BAMFIELD COMMUNITY AFFAIRS SOCIETY

General Meeting Unofficial Minutes

 Tuesday 19 May  2026 at 18.57
via Zoom - hosted by Jamie Willock

Attendees (26): James Willock (Chair), Bob Beckett, Julie Bradley, John and Sheryl Mass, Tom Jensen, Laura Bradley, Dan Zayonc, Jan Teversham, Robin and Bob Schmitt, Barry Sills, Birgit Gagne and John, Stella Wenstob, Susan Derasp, Ben West, Abigail Andiel, Reid Yochim, Marielle Monteiro Gilmour, Greg Hook, Morgan Ursel, Jerry Gassner, JM Ledet, Kurt Krantz, Christine Gruman.

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 18.57

TREASURER’S REPORT: Susan Derasp

• Chequing          $8,826.34
• Savings              $28,409.34
• Member Equity         $5.21

Total Assets     $ 37,241.28

A total of $989.83 has been spent in the past month.  Songwest bursary $1000 and Account fees $1.50 out and interest $11.67 in.

ACRD DIRECTOR’S REPORT- Bob Beckett

• Bob is very pleased to see Reid and Abi joining the Board to bring youth and new perspectives into it.
• The Mount Underwood Update was held at BMSC on April 30. Its purpose was to give a critique of the response and a summary of lessons learned. All the agencies that has been part of the response attended. Lack of communications was recognised as a critical issue that needed to be improved upon. The presentation given  will be attached to the email sent out.
• Cell Coverage and Internet was THE major issue that came out of the power outage period. Since then, the signal strength has apparently dropped off for both Telus and Rogers and complaints continue. Karen Freey will reach out to Telus and Rogers to get to the bottom of the problem and hopefully resolve it. Bob has also talked to HGB and they too will be looking into it. If anyone has specific examples of the changes please contact Bob.
•  The 4 way stop and parking. Discussions have been held concerning the 4 way stop and parking along Bamfield Road. Bob and John Mass had a meeting with Jessica Learn of MOTT. Parking is problematic for emergency situations and for pedestrians walking along the road. There are No Parking signs in places but they are not MOTT ones. Jessica can provide more signs from MOTT at no cost if they are asked for.
• She suggests a clear sign to indicate where parking can occur once the community has agreed. Bob suggests that the Bamfield Road Safety Committee could pay for it.
• MOTT can provide access to ROWs but needs feedback.
• Visitors need to get the message that vehicle wheels should not be on the pavement. Any positive comments to incorporate into signage would be welcomed. Please contact Bob Beckett.
• Perhaps 5-10 more parking lots could be added a year in the core area.

Questions

Christine wondered what has happened to the Connected Coast Project. Fibre Optic Lines have been laid but have not apparently been connected. Bob will discuss this with Karen at ACRD.

Stella asked if this was Bob’s last meeting but the elections for the area director are not until October.

COMMUNITY REPORTS

Bamfield Community School-Robin Schmitt

• Work is progressing well with the generator installation and the contractor will start work on the playground this week.
• The garden and greenhouse are flourishing with help from Reid Yochim.
• The projections for next year are for 42 students.
• Staffing updates are in progress for next year.
• Partnerships have been excellent this year- BMSC, Coast Guard, HFN, Historical Society.
• The vision for the Community School is being re-identified.

Bamfield Fire Dept. – Daniel Zayonc

• Six call outs in the last month.
• Currently 22 volunteers and they are gearing up for the summer.
• Low number of First Responders but 3 more in the Fire Department are training in June. (Abigail Andiel, Taylor and Hannah Schreiber).
• Fire smart staff from the ACRD are available to assess residences. Costs are partially covered to reduce fire risk.

Questions: Is the fire ban on or off?

Dan said Bamfield is following the Provincial guide. Currently only campfires are allowed. There is no Category 2 burning until the fall. The rating will shift to moderate---high soon and then the complete ban will be in effect.

Bamfield Centennial Park - Sheryl Mass

• Jodie Thompson started fulltime on May 15 but as no student has been hired yet there will be no one there on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the moment.
• A white line is being painted down the middle of the ramp to indicate that two boats can be launched at the same time.
• The planned renovations to the showers will not be happening this spring as the people who can do it are now too busy and it will be done in late September.

Bamfield Harbour Authority-Tom Jensen

• The Board is currently comprised of himself as Chair, Jamie Willock - Vice Chair, Ashley Klyne- Secretary, Frank Novak- Treasurer. Other Board members are Paul Bird, Barry Sills, and Jeff Hoenig.
• Locals are moving their boats onto the dock now and transient use will be higher than ever with August probably completely full. Bamfield Lodge/Wreckage is also getting busy.
• The dock is maintained by the Board. Jamie and Barry do the maintenance while Ashley does all the bookings.
• Moorage rates have gone up  about 2.2% as they are now tied to the CPI (Consumer Price Index).

Bamfield Arts Council- Julie Bradley

• ‘Art in the Park’ will be held on Sunday 12 July. Contact Julie if you would like to have a table there.

BCSA- Christine Gruman

• There is a Community Lunch on Wednesday May 20. Cost- by donation.
• The Yard sale for a Pride Fundraiser is on May 23^rd. To get onto the map contact Taylor at BCSA. Tables are also available at the school and possibly at the Whistlebuoy on the West side.
• There are two Canada summer jobs available : One for Summer Camp leader and one for Summer Camp Assistant

NEW BUSINESS

Jan has written to Daniel Sailland to ask about ACRD support to get small craft docks built at the foot of Nutthatch and Westminister. This follows on from the 2022/23 ATN planning grant when the sites were surveyed.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be on Monday June 15.

Meeting Adjourned at 19.54