FRASER HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MINUTES

May 10, 2017

President’s report

• Web site – fhca.ca
• Ed MacIntosh, president
• FHCA is a volunteer non-profit organization – we volunteer our time to represent the community dealing with issues that affect our community such as safety, traffic, development
• The FHCA gathers four times a year to discuss issues that affect our community
• FHCA helps shape policy and issues that involve our community
• If you have problems in our community, please send your information to us and we will look into these issues (go to Contact Us on the fhca.ca website). This is our primary site to collect comments from residents about community issues so we know about them and can send them on to the City.
• Membership is free. If you are not currently on the email list, go to our website and sign up (on the right side of website page).  You will receive four notifications and four reminders of the upcoming meetings per year.  There may also be notifications of open houses or events affecting FH residents.
• Our Community Association mailing address is PO Box 74042, Surrey, V4N 1N9.

Treasurer’s report

• Financial statement – total account balance is $2638.85

RCMP update on safety and security – District Commander Cpl (A/Sgt) Bob Keay was in attendance tonight.  He is replacing Laurie Clarkson who was transferred to Richmond.  He can be reached at bob.keay@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.  District #2 Community Response Unit 10395-148 St.  phone # 778-593-3286 – you can leave a voicemail on Bob’s number if there is something taking place in community that you want brought to the attention of RCMP and is not urgent.

• Bob Keay is still in charge of the operations side of the RCMP
• Number of residential break and enters reported in FH from Dec 2016 to Apr 2017 was 79 (Dec – 16, Jan – 18, F – 27, Mar – 6, Apr – 12). Feb recorded the highest number
• Many B&Es occurred early in the morning, after people have left for work (9 to 10 a.m.) but midday and evening (when becomes dark) were also targeted times.
• FH is a wealthy environment targeted by thieves coming from outside the community. It was very concerning there was such a concentrated number so extra surveillance was done.
• Large proportion of B&Es were attributed to several identified individuals – 2 key groups were arrested so March number dropped significantly.
• Your home should be visible from the street – clear away bushes obstructing view to home (thieves can hide behind bushes and break in without been seen)
• Lighting – thieves will go where they can’t be seen so light up your yard using permanently lit lights that come on at dusk and go off at dawn rather than motion detection lights. Make sure the lights are high enough so the bulbs cannot be removed.
• There should be a minimum of 2 locking devices on doors. If possible, secure the frame with metal plates under the locks which help make it much harder for the door to be kicked in.
• Sliding doors and windows can be secured with a deadbolt lock at bottom of slider – pin that goes through (or an expandable pole to jam the slider)
• Window – a wooden dowel or dead bolt are good but bars are the best. Problem is, in emergency, it can be difficult to get out.  Best idea is to put bars on inside so they can be opened in an emergency
• Put timers on your inside lights and have blinds/drapes open during day
• Install alarm system on your home
• Install a safe that is bolted down for your jewelry/important items
• Join or start a Block Watch
• Have a FREE Home Security Assessment completed through Blair Berkner, Community Programs Coordinator. He can be reached at:  Surrey_Crime_Prevention_District_2@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or phone 604-502-6509.
• Stay informed – COSMOS crime mapping http://cosmos.surrey.ca (shows crime trends in throughout Surrey)
• Install the RCMP app on your phone
• Subscribe to eNews
• If you’re going away on holidays, have someone stay at / check in on your house, put timers on lights, have video surveillance. Thieves scoot fast if alarm goes off.
• Leave your phone number with neighbour. If they see something, get them to call police
• Sometimes the crooks have someone ring your bell. If no one answers, they go away and send someone else to break in or they come back
• Make reports to police and to Block Watch so patrols and surveillance can be done
• Violent crimes are decreasing but property and economic crimes are increasing (they steal your ID to buy stuff)
• Pamphlets on home security and Block Watch can be requested through Blair Berkner (see above for contact information)

Surrey Parks, Doug Merry, Parks Planner (djmerry@surrey.ca or phone 604-598-5778) – Presentation on Off-Leash Dog Park at Fraser View Park situated at north-east corner of 160 Street and 112 Ave in Fraser Heights

• The off-leash park in Tynehead is a Metro Vancouver property and is not run by the City of Surrey
• Local neighbourhood parks are good off-leash dog sites as residents with dogs can walk to them. Often, they are a gathering place for the community – benches and possibly a kiosk will be installed
• Fraser View Park was selected as the best option as there’s an open grass area and good sight lines into the park
• To avoid environmental impacts, the area will be fenced – it could be one open area or separated for large/small dogs
• Currently, there is no parking along 112^th Ave on the north side of the street but signs will be removed if dog park goes ahead
• All parks in Surrey are closed dusk to dawn and are not lighted. The dog park will not be lit but fencing should protect dogs from wildlife.
• There will be a Public Open House May 30^th at Dogwood Elementary from 6 to 8 p.m. (will also be on City Website – webpage for Fraser View Park)
• If residents are in agreement, construction will start in fall of 2017

Development – Conceptual Development at 15950 & 15960 108a Ave – by Mr Pomy Grewal

• Ron Gill suggested Mr. Grewal should talk to our association – he owns 2 full size lots on the south side of 108A Ave and to the west of the mall with Red Shiso/Esso.
• The combined size of these two lots is 40 metres wide along 108A, 38 metres deep
• He was proposing putting in a 2 storey building that would blend with the surrounding buildings/houses.  It would contain a preschool, daycare and family doctor’s office that may have up to 2 or 4 doctors and a walk-in clinic on the main level.  It would  also have 24 parking spaces
• Maximum 50 children would be able to attend the preschool/daycare.
• He will contact neighbours in that area, if this project proceeds to planning before the formal process will start
• Property has to be rezoned to accommodate this project so he values the input of our community
• Trees will be lost but he ensured the property will have trees planted once it is built.
• Members concern: Traffic flow could be congested at school times.
• Grewal stated that the hours of the daycare would be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. so children arriving would be staggered. The preschool hours may be adjusted so they do not affect school traffic.

