MINUTESDRAFT-3
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2015
Saturday, August 15, 2015
10:20am – 12:45pm
Savary Island Fire Hall
In Attendance:
ASIC Members
117 attended and registered to vote at the 5th ASIC AGM:
Area A — 52; Area B — 12; Area C — 27, new members — 26.
Board Members
Area A — Dan McIntyre, Bryan Miles, Charles Pitts
Area B — Rick McLean
Area C —Bud Graham, Ron Wong
Board Member Absent with Regrets:
Area C — Mark Benoit
Invited Guests:
PRRD:
Patrick Brabazon, Regional Director & Chair of the Regional Board
Al Radke, Chief Administrative Officer
Mike Wall, Manager of Community Services
Linda Greenan, Manager of Financial Services
Dan Orlando, Savary Island Wharfinger
Maggie Hathaway, on behalf of MLA Nicholas Simons Invited Guests Absent with Regrets:
MLA Nicholas Simons
MoT Area Manager Clint Monson
MoT Operations Manager Graeme Schimpf
RCMP Staff Sargeant Rod Wiebe
ACTION
1.Call to Order & Introduction of Board Members/Invited Guests.Chair Bud Graham
2.Election November 2014. Five previous Directors didn't run: Brian Hester, Grant Malcolm, Kim Wall, Sherryl Yaciansky, and Donna Stobbart. Bud thanked them for their efforts.
Bud listed the current officers and subcommittees: President, Treasurer, & Governance Chair, Bud Graham; Vice President & Transportation Chair Bryan Miles,Community Services ChairDan McIntyre, Communications Chair Rick McLean.
3.Approval of the Draft Agenda.Motion by Peter Armstrong
2nd by Amanda Sutherland
Bud called for a show of hands IN FAVOUR. Obvious majority. None OPPOSED.Motion carried
4.Approval of the Draft 2014 Minutes.Motion by Ross Townsend
2nd by Anna Linsley
Bud called for a show of hands IN FAVOUR. Obvious majority. None OPPOSED.Motion carried
5.Questions Arising from the 2014 AGM.Bud Graham
5a.Where do our taxes go?Three service areas:
Province of BC gets 61% which goes to services for schools 49%, rural 10%, and police 2%.
Local services of 22% go to the PRRD and the Hospital.
Savary Island services of 17% go to the Fire Department 10% and the Marine Parcel Tax 7%.
The Province of BC charges a 5.25% Service Fee to collect the taxes.
5b.What is the breakout of the community use of the fire hall?No answer at this time.
6.2015 Financial Report.Bud Graham
The Financial Report was previously circulated to members with other AGM documents. Major source of revenue is calendar sales. Major cost is calendar printing. $3980 sales; $2100 printing; $10 per calendar profit. Office & Miscellaneous includes $25 for filing the Annual Report and $75 for filing the amendments to the ASIC Bylaws. Also included hiring Janine Reimer to do the Minutes for the AGM.
6a. PRRD Manager of Financial Services.Linda Greenan
Bud introduced Linda Greenan.
6a.i. Questions:
What amount of tax comes off Savary? — LG: In 2015, $566,468 was paid from Savary to the PRRD.
Can ASIC issue tax receipts for donations? — BG: No, ASIC does not have charitable status.
What do we get for the tax? — LG: Dock $179,500, Fire Dept 144,527, and regional services such as Waste Mgmt (not a pickup service; rather, providing a place to deliver waste) and Parks. Also Electoral Area services such as Planning, House Numbering, Emergency Preparedness, Library, Septage Disposal, Economic Development, and Electoral Area Admin. Also General Admin, 9-1-1, Animal Shelter, and regional Emergency Preparedness.
What do the commercial users of the dock pay? —LG: Every property owner pays the parcel tax.
7.2015 Directors’ Report.Bud Graham
7a. ASIC membership. Bud explained that since incorporation in 2010, ASIC had signed up 253 members in the first year, then an average of 100 per year, and now needed only 11 more members to reach the 800-mark. A tally of new members was taken and showed that ASIC now exceeded 800. Bud explained that the numbers have created greater recognition, credibility, and influence in dealing with government, and broke out the membership numbers by Area: Area-A with 370 members; Area-B with138; and Area-C with 281.
7b.Road maintenance.The Ministry of Transportation has agreed to supply 2 loads of gravel for each grading. Bryan Miles provided a list of problem areas to MoT, and we anticipate that MoT will provide that list to Capilano Highways
7c. Townley Walk. MoT has acknowledged that the section of road on Townley from Vancouver Blvd to Ocean View Lane is "maintained" road. MoT applied forspecial funds to fix the road, and brought over 800 tons of gravel. There is now better turning radius for the Fire Department, but the Telus pedestal still needs to be removed.
7c.i. Question:Is the funding for Area-A [of Savary] only? Salisbury isalso a problem for fire trucks.
— BG: Funds are used only on maintained roads;
— Juanita Chase [Savary Island First Responder]: The First Responder vehicle is able to drive on Salisbury.
7d. Traffic count. Bryan Miles will review the traffic count information with MoT to understand the true traffic year round. Ryan Thoms [PRRD Emergency Services Mgr] will be working to consolidate the numbers.
