CBPOA - January 10, 2024 General Meeting Draft Minutes

 

Crescent Beach Property Owners’ Association

General Meeting

7:30 PM – January 10, 2024

Alexandra Neighborhood House

Draft Minutes

Approximately  95-100 attendees

 

1.Call to Order: The President, Bob Poulton, called the meeting to order at ­­­­­7:40.

 

2. Presentations

a) Crescent Beach Parking Update: Kristen Tiede, Dave Harkness and Victor Jhingan from the City of Surrey’s Engineering Department attended the meeting.  Dave Harkness and Victor Jhingan provided  an overview of parking utilization and initiatives planned to provide a more equitable access to parking supply.

         The full corporate report regarding parking can be accessed at the following link:

         Corporate Report 

 

b) Crescent Beach Drainage Improvements: Tindi Sekhon provided a presentation regarding the next phase of drainage improvements planned for construction along McBride Ave and McKenzie Ave in spring/summer of 2024.  If you have any questions for Tindi, please contact him directly

     Tindi Sekhon THSekhon@surrey.ca 778-772-6964

 

         Questions and comments followed each presentation.

3. Adoption of Agenda: M/S/C, “That the agenda be adopted, as presented.”

 

4. Approval of Minutes: M/S/C, “That the Minutes of November 8, 2023 be approved as distributed.”

 

5. Matters arising from the November General Meeting Minutes – None

6. Correspondence and updates

         a) Bylaws  

              i) The certified CBPOA Bylaws were distributed to members with the meeting agenda.

ii) Committee Policy - The Bylaws Committee will be working on a draft policy to expand upon Article     6.2 of the CBPOA Bylaws.

 

         b) Letter to City of Surrey re Nav Canada – Letter is being drafted

 

         c) Elections BC – Elections BC has openings in South Surrey for Deputy District Electoral Officers.

              Information was sent to members on January 18.

 

7. Directors Reports

         a) Treasurer

i) Dues collected in the 2023 membership drive have buffered the CBPOA bank account.

              ii) Investments come due the week of March 3.  Monies will be reinvested.

 

         b) Membership - There are 353 (345 Regular Members and 8 Associate Members)

 

8. Committee Reports - None

 

9. New Business – Question asked regarding status of microphone system purchase. 

 

10. Adjournment - There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50pm.

 

         Next meeting: Wednesday March 13, 2024 @ 7:30pm.

 

CBPOA - August 31, 2023 - General Meeting Minutes

 

7:00 Thursday, August 31, 2023. General Meeting.

 

The meeting was held at Alex House with 16 members plus 3 Directors present.

 

1.  The meeting was called to order by the Vice President Bob Poulton.

 

2. Quorum was confirmed with 16 voting members present.

 

3.  The agenda, “to review the proposed changes to the CBPOA Constitution and Bylaws and to provide an opportunity for members to provide input” was approved.

 

4.  Bob thanked Bob Abernethy and Michael Eyre for the contributions to the Bylaw Review Committee.  There were many meetings with extensive discussions.

 

5.  After committee review of the proposed CBPOA Constitution and Bylaws, each ‘Part’ at a time, was reviewed with input from members, the following motion was approved, ‘That the changes made since the August 11 and August 29^th emailing of the Constitution and Bylaws be included in the final draft, which will be sent to the members prior to the September 20 General Meeting.”

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15.

 

The next General meeting:  September 20, 2023

CBPOA - August 9, 2023 - General Meeting Minutes

Crescent Beach Property Owners’ Association

7:30 PM – Wednesday August 9, 2023 – General Meeting Minutes

The meeting was held in the Dining Hall at Alex House with approximately 32 in attendance.

1.     The meeting was called to order by Vice President Bob Poulton.

 

2.     The agenda was approved.

 

3.     Presentation - Councillor Linda Annis spoke at length about a wide variety of topics, including ticketing for parking violations, various infractions on the beachfront path, emergency access, and policing.  She answered questions from the members and took away questions to follow up on.

 

4.     The June 7, 2023 General Meeting Draft Minutes were approved, as circulated.

 

5.     Matters arising from the minutes: Bob spoke to his research into a stop sign on McBride Avenue at Adam’s Lane.

 

6.     Directors Reports

a.     Treasurer – Jim Gordon reviewed the finances of the CBPOA; there has not been much change over the summer. Membership dues are now being collected and will be deposited in September. There will be a financial report at the AGM on September 20, 2023. Jim read out the letter he sent to J. Carter, T McEvoy & T Hill on May 1, 2023 which offered three suggestions on how to rectify the spending of $5,800 in Nov 2022.

b.     Membership – Canvassers are collecting memberships and updating information.  There was a call for a Membership Chairperson for next season.

