CBPOA - January General Meeting Minutes

 

Crescent Beach Property Owners’ Association

Wednesday January 13, 2021 General Meeting Minutes

 

Directors Present: Jim, Bruce Liz, Henri, Bob, Rona

Held via Zoom with 24 members and Councilor Linda Annis present.

 

1.     Call to order at 7:30.

2.     Adoption of agenda (moved Bob Gray, seconded Trevor Roberts)

3.     Adoption of November 2020 General Meeting Minutes as corrected. (moved, Ron Sorensen, seconded, David Grant).

4.     Matters arising from the minutes

o   Whistle Cessation: Councillor Linda Annis provided an update on the negotiations between the City of Surrey and BSFN to accomplish whistle cessation in the Crescent Beach area.   The City of Surrey’s Engineering Department and BSNF engineering departments have met many times, and they are in general agreement about what needs to be accomplished to implement whistler cessation.   To implement whistle cession, a fence needs to constructed, preferably on BNSF property (to preserve parking on City property).  A legal agreement needs to be established between the City and BNSF to place the fence on BNSF property. The Semiahmoo First Nation has been consulted and believe that a floating fence would be best to avoid disturbing the ground.  BSNF legal department (located in Dallas, Texas) has been reviewed by the City of Surrey’s legal department.  Several months ago, Surrey’s legal department sent back their suggested changes to BSNF for review.  To date the City has not had a response from BSNF.  

o   City of Surrey Engineering Department would like to make a presentation on this topic at the next CBPOA meeting, March 3, 2021.

5.     Directors Reports

o   Treasurer: Jim Carter reported little change in the accounts, with approximately $25,000 in the bank account and $36,000 in term deposits. We are looking for a treasurer while Jim serves as President.

o   Membership: Henri reported 385 members, and that home visits (mask to mask) are by far the most popular method of collecting memberships.

6.     Announcements.

o   The President thanked Past President Andrew Severson and Past Membership Chair Bruce Friesen for their work over many terms.

o   Thanks, also, to Beryl Kirk, who has resigned from her position as Director at Large after many years on the CBPOA Executive.

o   Bruce Friesen has agreed to become a Director at Large for the CBPOA.

o   A hearty welcome to new members.

o   The CBPOA is seeking a Treasurer to replace Jim who is now President.

 

Correspondence and Updates

o   Correspondence

o A letter of thanks was sent to Laurie Cavan, General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, City of Surrey, thanking the City staff for the installation of the new playground equipment between Agar and Sullivan.

o A request was received from Neal Aven, Manager of Parks, Recreation and Culture for the City of Surrey, for the CBPOA’s comments on a proposal to open the Crescent Beach path to dogs on-leash before 10:00 am and after 6:00 pm between May 15 and September 15. The CBPOA replied that this topic had been discussed in May, 2018 and members were not in favour of amending the current bylaw.  Reasons at that time were hygiene and safety, and with increased foot and cycle traffic on the beach path in 2020, it was felt these concerns were even more pertinent.

o Information on a derailment of a BNSF train south of the border.

o   Working Group Updates

o Church and Surrounding Property: Peter Klenner, pastor of All Saints Community Church, White Rock, reviewed the progress of purchasing Holy Cross Church and parking lot in Crescent Beach via a phone call with the Secretary. Almost $250,000 has been raised, a $50,000 non-refundable deposit been made, $2,000,000 still needs to be raised.  The Roman Catholic Church (owners of the church and parking lot) have extended the deadline; the purchasers have applied for a bridging loan from a different organization; fundraising continues but is difficult during the Covid-19 restrictions.

o Blackie Spit Working Group: Ron reviewed the pertinent news on the report already circulated to the membership. To summarize, the beachfront path extension is closed due to Covid-19 restrictions, the pier repairs are complete and this item will be closed for now, the Alexandra Tot-Lot play area renovation was completed on Oct 28, Christopherson and 101 Steps remain closed during Covid-19, discussions regarding parking and gate locking on Blackie Spit are ongoing, with the committee and members requesting that hours of closure return to hours that closely coincide with dusk. (Moved by Ron Sorensen, Seconded by Bob Gray, carried). Discussions about the Paddle Shack 2021 are ongoing.

o Crescent Beach Building Zone: The City of Surrey is in the process of setting up a webpage and a survey to draw community input about revisions to the Development Variance Permit process used to vary Flood Construction Levels for new construction at Crescent Beach.  As part of the neighbourhood consultation process, residents will receive a mail out via Canada Post regarding the webpage and survey. 

o Transportation and Traffic Calming:  Councilor Linda Annis will talk to City employees regarding the control of traffic into the beach area on busy weekends.  Family Day weekend (Feb 13, 14, 15 for example).

o Website Development Henri reported on research the Working Group is doing, issues such as access by members vs non-members, annual fees for the URL. Ron Sorensen is working with Henri but they would welcome interested members’ help.  One goal is to have the ability to transfer operation of the new site to future managers.

7.     New Business

o   Safety at Sullivan and Beecher: Correspondence was received from a member who lives on Sullivan.  She noted the narrow shoulder along Sullivan near Beecher, an increase in pedestrian traffic, and no alternative route for pedestrians.  The member asked the CBPOA to ask the City to widen the shoulder to allow safe passage.  (A previous request from the CBPOA to improve safety at this corner resulted in the improved sidewalk and crosswalk; this request would be a continuation of improved safety.)  The matter will be referred to the Transportation and Traffic Calming Working Group.

o   Puddles on Beach Path: A member noted the extent of puddles on the beach path and wondered how to communicate to the City to have them fixed.  Members should use the My Surrey App/Report a Problem to communicate with the City.  (Subsequent to the meeting, a member who spoke to Parks workers on site was told that Parks are planning maintenance of the pathway in April or May. Material will be added to the path to improve drainage.)

 

8.     Motion to adjourn (moved by Eileen Davidson, seconded by Henri Wendell)

 

Next meeting: Wednesday March 3, 2021 @ 7:30.