CBPOA - General Meeting Draft Minutes - April 23, 2025

 Crescent Beach Property Owners Association

General Meeting

April 23, 2025

Draft Minutes

1. Call to order: The President, Bob Poulton, called the meeting to order.

2. Adoption of agenda: M/S/C “That the agenda be adopted as amended to

add Item 8.b. Notice of Special Resolution.”

3. Approval of January 22, 2025 General Meeting Draft Minutes: M/S/C “That

the Draft Minutes be adopted as circulated.”

4. Unfinished business: none

5. Correspondence and Updates:

a. Drainage improvements on McBride (south): Archeological findings

stopped work for a bit; working with Semiahmoo First Nation;

wanting to finish curbs & pave very soon.

b. Beecher Street at McKenzie: City planning to finish & pave ASAP.

c. Fencing (Maple): As of April 16, fencing is planned to continue;

planning to put up standard fencing around Heron Park to avoid

trees; uneven ground is a challenge.

d. Policing consultation (Bob Gray, Tricia Ewert, Michael Eyre):

Transition from RCMP to SPS is pending, possibly by end of 2025;

police report increases in reporting of issues in CB and ask we

continue to report as it helps prioritize issues; police plan to increase

resources during June weekends in anticipation of expected youth

gatherings; bylaw patrols will start again during good summer

weather.

e. Official Community Plan (OCP): Plans for a session for members to be

held in Crescent Beach are pending.

f. Parking and Walking Enhancements on McBride (north): the City

plans to collect data & information (pedestrian counts, car volumes)

during long/ heavy traffic weekends and summarize in early

September.

g. Bayview: Gail Terry spoke to the group, outlining the history of the

request for whistle cessation as well current issues such as fencing,

trespassing on BNSF tracks, and signage.

6. Directors Reports:

a. Treasurer (Jim Gordon): $45,000 in GICs recently matured (April)

yielding just under $2000 in interest. This sum will be re-invested

soon. Interest rates have softened somewhat. Mixed amounts have

been invested to maximize yield while still providing liquidity as

needed.

b. Membership (Tracy Wright): Will contact previous canvassers and

will be recruiting new volunteers as some are unable to canvass this

summer. Canvassing will take place during July and August.

c. Directors Report: Directors circulated a Directors Report with the

agenda for this meeting. It outlines the activities the executive have

undertaken with the City on behalf of the Membership over the past

18 months. Please see the attached Directors Report.

7. Committee Reports:

a. Parks (Ron Sorensen):

 A rope fence has now been erected on Blackie Spit in the

Environmental Area. Surrey will monitor to see if this fence

and the signage deters people from walking in the sensitive

areas. The public is asked to take a photo and submit it to

Surrey using the My Surrey App if they see people

trespassing. It will take ‘citizen reporting’ to provide the data

the City needs.

 Two cars backed down the boat ramp on April 15 just after

sunset. Photos were taken by citizens and submitted to the

City; the drivers were contacted by police.

b. Beach Fires (Tricia Ewert): Statistics for 2025 so far show an increase

in reported beach fires: (January 20, February 9, March 6, April 24)

The Beach Fires Working Group is working with many agencies

towards the goal of prevention and enforcement. Please see the

attached Beach Fires Working Group Report for their activities.

8. New Business

a. AEDs (Jim Mason): CBPOA is investigating who is responsible for

monitoring and servicing the two AEDs that the CBPOA purchased in

2021, and to determine if there a potential liability issue for the

CBPOA. Also, Linda Annis is looking into how Surrey may assist.

Notice of Special Resolution

A ‘Special Resolution’ was brought to the meeting. Since a Special

Resolution requires a minimum of 14 days’ notice before discussion

and voting, there was no debate on the merits of the resolution.

There were questions for clarification. This Notice of Special

Resolution may be withdrawn and a revised Notice of Special

Resolution will be distributed once it is received.

