At City of Powell River’s committee of the whole meeting, June 5, council agreed to make a resolution requesting that the provincial government ensure that shipbuilding is done in British Columbia. The request came from the BC Federation of Labour regarding the construction of three intermediate class ships for the BC Ferry fleet. The letter outlined the economic and labour force benefits from domestic shipbuilding.
Renews tenure
The city will apply to the province for replacement tenure for land located at Willingdon Beach Park for public walkway and float purposes. The issue arose at the committee of the whole meeting, June 5. The city already holds a 10-year Licence of Occupation for the public walkway and float, but it expires on September 6, 2014. The province made an offer to apply for a 10-year replacement tenure renewal to the city.
Paying taxes
Council will allocate $61,000 from the Treatment Plant Membrane Reserve Fund to pay the provincial sales tax on the previously approved contract with GE Water and Process Technologies for the Westview Wastewater Treatment Plant membrane replacement. At the time of contract negotiations, the 12 per cent Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) was in effect and the city was able to recover HST costs. The transition from HST back to GST/PST commenced on April 1, 2013, allowing the city to only recover the five per cent GST portion. This left the seven per cent PST payable by the city.
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Shortens schedule
Council has amended its meeting schedule for the summer. The July 17 and August 7 council and committee of the whole meetings have been cancelled.
