THETIS ISLAND RATEPAYERS AND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

March 31, 2011
Forbes Community Hall, Thetis Island

Meeting Called to order at 7:29 pm.

Chaired by Ernie Hunter, President.

30 members in attendance.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the October 21, 2010 TIRRA General Meeting were read and approved. Highlights of the January 13, 2011, and March 10, 2010 TIRRA Executive Committee meetings were also read.

In another secretarial matter, Denis Gagnon, corresponding secretary, reported that letters of thanks were being sent to Andy Newall of the provincial highways ministry for his on-site help with Thetis road projects, and to the Thetis Island Parents Association for their $500 donation to TIRRA's Garbage Fund.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Kevin Galbraith presented financial highlights of the Treasurer's Report for 2010.  TIRRA had 490 members last year, only two fewer than the previous year. Balance in the General Fund was $8,693 at year end. However, $4,143 was transferred to cover a negative balance in Garbage Fund.  Income for the Garbage Fund reached $23,569 in 2010, and total expenses were at $27,712.  Recycling Services required the largest expense, at $17,425.  Garbage pick-up charges amounted to $9,822.  Kevin said a minimum of 200 households paying the increased fee of $150 is required to cover projected garbage expenses of $30,000 this year. At the end of the first quarter, fees have been received from 184 households. Some 222 households contributed to the garbage program last year.  A motion by Ken Youds, to approve the financial report was carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Sanitation

The sanitation committee is comprised of Steve Frankel, Vicki Walker, Ken Youds and (ex officio) Ernie Hunter. Steve said long term financing of garbage collection and disposal, considered an ‘essential service’, is likely unsustainable under the current system. His committee is looking into the possibility of obtaining adequate financial help from CVRD but maintain on-island control of the existing excellent service. CVRD is largely responsible for the increased costs because in recent years they’ve decided not to allow recycled materials in general garbage. At least 70 percent of TIRRA’s garbage budget is for the handling of recyclables. Steve’s presentation sparked a discussion on the possibility of local government taxation specific for Thetis garbage. Ken Youds said such an initiative might involve a referendum authorized by CVRD. The preparation time would be at least five months after TIRRA formally requests the CVRD to hold a referendum on the same day as local elections across BC in November. Ken suggested that TIRRA should host a special meeting of its membership in April to discuss the future financing of the garbage service. 

Ken Youd’s motion, “That the TIRRA Executive call a special meeting in April, 2011, of the TIRRA membership to discuss garbage service and its sustainable funding through taxation” was approved.  

Also approved was an amendment by Bill Sharp that the meeting be held on a weekend to give non-resident property owners a better opportunity to attend and voice their opinions.
A motion by Lucy Mooney to “mail out notices of the special meeting to off islanders” was not seconded.

Cemetery

Simone Luckham, speaking for the cemetery committee, said the group has $30,477 in its account. She described ongoing maintenance and improvement projects and also noted that a new support group, Friends of the Cemetery – comprised of non-committee members – has been started. The committee also voiced a big thanks to Lorrie Wood, who resigned last fall, for her 10 years as committee chair.
  
Ferries

Ann Keir reported that the next (video conference) meeting of the Ferry Advisory Committee will be April 18. The Thetis ferry committee is comprised of Ann, Sue French and Chris Pegg. BC Ferries next four-year service contract will begin next year. Ann said that BC Ferries Commissioner had just released a preliminary report on the next four year contract between the provincial government and the ferries corporation. It recommends capping fare increases at 8.23 percent year, exclusive of fuel surcharges. (Ann had previously told the Executive Committee that Ferries’ bid to move closer to a full ‘user-pay’ policy, with its attendant fare increases, is having a harmful effect on island communities. With a government that says ‘people who chose to live on an island’ should accept the added transportation costs, there’s no relief in sight, she said.)

Bylaws

Denis Gagnon presented a notice of motion from TIRRA’s Executive Committee to amend TIRRA’s bylaws. The following will be presented to the TIRRA membership at its next scheduled meeting, June 16, 2011:

Article I, General Policies, Clause 2 and 3 – replace the word “shall” with “may”

Article II, Membership and Membership Fees, Clause 7 – deletion of part b. “on his death” and the addition of a new part d. – “Not fulfilling the prescribed requirements of Article II, Clause 1.”

Article V, Executive Committee, Clause 6 – deletion of “The Executive Committee shall endeavour to meet at least six times per year with no more than three months between meetings.”

Article VI, General Meetings, Clause 11 – deletion of “immediately following the end of a year and mailed to all members in good standing or member household(s) at least two weeks (14 days)” and adding “and made available to all Members”
.
Article XIII, Rules of Order – adding “The applicable edition will be stated at the beginning of each General Meeting.”

(Other brief committee reports were given by Graeme Shelford (transportation) and Dave Steen (trails). Full annual TIRRA committee reports appear on the Thetis website.)   

Annual TIRRA Elections:

The Executive Committee recommended that com. Chairs for 2011 be Transportation, Sanitation, Cemetery, Community Trail and that the bylaws be cared for by the corresponding Secretary.  The recommendation was approved.  Ken Youds conducted the elections. Only one person stood for each of the following positions and were declared elected:

Officers:

President                             Ernie Hunter
Vice President                    Steve Frankel
Treasurer                             Kevin Galbraith
Recording Secretary           Stephanie Cottell
Correspondence Secretary  Denis Gagnon
 
Committee chairs:

Transportation   Graeme Shelford
Sanitation	   Steve Frankel
Cemetery           Suzanne Sarioglu
Trails                 Doreen Lilley

OTHER BUSINESS
Trustee Peter Luckham gave a brief overview of Islands Trust activities. One highlight was the Trust’s safety and environmental concerns related to increased marine freighter traffic and anchoring in Trust area waters. Peter also mentioned that the 5-year process of reviewing and updating the Thetis Official Community Plan and Bylaw are reaching the final stages, with public hearings to take place in late spring and early summer.

The meeting adjourned at 9.10 p.m.