Meeting of Board of Directors
July 9, 2003
Friends of Government House Meeting Room

Directors Present:  Catherine Spencer, Brian Allen, Doris Schuh; Susan Bartol-Drinker; Helmut Hissen; Leigh Large; Jane Lunt; Gordon McAllister; Ethelyn McInnes-Rankin; Walter Yeo

Directors Absent:  Honya Androsoff; Kathryn Leseuer, Frank Ryan; Pam Tobin

In attendance:  Councillor Chris Coleman

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.

Gordon McAllister announced his resignation from the board, effective immediately, and then left the meeting.

1.  Agenda:  addition of item "welcome letter" under item 7, by Helmut Hissen
    Motion:  approval of agenda as amended.                Carried

2. Minutes of June 11, 2003:  amended as requested by letter from Karen Ramsey
Motion:  approval of the minutes as amended.            Carried

3.  Councillor Chris Coleman reported on recent activities of City Council:
    a)  901 Richmond will go forward to public hearing
    b)  Dogs off-leash - public fact-finding meeting in August.
                                          - there are 6-8 off-leash sites in the City.  None in Rockland.

4.  Correspondence: 
    Motion:  that a letter go to Gordon McAllister, acknowledging his resignation.
                                        Carried
            - letter requesting volunteers to assist at Government House on BC Day, Aug. 2nd
       Contact Betty Wright at 658 5820 or "mailto:betwright1@shaw.ca"

-  from Betty Gibbons re: Greenways Plan.  Send comments to Catherine Spencer
    -  from City of Victoria - 107 Berkley Terrace (not in Rockland)
                - Kipling Street - rezoning public hearing (not in Rockland)
                - Gonzales Community Plan
                - Development Grant applications are approved
                - Victoria City Council minutes - June 12 and 26, 2003
                - letter re: paving curbs on Pemberton Road
                - letter re:  buses on Craigdarroch - referred to Walter Yeo
5.  Telephone Calls:
- to Catherine Spencer from president of the Hallmark Society

6. Committee Reports:

    Community Association Network: 
    Susan Bartol-Drinker reported on the June 18th meeting. 
        - Alan Cambell spoke on the Sobering Centre on Pembroke Street.
        - Election for new chairman will take place in September.

    Garden:
    Ethelyn McInnes-Rankin reported that David Clark had correspondence with the     Friary regarding the removal of plants.  This letter helped to clarify the plant     material which needs to be nurtured.
    The next neighbourhood gardening "bee" (all volunteers welcomed!) will be on         September 27th, 2003 beginning at 1:00 p.m.
    Check the website for the wish list for further garden plant contributions.

    Environment:  no report

    Land Use:
    The joint meeting of land use committees of nine neighbourhood associations
    was well attend with 18 persons participating.  There were many issues and
    shared concerns.  Different associations deal with these issues in different ways. 
    Helmut Hissen asked of Chris Coleman "What can we do to be helpful?" 
    A further meeting is scheduled for July 22nd - to be facilitated by Dyan     Dumsmoor-Farley.

The June 25th meeting of the committee was attended by Neil and Peggy Beswick with consultant, Dan Boot.  Some changes have been made to their first proposal:  the rear is less institutional; parking has been reconfigured; there are new heritage colours.  There is no change in size.  A second public meeting hosted by the RNA   will not be necessary.

    Social:  Cecilia Peters reported that the social is booked for November 12th at     Craigdarroch Castle.  She requested input on price of tickets. 
    Motion:  that the price charged for tickets be $7.00 each.        Carried

    Newsletter:  Helmut Hissen reported that 3,000 newsletters were printed. 
    He believes that the next run should be no more than 2,600.  He would like to     publish again in September/October and requested that members submit articles.
    Motion:  appreciation and congratulations to Helmut.        Carried.

There was a request to Chris Coleman regarding the possibility of neighbourhood associations combining on printing costs and using City printing facilities or adding     purchase orders for paper through the City of Victoria.

    Traffic and Safety:  Tour buses are travelling along Rockland Avenue. 
    Tourism Victoria has a map where tourist buses are permitted to travel. 
    Chris Coleman will speak to City staff.


7.  New Business:

    Strategic Planning: 
    No additional funds are available from the City. 
    David Clark has indicated that he would be willing to facilitate. 
    Walter Yeo offered to facilitate. 
    Motion:  that the executive committee begin the process.        Carried.

    Welcome letter for new neighbours:
    Helmut Hissen is working on this letter and will email a draft to directors.


8.  Date and Place of Next Meeting: 
    September 10, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the Government House Volunteers’ Centre


9.  Close of meeting - took place at 8:40 p.m.