Otter Point & Shirley
Residents & Ratepayers Association
Annual General Meeting
Held on Tuesday, January 21, 2003
At the Otter Point Fire Hall, 3727 Otter Point Road at 7:30 p.m.
Present: Ken
Pungente (President), Arnie Campbell (Vice President), Virginia Boyd, Wendy
Miller, Mitch Moneo, Frances Stocks, Byron Tweedy
Absent: Wendy Morton
Public: Approximately 31
Press: 1
The President
called the meeting to order and began by introducing OPSRRA as a fire
extinguisher for the community.
Government bodies tend not to pay attention to individuals but will pay
attention to a block of voters. The
President then briefly described what the executive has done since the last
annual general meeting.
Regional
Growth Strategy
A presentation
was made to the CRD regarding the Regional Growth Strategy. The Regional Growth Strategy is in limbo;
municipalities are in the process of signing the document. Municipalities that have not signed the
document have entered the arbitration process.
Spraying of
Pesticide on Private Forest Lands in Jordan River and Shirley
Two public
meetings were held in Shirley in response to an application to spray pesticides
on private forestlands. Numerous
directors were in attendance. The
meetings were emotional and the second meeting was adjourned before the all the
presenters had an opportunity to complete their presentations.
Proposed Logging in the Kemp Lake
Watershed
The Ministry of Forests has reapplied to
log in the Kemp Lake watershed. A
public meeting was arranged but not advertised and invitations were only sent
to individuals who had made previously expressed a concern about logging in the
watershed. The issue is ongoing.
Governance Options
OPSRRA organized two information meetings
in Shirley and Otter Point to present information on the possible amalgamation
with the District of Sooke. Both
meetings were very well attended. Since
then the boundary restructure committee was struck with representation from
both the District of Sooke and the rural areas.
1. Elections
At this time, the President introduced
Regional Director Erik Lund. The
Regional Director agreed to run the election and field any questions from the
floor.
The President
advised the membership that he would stand for President, that Arnie Campbell
would stand for Vice President and that Wendy Miller would stand for
Secretary/Treasurer. With the exception
of Lorraine Simrose, all directors have agreed to stand for another term.
It was explained
that, in the event that more than one member was nominated for a position,
ballots would be distributed and votes collected. At this time, the executive joined the floor and the Regional
Director proceeded to call for nominations.
By affirmation the following positions were declared:
President: Ken
Pungente
Vice President: Arnie Campbell
Secretary
Treasurer: Wendy Miller
The following
members were nominated for the five director positions:
Manfred Maurus
Wendy Morton
Frances Stocks
Byron Tweedy
Mitch Moneo
Virginia Boyd
The Regional
Director advised that the vote would have to go to ballot. The nominees briefly introduced
themselves. The Regional Director and
the Otter Point fire chief, John McCrea, excused themselves from the room to
count the ballots.
At this time the
Vice President took the floor.
OPSRRA
Website
Thanks to the
help of two Edward Milne Community School students, there is an OPSRRA
website. The website includes the
OPSRRA constitution, past minutes, a map of the local area as well as a monthly
newsletter. Upon enquiry, it was
explained that, at this point in time, e-mail addresses are not being
taken. E-mail addresses will be taken
once a system is in place. It was also
explained that, in addition to a Sooke News Mirror article highlighting the
launch of the website, a thank-you letter was sent to the teacher and the two
students who assisted with the creation of the website.
Bylaw 3009
The Vice
President advised that OPSRRA made a presentation and submitted a letter to
Land Use Committee “A” regarding CRD Bylaw 3009 indicating that OPSRRA was not
in favour of the elimination of amenity bonusing. Amenity bonusing would have
required a developer of the rural lands covered by the bylaw to donate land for
parks, etc. (or cash in lieu) in exchange for increased density.
Juan de Fuca
Electoral Area & School District #62 Voters’ List
As revealed
during the recent election for Regional Director, there is a twenty percent
error rate on the JDF Voters’ List. Upon enquiry, the CRD has advised that they
do not consider this to be a major concern. OPSRRA will continue to strive to
see the list updated.
