THETIS ISLAND RESIDENTS’ AND RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

March 18, 2010
Forbes Hall, Thetis Island

MINUTES

Meeting Called to order at 7:36 pm.

Chaired by Ernie Hunter, President.

37 members in attendance.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the October 15, 2009 TIRRA General Meeting were read and adopted. Highlights of the January 14, 2010, and March 4, 2010 executive committee minutes were also read.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Kevin Galbraith presented the Treasurer's Report for 2009 and also an updated report on TIRRA finances for 2010 up to March 17. (Copies are attached to these minutes.) In answer to a question by Denham Kelsey, Kevin said it appears that the new $104 per property garbage fee will put the garbage fund into a ‘break-even’ financial position this year. A motion by Pauline Harwood, to approve the financial report was carried unanimously.

Denis Gagnon, corresponding secretary, read letters from members who are opting out of the garbage service. One, from Capernwray Bible Centre, included a donation of $500 to the garbage fune. A motion by Sheila Kelsey, to send Capernwray a letter of thanks was carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Transportation

Graeme Shelford, transportation chair, discussed the Ferry Advisory Committee. Chris Pegg, Ann Keir, and Sue French had been nominated and BC Ferries is expected to call a meeting of the committee, possibly in June. Graeme noted that he had been in contact with the Ministry of Highways over posting hidden driveway signs. In an upcoming visit to Thetis by a representative of Highways, Graeme will ask about these signs, repaving Thetis roads, re-painting yellow lines, improving vehicle safety on Moore Hill, and reducing speed limits.

Sanitation Committee

Sanitation Chair Steve Frankel reported that the new garbage system has been warmly embraced by most Thetis residents. Before and after photos of the sites reveal a dramatic improvement, the result of a 2-year program by the sanitation committee, in cooperation with Ron Bannister. The new ‘free store’ has become a social centre. The recyclable and returnable centres are “working well”, he said. After witnessing people arriving with truckloads of garbage, Ken Youds pointed out that the system is solely for household waste, not other, bulkier garbage that should instead be taken to the Cowichan Valley Regional District garbage sites on Vancouver Island. Steve Frankel said the solution is to educate people about the garbage system rules.

Land Use and Environment

Ann Keir, chair of land use and environment, said the clean-up of the scrap metal on the community trail near the fire hall is to happen soon. There may be room in the collection bin for other metal garbage. If so, residents will be notified. Ann said she has received no further word from BC Ferries about the proposed placement of a doggie bag box at the ferry dock.

Cemetery, Bylaws, and Community Trail Committees:

Chairs of these committees, as with all other committees, noted that their detailed reports appear in TIRRA’s Annual Reports

ELECTION OF OFFICERS 2010

Past President John Stadt requested nominations from the floor.

The sole nominations for office were:

President: Ernie Hunter
Past President: John Stadt
Vice President: Steve Frankel
Treasurer: Kevin Galbraith
Recording Secretary: David Steen
Corresponding Secretary Denis Gagnon

These officers were declared elected by acclamation.

Standing Committee Chairs:

Sanitation: Steve Frankel
Transportation: Graeme Shelford
Land use/Environment: Ann Keir
Bylaws: Tooner Knowles
Cemetery: Lorrie Wood
Community Trail: David Steen

These Chairs were declared elected by acclamation.

Report from Islands Trust Local Trust Committee

Both Thetis Trustees Sue French and Peter Luckham were in attendance. Peter outlined the purpose and procedure involved in the ongoing review of the Thetis Official Community Plan, which he hopes will be completed by the end of this year. He also reported on discussions with First Nations, Bill 27 (a provincial bill instructing local governments, including the Thetis Local Trust Committee to amend bylaws to reduce greenhouse gas emissions), public hearings on Valdez Island issues, and quarterly meeting of Islands Trust Council being held on Hornby Island in late March at which the Trust’s budget for 2010 will be set.

New Business:

Lon Wood presented a report on the non-profit volunteer group, Friends of Furries, that asked for an endorsement of the ‘principle of responsible animal care and ownership including that dogs in particular should be under control at all times; spay/neutering of both canines and felines should be encouraged to curb the rise of unwanted pets leading to suffering and spread of disease.” (Click here for Lon’s report.)

The following motion by Kelly Bannister, was carried unanimously: That TIRRA strongly encourage and support in principle responsible animal care since animal health and well-being are closely connected with human health and well-being and with a healthy environment in our isolated community, and since (whether animal owners or not), we all are affected negatively (directly or indirectly) by local animals who are not given the basic care or treatment they need. Likewise, we all benefit directly or indirectly from responsible animal care and treatment.

Adjournment

A motion by Grant Babin, to adjourn the meeting (9:07 p.m.) was carried unanimously.

 

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