ASIC Update 16 - 12
Dear Members of ASIC
and the Savary Island community,
In this issue
1. The New Board Begins
2. Strong Response Rate to PRRD Survey
3. News on the 2017 Savary Wharf Upgrades, by Doug Smith
4. Savary Island Dock Advisory Committee – Call for Applicants
5. Membership
1. The New Board Begins
The previous Board of Directors 2014-2016 met via telephone conference with the new Board 2016-2018 in November, to go over some transition details. No new Officers (President, VP, Treasurer/Secretary) were named at this time, but it is expected that the new Board will vote in its Officers as well as the Subcommittee Chairs, in February. Until that time, Bud Graham has offered to remain as President, which should help the transition.
Although the Board won't be meeting or embarking on any new projects in December, they're still available for communications with our members: .
2. Strong Response Rate to PRRD Survey
We've been pleasantly surprised by the participation of Savary Islanders to the PRRD's survey on Solid Waste Management (i.e. garbage). As at Dec 10, ASIC’s survey email had an Open Rate of 67.5% and a Click Rate of 32.2% on the Survey itself.
We can't know how many actually completed the questions, because the surveys were collected by the PRRD, and the results were mixed with resident responses from other areas of the regional district. Still, it's helpful to know that 1 out of 3 ASIC readers chose to connect to the survey.
We saw this level of engagement in the ASIC election last month as well, as 227 property owners in Savary's electoral Area-A participated in the election of Area-A Directors. Similarly, since ASIC's inception in 2010, members have provided hundreds of letters and emails that have helped the Board understand Savary perspectives on a range of topics, so that the Board may better represent this island when working through issues with the PRRD and the Provincial government. We thank our members for showing continued interest in Savary affairs.
3. News on the 2017 Savary Wharf Upgrades
by Doug Smith, Savary Island Dock Advisory Committee
Let’s get the sad news out of the way. The application for the federal grant was turned down recently, so we’re on our own for paying for the 2017 wharf upgrades. The total projected upgrade cost is about $630,000. The grant request was for 40% (about $250,000) leaving $380,000 to be paid by the community, through tax. The good news is we will have accumulated $382,000 by the end of 2016.
The PRRD has ensured that the necessary engineering and biologist reports are completed and ready for contractors and government agencies. There was an inspection of every piece of the wharf structure to identify problems (damage, rot, etc.) so that any needed repairs will be part of the upgrade.
We expected to be further along in the timeline but have run into a major delay getting the project permit from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. This in turn has delayed the PRRD from sending out the Request for Tender (bidding phase of the project) to potential contractors. The PRRD is hoping to receive the permit before Christmas but depending on when it comes through, the timeline for the construction might be affected. Which means it could take place in the fall of 2017 as opposed to the spring. Nobody knows at this time. Unfortunately, we could be in for one more summer of hauling bins up the steep ramp from the overcrowded float.
Another development is that the guidelines for a marine project like this are now more stringent than in 2013 when the wharf was last repaired and dredged. This could affect the overall budget. Pile driving must be by vibration instead of impact; acoustic sensors will be placed in the vicinity to monitor underwater noise levels; a Qualified Environmental Professional will be on‐site at all times to monitor for the presence of marine mammals and other sea life, by surface and drop camera surveys conducted periodically throughout the day; marine silt curtains will be installed around the wharf to contain mobilized sediments (which negatively effect fish gills); divers will be transplanting eel grasses and invertebrates within the construction zone to outside of the screened area; material removed by dredging will have to be disposed of away from the site.
As part of the wharf upgrades we are planning to improve the bike rack area at the roadside so it will accommodate 36 bikes with a better rack system. The racks will be relocated to the other side of the wharf approach. A benefit of this move is that after cyclists park their bikes in the racks they will have direct access to the wharf’s pedestrian walkway and not have to cross in front of vehicle traffic. The same number of displaced parking spaces on the west will be allocated to the east side beside the phone booth.
In summary, only after the bidding process is complete and there has been time to review all the bids, will PRRD know actual costs and timelines. Further decisions about specific wharf upgrade details will be made at that time and we will keep you informed. The good news is that sometime next year, Savary Island will have a new and improved wharf. The planned upgrades will be the first major improvements since the mid 1900s. Worth waiting for.
To download and view the 2017 Upgrade Plan, enter in your browser:
bit.ly/SavaryWharf
4. Savary Island Dock Advisory Committee – Call for Applicants
One new member is required for the Savary Island Dock Advisory Committee for a two-year term. The committee assists the Powell River Regional Board in managing the dock and associated facilities. The candidate must own property on Savary Island, be 18 years of age or older, live within the Regional District boundaries and be generally available to attend regular and periodic emergency meetings. Broad geographic representation of the island is a consideration of the PRRD when selecting new members. Individuals associated with a commercial enterprise that operates regularly from the dock or who may have any other conflicts of interest are not eligible to serve on the committee.
Interested, eligible individuals should send a written application explaining why they want to sit on the committee and what qualities and/or expertise they will bring to the committee. The deadline for application is 4pm, Thursday, January 5, 2017.
Applications may be submitted by mail, fax or e-mail:
Powell River Regional District
#202 - 4675 Marine Avenue
Powell River, B.C. V8A 2L2
Fax 604-485-2216
For more information, contact Mike Wall, Manager of Community Services, at the above-noted email.
5. Membership
ASIC has 821 members. There is no fee, and all Savary property owners and their spouses/partners are eligible to be members of ASIC. Spouses/partners do not have to be on land title. Members vote at the Annual General Meeting and in the biannual election of Directors, and receive the Board's monthly email Updates and yearly notices. The responsibility for continued communications falls on the members to let us know their current contact information. Send your email, tel/cel, home and Savary addresses to Sharon Feduniak at or mail PO Box 222, Lund, BC V0N 2G0.
Happy Holidays. See you in the New Year!
Bud Graham, President
ASIC