Fraser Heights Wine Cellar – Rebecca Hardin Presentation (Rising Tide Consultants – rebecca@risingtideconsultants.ca or phone 604-669-2928, cell 604-314-0176

• Breanna Paulson is the general manager of this boutique-style store in the corner unit next to Nesters in the Fraser Heights Mall (mall at north east side of 108 Ave/160 St)
• They want to amend the current business zoning (they do have the licence) which restricts the sale of beer, wine spirits and coolers at this location. Residents have requested these items.
• The store size will remain the same but would be rearranged to accommodate extra products
• Locational guidelines by City – no liquor store can be within a radius of 400 metres of a school or playground (this law has been relaxed in areas depending on a community’s wants)
• Customers are asked for ID (19 is legal drinking age). As of Jan 23^rd, if in violation of age limit, customer is given a hefty fine.  Business owner must make sure they don’t make sales to minors or the store is also fined.  If this happens 3 times, the business licence will be revoked
• Gov’t liquor stores, which contain all types of liquor, cannot be within 1 Km of a local licenced retail store (the one at Guildford is more than 1 Km away from FH)
• The Overwaitea development at the north east corner of 104 Ave/156 St has zoning for a liquor store but there was no information about it at this time.

Transmountain Pipeline – update comments

• Modification to proposal – originally, it ran north of the SFPR but now is south of SFPR and the train tracks. This will have a big impact on homes in the area as trees, acting as a sound buffer from the Highways, will be taken down.  Currently, there are 29,000 to 30,000 trucks driving on SFPR and many of them use their noisy engine brakes, even though signage states no engine brakes.  The only noise abatement residents in that area have are those trees as noise abatement fencing cannot be installed there
• KM – submitted proposal to National Energy Board. In early part of this summer, they will arrange a presentation to the community to show impact on FH
• FHCA will send out email in the early part of July to let you know where presentation will be
• The Golden Ears Connector is now open with street lights every block

Directors’ Report

• Amended Proposal – 182a St in East FH / East Abbey Ridge

1. The developer got together with directors/residents and negotiated a compromised plan

• There is a proposal for property near Pacific Academy for nine homes with large lots up by freeway
• Highcrest Development on 9989 Barnston Drive East – information on this development could come in late May or June – FHCA will send emails. The planner is proposing to decrease the 130,000 sq. feet retail that was originally planned down to 10,000 sq. ft. and add another 40 condos and 50 townhomes.  When this comes up for Public Hearing, make your voice heard by going to City Hall and signing in prior to the meeting so we can show how many are in opposition to proposal.  You need to make sure City Clerk is there so when you sign, it is registered and will be delivered to mayor.  Note – this register is a City-wide document and anyone in the City of Surrey can come in and sign.  Once you register, you can leave or stay for the meeting.
• Tree Replacement – Urban manager of forests has provided a chart (on our website) with a list of the tree plantings going on in FH. Let the FHCA directors know places you’d like to see trees planted in FH.  Currently, developers taking down trees for development must put money into the tree fund which covers all of Surrey so trees being replanted may not be in FH.

1. Cedar trees planted along an area of the noise abatement wall have died. These will be removed and replaced with other trees and the City said they would be maintained.

Other information

• FH Greenway from 110 Ave to 108 Ave/156 St – contracts have been granted and plantings will happen soon
• Terry Fox run – the foundation is looking for volunteers in FH to help with the Terry Fox run in September
• Landlords and Tenants – the Newton Community Centre will be doing a presentation by a representative of the Residential Tenancy Board on Wed 24^th at their centre.

The FHCA meetings for the 2017/2018 year will be announced by July or August 2017

FRASER HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MINUTES

February 22, 2017

President’s report

• Web site – fhca.ca
• Ed MacIntosh, president
• FHCA is a volunteer non-profit organization – we volunteer our time to represent the community dealing with issues that affect our community such as safety, traffic, development
• The FHCA gathers four times a year to discuss issues that affect our community
• FHCA helps shape policy and issues that involve our community
• If you have problems in our community, please send your information to us and we will look into these issues (go to Contact Us on the fhca.ca website). This is our primary site to collect comments from residents about community issues so we know about them and can send them on to the City.
• Membership is free. If you are not currently on the email list, go to our website and sign up (on the right side of website page).  You will receive four notifications and four reminders of the upcoming meetings per year.  There may also be notifications of open houses or events affecting FH residents.
• Our Community Association mailing address is PO Box 74042, Surrey, V4N 1N9.

 Treasurer’s report

• Financial statement – total account balance is $2602.24

RCMP update on safety and security – District Commander Sergeant Laurie Clarkson was in attendance tonight.  She can be reached at Laurie.Clarkson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.  District #2 Community Response Unit 10395-148 St.  phone # 604-502-6500 – you can leave a voicemail on Laurie’s number if there is something taking place in community that you want brought to the attention of RCMP and is not urgent.

