qathet Regional District’s (qRD) committee of the whole is recommending that the regional board respectfully decline the opportunity to become the receiver for the Lund waterworks district.
At the August 2 committee of the whole meeting, directors considered a recommendation to not serve as receivers for the waterworks district in the wake of the resignation of current receiver Tom Day.
Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox, in whose electoral district the waterworks is situated, appealed for the regional district to take on the responsibility.
“This one touches me pretty close to home,” said Lennox. “Water is a basic necessity and one of the core mandates is the provision of community water supply that is of sufficient quality and quantity.”
Lennox said there is support in the community for the water system. He added that water is on the old strategic plan and the new one that will be considered by the regional board.
“One of our top advocacy goals is improvement districts and grants,” said Lennox. “I’m not in favour of the recommendation.”
City of Powell River director Cindy Elliott said the report outlined where the system had been and is recommending qRD not be the receiver, but doesn’t explain to her why it is best not to be the receiver.
Chief administrative officer Al Radke said he believes qRD will eventually accept the responsibility for the Lund waterworks. He said at that point, there would likely be a service to operate the waterworks district, but there has never been any discussion as to when.
He said he saw a disadvantage to being the receiver because the receiver has to be loyal to one entity and the receiver is loyal to the Lund Waterworks District. He said there were complications in working for the best interests of Lund and the best interests of the regional district.
“I see that as a problematic situation,” added Radke.
Elliott said she hoped the regional district would take the most expedient route to get the waterworks project grant funded, and that there can be good water for Lund residents.
“I’m worried, by refusing to be the receiver, that we will cause some kind of administrative hiccup for the province, where they spend a year trying to figure out who is the receiver,” said Elliott.
Radke said what the province is doing to replace the receiver is not the regional district’s business. He added that as to how long it takes, again, that’s not the regional district’s business.
“One of the realities is that if we were to take it on tomorrow, we would have to decide about some other project,” said Radke. “We already know we have the Lund Community Hall, so maybe that takes a back seat, because maybe water is more important and a higher priority. That would be something the board has to flesh out.”
Electoral Area E director Andrew Fall said the objective is for the people of Lund to be receiving clean, healthy water and a safe, well-run system. He said service will eventually be regional, reading the writing on the wall.
“The question is how do we best get there that serves those residents with the least pain and suffering, and serves the interests of the qRD as a whole,” said Fall. “At this point, I’m leaning toward not being the receiver helping us get there.”
City director George Doubt said his understanding is that a grant to improve the waterworks district would only be given to a regional district, and that the regional district owns the property after the grant was issued.
“What would be the status of the grant if the regional district doesn’t accept receivership?” asked Doubt.
Radke said that has nothing to do with the receiver.
Elliott said clarity is being sought about the grant application status not being impacted by who the receiver is.
“That’s part of the confusion with the community,” said Elliott. “We are sending mixed signals and not being clear about the plan. This is one of the issues that is confused by the public.”
Radke said the regional district has no control or bearing on the awarding of a grant.
“To our knowledge, it is still in play, and that grant is not contingent upon us being the receiver,” said Radke.
Lennox said there is angst in the community that the grant will not be approved unless qRD becomes involved. He said qRD must be the owner on completion of the project.
The committee recommended to the board that qRD ratify the decision to respectfully decline the opportunity in becoming the receiver for the Lund waterworks district, with Doubt, Lennox and Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne opposed.
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