December 2012 - Minutes of CBPOA Quarterly General Meeting

MINUTES OF QUARTERLY GENERAL MEETING

Wednesday December 5, 2012

7:30 PM AT BEECHER PLACE

AGENDA ITEM:

1. CALL TO ORDER – Erik Seiz

2. CITY OF SURREY – UPDATES

   

DRAINAGE AND ENVIRONMENT - Carrie Baron, Manager, Drainage and Environment, City of Surrey

a) Pump Station – Carrie update the membership on the new Pump Station that is currently being built. She commented that this station will be re-placing the very old station, is a fish friendly facility and is in line with the strategy for the area with regards to drainage in the area. The cost of the station is being covered 2/3 Federal and Provincial money and 1/3 City of Surrey taxes.

b) Storm Sewers – Designs to develop updated storm sewers will begin in 2012 and construction is planned for 2014. In the areas of development, archaeological testing has been conducted and the plan will respect these areas.

c) Sea Level Change – City of Surrey has commissioned to have a report done to assess the future needs according to the projected needs with respect to sea level change.

Concerns from the membership were raised in the areas of the groins, level of erosion of land as well as the Dykes. City of Surrey has appointed Matt Brown as the Dyking Superintendant who will be directly responsible for the dykes and their maintenance. He can be reached at the Engineering Department at the City of Surrey.

TRANSPORTAION -  Mani Daniwall – Transportation Design, City of Surrey

a) Traffic Calming – the paving of Blackie Spit and the traffic calming bumps on Bayview will be completed in the Spring of 2013.

b) Whistle Cessation – A consultant Report has be completed by the City of Surrey and forwarded to BNSF for comment. Comments are expected by end of 2012. Progress is being made, however it is a little slower than expected.

Comments were raised with regards to the trains. Concern over the increased rail traffic expected in future years.

c) Underpass Access – Emergency Access Update

Mani provided the membership with an extensive overview of the research and status of the emergency access project. Some interested research was shared as to the following:

-         12-15 minutes is the average clearance time of trains

-         9 trains, on average, pass each day – includes BNSF and Amtrak

He said that there is presently a STP -  Stopped Train Protocol, is in place with regards to emergencies on the rail line.

Mani also provided an over view of the extensive discussions that has occurred from 2012 – 2012 with regards to Emergency Access in Crescent Beach. He shared the original 5 options and the feedback that surrounded each. The City of Surrey moved forward with the options that they felt would be best for the community and shared with the GVRD. As there are numerous parties who would be affected by these potential emergency access options, all were included in discussions. At this time there are no plans to pursue this any further due to extensive costs and impact to multiple parties.

Discussion form membership surrounding Emergency vs. permanent access as preferred by community as well as Roberts Bank comparisons.

In conclusion, Erik Seiz thanked both Jaime Boan and Mani Daniwall for their hard work on this project. Mani and Jaime commented that there were many valid points raised by the membership including costs, impact of community, residents and NON-residents who use Crescent Beach, high taxes etc. and he will investigate them further.

3. ADOPTION OF SEPTEMBER MINUTES

Motion to Accept – Bob O’Brien, Seconded – Karen  MacPherson

4. TREASURER’S REPORT – Malcolm Stewart

Balance of $42, 418

Malcolm also updated the membership about the recent issue of a business number to the CBPOA. Because of this, the Association will now file a tax return.

5. MEMBERSHIP REPORT – Bruce Friesen

Current 397 members

381 regular members, 11 associate members and 5 commercial members.

Bruce reported that we have maintained these numbers for the last 3 years, however there has been an increase in the membership from Crescent Heights.

He also thanked the team of volunteers who canvassed the area to drive in the memberships.  A big thank you to the following:

Bob Abernethy, Hillary Burell, Brian Lauder, Margaret MacKenzie, Pam Mahony, Bob and Susan Poulton, Sally Stewart, Malcolm Stewart, Art Van Wart, Henri Wendel and Bruce Friesen.

6. PRESIDENTS REPORT – Erik Seiz

Erik updated the membership of the following:

-         garbage pick-up concerns on O’Hara Lane. The city of Surrey will be contacting the residents on O’Hara Lane to hear their concerns, if any, and address appropriately.

-         Blackberry bushes – the City has granted permission to remove of any impeding blackberry bushes.

-         Task Initiatives – Erik introduced the form that will be posted on the CBPOA website.

7. NEW BUSINESS

-         membership expressed additional concerns about garbage pick-up, not pertaining to O’Hara Lane

-         Jim Mason commented on the great success of the First Aid Sessions that took place. 36 people participated and he thanked all who were involved in both the sessions and the organization.

8. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS

Motion to Adjourn – Brian Lauder, Seconded – Malcolm Stewart

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:30 PM

NEXT QUARTERLY GENERAL MEETING

WEDNESDAY MARCH 6 at 7:30 PM

BEECHER PLACE

Pres: Erik Seiz  416-804-5135 Past Pres: Mark Nelson 604-531-4999 Vice Pres: Art Van Wart  604 – 541-2542 Treas: Malcolm Stewart  604 541-9004 Membership: Bruce Friesen 778-292-1954 Sec: Barbara Armstrong 604-733-7767 & Jo Anne Cook 604-538-0503