Draft SIRRA Directors Minutes of Sept 13, 2015 1

SATURNA ISLAND RATEPAYERS AND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (SIRRA)
Directors Meeting, September 13, 2015
Directors Present: Joan Hoskinson, Jeanne Crerar, Ron Hall, Michael Fry, Ryan Dentry
Regrets: Valerie McMillan, Ingrid Gaines, Dian Johnstone
SIRRA Members: Eva Hage, Susie Washington, Bill Schermbruker
1. Call to order
Chair Joan Hoskinson called the meeting to order at 10:07am
2. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved by consensus.
3. Approval of Previous Minutes
Minutes of July 4, 2015 were approved by consensus.
It was noted that the minutes need to be posted on the website along with those of the
AGM - Ron and Ryan will do this
4. Business Arising from Last Meeting
4.1 Ingrid to prepare new Planning and Roles documents - bring forward to next
meeting.
4.2 Rotating Chair for next Board Meeting in December - Joan agreed to chair the
meeting on Dec.5, 2015 at her home.
4.3 Bill’s update on Annual Survey - survey will be prepared in November by Bill,
Michael and Jeanne. They will use Survey Monkey as it seemed to work well last
year.
5. Committee Reports
5.1 Finance – Ron Hall presented the report (attached). Current balance is
$8,600.92
Motion: Ron moved acceptance of his report. Carried
5.2. Membership – There are 209 members in good standing. Susie has offered to
prepare a letter seeking new memberships including the new inclusion of residents.
Val has been working on contacting members in arrears.
5.3 Communications – Dian was not present so no report. Susie noted that recently
there has not been anything in the Scribbler relating to SIRRA. Val had agreed to
prepare an item but she is currently on holiday.
5.4 Roads - Michael had nothing new to report. Ron mentioned that he spoke to the
RCMP officer at a police liaison meeting, who then drove up Harris Road and
Draft SIRRA Directors Minutes of Sept 13, 2015 2
subsequently wrote a letter to the MoTI. There was a suggestion to get the federal
government involved regarding Harris Road as it is a serious hazard. It was
suggested to involve the federal government as this may impact tourism access to
Parks Canada areas. Also discussed were concerns with the condition of Cliffside
Road.
5.5 Ferries – A draft letter to Mark Collins, Vice President, Strategic Planning and
Customer Engagement for BC Ferries was circulated. Key arguments relating to the
proposed scheduling changes were broadly discussed. The top two issues identified
related to affordability and impact on local residents. Several revisions were
suggested which Susie will do then forward to Ron and Joan. The letter will be
submitted by the September 20 deadline. There was agreement to send a copy of the
letter to Gordon McAtee (sp)and to Todd Stone.
5.6 Taxes – Joan is exploring the feasibility of automatic monthly payments toward
rural taxes as is available in urban areas. Eva has received a document from the
office of Surveyor of Taxes showing 18 years of property classes, number of
properties in each class, and all agencies receiving funding from our Saturna taxes.
She will forward this to Ron, Joan and Susie.
5.7 Health – Jeanne reported on the alleged confidentiality breach at the medical
clinic. She clarified that VIHA has investigated and that no breach of confidential
patient information has occurred. The new process for appointments was also
clarified. Residents now do not have to wait until Wednesday morning to be
notified whether or not they can get an appointment to see the doctor, by which time
it would have been be too late to catch the ferry to attend a walk in clinic in town.
Jeanne also reported that the new leadership team for VIHA geography 3 area (newly
reorganized) visited Saturna to familiarize themselves with our resources, local
issues and challenges faced on rural islands. They have visited all of the South Gulf
Islands as part of this familiarization/orientation process.
6. New Business
6.1 Survey results : main concerns were Ferries, Health Services and Property
Taxes;
a. Ferries: how to further assist our Ferry Advisory Committee as well as the
recent scheduling concerns
b. Health : Discussion of Corresponding Secretary considering writing a letter on
behalf of SIRRA to David Rees-Thomas noting as we are an aging population
how can we be more helpful in securing more funds for the ambulance?
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6.2 Fire Department: During drought and extreme fire conditions it would be
advisable for postings to be sent on the List Serve from the Fire Chief. Other
strategies related to the Corresponding Secretary sending a letter to the Chief to
see how SIRRA can assist re the above. It was noted that people are still using
chainsaws seemingly not aware the ban applied to them. Suggested to get more
signage throughout the island especially where boaters may come in at East Point
and at the intersection at the bottom of Fiddler Road.
As the summer is over and the rains have come it was agreed to table this item, to
be brought forward if similar conditions recur.
6.3 Saturna Island Directory – Ron Hall will submit SIRRA Website & email
information for the next issue of the local telephone directory.
6.4 Letter from SIR - A request was received concerning proposed purchase of
portable lights for the SIR emergency vehicle to use when emergency helicopter
evacuation is required at sites other than at the ball park Heli-pad which has
permanent lighting.
Motion: by Jeanne Crerar, to donate up to $600 for purchase of new
portable emergency lighting system (SOS/LZK-5) as requested by SIR.
Carried
7. Next Meeting – December 5, 2015 at Joan's home, 234 Cliffside Road, at 10:00 am.
8. Adjournment - the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 am.