May 16, 2022

Submitted by site_admin on Tue, 05/31/2022 - 21:16

­­BAMFIELD COMMUNITY AFFAIRS SOCIETY

General Meeting Unofficial Minutes

Monday, 16 May 2022 at 6.30 pm
via Zoom - hosted by Jamie Willock (Chair)

 

Attendees (42) Jamie Willock, Bob Beckett, Rae Hopkins, Louis Druehl, Jan Teversham, John Mass, Sheryl Mass, Julie Bradley, Sally Mole, Jared Higgins, Glenn Ballman, Anne Stewart, Susan Derasp, Alison and Paul Bird. Marnie McAughtrie, Stefan Ochman, Jaleen Rousseau, Jeanne and Frank Novak, Sean Rogers, Stella Wenstob, Barry Sills, Tom Jensen, Lee Weber, Lisa Bye, Ashley Klyne, Bob and Robin Schmitt, Ben West, Birgit Gagne, JM Ledet, JP Hastey, Tara McNeil, Laura Bradley, Betty Boyko, Clay Steel, Jerry Gassner, Lyn and Rick Sweeting, Max and Renia Saloman,

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 7.16pm.  following the AGM.

Adoption of Agenda: m/SOchman s/SMass

Adoption of Minutes m/SMole s/JHiggins

TREASURER’S REPORT – Susan Derasp.

Chequing acct                     $17,232.34

High Interest Savings       $22,434.49

Member Equity                  $       5.21

 

ACRD Director’s Report-Bob Beckett

From time to time, I often hear what is it that ACRD provides for our tax dollars, so I thought I would give you a quick overview of some of the projects and initiatives that the ACRD Board and staff are working on that has a direct impact on our beautiful community of Bamfield.

  1. Staff are incorporating community feedback and making changes to the Proposed zoning bylaws.
  2. Once the ACRD Board has passed the new zoning bylaws, staff will begin preparing for community OCP review in each electoral area.
  3. We are currently reviewing BC Ferries subsidies for marine services in Area A (Bamfield and inlet)
  4. Following the recent fire service report by Dave Mitchell and associates we will soon be working with the fire chiefs to develop a 5 year plan to ensure that we are supporting our fire departments with the necessary administrative and other operational related support.

5. We are considering viable means and options to ensure new development in our community is adequately contributing to existing and future infrastructure needs.

6. ACRD staff will complete this year a waste water management plan that engages the community and provides for future waste water handling options and alternatives.

7. Staff working with our community will strategize and create a plan that will allow us to proactively get ahead of the anticipated growth that we will see on completion of the road such as parking, moorage etc.

8. ACRD staff and Board will continue to support community endeavours in the creation of a K - 12 schooling system.

9. ACRD staff will continue to assist Parks and Community hall with their projects.

10. Our new grants coordinator staff person is working diligently for grant opportunities for various community needs.

11. Looking for and hoping to appointment of a Volunteer Director to our ESS Team.

12. Look for ways to create affordable housing including rental properties within our community. Sean Rogers, James Willock and I will be attending a housing workshop in Port Alberni in June.

13 Complete the 5 year Gas Tax projects as approved by the ACRD Board, on time and on budget which includes: Waste water Plan, Underwater line to west Bamfield, playground equipment replacement, replacement of West Bamfield Fire Hall. 

14. At last week’s ACRD Board meeting I thanked the RCMP Inspector for participating in the recent BCAS meeting. He mentioned that he and staff are always available to chat and encouraged the community to never hesitate if we have any concerns. 

Questions: Are the marine services mentioned  in point 3 re BC Ferries related to the Frances Barclay?

Yes and the issue is the need to see the contract between BC Ferries and the Frances Barclay.

A question related to Housing is answered by Sean in the BMSC section. Below.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

  1. BMSC  Sean Rogers
  • The waste water treatment system was opened on Earth Day- 22 April. It is the culmination of 10 years of cooperation with HFN who own the plant.
  • There is no update on progress re the school working group. BMSC seeks ways to support high school education and k-12 in general.
  • UVic students who were involved in the tragic accident returned after 2 years. HFN organised a Healing Ceremony for them which was much appreciated.
  • Five students with accessibility/ mobility issues were recently at BMSC. The Coast Guard assisted in allowing them to reach Brady’s Beach. The situation has highlighted the need to think about all aspects of accessibility in BMSC.
  • There are students here for the summer. (One has covid and is isolating) A unique course-Subtidal Science is being taught by Isabelle Côté and Siobhan Grey which results in students being trained and certified as scientific divers that has international recognition.
  • Music by the Sea is returning this year on 23 July after a 3 year break on account of Covid.
  • The 50th anniversary of BMS/BMSC is approaching. Stories are being written to tell the history
  • There will be a BioBlitz in June and July organised by Alex Niese to identify biodiversity in the area. It will include the community.
  • U of C has raised enough money to buy 3 Cope aluminium boats to replace the old ones that have been used for 35 years.
  • Sean, Bob Beckett and Charlie Clappis attended an affordable housing conference in Vancouver several years ago and the identified needs to move forward with affordable housing for the community were:
    • A housing report by the ACRD
    • Basic infrastructure e.g., waste water and water supply
    • Plots of available land

All these are now in place as land is available from BMSC. It will be designed for community members who want to own homes and cannot afford to buy them given current costs.  To move forward, a long range plan, the establishment of a housing committee and the hiring of consultants will all be required.

