Rockland
Neighbourhood Association:
REPORTS OF THE
COMMITTEES 2009
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Wednesday February 10, 2010
Grace Lutheran Church, 1273 Fort Street Victoria, B.C.
Agenda
2009 Board of Directors
President: Janet Simpson
Vice President: Richard Cane (resigned)
Secretary: Dave Clark
Treasurer: John Weaver
Past President: Doreen Mueller
Directors:
John Edwards
Lois Johnson
Bob June
Catherine Spencer
Tony Wade
Jay Jennings (resigned)
Randall Walford (resigned)
Introduction of 2009 Board of Directors
Featured Speaker: David Speed, Assistant Director, City Parks
Introduction of Guests – Councillors – City of Victoria Brian
Sikstrom – Senior Planner, Victoria Barry Holmes – Greater
Victoria Public Library Alex Muir – Friends of Government House Colleen
Williams – Craigdarroch Castle Mark Loria Art Gallery of Greater
Victoria Ralston Alexander – Victoria Police Board Chief Jamie Graham -
Victoria Police Ray Lonsdale - Victoria Police
Minutes of Feb. 11, 2009
Annual General Meeting
President’s Report Financial Report
Committee Reports Members’ Concerns Report of the Nominating Committee
Elections of Directors for 2009
Closing Remarks
ROCKLAND NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
held February 11, 2009
at the Grace Lutheran Church
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. There were 56 voting members in attendance.
2. Motion: to approve the agenda (John Weaver / Janet Simpson) Carried
3. Vice President Janet Simpson introduced the Board
members in attendance, and thanked departing directors Wayne Poohachof,
Jarren Butterworth, Carrie Greschner and Jurgen Mitbrodt..
4. Featured Speaker: Chief of Police Jamie Graham.
Chief Graham has 40 years of experience with the RCMP and Municipal Police Forces
He identified some roadblocks to better policing, including:
Bail conditions
Charge approval
Pardons
Non-returnable warrants
Homelessness
High ratio of cases to staff
He proposed some “big picture” solutions
The “Con Air” program to address non-returnable warrants
5 full-time school liaison officers – literacy is the long-term solution
Getting the good news stories out
A flexible strategy document that includes goals of:
reduction of chaos and disorder downtown
reduction of violent crime and property crime
increase in recruiting efforts
5. Ray Lonsdale, Victoria Police crime data analyst
Ray's task is to find patterns and forecast criminal activity.
He works with Block Watch and Crime Watch groups,
and seeks to provide follow-up on their reports to police - “What
happened as a result?”
Of all Victoria Neighbourhoods, Rockland has the
highest population and the lowest number of “calls for service”
The most frequent category is theft, followed by
suspicious circumstance, break and enter, disturbance and ambulance
assistance.
Their unit is exploring Information Technology
solutions to better two-way communications with community groups.
6. Introduction of guests
Brian Sikstrom – Neighbourhood Planner, City of Victoria
• deals with zoning and development permits
• other planning units include:
• Community Planning
• Social Development Planning
• Sustainable Development
• New initiatives include Pedestrian Master Plan, Secondary Suites and Urban Forest Strategy
Barry Holmes – Library Board – upcoming open houses
Herb LeRoy - Government House
Anticipates a number of high-profile Heads of State
visits next year, in association with the Winter Olympics
Will host the Governor General and other Lieutenant Governors between the Olympics and Para-olympics.
Deer on grounds – may work with Conservation Officers to live-trap and relocate some deer
Alex Muir - Friends of Government House – March 3rd is start of garden activity
Lynda Henriksen - Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
April 2nd – meet the new Director, John Tupper
Current collaboration with Langham Court Theatre –
Current contemporary exhibit “Assume Nothing”
Colleen Williams - Craigdarroch Castle
• Grounds project led by Joe Daly – restore south lawn and pathways
• Recreate the gate posts either side of Joan Crescent at Fort Street.
