Feb 11 HIRRA Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 7:30-9:30pm
Everyone welcome to attend in-person at the Hall or digitally by Zoom
“Lend your voice” opening music by Jodi (come in person for best experience!)
- Minutes, Executive report, and Community Announcements
- Recycling Waste Management Committee updates
- Community Hall Committee updates
- MOTION: to support Hornby Is. Arts Council ongoing tax funding
- Public Participation: Open forum to bring up a topic of interest ( 2 min.)
Hornby Arts background PDFs from CVRD website (Minutes and agendas of Electoral Area Services Committee):
Hornby Arts Delegation with CVRD Dec 2025 re funding
CVRD staff report Arts and Culture funding 2025-29
Employment Opportunity: Permanent Part-Time Community Hall Manager
The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, organized and passionate about caring for Hornby’s iconic heritage Community Hall at the direction of the HIRRA Community Hall Committee.
Send resume and cover letter to: office@hirra.ca
Closing date for applications: February 28, 2026
Key responsibilities include: Managing the Hall booking schedule and finances; communicating with renters and responding to concerns; coordinating regular and emergency Hall maintenance; overseeing other Hall staff; attending Hall Committee meetings; writing grant applications and preparing budgets.
Job requirements: Ability to work unsupervised, year-round resident with flexible schedule, excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
Hours: Average of 12hrs/week. Starting wage: $32/hr After completing a probation period, employee will be eligible for regular and statutory holiday pay, sick time, and RRSP program.
Position starts: March 30, 2026
Community Conversations
This Spring, the Executive is interested in hosting another in person Community Conversation building on the great discussions at the Oct. 5 event. The topic of the next Conversation has yet to be decided. Some potential ideas being considered: Governance and Succession Planning in the Changing Climate on Hornby, Impacts of Technology on our Community, and Building Relationships with First Nations.
The Oct. 5 Conversation on “the Future of Living and Working on Hornby” brought out many thoughtful suggestions and unresolved questions on inter-related island issues including changing demographics, the pressures of tourism and housing, road and trail safety, community planning and governance, volunteerism, communications, and how to engage a broader range of islanders.
It takes the contribution and collaboration of many dedicated volunteers to keep our community running smoothly. Our community’s well-being is greatly enhanced by the gift of time from so many volunteers, from board members to event organizers, and from Kitchen cooks and First Edition producers to Free Store and We Store sorters. As volunteers retire, organizations have to assess whether they can recruit enthusiastic new volunteers to prune apple-trees, sort books, track expenses, direct parking, and improve trails, or if some of these tasks should become paid positions. The community as a whole also needs to consider whether we like our old Hornby way of doing things, or if we want to explore new strategies for community support and enjoyment. Feel free to share your thoughts with the Executive and suggest topics for future Community Conversations.
Highlights of the Dec. 10 HIRRA Meeting
Thirty-one people attended the December meeting. Thanks to Cornelia Hoogland for sharing her poems in the opening “lend your voice” segment.
The Water Stewardship Committee and the Hornby Island Athletic Association reported on their various projects. The HIRRA DRAFT Digital Assistance/AI Use Policy was discussed and information was shared on the benefits and risks of AI. The slightly revised Policy will be on an upcoming agenda for approval by the membership. View DRAFT here: DRAFT HIRRA AI Digital Assistance Use Policy Nov 25-25
There are currently two vacancies on the HIRRA Executive to be filled by appointment. Be part of guiding Hornby’s unique “self-governance” system! In particular, we are seeking someone with an interest in the financials.
Boat Ramp Update From CVRD
December 18, 2025
Construction crews have completed the outstanding work remaining on Shingle Spit Boat Launch to the design specifications. Residents and community members should now be able to use the ramp as intended.
There have been some concerns voiced about the difficulty to back into the ramp from the south side. While these concerns are valid, there were some design considerations that had to be made based on the location and limited space by the ramp.
Initially there was a plan to have an on-site meeting with the community in mid-December, however the contractor was required to address the deficiency list prior to any design discussions. Also, recent construction being completed at Tribune Bay Campground has made certain portions around the boat launch difficult to assess alternative options. Therefore, the CVRD and its contractors will look to have the on-site meeting in the new year to give the Tribune Bay Campground construction an opportunity to be completed and the surrounding barge area restored. Possible meeting dates will be provided in the coming weeks to ensure a time that best suits everyone.
Thank you again for your patience while this project is completed.
Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD)
HIRRA 2026 Budgets approved
All of HIRRA’s tax-funded Committee 2026 budgets were approved by the membership at the November HIRRA meeting. HIRRA recently renewed the multi-service agreement with the Comox Valley Regional District to provide these tax-funded services (Fire Protection, Recycling Waste Management, Community Hall, Recreation, Comfort Stations, Emergency Preparedness, Invasive Plant Control). HIRRA’s Administrative staff met with the different Committees to review and develop draft budgets, which were approved by the Executive and by HIRRA members. The budgets will now be reviewed and approved by CVRD staff, and finally by the CVRD Board (in the Spring of 2026). Thanks to volunteer Committee members and the Financial Administrator for the extensive work on the budgets and presentations.
