THETIS ISLAND RESIDENTS’ AND RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING


March 20, 2008
Forbes Hall, Thetis Island

MINUTES

Meeting commenced at 7:30 p.m., chaired by John Stadt, President.

29 members were in attendance.

Approval of Minutes

John Stadt asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of the General Meeting of October 18, 2007, which were posted on both the Bulletin Board and the website.
MOTION made by Lorrie Wood, seconded by Steve Frankel, to adopt the minutes of October 18, 2007 as presented. Motion CARRIED.

President’s report

John Stadt presented his President’s Report. Copies were provided to members in attendance. A copy is attached and made part of these minutes.

Treasurer’s Report

In the absence of Treasurer Kevin Galbraith, John Stadt reviewed year-end Financial Statements, copies of which were provided for those in attendance.
A copy will also be attached as part of the minutes.

General Fund:
Although total revenue for 2007 was $3,000, $350 higher than 2006, total number of paid memberships for 2007 were 474, a slight decrease from 2006.
Expenditures overall were slightly less than the previous year.

Garbage Fund:
228 households paid garbage fees for a total of $13,600, a drop from 2006, however as Kevin points out, there were only three households fewer who paid, and the main reason for the drop is in the level of fees being paid (refer to 2007 Financial Report Highlights for full explanation).
Expenditures appear to have decreased, however this was due to a billing error and will be corrected on the 2008 billing. Costs are similar those of previous year.
Overall the fund will have decreased by about $1,000, therefore an increase in Garbage Fees will be required to cover annual expenses in future years should we continue to use our current garbage system.

Old Business:

Standing Committee Reports:

Transportation
Graeme Shelford reported that, in relation to Highways, there were no major issues in the past year. He noted that we are pleased with the timely painting of the centerlines and the continuing excellent service provided by Grant Gordon.
Only one issue requires to be addressed. This is a request to look into providing a pedestrian lane alongside the road.
Graeme read a letter received from Dennis Culver, in which Dennis noted his concern regarding the potential danger for pedestrians in areas where there is no possibility for them to get out of the way of oncoming traffic.
Discussion ensued regarding this issue and Lorrie Wood suggested that we might perhaps look at a bicycle path, as there is a provincial grant available for this.
This issue of sidewalks had been discussed with Department of Highway staff January 16, 2007. At that time they indicated that there were no funds to create a pedestrian walkway.
Graeme Shelford will nonetheless follow up on this.
In relation to Ferries, Graeme noted that the Ferry Advisory Committee is no longer part of TIRRA. No Ferry Advisory Committee members were present.
Patrick Mooney reminded those present that the current Ferry Schedule would soon be altered.
He also mentioned that there was a rumour circulating that several of the smaller island ferries, including the Thetis Ferry would be docked on Vancouver Island overnight, rather than returning to their islands.

Land Use and Environment
Ken Youds indicated that as per his written report this had been a fairly quiet year for this committee. Ken’s written report is attached.

Community Trail
David Steen presented the report on the trail on behalf of himself and Doreen Lilley.
He noted that the Trail is inspected regularly to ensure its safety.
A work party cleared the winter debris from the trail but left several large logs to discourage the use of motorized recreational vehicles.
The intention is to attempt to keep the trail as close to it’s natural state as possible.
Dave noted that there was still time to have an event such as Walk to the Point or a Terry Fox Run arranged, and that he would be willing to assist anyone who might wish to do so.
Dave also thanked Dave Green for his help with trail maintenance.

Sanitation:
Barbara Williamson discussed the 5 possible options that the garbage committee has put together. She also mentioned that there is now perhaps a sixth possible option as Jeanine Caldbeck had just given her an article on smaller solar powered compacters.
These options will be presented to the community on April 12, 1:30-3:30 at Forbes Community Hall. An education component will be part of this meeting.
Discussion ensued about a number of the options. One individual expressed concern about the possible option of CVRD collecting the garbage fees instead of TIRRA. His concern was whether or not we would be able to get out of such an arrangement, should we find for some reason that it is not what we want.
Barbara also informed the meeting that our contract with WSI is up in June 2008. They have estimated a 6% increase, since the “tipping” fee has increased by 10% this year.
Given this information and the fact that our current garbage fees do not meet our expenditures, John Stadt suggested that we might want to consider a 30% increase for Garbage Fees at this point. He noted that this could be dropped after April 12, 2008 if the option chosen did not require it.
MOTION made by Steve Frankel, seconded by Den Kelsey, that we increase the garbage fees by 30% for 2009. Motion CARRIED.