Ralston Alexander - Victoria Police Board
Liaison for Rockland – bring any issues to his attention
March 28th blitz - Get involved in Block Watch
Inspector Bob Gehl, Sergeant Sean Plater – Victoria Police
Sgt. Plater is coordinator of volunteer services.
Chris Coleman – Councillor, City of Victoria
• Resumes as City Hall liaison for Rockland
Neighburhood after 3 years with James Bay Community Association.
• Encourages Neighbours to call him directly if they
have concerns or would like to discuss issues. (w) 250-361-0223
7. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting - February 13, 2008
Motion to accept the minutes (Wayne Poohachof / Dave Clark) Carried
8. President’s Report (Doreen Mueller)
Motion to accept the report (Lloyd Ollila / Dave Clark) Carried
9. Financial Report (John Weaver)
Motion to accept the financial report (Doris Schuh/Dave Clark) Carried
10. Committee Reports:
Motion to accept the Communications report (Dave Clark/Jay Jennings); Carried
Motion to accept the Land Use Zoning report (Helen Edwards/Dave Clark) Carried
Motion to accept the Land Use Strategy report (Jay Jennings/Dave Clark); Carried
Motion to accept the Community Association Network
report (Lloyd Ollila/Richard Cane); Carried
Motion to accept the Traffic report (Richard Cane/Lloyd Ollila); Carried
Motion to accept the Woodland Garden report (Dave Clark/Lloyd Ollila); Carried
Motion to accept the Membership report (Helen Edwards/Heather Grampp); Carried
11. Members' concerns –
Helmut Hissen sought clarification on the Personal Information
Permissions that are now a part of the Membership Application Form. His
concerns included whether members can opt out of being contacted for
extraordinary meetings, and whether the membership list could be
accessed by third parties. Dave Clark, Membership Chair
confirmed that there have been no instances to date where any personal
information has been released to anyone. ACTION: The new RNA
Board will look at implications of personal information permissions and
the Electioneering bylaw
12. Report of the nominating Committee
Lloyd Ollila, Chair of the Nominating Committee,
which included Mitchell Hammond and Katherine LeSueur, presented
nominations for officers and directors.
Elections: (all by acclamation)
for Past President: Doreen Mueller
for President: Janet Simpson
for Vice President: Richard Cane
for Secretary: Dave Clark
for Treasurer: John Weaver
Directors (all by acclamation):
Bob June
Tony Wade
Jay Jennings
John Edwards
Lois Johnson
Catherine Spencer (nominated from the floor by Ludmilla Weaver)
13. Motion to adjourn at 9:54 PM (Dave
Clark/Wayne Poohachof) Carried
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
It has been my pleasure to serve as your president for 2009.
Working with the enthusiastic, dedicated people you elected as
executive and directors has been, as always, an interesting
experience. We’ve had humorous meetings, puzzling moments,
impassioned debates, and challenging situations – throughout it all I
was struck by everyone’s unwavering desire to do what he or she felt
was in the best interests of the entire neighbourhood.
Unfortunately, we were not able to hold on to all twelve members of our
Board. Their reasons for leaving were varied, and their
participation up to the time of their departure was much
appreciated. Nine of us continued on, chairing the committees and
handling arising issues. I would like to extend my sincere thanks
to those who are letting their names stand for re-election. A
degree of continuity is vital in paving the way for the new Board.
The relationship between a neighbourbood association and the city is an
important one. This year, the newly-elected Mayor and council
made clear its intention to expand supportive housing throughout the
city, which is likely to have significant impact on Rockland.
Indeed, much of our work since the last AGM has focused upon what types
of development are allowable within our zoning, and what types require
rezoning – along with public participation. It may be frustrating
to some to see so much effort going into land-use; however, building
size, site coverage, usage, and density issues affect all of us.
The very flavour of a neighbourhood is protected by its zoning.
