Powell River Regional District board voted to enter into a partnership with the provincial government for the management and maintenance of Goat 2, a nine-kilometre trail that provides access into the alpine area. After the road was deactivated in 2010, the community rallied together to find ways to protect access and in late 2010, the board agreed to take on the responsibility of maintaining ATV and pedestrian access. The 2013 budget includes $10,000 for the management and maintenance of the trail.
Fire departments
Directors voted to suspend the review and transition process for amalgamating the Gillies Bay and Van Anda fire departments. The motion directed staff to enter into negotiations with the Gillies Bay Improvement District for the transfer of all fire department assets, including the fire hall and property. If the transfer can’t be realized, the regional district will abandon the initiative.
Transportation plan
Directors authorized contracting ISL Engineering and Land Services to complete the regional transportation plan for $93,420 plus disbursements of $6,462 and appointed Texada Island Director Dave Murphy and City of Powell River Director Maggie Hathaway to sit on the regional transportation working group.
Staff vehicles
Directors endorsed purchasing a truck to be used by the manager of community services for regional district business, for an amount not to exceed $26,983 plus taxes. Since the regional district also has vehicles used by the regional emergency program coordinator and the parks and properties foreman, the board adopted a vehicle use policy that regulates how employees are to use the vehicles.
Salary review
Directors approved awarding a $5,000 contract for an exempt staff salary review project to James R. Craven and Associates Ltd.
Tax exemptions
Directors adopted a policy that lays out the procedure for addressing requests for property tax exemptions from societies or non-profit organizations.
Tax receipts
Directors adopted a policy about issuing charitable tax receipts for donations of land, which addresses the potential of voluntary donations of land to the regional district.
