Completes audit
qathet Regional District (qRD) directors approved the audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2020.
At the April 29 regional board meeting, directors received a presentation from Cory Vanderhorst, from auditing firm MNP LLP Chartered Professional Accountants on the audit. Vanderhorst said in the audit, there were no irregularities found, unusual transactions, and no evidence of conflict of interest. The regional district was given a clean audit for 2020.
Supports tower
qRD concurs with the proposal for a telecommunications facility to be located on property on Highway 101, in the vicinity of Craig Road in Electoral Area A, subject to completion of a successful public consultation process.
According to a staff report, the proposed Telus tower installation consists of a 73-metre lattice tower structure with an equipment shelter at the base. The tower will occupy a space of approximately 20 by 20 metres, enclosed by a chain link fence.
The property measures 12.7 hectares and the nearest home is approximately 225 metres away from the proposed facility. According to the staff report, the applicant has identified the surrounding area’s wireless service as currently underserved.
Installing signs
A decision regarding additional gates at Shelter Point Park will be deferred for one year. Staff will be directed to install signs at the entrances to Howie’s Dump and the Mouat Bay Road access trail warning of no dumping and no camping. Effectiveness of the signs will be evaluated in one year’s time.
According to a staff report, the past year has seen an increase in unwarranted activity, including illegal camping and dumping of garbage and yard waste. Staff had proposed installing a gate at the Mouat Bay access and rehabilitating the existing gate at Howie’s Dump.
Grant application
The regional board authorized a partnership with Tla’amin Nation and City of Powell River to make an application to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Strengthening Communities’ Service grant to support homelessness initiatives during COVID-19. The board supported the city to be the primary applicant to apply for, receive and manage the grant funding.
According to a staff report, this initiative would build toward a healthy and thriving coastal community and support some of society’s most vulnerable members in the midst of COVID-19.
At the time of this report, staff had heard from some nonprofit partners that approximately 80-plus community members are still at risk of homelessness and the number is increasing. The qathet regional housing needs assessment report estimates the region will require a minimum of 132 supportive, transitional and emergency beds by 2026.
