City of Powell River has approved six measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the March 19 council meeting, corporate officer Chris Jackson reviewed the six recommendations, including adjustments to the open burning season, garbage collection and city transit ridership. All six recommendations were passed unanimously by councillors.
Jackson said the recommendations were being introduced as a late item to the council agenda, but he said it was urgent to get the items in front of council.
The first recommendation was to provide chief administrative officer (CAO) Russell Brewer with the authority to delegate operational and administrative decisions for matters that are urgent and require immediate attention in order to facilitate flexible, responsive and improved services to the community related to public health officer orders. For those matters that require bylaw amendment, policy revisions or other resolutions of council, Brewer will bring these items forward to the next council meeting.
Regarding the second recommendation, typically, Powell River residents, with the proper permitting, are able to participate in open burning during the month of April. Council has voted that open burning is now prohibited and that a burning ban is in effect from April 1 to 30 inclusive. Burning permits already issued are now cancelled and burning permit fees will be refunded to applicants.
Jackson said COVID-19 affects the respiratory system so eliminating burning means eliminating smoke, which could aggravate breathing difficulties for people dealing with symptoms.
Regarding solid waste disposal, single family households will now be able to put out two garbage bags for collection without having to use garbage tags for each scheduled collection run.
With regard to public transportation, council is providing free ridership on the city transit bus system from now to May 30. Staff will be instructed to implement social distancing measures on city buses by providing rear door boarding. Bus fares will be eliminated.
Council will also be instructing staff to work with Lift Community Services on the temporary leasing of sites at Willingdon Beach Campsite for the purpose of providing temporary accommodation to residents who do not have shelter, or facilities to wash and prepare food.
Finally, city council will be revising its meeting schedule. All committee of the whole and finance committee meetings up to the end of August are cancelled. In addition to existing council meetings, new council meetings are added such that a council meeting is scheduled for every Thursday at 7 pm in council chambers at city hall. Once a month, when there is a conflict with the qathet Regional District meeting time on the last Thursday of the month, the council meeting will be scheduled for the Wednesday of that week.
With regard to the first recommendation delegating authority to the CAO, councillor Maggie Hathaway said these are difficult and unprecedented times. She said things are moving so quickly that decisions have to be made sometimes immediately.
“I have every faith in our senior staff to handle these decisions in a responsible way and, as soon as it’s possible, to pass on the actions to council,” said Hathaway.
Mayor Dave Formosa said he wanted to thank Jackson and Brewer for providing tremendous support.