CRESCENT BEACH PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION

NOTICE OF SPECIAL RESOLUTION

To: Members of the Crescent Beach Property Owners Association

RE: Special Resolution – Allocation of $20,000 for Legal Action

Against

the City of Surrey

Notice is hereby given that the Crescent Beach Property Owners

Association (CBPOA) will consider the following Special Resolution at

a duly called meeting of its members to be held on:

Date:

Time:

Location:

SPECIAL RESOLUTION

WHEREAS the City of Surrey has proceeded with the installation of

railway fencing, street scaping, and signage within the Crescent

Beach area;

AND WHEREAS these actions appear to contravene the established

Crescent Beach Land Use Plan, which was developed to preserve the

historical, environmental, and community character of Crescent

Beach;

AND WHEREAS the CBPOA has a responsibility to advocate for the

interests of its members and the integrity of the Crescent Beach Land

Use Plan;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Crescent Beach Property Owners

Association allocate $20,000 from its funds for McEwan Cooper

Kirkpatrick LLP legal counsel and fees to challenge the City of Surrey’s

actions and ensure compliance with the Crescent Beach Land Use

Plan.

Moved by David Bogart, seconded by Gail Terry, “That the Crescent

Beach Property Owners Association allocate $20,000 from its funds

for McEwan Cooper Kirkpatrick LLP legal counsel and fees to

challenge the City of Surrey’s actions and ensure compliance with

the Crescent Beach Land Use Plan.

This resolution requires the approval of 3/4 of the voting members

present at the meeting, in accordance with the CBPOA bylaws.

b. Call for nominations for AGM Sept 2025: Four positions are now

open for nominations:

 President (2-year term)

 Vice President (1 year remaining in term)

 Treasurer (2-year term)

 Secretary (2-year term)

Nominations can be made by speaking to any Director or by sending an

email to crescentbeach.bc@gmail.com.

Search and Rescue - this topic was brought forth by a member, however we didn’t

have time to include the information at this meeting.

9. Adjournment

Attachments:

o Directors Report

o Beach Fires Working Group Report

CBPOA - Directors Report - April 21, 2025

 Directors’ Report 21 April 2025

The pressures of a growing city on the only beach community in Surrey are challenging all

Crescent Beach residents. What was once a quiet beach community is now the destination for

many other Surrey residents.

It is understandable that some residents of Crescent Beach are upset and troubled by current

construction projects in the village necessitated by the change in Surrey’s demographics.

The purpose of this report is to inform CBPOA members of what the Directors have done

regarding the projects.

 Arranged a meeting of the CBPOA and residents in January and March of 2024 so that

City staff could share information on planned and potential projects. This included the

drainage upgrades, increased parking availability by removing resident signage and

obstructions to parking, walking enhancements and related issues regarding

encroachments on Surrey property. Corporate Report CR2024-R075 was circulated to

members.

 Updates were shared at CBPOA General Meetings.

 At the February 10 th 2025 Council Meeting, Council gave staff direction to proceed with

the requirements to have Whistle Cessation, construct the roundabout at 128 th and

Crescent Road, and to develop alternate plans for walking and parking enhancements

on the northern section of McBride Avenue. The corporate reports and related

information were circulated to residents.

 A few days after the Feb 10 th 2025 Council meeting, we were advised that there would

be a meeting with the residents before any work would proceed, including the

suspended drainage project. This meeting would have been similar to those held in

early 2024.

When no meeting was scheduled, requests continued to be made by email and phone

calls to the engineering department to suspend construction activity until the

community had the opportunity to meet with Engineering staff. However, the plan to

have a meeting was reversed by the City and no meeting would be held.

 Emails and phone calls followed in an effort to have a meeting. Plans were questioned

in relation to the potential benefits to be gained by the significant construction projects

within the village, especially those related to walking enhancements.

 Met with, and exchanged emails, with Councillor Linda Annis, to share the community’s

concerns and to seek guidance on how to proceed.

 All project updates provided by the City were circulated to the CBPOA members.

 Circulated names and contact information of the mayor, councillors and engineering

staff so that CBPOA members could contact them directly with individual concerns and

frustrations.

 City staff responded to emails and phone calls from Directors; some communication was

initiated by City staff. The staff were forthcoming, as much as they could, to clarify

plans underway.

Some back ground:

 Whistle Cessation: In response to members’ requests, the CBPOA has been working with

the City since at least 2008 towards whistle cessation. Surrey took the CBPOA request

through the City’s approval process and, after consulting with the railway and Transport

Canada, a plan of action was established. Two surveys were carried out by the City and

the results were that a majority wanted the city to pursue whistle cessation. All parties

have come to some agreement, which has resulted in fencing.

