October 18, 2021

Submitted by site_admin on Mon, 11/01/2021 - 05:16

BAMFIELD COMMUNITY AFFAIRS SOCIETY General Meeting Unofficial Minutes

18 October 2021 at 6.30 pm
via Zoom - hosted by Jamie Willock (Chair)

Attendees (29) Jamie Willock (Chair),  Bob Beckett, Rae Hopkins, Jane Morrison,  Jan Teversham, Julie Bradley, Jared Higgins, Barry Sills , Susan Derasp, Alison and Paul Bird, Stella Wenstob, JM Ledet, Christine Gruman, Charlie Clappis, Sean Rogers, Jerry Gassner, Marnie McAughtrie, Amy Hollings,, Robin Schmitt, Jamie Gilkison, Oliver Evans, Brad Beaith, Betty Beyko, Stefan Ochman, Sally Mole, Robert Dennis, Ashley Klyne,, Ralph Mathews (?)

Regrets : Jaleen Rousseau, Glen Ballman

Acknowledgement of Indigenous Lands: The BCAS acknowledges that the land on which we meet is within the Traditional territory of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations where indigenous peoples have lived since time immemorial.

Statement of Inclusivity: The BCAS is responsible for fostering a public forum within its community to facilitate communications and services that diverse groups identify as respectful, inclusive and accessible.

The meeting was called to order at 6.32pm.

Adoption of Agenda: m/SWenstob/ JHiggins Unanimous

Adoption of Minutes of 21 September 2021 m/CGruman s/JHiggins Unanimous.  

CORRESPONDENCE

TREASURER’S REPORT – Susan Derasp

As of 30 September 2021:

Chequing Account: $12,754.24

Savings Account: $22,427.74

 Shares: $5.21

The  2021 $10,000 Grant in Aid was deposited in September

ACRD Director’s Report- Bob Beckett

 

  1. Ground Breaking Ceremony

Today I had the pleasure to attend the Huu-ay-aht - Bamfield Road ground-breaking event at the Blenheim Pit. A number of speakers included MLA Josie Osborne, MP Gord Johns, Tsehaht Chief Councillor Ken Watts, Chief Councillor Robert Dennis, Wish Key, Shannon Janzen and Domenico Lannidnardo.

Today’s event spoke to next steps, acknowledged the collaboration of many to find a way forward, the value and benefits that the HFN, Bamfield and the entire region will realize from the road improvements, and how the road project is an example for all governments to mirror when looking for a way to embrace actionable reconciliation steps forward.

 

  1. Oct 4 BCAS and ACRD Collaboration Meeting

 

ACRD Staff conducted a collaboration and governance workshop for the BCAS Directors and various community organisation representatives to participate in an interactive session that covered:

 

Round table introductions

 

Governance and the role of the ACRD

2021 Strategic Plan

Planning and Development

Emergency Planning

Fire

Water

Region and Community Parks

Other services: library, 911, administration services and Regional Hospital District

 

Community Affairs

Role in the Community

Goals and Priorities

 

Discussion regarding anticipated impacts of growth on the community.

Discussion on how BCAS and ACRD work together to achieve the community’s goals.

Discussion on other forms of communication between community and ACRD.

 

  1. K-12 Education Initiative

The ACRD staff confirmed during the Oct 4 workshop that SD70 would be consulted regarding the community’s vision/needs/expectations, should we undertake to do O\OCP review update. Also, after discussion with James, I approached Sean Rogers to see if he would be interested in heading up a community - based K-12 curriculum initiative. I have advised James that Sean  would be interested in chairing a community-based working group.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

  1. BMSC Sean Rogers
  • Twenty-four students are now in residence
  • In discussions with UVic almost all the students who were on the bus that slid from the road last year have decided to come to BMSC to attend the seaweed workshop from February 20-25 2022.
  • The waste water treatment plant is nearing completion.
  • K-12  This is vital to the community and he has had initial discussions with ACRD Regional Director Bob and Chief Councillor Robert. A working group is being set up and there will be plenty of opportunity for input.
  • He is very pleased to hear of the Integrated Resource Development Plan from HFN.

 

2. Huu-ay-aht First Nation HFN- Robert Dennis

  • Bamfield Road Ground Breaking Day: Robert reiterated the positive report that Bob gave for  the event. He said the chip seal would start in the new year and that it should all be completed by Fall 2023. He added that speakers said that HFN/Bamfield are on the leading-edge for reconciliation and change.
  • Housing: 24 units have been put up in Anacla and the resident population has increased from 85 to 152 .
  • K-12: HFN is also very interested in moving this forward.
  • The idea of a Master Plan for Bamfield/HFN has been discussed with the ACRD Director
  • Parking: Is there a suitable place to develop more parking in Bamfield?
  • Integrated Resource Development Plan is being developed and brought to the elders and residents. Details of the timber supply available in HFN territory is currently being investigated.

