April 19, 2008

Present: Joanne Ovitsland, Ian Thomson, Scott Sweeney, Michael Berman, Kevin McMahon, HICEEC rep: Tony Law, HRFCS rep: Ron Sitter, Recorder: Reina LeBaron

Regrets: Michael MacNamara, Michelle Wilson, Bill Engleson, Erin O’Brien-Hornsey

Call to order: 11:25 am.

1. Minutes of March 22, 2008 meeting accepted as presented by general consent.

2. Agenda accepted by general consent.

3. Business arising from previous minutes:

Meeting between land donor, Planner and ISLA representative: Michael Berman spoke with Bernhard Weiss about the land transfer.
Michael Berman spoke with Islands Trust Planner David Marlor regarding the proposed bylaw amendment that defines the donation of land and the land use. After the bylaw is in place, ISLA will need to create a housing agreement defining the method of assuring ongoing affordability. This could be through owner-occupied houses that are deed-controlled or through rental units that are rent-controlled.
There will be another meeting with Bernhard and David.
ACTION: Ian will arrange the date for another meeting.
The board needs to make decisions about what will happen with the land, specifically what model to use, who builds the housing, whether the housing should be established as a housing co-op, and when the housing agreement needs to be in place.
It is likely that the bylaw amendment and land transfer will take at least another year. It is also possible to apply for rezoning after the land is transferred and plans are more solidified. This would also allow for definitions to be more precise or site-specific.
It was suggested that the term “social housing” be changed to “community housing”.
There are definite limitations to the site (proximity to Beulah Creek, wet area and steep area).
It was suggested that a sub-committee made up of board representatives and other ISLA members, work on definitions and site plans.
Community Coalition (CAST forum): It was a very energizing meeting with lots of community support for ISLA. It was suggested at the meeting that Heron Rocks Friendship Centre Society (HRFCS) or Conservancy Hornby Island (CHI) might be able to hold land for ISLA since they are already a charitable land trust.
ISLA has been asked to come to the next meeting prepared to make a presentation of some clear goals and a timeline as well as general policies, so that other island groups have a better sense of how they could assist ISLA in providing housing.
One concrete action ISLA could request is that Union Bay Credit Union stop debiting the ISLA account $10 per month and return the $250 already charged.
There was discussion about the presentation and whether to continue pursuing charitable status.
Hornby Island Economic Enhancement Corporation (HICEEC) has initiated a Housing Needs Assessment for Hornby and Denman islands that will hopefully be available in the next few months. It would be useful to have and ISLA member on the steering committee—perhaps Joanne Harrison could represent both ISLA and Elder Housing. It would also be useful for the consultant to understand what information ISLA would like to have out of the Needs Assessment.
Clear Goals and timeline:
~Fund-raising and grant writing for maintenance and land development.
~Organizing the raffle of the 2008 Community Quilt. Two people, Judith Lawrence and Lou Ackerson, have offered to manage two weeks each of the Quilt. ISLA still needs two more people to do two weeks each.
~Planning the AGM on June 1 and recruiting some new board members.
~Working on the criteria for applicants and the model for the housing for the land that will be transferred from the Weiss’ sometime in 2009.
M/S/C Joanne/Ian “That for this location ISLA will pursue a first phase of owner-occupied housing, with a second phase of rent-controlled housing to follow.”
Having owner-occupied housing eliminates the possibility of gaining charitable status due to the strictures of the Charities Act. This may make fund-raising more difficult.
It was suggested that the model be as simple as possible, similar to the rest of Hornby, with ecologically designed buildings.
This location can’t meet all the needs of low-income residents. Some fine-tuning may be done later.
It may be necessary to partner with a charitable organization to fulfill ISLA’s housing goals.
ACTION: Scott will talk with Michael MacNamara about sharing the presentation and attend the meeting with information to present.
ACTION: Joanne will find papers to give to Scott for the presentation.
ACTION: Michael Berman will talk to Jim Saks about making a donation.
AGM: The AGM has been scheduled for 11:00 am, Sunday, June 1, 2008 at New Horizons.
ACTION: Joanne will book New Horizons for that time.
Margaret Eberle, the housing consultant doing the Needs Assessment, is a potential speaker. An alternate speaker could be Betty An Juba from Comox Valley Affordable Housing Association.
ACTION: Joanne will send an ad to the First Edition.
ACTION: Reina will write an article for the First Edition.
ACTION: Everyone will recruit people willing to be on the Board.
It would be good to have maps of the Weiss property marked with potential house sites prepared for the AGM.
HICEEC and Tony’s role: Tony will continue to attend ISLA meetings and will step in when he can offer information or assistance from HICEEC.
Quilt Raffle: Union Bay Credit Union will donate the printing of tickets. It was agreed to start with 400.
ACTION: Scott will get a checklist for managing the quilt.
ACTION: Joanne will send a letter to Lou and Judith confirming their dates for managing the quilt.
ACTION: Joanne will get lottery license number and information.

4. New Business:

Community Fund:
ACTION: Kevin will write a funding application to the Community Fund.
Community Land Trust workshop: The workshop will be held June 6-8. ISLA will get money to HICEEC to help fund the workshop. It was requested that the board approach 12-20 people from Hornby and Denman to attend the workshop.
Billets will be needed for off-island participants.
ACTION: Joanne will be the contact person and keep a list of likely participants and communicate with the board via e-mail.
Website and brochure:
ACTION: Everyone will bring suggestions for updates to the website or brochure for the next meeting.
Joanne is willing to distribute ISLA brochures at the RealHornby table during the summer.
ACTION: Kevin will update the website.
Paid recording secretary:
M/S/C Scott/Ian “That Reina LeBaron’s services as recorder and article-writer be retained for the next six months at the rate of $15 per hour.”
Next Meeting: 11:00 am, Saturday, May 10, 2008

Adjourned: 1:25 pm.