 

7.     Correspondence and Updates none

8.     Working Group Reports

a.     Bylaw Revision Working Group – There will be a special General Meeting on Aug 31, 2023 at Alex House for the sole purpose of reviewing the proposed changes to the bylaws. A gmail account has been set up to receive comments.

b.     Beach Fire Working Group – Tricia Ewert spoke about the decrease in beach fires over the summer: recording started informally on Feb. 18, 2023; fires reported were as follows:

­   Feb - 4.

­   Mar – 26

­   Apr - 27

­   May – 40

­   Jun – 22, the electronic sign went up on June 19, 7 more = 29

­   Jul – 13

Thanks to Surrey Fire Department, Bylaws, Police and BNSF police. 

Thanks go to Councillor Annis for her support on this initiative as she helped bring this matter to the forefront and as a result, we were able to get the electronic sign.
Finally, thanks especially to residents as your calls are getting the problem on the radar. Please keep calling and reporting via email to the CBFWG:  cbbeachfiresafetygroup@gmail.com

Next steps: We are hoping for the electronic sign to stay year-round.
We are hoping to engage with all the various enforcement groups on more deterrence for offenders.

b.     Parks Committee       

a.     Five members have offered to serve on this group.  Their mandate is to continue to advocate for the Blackie Spit Master Plan (1999), to monitor and report on actions by the City which might conflict with the plan, to cultivate a productive working relationship with the City administration in order to effectively promote the interests of the CBPOA membership, to coordinate activities with other CBPOA working groups and committees ,and to follow and report back on items of particular interest to the Association and its members concerning parks within the CBPOA boundary.   A motion was made to accept this mandate. Carried.

b.     The Parks Committee is looking for someone to monitor Nav Canada’s evaluations of the proposed new Flight Paths over Mud Bay.

c.      The Parks Committee is also looking for someone who has expertise in monitoring the environmental issues for Blackie Spit.

c.      New Business

a.     David O’Sullivan reported that the height of the dyke at the Maple Steet Pump Station has not been changed and is communicating with the City of Surrey to make sure it is raised before winter high water.

b.     There will be a special General Meeting on Aug 31, 2023 at Alex House for the sole purpose of reviewing the proposed changes to the bylaws.

c.      The 2023 AGM will be held on September 20, 2023 at Alex House.

d.     Positions to be filled at the AGM are:

­   President (one year term),

­   Secretary (two-year term),

­   Treasurer (two-year term),

­   Membership Chair (one year term).

d.     The meeting was adjourned

CBPOA - June 7, 2023 - General Meeting Minutes

 

Crescent Beach Property Owners’ Association

7:30 PM – Wednesday June 7, 2023 – General Meeting

Minutes

The meeting was held in Alex Hall, with approximately 25 members plus 3 Directors present.

1.     The meeting was called to order by Vice President Bob Poulton.  Bob thanked Beryl Kirk for her many, many years of service to the Crescent Beach Property Owners Association.

2.     Approval of agenda

 

3.     The April 12, 2023 General Meeting Draft Minutes were approved as corrected.

 

4.     Matters arising from the minutes: none

 

5.     Directors Reports

a.     Treasurer:

­   The CBPOA holds approximately $35,000 in investments and $10,000 in cash; no changes have taken place since the last meeting.

­   The June end-of-year summary will be tabled at the yearly AGM in the fall.

­   It was moved and seconded that the CBPOA donate $2500 to Alex House. Carried

b.     Membership: preparations are underway for the 2023/2024 membership campaign, which will get underway July 1, 2023.

 

6.     Working Group Reports

a.     Bylaw Revision Working Group – the group has been reviewing and updating the Constitution and Bylaws which are ready for an independent review. There will be an opportunity for members to view the proposed update within the next few months before presentation to the membership at a meeting.

b.     Beach Fire Working Group

­   The number of fires reported to the City during March (26), April (27) and May (40) was reviewed.

­   Bylaws officers are walking or riding the beach fronts advising the public of the ban on fires.