**Please open the link at the end of this report for further clarification from Transport

Canada.

 Storm sewer upgrades: The current work on McBride is part of storm sewer upgrades

for the whole village. Each phase has presented challenges with the common theme

being that the open ‘ditch’ method is very time consuming and expensive. Problems

with this project have required engineers to go ‘back to the drawing board’ in order to

design a solution for specific water situations. Because we live on an archeologically

sensitive area, any form of ground disturbance is very expensive. No updates regarding

future phases have been provided.

 Parking and Walking Enhancements: The City is responding to direction from Council to

create parking availability, and walking corridors to allow residents and the public to

move safely within the village. With the increased use of Crescent Beach by all Surrey

residents, parking availability and safe pathways have become more of a necessity.

Future parking and walking enhancements could result in more encroached-upon City-

owned property being reclaimed.

 Based upon the CBPOA Bylaws, before any action can be implemented, financial or

otherwise, on behalf of the CBPOA, a member or members must present the proposal

for approval at a CBPOA General Meeting.

**To read the guidelines from Transport Canada, please open the following link:

https://tc.canada.ca/en/rail-transportation/grade-crossings/apply-stop-train-whistling-public-

CBPOA -General Meeting Minutes - January 22, 2025

 

Crescent Beach Property Owners Association

General Meeting

January 22, 2025

Minutes

1.     Call to order: The President, Bob Poulton, called the meeting to order followed by a few words from Jim Gordon to remember Issie Van Wart and Heather Risk who recently passed away.

2.     Adoption of agenda: M/S/C “That the agenda be adopted as circulated.”

3.     Approval of November 13, 2024 General Meeting Draft Minutes. M/S/C “That the Draft Minutes be adopted as circulated.”

4.     Unfinished business: none

5.     Correspondence and Updates

·       Drainage improvements on McBride & Sullivan: Letters from President Bob Poulton and Victor Jhingan, City of Surrey Engineering Department, were circulated to all Members on Jan. 14, 2025.  Bob explained (as per the letters) that Surrey is not sure how they are going to proceed on McBride, given human remains and high-water levels.  Drainage improvements on Sullivan are now complete; a walkway from the bus stop to the beach is under construction, and paving will follow.  The City expects to be in touch with the community once ithas more information to provide, which will likely be in the spring.

·       Members along McBride expressed concern over the deep pooling of surface water on the road and their properties. Counsillor Linda Annis will talk to Engineering to seek a temporary solution until the drainage project can be completed.

·       Roundabout at 128^th & Crescent Road:  was out for tender at the time of our meeting, to close on Jan. 30.

·       Whistle Cessation: The City replied to the CBPOA’s request for information on the results of the survey of residents regarding fencing beside the railway tracks by explaining that both surveys resulted in very close results; the City is now talking to BNSF to ensure all parties are prepared to proceed with fencing, and then whistle cessation.  The proposal will be presented to Council in the coming months.

·       Police Consultation: The CBPOA committee (Bob Gray, Tricia Ewart, Michael Eyre) met recently with SPS Staff Sargeant Jatinder Sunner, who is supportive of increasing resources to curtain the after-hours beach fires, parties, and other shenanigans.  The issues of increased patrols, enforcement and the need for ticketing were discussed. We are hoping to build on our earlier meeting to talk about enforcement, road blocks, etc.   District 5, of which Crescent Beach is part, is currently covered by the RCMP but is the next area for a SPS transition.  The SPS will continue the liaison with the BNSF police.

·       Official Community Plan: public engagement will launch after March 15, 2025, with workshops held until the end of April.

·       Parking and walking enhancement project: The results of the public survey that was completed last fall have been summarized.  A report will go to Council in February.

·       Update on Knotweed: The City is mitigating any knotweed growing on City property. It is up to property owners to have it removed on their properties.  Cutting knotweed down will not arrest growth, as so much of the plant grows underground.

6.     Directors Reports

a.     Treasurer’s Report (Jim Gordon): The CBPOA financials are sound and healthy.  The minimum bank balance of $5000 allows us to maximize investment income that will yield nearly $2000 in interest income in April which represents 40-50% of annual member dues.

b.     Membership (Tracy Wright): Tracey shared that she is just getting to know future responsibilities.

