THETIS ISLAND RESIDENTS’ AND RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION
Annual Reports 2008
President´s Report:
The past year has been a more active one in terms of the executive. The main issue was waste removal (garbage) and the sanitation committee chaired by Barbara Williamson explored many different ideas and options. Her sub-committee, the “Trash Talkers’ spent many hours on this. Two special TIRRA membership meetings as well as the regular general meetings were held to discuss and vote on the options that the committee presented. The TIRRA Bylaw Article II. Number 6 was amended to allow for the fee and garbage invoices to be sent out on January instead of after the March AGM. Ravenscall Enterprises Ltd (Ron Bannister) has a 5 year contract with TIRRA to operate the new waste removal system. A special thanks to Dave Knowles for preparing the site for the bins.
BC Ferries has made several proposed changes such as the Ferry Point of Assembly which fortunately was withdrawn and also made minor schedule changes. The Ferry Advisory Committee has met regularly to keep us informed of rate changes and other issues.
TIRRA is looking for a volunteer to serve on the Ferry Advisory Committee to replace Doug Snyder. Thank you Doug for all your work with the FAC.
A group of interested persons has started to review the use of Telegraph Harbour and its traffic and moorage problems. They will be calling for a general meeting in 2009 to gather input from the community.
Treasurer´s Report:
See attached documents.
Land Use/Environment Committee´ Report:
There were no initiatives requested of or undertaken by this committee in 2008. The committee chair volunteered to participate in the Islands Trust APC (re. a review of the Official Community Plan) but was not accepted. Instead, Steve Frankel, serving as VP of TIRRA, represented TIRRA on the APC. Therefore it is recommended that, for the duration of the current APC, Steve continue to report the progress of the APC to TIRRA. When the APC produces written drafts, or when the Local Trust Committee produces documents for public review, TIRRA´s Land Use/Environment Committee can review such documents and report to the membership, as appropriate.
For 2009, Ken Youds will be stepping away from chairing this committee.
Transportation Committee Report:
The main activity in 2008 was a request by a member, Mr. Culver, to look into providing footpaths around Telegraph Harbour to keep pedestrians off the road. Investigating this, it was found that Highways will not permit pedestrian paths to be built on their rights-of-way without a governing body to take responsibility, including insurance coverage to indemnify Highways against any claims arising from the use of the footpaths.
To achieve Highways´ requirements would require a board similar to the community dock board, TIPC, to be established. This requires a huge commitment by someone to drive the process. An appeal was put out on Spokes for volunteers, and the report detailing the above investigation was put on the community website, www.thetisisland.net. To date there have been no volunteers.
A second letter from Mr. Culver suggesting that if footpaths were not practical at this time, perhaps safety could be enhanced by installing a convex mirror on the blind corner of Harbour Road enabling drivers to see pedestrians around the corner. Your committee obtained prices for convex mirrors and sought approval for the purchase one at the fall general meeting, but the Fire Chief pointed out that Highways will not permit the installation of roadside mirrors and would remove it we installed it. This is because the danger of sunshine or headlights reflecting into eyes of motorists.
Respectfully submitted,
Graeme Shelford, Chair.
Community Trail Committee Report:
The trail is an excellent TIRRA and community asset. It is well used, particularly in warmer seasons. Periodically we walk it and remove any obvious hazards or natural hurdles. It forms part of the route for the ‘sometimes annual´ Get to the Point event. But there is nothing new to report, such as plans for an extension to the north, or a development of a rest stop, with bench. We have seen no signs of abuse, such as off-road vehicles or unauthorized tree cutting. Actually we had some nice comments from first-time users who say ‘it´s a lovely walk in the Thetis woods.´
Dave and Doreen Steen, Chair.
Bylaws Committee Report:
Bylaws have been amended to change the general TIRRA meetings to be held in March, June and October of each year. Also the bylaw #6 has been amended to change the annual membership and service fees due date to January 31.
Tooner Knowles, Chair.
Sanitation Committee Report:
The Sanitation committee completed its research process and developed three proposals for the Garbage and Recycle program. In April, the results were presented to the community and a vote was taken. The community chose a “Thetis Island Grown’ solution. In doing so, Ron Bannister´s proposal was accepted and a 5 year contract was signed to manage our garbage and recycling centre. The cost will be $ 90.00 per year per household for 2009. A phone survey to all Thetis Island households was also conducted and the results indicated a 75-80% support of the proposal and sudsequent costs. An additional vote allocated $13,000 from the garbage reserve fund for infrastructure needs for the new centre. In addition, TIRRA was given permission to seek a line of credit of $10,000 for the purchase of a compactor. To date, TIRRA has received $1700.00 in donations toward the purchase of the compactor. The agreed upon prosal has the following details:
- Garbage collection continues to be provided by WSI. A new 5 year contract was signed with WSI in September.
- The garbage bins will be moved to the Highways yard. A 5 year occupancy contract ( with provision for renewal) was signed with the Transportation and Highways Ministry.
- The garbage bin area will be locked and will be open to the community on Wednesday and Saturday for 3 hours each of those days. If these days do not prove convenient, the community can ask for a change in days or hours. Ron has committed to two days per week – 3 hours each day. Additional days or hours could be manned by volunteers if needed.
- A formal recycling and returnable centre will be established where the garbage bins are currently located. These will be open 24/7.
- TIPA will continue to manage the returnable program with proceeds going to the school.
- TIPA has agreed to financially provide TIRRA with up to $ 2000 toward the returnable and recycling centre.
- An educational program will be provided to the community regarding recycling. Our goal is to encourage everyone to create the smallest amount of garbage possible by learning to recycle everything!
The new area will hopefully be operational by early spring, 2009. The weather has delayed our progress. Volunteers (Ian Ralston and Dave Knowles) have agreed to perform the necessary site preparation. Ron will purchase the 40 – yard bins and other essential materials. A generator and the compactor will be purchased once the site is operational.
Thank you to everyone for their support of the Sanitation Committee´s work and we look forward to the completion of the implementation phase.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Williamson, Chair.
Cemetery Committee:
There were four internments and one burial in St Margaret´s Cemetery in 2008.
Sales of seven cremation sites and two burial plots totaled $ 2900.
Other income included donations of $100 and $198 from sales of the book Lives Behind the Headstones.
Ground maintenance costs totaling $175.00 and $402.00 was paid towards the cemetery half of TIRRA´s liability insurance. General and sundry costs amounted to $1590.00.
In spite of the economic down turn, St. Margaret´s investments and income remain in sound financial shape. St. Margaret´s began 2008 with $26,758.00. Excess of revenues over expenses in 2008 was $2298.00. Money in the bank and investments totaled $7231.00. Capital at the end of 2008 amounted to $29,656.00
St. Margaret´s is managed by a local cemetery board in compliance with the provincial Cremation, Internment and Funeral Services Act and remains under the auspices of TIRRA.
The books and records of St. Margaret´s are open to the public at any time. Anyone interested in joining the cemetery board would be warmly welcomed
The board members of St. Margaret´s continue to be greatly appreciated as are others in the community who willingly lend a hand to the ongoing cemetery upkeep and maintenance.
Thank you,
Lorrie Wood, Chairperson,
St. Margaret´s Cemetery
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