View Budgets here 2026 Budget Reports
HIRRA Community Conversation Appreciation
Thank you to the 70+ people who attended the in-person moderated community conversation on the topic of “The Future of Living and Working on Hornby” on Sunday, October 5.
There was a lot of thoughtful sharing of perspectives. Topics ranged from changing demographics, the pressures of tourism and housing, challenges for road and trail safety, community planning, volunteerism, and governance. There were also several comments about community communications, information sharing, outreach and engagement with people who are not already involved in organizations. Before and after the official meeting portion, people seemed to enjoy informal small group conversations.
Thanks to Daniel Siegel for moderating, and to everyone who participated so thoughtfully and respectfully (and for the good snacks).
The HIRRA Executive is excited to host more in person community conversations. Potential topics that have been suggested include “Relationships and Reconciliation with First Nations,” “Tourism,” and “Navigating New Technology.”
BC Parks Fall Update
HIRRA has received an update from BC Parks:
“Plans are in motion to improve camping opportunities at Tribune Bay Park on Hornby Island. Construction begins at the existing campground on Oct. 1, 2025.
Here are some project highlights:
- Improved privacy between campsites.
- A variety of camping options including basic cabins and some electrical sites.
- Materials will be barged in to reduce ferry impact.
- Environmental protections in place for local wildlife.
- Over 5,000 native plants added to support biodiversity.
Stay informed: helpshapebc.gov.bc.ca/tribune”
Or review more detailed information in this PDF: BC Parks update Sept 23-25
Do Not Consume Water from the Sollans Rd. Community Well
Recent chemical testing revealed higher than maximum allowable concentrations of Manganese in the Community Well. The water is still acceptable for washing, but not for consumption.
HIRRA AGM Appreciations
Thank you to the 41 people who came to the HIRRA AGM on May 14, both in person and by Zoom to review the 2024 year-end financials, hear reports from twelve Committees and “acclaim” volunteers for the coming year. The approved 2024 Year-end Financial Statement may be viewed here: 2024 year-end Financial Statements.
Special appreciation for the many volunteers:
~ Executive member, Heather Dawn, who served over the past year and is now stepping down.
~Continuing Executive members Jeff, Patrick and Ted.
~Fifty-eight other volunteers who serve on HIRRA Committees and appointments.
There are still eight vacancies (2nd Vice President and Secretary on the Executive, and openings on five Committees: Comfort Stations, Recycling, Hall, Emergency Preparedness). Contact the HIRRA office (office@hirra.ca or 5-1131) for more information or to become a member.
Committee Reports: Committee annual reports to AGM 2025 (including Executive Report)
Fire Protection HIFR Report to AGM 2025
Water Stewardship Water Stewardship Report to AGM 2025
In partnership with the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), volunteers on HIRRA Committees manage and oversee these tax-funded services:
~ Fire Protection via Hornby Island Fire Rescue
~ Recycling and Waste Management including the Free Store
~ Community Hall maintenance
~ Comfort Stations (outhouses) at various locations around the island
~ Invasive Plant Control
~ Emergency Preparedness planning and education
~ Community Recreation programs offered year round
HIRRA Committees also manage and oversee these services without tax funding:
~ Regional Parks and Trails Advisory to CVRD (including: Mount Geoffrey Regional Nature Park and adjoining Crown Land trails, Sandpiper Beach, Grassy Point, Hidden Beach, Clamshell Place, Periwinkle Place, St. John’s Point Road and Tralee Point, and the Hornby Roadside Trails)
~ Fall Fair organization
~ Cemetery maintenance and management
~ Boat Ramp Advisory to CVRD
~Water Stewardship research, education and soon: on-island water testing (for information only)
In addition, HIRRA is responsible for the Community Well and hand-pump on Sollans Road and the Crown Land lease that provides space for the Clinic; Hornby/Denman Community Health Care Society buildings; Farmers’ Market in the Copse, and Hornby Island Arts Council’s new Arts Centre.
The Doris Savoie Centre building that houses First Credit Union and the HIRRA administration office, and the RCMP office are both located on land owned by HIRRA.
HIRRA is truly at the heart of the island and the hard-working volunteers keep everything running smoothly for the benefit of the whole community. Please know how much we appreciate all that you give!
Trails Survey Report
Thank you to the 131 people who completed the Trails Survey on-line or by hard-copy. The Regional Parks and Trails Advisory Committee compiled the results of the survey on Hornby’s Roadside and Community Connection Trails: Community Trails Survey Final Report April 2025.