7.     Committee Reports

a.     Parks (Ron Sorensen): Ron shared that some temporary fencing (stakes & rope) is being installed in an environmentally sensitive area of Blackie Spit; sandwich boards explaining the restrictions are in place. This is an initiative from the City of Surrey Parks. Bylaws officers will be needed to reinforce the directive to stay off the restricted areas.  A representative from the White Rock Naturalists spoke to the situation.  All CBPOA members are encouraged to install the My Surrey App and report offences directly to Surrey.

b.     Beach Fires (Tricia Ewart):  Fire Season was active in January. From Jan 12 (Sunday) to Jan 14 (Tuesday) there were 13 fires between Blackie Lane (just south of Beecher) and Adams Lane. January 2023 we had 0 fires and January 2022 there were 3.

Please report all fires to the Surrey Fire Department 604-543-6700.

·       Propane Fires - Bylaws confirm that propane fires are not permitted on the beach and can only be used at the designated site in the picnic area (Blackie Spit). This is good news but if they are used on the beach only Bylaws can enforce this as the Surrey Fire Department classifies propane fires as no risk for combustion beyond the confines of the device. 

·       Permanent Sign - There have been ongoing discussions with Joey Brar, City of Surrey Corporate Manager, trying to present a "Business Case" for a permanent sign. The request is now being forwarded for approval and if successful we will have input on the wording on the sign as well as the location (same place as the electronic sign)

·       Bundled Firewood Sales - Kim Snyder Quan has been working on this issue (particularly with the local Chevron). Kim and I met with our local MLA, Trevor Halford, late in December, and he was receptive to bringing forward the issue of a ban on firewood sales during the Provincial Fire Ban. Trevor's portfolio in the Conservative Party is "Environment and Parks" and they are already challenged with other illegal fires & parties on provincial land. He plans to bring our concerns forward to caucus and from there look at introducing a "Private Members" Bill in the Legislative Assembly to ban the sale of commercial bundled firewood during the Provincial Fire Ban.

·       BNSF Police-conducted intermittent patrols over the summer. They are supportive of our work and the need for a sign. Surrey Police will be liaising with them as well.

·       Reporting: Staff Sergeant Sunner stressed the need to report all incidents as that is what increases allocation of manpower in communities! 

·       Finally, a plug for the "My Surrey" app. Download to your phone from the app store. Click on "Request Service" to report "dumping in the park", litter/garbage on the beach or even marine mammals that have washed up on shore!

 

8.     New Business: Members are invited to contact the CBPOA using this email address, or contact a Director in person, if there are ideas about the CBPOA having an informal social after one of the upcoming meetings.

9.     Adjournment

CBPOA - Nov 13, 2024 - General Meeting MInutes

 Crescent Beach Property Owners Association

General Meeting

November 13, 2024

Minutes 

Approximately 30 members in attendance

1. Call to order: The Treasurer, Jim Gordon, called the meeting to order.  He took a few moments to remember Rich Schmit, a member who recently passed away. 

2. Adoption of agenda: M/S/C “That the agenda be adopted as circulated”

3. Approval of Sept. 4, 2024 General Meeting Draft Minutes M/S/C “That the Draft Minutes be approved as circulated.”

4. Unfinished business: Tracy Wright was appointed as Membership Chair by acclamation.  David O’Sullivan & Henri Wendel were appointed Directors at Large.  Ewart Nordby will manage data entry.

5. Correspondence and Updates

• 2024 SPS Community Policing Consultation (Bob Gray): Three CBPOA members met with the SPS on Oct. 9; following the interview the CBPOA was encouraged to begin development of planned Crescent Beach Community Policing activities for 2025 to address holiday and summer weekend policing initiatives, preventing/addressing beach fires on all beach locations, and ensuring good working coordination between Parks, Bylaws & Police.  The RCMP will cover South Surrey (Area 5) for the near future. The consultation report can be found at www.surrey.police.ca/publicaitons .

• Official Community Plan (City of Surrey): We have been invited to participate in this project Feb/March 2025. More information will be available at the January meeting.

• Drainage: work is ongoing.

• BNSF/Surrey fencing: No new information, Linda Annis has been asked to provide Council’s update.

