March 18 2024

Submitted by site_admin on Tue, 04/02/2024 - 00:50

BAMFIELD COMMUNITY AFFAIRS SOCIETY

General Meeting Unofficial Minutes

Monday 18 March 2024 at 6.30 pm
via Zoom - hosted by Jamie Willock (Chair)

Attendees  (28): Jamie Willock (Chair), Sheryl and John Mass, Julie Bradley, Tom Jensen, Max Salamon, Jan Teversham, Louis Druehl, Rae  Hopkins, Jaleen Rousseau, Stacy Denton, Laura Bradley, Betty Beyko, Bob Beckett, Glen Ballman, Ben West, Stella Wenstob, Christine Mathers, Clay Steell, Birgit Gagne, Keith Wyton, Alison and Paul Bird, Oliver Evans, Jaslyn Haberl, Tara McNeil, Lyn and Rick Sweeting

Regrets: Susan Derasp, Tom Jensen

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 18.32.

Adoption of agenda.  m/JMass s/JRousseau

Adoption of Minutes of January’s Community Affairs Meeting. m/LDruehl s/JBradley

PRESENTATION  1. Music By The Sea (MBTS)- Chris Donison

Plans are being developed that will make MBTS more part of a year round event at BMSC. In another couple of years MBTS will become an educational component at BMSC.

The mentorship programme was started in 2013 to allow the best string players in the world to come to Bamfield for a week to ten days as part of MBTS. The next phase, hopefully by 2026, is to have residencies in the fall and spring semesters. A famous player will head up the programme and students will pay for it either through their universities or their families. This will bring funds to BMSC and bring more funding to MBTS.

This year mentored students will be here 11-22 July and the festival personnel 18-22 July. Concerts will be held Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The concert for the community will be Sunday afternoon. MBTS hopes to partner with HFN for the community event.

Donated accommodation is being actively sought for the players etc.

Chris feels that the paved road is going to be a game-changer as it is now suitable for any vehicle.

PRESENTATION 2. Allied Certifications -Julian Hocking-Grant

Julian introduced the concept  that began in Tofino in 2018 of  “user” fees being collected by  businesses that would go to the First Nations so that they would reap some of the benefits of tourism and not just feel the impacts. There are 130 businesses on board there and it has created a stability with economic benefits for the ------Nation. The programme cover s all the Tribal Parks. Meares Island was the original Tribal Park but this has now broadened out to all their areas, It has aided the receipt of grant funding and has created a lot of investment.

The Huu ay aht approached Allied Certifications to look at the feasibility of HFN implementing something similar here on their tribal lands. To that end a Community Visioning Session will be held in the House of Huu ay aht on April 10 from 4-7pm. When input from local residents is being sought.

For further information about this call Julian at 250 228 8526 or email alliedcertifications@pm.me.

ACRD DIRECTOR’S REPORT – by Bob Beckett and Daniel Saillard

 

Topics covered as brought up by request of Max Salamon.

 

  1. Part time and seasonal residents’ contributions, including that of your ACRD Director, Bob Beckett

Bob- seasonal resident. He would have preferred to have an all year resident but no one forthcoming.

Daniel-2 ½ years at ACRD. Previously with several different governments- Quebec, Saanich, Pemberton, Qualicum Beach. ACRD established in the 1960s to get cooperation for service provision to rural areas. There are local municipalities, Treaty Nations and rural directors.

 

  1. Legislative Federal and Provincial Statutes regarding unincorporated communities

Every November the Chair/Vice Chair of ACRD is elected. Services are given if requested/agreed upon. Re wastewater. Bamfield will be given the facts but it is our choice and cannot be imposed. The Regional Director has no power on his own- simply a rep to relay information/requests/ideas to the ACRD

 

  1. ACRD Regional Board functions and responsibilities associated with the region and specifically Bamfield.

Services provided to Bamfield include 911, Parks, Building Inspections, water, fire , solid and liquid waste, emergency services. A new service can be explored and a referendum held to gain acceptance or rejection.

The Strategic Plan identifies key areas over the next 4 years. It is a regional level plan but Bob flagged areas of interest for Bamfield.

Bob added that as a representative for Bamfield he also has to vote on issues over the entire region i.e., airports, hospital board. It took time to understand the complete role expected of a regional director.

Daniel added that Bamfield pays for all its services but only a fraction of the costs of planning/ by law development etc. A municipality has much more flexibility on how it uses its budget.

 

  1. Board and ACRD staff familiarization with Bamfield

Daniel said it was important that ACRD have a real understanding of all communities and the services. He meets with people in the community to discuss e.g., the West dock, fire department, Bob also talks to community members and is also a source of information for ACRD staff.

 

  1. What grants has ACRD secured for Bamfield over the last 10 years

ACRD has received $2.72 million in grant funding.

 

  1. How will we manage our growth at the same time protecting what is unique and special about our community?

The OCP needs to be updated and that becomes the guiding document to follow as there is more development. Information is being gathered to help inform the discussions .

 

  1. Community Engagement regarding proposed Bamfield Sewage Connection Project, Bamfield Planning, Official Community Plan review and Zoning Bylaw update.

