Rockland Neighbourhood Association:  Minutes of the Annual General Meeting 2014


 

ROCKLAND NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting 2014

held February 11, 2015

at the Grace Lutheran Church

 

1.     The meeting was called to order at 7:36 p.m.  There were 85 voting members in attendance.

 

2.      Motion:  To adopt the agenda.  Lloyd Ollila moved; Don Hamilton seconded; Carried

 

3.     Guest Speaker

 

Dave Clark introduced Roger Stephen, a research associate with the Hyperspectral-LiDAR Research Group in the Department of Geography, University of Victoria.  Roger has spent much of the past decade acquiring , processing and analyzing various types of remotely sensed data.  A particular interest of his is the use of LiDAR and hyperspectral for object based tree detection and classification.

 

Roger described the difference between passive and active data collection.  Data collection using camera would be an example of passive data collection.  LiDAR, an example of active collection, requires the emission of energy (a pulsed laser) and collects the reflected signal.  LiDAR is useful as it allows data below the canopy to be collected. 

 

Roger explained the usefulness of LiDAR in developing an inventory of the forest.  Species, height, diameter at breast height, tree health and physiology can be inferred from LiDAR data.

 

Relevance to the urban forest was briefly discussed.  LiDAR provides information on how a tree is growing from one year to the next and how the forest is functioning.  CRD and the city of Victoria collect information from the LiDAR studies.  LiDAR allows lumber companies to find large trees easily.

 

The presentation closed with a few questions from the audience.

 

4.      Introduced Guests

 

Janet Simpson introduced the guests.

 

Councillors-Pamela Madoff, Ben Isitt

City Planning-Helen Cain

City Engineering and Public Works-Jas Paul

Neighbourhood and Community Development-Kimberley Stratford

Government House-Jamie Hammond

Langham Court Theater-Montgomery Bjornson

Greater Victoria Public Library-Alyssa Polinsky

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria-Jon Tupper

City Parks-Julie MacDougall

 

5.      Introduction of Current Board

 

President, Chair-Woodland Garden-Janet Simpson

Vice President, Chair-Land Use, Chair-Social-Bob June

Secretary-Sue Simpson

Treasurer, Chair-Traffic-Norman Clark

Chair-Environment- Dave Clark

Land Use-       Vanessa Dingley

                        Ian Mayhill

Heritage- John Edwards

Communication-Stephen Roughley

2015 Neighbourhood Event-Dogmania-Marc Hunter

 

Janet Simpson, on behalf of the board, thanked Jane Wheatley for the years she served on the board and the Land Use Committee.

 

6.      Introduction of Board Support

 

Webmaster-Don Hamilton

Communication-Catherine Spencer

Welcome-Eileen Nurmi

Newsletter-Helen Edwards

 

7.      President’s remarks

 

Janet Simpson thanked Heather Grampp for her help at the registration desk.  She also thanked the Friends of Government House for the use of the cottage for the board meetings.

 

Dave Clark confirmed a quorum was in attendance.  Ten percent of membership is required.  Greater than 50% of the membership was present.

 

8.      Motion:  To approve Minutes of Annual General Meeting, February 2014, Helen Edwards moved; Lloyd Ollila seconded; Carried

 

9.      Reports

 

As included in the program

 

Motion:  To accept reports, Ethelyn McInnes-Rankin moved; Marc Hunter seconded; Carried

 

10.   Members’ Concerns

 

Lloyd Ollila had questions about the process for the Abstract development ton Rockland, specifically about the cancellation of a meeting and no notification of the rescheduled meeting.

Helen Cain indicated that the application for that development is on hold and that the meeting to approve the zoning has not yet been scheduled.  She also indicated that a public meeting had been held and that the opportunity for public input is over.

 

Bob June indicated that zoning along Rockland generally restricts height to three stories.  However, in the new Official Community Plan (OCP), there are new, more liberal height and density guidelines along the Rockland/Oak Bay corridor.  The other Land Use chairs in Victoria are trying to meet with the mayor and council to ask them to allocate resources to speed the process of aligning the OCP with community needs through Local Area Planning.

 

Lawrence Bortoluzzi asked about the financial impact of the new stormwater management plan on residents.

Jas Paul responded that the program is designed to be revenue neutral.  There will likely be little change for the average homeowner.  The fee will be based on roof area and will not include the driveway.

 

Bessie Ellis expressed a number of concerns regarding the renovation/construction of the Art Gallery, specifically increased dust, increased traffic and loss of sunlight on Pentrelew Place.

Jon Tupper indicated that Kinetic has experience managing disruption at construction sites.  The construction is expected to last 16-18 months.  He also said that all shadows caused by a change in building height will only affect the Art Gallery property.

 

John Weaver asked if the RNA board has a point of view regarding amalgamation and will it be making a public statement given that the ballot question received a favourable response in the municipal election last year.

Janet Simpson responded that the board has not formulated a point of view on amalgamation.

 

Doug Goodall asked if there were a neighbourhood watch group.

            Janet Simpson responded that there are several.

 

Lawrence Bortoluzzi requested that the RNA board endorse Councillor Chris Coleman who has stated that deer need to be managed.  He asked why the Victoria councilors are not taking action in the same way as Oak Bay.  Janice Drent asked if the RNA would be willing to send a letter to mayor and council stating our concerns about deer.  Daniel Harper noted that the deer do not bother him.

Janet Simpson indicated that the topic of deer management is part of the RNA strategic plan.  This topic will be an agenda item at the next board meeting.

Pamela Madoff indicted that deer management is on the list of the city’s priorities.  She is in favour of deer management and thinks a regional plan is needed.

 

Carl Jongbloed expressed concern about the encroachment of hedges onto the sidewalks of St. Charles.

            Jas Paul suggested that he inform Public Works of his concern.

Janet Simpson indicated that this topic will be an agenda item at the next board meeting.

 

John Dingley asked if council is addressing the proliferation of AirBnBs in the area.

Pamela Madoff responded that there are 400 AirBnbs in the region.  The former council had contacted the company running AirBnBs to dicsuss regulation and taxation.

 

Marc Hunter indicated that he has difficulty exiting his driveway as the yellow curb doesn’t deter tourists since they don’t understand its significance.  He has asked for “No Parking” signs and asked for the status of these signs. Bessie Ellis indicated that a similar problem existed on Pentrelew Place, and that signage addressed the issue.

            Jas Paul will connect with Marc after the meeting to discuss this issue further.

 

11.   Nominating Committee

 

Lloyd Ollila, Chair; Eileen Nurmi, Ethelyn McInnes-Rankin

 

For President, Janet Simpson

For Vice President, Bob June

For Treasurer, Norman Clark

For Secretary, Sue Simpson

 

For Directors

Dave Clark

Vanessa Dingley

Marc Hunter

David McWalter

Ian Mayhill

John Edward

Stephen Roughley

 

All by acclamation.

 

12.   Motion:  To adjourn at 9:15 p.m., John Weaver moved; Michael Rankin seconded; Carried

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Susan Simpson, Secretary