism scene,
particularly in the area of sport Tourism evidenced by
being chosen as a Celebration Community for the 2010
Olympic Torch Relay Celebration and successful bids for
the 2011 World Masters Cross Country Skiing event at
Sovereign Lake and the 2012 B.C. Winter Games.
Real Estate Services
ln an effort to consolidate land matters, the City hired an in-house Real Estate Manager to co-ordinate
all land sales, purchases, leases, rights of way and easements. Th¡s area will also undertake an inventory
of all lands and recommend to Council the disposition of lands deemed surplus to the City's needs.
Corporate Services
The Corporate Serv¡ces Division is responsible for supporting the legislative matters and decisions of
Council and for providing the official secretariat for Council and other statutory bodies within the
Corporation. This function includes agenda preparation, recording of official minutes of the business of
the City, administration and certification of bylaws and the execution of legal documentation on behalf
of the City. Council adopted the implementat¡on of an electronic agenda process, which has proven to
be very successful and mindful of the environment.
ln January of 2008, Corporate Services coordinated the Referendum for the proposed Library Civic
complex. The Municipal Election was also completed in November, which elected three new members
on Council. The new Council has implemented many new Comm¡ttees this year and the Corporate
Services Division presently co-ordinates meetings and agendas 1o¡ L7 various Committees.
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