SATURNA ISLAND PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF EXTRAORDINARY MEETING

DATE HELD: Sunday, 02 January 2011
LOCATION: Saturna Island Recreation Centre
Saturna, British Columbia

CALL TO ORDER: 11:05 a.m.

 

In attendance: Ron Monk
Bernie Ziegler
Susie Washington-Smyth
Ellen Bourassa
Bill Schermbrucker
Ron Hall

Regrets: Murray Rankin

Recording Secretary Bev Lowsley
 

1. CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order at 11:05 pm by Ron Monk. A proper quorum was in attendance.
 

2. ISSUE FOR DISCUSSION:

The East Point Water Situation
Following the Islands Trust meeting with the community on December 1, 2010 regarding the proposed Bylaw 102, there has been little further action. It appears that the Islands Trust has taken the strong community feedback and agreed to withdraw proposed bylaw 102.

We now need to be clear on what is needed to move forward. Ron noted that if we can address the issues within our community without outside intervention that would be ideal. Clarity is needed regarding the goal: e.g., do we want to address the process of Islands Trust actions regarding land use or to focus on the East Point water issue?

Bernie: We need to define the problem and for that we need the science. This problem probably exists on other islands as well and if we could get together with them perhaps our combined voices would carry more weight.

Susie clarified that the planning meeting is about the East Point water situation, not the land use issue. If there is a way to address the issue that doesn’t involve a bylaw or any outside body, so much the better.

What role should SIPOA play in this? So far people have been using group mail as a vehicle to vent. Susie did a personal survey of her East Point neighbours and identified that they want information provided in a timely manner as well as someone to represent their interests in the process. Not all agree regarding SIPOA’s role.

Islands Trust has offered to provide a groundwater workshop where people with expertise can come together with local residents to explore the issue. Michael Payne, a professional engineer, has agreed to attend. There are also other hydrologists who could be invited to participate. A meeting is being planned on February 24 to plan the workshop. Islands Trust has offered to be a vehicle for groups to come together for discussion.

Susie strongly stated that the board of SIPOA should only participate if the membership supports the Board taking on this role. There needs to be support for representatives of the Board to have a seat at the table to help solve the problem.

It was agreed that the SIPOA Board is willing to take a seat at the table to explore a process, to help define the problem and constructively work on possible solutions -- as long as they have a mandate to do so. Some view that SIPOA has their own agenda. Ron noted that the Board does have a position on process but not on a specific outcome.

Susie presented a draft letter requesting input and a mandate for SIPOA to participate in a process to move forward. The draft was reviewed and Susie will rework it based on feedback then will circulate it to the rest of the Board before sending it out.

The letter, Special Notice from the Board of SIPOA, will be sent to all SIPOA members via email and will be posted on the website. A printed copy, with a separate preamble, will be sent to all East Point residents as well. A response will be requested by January 24, 2011.

The letter with the same preamble used for the East Point landowners will also be submitted to the Scribbler.

Susie, Ellen and Ron H. will meet Friday, Jan 7th. at 10am at Susie’s home to work on getting the letters out.

Representation at the planning meeting in February: Gary Richardson is planning the open house. Bill will speak with Beverly Neff to see who is doing the inviting. It was suggested that 3 or 4 reps from each organization plus the 2 landowners and reps from the local water committee should be involved.

SIPOA Board reps will be Murray (alt. Ellen), Susie (alt Ron H), and Ron M.

Ellen summarized: E-mail letters will be sent out to members with hard copies to non-member East Point residents, responses will be received, and we will ask how SIPOA ought to be included in the discussions.
 

Meeting Adjourned at 12:01




----- Original Message -----From: Murray Rankin <murrayrankin@shaw.ca>Date: Sunday, January 9, 2011 7:13 pmSubject: Minutes of SIPOA Board Meeting: January 2, 2011.To: "sipoa@yahoogroups.com" <sipoa@yahoogroups.com>
I have attached Minutes from a SIPOA Board meeting held on January 2, 2011.

Murray Rankin