February 22, 2022

Submitted by site_admin on Fri, 02/25/2022 - 00:41

­­BAMFIELD COMMUNITY AFFAIRS SOCIETY

 General Meeting Unofficial Minutes

22 February 2022 at 6.30 pm
via Zoom - hosted by Jamie Willock (Chair)

Attendees (48) Jamie Willock (Chair), Rae Hopkins, Jan Teversham, Julie Bradley, Jared Higgins, Barry Sills, Susan Derasp, Stella Wenstob, Christine Gruman, Jerry Gassner, Robin and Bob Schmitt, Betty Beyko, Stefan Ochman, Sally Mole, Wayne and Lynn Markel, Louis Druehl, Sheryl and John Mass, Ben and Margo West, Tara McNeil, Anne Stewart, Marnie McAughtrie, Nancy Hendry, Ashley Armstrong-Klyne, Tom Jensen, Kurt Krantz, Max Salamon, Bonnie McKay, Bob Beckett, Matt Harmeson, Rick and Lynn Sweeting, Bernie and Keith Wyton, Heather Peterson, Laura Schmitt, Phil Lavoie, Shirley (Pakula?), Robert Dennis, Violet and Tyler Stanhope, Mat Klyne, Jessie and Timmy Masso.

From the ACRD: Teri Fong CFO and Daniel Sailland CAO.

Regrets : Jaleen Rousseau Absent : Glenn Ballman. The RCMP

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 6.37pm. despite the absence of the Chair and secretary who had connection issues . They arrived a few minutes later.

Adoption of Agenda:  of 22 February 2022  m/MC ,s/NHendry

Adoption of Minutes not completed.

CORRESPONDENCE

A letter was received from Chris Donaldson via Tara McNeil  to confirm that Music By the Sea  (MBTS) would return in July 2022.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Susan Derasp. Note that this was not presented at the meeting.

As of 31 January 2022:

Chequing: $12,526.24

Savings: $22,431.51

ACRD Director’s Report- Bob Beckett

1. Bamfield and Anacla Bear Hazard Assessment Report 

On Thursday of this week Mandy Ross, Bamfield Wildlife BC Coordinator will be presenting her 56-page Bamfield and Anacla Bear Hazard Assessment Report. In preparation for Thursday’s presentation, I read the report and must thank and congratulate Mandy for an absolutely outstanding and professional report. You can see the report by googling the ACRD - AV & Bamfield committee meeting agenda scheduled for this Thursday. I would highly recommend that the BCAS consider inviting Mandy to a future meeting to do a presentation based on her report to the community

 

2. Budget Time at the ACRD

The ACRD Board and staff have been extremely busy this past couple of months in preparation for the regional and individual electoral area budgets. Tonight, Teri Fong will introduce the proposed budget for Bamfield. Staff have worked very hard addressing infrastructure and assessment management shortfalls, pursuing various grants in order to offset direct taxation costs, and in recognizing the anticipated growth and consequent impact on our community, staff are exploring options related to new development charges as a means of acquiring infrastructure dollars.

In addition to the budget preparation, the ACRD Board as mentioned at the last BCAS meeting is in the final steps of approving the 4-year Community Works Fund Grant and I remain optimistic that with the continued generous  support of the other Board Directors we will benefit greatly. 

 

ACRD 2022-2026 Financial Plan- Teri Fong Chief Financial Officer

Teri presented ACRD’s Financial Plan for 2022-2026. The Power Point Presentation is attached to the minutes.

Points brought up

  1. Census data: Bamfield has grown from 243 permanent residents in 2016 to 256 in 2021. In the same time frame Anacla has grown from 82 to 104 residents . Chief  Robert Dennis said that the population of Anacla has now increased to 150 and with 8 more housing complexes to be built he hopes it will increase more .
  2. The new Liquid Waste consultation project: Teri said that input from the Bamfield community will be sought as the project nears completion.
  1. https://imgur.com/a/2QnITew that link is a screen capture of the census
  2. page for anyone interested
  3. https://imgur.com/a/2QnITew that link is a screen capture of the census
  4. page for anyone interested

New CAO of ACRD Daniel Sailland was introduced.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

  1. BMSC Sean Rogers
  • Our first field trip group arrived a week ago after almost a two-year hiatus. UBC Oceanography students are currently enjoying sampling on the Alta
  • We are hosting university courses this summer, starting in May
  • We are in discussions to host Music by the Sea again in July
  • The K-12 High School working group does not have any news to report, but we hope to be scheduling regular meetings soon following support from the Ha’wiih Council in late 2021.
  • The students from the UVic Bus Tragedy will be returning for a field trip on April 29th – we will be working with Huu-ay-aht First Nations in association with their return.
  • If you haven’t already – tune in for our BMSC Climate Action Series webinar in partnership with Huu-ay-aht First Nations and Ocean Networks Canada – see website for details. 

Letter submitted by Chris Donaldson of Music by the Sea:

MBTS needs a lot of work to start up again. Accommodation of students and performers is an issue. This year will return to using locations on the west side.

This year the concerts will run from July 23rd to 30th July. Students will be here from July 14-July 31.

If anyone has accommodation available for students in Bamfield please contact: director@musicbythesea.ca .

  There will be more information at the next meeting in March.

  1. Community Hall- Louis Druehl

There are no hold ups to beginning the work now. Space allocation to the plan is being undertaken by the directors. Louis is confident that something will happen this summer

 

  1. School- Robin Schmitt

The students are starting an ocean learning unit and will be out on fieldtrips to visit a salmon hatchery and oysters raising at Nova.

