Airport runway overruns
Working from a sole bid on the Powell River Airport extension and slope adjustment project, City of Powell River staff have shaved off more than $150,000 from a recent bid of $754,000. The city will have to provide an additional $120,000 to meet the new price of $600,000 and cost overruns will be paid from the city’s equipment reserve account. The funds, plus interest, will be returned to the reserve as a four-year loan paid through a $2 increase in airport departure fees. In September, Pacific Coastal Airlines discontinued landing its 35-passenger SAAB aircraft in Powell River due to the runway slope being just outside the allowable range. That decision reduced the total number of annual available seats for travel.
Inn at Westview update
Mayor Dave Formosa provided an update on work being done to move the owners of the Inn at Westview toward dealing with the building. Formosa said since the issue has gained more public attention, the owners have received a bid to take the building down and are waiting on two more. Formosa indicated that the cost of the remediation is now closer to the building’s assessed value of $326,000. Formosa said the city would be able to make a case for public safety in order to establish a partnership agreement with the property owners to move the remediation along.
Councillors approve grant application
At a meeting on Thursday, November 3, city councillors voted to approve an application to the provincial 2017 Age-friendly Communities Grant Program. The program provides up to $20,000 to support and promote initiatives for senior citizens. City director of parks, recreation and culture Ray Boogaards told council that social isolation in Powell River has been identified as a major area of concern and this grant, if provided, could help improve contributing factors, including transportation, lack of financial resources and not having an active social network.
Council approves forest grants
City of Powell River council approved Powell River Community Forest (PRCF) board’s 12 recommended grants for more than $529,000 at its Thursday, November 3, meeting. Since 2006, when it was established, PRCF has provided $6.6 million in funds for 75 separate community project grants. The city is the sole owner of PRCF.
