Rockland Neighbourhood Association:  Minutes of the Board

Meeting of the Board of Directors

 

March 14th, 2012

 

Directors Present: Bob June (BJ), Dave Clark (DC), John Edwards (JE), David Hambleton (DH), Norman Clark (NC),  Bill Brooks (BB). Jane Wheatley (JW)

 

Regrets: Janet Simpson (JS), John Caldwell (JC),

Guests: Councillor Ben Isitt (BI) Ann and Kosta Malczyk, Jon Tupper (JT), Helen Lantz.

 

Summary of motions and actions:

 

Action – ACTION : BB will send JT a copy of the Neighbourhood feedback form to JT to give an idea of the aspects that concern neighbours.

Motion - RNA approve up to $5000 in matching grants for cash and other donations, for use at the discretion of the 150Victoria committee.

Motion - RNA will distribute City Hall/ Council updates from our Council liason through the listserve,

 

Meeting called to order at 19:06

 

 

  1. Agenda

Motion   to accept agenda as amended           (DC/JE)                                   Carried unanimously

 

Start with Presentation from Art Gallery, brief presentation from the Malczyks; add Heritage Awards

 

  1. Presentation from Art Gallery

AGGV has gone through cycles of planning to move (wholly or partially) to a downtown location, but nothing yet. JT is convinced that the move won’t happen.

The first addition to the Spencer Mansion was in the 1970’s, and there have been 4 subsequent additions. Talk about moving is distracting – one impact has been to decrease investment in the building. As a consequence a recent engineering study concludes that the gallery can stay, but some wings need upgrade. AGGV has more items than Vancouver. Storage in a controlled atmosphere is an ongoing issue.

 

So, strategy over the 15 year horizon is to go forward with renovation program. Parking may be less than what is required by code, but there have been no neighbor complaints. The Moss Street Façade has too many exits, and has been tagged with a lot of graffiti. Worked with youth to create a graffiti art (removable and temporary), but taggers subsequently hit the loading bay. There was discussion about the need for reporting to trigger an appropriate level of response from City Police. long-term police action. Security camera has been re-aligned and now provides a better view.

 

RNA is working to partner with AGGV for Victoria150 celebration in September.

HL is member of the AGGV Board.

Publishing a book “The Spencer Mansion – a home and an art gallery”

 

 

 

BB arrives 7:20

JW arrived 7:30

 

The AGGV will consult with the Neighbourhood Association for any large proposed changes, including presentation to the Land Use committee if variances or rezoning contemplated.

ACTION : BB will send JT a copy of the Neighbourhood feedback form to JT to give an idea of the aspects that concern neighbours.

 

The AGGV is hosting events to generate additional cash flow – weddings etc.

 

Discussion: BI – publicity around the “Victoria Collects” exhibit had a tone of elitism.

(Ans) JT- Aboriginal curators are now working at the gallery – part of initiative to reach out to other demographics. The “Urban Associates” program targets younger patrons.

 

 

  1. Ann and Kosta Malczyk. Own 1598 Rockland – 1904 McClure design – legal 5-plex on a large lot. Heritage listed, not designated. –Need to generate capital to effect upgrades to the house.

The Malczyks are proposing to replace 2 existing garages with two larger footprint townhouses, unseen from the road, and strata title. No change to front yard.

 

City Planning staff don’t think this will get approved, due to – density increases, required variances in setbacks. The Malczyks would like to get an early indication of the receptivity of the Neighbourhood Association to their plans for development.

 

Discussion: - Land Use Committee members described their current process, and invited the Malczyks to make a presentation to the committee.

 

 

  1. Councillor’s Report

1)    BI will submit content to the newsletter – about 500-1200 words.

2)    No issues at councils pertaining directly to Rockland. BJ – what was the process and total budget for allocations to celebration grant money? BI: the City has a separate internal budget for undertaking the administration of the celebration. $65k has been allocated for travel of sister city citizens. ACTION – RNA 150 committee will write a letter to the grant allocation group at City Hall.

3)    Councillors’ report – Chris Coleman’ digest might be too big. BI did a 60 day and a 100 day report.  ACTION – DC will send links to BI that shows examples of that format.   ..

4)    Documents for requested variances for property at the corner of Oak Bay Avenue at Richmond went to Fairfield Community Association in error, thus were late getting to RNA committee. Letter went to request more time to comment. Door is still open – not yet on Council’s agenda. Can accept public feedback right up to the public hearing. Have until end of April.

5)    Meeting – rezoning 1778 Rockland – hearing went on without some of the strata owners in town.

 

  1. Minutes of January 14th, 2011

Motion to accept minutes      (DC/BB)                    Carried unanimously

 

 

  1. Minutes of AGM –

Motion:  To approve posting of draft.          (DC/JE)           Carried unanimously

 

  1. New director - Norman Clark – Rockland resident for 5 years, retired CA. Will take on Traffic committee.

 

  1. Committee assignments  - All return to previous assignments. JW and BJ are co-chair of the 150 Victoria celebration.

 

  1. Business arising from the minutes

1.     Feedback on AGM – rushed through the approval of committee reports – try to get the AGM booklet `out week or two in advance

2.     Speaker series – get date from Olaf, maybe Hallmark society.

3.     150 Year celebration

1.     $1000- received from city

2.     Committee decided to proceed, without closing the street.

Motion – (BJ/DC) to have RNA fund an additional $1000 for 150 Celebration in September.

Discussion – the amount should be greater, given our current balance and the opportunity that has been presented. Rockland should match everything up to $5000. Match in-kind donations? E.g., tents donated – RNA match a reasonable value? Match volunteer hours?

Friendly amendment – (BB/DC) That RNA approve up to $5000 in matching grants for cash and other donations, for use at the discretion of the 150Victoria committee.  Amendment Carried unanimously;

 

New motion That RNA approve up to $5000 in matching grants for cash and other donations, for use at the discretion of the 150Victoria committee.  Carried unanimously

 

 

 

  1. Committee Reports

Land Use

Richmond / Oak Bay avenue

First garden suite proposal to come to the committee  - House is on Richardson. Adjacent to path to Warren Gardens – 3 doors down from St. Mattias. Non-conforming due to presence of bachelor suite. Hearing April 4th at 1330 Fairfield – high vegetation, amenable lot – seems well suited for garden suite, neighbours are onside.

LUC only concern was a low fence with one neighbor.

 

Communications

Newsletter content deadline March 15th.

Heritage awards May  1st. – 2 nominations - 1015 Moss Street; and Shawnigan Lake – Kinsoll Trestle

 

Social

Thanks to RNA for additional $.

Government House will support the “150” event, e.g., use of bandshell.

 

Membership – Welcome committee (Eileen Nurmi and Susan Simpson) report 5 visits this past month.

 

Traffic – 5 potential committee members.

 

  1. New Business

Mayor would like to initiate a meeting,– Open dates – October Board meeting or AGM in February 2013

 

 Motion           (BJ/DC)          RNA will distribute City Hall/ Council updates from our Council liason through the listserve, rather than the Updates that have been provided by Councillor Chris Coleman.  Carried unanimously

 

  1. Motion to adjourn  (JS/BJ) 21:36