SATURNA ISLAND PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

DATE HELD: Saturday, 04 April 2009

LOCATION: Saturna Island Recreation Centre

Saturna, British Columbia

 

CALL TO ORDER: 1:00 p.m.

 

In attendance:

Susie Washington-Smyth

Ron Monk

Marilyn Sewell

Bernie Ziegler

Murray Rankin

Bill Schermbrucker

Susan Jamieson-McLarnon

Regrets: Ellen Bourassa

1. CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order at 1:00 pm by Susie Washington-Smyth. A proper quorum was in attendance.

2. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES:

It was moved by Ron Monk and seconded by Bernie Ziegler to approve the minutes of the previous Council Meeting.

Carried.

 

 

3. ROADS:

Susie Washington-Smyth reported that she has become a thorn in Bob Webb’s side! Her persistence and lobbying are having results. An additional $500,000 has been requested. Road work on Saturna has been approved and will commence shortly. Bernie Ziegler reported that the construction material for roads will arrive within a week. Murray Coell has announced in his newsletter that $1.5 million has been allocated towards road improvements on Saturna. It was recognized that even with the additional $500,000 bringing the total up to $2 million, the proposed amount of paving is still inadequate given the state of our roads. Ways of putting pressure on the government were discussed as the opportunity to have an impact is now, before the election. It was suggested that a photo op be organized when the paving materials arrive.

4. PILTS:

Susie Washington-Smyth and Dawn Wood met with and discussed this issue with Murray Coell. The amount of $34,000 has been received from the Federal Government as Payment in Lieu of Taxes. This amount is completely inadequate as the amount of lost revenue through Parks Canada is in the order of $1 million from these lands (just to date). The loss of this revenue severely impacts the provision of essential services on the island. Other jurisdictions have taken the Federal Government to court on this issue and there are three related judicial cases in Quebec regarding PILTS. Susie and Dawn requested that Murray Coell pressure the Minister of Finance to appeal the amount granted to Saturna. Murray agreed to request the Provincial Government make the request. In discussion it was suggested that the CRD could also request an appeal. Murray Rankin will look at the legislation to determine who could make an appeal. Murray Rankin will meet with Gary Lunn, MP. It was noted that this is our riding and we need both provincial and federal levels of government to work together for our benefit.

John Savage is in charge of the Disaster Mitigation Application for Saturna and will be taking the PILTS information and the effect it will have on Saturna to Gary Lunn. Susie will discuss the issue with John before his meeting.

As Ilio Bertolami has not been attending the Parks Liason meetings Ron Hall has indicated that he is prepared to take this on. Bill Schermbrucker moved and Ron Monk seconded a motion to name Ron Hall as the SIPOA representative to the Parks Liason Committee.

Carried Unanimously.

 

 

5. HEALTH COMMITTEE:

Increasing costs for health services on Saturna will result in an annual shortfall of $20,000 within five years. A request by SIPOA and SCC to Murray Coell has been made to cover this shortfall and to provide funding for short term planning assistance. It is now apparent that the Community Club is running out of money and that a decision must be made at their Annual General Meeting. Bernie Ziegler explained the situation regarding a ruling from Canada Revenue Agency and current funding arrangements for the proposed Ambulance and Fire Protection building. The Rec Centre cannot build the facility without making major changes to the purposes and constitution of their society. As a result there is an opportunity to find an integrated solution to the problem of providing adequate Emergency Medical and Fire Protection Services. Murray Rankin and Ron Monk informed Bill Schermbrucher (who will be the new Chairman of SCC) that they are willing to mediate towards a solution. Susie Washington-Smyth will advise John Savage and Lorne Bolton of the same.

6. POLLING RESULTS:

Susie Washington-Smyth reported that the way we have gone about the poll does not give us enough information. It was suggested that the questions on the poll be revised for the next poll.

7. MEMBERSHIP AND DUES:

Bernie Ziegler reported that the Royal Bank charges $0.14 for every deposit made. He would like to move the account to Coast Capital to avoid these charges. Bernie Ziegler moved and Murray Ranking seconded that the SIPOA account be moved to Coast Capital.

Carried Unanimously.

 

 

Bill Schermbrucker, Murray Rankin and Bernie Ziegler will become signing officers for Coast Capital. Bernie reported that our bank balance stands at $5300 but this reflects the fact that many members have paid for three years. Our membership currently stands at 173 although 20 members have not yet paid their fees.

8. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:

Chris Frappel of BC Ferries will give a presentation and answer questions at the AGM. Susan Jamieson-McLarnon will discuss this presentation with Chris. Susan will advertise call for nominations and set up the on-line election. Bill Schermbrucker will place an announcement in the Scribbler regarding the AGM and to let islanders know that the meeting is open to the community.

9. ADMINISTRATION AND PLANNING:

Susie Washington-Smyth indicated the need to come up with a legacy of information. Judy Tipple will pull out past Scribbler articles regarding SIPOA and compile them in a SIPOA file.

10. ADJOURNMENT:

As there was no further business at 2:35pm Murray Ranking moved a motion to adjourn.

Carried Unanimously.