Art benches
City of Powell River elected officials are expected to consider the following recommendations at the November 15 council meeting:
• Approve the Malaspina Art Society’s proposal to install 25 hand-painted benches along Marine Avenue to commemorate its 25th anniversary. The benches are to be locally built from cedar with the backrests personalized by Powell River artists, including an engraved metal plaque.
• Amend the fee bylaw to charge volunteers $10 for a criminal record check and to increase the fee for non-volunteers to $30. On proof of indigence, the fee may be waived.
• Direct staff to submit an application to UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities) for a scope change to the Powell River Recreation Complex energy upgrades project by eliminating the ammonia heat recovery plan and adding a pool dehumidification and energy upgrade.
• Consult the public about a proposal to establish mixed use in the lot on the southeast corner of Marine Avenue and Alberni Street to allow parking, some greenspace and a location for a town clock, a project proposed by the Marine Area Business Association. As well, it is recommended that staff review the zoning bylaw to consider options and solutions to address parking issues along Marine and Willingdon Avenue.
• Amend the business licence bylaw by establishing new categories and fees designed to reduce the fees for a number of smaller businesses while moderately increasing fees for some larger businesses. The approval process will include a public consultation process.
• Authorize staff to amend the 2012 budget by reducing taxation revenue by $84,931, as a result of an adjustment to the assessed value of a property located at 4750 Joyce Avenue, and to reduce the 2012 general operating surplus by the same amount.
• Decide not to apply for a community infrastructure improvement fund grant at this time to repair and resurface the Townsite tennis courts and to replace the Powell River Lawn Bowling Club greens, projects estimated to cost $400,000.
Emergency executive
Members of the Powell River Regional Emergency Executive Committee met for the first time on Thursday, November 1.
The committee is comprised of elected representatives, along with the chief administrative officers, from the City of Powell River, Powell River Regional District and Tla’amin (Sliammon) First Nation. The regional emergency program coordinator and chief of Powell River Fire Rescue are also part of the committee and serve as the technical support for the executive.
The regional emergency program was established earlier this year in an effort to create a more effective structure for emergency planning throughout the Powell River region. All three local governments have worked over the years on developing emergency plans for their jurisdictions. Under the auspices of the new regional emergency program, the three jurisdictions will work toward better integration of emergency planning, response and recovery.
“I am very pleased that the regional district, the city and Sliammon have come together to develop a regional framework to guide emergency planning and response in our area,” said Colin Palmer, regional board chair. “We are all stronger when we work together on issues such as this that have the potential to impact an area larger than any one of our jurisdictions or that cross legal boundaries.”