 

ACRD staff are bound by policy directives. Facts must be gathered so the community has enough information to make informed decisions. Plans change as information is collected and the complete information is then sent back to the community. The results go into the OCP and/or the new service. Officials must start with a completely open mind. This whole process is very important. Re the sewage the HFN asked for input. Now it is at the public engagement stage and input from Bamfield is required/essential.

For ACRD it is the process that is the first priority not the outcome. Staff need to be impartial as to the outcome.

 

  1. 8. Is our community input being heard and actioned upon by the ACRD Board and/or staff?

Yes but both the formal processes and all informal discussions are essential for complete understanding of issues.

 

  1. Q and A.
  1. Public-Public partnerships such as the Huu ay aht and BMSC – or is it??—If Bamfield joined the sewage agreement then all would be accountable???PublicPrivate Partnerships. If the private company is under contract then they would be accountable under contract law. It all depends on how the contract is made.
  2. Max Salamon asked why the cost of Building Services has gone up to $25,000.Ans: What Bamfield pays is a fraction of the total costs of building services everywhere.
  3. Jamie Willock asked if West Bamfield  sewage system would be a longer term consideration. Ans:Daniel wants to show all the options and the sewage that still goes straight into the inlet remains an ongoing concern.
  4. Paul Bird asked about  relative costs as he is currently the owner of 2 small lots on the west side and needs to put in a septic system so is very interested in any information.
  5. John Mass thanked Bob and Daniel for putting all this information together.
  6. Jaleen Rousseau asked about the issue of moorage as it is as important as the road system in Bamfield. Ans:Danial said that discussions re West Dock are ongoing . He realises that public moorage is very important. He suggested a meeting specifically on Moorage ( as we had last year).

 

Bob said that Moorage, Housing, Parking, and Taxation were THE issues for the whole region and were under discussion continuously.

 

Finally, Bob thanked Daniel and Max  for their input.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

as at 29 February 2024

Credit Interest for February 2024: $27.10

Total Assets:  $36,305.04

Withdrawals in February: $2,250 to SongWest to fund local participants

COMMUNITY REPORTS

  1. Centennial  Park - Sheryl Mass

The new Park Manager, Jaleen Rousseau,  has been hired and already started work

 

  1. Community Hall- Louis Druehl
  • The plans are agreed upon by the Board and  The Timber Guild has been signed up.
  • The Annual Easter Egg Hunt is on Easter Sunday at noon sharp. March 31.

 

  1. Bamfield Community School- Julie Bradley

 

It’s Spring Break for the next two weeks. The second term report cards are out.

 

 

  1. Bamfield Community School Association – Jas Harbel
  • This month, the BCSA had a blast hosting an intergenerational community games night where families were pitched in laser tag battles, older youth raced young children in Mario Kart, and we ate pizza over board games. We are aiming to host a community games night or community film screening every month, so keep an eye out for the Community Calendar, check our website (https://bamfieldcommunity.ca/), and follow our Facebook page (@BamfieldCSA) for updates about fun events like these! March also saw us learn to make cozy hats in a lovely crochet workshop with Abi, and stretch our comfort zones with laughter in a wonderful improv theatre workshop with Noah. The kids also finished up a very popular basketball after school club with Dan, who will be coaching volleyball skills when we return from Spring Break. We want to send a huge thanks to our facilitators for helping us to offer an interesting diversity of programs! If you have a skill or talent to share with the community, we want to hear from you!
  • The BCSA are joyfully at the beginning of Spring Break Camps. Please reach out via email to bcsacoordinator@gmail.com for more information or to register your children.
    1. Currently we are co-hosting a daily 10am-3:30pm Culture and Adventure Camp with the Huu-ay-aht Cultural Wellness Team! Everyone is invited to join Culture Camp at the Pachena Gazebo for a Community BBQ lunch on Friday 22nd at 12pm!
    2. On Wednesday March 20, the BCSA is hosting a bonus youth hang at the school from 7-9:30pm. 
    3. Pirate treasure hunt field trip around Bamfield for kids ages 8+ on Tuesday March 26 from 10am-3:30pm
    4. A field trip to Nanaimo to visit the indoor trampoline park and aquatic centre on Wednesday March 27 for youth in the secondary class and older
    5. A Youth Leaders Gathering - a day of exploring art, culture, and the outdoors for secondary-aged and older youth on Thursday March 28 from 11am-4pm.
  • Due to the unusual schedules over Spring Break, the BCSA office and community library are closed until April 2nd outside of programming hours; Jaslyn and Renée may also be slower to respond to emails and phone messages. Thank you for your patience while they run around with the community's children! Don't hesitate to reach out via email if you are in need of computer or library services in the next two weeks, we will just have to schedule a meeting.
  • The next Books and Brunch at the community library is on Monday  25 March from 10:30am-12pm. Families and community members are invited to check out our new books and connect with other families over fruit, pancakes, and coffee!
  • The BCSA's fiercely competitive dodgeball league is currently tearing it up - people 15+ are invited to join us every other Monday from 6-8pm. Every other Monday after that, join us for drop-in sports - on March 25th, the sport is badminton.
  • Join us Wednesday evenings from 5:15-6:15pm for restorative yoga at the school, no experience or equipment required!
  • We are delighted to be partnering with the BMSC's Animal Care Team to create a community science engagement event to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day on May 11th. We hope you will join us for birding walks, lectures, and a very silly dance! Bird nerds should stay tuned for details...

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