Rockland
Neighbourhood Association: Minutes of the Board
Meeting of Board of Directors
November 12th, 2008
Directors Present: Doreen Mueller, Janet Simpson, Dave Clark, John Weaver, Lois Johnson, Bob June, Wayne Poohachoff,
Absent: Jarren Butterworth, Richard Cane, John Edwards, Carrie
Greschner, Jurgen Mitbrodt, Guests: Bea Holland, Dan Marzocco,
Arborist. David Speed, Manager of City Parks
Summary of Motions and Action Items:
Motion – To thank Bea Holland for her dedicated service Motion – To
report on community meeting for Craigdarroch Rest Home to Brian
Sikstrom Motion – To post the Neighbour feedback form / checklist
to the website
Meeting called to order at 19:05
Agenda
Motion To accept agenda . (JW/DC) Carried
Minutes of October 8th 2008
Motion To accept minutes . (DC /JS) Carried
Presentation – Urban Forest Plan David Speed: Purpose is to develop an urban forest strategy for the City of Victoria
50 year vision; Street trees contribution to neighbourhood character.
Consultants - Jeremy Gye (urban forester) and Judith Cullington
(planner). Rockland representative on the working group is Dave Clark.
Public forums on Urban Forest Planning are scheduled
Tuesday January 20, 2009 from 6-9 PM, and Saturday, January 24th, 10 AM to 1 PM
Dan Marzocco (supervisor of arboriculture) -
40,000 trees on city property; half are street trees, half in parks and
public spaces. 50% are past vigorous life. Urban life has stresses for
trees - pollutants, limb breakage, soil compaction, Trees are
critical to residents, storm water management, Seek a mix of
imported species, native species.
Garry Oak probably OK with climate change, Flowering plums,
cherries are stressed and vulnerable. Cedars and others requiring
supplemental water are at risk. Replacement trees - not necessarily the
same species - similar, but more resistant to today's pests.
At council last week, BC Hydro met to discuss "slingshot" pruning approach for utilities.
Working on a partnership for proactive inventory and pruning, to be
implemented by city and financially supported by Hydro. ($80k per year).
Questions: Do grey squirrels damage trees? - not known to be an issue. Discussion:
Consider the Vancouver model of budgeting an annual fund for every
planted tree. The first 7 years are critical - watering and
pruning. Is mid-term maintenance a bottleneck? Funds for tree
purchase is not a limiting factor.
Trees Canada UBCM brochures offer free trees (Chris Coleman)
Consider education targeted to bring residents into the partnership. Consider underground services.
The Rockland Land Use (strategy) committee envisions three projects -
Replacement trees for Rockland neighbourhood
- worked with Corey to develop an inventory - want it integrated with City's Geographic Information Sysytem.
New tree team to develop a work plan for proactive planting and care.
Greenways - benches on walking routes to shopping areas and to tourist
attractions. - City specifications, with resident support. Doug DeMarzo
is new Greenways planner.
(BJ arrived 19:35)
Councillor’s report
Council hasn't met recently - next is Nov 27th, Inaugural is Dec 2nd
City Manager is back from leave of absence. No for provision in
plans for Propane tank farm within municipality.
Motion (DC/ JW) To thank Bea for her dedicated service to the city, to
Rockland, and for her sage advice on a number of issues! Carried
Treasurer's Quarterly Report
General Account $13323.30 Garden
$1901.80 walking tour $1501.22
Motion (DM/DC) to accept the financial report. Carried
Business Arising
Clarify Threshold of B&B size -
For a four bedroom home you can have 2 B&B, Copy of bylaw can be found on city web site.
Committee Reports
Land Use (zoning)
Craigdarroch Care Home -
Letter to Brian Sikstrom - report on community meeting - 4 residents attended. Support plus concerns:
Massing of the structure Architecture not in sympathy with the
neighbouring structures. Parking - Licence agreement with the church
not long term. Expansion from 18 residents to 25.
Motion (WP/BJ) to approve the letter, amendment will be circulated by email. Carried
Letter sent to City re: Terrace Avenue - CALUC process not followed.
City initiated the process to bring the structure into conformance with bylaws.
Neighbour feedback form - A checklist to clarify the requirements of
the developer, for first point of contact between developer and
neighbours. Neighbours signoff approval or disapproval on each item.
Motion (DC/DM) to approve posting the checklist to the website, and cc to Brian Sikstrom Carried
Communications
Membership, Welcome - 1 new member, package delivered
Social
The Fairfield Rockland all candidates forum was successful, format was
appreciated. Turnout about 150. Fernwood Community meeting was
cancelled because school was having a Halloween night same day. Truth
Centre is no longer renting their space, but Lutheran Hall is. The
City's coordination of available dates broke down and what was a free
night was double booked, so Rockland backed out of a planned event.
Garden
Firwood Nurseries, on Batu Road, supplied the native rhododendron; 7 were planted in the garden.
VIHA harm reduction advisory committee meeting - DM attended
conclusion: one solution does not fit all situations. Future
dates have been set for monthly meetings. Community and Neighbourhood
Associations will have input on the selection of meeting location.
Correspondence (letters, phone calls, email)
Positive feedback on our participation in candidate meetings. JW letter
to the editor on Amalgamation benefits include stronger voice with
other large cities in Canada. Renew membership in FOGH
JE applying to be on the water advisory committee.
Close of meeting –
Motion to adjourn (JW/DC) at 20:34 Carried