Powell River Community Forest grants approved after debate

City of Powell River councillors have approved $3.5 million in expenditures for 12 Powell River Community Forest projects throughout the qathet region.

The approval process, however, featured some controversy, as councillor Trina Isakson put forward a motion to not proceed with three of the grants.

At the June 22 city council meeting, in a motion, councillor George Doubt read out the organizations and grant amounts that the community forest group recommended, and thanked the community forest board, as well as volunteers for the recipient organizations.

After the recommendations were read, Isakson said she appreciates the board’s efforts.

“In what I’ve learned since I’ve been on council is they do a great job of really working with grant applicants,” said Isakson. “I have a concern, and this is not a concern for the community forest board, because I think they do great work in terms of the policies and bylaws that govern them, but given the pressing times we are in, ultimately, these are city dollars and they are part of the overall funding we have to support residents.

“Given the challenging, uncertain times, some of these choices aren’t strategic. Some of these are large chunks of money that if they came to our city for grants-in-aid, I don’t think we would choose.”

Councillor Jim Palm declared a point of order.

“I don’t believe this is the time to discuss personal views on our community forest,” said Palm. “In light of the recipients who are in the gallery, tonight, this discussion needs to wait for another day.”

Mayor Ron Woznow said the point of order had been made and suggested the presentation by Isakson be ended. He said the comments were better dealt with at a subsequent meeting.

“We’re here to talk about it,” said Isakson. “It’s hard and messy, but we’re here to talk about the recommendations from the community forest.”

Doubt said he had made a motion, which was seconded, that all the listed community forest grant recommendations be approved. He said Isakson spoke about some concerns without specifically mentioning anything.

Doubt added that the city is in the midst of changing its procedures, and one is to eliminate open committee of the whole meetings, where items such as community forest recommendations would be discussed before coming to council.

“We’ve decided we would make decisions at the council meetings,” said Doubt. “Right now, the proper course is if anyone disagrees with the inclusion of anything, they could make a motion to amend the main motion to remove a recommendation or add another one, and see if council supports or doesn’t support that.

“I personally agree with passing the motion as it is. Changes to the community forest are a different subject and are for another day.”

Motion to exclude

Isakson made an amendment to the original motion to exclude Texada Dragon Boat Club’s $23,734.17 for a new boat, the Okeover Harbour Authority grant of $60,000 for construction of a new harbour authority office, and Myrtle Point Golf Club’s $125,500 grant for driving-range net replacement and tee deck resurfacing.

Isakson said the three recommendations come close to $200,000, which is “a lot of money.”

“Given the strategic challenges our community faces, I had some second guesses on some of these,” added Isakson.

Isakson’s amendment failed, with Isakson in favour and the rest of council opposed.

The main motion was then voted on, to pass all community forest recommendations, and it passed unanimously.

In addition to the three recommendations Isakson identified, the biggest grant will be to City of Powell River, valued at $2.8 million, for the Powell River Recreation Complex pool roof replacement.

Other grants include: Townsite Actors Guild, $3,877.77 for a show computer and sound/lighting software; qathet Parks and Wilderness Society, an $18,000 top-up grant to complete outhouse replacements on the Sunshine Coast Trail; Powell River Salmon Society, $105,063.93 for the Duck Lake futures project; Powell River Public Library, $12,750 for reflective window film; Powell River Villa and Powell River Youth Soccer, $160,000 for a team travel bus; Club Bon Accueil, $6,847.59 in playground upgrades; Townsite Heritage Society, $47,003.97 for Henderson House renovations; and inclusion Powell River, $138,619.10 for ARC Community Event Centre’s kitchen upgrades.

Presentation of the big cheque for the $3.5 million will take place at the July 13 city council meeting.