WERA General Meeting, May 18, 2010

commenced 7:04 p.m.
Chair: Elmer Rudolph
Recorder: Gavin McLeod
Guests: David Guiney: City Representative
Graham Farstad: The Arlington Group.
1. Approval of minutes of previous meeting: Moved Seconded and Carried to approve minutes of the March 23, 2010 meeting: moved by Mary Wilson seconded by Gavin McLeod.
2. Approval of agenda/ additional items: Report on street sign toppers by Elmer Rudolph.
3. Report on Street Sign Toppers: Elmer Rudolph reported on sign topper progress; the project has been ongoing for years; approval was granted more than one year ago; a map of selected locations was submitted months ago, the sign toppers may be created and installed this summer depending on city schedule.
4. Summer Festival Event at Grimston Park: Gavin McLeod reported on the progress of creating a community event for the west end for July 17th running from the afternoon to late night. The plan for the event is to have a movie, band or bands, refreshments, block watch table, WERA table, and history of Grimston Park perhaps with the presence of a member of the Grimston family.
5. Subdivision of lot at 713 14th Street: Graham Farstad presented a proposal to rezone the property at 713 14th Street from NR1 to NR5, subdivide the 66 foot lot and build a house on the high side (Hamilton Street side) of the lot; some concern was voiced concerning the height of the proposed building, parking problems related to a possible secondary suite and the presence of asbestos in the existing building and garage.
6. Traffic Calming Proposal for Brow of the Hill: Traffic calming measures have been proposed for the lower part of the “Brow of the Hill” area of New Westminster; the purpose of which is to slow and deter through traffic in that area.
7. Traffic Advisory Representative Report: Andrea Francis was not present to give a report.
8. Citizens’ Police Committee Report: There was no report from the citizens of the west end to take to the Citizens Police Committee; Gavin McLeod reported on the upgrading of the New Westminster Police website.
9. Response From City re Funding of Pedestrian Overpass at 6th Ave/ Stewardson Way: Elmer Rudolph reported on the ongoing attempt to get an overpass created at 6th Ave/ Stewardson way to replace the crosswalk removed during the reconstruction of the north end of the Queensborough Bridge. The estimated cost of the overpass has increased from approx one million dollars to over 4 million dollars. Funding has been a major bottleneck, it has been proposed that the project be funded by the City, Translink and the government of BC in a three way split; CBS Outdoors paid for an overpass on McBride but the city has, so far, rejected the CBS contribution based on the requirement for the installation of advertising signs. Elmer suggested the use of Casino money and has promised to raise the issue at City Hall.
10. Response From City re 20th Street Traffic Study and West End Cycling Route: Elmer has contacted City Hall by letter and voice mail in an attempt to find out more about the rumoured traffic study and new London street bicycle path; so far Elmer has not received a response.
11. Concern about 7-11 operating at 846 20th Street:: Elmer Rudolph reported on concerns, by a neighbour, around a proposed 7-11 convenience store at 846 20th Street at London, since that is outside the jurisdiction of the West End Residents’ Association Elmer suggested that the neighbour canvass residents on the east side of 20th street so their concerns can be brought forward to WERA.
Adjourned: 8:47 pm.
Next meeting: scheduled for June 22nd 2010 @ 7pm at Tweedsmuir School Library.

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