Ferry Advocacy
- Local MLA ,Josie Osborne – Josie.Osborne.MLA@leg.bc.ca
- BC Ferry Authority rep for the North Island, Claire Trevena – ClaireTrevena@
bcferryauthority.com - Executive Director, Marine Branch, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Francois Bertrand – Francois.Bertrand@gov.bc.ca
Composting Toilet Residuals Project
At the February 2024 HIRRA meeting, a majority of participants approved signing the letter of agreement with CVRD to accept Hornby’s Composting Toilet Residuals as a pilot project. Stay tuned for opportunities for further discussion and decisions about the Pilot Project details.
Background documents include the original Sept 2020 CVRD staff report on the Hornby Composting Toilet Feasibility Study. View here: Composting Toilet Study
CVRD staff updated their report in Nov. 2021 based on feedback from the HIRRA Recycling Committee. View here: Composting Tiolet Study Follow Up
CVRD staff gave a presentation to the Feb. 2022 HIRRA meeting. View here: Hornby Composting Toilet Presentation Feb 2022.
The CVRD page has more information on Composting Toilets here
Collective Agreement with Recycling Depot CUPE Employees Ratified 2022
Thanks to the HIRRA negotiating team, Recycling Depot staff and CUPE representatives, the Collective Agreement bargaining was concluded successfully. The DRAFT Collective Agreement was presented at the June 8, 2022 HIRRA general meeting and ratified by the members. The Recycling Depot staff have also ratified the Collective Agreement. View the complete document here Draft_Collective Agreement 2023-26 All changes are highlighted in bold in the draft Collective Agreement. Note that an error was found in the pay table on p. 28. The corrected table may be viewed here: Corrected C.A. wage rate chart May 22
New Cemetery Land Needed 2017
In the spring of 2017 an ad hoc Committee was formed, charged with finding suitable land for a new Cemetery. The existing Cemetery can still accommodate cremated remains but has little room left for full body burials, so there is an urgent need for more suitable land. Contact the Administrator or Cemetery Committee members for more information.
Historic Reports:
In late 2022, HIRRA received a hard copy of Rogers Cell Tower Proposal for a 63 meter tall tower (including 3m lightning rod) housing “numerous panel antennas and dishes” and having a small fenced and locked “compound” at the base containing “equipment necessary to operate the facility”, to be located in the old gravel pit between Recycling Depot and Spark building.
A PDF of the proposal HIRRA received may be viewed here: Rogers Information Dec 22
Inquiries should be sent to the consultant, Brian Gregg by email: briangregg@sitepathconsulting.com).
Prior to the Nov. 8, 2022 Zoom meeting between HIRRA Executive members, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) and other stakeholders, HIRRA circulated a public survey to assist with discussion and prioritization of Hornby roads issues. This report summarizes the results of that survey: Hornby Roads Survey report Dec 1-22.
View the 2022 Report on Hornby Food Security here: Hornby Food Security Report 01 18 2022
The April 2021 Covid Community Conversation report is available here: Hornby Is COVID Community Conversation Report, April 2021. The facilitators took all the notes and feedback from the April 11, 2021 community conversation by Zoom and created this final report with accompanying whimsical artwork by Rae Mate.
Rats and us: Daniel Siegel created a worksheet on rat management and circulated to all at the November 2013 meeting. Download the rat control worksheet.
Next HIRRA Meeting:
February 11, 2026 7:30pm
Contact Administrator to receive a Zoom link for the meeting.
Regular meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month except August and January at the Community Hall.
We value our unique opportunity to self govern and respectfully acknowledges that we are meeting on the traditional territory of the K’òmoks First Nation, including formerly separate tribes of Pentlatch, E’iksan, Satsila, and Sahtloot peoples.
Ferry Location Tracker
Follow this link to view the real-time location of the Hornby and Denman Island ferries: Hornby/Denman Ferry Location
Water Sample Results
Well water sample results for Hornby Island can be viewed via searching the Island Health drinking water web-site.
Beach water sample results can be viewed in the “North Island Beach Sampling Results” PDF on the Island Health recreational water web-site.
Comox Valley Regional District
About
The Hornby Island Residents’ & Ratepayers’ Association (HIRRA) is a non-profit society registered in the province of B.C. since 1973. Through this association we have an opportunity to be self-governing. HIRRA administers our tax dollars via a multi-service contract with the CVRD, and as its name implies, membership is open to residents and property owners of the island.
See the About page for complete information.
Who Do You Call?
Call 911 for any emergency.
To report non-emergency fire concerns, call the Fire Hall: 335-2611.
Call the RCMP non-emergency number: (250) 338-1321 to report cars parked overnight in no-parking areas, speeding in the playground zone, or other enforcement issues.
To give feedback on any ferry issue, call BC Ferries customer service number: 1-888-223-3779 or email: customer.relations@bcferries.com.
Problems with Hornby roads maintenance can be reported to Mainroad Contracting: 1-877-215-7122.
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is responsible for trail maintenance in the Regional Parks and Roadside trails. The Parks Technician can be contacted via their main switchboard: 250-334-6000.
