THETIS ISLAND RESIDENTS’ AND RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION

GENERAL MEETING

October 19, 2006
Forbes Hall, Thetis Island

MINUTES

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.

Chaired by Patrick Mooney, President.

Approximately 26 members were in attendance.

Approval of Minutes

Patrick Mooney asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of June 29, 2006.

Motion made by John Stadt, Seconded by Sue French to adopt the minutes of June 29, 2006 as presented. Motion Carried.

Old Business

Bulletin Boards
Les Saul is the new “chairman” of the Bulletin Boards.
John Stadt noted that Capernwray is currently working on a “Welcome to Thetis Island” sign, which will be going on the outside of the structure that houses the boards. Some dividers are also being constructed for the inside of the structure.
TIRRA is re-doing the list of names for the new map.

Transportation
A letter has been sent to David Hahn, CEO/Executive Director of BC Ferries, inviting him to meet with residents on Thetis, in order to discuss general ferry issues that impact on residents.
A letter has also been sent to the Honorable Kevin Falcon, Minister of Transportation, requesting that he meet with the President and Vice-President of TIRRA to discuss such issues as the status of roads, overview of the ferries, and any other relevant issues.

Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Kevin Galbraith gave a brief overview of his report.
He noted that a total of 470 TIRRA members are paid up to date, and that the total number of garbage payments is 228, with a couple of more payments expected.
As of October 13, 2006 there is a closing balance of $7,839.03 in the General Fund and $17,635.64 in the Garbage Fund. Garbage costs are more than last year due to the Special Garbage pick-up, and the increase in Ron Bennet’s fees.

Committee Reports

Land Use
Ernie Hunter noted that it would be advantageous to have meetings with Islands Trust outside of business hours as it would allow for greater input from the community.
A letter will be sent to Islands Trust suggesting that this be given consideration.

Community Trail
David Steen noted that he feels very excited about the Community Trail as he sees it as unifying North and South. He noted that the Trail is well used and that despite poor weather, the Get to the Point walk and the Terry Fox run were both well attended.
A total of $1,359 was raised by 16 people in the Terry Fox run.

Transportation
Graeme Shelford had nothing to report.
Patrick Mooney noted that the grass along the roadsides had been cut by the end of June, thus lowering the fire hazard. It was also noted that the Calcium Chloride coating that had been applied to gravel roads, had effectively reduced dust.

Corresponding Secretary
No report was available as Veronica Shelford was not in attendance.

Bylaws
No report was available as Tooner Knowles was not in attendance.

Cemetery
No report was available as Lorrie Woods was not in attendance.

New Business

Thetis Island Port Commission
Ernie Hunter reported that there was $17,000 in the account at present and that an additional $10,000 would be collected, $9,000 of this latter sum would go to the wharf and $1,000 to the boat ramp.
Ernie informed the meeting that T. Anderson of the CVRD had recommended to TIPC that they get a base for contingency.
In response to being asked whether the $10,000 would come from Tax Asssesment or from Parcels, he suggested that it would be better to wait and see.
He noted that the concrete proposal for the dock had been voted against.

Islands Trust
Sue French and Peter Luckham attended the meeting, gave some information about the Trust, their role as Trustees, and responded to questions that were raised.
They noted that they were looking forward to the ENVISION THETIS session, scheduled to take place October 21, 2006. This session is to be chaired by Kim Benson, Trustee from Gambier/Keats Island Area and Chair of the Islands Trust Council.

Ferry Advisory Committee
Representatives Doug Snyder and Chris Pegg were in attendance at the meeting.
The other Thetis representative, Ian Ralston, was unable to attend.
Doug gave an interesting and informative presentation about the Committee, its mandate, membership, meetings and current focus items. In addition, he provided some information about the New Vessel, currently known as HULL 259. The information provided verbally was also contained in a handout, which he circulated to those in attendance.
Chris Pegg talked about his current project, a Safety Campaign for Students, and noted that he is concerned about the lack of supervision during the time students are released from school until they arrive in Thetis. Other specific issues that concern him are exposure to smoking, drug trafficking, and harassment from those under the influence of alcohol on the ferry, as well as a lack of a place for students to go to, while waiting for the ferry.
Doug noted that they hope to set up Community meetings in the near future to update residents on issues such as FAC, Coast Cards, Reschedule plans etc.

Other

Dave Steen asked Fire Chief Jeanine Caldbeck about the issue of safety in relation to smoking on the ferry, however she noted that this was outside of her jurisdiction.

Tim French raised the issue of a community numbering plan. He wished to know what the community thought about this, and noted that such a system would allow first responders to get to the situation in a shorter period of time.
This item will be placed on the next agenda.

Adjournment
MOTION made by Graeme Shelford, SECONDED by Mary Forbes to adjourn the meeting. Motion CARRIED.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10.

Submitted by A. Keir, Secretary.

 

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