Now it’s time to elect a new Board. It’s a chance to bring in
people with diverse skills and opinions, a chance to pilot new projects
and tweak ongoing ones, a chance for different groups of people to work
together to take positive action.
Anyone can be on the Board. Seventy percent of Rockland residents
are renters - a group which is clearly
underrepresented. Young adults – we need your vision and
input. People who have lived here for many years – you have seen
both positive and negative changes. New arrivals – join in
helping us to maintain what it is that attracted you.
It’s up to us to make Rockland the neighbourhood we want. Is it your turn to step up?
Janet Simpson
President
TREASURER’S REPORT
The accompanying Financial Statement for 2009 shows a healthy
balance on the 31st of December of $14,403.78 in the General Account
(538) and $1,773.40 in the project-directed Garden Account (303).
I wish to draw attention to a couple of points regarding this statement.
First, as mentioned in last year’s Treasurer’s Report, TD Canada Trust
had informed the Association that because our Walking Tour Account
(644) had been dormant for a number of years, they would start charging
a fee of $20 to retain the account if we didn’t start using it again
within 60 days. The funds in this account were being held to
finance a second and revised printing of the Rockland Walking Tour
brochures. With little likelihood there would be a need for a
second printing during the 60-day interval, the RNA Board unanimously
passed a motion at its meeting on the 11th of March, 2009, that the
balance of funds held in the Walking Tour Account be transferred to the
General Account, and that Account 664 be closed. The funds
transferred are still earmarked for Walking Tour brochures, and have
been listed as a separate item marked by a dagger on the accompanying
statement.
Second, since the amalgamation of the Base Funding Account (540) with
the General Account (538) in 2008 (in order to reduce unnecessary
paperwork and substantial bank charges for separate business-style
cheque and deposit books), it has been necessary to differentiate
clearly between expenses assigned to the City of Victoria grant and
those covered by membership dues. The City makes it quite clear what
allowable expenses may be charged against their grant – hall rentals,
newsletters, office supplies, website maintenance, and social
events. Other charges are funded by membership dues and are
therefore indicated by an asterisk on the statement.
This is my final year as Treasurer and I am not seeking re-election to
the RNA Board. It has been a pleasure to serve the Rockland
Neighbourhood Association for the past four years.
John Weaver
Treasurer
COMMITTEE REPORTS
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
Over the past year, the Committee was fortunate to have:
• Don Hamilton as RNA website master
• Catherine Spencer as the very valuable Rockland
listserv maintainer who sent out all the members newsletters and
correspondence.
During the year, numerous notices from the City workshops, events and
projects were forwarded to members. Due to the rising costs of
mailings, all members should make sure they are on the RNA listserv.
Newsletter
Two rather lengthy newsletters were sent out in Spring and Winter of
2009. In the future it has been suggested that four short newsletters
be sent out. Some very interesting articles came forward on 1322
Rockland and V.I.H.A., the development permit on 1729 Oak Bay Avenue,
Victoria Needle Exchange, the Graffiti squads, Neighbourhood Watch, and
the cinematograph of downtown Victoria produced May 4, 1907 by Wiiliam
Harbeck, for the Spring edition The Winter articles were on the
Craigdarroch Castle gates, the Councillors' Report from City Hall and
Amethyst Inn - Rockland Heritage.
I would like the thank those who contributed: Janet Simpson, Doreen
Mueller, Lloyd Ollila, Tony Wade, Bruce Davies, Councillor Chris
Coleman, and Helen Edwards who wrote the heritage articles and did the
production layout.
John Edwards
Chair
Electronic Communications
Electronic Communications features two distinct services, the WebPage and our listserv connection called Neighbours.
WEB PAGE www.rockland.bc.ca
Statistics for web activity were not generated for 2009 due to a
computer error. It is hoped that accurate records for web use for
2010 will be available for next year.