7e.Washout.ASIC was informed that the washout area is still being used by smaller vehicles and this posed a safety concern. MoT has installed concrete barriers to prevent vehicle access.
7f. Questions, comments:
Townley is now slippery and dangerous on the ground-down areas.
What is the rationale for dumping gravel west of the wharf? — BG: ASIC did not ask for that.
The choice of [road base] product is rock, not gravel.
Is there any concern for pedestrians at the washout? — BG: Not that we are aware of.
7g."Take It All Off" flyer. The flyer has been updated, but is not working well. People have a responsibility to get garbage off the island. There were 2 truck loads of metal garbage left at the barge site. SIPOA and ASIC shared the cost of $650 to have the metal removed. There were also private donations.
7g.i. Questions, comments:
Has anyone been held accountable? — No.
Let's pass a hat around for contributions.
People just thought it was convenient.
Charge people; educate people.
How do we get the pamphlet? — BG: Copies are at the 3 notice boards and I have copies on island if m embers want some.
This kind of thing happens all the time. Let's not do public shaming.
We used to have regular maintenance to get rid of metal; we should go back to that system.
I dropped off a metal sink, so I'll contribute $100.[Jorg Lutz]
We need to allocate money to these projects.
We did it years ago. The Regional District paid for it.
The challenge is finding people to step up to organize it.
Do regional bylaws apply on Savary?— Patrick Brabazon: We have bylaws for the Fire Department, land use planning, and the OCP. We do not have a specific bylaw that would apply here.
7h.Barge Landing. At a July 8 meeting, SIPOA and ASIC discussed views regarding the barge site management plan and sub-licence agreement. No consensus was reached, but both parties are prepared to continue the dialogue.
The PRRD does not know yet whether they will re-apply for the Licence of Occupation. ASIC wrote to the PRRD, saying the RD is the appropriate entity to manage the site and operations.
7h.i. Questions, comments:
The restriction to non-resident vehicles is offensive, even if legal. There are non-resident golf carts on island, which I'm going to report to the PRRD.
Is there a possibility the PRRD will not renew the tenure? — Patrick Brabazon commented that would address this in his remarks later.
7i.i. Questions, comments:
Will there be signage? — BG: MoT will decide whether there should be signs.
How will it be enforced? — BG: Enforcement only when RCMP are on island.
Let's see a show of hands for people supportive of not driving one day in July and one in August. — No count taken.
I don't see much speeding.
The Lund Water Taxi is doing a service in asking if barge customers are property owners.
SILT distributes a Visitor's Guide that suggests that vehicles be left in Lund.
7j. Money collection. $246.50 was announced as the collection from the hat that had been passed around, to contribute to the metal removal expense.
7k. Public Washrooms. Increasing tourism has lead to a need for public washrooms. The PRRD owns the properties of the Fire Departments, so it's convenient and appropriate that the Fire Department properties should be used. To build 3 washrooms would create a tax increase of $1.14 per $100,000 assessed value of properties in the first year to cover the buildings, and $0.51 per $100,000 assessed value every year thereafter for maintenance. This is a public health issue. The Ministry of Health will eventually demand washrooms.
7k.i. Director's comments.Ron Wong
This is a priority for the PRRD. We're asking Savary Islanders to support this initiative.
7k.ii. Questions, comments:
Who would use the washrooms?— RW: day trippers.
It won't solve the health issue. No one is going to walk all that distance to a washroom. We can't possibly have enough washrooms. The woods will continue to be used, and there are proper ways to do it. And who is going to clean them? There will be times that the washrooms need emergency cleaning, like when there is garbage in the toilet. There will be vandalism and nimbyism. Maybe we should start with only one washroom, and see. We should look to other islands to see what they're doing.
Absurd that we don't have facilities. All the Provincial parks have maintained washrooms. Indian Point to the West Hall is too far to walk. It's better to have a washroom at Indian Point.
The numbers of people are increasing. Put washrooms on the Fire Hall properties, not attached to the Fire Halls.
Riggers provides facilities. The PRRD could support Riggers.
Kayakers know how to use the outdoors. The Broken Islands have solar powered, cedar-chip washrooms. Better than the pumped-out type.
Why support day trippers? More will come.
Day trippers are coming anyway.
How will Savary Island pay for the maintenance?—BG: The money is spread out over the RD services.
What about an interim solution with a contractor?—BG: Maintenance would occur through a contractor.
Numerous times people have asked to use my washroom and I say yes. Sanitation is a big issue around the world, and is frustrating. Test out an energy-wise solution.
7k.iii. Fire Department statement.Fire Chief Gareth Jones
Locations should not be on Fire Hall properties, due to safety issues. Civilians should not be around our equipment during training. We are trained to use correct gear and footwear. We're aware of the safety issues; the public are not. We cannot have bikes parked on the apron. And can't have the vandalism. We shouldn't have to deal this issue. We can't have any tampering with the lock box. The water system cannot be used for anything other than Fire Dept use. There is a lack of space. I do not want to wait for a maintenance person, so I'll end up doing it myself.