3. Community Hall- from JP.

The Community Hall Society has successfully drafted a lease agreement with the ACRD and the Eileen Scott Centennial Park Commission for the corner of land adjacent to the fire hall for new hall construction. This is a huge leap forward on the path to beginning new hall construction which is tentatively planned to begin this spring. In the coming months there will be plenty of opportunity for community engagement as planning stages for the new hall move ahead.

The Hall Society would also like to thank community donors for the raffle fund raiser recently awarded. The donors include McKay Bay Lodge with a 2-night accommodation, meals and fishing charter, Chris Frye with a private house concert, Sue and Kath Jennings with indigenous basketry and Jane Morrison with an otter carving. Proceeds from the fund raiser will go towards stage and sound equipment for the new hall.

That’s all for now JP.

 

4. School- Robin Schmidt

  • Most students have returned to school after a short break due to Covid cases. Strict Covid protocols are being followed in the school.
  • A lunch programme coordinator has been hired by BCSA.
  • There will be some interesting opportunities re partnership for K-12 .

A discussion followed about the need to know how much it would cost to develop K-12 at the school. Robert, Sean and Bob are already involved with this issue and the idea of a developing a business plan and including SD70 into the formulation was brought up.

Paul and Sean both commented that it was a great opportunity to look at education in a different light. With BMSC close by, a rich, non-standard programme can be developed for the high school grades..

5. Bamfield Health Clinic- Amy Hollings

  • There are positive cases of Covid 19  in the community and symptomatic people , of any age, are strongly encouraged to go to the clinic for testing. There is rapid testing now. People should call ahead for an appointment rather than just turning up.
  • If you have been contacted by Public Health then you need to follow their specific mandate carefully. If you have any questions at all then call the clinic for clarification.
  • There was a practice meeting with the First Responders team last week.
  • Flu shots, Covid 19 vaccinations and routine school immunizations will be available in November. Dates will be circulated shortly.

6. BCSA- Sally Mole

  • The school lunch programme has started again.
  • Oysters Authors and Ale was well attended
  • Funding has been cut for BCSA
  • Sally recently attended a School Board meeting in Port.

7. Chamber of Commerce- Marnie McAughtrie

  • No meeting has been held.
  • The new brochures are available now. They will be sent to Visitor Centres on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
  • Marnie is very supportive of the K-12 initiative.
  • Bamfield Mercantile usually host a Halloween Party for the children but it is cancelled this year. She looks forward to putting it on next year.
  • The store has been busy in October and Marnie feels that people are still coming and the season seems to be growing.

8. Community Forest- Charlie Clappis

The East-West Connector trail should be started in December.

9. Harbour Authority-Ray Hopkins/Ashley Klyne

  • So far there have been no applicants for the position that Amy McConnell is leaving. We need to spread the word to try and get a local resident applying. Anyone interested should talk to Amy McConnell about it. The post is open as of January 1 but a transition is needed before that date.

10. Road Safety Association- Stefan Ochman

  • There are plans for the creation of a memorial cairn or sculpture for the bus accident victims but they have not been completed yet.
  • The AGM is next Wednesday October 27th at 5.30. There are 5 directors and some are stepping down. Stefan feels it is well worth continuing the Association.

OLD BUSINESS

West Park Structure- Jan Teversham

Students developed three different designs for the pavilion for West Park. Over 15 residents commented on the designs and feedback has gone to the UBC students who will now work on finalizing one. Funding is now being sought for the construction.

NEW BUSINESS

West Side Road Inspection

  • A group of about 20 west side residents met with representatives of MOT to have a look at and discuss the state of the roads on the west side. MOT thought that the roads were OK .
  • They don’t usually work on maintaining roads they didn’t create- which is the case for these roads.
  • An annual plan with a small budget might be developed.
  • They are interested in people’s concerns and John Mass is the contact person for this.
  • Barry added that their main concerns were culverts and drainage on the main routes (Cape Beale / Kings).
  • The new MOT rep mentioned that the boardwalk is maintained by another group and that the feeling is that it is well maintained.

 

The next meeting will be Monday 15 November 2021.

 

Meeting Adjourned at 7.42pm m/JHiggins s/SWenstob.

Corrected version 21 October