THETIS ISLAND
RESIDENTS’ AND RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION
REPORTS TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, MARCH 18, 2010

Agenda

Links to the following Reports:

TIRRA Annual General Meeting
MARCH 18, 2010 7:30 PM
Proposed Agenda

Minutes of:
 General meeting  ----- Oct 15/09
 Exec meetings  ------Jan 14/10
   ----- Mar 04/10

Treasurer’s Report

Correspondence

Committee Reports:
      Transportation
      Sanitation
      Land Use/Enviro
      Cemetery
      Bylaws
      Com. Trail

Elections

Islands Trust

Old Business

New Business

Adjourn

Refreshments  

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TIRRA PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT, MARCH 2010

Many thanks to the executive who have put in a significant amount of time and effort on behalf of the community. Most of the activities of the association are covered in their reports except for the governance (municipal study) issue. The executive pursued this for a period of time until it became clear that there were no provincial funds available for such a study and perhaps not in the near future.

TIRRA has welcomed several donated filing cabinets now placed in the hall in order to improve their document storage.

My steep learning curve this year has been raising my computer skill level from kindergarten to grade three. I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve Thetis in this capacity and am happy to allow my name to stand again.

Respectfully submitted,
Ernie Hunter

 

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SANITATION COMMITTEE REPORT, MARCH, 2010

Our present Thetis Island sanitation system includes a drop-off centre for; garbage, recyclable items, free-store and designated area for (deposit) returnables. This system was implemented in 2009.

Prior to initiating this system a group of Thetis Island residents volunteered to review and research a sanitation system that would meet the needs of our island residents. The Thetis Island Sanitation Committee worked for more than two years before recommending the present system to address our island’s sanitation needs. A significant part of the “Review Process” included a number of community meetings, working groups, on-going community input and research into other systems of sanitation services. Our system was implemented after surveying and voting (on two occasions) as a community on various sanitation, garbage collection options available to our community.

The “Sanitation Yard” is available to islanders on a “drop-off basis” two days a week. The present days, Saturday and Wednesday, 9AM to Noon were agreed upon by a majority of residents. However, it was made clear that the days and times available would be monitored to ensure they continued to accommodate the majority of residents. In other words, TIRRA and the Sanitation Committee are open to future discussions regarding days and times this service is available. The caveat being additional costs may be involved in extending or expanding the services.

The system is managed, under contract agreement between Ravenscall Enterprises Ltd. (operated by Ron Bannister, a full time resident of Thetis Island) and TIRRA. The Sanitation Yard is supervised by Ron Bannister, and or his designate on the two days and times scheduled. He is also responsible for trucking recyclables off island to the regional depots.

Included in the Sanitation Yard area are a number of large commercial dumpster bins for household garbage which are provided by and hauled off island by a private contractor. Within the Yard there is also a “Free Store “of recycled materials that individuals may avail themselves of.

Outside the secured Sanitation Yard, in the same vicinity is the large container where residents can deposit their recyclable materials. The container-recycle storage bin is available seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day for recyclable items such as; aluminum cans, glass, newspaper-cardboard, plastic items, etc. The signage on the container was provided by the Thetis Island Parents Association (TIPA) and students of Thetis Island Elementary School.

The container is also “home” to the school’s (TIPA’S) returnable shed, which receives any returnable (deposit) items; wine bottles, beer bottles cans, soda pop, juice, water. These items are sorted by students and parents during the week and used as a fund raiser for the school to provide our students with, various activities, educational trips and school materials. TIPA will be providing a more signage for the returnable shed in the coming months.

TIRRA recently approved new rates to support the installation, maintenance and management of our new and greatly improved Sanitation System. The rates now being paid by the vast majority of residents and property owners will also be reviewed in the future by TIRRA.

Items/issues for future discussion:

The Compactor:
The purchase of a compactor and generator by TIRRA has been put on hold. Since the use of very large collection bags inside the container seems to be working, TIRRA felt there was no need at this time to invest the thousands dollars it would cost for a compactor. The large white portable bags enable the hauling off island of the recyclable materials at regular intervals; as a result, the frequent need to go off island has been curtailed. However, in the future, a compactor may still be an option we would need to explore again.

Community/TIRRA Yearly Rates:
TIRRA will need to monitor closely, the present rate of $104.00 per year. We need to ensure the amount we are requesting residents and property owners is viable for the ongoing service. The fees paid by residents and property owners are voluntary. TIRRA is hopeful that at some point the recycled materials will bring in additional monies to offset the expenses of our new system Hours/Days of Operation:
TIRRA will continue to monitor.

Community Feedback:
For the most part, initial feedback has been very positive. TIRRA and the Sanitation Committee had received, in the past, very few criticisms or complaints of the new system. I can think of only two instances (to the Sanitation Committee) of expressed concerns.
The area in general has been kept tidy and much less unsightly than in the past. Residents appear to be very pleased with the recycle container and yard operation. The School’s Returnable Shed has been kept sorted and orderly. In addition, users of the system appear to be taking the time to actually separate recyclable materials as well as sorting for the returnable (school) shed.
The “Free Store” is also quite a popular addition. Free Stores are very common on other Gulf islands as well.

Summation:

Though we have had for the most part, good, positive feedback, with a system that appears to be working in it’s initial stages, it does not mean we have found a “panacea” for our sanitation challenges. Our system will continue to be monitored and measured for improvement. What works will be improved upon, what issues remain will need to be monitored and addressed. We will continue to encourage community feedback, ideas, suggestions and welcome those who would like to volunteer on the Sanitation and or other related community committees.

