September 18 2023

Submitted by site_admin on Fri, 02/09/2024 - 20:47

BAMFIELD COMMUNITY AFFAIRS SOCIETY

General Meeting Unofficial Minutes

Monday 18 September 2023 at 6.30 pm
via Zoom - hosted by Jamie Willock (Chair)

Attendees (33): Jamie Willock (Chair), Sheryl and John Mass, Julie Bradley, Tom Jensen, Bob and Robin Schmitt, Ben and Margot West, Max Salamon, Stefan Ochman, Jan Teversham, Glen Ballman, Jaslyn Haberl, Louis Druehl, Rae  Hopkins, Jerry Gassner, Barry Sills, Jaleen Rousseau, Bonnie McKay, Bernie and Keith Wyton, Nancy Hendry, Stella Wenstob, Heather Washburn, Paul and Alison Bird, Frank Novak, Stacy Denton, Anne Stewart, Laura Bradley, Brad Beaith, Diana?

Regrets: Susan Derasp, Bob Beckett

Presenter:  Randy Thoen- FireSmart ACRD.

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 6.31 pm.

Adoption of agenda. The agenda was passed with an addition regarding the Bamfield Road – new signage and safety concerns under new business.

 m/SWenstob s/SMass

Presentation Randy Thoen of  ACRD: FireSmart

The power point presentation will be sent out with the minutes.

Three important points out of the presentation are

  1. Keep the area immediately close (within 1.5 metres)  to the house clear of debris such as clogged gutters, moss on the roof and anything stored close by.
  2. Funding is available for up to $1000 to cover 50% of the cost of any mitigative actions after an assessment by a FireSmart representative. Assessments can be booked at 250 720 2700 or at FireSmart@acrd.bc.ca
  3. Randy is ready to come to anywhere in Bamfield to assess a property. Assessments are strictly confidential and private.

Questions:

  1. Where can one take any slash created from clearing land near the house?

Randy is searching for good solutions. Trenches can be built so that all the debris is buried and a berm is created (called Hugelkultur) but red cedar doesn’t really decay. Chipping is possible but a 40 ton bin would cost $2000 to chip so that isn’t sustainable. Commercial composting is another option when compost can be created in 8-10 weeks.

  1. Is tree removal covered by the grant? Yes but the idea isn’t that all trees would be removed. It is good to prune lower branches of trees near buildings.
  1. If property is next to an ROW, it is the responsibility of the ROW owner ( MoT etc.) to clear.
  1. If property includes, or is adjacent to, a riparian zone can vegetation be cleared ?

Ans. That depends. Vegetation in a riparian zone should be healthy and less vulnerable to burning.

  1. Is salal a good ground cover? Ans/ Native plant species are less of a problem than introduced ones generally.

Adoption of Minutes of  June’s Community Affairs Meeting. m/JBradley s/BSills

ACRD DIRECTOR’S REPORT – by Bob Beckett

  1. I apologize for not being in attendance this evening however I am in Vancouver attending the annual UBCM conference and tonight we have a meeting with all the provincial electoral area Directors. This conference is a good opportunity to network, discuss mutual concerns and most importantly community infrastructure initiatives including grant opportunities. It is also an opportunity to meet and discuss future needs with our provincial politicians. 
  1. Congratulation to Sheryl Mass, the Parks Commission Board and all the volunteers who came out to help with the installation of the new playground equipment. The playground equipment looks amazing, and it was so great to see all the children enjoying the new equipment. Thank you also to ACRD staff for their efforts and support.
  1. ACRD CAO Daniel Sailland visited our community this past August to meet our communities’ volunteers and leaders and see firsthand our beautiful community. It was also an opportunity to showcase how proud we are of our community at the same identify some of our challenges and potential needs moving forward.
  1. MLA Josie Osborne also was in attendance twice this past August and on her second trip she was accompanied by MP Gord Johns. This was also an opportunity to reinforce the need for provincial and federal support for housing, infrastructure, mental health support, moorage, parking etc. I, along with ACRD staff will be following up with both Josie and Gord in the upcoming months to determine what support we can leverage from their offices.
  1. The ACRD has established a regional Transportation Study committee to look at transportation needs for our region. This committee was established because of the HWY #4 closure and the subsequent impact to the region. I have been asked to sit on the committee and look forward to providing input regarding transportation routes, alternative routes, impact to commercial and tourism related industries, and ensuring sustained essential supply routes/mechanisms

TREASURER’S REPORT as of 31 August 2023

Chequing account balance   $25,939

High Interest savings balance  $22,749.85

Member shares $5.21

Credit Interest $28.95 for August

Total Assets  $48694.06

Withdrawals from June-August: $40 for filing to BC Societies $1004.50 to Road Safety Association for traffic counters

Deposits  from June to August: $10,000 for annual Grant in Aid funds, $5765 refund from ATN project to be shared with BCAS and BHCF.