The Page provides several important services for the Association:
• provides easy access to members of the Board of Directors through email links
• offers copies of important correspondence by and to the Association
• maintains an important dates calendar for RNA business,
• notices and information about city hall issues are now provided
through Councillor Chris Coleman’s monthly Reports from City Hall.
• the minutes of the Board,
• reports about the Woodland Garden
• The Rockland Walking Tour.
• current and backfile issies of the Electronic Newsletter
• links to the City and to the Neighbourhood
Google searches for “Rockland Victoria” puts our page in first position.
The Page is a useful part of communication for the Association for
members and the general public. It has become an important archive for
the work of the association.
NEIGHBOURS
The email listserv delivers timely information to the whole
neighbourhood. About 150 people currently receive the letters.
The Electronic Newsletter is now delivered through this medium and
preserved in an archived file on the web page.
The cost of maintaining these services is about $150 per year.
Donald Hamilton
webmaster
donaldhamilton@shaw.ca
SOCIAL COMMITTEE
This committee has had limited activity this year with the primary
responsibility of arranging community meeting space and co-ordinating
services at those meetings.
Going forward, a director with strong special event planning skills
would be very desirable as there is an interest amongst the current
board to expand the RNA activities into the area of annual community
events. It is felt by the board that events of this type would help to
bring a greater sense of involvement in the neighborhood and the RNA
with such events, in turn, helping to build the association.
Bob June Chair
LAND USE COMMITTEE
This committee addresses issues including rezoning applications and
variance permits. It also liaises with city council and planning
over concerns specific to Rockland. The Neighbourhood Plan serves
as the basis of our discussions and correspondence.
Land Use Applications:
1322 Rockland Avenue
On April 1st, 2009, we met with Mayor Dean Fortin and representatives
from Mental Health and Addiction Services to discuss the proposal for
supportive housing. Notes from that meeting were subsequently
posted on the RNA website.
1729 Oak Bay Avenue
On April 5th, 2009, we responded to B.C. Housing’s application to
change the use of this property from “college fraternity” to
“Supportive Recovery,” with our concerns that the City's applicable
definitions and allowances for use were inadequate and urgently
required clarification, and that community consultation had excluded
the Neighbourhood Association and did not meet a sufficiently high
standard for transparency.
1057 Moss Street
On August 5th, we hosted a community meeting to discuss a rezoning
application that would allow three suites to be constructed over two
outbuildings which currently exist on the property. Two suites would be
located in a coach house and the third suite would be above a 3-bay
garage. The current zoning bylaws do not permit dwelling units in
accessory buildings, and previous applications of this type have been
rejected by the Rockland Neighbourhood Association and City
Council. We therefore recommended that no site-specific zoning be
granted.
1660/1662 Richardson Street
On November 4th, we hosted a community meeting to discuss a rezoning
request which would allow an existing duplex to be demolished and a new
side by side duplex to be constructed. In response to
overwhelming opposition to the plan (the main concern being the
configuration of the basements, which were perceived to invite the
possibility of the duplex becoming a 4-plex at a future time), the
applicant indicated he does not intend to proceed with this plan.
GRAFFITI GROUP
Last fall, Lloyd Ollila, John Caldwell and I discussed the
possibilities of creating a Graffiti Squad for Rockland that would
attack the persistent tagging of the poles and other fixtures on our
streets. It was clear to us that the City was not providing
timely cleanup of the graffiti nor were there plans to offer such
remediation. It was thought that a group of volunteers would be
assembled who would take on specific sections of the area and attempt
to keep ahead of the vandals. An initial call to the RNA
membership showed us that there were about a dozen people interested in
the notion.
With other pressures the initial group began to recognize the extent of
the problem and the difficulties in mounting a campaign that would act
quickly whenever an insult was seen. We then considered employing
an individual to undertake the first attack on hydro poles leaving
follow through to the volunteers. Funds were requested from the
Board and set aside for this person by RNA.
