February 24 2025
BAMFIELD COMMUNITY AFFAIRS SOCIETY
General Meeting Unofficial Minutes-Draft
Monday 24 February2025 at 6.30 pm
via Zoom - hosted by Jamie Willock
Attendees (22): James Willock (Chair) Jaleen Rousseau, Bob Beckett, Bob & Robin Schmitt, Julie Bradley, Ben West, Jaslyn Haberl, Susan Derasp, Stella Wenstob, Frank and Jean Novak, Jan Teversham, Max Salamon, Paul and Alison Bird, Stacy Denton, Lisa Bye, Phil Lavoie, Kevin Mcaughtrie, Barry Sills, Birgit Gagne
Guest Presenters: ACRD: Shane Koren and Eddie Kunderman
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.
The meeting was called to order at 18.32
Adoption of Agenda m/SDerasp s/BSills
Adoption of Minutes of January 2025 Community Affairs Meeting. m/BWest s/JRousseau
ACRD DIRECTOR’S REPORT – by Bob Beckett
ACRD Draft Financial Plan 2025-2029
Next up on tonight’s agenda is ACRD staff Shane Koren and Eddie Kunderman presenting the ACRD Bamfield draft financial plan for 2025 – 2029. For the last two years our tax increases have been 13.77% for 2024, and 17.23% for 2023. In 2025 our proposed increase is 4.82%. I would like to thank the ACRD staff and Board for their continued support for our community especially when it comes to securing the number of grants that we have received over the years, as well as for working on our asset management plan that over time will ensure we have adequate funds for capital and infrastructure purchases. I would also be remiss if I did not acknowledge the value and contributions of our various volunteers who contribute countless hours of work on behalf of our community including our Parks Committee, Emergency Social Services folks, Bamfield Volunteer Firefighters, BCAS executive, Bamfield Road Safety Committee, Bamfield Community Hall Committee, Bamfield Community School Association, Bamfield Harbour Authority, and all the businesses and neighbours from Anacla that step up and contribute to the various community events and projects.
PRESENTATION- 2025-2029 Draft Financial Plan ACRD Shane Koren and Eddie Kunderman
Their power point presentation will be sent along with the minutes.
Questions:
- The 4.8% rise in taxes is the overall increase so that some services might have greater increases while others have less? Correct.
- Is the size of the replacement waterline to West Bamfield bigger than the existing one? Yes it is planned to serve West Bamfield for the next 20 years.
- Is the cost covered by the development funds? Some proportion of it yes.
TREASURER’S REPORT (January 31,2025) - Susan Derasp
Total Assets $39,030.86
Interest this month was $25.35.
COMMUNITY REPORTS
- Bamfield Harbour Authority – Paul Bird
- A court action has been initiated against the BHA.
- Barry and Tom have been doing maintenance on the dock replacing boards.
- Paul and Barry recently attended seminar of the Harbour Authority Association that was very informative and well worth attending.
- The survey that was started in November 2024 is now almost complete and this will clearly define the lease areas of the BHA
- Bamfield Community School - Robin Schmitt
- There have been several losses in the community in the last month as well as inclement weather with snow, so school attendance was down.
- Kindergarten registration is open.
- Bamfield Community School Association- Jaslyn Haberl
- A new arts based after school club has started with a ceramics class with Julie Bradley
- Jesse Patterson has been helping out with after school club
- The next community lunch is on March 12
- Alessandra has been covering for Aneri with yoga classes and she will be starting up a fitness training session soon.
- An art sale at the Salty Hearts festival will be held on Saturday March 22. Tables costs $10 and Jaslyn or Sioban should be contacted to book one.
- Bamfield Arts Council- Julie Bradley
- Local artists will be selling their creations at the Salty Hearts Festival on the weekend of March 21/22.
- Fire Department- Phil Lavoie
- The new pump for the fire boat has arrived and has to be installed.
- Fire Department membership has been steady at about 20 members for the last few years but Tom and Olivia are stepping down so that new members will be welcomed.
- Open Burning started on March 1. Venting Indices should be checked first using Tofino data.
- Phil, as the fire chief for the past 9 years , will be retiring after 3 three year appointments. A new fire chief will be needed.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Second GIA Requests Presentation- BCSA Jaslyn Haberl
BSCA Spring Break Activities
Jaslyn made the second presentation asking for funds so that free Spring Break activities for the children from March 17 to 28th can be provided. She is asking for $5,000 and there is also support coming from HFN for all bus transportation. The funding would be used to have three field trips for different age groups in the first week. For K-2 this will be a trip to the west side with an ice cream stop at the store. For 3-6 it will be a trip into Port Alberni to do rock climbing and for the grade 7s and up it will be a trip to Wild Play in Nanaimo. The second week will be a series of day camps. The funding would pay for supplies, groceries, staff pay, and the field trips.
OTHER BUSINESS
- Barry Sills wondered if an east side parking facility could be made available if large meetings are being held i.e., RIHOT School participants as there are so many vehicles around near the dock. Jamie says that there is some crown land in East Bamfield. He suggested that the trailer parking area near Grappler boat launch could be used in the winter.
- Jaslyn informed us that there will not be a wilderness first aid course after all as there was not enough interest and the course is expensive to put on. It is best if a dozen people can sign up.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be on Monday 17 March 2025
Meeting Adjourned at approximately 19.30 m/SDerasp s/BSills