Rockland
Neighbourhood Association: Minutes of the Board
Meeting of the Board of Directors
September 9th, 2009
Directors Present: Janet Simpson, Dave Clark, Doreen
Mueller, John Weaver, John Edwards, Lois Johnson, Catherine Spencer,
Tony Wade
Regrets: Bob June
Guests: His Worship Mayor Dean Fortin, Mayor's assistant Sophie Xian
Summary of motions:
Motion: To write a letter to the City identifying
the source of funds that was used to develop a legal opinion
Motion: To send out to the e-mail distribution list Chris Coleman's Councilor's report on a monthly basis.
Motion: That current Board members announce their
intention to run for the 2010 board, and that the president develop a
strategy to recruit new board and committee members
Meeting called to order at 19:05
1. Agenda
Motion (TW/DC) to accept agenda, as amended Carried
Add: Mayor's report on options for replacement of the Johnson Street Bridge; and preparation for 2010 AGM.
2. Mayor's report:
His Worship Mayor Dean Fortin presented some background on the
replacement of the Johnson Street Bridge, and spoke to the 3 designs
under consideration. All 3 designs are similar in cost, impact and
seismic stability.
The rail portion will have the same alignment, but the vehicle lanes
will be relocated to the north side, and the pedestrian walkway will be
on the south side, slightly below road level. This realignment of the
vehicle lanes will eliminate the “S” curve on the west approach and
permit consolidation of the various green spaces on both the north and
south sides.
All 3 designs are variations of Bascule spans.
A) Cable stays – the “Erasmus” design from Rotterdam
B) Roller design – the Canary Wharf design
C) High Counterweight design – Van Gogh
Residents are invited to vote on their favourite design up until the
September 24th decision. If funding is in place, construction of the
coffer dams for the footings will commence in November.
Discussion on 1322 Rockland:
Although nothing is signed yet, the BC Housing
Authority may eventually hold the lease on 1322 Rockland, instead of
either VIHA or the contractor/operator of the facility. This will lead
to simplified processes and the City's involvement.
The bankruptcies associated with the Travellers'
Inn facilities presents an opportunity for conversion of some units to
supportive and low-income housing.
At the public meeting in June DM requested an
analysis of the distribution of VIHA managed facilities by
neighbourhood and municipality; it appears that the City will not
undertake such analysis.
A concern was expressed that any pre-1931 home in
Rockland can be converted to a care facility for 20 beds or less. If
the case of 1322 Rockland is applied, the zoning is sufficiently
general that any of these could also be licenced for residential care.
3. Minutes of August 12th, 2009
Motion (DC/TW) to accept minutes Carried
4. Minutes of July 8th, 2009
Motion (DC/TW) to amend the previously approved minutes. Carried
Add Discussion of the motion to send Mulroney letter to the City; Add
the action point for the Treasurer to determine if membership fees are
sufficient to cover expenses associated with developing legal opinion
on 1322 Rockland land use proposal.
5. Business arising from the Minutes
C.A.N. has requested input into new terms of reference for that
organization. The board will not provide input at this time. Once the
new terms of reference are developed, the board will review them and at
that time decide whether to assign an RNA representative to C.A.N.
6. Committee Reports
Land Use (zoning)
There may be some speculation that RNA used City
grant funds for the purpose of developing a position on land use for
1322 Rockland.
Motion: (JS/DM) to write a letter to the City identifying the source of
funds that was used to develop a legal opinion on issues relating to
land use at 1322 Rockland. Carried
The office of the ombudsman is working to determine
if there are grounds for an investigation relating to 1322 Rockland.
1660 Richardson – application to rezone to R-2 (duplex) - awaiting feedback from the immediate neighbours
Communications
Motion: (DC/TW) To send out to the e-mail distribution list
Chris Coleman's Councilor's report on a monthly basis. Carried
Graffiti
LO and DH will work with the funds approved last month
Traffic
Bill Scott will chair the committee and report to the board through JS.
7. New Business
Recruitment of Directors.
Motion: (DM/DC) That current Board members announce their intention to
run for the 2010 board, and that the president develop a strategy to
recruit new board and committee members. Carried
1322 Rockland. - As the care facility appears to be
proceeding, do we want to develop a strategy on how we can work with
the operation to ensure neighbours' issues are considered in an
effective manner? - Send ideas to DM
8. Close of meeting –
Motion to adjourn at 20:29 Carried