ISLANDERS SECURE LAND ASSOCIATION (ISLA)
Directors Meeting
April 7 2006 Denman Community School, Denman Island
Present: Jan Bevan, Scott Sweeney, Darlene Gage, Tony Law, Riane deSilva, Laura Busheikan, Michael McNamara
Regrets: Michelle St.Pierre, Kevin McMahon, Ian Thomson, Veronica Graham
Chair: Jan Bevan
Minute-taker: Darlene Gage
M I N U T E S
1. Call to order
The meeting was called to order at 1:00pm.
1. Check-in
Approx. 7 members of the Denman community
attended both an informal session prior the meeting, and 5 of them stayed on
for the official meeting itself. Introductions were made all around. There were
representatives from the Denman Residents Association, the Denman Community School, Denman
Conservancy, and the new owners of the “North Lands” land on
Denman Island.
3. Agenda
The agenda, amended to include a discussion of how to strengthen the ties with Denman organizations, and moving of all Denman-related items to the top of the agenda, was adopted by general consent.
4. Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the Directors Meeting held on March 7, 2006 were
adopted by general consent.
5. For Discussion / Decision
a) Strengthening the relationships with Denman Island
There are several possible organizations with which ISLA may wish to pursue some kind of relationship or on-going communication. The Denman Residents Association (DIRA) does not formally have “housing” on its agenda, but it may be a useful context in which the community could come together to discuss the issue. There may be a linkage with the DIRA North Lands Committee, who are currently bringing together proposals and ideas for possible uses of what used to be known as the “4064 lands”, but is now owned by a group of Denman Islanders who are asking for the community’s input around how to use the land. A representative of the current land owners was present at the meeting and explained that the reason her group bought the land was mostly a concern for preserving its conservation values, but that they have always hoped to bring a social agenda into the development of the property. There may be a possibility of donating some of the land to ISLA for affordable housing purposes, if that is something that the Denman community identifies as a priority. They also need to develop some form of market housing on the property in order to cover the mortgage expenses incurred from the purchase.
Some questions and comments arose from these two discussions –
- What is the likelihood of ISLA actually being in a position to build housing on any lands that are donated?
- Is ISLA ready to accept lands at the moment?
- It was agreed by the whole Board that ISLA needs to remain neutral about potential lands or projects that are arising on both Hornby and Denman. We need to await the decisions of various community processes before we can officially state our “approval” for the acceptance of a particular piece of land for the purpose of building affordable housing.
- There was also a strong sentiment that perhaps ISLA should also be seen as separate from any organizations or projects before we have our official policies and procedures in place to direct these kinds of relationships.
- It was also generally agreed that ISLA needed to have a more solid presence on Denman Island – including more education about our purposes and how we plan to achieve our goals, and the importance of creating affordable housing on both islands. It was also suggested that ISLA could report in an ongoing way about its activities at monthly DIRA meetings (this topic needs follow up).
- Paddy O’Connell, a Co-ordinator with the Denman Community School, volunteered to sit on the Board in order to create a link with the Community School. The issue of the proper procedure for appointing new Director’s to ISLA, along with the issue of what constitutes a quorum of the Board, was referred to the Executive Committee for a recommendation to the Board at the next meeting.
b) Density Transfers
Riane brought up the possibility of using “density transfers” as a mechanism that may allow for higher densities to be permitted on any lands that ISLA may acquire on Denman – something there is not much room for in the current OCP. This mechanism would allow private land holders to transfer the density allowed them on their lots to an ISLA lot. This item was flagged for possible discussion in the future, especially relating to lands held by the Denman Conservancy.
c) Denman Northlands Committee Process
Riane reported on the mandate of this DIRA committee. Most of the discussion on this issue took place within the context of the discussion of the “4064 lands”. The process that this Committee is facilitating may lead to a donation of lands to ISLA in the future, and so should be something that the Board stays connected with.
d) Denman OCP “Assessment “ Process
This item was tabled for future discussion.
e) Policies on Projects
This item was tabled until the next meeting, but all agreed that this policy was a high priority, as it will guide the Board’s decision-making regarding the possible acceptance (or rejection) of any land donations.
f) Documenting Housing Needs
Ian has asked that ISLA undertake some deeper research into showing the actual housing needs on the Islands. There was discussion around what questions exactly need to be answered in more detail than we already possess. Michael agreed to look over current documentation and research, and this will discussed at an upcoming meeting.
6. Reports
a) Executive Committee
Jan reported on the new Post Office Box that is serving as ISLA’s official mailing address – Everyone please note the new address –
Box 75
Hornby Island, BC
V0R 1Z0
It was also reported that someone on Hornby recently approached ISLA with the idea of a possible donation or willing of land at some point in the future.
Michael Macnamara reported on presentation he made to the Denman Local Trust Committee about ISLA and CLT’s in general. It seemed to be well received, and Michael will circulate the text of his presentation to the rest of the Board.
