January 15 2024

BAMFIELD COMMUNITY AFFAIRS SOCIETY

General Meeting Unofficial Minutes

Monday 15 January 2024 at 6.30 pm
via Zoom - hosted by Jamie Willock (Chair)

Attendees  (26): Jamie Willock (Chair), Sheryl and John Mass, Julie Bradley, Tom Jensen, Robin and Bob Schmitt, Max Salamon, Jan Teversham,  Jaslyn Haberl, Louis Druehl, Rae  Hopkins, Jerry Gassner, Jaleen Rousseau, Paul and Alison Bird, Frank Novak, Stacy Denton, Laura Bradley, Betty Beyko, Bob Beckett, Sean Rogers, Tara McNeil, Kurt Krantz, JP Hastey, Shane Steell (?)

Regrets: Ben West, Stella Wenstob

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 6.30 pm.

Adoption of agenda.

 m/JMass s/JBradley

Adoption of Minutes of  November’s Community Affairs Meeting. m/TJensen s/JBradley

ACRD DIRECTOR’S REPORT – by Bob Beckett

#1. Bamfield Sewer Connection Community Interest Project

ACRD staff will be providing additional information regarding the potential Bamfield Sewer connection opportunity to the Bamfield and Anacla residents Sunday January 28^th at the Bamfield Community School. The open house will include a tour of the Huu-ay-aht wastewater treatment facility from 10:00 am to 11:00 am and from 1:00 to 2:00 pm for those who cannot make the 10:00 am tour. ACRD staff will conduct an informative session from 11:00 till 1:00 at the school to discuss the opportunities and most importantly get our communities input and feedback regarding the potential wastewater project.

For more information on the upcoming open house and proposed project go to: https://www.letsconnectacrd.ca/bamfield-sewer-project

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in the Community Planning Engagement over October and November 2023! Visit, where residents provided initial feedback on our OCP review and the wastewater project.

#2. Hydro power interruptions

Over the Christmas holidays and most recently last week, Bamfield experienced several power outages due primarily to trees on lines. At last week’s ACRD Board meeting I publicly acknowledged and thanked BC hydro and their hard-working men and woman for their efforts to restore power to our communities in a timely fashion. Last Wednesday and Thursday I was quite impressed with the resources that they brought in to restore power to the westside.

#3. Thank you to Rose for Ukraine Fundraising efforts

On a more personal note, I would like to thank Rose who helped procure a financial donation for Ukraine. The funds raised locally were used as part of a larger donation to procure desperately needed lab equipment for a regional children’s hospital in Western Ukraine. I would also be remiss if I did not thank the staff at our health center who provided outdated medical supplies as well as our Coast Guard station who provided me with dated first-aid equipment which is shipped to Ukraine and distributed as required and needed. 

More details of the work that Bob is involved with were asked:

Assistance is directed to western Ukraine near the border with Belarus. Bob has personally visited Ukraine 3 times now. His group is working with several charities, including the NGO GlobalMedic in Toronto to deliver items to Ukraine. Municipalities around Victoria including Langford, Colwood and Oak Bay have donated items such as generators, a school bus and teaching materials.

TREASURER’S REPORT

as at 31 December 2023

This was not presented at the meeting.

Credit Interest for December 2023: $29.09

Total Assets:  $44,725.78

Details of any account activity will be given at the February meeting.

COMMUNITY REPORTS

1. BMSC- Sean Rogers

• Several staff have been hired recently[JT1]

2. Centennial  Park - Sheryl Mass

• Apologies were made as the east side toilet at the park has been closed during the cold snap as the water was turned off. They will be opened again as soon as the temperatures rise.
• Parks are looking for a new manager to replace Rhiannon Richards. The contract will start in mid-May and last until at least the end of September.

3. Community Hall- J P Hastey

• After months of very slow progress things are now falling into place. Architectural plans were completed a week ago and after a Board meeting they will be made presented to the community.
• A team from the Timber Framers Guild with a team of 30 people will work for 10-14 days to construct the frame of the hall in the summer. Volunteers from here or outside will be welcome to learn about timber frame construction.
• The Bamfield Huu ay aht Community Forest will be approached to provide the wood for the construction.

4. Bamfield Harbour Authority- Tom Jensen

• The callout for local users of the dock has been made and most requests have been received. There is a huge demand and there will be very little room for moorage of visitors.
• Neil Wright is taking over as the new dock manager.

