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 

CBPOA - May 8, 2024 General Meeting Minutes

 Crescent Beach Property Owners Association

General Meeting Minutes

7:30 pm –May 8, 2024 

Alexandra Neighbourhood House

Approximately 30 attendees

• Call to order: The President, Bob Poulton, called the meeting to order at 7:35.

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

• Approval of Minutes: M/S/C, “That the minutes of January 10, 2024 be approved as distributed.”

• Matters arising from the January General Meeting Minutes: none

• Correspondence and Updates

• Drainage 2023: Tindi Sekhon, Engineering Project Lead for the City of Surrey, reports “The plan is to move forward with construction in 2024. We are conducting further soil analysis within the project area as soil analysis is becoming a common request by soil disposal sites within the lower mainland area.  Attached to this email is a summary of proposed 2024 drainage upgrades.

• The CBPOA 2024 Annual General Meeting will be held at Alexandra Neighbourhood House at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. Positions to be filled for 2 years are President, Vice President & Membership Chair.

• Letters were sent to the City of Surrey and Nav Canada earlier in the year expressing concerns over the proposed changes to flight path. 

• After extensive correspondence with the City regarding a stop sign on McBride Avenue at Adam’s Lane, the City explained that it cannot place a stop sign there, as stop signs are used exclusively to assign right-of-way between conflicting vehicles, not vehicles and pedestrians.

• Surrey Parking Initiative: Attached to this email is the April 22, 2024 Corporate Report which outlines limited parking and walking enhancements planned in focused locations in Crescent Beach.

• The City will also be sharing information on parking through a mail out and webpage updates, found through the following link: https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/engineering-infrastructure/capital-construction-program/crescent-beach-improvements

 

• Directors Reports

• Treasurer’s Report

­ $35,000 GICs matured yielding $1,350

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

­ Minimal cash ($3,567) being held to increase GIC yield

­ Member equity $48,567

• Membership: Moved by J Gordon, seconded by D O’Sullivan, “That the expiry date for CBPOA memberships processed prior to October 16, 2023 be extended to September 30 of the year of expiry.”  Carried

• Committee Reports

• Parks

• Ron Sorensen reviewed that gate closure times are posted at the entrance to Blackie Spit; members should notify the City if they notice the gates are not being closed in a timely way.

• Beach Fires

• Tricia Ewert reported that fires are still an ongoing issue.

• The sign just before you cross the tracks is back earlier this year, on May 1 (June 19 last year)

• A 2024 information postcard will be dropped in your mailboxes and we ask that you put yours on your fridge for easy access to the phone numbers for fire and police.

• It is important to keep reporting beach fires as the City has indicated they would start a ticketing blitz for beach fires given the need.

• The Fire Committee is very concerned about the beach fires in the South Beach area due to the proximity to brush and trees and the risk of a large-scale fire in this area with the potential to threaten homes along the bluff. Fires spotted in this area need to be reported to the police as it is out of Surrey fires jurisdiction.

• New Business 

• A member asked if we could make use of the cameras at the McBride and Sullivan train crossings to assess traffic density before deciding to leave the beach on busy days.  Counsellor Linda Annis to research.

• Concerning the intersection of Sullivan and McBride, is it possible for the City to straighten the curve when McBride is undergoing drainage work this spring?  Bob Poulton to call the City.

• Transport Canada has paused the application to change the flight paths to YVR.

• A member brought forth an idea that the community, in conjunction with the City, purchase the church for sale on Beecher Street, to be used for the arts or a museum.  Counsellor Linda Annis to research.

• Adjournment – There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm.

CBPOA - March 2024 - No General Meeting Held

CBPOA - January 10, 2024 General Meeting Minutes

 

Crescent Beach Property Owners’ Association

General Meeting Minutes

7:30 PM – January 10, 2024

Alexandra Neighborhood House

Approximately  95-100 attendees

 

1.Call to Order: The President, Bob Poulton, called the meeting to order at ­­­­­7:40.

 

2. Presentations

a) Crescent Beach Parking Update: Kristen Tiede, Dave Harkness and Victor Jhingan from the City of Surrey’s Engineering Department attended the meeting.  Dave Harkness and Victor Jhingan provided  an overview of parking utilization and initiatives planned to provide a more equitable access to parking supply.

         The full corporate report regarding parking can be accessed at the following link:

         Corporate Report 

 

b) Crescent Beach Drainage Improvements: Tindi Sekhon provided a presentation regarding the next phase of drainage improvements planned for construction along McBride Ave and McKenzie Ave in spring/summer of 2024.  If you have any questions for Tindi, please contact him directly

     Tindi Sekhon THSekhon@surrey.ca 778-772-6964

 

         Questions and comments followed each presentation.

3. Adoption of Agenda: M/S/C, “That the agenda be adopted, as presented.”

 

4. Approval of Minutes: M/S/C, “That the Minutes of November 8, 2023 be approved as distributed.”

 

5. Matters arising from the November General Meeting Minutes – None

6. Correspondence and updates

         a) Bylaws  

              i) The certified CBPOA Bylaws were distributed to members with the meeting agenda.

ii) Committee Policy - The Bylaws Committee will be working on a draft policy to expand upon Article     6.2 of the CBPOA Bylaws.

 

         b) Letter to City of Surrey re Nav Canada – Letter is being drafted

 

         c) Elections BC – Elections BC has openings in South Surrey for Deputy District Electoral Officers.

              Information was sent to members on January 18.

 

7. Directors Reports

         a) Treasurer

i) Dues collected in the 2023 membership drive have buffered the CBPOA bank account.

              ii) Investments come due the week of March 3.  Monies will be reinvested.

 

         b) Membership - There are 353 (345 Regular Members and 8 Associate Members)

 

8. Committee Reports - None

 

9. New Business – Question asked regarding status of microphone system purchase. 

 

10. Adjournment - There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50pm.

 

         Next meeting: Wednesday March 13, 2024 @ 7:30pm.