Funds for airport upgrade increase
Transport Canada is providing more funding for the apron and taxiway rehabilitation project at Powell River airport. The project cost is now $2,236,437, an increase of $235,110 from the original budget of $2,001,327. Additional funding was required to cover the costs of items that were under estimated or not identified during the design of the project, including more excavation of dirt, upgrading electrical pulpits, vaults and redesign of the apron floodlight bases.
The project is entirely funded by Transport Canada’s Airports Capital Assistance Program. City of Powell River council voted to enter into a supplemental contribution agreement with Transport Canada at the December 20 council meeting.
Grants awards
Council passed a motion to award the following grants-in-aid: Powell River Action Centre Food Bank, $8,200; Powell River District Christmas Cheer Committee, $2,000; and Powell River Mobility Opportunities Society, $1,000. The total of the grants awarded is $11,200.
Council also voted to provide a $2,500 grant-in-aid to Powell River Sea Fair Society, funded from the 2013 grants-in-aid budget.
Academy funding
Councillors passed a motion to enter into a three-year contribution agreement with Powell River Academy of Music to provide an annual cash grant of $15,000 and an in-kind grant for facility use for International Choral Kathaumixw and the Spectacular Summer Music series of events. The agreement began on January 1, 2013.
Theatre grant
Council agreed to re-apply for two grants to upgrade Evergreen Theatre at Powell River Recreation Complex, for a total project cost of $475,000, as follows: 50 per cent funding, or $237,500, from the federal government’s Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund; and matching funds of $214,500 from Island Coastal Economic Trust. The city’s contribution is $23,000, funded from the theatre reserve account.
Arts and culture initiative
Council passed a motion to authorize the Powell River Regional Economic Development Society (PRREDS) to administer the recommendations in the Powell River Arts and Culture Initiative and to transfer $10,000 to PRREDS for this project. Tourism Powell River (TPR) was originally going to administer the project. TPR will administer recommendations in the Powell River Sport and Recreation Tourism Strategy Report and received $10,000 for the project.
Lighting request
Council voted to ask BC Hydro to install, at its cost, a flat lens in the street light at the intersection of Kemano Street and Manson Avenue. The owner of a home on Manson had requested the city modify the lighting because light has been flooding into his home after he cut down a tree on his property.
Chicken bylaw
Council adopted an amendment to the animal control bylaw that allows for the raising of poultry on all city properties.