5. Bamfield Community School- Robin Schmitt.

Nothing to report.

6. Bamfield Community School Association – from Jaslyn Harbel

• Happy New Year from your friends Jas and Renée at the Bamfield Community School Association!

Ongoing Core BCSA Programs

• Monday night drop-in sports 6-8pm; dodgeball next week, volleyball on Jan. 29th! $5 fee
• Little Buddies recommences January 16th from 10-11:30am at Pachena beach, meeting at the Gazebo. The next Little Buddies will be at the BCS on Jan.30th from 10-11:30am.
• Join a friendly community for Wednesday night yoga from 5:15-6:15pm.
• Children's and youth after school programming has resumed Monday-Thursday. If you would like to come share a sport, skill, or craft with the kids, we would love to have you!
• Friday Night Chills take place the first Friday of the month from 7-9:30pm - youth are invited to the school for pizza, board and video games, laser tag and more!

Special Programs and Events

• We are excited to be working with Denée Nickel, our wonderful secondary teacher, alongside community members, employers, and organizations to offer a Skills Exploration program to the high school students - an opportunity to explore a variety of trades, careers, and skills. Our next experiential field trip is planned with the Kelp Rescue Initiative at the BMSC. Would love to connect with other businesses and organizations who might be interested to host a field trip and expose our youth to varied possibilities for their futures.
• Thanks to everyone who came to the Red Cross Psychological First Aid yesterday. Anyone who would like to complete the course online can email the BCSA at bcsacoordinator and we will cover the cost of enrollment.
• Saturday Jan.20 marks the beginning of Family Literacy Week - come to the library and check out our new books! We will also be hosting a couple of events to celebrate, follow us on Facebook or check our website for details!:

• Great Big Buddy Read, a provincial effort to have children and adults read together.

• We will be hosting the first annual Bamfield Film Festival Saturday Jan.27, with specific films and programming for a variety of age groups, including preschool-aged children and families, school-aged children and families, youth, and adults. Join us for films, snacks, stories, and literacy activities relating to stories and folklore.

• The ACRD is hosting another community planning engagement on Sunday Jan.28 at the BCS from 11am-1:30pm.
• We will be hosting a Red Cross Wilderness First Aid course Feb.12-16, with a focus on youth who have been engaged in the Communities Building Youth Futures project. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email bcsacoordinator@gmail.com
• The next community potluck is Sunday Feb.18 at the House of Huu-ay-aht at 5pm.
• We are partnering with Sage Haven Society to develop and launch a Sexual Assault Response Program in our community. We are presently in the process of connecting with community service providers and potential volunteers. Please reach out for more information, and for a volunteer application package.

OLD BUSINESS

1.Cougar Pass

A letter from BCAS has been sent to Mainroad.

John Mass added that he had just met with Mainroad staff on Monday 15^th but they were not the “Bridge Crew” that maintain the boardwalk. This crew has to inspect the area. No action will take place until this specific crews looks at the issue.

2.Other Road Maintenance Issues

• The Mainland crew who  did come were inspecting culverts related to drainage issues along Pachena Road and other sites, the state of South Bamfield Road broken pavement caused by heavy machinery use , Regent St on the west side and danger trees near Mills Landing.
•  If anyone has concerns about icy conditions please contact John Mass.

3.Dark Skies- Jamie Willock

• There is a policy related to maintaining dark skies but it does not include residential buildings.
• It is a question here of light pollution from a neighbour and a policy needs to be created for residential areas perhaps.

Question: Does BMSC need to have their lights on all night?

Answer: No. Sean would welcome proactive moves to limit lights. He is open to suggestions.

Question: Could all businesses turn off exterior lights?

Answer: Jamie suggested that it is the directions of the lights that is at issue. If they all faced downwards ,and not towards neighbours or up into the sky , then that would improve the dark skies.

NEW BUSINESS

1.BMSC rowing team

There is a 4 women rowing team currently rowing across the Atlantic to Antigua. They have about 500 miles to go and are raising money for funding science students. The link is https://saltyscience.org/ and they would be happy to be contacted.

Another link : https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/it-rains-flying-fish-every-nigh...

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting, will be  Tuesday February 20 2024 as the Monday is Family Day..

Meeting Adjourned at 19.20   m /LDruehl s/PBird  Unanimous