COAL CREEK HISTORIC PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE MARCH 23/09 MINUTES

PRESENT: John Leung, Grace Doherty, Joyce Lowe, May Gee, Carol Snaden, Dwayne Rourke, Josephine Peyton, Ray Iwaasa, Susan Grandfield, Guest – Jan Hellerud .

Chair Grace Doherty called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

AGENDA: Approval of the agenda
MOTION TO ADOPT: Josephine, John. Carried

MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 23/09 MEETING
MOTION TO ADOPT WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS:
Add under Lunar Dinner - $370 raised from the Silent Auction (May)
Add “historical” under Student Project to roads. (Ray)
Motion made by Ray and John. Carried

GUEST – JAN HELLERUD RE: SAITO HOUSE

Jan Hellerud and David Kydd are long time residents of the Saito house which is in the Coal Creek Historical Park. Jan: They own the house but not the land that it sits on (former lease arrangement with Weldwood). It has been approx. 5 years since former CAO Mac Fraser promised that the house issue would be settled. She has presented their proof of ownership of the house to Joanne Pilson as requested. They can’t sell the house. The Village owned property on Comox Lake Rd. across the street from the park was also under the same condition as Jan and David’s (lease). She wondered if some kind of trade was possible (no cash outlay for the Village, could be a difference in value, this is a council decision etc.). Jan and David would like the issue settled as they are getting older. Jan said that if the group acquired the house it would need to be taken care of as it is isolated and could be a target for vandals if unoccupied. Jan and David would like an “exit strategy” for the house. They held a “leasehold improvement” agreement with Weldwood on a renewable 5 year lease. The Souther house which is also in the park has been added onto with the original core still there. The Saito house has been kept close to as originally built except with an added porch. Jan said that the assessed value of the house would be ok for an agreement.

May: The house has historical significance. Grace: Perhaps we could get society status, fundraising possible. Carol: The Steveston Museum building was saved (a lot of volunteer labour etc.) by the Steveston Historical Society.

MOTION: Refer this issue back to the #1 Japanese town sub-committee for further consultation and drafting of a resolution for the next meeting. Note: Manabu Doi is the spokesperson for the Toronto group. Motion made by Ray Iwaasa and seconded by Dwayne. Carried

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

• UPDATE ON THE T-SHIRT FUNDRAISER May and John. Grace Doherty loaned $883.05 for the shirts. Lot 1 has been paid ($1500). Lot 2 – May will write a cheque this week for $1040.00 to pay for these. Lot 3 ordered. The shirts are selling quickly. The bill from the printer is in the wrong name (Cumberland Heritage Commission). This will be corrected. The group discussed different colours. May and John discussed getting a May booth and also selling at the Taiwanese lantern festival. Robert St. Amour took the photo that was used in the t-shirt press release.

MOTION: To support getting a booth at the Cumberland Village Market Day (Sat., May 16/09 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., booking at the Chamber) and at the parade day (May 18/09). Moved by John Leung and seconded by May Gee. Carried
Discussion of the volunteer schedule for selling t-shirts at the Lantern Festival (Tai Chi demo etc.) on Sat. March 28 at the Cultural Centre. Volunteers: Jo 2-5 p.m., Joy and May 5-8 p.m., Carol 6-8 p.m., Jan will also assist. Grace will help organize and bring tubs for the shirts. John has a metal folding table.

• FEEDBACK FROM TALK TO REGIONAL O.A.P. MEETING John Leung spoke at the O.A.P. regional meeting in Cumberland (Chinatown history, picnic shelter etc.) and sold 24 t-shirts.

• BRIDGE/TORII GATE UPDATE Ray Iwaasa said that the project is getting down to the final drawing for the trades use. Still looking at the finish for the gate. Ray showed a photo of an example at the Japanese Garden on Mayne Island. Ray: A natural finish may attract fewer vandals. The Rotary club has been helpful. There has been some red tape which creates obstacles e.g. engineered drawings etc. but they are making good progress. The working drawing will be finished in a matter of days. Tats and Ray will meet the Rotary Committee to discuss symbols etc. Keith Tatton is assisting and helping with research on the suitable type of concrete (wet area) etc. Stefan (Rotary) from Island Timberframe – company assistance with the drawing and overall plan. Rotary will provide labour for the gate and bridge projects, Steve Galbraith (Rotary) – belongs to the ATV group, assisting project. The Island Timberframe engineer will sign off on the projects and made a site visit. He is also an ATV rider and located onsite (park) natural material to shore up the land for the bridge. The Village account for #1 Japanese town is $678.39 from original donations.

MOTION: To receive and approve the progress report of the #1 working group. Motion by Jo, seconded by Dwayne. Carried.

NEW BUSINESS

• RECEIPT OF LETTER FROM VILLAGE RE: COMMUNITY CHARTER Grace: We need to comply with the Community Charter. She has sent information to the Village re: minutes, membership etc. as requested.
• KATIMAVIK STUDENT Grace: The student has worked on getting photos and museum photos of the park which Ron Bannerman has laminated. Photos with descriptions could be posted on the site. Grace owns a CD of the photos.
• ADDITION OF AGENDA ITEM FOR NEXT TIME Ray suggested that we add an agenda item for next time: the status of park bylaws and greenways. Invite Judy to the next meeting. Jan said that the ATVs are wrecking the environment in the park. Grace: The ATV activity will be on the agenda for the next Town Hall.

ADJOURNMENT
Motioned by Jo. Adjournment at 11:45 a.m.

Carol Snaden
Acting Secretary