Upon review of
the ballots, Regional Director Lund declared the following positions:
Director: Wendy Morton
Director: Frances Stocks
Director: Byron Tweedy
Director: Mitch Moneo
Director: Virginia Boyd
The President
thanked outgoing Director Maurus for his years of service and extended a
welcome to Frances Stocks and Virginia Boyd.
MOVED AND SECONDED THAT the ballots be destroyed. CARRIED.
2. Regional
Director Lund: Question & Answer Period
At this time Regional Director Lund
advised that he would endeavor to answer any questions that the membership may
have.
A member questioned if there was any
further information on a bus route.
Although supportive, the Regional Director did not have any new
information to pass on.
Bruce Lemire-Elmore enquired about the
rational behind the shrinking of the Boundary Restructure committee. Although it is understood that the
consultant had advised that two studies would be performed, it was explained
that the District of Sooke struck the initial committee and that the last
Regional Director had requested the addition of four electoral members in an
attempt to expedite the review process in view of the approaching vote. As the review process has not been as rapid
as expected, the four additional positions were removed as requested by the
District.
It is felt that the District of Sooke is
not pleased with the offer presented by the Province and that the District will
most likely continue deliberations with the Province. If the District pursues the process, the committee
structure/review process will be reexamined.
A member questioned if the Regional
Director had any further information on logging in the Kemp Lake watershed and
if there are any parks in the area. The
Regional Director advised that he attended the public meeting on the proposed
logging and that it is felt that another proposal will follow. In addition to proposed logging, it is
understood that there is concern regarding the impact recreational activities
are having on the water quality of Kemp Lake.
At this time, the Regional Director
advised that a town hall meeting in Otter Point is planned, to solicit the
community for its concerns.
In regards to parks, the Regional
Director advised that he is unfamiliar with parks in the Otter Point area. As Chair of the Parks Committee (SEAPARC),
the President took the floor to advise that there are many parks in the area
including Otter Point Park which is just over five acres overlooking the water,
Wells O’ Weary Park (Elrose Park) which is a ball field located off West Coast
Road as well as a new trail that runs from the new pumping station up to Corby
Ridge.
The President advised that the current
parks plan is in a review process to reflect the incorporation of the District
of Sooke. It is hoped that a
Rediscovery Parks program will be implemented as a means of increasing the
community’s awareness of these amenities.
Currently, the majority of parks are passive as there are no funds
available for development. Volunteer
work would be welcomed.
3. Restructuring
Assistance Grant
As member of the boundary restructuring
committee, Bruce Lemire-Elmore took the floor to report on the restructuring
assistance grant information forwarded by the Province. The greatest factor in determining the
affect on taxes is the forestry lands in the electoral area and the taxes
received from these lands. Currently,
the CRD collects the forestry land taxes.
If amalgamation proceeds, taxes collected from the forestry lands would
go to the expanded District. The
consultant has divided the area into near west and far west. The question of determining which forestry
lands falls under which sub area remains.
It is understood that forestry land in Otter Point/Shirley accounts for
ninety percent of the forestry revenue and only ten percent comes from Jordan
River and Port Renfrew.
It is understood that, if a provincial
road terminates inside a municipality, the municipality is responsible for
highway maintenance. As it is felt that
all areas will eventually incorporate, it is felt that forestry tax revenue
should be distributed between all areas to ensure sufficient funding for
maintenance of Highway 14.
The Province has offered basic financial
assistance of $200 per person. Given
this figure, the expanded District would receive a total of $390,000 for
amalgamating with Otter Point and Shirley.
However, it was noted that this grant would not necessarily go toward
services in Otter Point and Shirley.
Bruce Lemire-Elmore closed by advising
that the next boundary restructuring committee meeting is scheduled for January
30 at 5:00 p.m. at the municipal hall.
George Miller questioned if the $200
grant is a one-time grant. It was confirmed
that the per resident grant is a one-time grant and that half of it is given
upon amalgamation and the other half is given one year later.
A member questioned if a second
incorporation study could be performed strictly for determining general costs
and highway maintenance costs for Otter Point and Shirley. It was advised that a study would be
dependent on the Province’s willingness to pay. Although a request for a study could be submitted, the current
stance of the Province is against incorporation of smaller areas. As well, the Province is not currently
offering the option of incorporation to Otter Point and Shirley. However, pending the results of the
referendum this option may be offered.