Respectfully Submitted,
Steve Frankel, Acting Chair Sanitation Committee
VP, TIRRA.

 

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TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT, MARCH 2010

In 2009, the Transportation Committee was asked to look into having Highways install “Hidden Driveway” signs at driveways with little advance visibility. After cruising the island to look for such driveways, I concluded that the Quack Farm driveway is the most hidden, followed by Lot 91 Pilkey Pt Rd and 116 Pilkey Pt Rd. The criterion I used to assess it was whether there was adequate braking distance after a driveway on the same side of the road as the direction of travel became visible when driving at the speed limit.

Andy Newall, supervisor in charge of Thetis Highways, advises that Highways officially no longer place hidden driveway signs, which is now up to the driveways’ owners, but exceptions can be made. He will come over to Thetis to review the situation with me.

I was also asked to look into organizing a petition to Highways to get the roads repaved. I have not had time to pursue this.

Last June, I attended a Ferries Advisory Committee, but no Thetis or Kuper delegates were there. I undertook to assist Ferries find Thetis volunteers for the FAC. Subsequently Sue French and Ann Keir volunteered to join it, and Chris Pegg is willing to continue. There have been no FAC meetings since then; the next one is due to take place in June.

Respectfully submitted,
Graeme Shelford,
Chairman, Transportation Committee

 

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TRAIL COMMITTEE REPORT, MARCH 2010

The community trail is owned and managed by the Thetis Island Residents and Ratepayers Association. It runs generally north and south through the middle of the island, linking Mission Road with Kenwood Drive.

No attempt has been made to assess the number of users. The worn pathway is one clue that suggests it’s used year round, more frequently in the warmer months, mostly by people on foot and less often on horseback and trail bikes. From time to time, users remove intrusive vegetation that falls or overhangs the trail, but otherwise they are encouraged to leave it in its beautiful, natural state. Some deadfall logs have purposely been left in order to discourage use by motorized vehicles, which – for the record – are not permitted on the trail. The trail is mostly friendly to feet. Some tiny watercourses have been bridged, but waterproof hiking boots are recommended for the cooler, damp seasons. In addition to its benefits for recreation and experiencing the inner wilds of Thetis, the trail is sometimes used by a few pedestrian commuters headed to and from the community centre and school. From time to time, TIRRA has discussed the possibility of extending the trail to link to the Pilkey Point area, but so far there’s been no action on this.

Dave Steen

 

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ST. MARGARET'S CEMETERY ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2009,
TIRRA AGM March 18, 2010

There were four cremation interments in 2009. One interment was located on a burial plot in keeping with a new bylaw that allows up to four family cremation sites on top of a burial plot of a previously buried family member.

Sales of four cremation sites totalled $1100.00. Additional site preparation amounted to $100.00.

Other income over the year included donations of $425.00 and $104.75 from the sales of the book Lives Behind the Headstones. 2009 printing costs for Lives was $43.00.

Ground maintenance and sundry costs totalled $266.00 and $410.00 was paid toward half of TIRRA’s liability insurance.

St. Margaret’s revenues and expenses were as follows: the year began with $29,054.00; excess of revenue over expenses was $1175.00; money in the bank and investments plus interest was $26,820.00; Capital at the end of the 2009 totaled $30,333.75.

To settle concerns about erosion on the waterfront side of the cemetery, the current board members commissioned a Nanaimo engineering company to do a preliminary geotech survey of the bank. Aware that St. Margaret’s is a community cemetery, the company charged $950.00 instead of their usual fee of $1500 and provided some low-cost suggestions and tips to help slow the situation.

St. Margaret’s is managed by a board of local islanders and is responsible to the B.C. provincial Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act and remains under the auspices of TIRRA. Anyone interested in becoming a board member would be warmly welcomed.

Thank you to those Islanders that participate in the ongoing upkeep and maintenance of the cemetery. Your willingness to pitch in is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully,
Lorrie Wood, Chairperson,
St. Margaret’s Cemetery

 

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LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENT REPORT FOR 2009 - 2010

There is little to report as only two issues have been raised for the committee to deal with.

First was the issue of the scrap metal at the end of the Community Trail. It was agreed that this was unsightly and should be removed. Although this has yet to happen, Ernie Hunter, who kindly volunteered to take charge of this, indicates that this is now organized and should take place this month.

The other issue was that related to the complaint of dog excrement, which was raised by several TIRRA members last summer. BC Ferries were contacted, and asked to provide a box with doggy bags as it seems the problem is being caused mainly by those in ferry line-ups, who allow their dogs to use the grass verges as places to drop their “doggy do's” but do not clean up after them. It was felt that if bags were provided at the ferry terminal it would alleviate the problem.

As mentioned, BC Ferries have been contacted about this, and seemed to react favourably to the idea, of providing Thetis with a box, noting that some terminals already have these. To date, however, they have yet to confirm when we will receive such a box.

Respectfully submitted,
Ann Keir,
Chairperson Land Use and Environment Committee.

 

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BYLAWS COMMITTEE REPORT:

There have been no changes to the bylaws this year. The current executive has started a bylaw review which will most likely carry on next year resulting in a few minor changes.

Respectfully submitted,
Tooner Knowles  

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