City of Powell River councillors spent an hour shaping and forming a resolution brought to council by councillor Jim Palm regarding community safety and supportive housing.
At a December 19 meeting in council chambers, councillors considered a lengthy motion from Palm that read: be it resolved that the city request, through a freedom of information request, a copy of the existing contract between BC Housing and Lift Community Services, for the operation of the existing supportive housing unit located at 4910 Joyce Avenue; and that the city request that BC Housing ensure any future operator demonstrates a strong commitment to community safety and effective management and support of both resident and community needs; and that BC Housing consider input from the city in regard to neighbourhood concerns and expectations prior to issuing a new contract; and that the city request a financial contribution from BC Housing to assist with security, safety and regular cleanup in the neighbourhood surrounding the supportive housing and shelter buildings, in response to issues perpetuated by those facilities being located in close proximity to each other and residential neighbours; and that a copy of this request be forwarded to Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Randene Neill for additional assistance.
In introducing his motion, Palm said it was sent to him by a resident who has been monitoring what has been happening in Sechelt. He said a similar motion to this, which had stronger wording, was passed by the Sechelt council.
“I want the public to know this has been passed elsewhere,” said Palm. “I want you to hear the similarities faced by the council in Sechelt as to the similarities and concerns we are hearing here in Powell River. I received an email from the writer of this motion in Sechelt thanking me for putting this on the docket.”
Palm said it was stated in the Sechelt council chamber that the motion is no slight regarding the staff working at the facility in Sechelt. He said, however, it was indicating that a change was required.
He said the Sechelt council session indicated that a change was needed in how the facility operates. He added that Sechelt council was not fully aware of what was going on in or around the facility.
“What I have learned is we get far more information here in Powell River from Lift than what they are getting down there from their service provider,” said Palm. “I hope we will endorse this to send a loud voice to the province and all those involved in the care of the residents in that facility and the care of our residents that live in close proximity.”
Councillor Rob Southcott said he was grateful for Palm bringing the motion to the assembly because it is timely, it addresses a need and he does not debate that resources are lacking.
“We need to do more than send a message, and we can do more than send a message,” said Southcott. “I would support this, except I find some real faults in wording. I wish I’d had an opportunity to work on it before it came to council. It is a good point to start with so we can work forward.”
Councillor George Doubt said he was not in favour of the motion. He said it was not an olive branch, an approach or invite to a friendly meeting.
“It starts off with a freedom of information request,” said Doubt. “I guarantee you it won’t make them feel warm and fuzzy and happy.”
Council spent considerable time wordsmithing and amending the resolution Palm brought before council. The motion that was passed was: that the city request a copy of the existing contract between BC Housing and Lift Community Services for the operation of the existing supportive housing unit located at 4910 Joyce Avenue; and that BC Housing consider input from the city in regard to neighbourhood concerns and expectations prior to issuing a new contract; and that the city request BC Housing ensures security, safety, and regular cleanup in the neighbourhood surrounding the supportive housing and shelter buildings; and that a copy of this request be forwarded to the MLA for additional assistance.
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