Minutes
Thetis Island Residents and Ratepayers Association
Executive committee meeting
May 14, 2009 7 p.m.
Forbes Community Hall

Present

President Ernie Hunter
Vice President Steve Frankel
Treasurer Kevin Galbraith
Recording Secretary Dave Steen
Corresponding Secretary Barbara Williamson
Sanitation chair Kathleen McIsaac
Cemetery chair Lorrie Wood
Land use/environment chair Ann Keir

Treasurer’s Report

Kevin Galbraith reported that TIRRA to date in 2009 has 238 full time and 187 part time members, for a total of 425, compared to the final membership tally of 474 last year. To date, 212 households have paid their fee to the garbage fund, compared to a final number of 228 last year.

Kevin also reported a balance in the general fund (non-garbage) of $10,949.33.  Revenues so far this year for garbage fund are $19,333. Expenditures, however, exceed income by $422, for the most part due to expenditures of $14,122 for development of the garbage site.

The committee discussed the financing of its garbage service and determined that it would seek more information before continuing its discussion. 

Kevin noted “the bank would not float TIRRA a line of credit unless we keep the same amount of cash in the bank as security … however this would defeat the purpose of the line of credit.”  TIRRA’s membership previously approved seeking a line of credit to pay for the compactor.  Ernie Hunter said TIRRA should investigate the purchase of lower-cost, used compactor. ‘Sanitation’ financing will be on the agenda of TIRRA’s general membership meeting June 25, 2009. 

Motions related to finance:

Moved by Kevin Galbraith, seconded by Steve Frankel
That TIRRA open a savings account at the CIBC branch in Chemainus. Carried unanimously 

Moved by Dave Steen, seconded by Ann Keir 
That President Ernie Hunter, Past President John Stadt, and Treasurer Kevin Galbraith be authorized by TIRRA to be TIRRA’s designated cheque signatories for both TIRRA’s savings and chequing accounts at the CIBC branch in Chemainus.   Carried unanimously

The Executive Committee also discussed several initiatives, including:
- Appropriate recognition of Dennis and Eleanor Culver for their outstanding and selfless contributions to the Thetis community over the past many years. Barbara Williamson will contact appropriate TICA members on this matter.
- TIRRA’s participation in Thetis’ visitors guide.
- Possible sites for the placement of a cenotaph on Thetis.
- Removal of objects from the small dump site adjacent of the community trail.
- Review of governance models for Thetis.
- An informal review of TIRRA’s bylaws.
- Possible establishment of community garden plots.

The executive committee, by consensus, instructed Ernie Hunter to:

- advocate to the appropriate people the need to repair the considerable frost damage to Pilkey Pt. Rd.

- work with Joe Squire of the Thetis Island Port Commission to locate a candidate(s) for the last position on the Commission.

It was also approved, by consensus, that the TIRRA general membership meetings this year will be held:

June 25
October 15
(Both meetings at Forbes Community Hall will start at 7.30 p.m.)

Ernie Hunter noted that TIRRA Executive meetings are open to the public. They start at 7 p.m. at Forbes Community Hall. Ones scheduled so far this year are:  

June 22
October 1
  
The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.