Briefly: March 1, 2013

Library budget

Powell River Public Library’s budget holds the line on local government contributions for 2013, but a grant application could change that, if it is successful.

Charlie Kregel, chief librarian, presented an overview of the 2013 budget at a City of Powell River committee-of-the-whole budget meeting on February 21. Rural directors from Powell River Regional District also attended the presentation.

While the library’s revenue is rising by 2.9 per cent in 2013, the contributions from the city and regional district are the same as in 2012—$530,222 for the city and $224,937 for the regional district. Part of the increase in revenue is being funded by a transfer from reserves, the bulk of which came as a result of unspent wages and delaying purchases for the collection in 2012.

The library’s overall budget is rising by 12.3 per cent, to $922,634 in 2013, compared to the estimated actual 2012 budget of $821,496. Increased costs include 13 per cent more for labour, which includes wages, benefits and training, and more money for programs, some of which will be funded through grants.

In addition, the library has a separate capital budget, which includes $15,000 for a consultant to conduct a feasibility study about funding the estimated $9.5-million new library. The funds for the consultant are coming from a reserve of donated funds. Another capital project for 2013 is the installation of a self checkout station, for a cost of $12,360.

The library has also applied for a $137,000 grant from Western Economic Diversification Canada for new shelving. The library must raise matching funds if it is awarded the grant. Kregel said the grant application noted that the library hadn’t identified where the funds would come from, but that it would approach local governments if the grant were successful.

As well, Kregel said, if the grant application is successful, it could reduce the capital cost of a new library because the shelves could be used in a new building.

Since the outcome of the grant is unknown, Kregel asked that the city approve the library’s budget without the project. If the application is successful, the library would approach the city and the regional district to “explore opportunities for funding.”

Kregel pointed out that the library’s capital plan is not included in the city’s capital plan, as it is in many other jurisdictions. He said he has suggested that the city look at how it handles the library’s capital plan in the past and he thought it was still a good idea to do that.

Both the city and the regional district will have to approve their contributions to the library in their respective 2013 budgets.

Less traffic and higher operating costs contributed to a net loss of $17.2 million in the third quarter for BC Ferries.

The loss for the quarter, which ended December 31, 2012, was a slight improvement over the net loss of $19.2 million in the same quarter last year.

Net earnings for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2012 were $52.6 million, up from $33.1 million for the same period in the previous year.

BC Ferries said third quarter vehicle traffic declined 2.2 per cent and passenger traffic fell 2.4 per cent, due to December, when total traffic decreased 5.6 per cent on the major routes over the previous year. In December, stormy weather with high winds resulted in numerous sailing cancellations in and around the holiday season. The company said it expects annual traffic levels will be slightly lower than the previous year at year end.

Total revenue in the quarter increased by $4.7 million to $169.6 million compared to the same quarter last year.

Quarterly operating expenses rose from $166.7 million to $169.4 million because of higher vessel and terminal maintenance costs, which were partially offset by lower fuel costs.

Capital expenditures totalled $18 million in the third quarter. For the nine-month period ending December 31, the company spent $57.5 million. Projects included vessel overhauls and other improvements, terminal upgrades and information technology projects.

Standard and Poor’s, the credit rating agency, has revised BC Ferries’ outlook from negative to stable. The outlook revision reflects what Standard and Poor’s views as an improvement in regulatory certainty as a result of the recent, favourable amendments to the Coastal Ferry Act. At the same time, Standard and Poor’s affirmed its “A+” long-term and senior unsecured debt ratings of the company.

BC Ferries carried 20.2 million passengers and 7.8 million vehicles during the fiscal year ended March 12, 2012.

A collision involving multiple cars closed Joyce Avenue on Sunday evening, February 24, forcing traffic to be rerouted.

Police were called to the intersection of Joyce and Nootka Street to attend a four-car accident at 8:25 pm.

The driver of a Volkswagen Golf, travelling east on Nootka, failed to yield to a southbound pickup truck and the two vehicles collided. A third and fourth vehicle then hit the car and truck.

“There weren’t any major injuries,” said Constable Chris Bakker of Powell River RCMP.

The third and fourth vehicles in the accident sustained minor damage.

Traffic on Joyce was detoured and the road remained closed for a couple of hours.