6. Directors Reports

• Treasurer (Jim Gordon): M/S/C That the following budget for 2025 be approved by the membership.

o Summary of budget for approval: 

 Receipts $4,920

 Expenditures $2,740

 Increase to Member Equity $2,180

 % Increase 44%

• Membership (Margie Schultz): As of November 2024, there are 367 current members.

7. Committee Reports

• Parks (Ron Sorensen): two fires in the Blackie Spit Environmentally Sensitive Area were reported to City Parks, who responded and cleaned up the debris.

• Beach Fires -Tricia Ewert reported that the incidence of reported fires has slowed right down with all the rainy weather. The group has four goals for 2025: ban the sale of firewood during fire bans, clarify the use of propane for fuel in the beach area, have a highly visible sign all year around indicating that all fires are prohibited & liable for fines, and engage with the RCMP/SPS.

8. New Business

Information on the following projects was requested and will be followed up:

• Crescent Beach Pump Station Upgrade: Residents received notice in the spring from Metro Vancouver of planned upgrades to the pump station at 12475 Crescent Road. This pump station safely moves wastewater from South Surrey to the Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant in Delta.  “Pipes inside the pump station were installed in the 1970s and are reaching the end of their service life. This project includes replacing mechanical pipes inside the pump station and installing safety railings outside.” Work that was expected to begin in late summer 2024 has been delayed, and will possibly take place in early 2025. 

• Crescent Beach Parking and Walking Enhancements Project – updated information has been requested from the City.

• Proposed Roundabout at Crescent Road & 128 St – Information on the City website indicates this project is in the Design Phase.

9. Adjournment

CBPOA - Sept. 4, 2024 - Annual General Meeting Draft Minutes

 Crescent Beach Property Owners Association

Annual General Meeting

7:30 September 4, 2024

Alex Hall

Draft Minutes

Approximately 30 members in attendance

1. Call to order: The President called the meeting to order.

2. Adoption of the agenda M/S/C “That the agenda be adopted as circulated.”

3. Approval of the 2023 AGM draft minutes: M/S/C “That the Draft Minutes be approved as circulated.”

4. Matters arising from the minutes: clarification that the new bylaws were certified by the B.C Registrar of Companies in October 2023.

5. Directors Reports

• Treasurer’s Annual Report: 

o It was a profitable year with strong membership revenues and investment income with cost saving measures initiated. A recovery year financially from the previous administration with funds enough to recognize Camp Alexandra’s contribution to the community with a $2,500 donation.

o From the floor, what are financial targets? The reply was that targets won’t be chosen until the next fiscal year

o The CBPOA is now filing its own Annual Report at a cost of $40.00.

o Please see the attached Statements of Receipts & Disbursements (1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024) as well as Member Equity as of June 30, 2024. Moved by Jim Gordon that the proposed Statement of Receipts & Disbursements and Member Equity be adopted as presented. Carried.

o The proposed budget for 2024/2025 will be presented at the November General Meeting.

• Membership: 

o Thank you to all canvassers, some of whom were first time canvassers; 

o The final count of memberships will not be available until the November meeting; 

o Thank you to Bob Abernethy for his time and expertise in maintaining the CBPOA database.  

6. Election of Officers

• President: Bob Poulton

• Vice President: vacant

• Membership Chair: Tracey Wright

• Directors at Large: Henri Wendel, David O’Sullivan

7. Adjournment: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45.

CBPOA - Sept 4, 2024 - General Meeting Minutes

 Crescent Beach Property Owners Association

General Meeting Minutes

7:30 September 4, 2024

Alex Hall

Approximately 30 members in attendance

1. Call to order: The President, Bob Poulton, called the meeting to order.

2. Adoption of agenda: M/S/C “That the agenda be adopted as circulated.”

3. Approval of July 10 General Meeting Draft Minutes. M/S/C “That the Draft Minutes be adopted as circulated.”

4. Matters arising from the minutes: Jim Mason has been in touch with the City of Surrey regarding the invasive plant, knotweed, which is growing in some areas of Crescent Beach. The City cannot force a homeowner to get rid of knotweed but will address it on Surrey property. Knotweed is the #1 invasive plant in England.

