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