• Crime stats have gone up with average of 33% across all areas in Surrey
• Crime types – main ones reported are:

1. Suspicious persons (all hours day/night) – call these in. Some coming to your door say they are from the gas company and want to see your bills, they come into your house.  DON’T let them in – if you don’t recognize them, they shouldn’t be there.  Don’t hesitate to call RCMP.  The more calls they get and descriptions of individuals, they can form crime patterns of where events are happening and who is responsible.
2. Unspecified (barking dog etc.),
3. B&E residential (Jan went down) – last week a couple of individuals were picked up that were believed to have done a number of FH B&Es,
4. Theft from vehicles – had gone up across the Lower Mainland – don’t leave things in the vehicle. Some thieves look into vehicles and if see stuff, take it.

• Security systems are a deterrent – alert company something is going on
• Surveillance cameras an asset as have picked up information
• Jewelry – videotape what is in your home so you have a record of it
• If going away, have someone stay in your house or get someone look in daily
• Empty residences in your area – you can call City or RCMP and let them know

Blair Berkner is the Community Programs Coordinator.  He can be reached at: Surrey.Crime.Prevention.District.2@remp-grc.ga.ca or phone 604-502-6509.

Mail and Identity theft prevention – biggest increase in this crime type Surrey-wide between Sept 2016 and Jan 2017 – 60% from townhouse or condo complexes, 3 community mailboxes, 2 individual mailboxes and one mailbox completely stolen

• Video shown to those attending this meeting – a fellow broke into a condo complex and cleaned out 108 mailboxes in less than 4 minutes. Make sure to remove your mail daily
• Mailbox theft increases around Christmas and tax season (now) – CRA information sent to you and has SIN number on it. Thieves are looking for mail with your identification numbers such as bills, statements, cheques (both ones you’ve ordered or those made out to you)
• Thieves watch for parcels left at doors. Make arrangements for delivery, if you won’t be home
• Damaging effects – many people won’t know the negative effects from these thefts until 8 or 9 months later at which time, thieves may open a cellular account in your name
• Pick up your mail on a daily basis and have invoices or statements sent to you online
• If you move, change your address with Canada Post
• If you are going traveling or will be away from home, rent a mail box at a store or depot or have your mail held at the Post Office.
• Individual mailboxes on houses – If you want to have mail delivered to a community mailbox, you can ask Canada Post (number on mailbox). Nesters has a waitlist for boxes in the store
• Shred your personal information when no longer needed (Shredathons put on by RCMP – bring donation for Surrey Food Bank)
• If see suspicious activity around mailbox, vehicles or people, call it in to RCMP
• Emergency – if see crime in progress, call 911
• Contact number for Canada Post is on all mailboxes
• Contact Canadian Fraud is you are a victim of stolen identity 1-888-495-8501, Equifax Canada at 1-800-465-7166 or Trans Union Canada 1-877-525-3823
• Surrey RCMP site – they release stats quarterly by regions (e.g. Guildford)
• Cosmos (City of Surrey) – click on the public safety tab and you will see crime types and where they were committed – site is updated 1^st week of every month
• Thieves were accessing homes mainly through sliding doors/windows. The RCMP will come to show you how to secure your home (contact Blair)

Developments:

• RCG Group development at 160 Street & 108A Ave; Presentation by Michael Burton-Brown, Architect at Abbarch – email mbb@abbarch.com
• A parking deficit for the mall on the northwest corner of 160 St/108 Ave was identified by tenants and an independent group. The property north of this part of the mall was purchased to provide 37 more parking spaces.  The application is in to the city to develop 2 city lots on the remaining part of this land.  The City wants the laneway landscaped
• There will be a gates on the 108A access (open during mall hours and closed before and after hours) and greenery in and surrounding the lot.
• The lot will be illuminated in such a way that there will not be light spill-over to residences
• Developer will keep some trees on the site and on the lots to be developed
• Currently, people have been parking on 108A but once developed, no parking here
• Size of lot approx. 122 by 200 ft
• Resident asked if there will be a crosswalk between lot and A&W. No, so the safest place to cross would be at 108/160 corner where there is a crosswalk.
• This lot will be monitored by Mobile Security and Diamond Parking. They will ticket if using this lot for student or long term parking
• Gordon Walker, Senior VP Real Estate Development, gdw@rcggroup.com