5. Correspondence and updates:

• Community Policing Consultation (Bob Gray): a consultation will take place in the next 6 weeks; CBPOA participated in a similar process in 2018; several issues will be highlighted by CBPOA (summer policing initiative, patrols on the railway, better cooperation between police and bylaws).  Motion: M/S/C (Bob Gray/ Michael Eyre), “That a special committee be formed to represent the CBPOA in the SPS 2024 Community Consultation.” Bob Gray will chair the committee, with Michael Eyre representing the Parks Committee and Tricia Ewert or another member representing the Beach Fire Committee.

• Drainage: construction for the fall of 2024 has commenced. Bob Poulton will investigate the confusion over which streets would be covered and when. Follow up: McKenzie Avenue is a fallback site and would be included in the project only if for some reason, e.g. archeological finds, there was a work stoppage resulting in an extended delay in the McBride/Sullivan project area.

• Intersection improvements: 

o The Sullivan/Beecher intersection upgrade: The project at Sullivan St and Crescent Rd/Beecher St. has been put forward as a candidate location to include in Surrey’s design package for consultation in 2025 with construction anticipated the following year.

o Intersection upgrade of 128th/Crescent Road planned but no date set

• Whistle Cessation: The City’s report is going to Council in October 2024.

6. Committee Reports

• Parks Committee Report (Ron Sorensen): the new contractor is logging gate open times; possibly not locked every evening; the environmentally sensitive area continues to be violated; Surrey may install a rope & stake barrier along the walking path; there was a call for members to join the committee to take on communication with Surrey, several members stepped up.  Also of note, lifeguards employed June to Labour Day report a lack of respect from the public.

• Beach Fires Committee

Focus: "Keep Crescent Beach Safe"

Safety Issues:

1. Urban Wildfire Risk

2. Environmental Damage

3. Community/Personal Safety

4. Psychological Safety

Statistics:

May 2023: 40 May 2024:  33

June 2023: 29 June 2024:  19

July 2023:  13 July 2024: 20 (Provincial fire ban July 9)

Aug 2023:  12 Aug 2024: 7

Bylaws: The City of Surrey approved a "Comprehensive Bylaw Enforcement Plan " for the summer”

Letters/Discussion topics with the City:

1. Appreciation for/Necessity of Bylaws presence after hours

2. Urban Fire Risk in South Beach

3. Banning commercial sale of small bundles of firewood during fire bans

4. Fireworks

5. Request to Empower Fire Department to issue tickets for campfires

6. Request to Change Sign to include fine of $2000.00

7. Torched Car

8. Pending: Letter of thanks to city

9. Pending: Request for Sign retention year long or to be brought back earlier in the year

Propane Clarification: Fire states there is no risk of a fire from propane fires. Still waiting on clarification re are self-contained propane fires banned from the beach and permitted only in Wickson. 

7. New Business: Elections BC has job opportunities for the 2024 BC Provincial General Election. For more information, please visit the Elections BC website at elections.bc.ca/jobs or phone 1-800-661-8663.

8. Adjournment: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

CBPOA - July 10, 2024 - General Meeting Minutes

 Crescent Beach Property Owners Association

General Meeting Minutes

7:30 pm –July 10, 2024 

Alexandra Neighbourhood House

Minutes

Approximately 30 members in attendance

1. Call to order: The President, Bob Poulton, called the meeting to order. 

2. Adoption of agenda: M/S/C, “That the agenda be adopted as amended.”

3. Approval of Minutes: M/S/C, “That the minutes of May 8, 2024 be approved as distributed.”

4. Unfinished business: A recent update from the City indicates that a Corporate Report regarding the Crescent Beach Proposed Fence for Whistle Cessation decision will be presented to Council in the Fall.

5. Correspondence and Updates

• Drainage: Tindi Sekhon reports that work should start in early August,  after the contract is awarded.  The work area has changed; work will start at the beach end at Sullivan Point and move up Sullivan onto McBride, perhaps as far as Adam’s Lane.  In conjunction with the drainage project, sidewalk and parking improvements will be made on Sullivan from the Point to Kidd Rd, and on Beecher at McKenzie. Please see the attached map of the updated work areas.

• McBride/ Sullivan intersection: The City plans to slightly alter the two intersections of McBride at Sullivan  to improve visibility and  safety.