Bruce Lemire-Elmore affirmed that the
Province should be approached regarding incorporation of Otter Point and
Shirley simply as a means of hearing the Province’s response. It is felt that OPSRRA should forward this
request.
At this time Director Moneo noted revenue
from the forestry lands in the electoral area is going to the CRD. It was questioned if this revenue is
earmarked for the electoral area community and what it is being used for. The Regional Director advised he does not
know where this revenue is going but will investigate. It was also noted that if the expanded
municipality chooses to raise forestry land taxes, there might be a tendency to
subdivide that land.
At this time, the Vice President noted
that the Province is in favour of the forestry lands coming under the
jurisdiction of the expanded municipality as an amalgamation incentive and as a
means of offsetting the costs of providing services to the newly amalgamated
areas. However, if the District chooses
not to expand to the Far West, the Province may maintain jurisdiction over the
forestry lands. It was advised that
this issue would be taken to the next Boundary Restructuring committee meeting
for clarification.
At this time a resident noted that her
rural tax is $250. In consideration of
the condition of electoral area roads and the lack of water and sewer
amenities, it was questioned what services the rural tax provides. The President and the Regional Director
explained that breakdown information on the rural tax is available from the CRD. Upon enquiry, the President and John McCrea
explained that the fire hall upgrade was funded under the regular fire hall
budget supplemented by a grant-in-aid provided by the last Regional Director. Bruce Lemire-Elmore advised that he would
investigate the rural tax and forward his findings to OPSRRA for inclusion in
next month’s newsletter.
As for the affect amalgamation would have
on the fire departments, John McCrea advised that meetings have taken place to
gather and document the concerns of the fire trustees.
4. Treasurer’s
Report
It was reported that OPSRRA is required
to submit a financial statement on a yearly basis from October to October. The balance at October 19, 2001 was
$581.25. The balance at October 18,
2002 was $ 280.54. Revenue collected is
from memberships. Expenditures include
advertising OPSRRA meetings and postage.
5. Spraying
of Pesticides on Private Forest Lands in Jordan River and Shirley
An application
for spraying was submitted by the American company Merrill and Ring. The two spray zones are in the French
Beach/Jordan River area. The pests
targeted include salmon berry, elderberry, wild cherry and alder. As other methods of pest control are
available, OPSRRA is appealing. A
public meeting was held in Shirley with representatives from Merrill and Ring,
the Province, the Private Forest Landowners Association and an aerial
sprayer. The meeting was very emotional
resulting in some representatives not being able to speak. The appeal will continue, as there are
wells, winter streams and run offs in the area. If the application proceeds, there is some concern that
precedence will be set and spraying will be allowed in other areas including
Otter Point. OPSRRA has submitted a
letter. Letters can be forwarded to the
Minister and the Senior Pest Management Officer, Conrad Berube, at the Ministry of Air, Land and Water as well
as the MLA and the Regional Director.
6. Proposed Logging in the Kemp Lake
Watershed
The public
meeting was poorly advertised.
Invitations were only sent to individuals who had submitted letters of
concern during the first proposal initiative.
There is a lot a concern in the area because Kemp Lake acts as a
residential water source. It is felt
that the amount of trees on the Crown Land in the watershed does not warrant
logging. The current government has
discontinued the watershed restoration program. Nonetheless, restoration work would be needed. It is felt that it is false economy to log
and then restore.
MOVED BY MARNIE WILLIAMS
SECONED BY TOM EBERHART THAT logging discontinue in the Kemp Lake
watershed until more information is obtained or until there is more public
input.
In response to
the motion, it is understood OPSRRA will send a letter requesting a moratorium
until more information is obtained and until there are opportunities for public
input.
A discussion
ensued on the motion.
It was confirmed
that the land is Crown Land. Numerous
concerns were raised regarding the affect logging could have on the watershed
land including if wind factors had been addressed and if water would be
potable. As well, it was noted that,
although Kemp Lake is declared a watershed, people continue to swim and
boat. It is understood that there are
farms in the area and some concern was raised regarding the impact of animal
waste. It was also noted that there is
an active log sort with gravel pit in the watershed. Jack Story noted that Bylaw 2336 designates Kemp Lake as
watershed.
The President
called the question and it was CARRIED.
On a regular motion, the meeting
adjourned at 9:30 p.m.