• Highcrest Development on 9989 Barnston Drive East – New Proposal

1. Joe Dhaliwal, the developer of Highcrest, wants to reduce commercial / retail space from 142,000 sq. ft. (which was zoned commercial) to 10,000 sq. ft. Original proposal was to have a drugstore, gas station and shopping centre comparable to Nester’s market area (Nesters, in itself, is 12,700 sq ft).  The whole plan got approved by the City on the basis it would contain this commercial space.
2. If commercial /retail space is lost here, the mall containing Nesters will be very crowded once the full Highcrest project is completely finished.
3. The Parkcrest development will be adding another 90 to 95 homes (108 south to #1 and Parkview Place to 167) which will also tax the current FH mall.
4. 172 to 175 Streets – there will be another group of 40 homes going in there
5. There is no transportation in that area and the families that bought into this complex were informed commercial space would be coming. Retail is needed to service the number of total residences that this site will eventually contain.  There is a social benefit of a commercial centre containing a food store and a coffee shop in that it acts as community centre for residents.
6. Currently, at Highcrest, there is a townhome building under construction (4 storey of condos – 115 units)
7. Liane McMahon has been keeping track of this development since 2008 and has made a comprehensive list of each stage of the project since 2003 – (from bylaws, corporate reports etc. on City website)
8. Residents, please write to councillors and mayor in opposition to this reduction of commercial area proposal when this application goes to public hearing
9. If residential is passed and commercial reduced so significantly, our community will never get a chance to have the commercial area set aside for residents
10. As a community, we expect development to take place in Hubs and City Centres but not the high density proposed for this small area.
11. Most of Fraser Heights is an RF community and the hope was that Abbey Ridge would be developed similar to west part FH
12. Emails will be applied for 1^st and 2^nd hearing but residents must write again when goes up for last hearing/development
13. FHCA will post on website pertinent facts about this project and if you are on the email list, you will receive an email as to when 3^rd hearing is set.
14. Arrive at City Hall between 6:30 and 6:55, write your name/address on the list kept at the reception desk whether you are for/against the proposal and then you can stay or leave. You can also indicate whether you want to speak to it – use sound reasons e.g., social cost, benefit, how it will affect neighbourhood, families in area.  Please note that anyone, anywhere in Surrey, can sign these sheets to agree or oppose the proposals even if they have no vested interest in the projects so please, make sure you do show up and bring your neighbours as well.
15. These sheets are delivered to mayor when the hearing starts. Please make sure your signature has been witnessed by the City Clerk as at the last hearing, there were 15 in favour and 89 opposed but the mayor wouldn’t count them as some people had signed without the Clerk witnessing the signatures.
16. The new City hall has a parking lot under the building that can be entered off 104 Ave – it is well lit and on council meeting nights, parking is free for about 8 hours. Remember to enter your licence plate # at the parking kiosk on the main floor and that is where signing of sheets takes place.  Security guards can help you if in doubt.
17. The council meeting is streamed live or it can be watched the next day
18. When writing letters or emails, one could add a piece about the elementary and high schools (Bothwell and Fraser Heights) as Bothwell has space for about 100 more students and Fraser Heights is over capacity. Some FH students have had to go to North Surrey for high school as there has been no room in their own catchment

• Abbey Ridge proposal 7916-0032-00 – follow up from Public Hearing of Feb 20 at City Hall

1. Came up a couple of votes short to get this proposal referred back (previously, Parkview Place had been referred back and the outcome was more favourable).
2. RF13 – 41 lots on north side of development of Lyncean Drive with 2 car garages was passed. More proposals will be coming so watch for green signs to go up.
3. There was no opposition to proposal of RF and RG (big lots)
4. One more coming up by same applicant, Canadian Horizons at 182A – 40 RF13 lots
5. An alternate to RF 13 are the RFG lots which are smaller than RF but 500 to 600 sq ft larger than RF13 and the developer puts up part of the land for parkland (part of the Parkview development was RFG)

Public Art in Fraser Heights:

• The project will be relocated to the Community Center and will not be in the traffic circle at 156 St/108 Ave
• Volunteers are needed to help select what structure/art would best suit our community
• Instead of art, the 156/108 traffic circle will have plantings done in spring

The last FHCA meeting for the 2016/2017 year (before end of school year) will be:
Wednesday May 10, 2017

FRASER HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MINUTES
November 30, 2016

President’s report
• Web site – www.fhca.ca
• Ed MacIntosh, president
• FHCA is a volunteer non-profit organization – we volunteer our time to represent the community dealing with issues that affect our community such as safety, traffic, development
• The FHCA gathers four times a year to discuss issues that affect our community
• FHCA helps shape policy and issues that involve our community
• If you have problems in our community, please send your information to us and we will look into these issues (go to Contact Us on the fhca.ca website). This is our primary site to collect comments from residents about community issues so we know about them and can send them on to the City.
• Membership is free. If you are not currently on the email list, go to our website and sign up (on the right side of website page). You will receive four notifications and four reminders of the upcoming meetings per year. There may also be notifications of open houses or events affecting FH residents.
• Our Community Association mailing address is PO Box 74042, Surrey, V4N 1N9.

Treasurer’s report
• Financial statement – total account balance is $2,727.97

RCMP update on safety and security – District Commander Sergeant Laurie Clarkson was in attendance tonight. She can be reached at Laurie.Clarkson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. District #2 Community Response Unit 10395-148 St. phone # 604-502-6500 – you can leave a voicemail on Laurie’s number if there is something taking place in community that you want brought to the attention of RCMP and is not urgent.
• Crime stats (suspicious persons, B&E, theft from motor vehicles) were up from 2015 to 2016 (Sept – Nov). The lowest amount of crime was in Nov 2016 of the past 3 months.
• If you see something suspicious, call 911 or non-emergency # 604-599-0502 to report it or call your block watch captain who will contact RCMP (Blair and Laurie) You can now also use the new Surrey RCMP app to report incidences.
• Surrey RCMP have just released an app that can be downloaded for free. It contains “Call Us, Police Station Locations, News, Events, Help Identify, Missing Persons, Most Wanted, Emergency Alerts and Crime Stoppers”. It is worth downloading onto your mobile device.
• There was a request made by a resident, who lived in the vicinity of the two recent homicides, for more police patrols and asked if the city was going to put cameras in the streets (as Abbotsford has). Laurie said there were more patrols now but did not know if Surrey was going to install cameras.
• If you notice any suspicious cars, take plate numbers, contact RCMP and the police will run them immediately – you can do this anonymously but it is better to leave a contact name/number in case they need to follow up later on.

