Bulletin - Jan 21, 2016

Posted by Donna Garvin 
 
Minutes for meeting of January 21, 2016
Greeter: Ian
Door Duty: Carolyn
Sergeant at Arms: Jack G
 
Meeting called to order @ 6:30 p.m. by President Cosmo
National Anthem sang by members
Invocation offered by Leta
 
Guests tonight:
Alice Finall – Mayor of North Saanich
 
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
  1. DLTA is April 1 – 3rd in Victoria. 
  2. There was an email from Sidney by the Sea regarding their raffle. They want a contact person within our club.  We need to have a better understanding of what our involvement will be.
  3. Jack MacAulay gave us a report on the Salvation Army Kettle fundraising at Christmas.
 
PROGRAM:  Alice Finall – Mayor of North Saanich
Alice was introduced by Donna.  Alice spoke of recent and current events regarding the municipality.  Alice’s paramount concern was to improve the viability and productivity of farms in North Saanich.  45% of the municipality is farmland.  Environmental concerns lead to concerns about food production.  Our grocery bills are increasing and our food is coming from further away.
 
Consultants have been retained to engage the public regarding development of the Sandown Lands.  February 16th is a wind-up meeting.  The east wing of the Municipal Hall is now being replaced.  It will take 18 months to complete.  The council needs to find an alternate meeting place for a time.  Alice spoke of the imposition of urban growth by the previous council, therefore there is a freeze on any further subdivision approval until a review of the urban growth by-law is completed.  A by-law was passed last week allowing secondary suites with surprisingly little opposition.  The council also recently reviewed North Saanich’s participation in a regional economic strategy.  With regards to amalgamation, the municipality has made a formal request to the Province for funding.  There has not yet been a response.   There was a recent meeting with the Minister.  Alice understands that the Province will not force amalgamation.  Alice said that there is already extensive cooperation with neighboring municipalities.  Finally, Alice spoke about the group contemplating a LNG facility in Finlayson Arm.  The municipality wants to have a public meeting on the issue.
 
Alice was thanked by Tara.
 
SERGEANT AT ARMS
Jack Gallop provided sports questions for the men and women with mixed results. 
 
Happy & Sad Dollars:  Cosmo was happy, although he couldn’t remember why.
 
50/50 DRAW
Donna had the winning ticket, but drew a white marble.
 
NEXT MEETING:  January 28th – Steve Price, Mayor of Sidney.
Greeter and Note taker:  Jack Gallop
Door Duty:  Dan Rippin
Sergeant at Arms: Maria
 
Meeting adjourned. 
 
Minutes prepared by Ian Morley