Powell River Committee and Council Consider Encampment Policy, ICBC Safety Funding
Powell River's Committee of the Whole and regular council met in late June and early July to discuss several items, but no decisions were finalized as meeting minutes have not yet been published. The main topics included potential restrictions on overnight sheltering in parks, a proposed allocation for encampment cleanup, and funding for intersection safety improvements.
Committee of the Whole (June 30)
The Committee of the Whole considered policy direction regarding homeless encampments on city property. A key proposal would amend the Parks Regulation By-law to prohibit overnight sheltering in some public spaces while allowing it in others. The committee also discussed a $30,000 allocation from the Financial Stabilization Reserve Fund for encampment cleanup. Future budget items were flagged for 2027, including FireSmarting for high-risk parks and increased bylaw enforcement. The committee also received an update from Bert Finnamore of the qathet Museum & Archives Society.
Regular Council Meeting (July 2)
Council heard a delegation from the qathet Climate Alliance about risks associated with a data centre at the Mill Site. Funding from ICBC for intersection safety improvements was considered: up to $72,600 for the Ash Avenue and Poplar Street intersection, and up to $57,600 for a quick-build project at the Poplar/Lombardy/Aspen/Willow intersection (total up to $130,200). Council also reviewed a development permit (DP 441) for a new automotive service centre at Joyce Avenue and Glacier Street. Other items included a Pacific Point strata encroachment involving volumetric easements over Tofino Street and Joyce Avenue, and continued discussion on encampment policy—including the $30,000 cleanup allocation and future planning for FireSmarting and homelessness capacity.
Coming Up
No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days.