• Blair Berkner is the new Community Programs Coordinator. He took over from Heather Paradis, who is on maternity leave. He can be reached at: Surrey.Crime.Prevention.District.2@remp-grc.ga.ca or phone 604-502-6509.
• Blair brought a handout on outdoor lighting for safety and security (put out by bchydro.com). Motion sensor lighting helps deter crime and prevents concealment of thieves (especially in these dark winter months when it is easier to hide in the dark). If you call Blair, the RCMP will come out and do a home security assessment to let you how to make your home safer. If you put lights on timers, use multiple on/off times and vary those times for the days you are absent. More information can be obtained by calling Hydro at 604-431-9463
• Project Iris is a registry for anyone with a video surveillance camera system so if something happens in your neighbourhood, those people on the registry can be asked for footage (they can choose whether to provide police with footage or not). RCMP/City of Surrey want to put together a collective data base for residential and businesses who have cameras that record live footage. See information at City of Surrey website under www.surrey.ca/publicsafety or http://www.surrey.ca/community/20957.aspx
• Contact Blair if your neighbourhood wants to start a Block Watch
• Don’t leave your car warming up outside unless you sit in it.
• Alarm your house – windows and doors can be wired
• Jewelry/cash – put in secure place such as a safe bolted to the floor

Development – Update on Oct 18 Public Open House for Abbey Ridge (east of 172):
• Originally this area was called East Fraser Heights/Abbey Ridge but FH was dropped from this name. Anything north of #1/ south of SFPR is normally considered part of FH
• A year ago, the FH REC centre was packed for an open house about this area.
• At the meeting on Oct 16, 2016, Don Luymes stated that the density of Abbey Ridge was scaled back slightly from what had originally been planned.
• Since then, some FH directors and residents had a meeting with Canadian Horizons who have made 3 proposals for that area
• The area from 182A/98 Ave has a 40 lot subdivision that has all RF 13 lots proposed (these are 8 to 10 units per acre). These are small lots with big 3 storey homes, most containing suites and have an extra parking spot along the front of the house.
• The 49 lot subdivision has 8 RF or slightly bigger and 41 lots are RF13.
• The community wants to stop this. We need to get as many people to go to City hall/write emails as possible so these proposals don’t get passed. See Surrey.ca for list of councillors and their contact information (http://www.surrey.ca/city-government/2999.aspx). This is just the start of developing that area so if this is allowed, it will set a precedence of small lots/big houses for future developments in that area.
• The map showed townhouses on a site by the gorge
• This developer, Canadian Horizons, has spent the last few years assembling land in FH – they were proud of the RF12 in Morgan Creek they have completed (very small lots with large houses and suites).
• Stage 2 hasn’t passed but will be going before council before Christmas. Please write the mayor and each council member before Christmas
• The City is only required to send letters to residents that live within 100 meters of a proposed development. One block is 200 meters so 100 meters is a ½ block in any direction from the site. Those selling their lots won’t protest and often, they’d be the only ones getting the letters. Let your neighbours and our FH Community Association know if you see green signs going up.
• Ed MacIntosh created a page of the information you should include in your email which you can get by emailing him or at www.fhca.ca.
• State you are opposed to the proposal. Note the proposal # on your email. Say you are not opposed to development but not at the density proposed. If you have ideas as to what you’d like put in that area, suggest it (e.g., RF housing instead of RF13).
• These small lots could devalue the property values of existing homes in the area.
• The townhomes at High Crest are still being constructed – these will have a heavy impact on our community as well.
• Abbey Ridge children would be in the Bothwell catchment area. Bothwell does have some space for new elementary students but not at the density proposed by all the developments going into this area. Fraser Heights Secondary School is 40% over capacity and has multiple portables on site (and this is after an extension to the school). The school population figures were as of Nov 2016 – the total capacity may not be correct as class sizes will be reduced as per the Supreme Court of Canada ruling which will come into effect in 2017 Sept.

SCHOOL / CAPACITY / ENROLMENT / (UNDER) OVER
Bothwell / 315 / 210 /(105)
Dogwood / 490 / 367 / (123)
Erma Stephenson / 415 / 463 / 48
Fraser Wood / 528 / 528 / 0
Fraser Hts Secondary / 1000 / 1405 / 405

List of Developments:
• 5 new developments have passed 3rd reading at City Hall this year
• All were RF subdivisions – total of 43 homes
• Council meeting on Monday Dec 5th (advertised in Now paper this past Thursday) – the revised Parkview Place proposal is up for final reading and will most likely pass. It originally was full of RF12s a year ago but residents sent letters and showed up at public hearings to get the density decreased. There are now 58 lots – density 5.14 units per acre.
• 11 RF homes had already been passed
• Note, with all the development in the Parkview Place area, there will be around 99 homes which will make it fairly densely populated with limited access.