The group for 2-4 year olds is opening again from 3-4 pm. On Thursdays.

There are now 22 students at school.  Registration is opening for the fall and it is anticipated there may be 8 children enrolled for kindergarten and they will be the biggest group at the school. with probably 30 children enrolled.

 

  1. BCSA- Christine Gruman

The budget season is approaching for the core operational funding for BCSA and Christine asked anyone to write a letter of support to the School board for the BCSA programming for youth in the community. The funding that was cut has now been reinstated.

 Sally Mole

Sally was pleased to announce that the doors of the school are opening again and that basketball and pottery classes were starting up. She is cautiously hopeful that the doors will stay open this time.

 

  1. Community Forest- Stefan Ochman

There is a Board Meeting on Thursday .

The East West Connector Trail will continue next week when Tyler returns. There is a  200 metre + or – section that still needs flagging.

The AGM will be in April.

Once planning has been finalised the Board will come to the Community for input.

 

Question: Will the Community Forest get a mill? Answer: No, it isn’t feasible as there are too many unknowns but local wood will be available.

 

  1. Harbour Authority-Keith Wyton

Fisheries Dock is fully booked over the summer that includes a lot of local residents but demand is exceeding supply. Moorage is given on a first come first served basis. Shannon Mendt and Reid Yochim are the new Dock Managers and we are happy to have them on board.

  7. Parks Commission- Sheryl Mass

Rhiannon Richards will continue working for the park in 2022 which is good to know.

One old float on the dock will be replaced by Lake Butler and Jake Wenstob by the end of March. The costs of the replacement are completely covered by user fees from the dock, parking and camping.

All rates have been raised by 5% for 2022 after several years of no increases. New fees can be viewed on the Parks website.

  1. Bamfield Health Clinic- Heather Peterson

Heather thanked everyone who had got vaccinated and said that there would be another Covid clinic for those wanting to get a booster or any other shot on March 30.

Overall, the number of clinic visits has increased by perhaps 20% and they have been very busy. There are now clerks hired including Tianna Peters who will be part time. Another clerk will be hired in the futures as well as a housekeeper and the second nurse for summer time. She is hopeful that the second nurse may become permanent.

The Mental Health team in Port Alberni can be accessed through the clinic as can a “doctor on a stick” as patients can connect directly with a doctor through a clinic iPad.

Questions: Rapid tests can be completed for patients with Covid symptoms in the clinic. Tests for use in the home are not available from the clinic although some are available in Anacla. Heather did not have any details about future availability.

  1. Chamber of Commerce - Marnie McAughtrie

The Chamber of Commerce had a meeting on Feb 7 where there was a presentation by Tourism VI on the 2% hotel tax that can be introduced in Bamfield and used for marketing purposes. A 51% majority is needed to introduce it here.

The AGM is on 25 March and they are looking for a new Vice President.

  1. BCEP - Bob Schmitt
  • Monthly meetings now held with ACRD
  • Three volunteers are taking Emergency Prep courses at the moment.
  • A training weekend is scheduled for April 23 and 24 in coordination with ACRD.
  • The neighbourhood groups are being updated which serve as contact lists for the neighbourhoods and an idea of local resources in each neighbourhood.
  • If anyone is interested in volunteering- especially for the neighbourhood groups on the east side please contact Bob.

Comments: Chief Robert Dennis mentioned how lucky it had been that the tsunami effects arrived at low tide rather than high tide at the Pachena River.

 

  1. Fire Department – Phil Lavoie

Because of a weakened supply chain , the chassis of the new west side fire truck will not be ready until September so that the truck will not be delivered in all probability until early 2023.

Phil reminded us all of the burning bylaws and asked us to review the following link if considering burning.

www.acrd.bc.ca/burning-bylaw-review

 

  1. HFN-Chief Robert Dennis
  • 25 housing units complete and more development will include further subdivision, a playing field and a community centre.
  • April 2 should see toilets flushing in the new liquid waste system
  • A strategic plan has been passed
  • The Social Services Project is to get fostered children reconnected to their families and homeland.
  • They are looking into how fish can be sold locally
  • The Integrated Resource Plan has been developed and includes more than forestry.
  • There is a plan to develop a mill using hemlock. The plan is to set up a kiln at Sarita to produce kiln- dried hemlock.
  • A detailed report will be given at the next BCAS meeting. In March.
  • Chip sealing tenders are out and the work should be completed this year.

 

OLD BUSINESS

GIA applications

  1. West Park Revitalization Project (WPRP) - Jan Teversham

Funding has been secured from Tourism VI in the amount of $33,000. Another grant of $50,000 is applied for. The total budget has been estimated at $94,300 and the remaining $11,300 has to be secured before the main funders will give the go ahead. We are confident that this amount can be secured and we have started a GoFundMe to raise money to this end.  These funds will cover the construction of the entry stairs, pathway, play installations and signs. The link for making a donation:          https://gofund.me/b6bb1ab4

Christine added that donations can also be made in person at the Bamfield Mercantile and Marine store on the west side and Bamfield Hardware on the east side.

  b. The Active Transportation network (ATN ) planning project- Jamie Willock

The GIA grant of $6500 has been awarded to the ATN project so active planning can continue.

The Survey requesting opinions on the proposed trail and dock developments has had 97 respondents now.

The UBC Architecture professor whose students were instrumental in developing the West Park Revitalization Project is interested in landscape architecture students working on designs for the trails and docks which would mean reduced development costs for us.

The next meeting will be on Monday 21 March 2022.

Meeting Adjourned at 8.09pm m/HPeterson s/SOchman.