­   The fire department has responded within 10 minutes of a call.

­   The RCMP are to be called to attend beach fires south of the Maple Street access to the beach.

­   The City is looking at better, more permanent signage.

­   It was moved and seconded that the CBFWG be recognized as a special committee representing the membership of the CBPOA. Carried

7.     Correspondence and Updates

a.     City of Surrey   

­   Dogs on the beach – From Neal Aven, City of Surrey Manager of Parks, “At the Parks, Recreation and Culture Committee (PRCC) meeting held on September 21, 2022, staff reported back to the committee with the results of our observations during May to July 2022.  Based on our observations, comments received from the public and analysis of the function of the site, staff’s recommendation to PRCC was to maintain existing regulations that permit dog access to Crescent Beach path only between September 16 of the current year and May 14 of the following year.  This recommendation was supported by PRCC.”  The report that PRCC received and supported at last September’s City of Surrey meeting is attached.[LB1] 

 

­   Traffic & Parking

­   Councillor Linda Annis, at the May 15th Surrey Council Meeting, made a Notice of Motion, “That staff conduct and present to Council a comprehensive plan on how traffic flow, parking and emergency access to Crescent Beach can be improved”. At the June 7, 2023 Council Meeting, after some comments and discussion, it was decided “to send it back to staff for further consideration”. What is being sent back to staff is unclear.

­   For more detailed information, residents can access council meeting video feeds and minutes at http://www.surrey.ca/city-government/councilmeetings.

­   Update: The May 15 motion put forward by Councillor Annis will go forward. The initial report, with recommendations, is planned for the fall of 2023, with implementation to begin in the spring of 2024.

 

­   Fence along rail line: Owners and Occupants of homes in the Crescent Beach area were surveyed in May about a proposed fence project for whistle cessation; results of the survey are being analyzed; Surrey Traffic plan to make a recommendation to Council in June regarding whistle cessation/ fence installation and subsequent request to BNSF to cease whistling before the end of this year.  

 

8.    New Business

a.     It was moved and seconded that the Directors be empowered to dispose of the radar gun.  Carried.  One member took it home in hopes of putting it to use in the community, other possible uses were considered.

b.     It was moved and seconded that a standing committee be formed to maintain liaison with Surrey Parks. It was suggested that this liaison encompass all parks within the Crescent Beach area. Carried. Ron Sorensen has been appointed to be the spokesperson for this group.

c.      From the floor, Rich Schmid moved that the Executive look into having a community sign, either provided by the City of Surrey or another source, to not only welcome visitors but to advise them of speed, fire noise and parking restrictions. Carried. Rich also recommended that the CBPOA request a Stop sign at the junction of McBride and Adam’s Lane.

d.     A member brought the widespread theft of catalytic converters to the attention of the members. A simple deterrent is to park with the rear of the vehicle inaccessible; Langley apparently has an etching program in place to make the catalytic converters unsellable.

e.     A member having difficulty with the completion of landscaping from the drainage project on Sullivan requests that any members also having difficulty contact this email address (crescentbeach.bc@gmail.com) to be redirected to him

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50.

The next General Meeting: August 9, 2023.

The Annual General Meeting will be held on September 20, 2023

 [LB1]

CBPOA - April 12, 2023 - General Meeting Minutes

 

Crescent Beach Property Owners’ Association

7:30 PM – Wednesday April 12, 2023 

General Meeting Minutes

Meeting held in the Dining Hall at Alex House, approximately 40 members and 4 Directors present

1.     Welcome and Introductions by the President

Representatives from Alex House were unable to attend this meeting but an invitation has been extended to make a presentation at a future meeting. Fundraising is underway to cover the deductible for the insurance to repair the areas and equipment lost during the flood of December 2022. Please go to AlexHouse.net to learn more.  Members are encouraged to take out a membership to this Neighbourhood House, whose premises the CBPOA use without cost due to an historical arrangement.

 

2.     Adoption of agenda

 

3.     Moved by Joe Whitman, seconded by Sally Stewart, that the January 18, 2023 General Meeting Draft Minutes be adopted as circulated. Carried.

 

4.     Matters arising from the minutes: none

 

5.     Directors Reports

a. Treasurer (Jim Gordon)

­   After wrestling with Coast Capital for over 2 months to change signing authority to the new Directors, that goal has been achieved.

­   The present accounts are in good shape.  GIC investments, which are totally liquid, have been made.

