WERA Meeting February 22, 2011

February 22, 2011; commenced 7:09 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 June 22, 2010 meeting: moved by Bill Zander seconded by Andrea Francis.
2) Update on status of W.E.R.A. room rental and liability insurance: City council had previously stated that residents’ associations are important but now they will not provide coverage under the city’s liability insurance. The city has proposed a group rate but to get the reduced rate all residents’ associations must participate, even at a reduced rate the amount would be too much for WERA’s budget.
3) Results of public hearing of January 17 2011 on reducing heights of garages: city council passed zoning amendment bylaw No. 7437, 2010 to limit the height of accessory buildings to a maximum peak height of 4.57 metres, for roofs with a pitch of 4:12 or less it will be 3.6 metres, the height will be measured from the finished floor of the detached accessory building; dormers are also prohibited. Carriage, laneway homes were mentioned, city council has no immediate plans to allow them but consultation will begin towards the end of 2011.
4) Status of city’s interest in placing electronic advertising signs in the city and allocation of revenue: Elmer was contacted by a representative from CBC outdoors advising him of the city’s intent to install electronic advertising signs like that currently installed in Queens Park at 6th avenue. The electronic billboards are expensive to install and produce light pollution, experience in other jurisdictions indicated a low profit margin. The city has not revealed where the signs will be installed and where the revenue will be spent.
5) Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee Report: Mary Wilson reported that she has entered her third year on the pedestrian and bicycle advisory committee; Mary reported on construction of bicycle greenway.
6) Traffic Committee Report: Gavin McLeod reported on his first meeting at the Neighbourhood Traffic Advisory Committee, traffic problems are supposed to be given a high priority by the police over the next few months.
7) Citizens Police Committee Report: Andrea Francis reported that a grant is available to neighbourhood groups.
8) Additional Agenda Items:
9) Environmental Committee: Bill Zander reported on an inspection of the Kruger paper, the company has greatly improved their pollution reduction measures.

Membership Renewals: Elmer invited members to check their dues status.

Adjourned: 9:02 pm.
Next meeting: tentatively scheduled for April 26, 2010 @ 7pm at Unity In Action Church.