We know that we need supplies of paint and tools, a place to store that
material accessible to all the volunteers, an initial paid worker, and,
a ready volunteer group. Materials can be obtained from the City
and Hydro. A shed would need to be located, a worker hired and
supervised and the team of volunteers organized.
In order to get this project underway, the first formal meeting of the
Rockland Neighbourhood Association’s Graffiti Committee will be held on
March 16, 2010 at the Lutheran Church at 1273 Fort Street at 7:00
pm. The meeting will discuss the issue of Graffiti in the
neighbourhood and how best to organize a campaign against it. To
this end we have invited two individuals who have been actively
involved in the Anti-Graffiti movement.
Michael Reed, the logistics supervisor for Esquimalt’s Public Works
Department and head of Esquimalt Together Against Graffiti (ETAG)
program, has been working to discourage and remove graffiti in his
neighbourhood for five years now. Constable Chantel Ziegler is
the Victoria Police Community Resource Officer with responsibility for
graffiti. Both have recently taken major roles in developing and
hosting an important conference on the topic held last October at the
Ocean Pointe Hotel. It is our hope that they will bring ideas
from that event and their own experience to our meeting. The
entire membership is invited to attend.
While we have begun the process of organizing ourselves to combat this
phenomenon, this will be our first public meeting to secure information
and ideas from this community.
Donald Hamilton
250-383-5448
donaldhamilton@shaw.ca
WOODLAND GARDEN
Vision
An attractive, low-maintenance, water-efficient landscape that features species native to the Garry oak ecosystem.
Activities in 2009
The seven trayloads of Shooting star bulblets and the hundreds of Fawn
lilies and Camas bulbs planted in the large cleared area at the lower
end of the garden bloomed beautifully last spring! Anthony pruned
the snowberry bushes alongside the path so the display was even more
evident.
The seven Pacific rhododendrons we purchased from Norman Todd at
Firwood Nursery are still thriving! That’s year one.
Apparently we need to baby them for one more year – they are
notoriously difficult to grow. While we wait for them to fill
out, the soil around them seems awfully bare. So we’ve planted
lots of Miner’s lettuce all around them. It should be coming up
right now.
Our Chocolate lilies are really spectacular. The tallest I’ve ever seen!
Anthony spent some time this year getting rid of much of the invasive
grass on the top knoll of the garden. It’s a tricky job, as there
are so many native bulbs up there.
Our second native plant gardening clinic was a success! On a
lovely day in April, many of you stopped by to tour the garden, chat
with the Master Gardeners, and check out Dave’s potted invasive plants
display.
What’s Next?
• A little sign at the top of the steps, directing
visitors to the right, into the garden. At present, many of them
get confused and head to the left, into the Friary garden.
• Some Satin flowers! Our sign indicates that we have them!
Please consider spending some time in the garden as a volunteer! We welcome all those interested!
Janet Simpson
Chair
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Membership for 2009 stood at 132. Thanks to
Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society and to the Art Gallery of
Greater Victoria for their continuing support in the form of passes
that we are able to distribute to our membership. Special thanks
to Heather Grampp who prepared and delivered welcome packages to those
new to the neighbourhood. When you hear of new residents, contact a
board member so that we can make them welcome.
Dave Clark Chair
ROCKLAND NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION
February 10, 2010
In compliance with Bylaw IV, Section 4.06 of the Bylaws of the Rockland
Neighbourhood Association, the Nominating Committee presents the
following slate of nominees.
All candidates have given their written consent.
Attached please find a short profile of each candidate for your information.