COMMUNITY REPORTS

  1. Centennial Park - Sheryl Mass
  • Sheryl thanked everyone who had volunteered their time to construct the new playground in ES Centennial park. By using volunteers $35,000 was saved and so there was more funding for more equipment and some remains to purchase a few more items.
  • A grant for infrastructure repairs to the office building has been applied for.
  1. Community Hall- Louis Druehl
  • The plans are still with the engineer.
  1. Bamfield Harbour Authority- Tom Jensen
  • The dock has been very busy all summer.
  • Reid and Shannon have resigned so a new wharfinger is being sought. Anyone interested should contact Ashley Klyne, the secretary.
  1. Bamfield Community School- Robin Schmitt
  • There are 45 students registered in the school
  • The School Board is having a meeting at the school on 26th September at 5.00pm.
  1. Bamfield Community School Association – from Jaslyn Haberl
  • We had a wonderful summer facilitating themed Day Camps in partnership with Huu-ay-aht First Nations! We had great engagement, with an average of 12 children and youth attending every day.
  • This autumn, the BCSA is open to the public from 3-6 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, by appointment, and during our scheduled programming. Visitors are welcome to use the library, access computer and printing services, and soon, to access the Community Food Bank!
  • The beginning of the school year has been fun and busy so far, and there are lots of exciting things coming up! Please check our website and follow our Facebook page, @Bamfield Community School Association, for updates! The September calendar is at the end of these minutes.
    1. Family events and programs in September so far have included a Back to School Clothing Swap, story time at the library (Books and Brunch), and Family Games Night.
    2. Children's After School programming resumes in the last week of September. Registration and permission forms will be coming home with students this week. Preschool-aged children are invited to Little Buddies Playtime, a twice-monthly program which brings wee ones ages 3-5 and their guardians into the school for songs, games, and play time with the Kindergarten class.
    3. Our most recent Friday Night Chill had an amazing turn out - in this monthly program, youth gather monthly to play games and sports (including laser tag!), eat pizza, and access harm reduction supplies and safety planning support. In addition to the Friday Night Chill, we will be commencing a Youth Drop-In on Thursdays after school, where youth can hang out, work on homework, and play games.
    4. Adults in the community are invited to Drop-In Sports on Monday nights from 6:30-8:30pm, and Yoga on Wednesdays from 5:15-6:15pm. We also have exciting artistic programs for adults starting in October.
    5. Candice Cullum, fungal expert and weaver extraordinaire, will be facilitating a solid-bottom willow basket weaving workshop on September 24th from 1-4pm. The cost is $60, and all equipment and materials will be supplied - to register, please email bcsacoordinator@gmail.com or call 250-728-1220.
    6. We loved our first ever Elder's Cafe, a monthly opportunity for seniors to gather at the Community Library, connect with other elders, and enjoy coffee, tea, and snacks. We are planning to host this social event monthly, back-to-back with Books and Brunch - stay after coffee for a cute story time with tiny humans!
    7. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is coming up on September 30th, an important opportunity for community reflection and action.
      1. Join us for the first Community Lunch of the new school year on Friday September 29th! In addition to enjoying a back-to-school BBQ, Counsellor Stella Peters will be speaking, and the students are preparing a presentation for the community about what they are learning about truth and reconciliation.
      2. Adults are invited to a documentary screening and community discussion on Saturday September 30th; join us to learn about and strategize actions to support the local and global decolonization movement.
    8. Please join us at the public School Board meeting at the Bamfield Community School at 5pm!
  • The BCSA's favourite event and biggest community fundraiser - Oysters, Authors, and Ales - returns for its 11th year on Saturday October 14th! Tickets will go on sale this week. We are grateful to our local partners: the BMSC, Whistle Buoy Brewing, Nova Harvest, and the Bamfield Wreckage. We are accepting donations for our silent auction, please contact us with any offers! We will be entertained this year by author Ann Eriksson, poet Gary Geddes, poet Heather Hendry, and many talented local contributors!
  • The BCSA is pleased to share that Tawwinus (Mandy) Edwards is our school breakfast and lunch caterer this year! She has been providing delicious and nutritious meals to our students and is a wonderful addition to the Community School team.

       6.  Community Forest- Stefan Ochman

  • The next meeting is 21 September when the agenda will include salvage logging plans, FSC certification, a community survey, trail development and  harvesting plans.
  • The fungus festival, which is supported by the Community Forest starts on Thursday 21 with a potluck at West park. Details are in the minutes at the end.
  1. Road safety Association-Stefan Ochman
  • There hasn’t been a meeting over the summer and there is no HFN member on the committee.
  • There is a Huu-ay-aht Road Reconciliation Committee made up of HFN, Mosaic and the government but the road safety committee is not part of it.
  • They have been directed not to move ahead with the memorial for the students who died on September 13, 2019.

OLD BUSINESS

Second GIA for Songwest- Nancy Hendry

Nancy presented her request for a GIA for a second time. It is  to assist in getting the Songwest workshop up and running again after a 3-4 year break due to Covid. The main discussion revolved around the high cost of transportation for getting the out of town participants to Bamfield. Nancy laid out all the costs involved in putting on the event as well as the projected revenue from participants.

NEW BUSINESS

The Bamfield Road-Brad Beaith

The improved road surface to Port Alberni has resulted in some people driving very fast (up to 100 kph) and there have been some very close calls. John Mass has witnessed two accidents already that he believes were caused by excess speed.

Several issues were highlighted in the discussion. Narrow one lane bridges and tight corners where some drivers are in the middle of the road are locations where an accident seems very likely to happen. Parts of the road where the drop offs are cliffs and there are no guard rails.

It is not clear how to get some action on new signage as the ownership of the road is private, industrial and complicated. It is not known if there are any other roads with similar ownership in BC.

Previously the province provided funds to increase the maintenance (grading) on the road and the road safety committee were kept in the loop about it. Now the situation is more complicated.

A letter can [will?] be written to ask for clarity and action and needs to be sent to MoF, ACRD, RCMP, HFN, MoT, Mosaic, plus our MLA Josie Osborne, our MP Gord Johns, and our regional director Bob Beckett.

Motion: BCAS Chair and the Road Safety Association Chair to write a letter about the safety concerns on the newly sealed road. m/BWyton s/JTeversham

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be  on Monday 16 October, 2023.

Meeting Adjourned at 20.45    m /SOchman s/BWest Unanimous