8.Powell River Regional District comments.Patrick Brabazon
Patrick Brabazon commented on the previous discussions.
8a. Public washrooms. Washrooms on Savary are not a priority for the PRRD, but at a strategic planning meeting, we agreed we would look into it. We don't have a pot of money. Every dollar raised for the Fire Department goes to the Fire Department. Same with Marine services. The RD would have to create a regional service for public washrooms. It would not work for people on Lasqueti.All RD directors would have to vote on it.
8b. Renewal of barge site Licence of Occupation. The PRRD will have to make a decision; we could just walk away. There is pressure to find alternative sites, to have more than one site. Studies have been done. Do we want to spend money on another study?
8b.i. Show of hands. Patrick asked for a show of hands from those who wanted to spend tax dollars on another study. No count was taken, but hands OPPOSED numbered noticeably more than those IN FAVOUR.
8b.ii. Questions, comments:
Years ago, three potential sites were identified by the Savary Island Committee: The deep hole at Mermaid Rock; Duck Bay, and Indian Pt. — PB: The only practical site is the current location. Mermaid Rock is not going to work. Would involve building a road and expropriating land. Duck Bay is part of the contentious DL1375. Indian Point would require dredging and construction of a concrete ramp.
The PRRD hasn't adhered to the Management Plan — PB: The Licence of Occupation provides limited control. We cannot stop users of the site unless they interfere with the tenure. Landing boats is legal. A lease however could stop boat launching, but would the RD monitor it? The Province wants a management plan with other operators as well. Those other operators are infrequent.
What about airplanes? I hear them often. — PB: yes, they could be stopped.
PB: Tides were covered in the last Management Plan; landings were supposed to be at higher tides. I believe there has been no transferring of fuel on the beach.
What about fuel on the road? — PB: Not our jurisdiction.
How wide is the road? — PB: 66 feet.
8c. Speed Limits. Some people think there's no vehicle problem, but I do. MoT says there's no standard speed on a sandbar. The condition of the pot holes prevents speeding, but is not good for emergency services, especially for a spinal patient.
8c.ii. Questions, comments:
Can we get a general consensus for 30 kph? — Not answered.
Who should we approach about speed limits? — PB: Start with me. MoT will not compartmentalize speed limits on this island.
How to enforce? — Not answered.
Residents should acquaint themselves with what 20 kph looks like.
8d. Question re decks:
There are private decks on the beach. Is the PRRD liable? — PB: There is no liability by the PRRD; it's the Province's liability.
9.Wharf upgrades.Mike Wall
Now planning for dock upgrades for 2016. SIDAC to come up with objectives. We're looking at a safer, less steep ramp; greater area for the landing are to lessen congestion; make room between the wharf shed and traffic; we are available to receive ideas.
9a. Questions, comments:
Commercial ventures are using the dock for free, while doing most of the damage. It is not a private dock. — MW: Cost issue was addressed earlier. We're trying to improve the berthing.
Any charges to the commercial operators will be transferred to us [water taxi customers]; the water taxi has a schedule.
We should charge a fee to come onto the island, to pay for washrooms.
10.Active transportation corridors.Mike Wall
Was on the AGM agenda as a possible discussion point. Trail systems get pedestrians off the main road.
11.Motions and Amendments.
11a. Motion on speed limits.Motion by Bud Graham
on behalf of the ASIC Board
WHEREAS,
The issue of speed limits on Savary Island has been a recurring discussion of ASIC and of SIC before us, the current Board of Directors has reached a resolution in support of reduced speed limits for Savary Island,
THE BOARD ASKS FOR OUR MEMBERS' SUPPORT IN
THAT (A) the Board should request that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure establish reduced speed limits reflecting the road conditions, safety requirements, and land use of various sections of the island, and
THAT (B) the Board recommend that the Ministry consult with property owners from individual neighbourhoods before establishing any new speed limits.
[See speed limit discussion in Directors' Report section of these Minutes.]
Bud suggested that there be a Motion to Amend the Main Motion into 2 parts.
11a.i. Objection.Rick Thaddeus
Rick objected, citing ASIC rules that stipulate a Motion must be submitted in advance of the AGM and is unalterable.Janine Reimer responded that a Motion to Amend may be moved by someone other than the one making the Main Motion. Objection denied
11b. Motion to Amend the Main Motion to 2 parts.Motion by Amanda Sutherland
2nd by Jane Hungerford
11b.i. Vote.
Bud asked for those IN FAVOUR of the Motion to Amend. No count was taken, but the show of hands clearly showed a majority IN FAVOUR of the amendment. Bud called for those OPPOSED, and again no count was taken, but it was clear that the show of hands was a minority OPPOSED. Motion carried
11c. 1st amended Motion on speed limits.Motion by Bud Graham
on behalf of the ASIC Board
WHEREAS,
The issue of speed limits on Savary Island has been a recurring discussion of ASIC and of SIC before us, the current Board of Directors has reached a resolution in support of reduced speed limits for Savary Island,
THE BOARD ASKS FOR OUR MEMBERS' SUPPORT IN THAT,
the Board should request that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure establish reduced speed limits reflecting the road conditions, safety requirements, and land use of various sections of the island.