Protective equipment
qathet Regional District (qRD) directors have directed staff to bring a revision back to the financial plan to include $66,000 into the general grant-in-aid budget for Powell River Search and Rescue (PRSAR).
At the February 24 regional board meeting, directors voted for the revision to provide personal protective equipment. In a letter to the regional district, search and rescue stated that the equipment supplied to them more than 15 years ago has reached end of life and needs replacing.
In the correspondence, PRSAR indicated that in 2021, they responded to 26 calls, putting in more than 300 hours of search and rescue work. The search and rescue organization was requesting funds for 30 Gore-Tex coats and pants.
Emergency training
The board endorsed an application to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities for the emergency operations centres and training stream of the community emergency preparedness fund. According to a staff report, the fund will provide up to $25,000 towards eligible emergency operations centre training activities. The report stated that the proposed training activities would seek to improve qRD emergency operations centre capacity to meet the Emergency Program Act’s requirements to provide the overall coordination in a major emergency and will also assist public preparedness by providing relevant training and information in support of neighbourhood exercises.
Officers appointed
The regional board has voted to appoint Michelle Jones, manager of administrative services as the chief election officer, and Christina Peake, assistant manager of administration, and Esme Sturton, records management clerk, as deputy chief election officers for the 2022 regional district elections in October 2022. The board also voted that the regional district administer the 2022 elections for Lasqueti Island local trust on behalf of the Island Trust, plus School Districts 47 and 69, plus the Sechelt Indian government district as requested, and on a cost-recovery basis.
Building assessment
Staff have been directed to conduct a building assessment of the old Lund fire hall located at 9642 Larson Road to inform on the safety and integrity of the structure. Staff have also been directed to engage with the northside community on the future of the old Lund fire hall and return to the regional board with recommendations.
Charging stations
A report will be brought back to directors about establishing electric vehicle charging stations in rural areas, and that staff seek grant funding opportunities to install two electric vehicle charging stations on Texada Island.
Approve grant
Directors have received correspondence from Texada Island Library coordinator Anne Carney and voted to approve a grant of $1,537 though the Powell River Public Library Service to cover expenses.
Rate increases
A two-cent increase to the distance allowance rate specified in the directors’ remuneration and expense bylaw, which will increase the rate from $0.59 per kilometre to $0.61 per kilometre, has been passed.
Support sought
Staff will be seeking union support for allowing volunteers to contribute to the enhancement of qRD parks, properties and trails.
