WERA Meeting November 23 2010

November 23, 2010; commenced 7:04 p.m.
Chair: Elmer Rudolph
Recorder: Gavin McLeod
Guests: David Guiney
1. Approval of minutes of previous meeting: Moved Seconded and Carried to approve minutes of the September 28, 2010 meeting: moved by Mary Wilson seconded by Frank Norman.
2. Elections of Officers (held over from September AGM):
President: Incumbent is Elmer Rudolph.
Nominations: Elmer Rudolph no other nominations Elmer Rudolph accepted the nomination and was declared
elected by acclamation.
Vice President: Incumbent is Andrew Murray.
Nominations: Andrew Murray no other nominations Andrew Murray accepted the nomination and was declared
elected by acclamation.
Secretary: Incumbent is Gavin McLeod
Nominations: Gavin McLeod no other nominations Gavin McLeod accepted the nomination and was declared
elected by acclamation.
Treasurer: Incumbent is Peter Lovick.
Nominations: Gavin McLeod no other nominations Gavin McLeod accepted the nomination and was declared
elected by acclamation.
Motion to accept Moved/ Seconded/ Carried
3. Appointment of Directors:
Incumbents: Mary Wilson, Andrea Francis, Frank Norman, John Sousa
Nominations: Mary Wilson, Andrea Francis, Frank Norman and Bill Zander. No further nominations.
4. School Board Decision to charge for meetings: Elmer attended the School Board meeting of November 9th; at the meeting Jim Goring raised the issue of charges for meetings. The policy to charge is still in draft form and has not been finalized but money is still being taken for meetings. The issue of insurance was raised, the school board insists that they must be protected. The city carries comprehensive coverage and it was suggested that RAs be added to the coverage. It was suggested to send a letter and/ or delegate to City Hall to request that City Hall add residence associations to the city’s insurance policy. The only alternative to Tweedsmuir School is one of the churches. Elmer contacted Unity in Action Church and was told that we could meet there for free. A motion was made by Frank Norman and seconded by Andrew Murray to send a delegate to City Council to request that the city add residence associations to the city’s insurance policy. The motion was carried.
5. Laneway Housing and Large Garages: David Guiney answered questions about large garages and the potential of laneway houses in New Westminster. New Westminster has recently implemented a change in the bylaw governing garage construction resulting in the denial of permits for large garages. Laneway housing is not on councils agenda for the foreseeable future.
6. Report on United Boulevard Presentation at the Justice Institute): Andrew Murray reported on the presentation and the effect that the project would have on the residential areas of New Westminster particularly Sapperton; Andrew suggested that rapid transit would be a better investment; four options were presented, city council suggested that one option may be doable as it would have the least impact on Sapperton. Coquitlam is in favour of the project due to the major housing development taking place there.
7. Additional Agenda Items: Bill Zander voiced concerns over the apparent construction of large homes that appear to be in violation of NR1, Dave Guiney explained that due to high property costs builders are building houses to the maximum allowed size and large lots in New Westminster will have large houses but still be within the NR1 limitations. Gordon Marx introduced himself and reported on the resurrection of the Connaught Heights Residence Association.
Adjourned: 9:02 pm.
Next meeting: tentatively scheduled for January 25, 2011 @ 7pm at Tweedsmuir School Library.