Rockland Neighbourhood Association:  Minutes of the Board
Meeting of the Board of Directors


March 11th, 2009

Directors Present:  Janet Simpson, Doreen Mueller, John Weaver, Dave Clark, Lois Johnson, Bob June, Catherine Spencer, Jay Jennings
Regrets:  Tony Wade, John Edwards, Richard Cane
Guest:  Councilor Chris Coleman

Summary of Motions and action items:
    Motion    to send the issue of Beverly Place variance to the LU(z) committee for recommendation
    Motion    to accept the proposal for a “Graffiti Squad” and ask for a budget proposal
    Motion    to move the balance of the “Walking Tour” account into the General Account
    Action    review discussion, guidelines and pricing of advertising developed several years ago, for reference

Meeting called to order at 19:05

1.    Agenda
Motion     (JW/DC) to accept agenda, as amended      Carried
Add: Treasurer's Report, and under New Business – Schools motion, Banners, Definition of mailouts

2.    Minutes of January 14th 2009
Motion    (JJ/JW) to accept minutes, as amended        Carried
Change Land Use (zoning) report to read “...request for variances - relaxation of front, side and back setbacks,and increase in site coverage. This proposal by Abstract Developments requests that rental units be demolished and 12 new Condominiums be built.”

3.    Minutes of the February 11th Annual General Meeting
Motion    (JJ/DC) to post the minutes, as draft, on the web site.        Carried

4.    AGM Review and recommendations
    Venue was good, more intimate than the Truth Centre, and should be considered for subsequent meetings
    The speakers ran too long, and we lost audience towards the end. Possible solutions include:
    Reduce the number of invited guests
    More aggressively limit their time
    Have them submit written reports prior to the meeting for inclusion in the hand-out booklet
    (... or not, as few will read the content)

5.    Councilor's Report
    Outlined the City's seven immediate strategic priorities for the next 6 months, including homelessness, affordable housing, Council decision-making, enhanced communications, harm reduction, quality core service delivery and downtown late night nuisances.
    National and international recognition of 5 municipal employees for various contributions.
    Amended hours for Parks bylaw that regulates temporary overhead shelters.
    Victoria Emergency Management Agency offering emergency preparedness workshops.
    Secondary Suites grant program starts March 30th
    Storm drain renewal in low-lying areas.
    Special grants application deadline is March 31st.
    Upcoming workshops on identification and management of invasive plants
    Chris will continue his practice of neighbourhood walkabouts and open houses to engage residents.

6.    Committee Reports
•    Land Use (zoning) –
    1001 Terrace Avenue – City will not force strata to apply for rezoning.
    Richmond Court – anti-demolition bylaw, triggered if rental vacancy rate falls below 2%, has a 6-month limit, with no extensions.
    Property at the corner of Beverley Place and Oak Bay Avenue – variance sought to relax site area coverage. Currently zoned R3-A2 – rest home class B is permitted use. Owned by BC Housing, and proposed to be supportive housing for up to 10 men recovering from substance addiction, to be operated by Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA). April 6th is deadline for RNA comment
Motion: (JS/JJ) to send this issue to the LU(z) committee for recommendation, to be circulated to the board by e-mail.        carried
Discussion: Consider a “good neighbour” agreement, and look for penalties or other considerations in favour of the neighbourhood in the event of non-compliance.
    Wayne Hollohan will ask all NA/CA to write a letter requesting that the City incorporate existing neighbourhood plans into the Official Community Plan.
    Membership
    Currently 124 members, about the same level as last year at this time
    Personal information permissions on the membership form are often ignored or misinterpreted. May have to redesign that section.
    Traffic
    RC is drafting a letter to summarize the outcome of meetings with residents of Montgomery and Gonzales Avenue with regards to amenities offered by developer -  Bruce Wilkin Design.
    Graffiti
    Letter from Lloyd Ollila proposing a “graffiti squad” to coordinate volunteer efforts for timely cover-up of graffiti.
Motion: (JJ/DC) to accept the proposal and ask for a budget proposal.        carried.
    Garden
    Date for Master Gardener Clinic is April 21st.
    Social
    Proposal for a block party on Manor Road, with all of Rockland invited.
Discussion: Demographics of an aged population may preclude a successful street party. Alternate suggestions include indoor venue, such as the Art Gallery.
    Land Use (strategy)
    DC will take over as representative on Parks committee.
    Needle Exchange - progress on communications plan, criteria for locating a fixed needle exchange was developed.
    Sustainability – facilitated workshop was seen to be of limited value.
    Treasurer's report
    John re-iterated his intention to resign from the treasurer's position as soon as his successor is in place.
    Bank is poised to charge hefty service fee on inactive accounts.
Motion (JJ/CS) to move the balance of the “Walking Tour” account into the General Account.        Carried.
    Communications
    Request to advertise composting service in our newsletter was supported by board.
Action: review discussion, guidelines and pricing developed several years ago for reference.

7.    New Business
    The RNA board turned down a request to Neighbourhood Associations to write a letter of support to restore capital budget for school replacement and retrofitting
    The Board does not support investigation of design and pricing of banners to be affixed to utility poles in the neighbourhood.
    Definition of mailouts – discussion deferred until next meeting.
    Next meeting Don Hamilton will attend to discuss the web site.

8.    Close of meeting –
Motion to adjourn at 21:03        Carried