Trans Mountain pipeline:
• Meeting at Holiday Inn at Guildford on December 1, 6 to 8 p.m. to show proposed routes.
• They are staying to the Perimeter Road side, will jump up one of the hills and then back down

Traffic Circle (108 Ave/156 St) Public Art presentation by Liane Davidson (Visual and Community Art Manager):
• Surrey Public Art was established in 1998 (see website www.surrey.ca/publicart or http://www.surrey.ca/culture-recreation/1653.aspx) and is put on City land, usually in a high traffic area so will be seen by many. There is a map online of all public art in Surrey and a page on Guildford/FH on the site. Public art is at 152 St/Lincoln Dr (north end of Aquatic Centre) to welcome those coming off the Port Mann Bridge into Surrey.
• It is funded by taking 1.25% of hard construction costs when building new civic facilities, not from public taxes.
• Public art is guided/selected by residents
• In 2006, there was a recommendation for art in the traffic circle at 108 Ave/158 St but no money was available at that time. Instead, a tree was planted in that circle.
• $90,000 was budgeted for public art at 108 Ave/156 St a year ago and an infrastructure was installed in the traffic circle to support the art. The project is on hold to allow the community time to think about it. Planting a big tree is not an option for this roundabout as there are too many services running under the circle that could be compromised by a tree.
• Artwork that sits high above a traffic circle helps identify a roundabout is ahead. It is lit at night with soft light.
• Although the Public Art was recommended for the roundabout, it is possible to suggest other sites as long as they are on City land. There is a structure already inside the FH Rec Centre.
• 104 Ave/160 St is also a FH Gateway but it is provincial land so the City cannot place art there.
• If you have ideas on other locations in FH for public art, contact Liane
• Art Themes our community might like to explore could be about transportation past and present, nature, Circle of Connection etc., (as we are like an island between two Hwys (#1 and #17 or SFPR).
• Multipurpose Room 5 is reserved at Rec centre for Tues Jan 10th, at 7 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss sites and locations and what type of art for the Public Art in FH

Fraser Heights Pond Planting presentation by Tamsin Baker:
• Tamsin Baker is the Stewardship Coordinator of the South Coast Conservation Program which facilitates the conservation of species and ecological communities that are at risk. They can be contacted at www.sccp.ca, on Facebook or contact them directly at info@sccp.ca
• BC Conservation Data Centre – their guide shows how various species are doing – red is for endangered or threatened, blue is to keep an eye on, yellow – the species is OK
• Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)
• Development and changes in landscape are the biggest threats to animals/plants
• Rare Critters of FH:
a) Fraser Glen Pond at Fraser Glen Dr and 104 Ave has the Pacific Water Shrew (an insectivore). These little pointed-nose rodents are federally endangered. They exist in only 25 locations in Canada. They like to hunt for insects in the water. Hairs on their feet allow them to run across the water really quickly (also called Jesus Shrew). To capture prey, they blow bubbles
b) Pacific Great Blue Heron is a species of special concern. They may stand along pond feeding or may nesting there. Their nests are protected by law. Give them a lot of space and do not disturb.
c) Autumn Meadowhawk dragonfly – It is found from July to Nov
d) Anderson’s Water Boatman – swims in the water. Its hind legs look like oars and it eats plants by injecting a straw-like structure into the plant, injecting digestive enzymes then sucking up the juices formed.
• City of Surrey is onboard with the various projects of planting native species and removing invasive species (such as blackberry). In 2015, part of the southern side of Fraser Glen Pond was planted along with BCIT student volunteers. A March 2016 planting had the help of high school student volunteers. At last month’s planting, it poured with rain but many volunteers helped and 400 plants were put into ground that day. The City supplies the tools, plants and food for the volunteers.
• There will be more work parties for this pond – the dates are to be determined.
• There is a Nature Stewards program that can help residents to improve their own property using native plants (may even get some free plants). For information on this, contact Tamsin at tamsin@sccp.ca, 604-202-2381, or www.sccp.ca
• Beavers still exits at the pond – new plantings have been fenced so beavers don’t eat them

The upcoming FHCA meetings for the 2016/2017 year will be:
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Wednesday May 10, 2017

FRASER HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MINUTES
May 4, 2016

President’s report
• Web site – www.fhca.ca
• Marcie Kroeker, president
• FHCA is a volunteer organization – we volunteer our time to represent the community dealing with issues that affect our community such as safety, traffic, development
• The FHCA gathers four times a year to discuss issues that affect our community
• FHCA helps shape policy and issues that involve our community
• If you have problems in our community, please send your information to us and we will look into these issues (go to Contact Us on the fhca.ca website). This is our primary site to collect comments from residents about community issues so we know about them and can send them on to the City.
• If you are not currently on the email list, go to our website and sign up (on the right side of website page). You will receive four notifications and four reminders of the upcoming meetings per year. There may also be notifications of open houses or events affecting FH residents.
• Our Community Association mailing address is PO Box 74042, Surrey, V4N 1N9.

We were treated to a delightful musical performance by Soundscape A Cappella Chorus prior to the start of our FHCA meeting. Soundscape will be presenting “The Perfect Song”, a musical extravaganza, on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Fraser Heights Secondary School Theatre (16060 108 Ave, Surrey). More information can be obtained at www.soundscapesings.ca and tickets can be obtained at www.brownpapertickets.com – they are $20 for adults, $12 for students and children under 5 are free. The theatre will be transformed into a 1950’s coal mine during one of the songs. Bring a flashlight if you’re afraid of the dark. There are overlying stories that go with the songs to provide a very entertaining performance.

