Minutes of Meeting, September 20, 2007

Present: Leonor Bradley (Guildford Community Partners), Bonnie Burnside (Whalley CA), Lucy Matich (Port Mann RA), Rhonda Hanley (Bridgeview CA), Rick Hart (Fleetwood CA), Tanja Michelle (Bolivar Heights), Dave Moffat (Country Woods RA), Barb Paton (Semiahmoo RA), Wally Sandvoss (Port Kells CA), Liz Walker (CRONIC- Newton), Velma Wilson (Cloverdale CA), Fred Weber (Ocean Park CA), Rosemary Zelinka (Elgin Ratepayers and Coordinator for Surrey ASC).

1. Appointment of Chair

Rosemary Zelinka was appointed Chair for this meeting.

2. Approval of Agenda

Moved by Barb Paton and seconded by Wally Sandvoss, that the Agenda be approved as amended. CARRIED

3. Minutes

Moved by Wally Sandvoss, seconded by Leonore Bradley that the Minutes of the May meeting be approved as circulated.

4. Work Program

(a) It was noted that nothing further has yet been heard from the City regarding the public consultation process on the Sustainability Charter, following the one day workshop which several Surrey ASC members attended.

(b) Regarding grant applications, the United Way has been in touch and it is hoped that a Memorandum of Understanding will be developed in the near future which will enable us to receive a grant.There was considerable discussion regarding an application to the City for a community grant. The deadline is Sept.30. It was agreed that an application be made for $15,000 for community outreach, including promoting grass root initiatives such as block parties and neighbourhood beautification, and ethnic diversity. It was moved by Wally Sandvoss and seconded by Bonnie Burnside, that the Coordinator be authorized to submit an application to the City to this effect. CARRIED

(c) The Coordinator reported that she had met with Lance Talbot, the City’s new Crime Reduction Strategy who is very interested in Surrey ASC’s participation in implementing the City’s Crime Reduction Strategy. It was agreed that he would be invited to Surrey ASC’s November meeting. Rick Hart will check to see if the room in Fleetwood Library is available for possible dates such as Nov. 14, as Lance is not available on Thur. evenings.

(d) The City’s new Beautification Coordinator, Renata Gepraegs, has also been in touch. She is interested in discussing how Surrey ASC might be involved in this. It was agreed that she will be invited to the October meeting.

(e) There was a discussion regarding issues concerning the City’s review of its Transportation Plan. The following issues were identified, for transmittal to Philip Bellefontaine, who invited Surrey ASC’s participation:

* It was noted that the existing Transportation Plan has many good principles which have not been implemented;
* More emphasis should be placed on phasing urban development and ensuring the road system is adequate for the development;
* Urban sprawl should be prevented - development is occurring in a too scattered form, with land not being fully developed at one time due to land banking by developers;
* Surrey’s grid system of roads is not completed;
* Common sense should be used in planning roads;
* DCC”s should be spent faster to complete roads and interchanges before instead of after development takes place;
* Traffic calming should be done on an area basis not block by block;
* The Engineering Dept does not sufficiently consult with the public;
* Truck parking problems need to be resolved, and with out use of agricultural land;
* Truck speeding should be prevented;
* Truck routes should be reviewed and trucks should stick to them;
* Smaller trucks should be used for deliveries in residential areas;
* Goods delivery should be coordinated more – too many couriers delivering one parcel;
* More use should be made of train lines for interurban travel;
* More transit buses are needed – buses are packed now even though we are told we don’t have the density for transit lines;
* Bicycle routes should not be on major roads and should connect.

5. Administrative Matters

(a) The Coordinator announced that our registration as a society has been approved by the province. Our first AGM should be held in January/February, following the close of our financial year at year end. Currently there are five directors, which will be increased to seven at the AGM.

(b) It was moved by Rick Hart and seconded by Wally Sandvoss that now that we are a society, the establishment of a Surrey ASC bank account be approved, with signing officers having authority to expend up to $100 at one time without approval of the Executive or at a General Meeting. CARRIED

(c) It was moved by Velma Wilson and seconded by Fred Weber that fees for domain registration of $70 for 2 years be approved. CARRIED

6. Any Other Business

(a) Wally Sandvoss reported that he had attended meetings of the City’s multi-cultural task force as a guest, and that his appointment to that task force is to be brought by Councillor Martin to Council for approval.

(b) Velma Wilson circulated a notice re public consultation regarding the Environmental Assessment of the proposed twinning of the Port Mann bridge. The open house in Surrey will be held on Sat., Sept.22 at the Pacific Academy.

(c) Bonnie Burnside reported that Bing Thom, the consultant for the City Centre Plan has expressed an interest in meeting with Surrey ASC. It was moved by Rick Hart and seconded by Fred Weber that Surrey ASC agree to a special meeting with Bing Thom. CARRIED. Bonnie will arrange this meeting.

(d) Liz Walker expressed concerns re an application for another low income housing project in Newton, to house the homeless. Newton residents feel they already have more than their fair share of such projects and they are approaching Council about this.

7. Next Meeting

7.00 pm, October 18, at Port Kells Community Hall

8. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 9.15 pm.