Saturna Island Property Owners’ Association
Directors Meeting
September 6, 2014 @ 10 am

116 Winter Cove Road
Members Present: Eva Hage (chair), Michael Fry, Dian Johnstone, Joan Hoskinson,
Jeanne Crerar, Ron Hall
Regrets: Val McMillan, Bill Schermbrucker, Ingrid Gaines
1. Call to order 10:08
2. Approval of Agenda
Addition of Membership Survey under 4.3
Motion: Dian moved to accept agenda as amended. Carried
3. Approval of Previous Minutes
Minutes of July 12, 2014
Item 6, number of members not in good standing was 12. Also, Joan Hoskinson had not sent
regrets. She was in attendance via Skype.
Motion: Michael moved approval with amendments. Carried
4. Business Arising from Last Meeting
4.1. Constitution and name change to SIRRA
Eva and Ron reviewed the wording of the Constitution and submitted proposed amendments
to the lawyers. Name change has been reserved although the lawyers noted that the AGM
special resolution was to change the name to Saturna Island Ratepayers Association (SIRA) not
SIRRA so a Special Meeting will be needed to make that name change official. Fourteen days
notice is required and not all members are on the SIPOA site so a written notice must be
mailed to members.
Dian will draft the letter in consultation with Ron and will mail it.
Goal is to have a Special Meeting on September 27 at 11am, at RC if available. Bev will be
away so someone else will be needed to do minutes.
4.2. Website
it is planned that the contact email will be changed from sipoa@saturnnet.net
to info@sirra.ca. Ron will also manage the site until it is established then consideration will
be given to hiring a webmaster.
4.3. Membership Survey
The survey has not yet been sent out. As Bill is not present to update the group on the status
of this, Eva will consult with him when he returns. There was discussion of some of the
questions which might be included and issues relating to the role of SIRRA in the community
in relation to other groups on the island. In the past SIPOA has been an advocacy group and
also filled a communication gap relating to island issues. Discussion included issues relating
to the List Serve and it was suggested to consider drafting a policy on personal privacy.
4.4. Annual planning document
Eva had circulated the annual planning document developed over a year ago to track what
SIPOA does This is a calendar with reminders of planned activities and deadlines. It was
suggested that the key items be retained as a guideline at the beginning of each year which
can be modified as issues change. One such item was the Car Stop program which was
implemented two years ago. Eva will discuss this with Susie Washington-Smyth as she was
involved with its implementation. Eva will simplify the document and bring it to the next
Directors meeting.
4.5. Joint Ministry of Trasportation & Infrastructure submission with MIRRA
Eva reported that she has not done anything on this but will keep it on her to do list
5. Committee Reports
5.1 Financial
Ron Hall circulated the financial report for review (attached). He will check with Horne and
Coupar regarding filing of the auditor's report.
Motion: Ron moved acceptance of the financial report. Carried
5.2 Membership
Ron Hall presented this report which was included along with the financial report
document.
5.3 Communication
Dian had prepared a Scribbler article which was held back as the name change has not been
completed. She has received two membership applications which she processed and she
copied their information to Val who will follow-up to track receipt of the dues. She has also
drafted an item for the Scribbler which is on hold until after the Special Meeting for name
change and will also give an update on the activities planned by the new Board.
5.4 Roads
Michael reported that Sheila Wallace had sent a letter expressing concern regarding the state
of Harris Road. Michael has had a conversation with Pat Ropars who indicated that some
areas would have to be raised by 3 feet to accommodate culverts. He is doing basic
maintenance but anything further would be expensive. Michael will contact MoTI to see if
there is any funding available from the repair fund to improve road safety of this area. Dian
also noted that this area would be particularly vulnerable in the event of an earthquake
should Money Lake dam burst with potential flooding of the Recreation Centre and
Emergency Services Building #1. Other sources may be available for infrastructure funding
within the Gulf Islands.
5.5 Ferries
Eva reported that the new fall ferry schedule (shoulder schedule) is now official. The new
winter schedule will have a reduced SGI sailing on Wednesdays from Tsswassen. Also the
winter schedule Friday sailings will be on the same as scheduled for Monday to Thursday.
5.6 Health
Joan/Jeanne have been collaborating regarding access to Home Support services on Saturna,
now that Lorna Archer Quinn has retired with no apparent replacement in the works. Jeanne
reported that a recent attempt to arrange Home Care through Islands Health resulted in a
response that they no longer manage these services and to consult Beacon Community
Services. A bundle of letters from various organizations describing the issues relating to
health care access following retirement of our Home and Community Care nurse is being sent
to Island Health. Michael also offered to contact Lorne Pritchard from Islands Trust who was
very helpful when Michael's mother needed care.
5.7 Property Taxes
This item has been in limbo over the summer. Eva had asked for information about CRD
funding of Parks and Rec from Michel Bourassa but has not received anything to date. This
committee will work on the next step.
6. New Business
6.1 Recognition of retiring Board member
There was no acknowledgement of Susie Washington-Smyth's contributions to SIPOA at the
AGM. This will be addressed at the Special Meeting on September 27.
6.2 The Scribbler letter to the editor
This item was discussed. A number of errors were identified relating to the proposed medical
and dental plan for volunteers. This is a complex issue.
7. Next Meeting
Next Directors meeting will be on December 6 at Eva's
8. Meeting Adjourned
The meeting was adjourned at 11:43am.