Refers letter
qathet Regional District’s (qRD) board will refer correspondence from Marg Hodgins regarding shuttle service to the Blackberry Festival to the joint accessibility and inclusion advisory committee.
At the November 1 regional board meeting, directors voted on the letter from Hodgins, which stated that people with barriers were discriminated against, preventing them from using public transportation. Hodgins stated that while it was commendable that a free shuttle service was provided for the Blackberry Festival street party on Marine Avenue in August, people with disabilities could not use public transit because there was no handyDART service available.
“I’m not looking for utopia,” stated Hodgins, “but I’m hoping that some consideration and planning might take place to make it possible for those with challenges to be able to have some sense of normality and participate in social events that are so often taken for granted.”
Dog report
After receiving two separate pieces of correspondence from Texada Island residents about problem dogs, the regional board will direct staff to bring back a report on how dog control issues have previously been handled by qRD. In both cases, the letter writers reported dogs having attacked and caused injuries, and both cases required medical attention.
Amend policy
The regional board will amend policy on regional parks open burning/campfire restrictions that may be implemented by fire departments whose jurisdiction overlaps parks. According to a staff report, local improvement districts may have stricter restrictions than provincial authorities, where a fire department might introduce a campfire ban before the province does. The report stated that staff believe it is important to follow the recommendations of local emergency response authorities.
Funding commitment
At the November 1 qRD finance committee meeting, the committee recommended that the board propose an additional three-year funding commitment from the general grants-in-aid for annual trail maintenance at the rate of $23,000 per year to Powell River Outdoor Users Groups Trails Society. Electoral Area C director and board chair Clay Brander asked if the organization could make a request above $23,000. Manager of financial services Linda Greenan said it would be allowable with the regional district’s policy.
Supports subdivision
The planning committee recommended to the board that qRD advise the ministry of transportation and infrastructure that it supports the proposed two-lot conventional subdivision application for property at 1587 Boar’s Nest Road in Electoral Area A, subject to proof of water servicing on both proposed lots from Lund Waterworks District, proof of sewer servicing on both proposed lots from Lund Sewer System and a new civic address assignment for one of the lots.
No objection
At the November 1 planning committee meeting, directors recommended to the regional board that qRD advise the ministry of forests that it has no objection to the crown land tenure application for residential use strata moorage to provide water access to the private property at 14445 Sarah Point Road in Electoral Area A.
Approves grant
The finance committee recommended the board approve a grant of $925 to Lasqueti Community Association for the food bank program, with funds coming from the social planning service.
Consider request
The board will refer a request from Don Dempster and Deb Perell regarding Boot Point Regional Park on Lasqueti Island to staff for a report. The pair had written the regional board, indicating they are currently active in taking care of the park, and requested whether there was the possibility of a formal caretaking position for them at the park.
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