2015 June Quarterly General Meeting Final Minutes

2015 June Quarterly General Meeting

CBPOA Quarterly General Meeting         June 3^rd  2015       Beecher Place

Directors Present:     Mark, Carolyn, Bruce, David, Derrick.

Chair:      Erik.                                                                             Call to order:    7:30 pm
1.  Adoption of minutes of March 15^th Meeting:  Moved: Steve Chitty.   Seconded: Perry Lewis.    Passed.  

Business arising :  None.

2. Presentation:  Communities and Coal.              Paula Williams and Sally Stewart.

The work started 3 years ago – opposing the expansion of Surrey Docks coal terminal, (with consequential increase in coal trains from the US coming through Crescent Beach). Have support from Eco Justice. Last August the Port approved the expansion and we are challenging this decision on the basis of: biased decision process; failed to take Climate Change into consideration; CEO did not have authority to approve. Had our first appearance in Court yesterday – the Port wanted to delay the case to 2016 but the Judge said “no” and ordered the Port to produce some requested documents by Friday.

Also, taking a middle ground approach through the Federal Court system - towards having the Port ordered to conduct an Independent, Comprehensive Health Assessment. Have support from the cities of Surrey, Delta, Langley, New Westminster and other groups such as School Districts and the Nurses Union.

The lawyers’ time is covered by Eco Justice. However, need to raise funds for incidentals. Raised $22K towards a target of $30K. Can support our legal challenge by donating to http://www.gofundme.com/port2court. To learn more go to: www.taketheport2court.ca and WWW.COMMUNITIESANDCOAL.COM

3.  Reports:       

Treasurer:  no report

Membership:   Bruce reported beginning to prepare for this year’s campaign for July and August. Seeing willing support from canvassers. Hoping for a good membership response from the Village.       If someone would like to become a canvasser, can readily find some streets.

4. Old business:

Erik reported talking to people about rail issues, (the frequency of knuckle failures) at the Port Metro Vancouver AGM. The City of Surrey motion to seek to extend the slow speed boundary is good news. Jeff Scott of Transport Canada will talk to the railroad - but it is a slow process.

Bruce reported on a meeting earlier in the day with City of Surrey representatives at the gravel parking area coming down to the rail crossing. Following the years of work that Malcolm has done on whistle cessation the City of Surrey is becoming supportive and the Traffic Department is considering installing a camera at the entrance to the village to monitor the rail crossing.   This would be linked into their Traffic Centre data gathering system: to provide early information to first responders and others in the event of crossing issues and also provide full information on the effects of any access/traffic disruption (duration, frequency, extent, etc.) –  information that can  be used by the City to support discussions with Transport Canada and the railroad. 

As installing a camera will involve replacing the existing speed indicator sign pole with a taller one, (for reasons of camera signal transmission), the City representatives wanted to discuss our thoughts on replacement pole positioning and potentially adding a street light to the replacement pole.  Ideas were exchanged, including considering how potential crossing changes in the event of whistle cessation might affect the pole relocation.

In answer to a question, Erik responded that it is looking positive to move forward with whistle cessation. If City engagement with BNSF reaches an impasse then they can go to Transport Canada and ask for mediation. BNSF is very well aware of our stretch of line and it seems like there is motivation to move forward. When successful it would be a template for others.

Question: “does anything come along with whistle cessation”?  In Canada it would involve a two gate system at the crossing potentially with roadway medians/islands to prevent cheating the gates; in the States it is a four gate crossing. Would cessation be 24 hours or evenings? It will be semi-volountary with the engineer sounding the horn if warranted for safety.

Henry Mandell would like the flashing yellow lights removed and replaced with a car travel speed indicator display.

Under contract with the City, the newly painted paddleboard rental hut is in place to the right of the boat launch.  They want to also run summer Kids programs/activities.

5.   Land Use Plan (Official Community Plan -OCP).

As per the Notice for the meeting, the amended motion that was tabled at the March Quarterly Meeting was brought forward for a vote.

Amended Motion:   Whereas pressures on our Community continue to grow, many of which were never anticipated by the 1999 Crescent Beach OCP, (Crescent Beach Land Use Plan), and the Blackie Spit OCP, (Blackie Spit Master Plan), then the Crescent Beach Property Owners Association requests the City of Surrey to first allocate the resources needed to update the 1999 Plans and then facilitate the process.

Mark led the discussion with a presentation outlining the background and the changes that have occurred within and around the Community since 1999 together with an outlook for continuing change out to 2030, including statistical data on population and traffic growth for the City and Region.

In response to an invitation from Mark, Barb, who was involved with the 1999 OCP planning process talked from the floor about the process that was used to facilitate Community engagement/input and the desire of residents to preserve the “funky character” of the village.

Questions were raised about are there adverse consequences to re-opening the existing plans? Why can’t we address the present traffic volume/parking issues without reopening the plan? Having read the plans they seem to allow for covering off today’s pressing issues. If we reopen, other stakeholders could gain and we, the residents lose. Why can’t we begin to deal with pressing issues now?

The Chair observed how the City is organised by Departments such as, Engineering, Traffic, Parks and Planning and cross communication does not necessarily happen readily. We deal singly with Traffic, Parks etc. on specific items and we also need to have City Planning involved for the overall umbrella view in order to capture our needs and future outlook in budgets and plans which then form the basis for action and implementation.

Call for the vote:   For 25   Against 7     Passed.

Following the vote the Chair gave assurance that today’s pressing needs are being worked and will continue to be worked with the City departments.  Mark indicated that conversations were already underway with respect to the recent letter from the City re. requiring removal of private parking signs. Surrey currently does not have resident only parking areas.

6.   New Business.

Two attendees talked passionately about their observation of and experience with the ramp up in crime and bad behaviour, in the Bayview/ Beach area.  Of further concern was the observed absence of consequence when people who are drinking, using and/or selling drugs are approached by Enforcement Officers.  The preferred approach appears to be one of attempting to educate those involved.

A Block Watch group has been established in the area.

Motion from the chair: That the CBPOA write a letter to the RCMP and the Fire Department requesting the Block Watch, the RCMP and the Fire Department  work together to address the problems of illegal activity and devise incentives to resolve the issues.    All in agreement.

Ron Sorenson talked about his observations of low flying light aircraft over the village. The legal minimum height is 1000ft over populated areas. He has tracked light aircraft originating from the King George Airpark as low as 200 to 400 ft. Seen two recent ultra-light incidents in the area, (one crash and one emergency landing on the roadway). Given the heightened safety concerns, Ron is encouraging Transport Canada to go to King George Airpark and talk to them.

Adjourn:    proposed: Trevor   seconded:  Bob.     Meeting adjourned 9:30.