Cemetery:
Lorrie Wood indicated that as per her written report, in 2007 there was one burial and two cremation internments.
Six burial sites totaling $2100 and seven cremation sites totaling $1850 were sold.
Revenue exceeded expenses and the cemetery is in good financial shape as money in the bank and investments total $23,349.

Bylaws:
Tooner Knowles was not in attendance but her written comment was that “there have been no bylaw activities in 2007”.

Community Education:
Steve Frankel noted that several parents have been assisting Kevin with returnables and that this has led to the area at the dump being much tidier. He also noted that a new container for returnables is under construction.
He thanked the community for the support they had given at the recent meeting with the new Superintendent and Board members. He informed the group that the School Board indicated that they would fund a part-time position of 10 hours per week for the Education Assistant, effective immediately.
Steve referred to a letter of support from Islands Trust that was sent to the School Board, which asked that the School Board “consider the importance to the health of our community of preserving a fully serviced on-island elementary school”.
Given the support of Islands Trust and the strong support by the community at the recent meeting Steve made the following MOTION “That the Thetis Island Resident’s and Ratepayer’s Association (TIRRA) recognize and support the belief that Thetis Island School is acknowledged as an important and integral part of our community. Further, that there is a very strong connection and link between the school, our children, families and community, and that strong bond and connection should be supported in principle and submitted in writing to the: Advisory Planning Commission (APC) and Official Community Plan (OCP) for inclusion in the Thetis Island Official Community Plan”.
This was seconded by Donna Stadt. Motion CARRIED.
Den Kelsey suggested that a vote of thanks be given to Steve Frankel for his knowledge and input in relation to the school funding and this was done.
In response to a question regarding High Speed Internet, Steve indicated that they would be farther discussing the issue in late April with a Telus representative. Apparently a relay switch is still being sought.

NEW BUSINESS:

Harbour Authority:
Gerry Smith made a presentation on behalf of a group of individuals who have been concerned about the issue of safety in relation to navigational hazards in the shipping lanes in Telegraph Harbour. Floats are causing haphazard congestion, particularly during summer, and this is a concern for both boats and floatplanes as they attempt to access the harbour.
Given that this situation is likely to escalate, it seems that some jurisdiction requires to be established in order to deal with it.
Gerry’s group has done a considerable amount of research into how to obtain jurisdiction of the harbour, and also into how other harbours deal with the issue of floats etc.
He informed the meeting of the findings of his group, and asked what they wanted to do with this.
He noted that all of the agencies that he contacted emphasized that individual communities were in the best position to make decisions regarding the most appropriate use of resources and he noted that this is also the position of Islands Trust.
Discussion ensued about a number of points that he raised.
In response to one of these, Wayne Loiselle, a member of the group explained that what they were looking for was the blessing of TIRRA to continue with the work they had started.
John Stadt indicated that it would be discussed at the next Executive Meeting, however Ken Youds felt that since the group was simply wishing to continue investigating the issue they should be given our support.
In relation to the striking of an investigative committee, Ken suggested that it consist of Gerry Smith, Wayne Loiselle and anyone else that they felt appropriate for their task.
MOTION was made by Ken Youds, that we endorse a special investigative committee to look into the issue and report back to TIRRA. This was seconded by Peter Luckham. Motion CARRIED.

Election of Officers 2008-2009
Patrick Mooney, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, presented the nominations for Executives and Committee Chairs for 2008-2009 and asked for nominations from the floor.
The sole nominations for office were:
 President:  John Stadt
 Past President:  Patrick Mooney
 Vice President:  Steve Frankel
 Treasurer:  Kevin Galbraith
 Recording Secretary:  Ann Keir
 Corresponding Secretary:  Barbara Williamson
Therefore these officers are declared elected.

The sole nominees for Standing Committee Chairs were:

 Sanitation:  Barbara Williamson
 Transportation:  Graeme Shelford
 Land Use and Environment:   Ken Youds
 Bylaws:  Tooner Knowles
 Cemetery:  Lorrie Wood
 Community Trail:  David Steen and Doreen Lilley

Adjournment

MOTION made by Steve Frankel to adjourn the meeting.

The AGM was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Submitted by Ann Keir, Recording Secretary.

 

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