Image Credit: SUBMITTED/City of Penticton

No matter how many signatures are collected on a petition, the City of Penticton will not reverse its decision to end the relationship with the local operators of the iconic Peach concession stand.

Family Squeezed Lemonade, a company based in Alberta, won a bid to operate the Peach for the next three years.

Many locals and fans of the Peach would have preferred if the previous operator, Diana Stirling from Penticton, was awarded the contract instead. A petition called Keep the Penticton peach, “The Peach” had nearly 6,000 signatures as of press deadline.

But it won’t have any impact on the change that was made.

When asked how many signatures the petition needs for city staff to reconsider their decision, director of finance and administration Angela Campbell said the decision cannot be reconsidered by staff.

“Results of Requests for Proposals can result in disappointment, the City extends offers to review results with the candidates,” she said in an emailed statement.

READ MORE: Penticton's iconic Peach will stay a peach as it gets new operators

What it would cost to cancel the contract with the Alberta company is unknown, Campbell said.

When asked how much profit the city is expecting to gain by choosing Family Squeezed, she said she is unable to share that information.

“Financial terms will be released once paperwork is finalized,” she said

The City issued a press release on April 4 about the new operator. It said there were three applications submitted, and the decision was based on four criteria: experience, the business plan, the products and pricing, and the license fee. The “experience” category did not favour local applicants, Campbell said.

There was a heated exchange over the matter at a council meeting on April 5.

It started after councillor James Miller tabled a noticed of motion for the City’s request for proposal policies and procedures to be reviewed by council.

Councillor Julius Bloomfield said he can’t see anything to be gained out of trying to reverse the decision.

“We’re well aware of the fact that the result of the (request for proposals) for the Peach was unpopular with some members of the public and some members of council,” Coun. Bloomfield said. “But this is a democracy and I believe the process was fair.”

READ MORE: Penticton Peach’s change of operator draws criticism from city councillor

Coun. Miller believes it is OK for council to micromanage in this instance.

“It was not a contract for a blade on a piece of snow removal equipment, it was something that meant a lot to people... And I think you’re out of line, sir,” Miller said to Bloomfield.

“We have to be civil when we’re around this table,” Mayor John Vassilaki told Miller.

However, council agreed to have staff give them a refresher presentation on the request for proposal process at an upcoming committee meeting.

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