• Church: The church on Beecher St has been sold to the Fonteromano Foundation, a private foundation whose charitable mandate includes projects to benefit the community.  It will continue as a church.

• Correspondence: A member’s letter to the City of Surrey about the walking path and parking on McBride from Sullivan to Wickson was followed by a similar letter from the CBPOA. The main concern is safety.

• Camera Access at McBride and Beecher Crossings: Linda Annis reported that these cameras are set up to view trains in the event of the need to decouple trains for emergency access.  The camera views can be accessed on the City website via Cosmos. They cannot be adjusted to view traffic.

2. Directors Reports

• Treasurer:  

­ $35,000 in GICs matured yielding $1,350

­ $45,000 re-invested till April 2025 to yield $1,920

­ Cash balance/ end of 2024 fiscal $3401.65.

• Membership: Margie Schultz, current Membership Chair, reported that the 2024/2025 Membership Campaign is underway.  She thanked Bob Abernethy who has taken care of data entry for two years, and Henri Wendel, our resident graphic artist.  Thank you, gentlemen!

3. Committee Reports

• Parks: (Ron Sorensen, chairperson) The paddleboard shack not approved to operate at Blackie Spit this season; if CBPOA members observe the public in the environmentally sensitive area of Blackie Spit, please take pictures and submit a Request for Service using the My Surrey App; please see attached an article reprinted from CBC.  Similarly, use the My Surrey App if you notice the gates to Blackie Spit are not being closed (10 pm in summer). 

• Beach Fires - Beach Fires Working Group (Tricia Ewert, chairperson)

­ Sign operational May 1, 2024

­ Jan 1 – June 30, 2024: 99 Fires of which 39 were on South Beach.

­ Bylaws patrol on sunny weekend summer evenings, closing down the park. Other random patrols on foot and on ATV. If Bylaws are patrolling and if you note a problem call RCMP non-emergency line and ask them to direct Bylaws to your area. Bylaws officers are being paid overtime for this work.

­ Ticketing is occurring; between 10-30 tickets issued each shift including parking

­ Sign Change Request: The current electronic sign is confusing.  People think the fire ban is seasonal/temporary. New permanent signs are up at access points in Crescent Beach which are larger and the wording has changed: A beach closure sign would cover all bylaw infractions and allow bylaws to give discretionary tickets, e.g. “Crescent Beach Park is closed at 10 pm, MAX $2000 Fine”. This request was denied, we have responded for reconsideration. 

­ An email was sent to the city manager re: Risk of an Urban Fire in the South Beach area. Our concerns were large fires in the South Beach area with strong on-shore winds spreading embers into the foliage on the embankment which, left to smolder undetected could cause a fire that could spread up the embankment, threatening the homes on the bluff, the BNSF rail line and Crescent Beach itself. 

­ South Beach from high tide to the property lines at the bluff is under BNSF jurisdiction, not Surrey Fire Department unless the fire is uncontained. Please call 911 if observed.

­ The group requested a meeting between CBFWG, the City, and representatives from Fire, Police and Bylaws to deal with issues of organizational divisions.

Here is the relevant section of the Bylaw:

The wording ‘self- contained barbecue’ is subject to interpretation with some saying this applies to briquets and propane and others saying only briquets.

The group will be sending an email to council re our concerns re South Beach area.

Please report all fires!

Surrey Fire Non-Emergency Line (604) 543-6700

4. New Business

• The large mural painted on the Sunflower Café was noted, as was the community clean-up held on Saturday July 13, 2024.

• Also on July 13, a fundraising paddleboard race from 8-2 launched at Blackie Spit.

• Jim Mason spoke to the group about the invasive plant, Japanese Knotweed, which has invaded some properties and poses risks to foundations and underground lines. Please see the attached article.

• Lack of stop signs as Sunshine Alley intersects with McBride or McKenzie mean that vehicles are entering the roadways at excessive speed.

• The next meeting of the CBPOA on September 4 will be a combined General Meeting and AGM.  Positions are for two years; positions open at this AGM will be President, Vice-President and Membership.  Please consider taking a position within this group. Much of the work can be done remotely if necessary. It is important to keep the CBPOA alive and vibrant.  Talk to any of the Directors if you or someone you know could make a two year commitment to the CBPOA. 

5. Adjournment – There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned