2021 Minutes

Minutes of HIRRA Annual General Meeting

Wednesday, May 12, 2021 By Zoom

Present: Lynn Nunley, President; Jeremy Payne, Vice President; Rudy Rogalsky, Treasurer; Alpen Kelley; Reina LeBaron, Administrator; Joanne Ovitsland, Bookkeeper; 56 other HIRRA members

Call to order: 7:34pm         

Introductions: Lynn welcomed everyone and acknowledged First Nations territory. The Executive and staff introduced themselves. Guidelines for meeting were outlined.

1. Agenda: The posted agenda was approved by poll.
2. Minutes: Minutes of April 14, 2021 HIRRA meeting were accepted as circulated by poll.
3. Community Announcements:
   Remembering Dale Chase: Acknowledgement of Dale Chase’s passing and his contributions.
   Fire Chief award: Congratulations to Doug for receiving the Community Achievement Award.
   Round of applause.
   Heron Rocks Plant Sale: Tomato plants for sale at various locations.
   HIAC: Zoom open house re: Arts Centre
4. Executive report: Presented by Lynn Nunley. Attached. President’s report AGM 2021
   M/S/C Rudy Rogalsky/Doug Chinnery That the Letter of Understanding between HIRRA and CUPE regarding initiating an RRSP program for 2022 be approved as presented.
   M/S/C Rudy Rogalsky/Jeremy Payne That the proposed RRSP program be extended to non-unionized HIRRA employees on the same terms as those agreed to in the Letter of Understanding with CUPE.
5. Treasurer’s report: Presented by Rudy Rogalsky. Power Point summarized the Grant Thornton Year-end Review Engagement and the “fund balance report” prepared by the Bookkeeper. Attached. HIRRA Fund Balances 2020
   M/S/C Rudy Rogalsky/Joanne Ovitsland “That the Grant Thornton Accountants’ 2020 Year-end Review Engagement report be accepted as presented.” Year-end Review Engagement 2020
   M/S/C Rudy Rogalsky/Joanne Ovitsland “That the appointment of the accountants for the 2021 fiscal year-end be deferred for three months to research options.”

6. Tax-funded Committee reports: Compilation of Committee reports other than HIFR: 2021 HIRRA AGM Committee Reports
   1. Hornby Island Fire Rescue report: Presented by Doug Chinnery, Fire Chief. M/S/C Judith Lawrence/Alpen Kelley That the HIRRA thank the Fire Department for their volunteer work in serving the Community. Attached. HIFR AGM Report 2021 Round of applause.
   2. Comfort Stations (Privy Council): Presented by Nym Hughes, Committee Chair. Attached. Round of applause.
   3. Recycling report: Presented by Stani Veselinovic, Depot Manager. Attached. Round of applause.
   4. Regional Parks, Crownland and Roadside Trails: Presented by Tom Rutherford, Committee member. Attached. Round of applause.
   5. Recreation: Presented by Jade Wilson, Recreation Coordinator. Attached. Round of applause.
   6. Invasive Plant Control: Presented by Anna Zielinski, Committee Chair. Attached. Round of applause.
   7. Community Hall Presented by Vicki Bale, Committee Chair. Attached. Round of applause.
7. Other Committee Reports
   1. Cemetery Stewards: Presented by Tina Wai, Committee member. Attached. Round of applause.
   2. Emergency Preparedness: Presented by David Wiseman, Committee Chair. Attached. Round of applause.
   3. Fall Fair: Sent by Alsoon Brine, Committee Chair. Fall Fair was cancelled in 2020, so no work for the Committee last year. They have not yet decided about the Fall Fair for 2021.
   4. Boat Ramp: Presented by John Struthers, Committee Chair. Attached. Suggestion to dissolve the Committee if it is not active and have a one-person liaison with CVRD. Boat ramp is critical for emergency response if the ferry is not operational. Round of applause.
8. Elections and acclamations: All positions are two-year terms as per the revised bylaws. Only about half of Committee members are up for election to implement the new staggered terms.
   1. Executive elected by acclamation: Daniel Siegel is willing to stand for President.
      Chair called for further nominations. Receiving none, Daniel was declared elected by acclamation.
      There was appreciation for Lynn as President (and flowers).
      Kent Lukinuk is willing to stand for Second Vice-president. Chair called for further nominations. Receiving none, Kent was declared elected by acclamation.
      There was appreciation for Rudy as Treasurer (and a card).
      Lynn Nunley is willing to stand for Treasurer. Vice-chair called for further nominations. Receiving none, Lynn was declared elected by acclamation.

Daniel Siegel Chaired the meeting for Committee elections.
There was appreciation for Donna Tuele and Ellen Leonard’s work on the Nominating Committee.

1. Recycling Waste Management: Chair called for further nominations three times. Receiving none, the following candidates were declared elected by acclamation: Jan Kennedy, Ilze Raudzins.
2. Regional Parks/Trails: Chair called for further nominations. Receiving none, the following candidates were declared elected by acclamation: Leslee Richards, Amanda Zielinski.
3. Community Hall: Chair called for further nominations. Receiving none, the following candidates were declared elected by acclamation: Hilary Wood-McDonnell, Margaret Birch.
4. Recreation: Chair called for further nominations. Receiving none, the following candidates were declared elected by acclamation: Henry Touwslager. Mike Pappas is willing to join and will be appointed when he is a fully eligible HIRRA member.
5. Fire Protection: Chair called for further nominations. Receiving none, the following candidates were declared elected by acclamation: Tor Nawrot, Don Peterson.
6. Boat Ramp: Chair called for further nominations. Liz Earle nominated Rachel Platt. Rachel accepted. Receiving no further nominations, the following candidates were declared elected by acclamation: John Struthers, Larry Wasserman, Rachel Platt.
7. Invasive Weed Control: Chair called for further nominations. Receiving none, the following candidate was declared elected by acclamation: Rachel Platt.
8. Comfort Stations: Chair called for further nominations. Receiving none, the following candidates were declared elected by acclamation: Nym Hughes, Tony Law.
9. Cemetery Stewards: Chair called for further nominations. Receiving none, the following candidates were declared elected by acclamation: Gemma Colin, Iain Palmer.
   Barb Inglis is willing to join and will be appointed when she is a fully eligible HIRRA member.
10. Emergency Preparedness: Chair called for further nominations. Receiving none, the following candidates were declared elected by acclamation: David Wiseman, Patrick Healey, Margaret Birch. The Committee still has one vacancy.
11. Fall Fair: Chair called for further nominations. Receiving none, the following candidates were declared elected by acclamation: Jeff Rabena, Liz Earle.

9. Appointments: (One-year terms.)
   Daniel turned the meeting back to Lynn Nunley for election/acclamation of the appointees.
   1. Appointments to the Hornby Island Economic Enhancement Corporation (HICEEC): The HICEEC bylaws regarding HIRRA appointees to the HICEEC Board were read aloud.
      Bee Wolf-Ray, Rudy Rogalsky, John Heinegg, and Katherine Ronan are willing to stand for the two positions. Rudy, Bee and John spoke to their experience and interest in the appointment. Katherine was not able to attend.
      The following people were elected to the HICEEC Board by Zoom poll: Rudy Rogalsky, Bee Wolf-Ray.
   2. Appointment to BC Ferries Advisory Committee: Rob McCreary is willing to continue as HIRRA appointee to the Hornby/Denman Ferry Advisory Committee. His appointment to the FAC was approved by acclamation. There are two vacancies on the FAC for other Hornby representatives.

10. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 9:59pm.

Minutes of HIRRA General Meeting

Wednesday, June 9, 2021 By Zoom

Present: Daniel Siegel, President; Jeremy Payne, First Vice President; Lynn Nunley, Treasurer; Alpen Kelley, Secretary; Reina LeBaron, Administrator; Joanne Ovitsland, Bookkeeper; 33 other HIRRA members and 1 guest.
Regrets: Kent Lukinuk, Second Vice President

Call to order: 7:33pm   

Introductions: Daniel welcomed everyone and acknowledged First Nations territory.

Statement regarding recent tragedies: There was general agreement to post a statement on HIRRA web-site and FaceBook page and send it to impacted leaders. Noted that tragedies like this happen regularly around the world. Noted that public statements are positive, but also important for organizations to examine policies and personal responsibility.

DRAFT statement: “Amidst the realities of global atrocities, here in Canada, HIRRA looks with horror at the events of the past two weeks and we weep for the 215 Indigenous children whose bones were found at the Kamloops Residential School site and for the Afzaal family who were recently killed in London, On. We reject violence against any religious, ethnic, and Indigenous people, and hope for healing and comfort for those who have lost so much.”
ACTION: Executive will finalize wording this week and circulate to the HIRRA membership email list for review (no response will be taken as assent).

Introductions continued: Executive and staff introduced themselves. Happy anniversary to Kent and Sherri!

1. Agenda: The posted agenda was approved by poll.
2. Minutes: Minutes of May 12, 2021 HIRRA AGM were accepted, with two corrections, by poll.
3. Executive report: Presented by Daniel Siegel, President. Call to Order is HIRRA’s first reference for parliamentary rules. Focussing on recommendations of Governance Review report, reviewing Job Descriptions, following up on issues identified in Building inspection of Savoie Centre. Bring suggestions for HIRRA agenda items to the Executive meeting first. Motions may be tabled to the next meeting if more discussion is needed.
4. HIRRA Workplace Bullying and Harassment Policy: The DRAFT policy was circulated with the meeting notice. Please give feedback before next Executive meeting (June 22).
   M/S/TABLED Jeremy Payne/Doug Chinnery “That the HIRRA Workplace Bullying and Harassment Policy be approved as presented.”
   M/S/C Rachelle Chinnery/Vicki Bale “That the motion to approve the Workplace Bullying and Harassment Policy be tabled to the next meeting.”
5. Community Announcements:
   HIAC: Studio Tour, art show at the Hall, raffle fund-raiser.
   June events: Covid second vaccination clinic, Hall booking meeting.
   Ferry Advisory Committee vacancy: Seat available on FAC (usually for Emergency Services). Anyone interested?
   Recognition for community members: Carol Quin, Ruth Fortune, Andrew Carmichael, Don Joyce.
   Covid Community Conversation: Final report posted on web-site. Feedback welcome.
   

    

6. HICEEC report: Presented by Rudy Rogalsky, HIRRA appointee to HICEEC. Annual work plan has many valuable goals based on community’s input into the Hornby Economic Action Plan in 2006. Visit the hiceec.org web-site for more information. Appointees will provide a two-way conduit for communication between community and HICEEC. Zoom AGM coming up.
7. Town Hall: pre-summer discussion and larger issues facing the community:
   Suggestions: Replace highly visible signage at Buckley Bay re: Is. Trust, only come to Hornby if accommodation booked; Sollans Rd/Central intersection three-way stop; remember that everyone has had a difficult year.
   Concerns: Need more Fire Patrol staff; difficult to be welcoming of lots of visitors after Covid; anticipating frustratingly long ferry line-ups; no pub this year may impact public drinking;
   Hopes: Excited to have new school ready to open; appreciation for part-time residents who have respected PHOs and stayed home; excited to welcome new faces and new ideas.
8. Adjournment: 9:05pm

Minutes of HIRRA General Meeting

Wednesday, July 14, 2021 By Zoom

Present: Daniel Siegel, President; Kent Lukinuk, Second Vice President; Lynn Nunley, Treasurer; Alpen Kelley, Secretary; Reina LeBaron, Administrator; Joanne Ovitsland, Bookkeeper; 31 other HIRRA members
Regrets: Jeremy Payne, First Vice President;

Call to order: 7:30pm   

1. Introductions: Daniel welcomed everyone and acknowledged First Nations territory. Executive and staff introduced themselves.
2. Recognition for community member: Appreciation for Janet LeBlancq, who recently moved off Hornby, for all her community input: Depot Manager, HIRRA Administrator, Emergency Social Services coordinator, board member of Housing Society, Co-op and Healthcare Society.
   
3. Agenda: The posted agenda was approved by poll.
4. Minutes: Minutes of June 9, 2021 HIRRA meeting were accepted as presented by poll.
5. HIRRA Workplace Bullying and Harassment Policy: The revised draft policy was circulated with the meeting notice and posted to the website. Discussion re: the inclusion of “volunteers” in the Harassment Policy. Suggestion to have a separate volunteer-specific policy regarding harassment.
   Suggestion that “Step 4” is confusing as it directs people to contact shop steward.
   Noted that Human Rights Tribunal is available to everyone if other processes are not adequate.
   M/S/FAILED Wendy Burton/Vicki Bale “That the word “volunteer” be removed from the HIRRA Harassment Response Policy.”
   M/S/C Kent Lukinuk/Stani Veselinovic “That the words “Step 4” be removed from the HIRRA Harassment Response Policy and the “Step 4” sentence be combined with Step 3.”
   M/S/C Rachelle Chinnery/Jan Kennedy “That the HIRRA Workplace Bullying and Harassment Policy be approved as amended.”
6. Executive report: Presented by Daniel Siegel, President. Savoie Centre building repairs; RCMP liaison; request for feedback re: Covid Community Conversation next steps; appreciation for feedback from membership from email consultations.
7. Community Announcements:
   1. HIAC: Studio Tour, raffle fund-raiser, Zoom open house re: Arts Centre; water themed art show, art/music show re: Coast Salish connections.
   2. Advisory Planning Commission: Work on referrals from Local Trust Committee. Meetings open to the public. Currently working on Official Community Plan (OCP) review re: First Nations, Housing, Short Term Vacation Rentals (STVR) and Riparian Zones.
   3. Resilience Initiative: Rack card available at brochure racks and for STVR operators.
   4. Ferry Advisory: Stephan Wehner volunteered and appointed to Ferry Advisory Committee.
   5. Islands Trust: Trustee Grant Scott reported. Appreciation for APC. First Nations relations very important to include in OCP. Trust Council meeting last week re: Trust Policy Statement review. Many people requested better community consultation and information re: reviewing the Policy Statement. Hornby Trustees planning a community consultation process to collect feedback on the Policy Statement for Trust Council.
   6. Skatepark grant application letter: Email request received this evening. Deadline is before next meeting. There was general agreement, by poll, for the Executive to decide whether to write a letter of support for the grant application for a skatepark at the Ballpark.
8. Recreation Committee report: Presented by Jade Wilson, Recreation Coordinator. Offering several summer recreation programs: sailing, kayaking, nature, tennis, arts, swimming, first aid, soccer. Open to both visitors and islanders.
9. HIAC update on Arts Centre and operational funding: Arts Centre update presented by Tor Nawrot, Arts Centre Project Manager. Many materials have been purchased. Plan to put out to tender soon and start work this fall.
   Operational funding proposal presented by Louise McMurray, HIAC President. Working on long term planning for stable operational and maintenance funding. Need to demonstrate strong community support. Discussed with CVRD staff and recommending $30,000 annual tax funding for maintenance. More information and a motion will be brought to Sept. HIRRA meeting. Further information will be on HIAC web-site, at the upcoming HIAC Zoom open house, via mailouts, or by contacting the HIAC Exec. Director. Summer students will be at the Farmers’ Market.
   
10. Recycling Committee Report: Historical item from 1988 HIRRA minutes: decision to gate the Depot driveway. Report presented by Stani Veselinovic, Recycling Depot Manager. Depot is very busy. Physical distancing no longer required, but people still asked to wear masks indoors. Free Store open during regular Depot hours. Depot closed all Stat. Holidays. Shipping two bins of recycling and two to four bins of garbage weekly. New sculptures in the garden. Appreciation for staff and for volunteers in garden, Free Store, and HIRRA Committee.
11. HICEEC report: Presented by Bee Wolf-Ray, HIRRA appointee to HICEEC. Invite input via email to karen@hiceec.org. Summer bus is running and well-used. Not equipped with wheelchair lift at this time. Municipal Regional District Tax (MRDT) survey of STVR providers. Province now allows the MRDT tax monies to be used for housing (esp. for summer workers). Internet project is still in process. CVRD applying for a grant for “last mile” to get fibre optic access to islands. Everyone encouraged to complete the HICEEC “exit survey” regarding ferry service. HICEEC Strategic Planning session in Sept.
    Request for a tourism survey (similar to the MRDT survey) to be available to all Hornby islanders. Appreciation for increased communication with community and feedback from community.
12. Adjournment: 9:25pm

Minutes of HIRRA General Meeting

Wednesday, September 8, 2021 By Zoom

Present: Daniel Siegel, President; Kent Lukinuk, Second Vice President; Lynn Nunley, Treasurer; Reina LeBaron, Administrator; Joanne Ovitsland, Bookkeeper; 103 other HIRRA members, 6 new members (total: 100 plus 14 extra people sharing screens)
Regrets: Jeremy Payne, First Vice President; Alpen Kelley, Secretary;

Call to order: 7:41pm   

9. Introductions: Daniel welcomed everyone and acknowledged First Nations territory. Executive and staff introduced themselves. Zoom protocols were reviewed.
10. Recognition for community member: Remembrance for Dr. David Wiseman, Chair of HIRRA’s Emergency Preparedness Committee.
11. Agenda: The posted agenda was approved by poll.
12. Minutes: Minutes of July 14, 2021 HIRRA meeting were accepted as presented by poll.
13. Executive report: Presented by Daniel Siegel, President. Researching accountants and data security. CVRD budget deadline moved to October. Farmers’ Market WiFi use has increased. Improvement will require better connection speed (e.g. fibre optic).
14. Community Announcements:
    1. Dates announced: Upcoming Federal Election at the Hall
    2. Remembrance for Frank Elkins, former member of HIRRA’s Fire Hall Select Committee
15. Core Services Budget: The draft Core Services budget was presented and reviewed.
    M/S/C Reina LeBaron/Judith Fletcher Elkins That the Core Services five-year budget for 2022-2026 be approved as presented.
16. HIAC request for support for operational funding: Operational funding proposal presented by Andrew Mark, HIAC Executive Director. HIAC asked CVRD to include a HIRRA letter of support as part of their financial plan for tax support. Proposing a temporary three-year contract for $30,000 annual tax funding for maintenance and staffing some evening hours starting when the Arts Centre opens to the public. Dependable tax funding is critical for public arts services and will assist HIAC in applying for grants.
    Plan to put tender out for building construction soon, then one or two years to complete.
    A referendum would be expensive and CVRD thinks HIAC fits well under existing tax service.
    Pros: Art Centre will be valuable interior place open to public year-round, small tax amount per household, big benefit to Hornby
    Cons: HIRRA meeting not representative of all taxpayers, HIAC limited recent art-show participants to paid HIAC members.

    M/S/NOT ALLOWED Judith Walmsley/Anna Zielinski That the motion be postponed until such time as every taxpayer has received notification of the proposal.
    Motion not allowed by the Chair because HIRRA and HIAC do not have access to a taxpayer mailing list.

    M/S/DEFEATED Dale Devost/Vicki Bale That the motion be postponed until the November meeting to give time to explore with the CVRD adding HIAC tax support to the upcoming referendum.
    M/S/C Karen Ross/Andrew Mark That the motion be amended to add “for three years”.
    M/S/C Andrew Mark/Rachelle Chinnery That the HIRRA Executive draft a letter of support on behalf of the Hornby Island Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association in favour of the Hornby Island Arts Council’s proposal for dedicated municipal support for three years funded by a property tax increase applied to the Hornby Island Heritage Conservation tax service for the maintenance of the Arts Centre once it opens.

17. HICEEC report: Presented by Rudy Rogalsky, HIRRA appointee to HICEEC. Visit web-site to see complete HICEEC information. Strategic planning session coming up. Email Rudy with input. Survey respondents supported using income from proposed MRDT “pillow tax” for affordable housing. Fibre optic plan proceeding with City West. Info coming from CVRD for upcoming referendum. New HICEEC office in school modular administration building.
18. Covid Community Conversation next steps: Daniel collected feedback from community over the summer on issues and directions to explore. Suggestion to establish working groups focused on specific community issues within the larger context of Climate Crisis.
    Barbara Baird for Hornby Is. Housing Society: Suggest long range affordable housing plan for Hornby. Researching multiple solutions and options from other communities and levels of government. Project Manager is working on costing and bureaucracy for Beulah Creek Housing.
    Ellen Leslie and Darren Bond for Water Stewardship: Summer water art show in partnership with HIAC well-attended and stimulated lots of discussion and education. Poll on options for requesting CVRD support for addressing water quantity and quality issues.
19. Adjournment: 9:53pm

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