Approves bylaw
qathet Regional District’s (qRD) board has approved a security issuing bylaw that will provide City of Powell River with $5 million to finance approved capital requirements toward the construction of the consolidated wastewater treatment plant.
At the June 24 meeting of the regional district board, directors gave three readings and final adoption to the bylaw, which will add to the $10 million the city has already borrowed for the plant.
According to a staff report, municipalities do not have the authority to borrow directly from the municipal finance authority. The report states municipalities must authorize their borrowing through loan authorization bylaws and regional districts borrow the money from the municipal finance authority on behalf of member municipalities.
The municipal finance authority will hold its semiannual general meeting on September 14, where the security issuing bylaw will be reviewed.
Plan amendment
An amendment to the qRD 2021 budget of the 2021 to 2025 financial plan has been approved to recognize receipt of $117,000 of COVID-19 safe restart grant funding. The board will direct staff to transfer the $117,000 to a non-statutory reserve fund. The board will also direct staff to bring forward further eligible costs or revenue shortfalls, as they are identified, so the funding can be transferred from the reserve for use in the appropriate service through a budget amendment.
The board also approved an expenditure from the COVID-19 safe restart grant funding reserve for the purchase of seven ergonomic office chairs valued at $7,800.
The board approved allocation of $44,000 from the COVID-19 safe restart grant funding toward renovations at the regional district maintenance facility, construction of an accessible washroom at the site and installation of a chlorination system to treat the well water.
Fire hall report
The regional board will direct staff to prepare a report on options for disposal of the old Lund fire hall at 9642 Larson Road.
Dredging approved
The board approved a budget amendment to reallocate $70,000 from the Savary Island marine facilities service non-statutory reserve to fund dredging at the Savary Island dock.
Dock repairs
A budget amendment to reallocate $170,000 from the Texada Island marine facilities service reserves to allow for repairs to the Van Anda dock has been approved.
Report approval
The 2020 statement of financial information (SOFI) and 2020 report of directors’ remuneration, expenses and contracts was approved by regional district directors.
Renewing membership
qRD has voted to renew its membership with the BC Social Procurement Initiative in 2021. Staff will be directed to recommend amendments to the delegation of purchasing authority bylaw to incorporate social procurement language. The two-year membership fee for the initiative is $1,522. According to a staff report, leveraging social value through the regional district’s procurement process could have positive impacts on the health of the community by creating employment with people who face barriers, contributing to a healthy workforce, opening avenues for social enterprises and small to medium size businesses, and contributing to the local economy.