Treasurer’s report
• Financial statement – total account balance is $3480.12

RCMP update on safety and security – District Commander Sergeant Laurie Clarkson was unable to attend tonight. She can be reached at Laurie.Clarkson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
• Cst. Cynthia Sciortino, cynthia.sciortino@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, has been in Guildford for one year. Her job is to bridge the gap between the community and RCMP by doing investigations for drug offenses, firearms, property crimes, etc. and to attend community meetings.
• S/Cst. Dennis Bell dennis.w.bell@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, has been with the RCMP for 8 years and completed some extra training in Regina from October until March of this year. If you have any concerns or issues, please email Dennis as email is the best way to contact him. Dennis had some sayings he calls “Dennisisms”. One of these was “You don’t know what you don’t know until you know … then you know.” If you don’t report crimes in Fraser Heights, there will be no record of them so police can’t track the criminals/hot spots of activity. Call the Non-Emergency RCMP number 604-599-0502 about any incidents, no matter how small they seem. You can also make reports at http://www.surrey.ca/city-services/667.aspx or by using the Surrey Request app.
• Heather Paradis heather.paradis@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, Cst Cynthia and S/Cst. Dennis attended tonight’s meeting to present the police report.
• District 2 – there were 198 criminal events Jan to Apr 2015 and 48 events Jan to Apr 2016. The Surrey RCMP website posts crime sites for last 6 months (http://surrey.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=103). You can also email Sgt Dennis Bell or Sgt Lori Clarkson for more information.
• Mail theft – there were 738 mailbox thefts in 2015 (Jan to Apr) but only 286 in same time frame in 2016. A significant decrease. Remember to remove your mail daily so it can’t be stolen. If you see anything suspicious, call the non-emergency # (604-599-0502) for the RCMP. No problem is too small. 1+ 1 theory – if one thing is not right, probably something else is not right.
• Mailbox break-ins – thieves take personal information from cheques and mail for identity theft, especially during tax season when refund cheques are mailed out. Gov’t will be doing income tax refunds in 2017 by direct deposit only – they will no longer be issuing cheques.
• Mailbox thefts occur 24/7, even in broad daylight. The old mailboxes could be broken into in 10 seconds. New boxes are a lot more secure. Mailboxes in high rises or apartment buildings can be broken into easily but thieves must first gain entry to the buildings. Don’t let strangers in and remember to remove mail daily.
• A Canada Post worker in FH had the mailbox master keys stolen so please watch out for your postal carrier as well keeping your eyes on the mailboxes!
• If you are having parcels delivered to your front door, alert a neighbour that you are expecting a delivery as thieves have stolen parcels off porches. You can request to have your signature collected or sometimes you can arrange for a specific date and time to have the parcel delivered. When Canada Post delivers parcels, they will take them back to the local depot if no answer or they won’t fit in the community mailboxes. If you will be going away, ask Canada Post to put a hold on your mail until you return.
• Thieves often take the insurance documents and garage openers from cars they break into. They’ll then scope out your house and try to break in when no one is home. Take a photocopy of your insurance documents with a post it note over your name and address and keep this in the glove compartment. Keep your originals in your trunk or a safe place in your car. Bring your garage opener out of your vehicle when leaving your vehicle. If go away for extended period of time, unplug the opener from the electrical outlet in your garage as thieves will use “frequency clickers” and go around trying to open garages. The outlet is usually in the ceiling of garage. Some of the newer garage door openers have a button that says lock – press and hold this button for 3 seconds – it will lock garage and remote will no longer open the garage. Some newer cars will allow you to program the garage opener into the car itself. If you don’t want to unplug the power cord, put a dowel or screwdriver in track of opener and garage will only open a few inches. This won’t break the spring.
• For residents renting suites/houses, it was advised to do a criminal record’s check and credit bureau check on potential renters.
• There was a code-red lock-down at North Surrey last week for a weapons call. Although this did not take place at the school, this procedure is used if the incident is within a certain radius of a school. The house involved was identified and there was no need for public concern.
• There have been several complaints and ongoing concern about young men loitering, smoking pot and racing cars behind Erma Stephenson school in the vicinity of 109 Ave 159 Street. RCMP will look into this. Starting in May, Thurs to Sun, the parks will be patrolled. If you see suspicious activity, phone RCMP nonemergency line (604-502-6500)
• On Saturday, May 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Surrey RCMP will be hosting a SHRED-A-THON at 10355 King George Blvd. This is a free service to have your personal documents safely shredded. Donations of cash or non-perishable foods for the Surrey Food bank would be greatly appreciated. There will be another SHRED-A-THON in Fraser Heights in September (date unknown at time of this meeting).

