CBPOA Quarterly Meeting December 4th, 2013
Beecher
Place, Crescent Beach
Call to Order: President of CBPOA-Erik Seiz
Called meeting to order at 19:32.
Guest: Neal Aven--a representative from City of Surrey--Parks Division.
Call to Order: President of CBPOA-Erik Seiz
Called meeting to order at 19:32.
Guest: Neal Aven--a representative from City of Surrey--Parks Division.
Introduction
by Malcolm Stewart.
Mr. Aven gave a very informative talk on invasive plants--mainly Japanese Knotweed--with illustrative slides. He stated that main treatment is with herbicide injection of “Round-up” with follow-up treatment with spot spraying on site in 2 years.
Further information:
Mr. Aven gave a very informative talk on invasive plants--mainly Japanese Knotweed--with illustrative slides. He stated that main treatment is with herbicide injection of “Round-up” with follow-up treatment with spot spraying on site in 2 years.
Further information:
3)
Surrey Parks: 604-501-5050.
Adoption of Minutes September4.2013.
Moved by Perry Lewis, 2nd David Grant Passed
Business Arising from the Minutes:
Whistle Cessation: Malcolm Stewart gave a brief follow-up to the question of Whistle Cessation. A message has been sent to Surrey Council in November asking of what is transpiring. There is to be a meeting January 20th, 2014 to be attended by Mr. Stewart.
Comments from the floor with regard to:
A) Whistle
Adoption of Minutes September4.2013.
Moved by Perry Lewis, 2nd David Grant Passed
Business Arising from the Minutes:
Whistle Cessation: Malcolm Stewart gave a brief follow-up to the question of Whistle Cessation. A message has been sent to Surrey Council in November asking of what is transpiring. There is to be a meeting January 20th, 2014 to be attended by Mr. Stewart.
Comments from the floor with regard to:
A) Whistle
1)
Decibels--has this been measured?
Is t in compliance?
2) Increase in numbers of trains--therefore increase in number of occurrences of whistle.
2) Increase in numbers of trains--therefore increase in number of occurrences of whistle.
3)
Health Issues involved--because of 1 and 2 above. Reference to work by Dr.F.James from Washington State
regarding noise and detriment to health.
4) Budget Issue: Funding for and placement of new infrastructure at Crescent Road Crossing and McBride Crossing is needed, liability needs to be agreed to between City of Surrey, BNSF. Once in place, then to Transport Canada for final approval.
B) By-Laws: Information was shared that all railways are mandated by Transport Canada. Is it possible for municipalities to ask for cessation? Changes have to made to crossings if whistle cessation is invoked.
C) Loss of Property Values--issue raised--is this an avenue of further investigation? Question relates to New Westminster invoking by-law of Public Nuisance.
4) Budget Issue: Funding for and placement of new infrastructure at Crescent Road Crossing and McBride Crossing is needed, liability needs to be agreed to between City of Surrey, BNSF. Once in place, then to Transport Canada for final approval.
B) By-Laws: Information was shared that all railways are mandated by Transport Canada. Is it possible for municipalities to ask for cessation? Changes have to made to crossings if whistle cessation is invoked.
C) Loss of Property Values--issue raised--is this an avenue of further investigation? Question relates to New Westminster invoking by-law of Public Nuisance.
D) Safety Issues:
Responsibility
of public to stay off the track--it is private property.
Are more signs needed to make public aware--we do-but what of visitors??
Consider responsibility of engineers on train.
CBPOA have asked BNSF for reduction of speed of train on the line--from White Rock to other side of trestle.
CBPOA has also asked that “sight line” at the curves at the beach be widened--this would also decrease the need to use the whistle as the engineer could see the track and also the public could see the train more easily.
E) Hybrid Locomotive: produce less noise--can we ask for this? Executive of
CBPOA is in contact with BNSF--trying to encourage dialogue rather than confrontation.
F) Liability: What liability coverage is there and to what does it apply?? Is it liability due to loss of life or limb or does it apply to property damage or damage to infrastructure (e.g. vibration issues).
All these issues are questions for the Federal Government--Ministry of Transport.
A meeting has been requested via our local M.P. for this to happen.
G) We encourage everyone to fill out the City of Surrey Survey--this means anyone who lives, works, or visits Crescent Beach or White Rock.
Reports:
Are more signs needed to make public aware--we do-but what of visitors??
Consider responsibility of engineers on train.
CBPOA have asked BNSF for reduction of speed of train on the line--from White Rock to other side of trestle.
CBPOA has also asked that “sight line” at the curves at the beach be widened--this would also decrease the need to use the whistle as the engineer could see the track and also the public could see the train more easily.
E) Hybrid Locomotive: produce less noise--can we ask for this? Executive of
CBPOA is in contact with BNSF--trying to encourage dialogue rather than confrontation.
F) Liability: What liability coverage is there and to what does it apply?? Is it liability due to loss of life or limb or does it apply to property damage or damage to infrastructure (e.g. vibration issues).
All these issues are questions for the Federal Government--Ministry of Transport.
A meeting has been requested via our local M.P. for this to happen.
G) We encourage everyone to fill out the City of Surrey Survey--this means anyone who lives, works, or visits Crescent Beach or White Rock.
Reports:
1) Membership-reported by Erik Seiz for Bruce Friesen.
Membership: 390--still some to include--should be over 400 by next tally.
Revenue: $4200.00. The intent is that $.50 of each membership goes to Blackie Spit Preservation Fund.
2) Treasurer: reported tabled by Malcolm Stewart.
$45,352.95 in hand
Motion to Adopt: moved by Mark Nelson, seconded by Perry Lewis Passed
New Business:
1) Community and Coal report that their group is going to launch a suit against the Port Authority allowing Fraser Docks to have coal facilities.
Legal Aid is assisting their efforts.
2) Motion by Malcolm Stewart:
Whereas the Cities of Surrey and White Rock have publically announced their intent to pursue the relocation of the BNSF rail line travelling the length of Surrey and White Rock foreshores, including the portion travelling past the Crescent Beach Bluffs and through Crescent Beach to the benefit of citizens, then the CBPOA fully supports the Cities of Crescent Beach and White Rock in the rail relocation initiative.
A vigorous debate of this motion followed.
Amendment to the motion was made: ” while stating our specific safety concerns.”
Moved by Brian Lauder Seconded by: Lawrence Gill
Motion: Defeated For: 5 against: 50 plus
Original Motion--as above
moved by B. Lauder 2nd Sally Stewart Passed
3) Two Events:
i)
December 21,2013--Winter Solstice at Camp Alexandra--Long House.
ii)
Polar Bear Swim: January 1st--Target and Beach--1.00pm
4)
Request by business to support their policies relating to EM Fields.--please go
to www.seventhheavenbiosalon.com <http://www.seventhheavenbiosalon.com> for further
information.
5) Remembered Peg MacInnis who passed away November 18,2013. Peg was a resident of Crescent Beach for many years and long time CBPOA member.
Meeting Adjourned at 20:37
5) Remembered Peg MacInnis who passed away November 18,2013. Peg was a resident of Crescent Beach for many years and long time CBPOA member.
Meeting Adjourned at 20:37
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