Several capital projects will be initiated in 2015 to upgrade or improve function of city infrastructure.
During the Thursday, December 11, City of Powell River’s first finance committee meeting following November’s civic election, Tor Birtig, director of infrastructure, provided a brief overview of planned capital expenditures.
Birtig said the budget calls for an increase in sewer fund capital costs.
“A significant part of that $1.3 million is carried forward from 2014,” Birtig said. “It’s work that hasn’t been completed. There are some lift station upgrades. Plans are moving forward to complete them.”
There is funding to replace culverts in the city. Also planned is the relocation of the recreational vehicle pump station from the Willingdon South area to Powell River airport lands.
Birtig told the finance committee there is a major project planned for Westview Avenue above Joyce Avenue involving the sewer fund, the water fund and the pavement management program. The sewer line and storm line in that area require upgrading, he said.
There is also $500,000 allocated for pre-design of a co-treatment or consolidated liquid waste treatment plant should the city have a liquid waste management plan submission move forward in 2015.
Regarding the water component of the city’s infrastructure, Birtig said there is $400,000 in carry-forward from 2014. “A significant amount of that is some water main that has not been completed,” he said.
There will also be some work done to the Wildwood waterworks that provides water supply redundancy if there is a failure in the Haslam Lake reservoir supply system.
Some issues with fire flows around the airport area require some additional work to be done in that area in the coming year.
With respect to the general reserve for infrastructure, Birtig said there is $600,000 to come from gas tax funding for roads in Powell River. The city has slated funds for its equipment reserve, which pays for replacements in the city’s vehicle fleet. The equipment reserve includes items the city works yard uses and also includes equipment at Powell River Recreation Complex, such as exercise equipment. This reserve also pays for equipment used by Powell River’s firefighters. Birtig said the turnout gear for each firefighter is valued at $3,000. He said it is anticipated that $500,000 will be withdrawn from the equipment reserve in 2015 to cover necessary expenditures.
The city’s building reserve includes items such as the recreation complex roof, painting and exterior items. The planned expenditure this year is approximately $150,000.