­   There is a balance of $46,000.

­   It was suggested that we keep a ‘cash’ balance of $10,000 and invest the rest.

b. Membership

­   Bob Abernethy has stepped up to take care of data entry.

­   Margie Schultz has offered to organize the membership drive/canvassing campaign.

­   There are approximately 380 members.

 

6.     Correspondence and Updates from the City of Surrey

BNSF Train Blockage

o   Transport Canada was notified of BNSF’s blockage this past January and has been in discussions with BNSF.  BNSF will be adjusting their operating protocols, reverting back to their previous operating conditions, which Fire Services has indicated should alleviate some concerns. 

o   Staff (Engineering and Fire Services) are monitoring BNSF movements and are notified if there is a blockage for longer than 5 min.  No further action is being considered at this time by Engineering nor Fire Services.

o   The president shared a letter written to the City of Surrey Feb. 2, 2023 reviewing a probable cause of the derailment (speed around the curve near the Christopherson Steps) and a motion made 7 years ago in council. See attached.

BNSF Whistle Cessation and Fence requirement

o   Staff is preparing to undertake public consultation in late April/May on the proposed fencing project, with the proposed location being on Bayview Drive road allowance. Consultation will include the residents on Bayview, the community of Crescent Beach and the CBOPA.  Once the consultation is complete, a report will be brought forward for Council’s consideration on next steps.

o   Whistle Cessation -Graeme Cross’ letter to the CBPOA, which was covered in the January 18, 2023 CBPOA minutes was reviewed.  Please see the attached letter.

Summer Traffic

Staff (Engineering for on-street and Parks for off-street) continue monitoring the area. Past occupancy and utilization surveys prior to and during May and August last year indicated:

 Parking supply at Blackie Spit Park is 304 stalls and on-street public spaces is 664.

1. Of the 664, approximately 27% are encroached /unavailable to the public due to private landscaping, illegal signage, or obstructions installed by residents within the ROW.
2. Peak occupancy during May and August surveys indicated a maximum 74% utilization of available parking, i.e., at no time was the parking supply fully occupied. Please see summary of occupancy surveys (conducted with License Plate Recognition Camera-equipped vehicle) below.

Street Segment	May Average Occupancy	August Average Occupancy
Bayview Street	17%	19%
Beecher Street	51%	67%
Sullivan Street	20%	18%
Gordan Ave	10%	16%
McKenzie Ave	17%	27%
McBride Avenue South	20%	27%
Dunsmuir Rd	14%	61%
Kidd Rd	19%	39%
McBride Avenue North	19%	36%
Alexandra Street	35%	57%
Agar Street	22%	33%
Gardiner St	20%	34%
Gilley St	32%	36%
Target St	41%	76%
Parking Lot	39%	64%
Maple Street	17%	25%

 

7.     Working Group Reports

a.     Bylaw Revision Working Group:   A group of members have met to update the bylaws and bring them in line with the current Societies Act.  They continue to work on the revision, and will bring recommendations to a General Meeting in the future following notification of their intention to do so.

b.     Beach Fire Working Group: A group of members met over the past few months to gather statistics on the incidence of fires on the beach after dark. For the month of March, a total of 26 beach fires were phoned into Surrey police and fire departments.  The following mandate was read: “The mandate of the Beach Fire Working Group is to support the organizations under the umbrella of the city of Surrey, including Parks and Rec, Bylaws, Fire and Police, to eliminate the problem of beach fires in Crescent Beach. The BFWG is engaging members of the community to report beach fires and is independently gathering statistics on the number of fires phoned into the Surrey police and fire departments. Ultimately it is hoped that this information will assist these agencies to improve signage and enforce the existing bylaw on beach fires.”

 

 

8.     New Business

a.     David O’Sullivan reported that he observed the dyke level was 300 mm above the high tide over Christmas (should be 450 mm minimum); he photographed it and sent it to the City of Surrey Engineering Department.

b.     There is a development proposal to rezone the property at the former location of the gas station at 12758 28 Ave. The proposal is for a restaurant and office space, with associated parking stalls. If you have questions or comments about the development please contact Ben Daly, Project Planner for the City of Surrey at ben.Daly@surrey.ca or 604-502-6025.    

 

9.     Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00.

Addendum: Shortly after the April 12, 2023 General Meeting, the Directors received Beryl Kirk’s resignation as President.