 Questions:

Will there be a  “shindig” to celebrate 50 years of BMSC? Probably at the RIX.

Is BMSC open to the public? Yes but there are no organised tours and some areas are still "masks only". They have realised that there are lots of things that visitors might want to come and see.

  1. Road Update sent by Kevin Gordon

Gravel pits, with a total of 250,000 cubic metres, have been established along the road . There is one road contractor who will gravel the whole road. A separate contractor will then do the sealing and that tender closes this coming week.

  1. Huuayaht Update- sent by Chief Robert Dennis

There is nothing to report for this month. For the next meeting in June, I’d like to have a discussion about Huuayaht Place names.

  1. Community Hall- JP Hastey
  • The site has been legally surveyed now. Initial clearing has taken place.
  • The goal is to open up the site before a final design is chosen. Active participation from the community will be sought for this.
  • Stella W added that there are alder, hemlock and fir logs available for anyone wanting firewood.

 

  1. School- Robin Schmitt
  • A third teacher  is being hired to assist Grade 7 to 12  students.

 

  1. BCSA- Sally Mole
  • They are looking at summer programming and summer staffing now.
  • Funding from Alberni Clayoquot Health Network is in place until the end of June designed for youth (who are hard to reach).

 

  1. Community Forest- Stefan Ochman
  • A Strategic Planning Meeting (face-to-face) is being held on Thursday to look at long term objectives  re harvesting/trail development/etc.
  • A regular board meeting will take place on the 26th to determine where/how to provide the first order of wood for a community project. This is the West Park Revitalization Project.

.

  1. Parks Commission- Sheryl Mass
  • The dock will be fixed before the main summer season.
  • Gravel will be put on the parking area on the road to the left of the dock to make it safer as the road side falls away rapidly at the moment.
  • The loading zone to the right of the launch is not for long term parking but some people still do it.

 

  1. BCEP - Bob Schmitt
  • The emergency training took place 23-24 April and was a success.
  • The ACRD application for funding from the Emergency programme has been successful so that new food, water and sleeping supplies will be coming to Bamfield.

 

  1. Chamber of Commerce- Marnie McAughtrie
  • After a membership drive there are now 32 active members in the Chamber of Commerce.
  • The brochure and website are being updated as well as the large maps.
  • They are looking for someone to do a social media campaign to attract visitors.

 

  1. Harbour Authority – Rae Hopkins

Shannon and Reid are cleaning up the dock in preparation of the summer season. A new system of labelling will be introduced to show reserved dock space.

 

  1. Arts Council-Julie Bradley

The second annual “Art in the Park” will take place on Sunday July 10th in ES Centennial Park.

 

NEW BUSINESS

  1. Electric Charging Stations – Clay Steel

There are two levels of grants available to encourage the installation of electric charger stations

  • Provincial “The CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger Program is intended to increase the number of public Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC) stations throughout B.C. to support the growing number of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) on the road.”
  • Federal- Zero Emission Infrastructure Program through Natural Resources Canada.

“The Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) is a $680 million initiative ending in 2027 and its objective is to address the lack of charging and refuelling stations in Canada; one of the key barriers to ZEV adoption, by increasing the availability of localized charging and hydrogen refuelling opportunities where Canadians live, work, and play.

This funding will be delivered through cost-sharing contribution agreements for eligible projects that will help meet the growing charging and refuelling demand.

NOTICE

The Request for Proposals (RFP) focusing on public places, on-street, multi-unit residential buildings, workplaces and vehicle fleets is now open until August 11, 2022 (23:59 Eastern Daylight Time).”

 

The ACRD could /would be the applicant for these grants.

It would mean that Bamfield could make some money from them.

Charging stations are planned for the new Community Hall.

This location would be out of the congested area around the store.

MOTION: BCAS will write to the ACRD endorsing the idea of applying for the grants . m/CSteel s/SOchman

Passed unanimously

 

  1. Security Cameras - James Willock

Further to the idea put forward last month, the idea of establishing a security camera in East Bamfield was further explored. The rationale is that if an incident occurs then the traffic flow could be observed to see all the vehicles that have passed through.

Comments: There are cameras already in ES Centennial Park. Sheryl added that there are 2 at the dock and 3 at the building in the park. The RCMP have used them successfully .

There is a huge variety of cameras available and the Park have middle of the road ones.

The question of how long the footage lasted was brought up.

The question of visibility of vehicles at night was mentioned.

A check with MOT might be necessary.

Initial follow up will be to look at the Park Cameras

 

  1. Miscellaneous
  • A question on the lack of new phone cards from the Community Hall Society was raised. Lisa Bye will look into it.
  • Three people responded positively to the idea of a Father’s Day Chili Event.
  • Motion: $500 should be sent to MBTS as has been done in the past. m/LDruehl s/SMass
  • MBTS are asking for accommodation for participants on the West side. It runs from July 23 --- July 29th (https://musicbythesea.ca/2022-concert-schedule/)
  • There will be a community potluck at the House of Huuayaht on Sunday 19th June - Father’s Day.

 

 The next meeting will be on Monday 20 June 2022.

Meeting Adjourned at 8.41 m/SOchman, s/JBradley