PRESIDENT
VICE-PRESIDENT JUNE, Bob
SECRETARY CLARK, David
TREASURER SPENCER, Catherine
PAST PRESIDENT SIMPSON, Janet
DIRECTORS
EDWARDS, John
GUBBY, Jean
Respectfully submitted,
Nominating Committee:
Donald Hamilton, Chair
Dave Clark
Nominee for Vice President
Bob June; Insurance Advisor
Current Activity:
One Term: RNA Land Use Committee - 2007
Two Terms: RNA Board of Directors – 2008 - 2009
seconded to Land Use Committee – 2009
Previous Director’s Experience:
Three Terms: Gorge Tillicum Community Association, 2004 – 2007
Three Terms: Federal Constituency Board, 2003 - 2006
Agent of Record, 2006
Nominee for Secretary
Dave Clark
An Agrologist with an interest in wildlife habitat, Dave has lived in
the neighbourhood for the past 21 years and for another period of six
years through high school.
He has been a Board member for the past 9 years serving in a number of
capacities, most recently as Secretary and chair of the Membership
Committee.
Dave has an interest in developing information about the neighbourhood to assist in revising the Rockland plan.
Nominee for Treasurer
Catherine Spencer
A resident in Rockland for 50 years, Catherine became a member of the
Rockland Neighbourhood Association in 1992. She has served the
RNA as Membership Chairman, Secretary, Vice President, President
and Past President as well as a member of the following
committees: Constitution and Bylaws; Finance, Communications,
Emergency Preparedness, Land Use, Social and Traffic. She has
also represented the RNA on the Community Association Network, and at
various committees of the City of Victoria.
Nominees for Director
John Edwards
After graduating from St. Michael’s University School and the
University of British Columbia with a degree in Commerce and a major in
finance, I became a Certified General Accountant. I have worked in
banking, for an oil company, and in municipal accounting for the
Greater Vancouver Water and Sewerage Districts and with the Federal
Government on Scientific Research & Educational Division credits.
I have taken numerous courses through Simon Fraser University on
Heritage Places Initiative and Statements of Significance and well as
many update courses with the C.G.A’s. I served for three terms on
the City of Victoria, Heritage Advisory Committee, was Treasurer of the
Hallmark Society for seventeen years, President for eight years and
Heritage Awards Coordinator for eight years. I have served on several
other boards and put in over 1,000 hours of volunteer time on the Ross
Bay Villa project. I have received two Awards: one from the Hallmark
Society and the second from the Certified General Accountants Award for
B.C. - for Community Service, in 2002.
My wife and I have lived in the Janet Clay House at 810 Linden for over
30 years, raising four children: three are university graduates.
With my background and hundreds of hours of practical experience in
heritage preservation, I feel I can help with the pressing heritage
issues and other Land Use/ Zoning issues. I think the RNA
should be looking at the Rockland Plan of 1987 with an update in mind.
We have produced the Rockland Neighbourhood Newsletter for the past two
years, moving to a digitial format, and are currently working on a
revision to the walking tours.
Likewise I would like to put time and effort into research of the
heritage properties in Rockland as some of the best examples of
architecture by the builders of this Province.
Jean Gubby
I was born in England but spent the greater part of my adult life in
the Ottawa area. We moved to BC, to Osoyoos in 2002 and to
Victoria in 2006.
My interest and involvement with community advocacy started in the mid
seventies and has continued in one way or another to the present.
Following the initial community association progression as director,
vice president, president in 1978 I ran successfully for council in
the, newly created, City of Kanata, Ontario and served for two terms.
In Ottawa I was a trustee on the Grace Hospital Board; Member of the
City of Ottawa Court of Revision and Chair of the City of Ottawa
Property Standards Committee. From the mid eighties to mid
nineties I worked as a project coordinator in co-op and non-profit
housing development and as a community education coordinator with the
Ottawa Board of Education.
In Osoyoos I served on the community Arts Council, the City Recreation
Committee, and was chair of the Community Plan Review Committee and ran
(unsuccessfully this time) for council.
In Victoria I’ve been taking a bit of a break to get the house and
garden in shape but I am now ready and willing to get to know a little
more about the Rockland community
I am willing to let my name stand for election as a director and,
although my particular interest is with land use planning and zoning, I
am happy to consider other areas where I can make a useful contribution
to the association and the community.