Because of legal requirements restricting a quorum (two) of Islands Trustees from meeting unless there has been public notice, ISLA Directors decided to meet with Islands Trustees at public meetings. Jan will attend the next Hornby Local Trust business meeting.
b) Financial/membership report
The responsibility and structure for the book-keeping and financial reporting of ISLA has now been transferred to the new Treasurer, Michael Macnamara. He reported that 3 new memberships were received since the last meeting. Darlene is still attempting to get the membership database transferred over the Scott.
c) Projects Committee
The draft policy/procedure created by Tony was put before the Board for consideration. Due to a lack of time to thoroughly review the draft, discussion was tabled until the next meeting.
d) Research Committee
It was agreed that the time-line to produce two draft policy/procedure recommendations (land acquisition and home-owner selection) would be shortened, and these two draft policies will be a high priority for the next meeting. The research committee will meet to discuss these two documents.
e) Outreach Committee
Monthly articles are now being created by this committee for the First Edition and Flagstone. The Committee will continue to submit monthly articles to both papers. It was suggested that organizing a membership drive was a high priority. Anne Ngan has offered the use of a painting (of a house) to make cards for ISLA new members or gift memberships. Other people who have offered their help include Tim Biggins, Jen Reiter (on research committee) and Tom Jones (with fundraising and grant writing).
f) Legal / Finance Committee
This committee will report in May, as their terms of reference have not yet been presented.
g) Land Use Committee
This committee will report in May, including terms of reference.
h) Fundraising Committee
Michelle and Kevin sent in a report via email, asking for various volunteers to help with different tasks at the upcoming fundraiser dance on Sat. April 15th.
7. BUSINESS
a) Habitat for Humanity
Nothing to report, as Darlene has not yet attended another Habitat Board meeting.
b) Secretary position
As no current Denman Board member could be found to act as the Secretary for the Board, Darlene offered to fill the position until a suitable person could be found.
M/S/C Riane/Tony – To appoint Darlene Gage as the ISLA Secretary.
Minute-taking will remain a shared responsibility for the whole Board, and there remains a desire to find a Denman person to sit on the Executive.
c) Quorum for Board meetings
It was noted that a majority of directors are required to constitute a quorum for a Board meeting unless the directors determine otherwise. This will be discussed by the Executive Committee, who will report at the next meeting.
8. New Business
a) Meeting processes (including conflict resolution)
It was agreed to postpone this discussion until the May meeting.
b) Lobbying
Tony reported that he has personally sent a few letters to various Ministries that are dealing with legislation that may have serious impacts on affordable housing and land issues. He encouraged other individuals to do the same, and would be happy to provide background info and addresses to anyone interested. This issue did bring up the topic of ISLA’s limitations around lobbying, and should be something we discuss in future.
c) Correspondence
Bernhard Weiss sent confirmation in writing that he and Christa intend to name ISLA as recipients of a parcel of land in his proposed subdivision, which is presently under application to Islands Trust. Darlene was asked to acknowledge receipt of Bernhard's letter.
11. Next meeting
The next meeting will be on Friday May 12 at 12:15 at the Hornby Health Care meeting room.
12. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30pm.
Jan: - Convene the Executive Committee to prepare recommendations for appointment of new Board members and a new quorum level.
- Sit at the membership table between 8-10pm at the upcoming Dance.
Darlene: - Convene the Research Committee to create draft policies on land acquisition and home-owner criteria.
- Maintain periodic contact with Habitat for Humanity.
- Organize the Bar at the upcoming Dance.
- Type April Minutes.
- Get membership database to Scott.
- Send acknowledgement to the Weiss’s re: receipt of letter of intent
Michael; - Convene Land Use Committee to draft terms of reference
- Review all current research on housing and help determine gaps.
- Circulate copy of presentation to DILTC.
Tony:
Scott: - Ensure articles submitted for First Edition and Flagstone.
- Notice of May meeting in Grapevine
- Organize a membership drive
Veronica: - Convene Legal/Finance Committee to prepare ToR
Laura:
Michelle/Kevin: - Be responsible for fundraising dance on April 15th.
Riane:
ISLANDERS SECURE LAND ASSOCIATION (ISLA)
Directors Meeting
May 12, 2006 Hornby Health Care Meeting Room
D R A F T A G E N D A
1. Call to order at 12:15
2. Check-in
3. Approval of the agenda
4. Approval of the minutes of the April 7 meeting
5. Matters arising from the minutes
6. Reports
a) Executive Committee (Jan)
b) Financial/membership report (Michael)
c) Projects Committee (Tony)
d) Research Committee (Darlene)
e) Outreach Committee (Scott) – Membership drive
f) Legal/Finance Committee (Veronica) - including terms of reference
g) Land Use Committee (Michael) - including terms of reference
h) Fundraising Committee (Michelle) – Report on the Dance Fundraiser
7. Business
a) Reporting at DIRA & HIRRA meetings on a regular basis
b) Recommendation from Executive re: new Board members (and specifically Paddy O’Connell) and quorum levels
c) Correspondence
8. For discussion/decisions
a) Meeting processes and conflict resolution
b) Density Transfer – how can we look into this further and advocate for it?
c) Denman OCP Assessment – Do we need to stay in touch with this process?
d) Denman Northlands process – How can we stay in touch with this process?
e) Policies on projects (and related items) - Projects Committee
f) Policy on choosing potential home-owners – For discussion
g) Documenting housing needs – What actual questions we need to answer?
9. New business
a)
b)
c)
10. Follow-up action
11. Next meeting – Assign Minute Taker
12. Adjournment