2014 December Quarterly General Meeting Final Minutes

CBPOA Quarterly General Meeting

December 3rd, 2014

Beecher Place

Executive: Erik Seiz, Malcolm Stewart, Mark Nelson, Bruce Friesen,

Liz Bailey-Connor, Derrick Kershaw, Art Van Wart, David Hughes, Carolyn Allan.

Call to Order 1930: Erik Seiz.

Minutes of Quarterly Meeting September 2013

Motion to Adopt: Malcolm Stewart

2nd: Christie McConkey PASSED

Business Arising from Minutes: none

Membership: Bruce Friesen

Update: 400 APIs members

Thank you to door-to-door canvassers; excellent work.

Treasurer’s Report: Liz Bailey-Connor

Ending at October 31st, 2014:

Cash: $11,705.10

GIC: $35,608.95

Total: $47,314.05

Working at transferring from HSBC (White Rock) to Coast Capital (Ocean Park) for

Convenience and to show local support.

Report from Malcolm Stewart:

Community Consultation with RCMP:

1) An increase in crime activity in Surrey in general and in particular, the Morgan

Heights area, where abandoned homes on vacant property provide refuge for people likely to commit property crimes.

2) Police have identified areas or atoms where there is high crime activity; will park in these areas doing their paperwork; to advertise their presence.

3) Be aware of auto crime at Blackiesʼ Spit; report unusual activity.

4) Focus to be on distracted drivers in coming months: Cell phones etc.

5) Police protocols have changed in recent months as a result of shooting in

Ottawa.

Report by Bill Stewart: Gilley Street has set up a Block Watch, due to recent thefts on the

Street. He will help set up program on other streets if you wish to contact him. Involves

Captain and Vice-Captain plus signs for houses. Advises vigilance and getting to know

One’s neighbours.

New Business:

1) Michael Eyre raised question of Commercial Operations on the Blackies’ Spit with

specific reference to the storage unit still on the Spit after it was assumed that it be  removed at end of summer.  Discussion was commenced with regards development of

Spit for commercial purposes... are the residents of Crescent Beach in favour of this

movement?  He wished some kind of letter to Surrey as to their intentions and to say that no permanent structures be allowed.

One member noted that only “passive activity” was to occur in Blackiesʼ Spit; i.e. picnicking

The object of the following motion presented by Michael is to clarify the conditions under which residents of C.B. would support the operation of commercial ventures on Blackiesʼ Spit. It indicates support for making beach equipment or other services available to residents and visitors, but opposes the use of either permanent or temporary structures.

Motion: The CBPOA will only support the commercial use of Blackiesʼ Spit provided all

Vehicles, trailers, equipment and other facilities used by the licensees are removed from

The Spit at the end of each business day.

Moved by Michael Ayres Seconded by Margo Thompson

Discussion resulted from this motion. Points that were raised include:

-Extremely important matter for discussion.

-Use of Beach Area is Changing:

1) Beach house Theater/Car Show--commercial ventures

2) Enlarged Parking Lot

3) Use by Movie Production Firms

4) Population Increase is dramatic--what do we want to preserve for next

20/50 years.

5) Problems of the BNSF railroad; this influences beach accessibility.

There is logic behind the discussion; legal status of Surrey with regards paddle boarding,

Kayaks, kite surfing and other activities. It is Surreys only beach.

Discussion of all options and it is essential that Surrey be part of discussion.

Encourage residents to put forward ideas of how we are to deal with these issues in a way

that we can engage Surrey--so that we do not dictate to them and vice-versa.

Has a prescient been set by the first contract; do we want this type of facility sitting there??

This is an opportunity to review and update the Official Community Plan for Crescent Beach, which has been part of Surrey’s plan and is 15 years old (can be accessed on web site).

This is an opportunity for beach residents to interact with Surrey Planners in a concerted

effort to outline plans for future development of area--with action needed now.

Malcolm Stewart noted that Michael’s motion was somewhat premature in as far as it provided a solution in the absence of the City working with the community to properly define the problem and provide options.  Stewart suggested the discussion highlighted two fundamental areas of concern.

1) The first, the Community’s expectation that the hut be removed and

2) Secondly a clear desire on the part of the Community to be engaged in a meaningful way, in any discussion on commercial development in general and at Blackiesʼ

Spit in particular.  Therefore the following amendment was proposed.

Motion Amended:

Moved by Malcolm Stewart seconded by Eileen Davidson.

Request Surrey to remove the structure (hut) within a reasonable length of time and,

Request Surrey to develop proper plan for all commercial activity within Crescent Beach through meaningful consultation with residents.

Vote on Amendment of Motion: PASSED

2) COMMUNITY PLAN:

The Executive had discussions about the Community Plan and wished to bring it to the members.  Don’t want to assume what members want, rather ask for their opinions and views.

What we need to do now is to formulate where we need to go as a community.

A lot of things have changed in the past 15 years:

1) More permanent residents in C.B.

2) Increased population in Surrey with projected increase over next 20 years.

3) Change in land use.

Ask that all residents think about the issues and executive will arrange an interactive meeting with Surrey perhaps with an extraordinary meeting to address this issue only.

Adjournment at 2035:

Moved by Mark Nelson

Second by Derrick Kershaw Passed.