RCMP School Liaison officer-
• The school liaison officer for the Fraser Heights schools is Cst. Christina Martin who was unable to attend this meeting. She can be reached at christina.martin@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
• RCMP Youth Unit – Sgt Cyrus Nava attended tonight’s meeting – he has been with the RCMP for 19 years but just started with schools last year.
• Outreach and engagement to youth – every youth unit officer is passionate about their work as they personally chose to work in this field.
• Enforcement, intervention, education, safety – at-risk youth and young offenders in Surrey School district are targeted for this program.
• The officers’ service and policing is offered to all Surrey Schools Monday to Friday, 8 to 4.
• If arrests are to be made, it is usually done by the Liaison officer at the youth’s home where statements, photographs, ID and follow up with parents take place. Arrested youth are usually released to their guardians.
• YCJS – provides counseling, deals with mental health issues and helps regulate social media (Bill C-13 – to protect Canadians from Online Crime and making it illegal to distribute intimate images of a person without their consent).
• The liaison offers give presentations at schools, put on the Surrey kids’ conference, practice lock downs and lock outs at the schools and attend the schools to provide a visible presence to the staff and students.
• WRAP program – this preventative program identifies youths at risk and provides an initiative to steer them away from criminality. They work with kids from 12 to 17.
• Code Blue – This is a new fitness/police related training program for youth to build positive relationships between youth and police. It runs for 1 hour a week after school – the students get involved in activities such as playing basketball.
• Fraser Heights Secondary School has a girls’ group consisting of 10 to 15 girls that meet with Cst. Christina Martin. They discuss mental health, sexual health, internet etc. and go on some outings.
• Big Brothers program – officers meet with a child once a week for an hour at the child’s school (elementary school-aged children) and play sports or whatever child would like to do
• High fives – the officers try to visit an elementary school once a week and will play tag, basketball or other activities in the school yard during lunch or recess.
• Think of me – ICBC and Surrey School Board educate parents and students about crossing streets, jay walking, using sidewalks, obeying posted speed limit (30 Km zone) and watching out for children.
• RCMP officers involved in the youth program are:
a) Sgt Neil Kennedy, 778-593-3129 neil.kennedy@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
b) Cpl Mike Dougherty 778-593-3377 mike.dougherty@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
c) Cpl David Fouche 604-502-6282 david.fouche@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Proposed Crosswalks on 160 St and 108 Ave
• A presentation was made by Philip Bellefontaine on new crosswalks that are in the planning stages for 108 Ave and 160 St.
• Concerns had been raised about safety around schools so comprehensive plans are under design to deal with these concerns. The City is proposing to introduce 2 new crosswalks near the high school. They have been planned by the Road Safety Advisory Committee in conjunction with Fraser Heights Secondary School. There will be a pedestrian/cyclist crossing with overhead flashing lights on 160 Street at 107 Ave to allow those using the new multiuse pathway to safely cross 160th at that point.
• There will be another crosswalk installed along 108 Ave from the FH high school driveway to the mall across the street. It will be a 2 stage crossing with a protected “wait area” within the new raised median which will be fenced. The left turn into the high school will be maintained but cars heading east on 108 Ave will not be able to turn left into the mall by Tim Horton’s. Instead, they will have to enter where the A&W is. When this mall was developed, there was a covenant put in about restricting access if heading east on 108 Ave. The crosswalk proposal is in the design phase. Details will be shared as the plans are firmed up.
• The process for installing these crosswalks will take a year to design and implement curbs, sidewalks, timing of signal etc. These midblock crosswalks are planned for construction in 2017. Vehicles must stop when lights are flashing.
• Residents suggested ticketing students jaywalking to and from the high school but in order to do this, officers would be needed to enforce the law.

New Pedestrian and Cycle Path in Fraser Heights (a visual presentation):
• Presentation shown at the meeting can be found at: http://www.surrey.ca/files/FHCA_Presentation_Feb_19_2014_FINAL.pdf
• Ehab Taha (ETaha@surrey.ca) gave a presentation on the Fraser Heights Greenway which is a multiuse pathway for people of all ages and abilities whether walking, cycling, rollerblading, using a scooter or skateboard etc. It runs from the #1 Hwy/Port Mann Bridge and when finished, will connect FH with Tynehead Regional Park via the Tynehead overpass and continue on to Golden Ears Way to the Golden Ears Bridge.
• 2011 – The Tynehead overpass was constructed. It is one of longest cycling/pedestrian bridges in Lower Mainland. This bridge has reduced traffic in FH as parents of Pacific Academy (PA) students can park on the Tynehead side of the bridge and walk across to the school. The Tynehead overpass is illuminated at night and allows FH residents access to Tynehead Park for recreation purposes.
• Destinations along the new portion of the multiuse pathways are FH Secondary School, Dogwood, PA and Bothwell schools.
• In 2014, a portion of Barnston Drive was completed (along the south side of Pacific Academy) from 168 to 170A Streets. In 2015/2016, a portion of the FH Greenway has been under construction on the old 154 Street from 108 to 110 Avenues. The project is open but not completely finished. Lighting was installed in the median but planting has not been completed. Trees line the outside perimeter. It is quite welcoming to walk/cycle along this roadway! Lines have been painted for cyclists to use the side west of the median and pedestrians use the east side.
• Funding has been confirmed to finish remaining portions of this multiuse pathway (#1 through to Golden Ears)
• Parts of this pathway will run along the Kinder Morgan right-of-way. These sections of the trail will be paved with asphalt and accessible for all. No lighting will be installed along the this right of way as Kinder Morgan does not allow energized infrastructure on the right-of-way for safety concerns.
• Culverts will be installed for the creek crossing southeast of the FH Rec Centre
• The FH Greenway route has been completed along 108 Ave from 154 to 156 Streets. It continues down the east side of 156 Street to 107 Ave, heads east along 107 to 157 St, turns south along 157 that becomes 106A then 107 Ave and will come out on 160 Street where there will be an activated push button side-mounted flashing signal for crossing 160th Ave. It then continues south along the east side of 160 St past the Rec Centre to the Kinder Morgan right of way where it will head east, following the right of way until it crosses 104 Ave at Parkview Place where a crosswalk with flashing lights will be installed. It will follow the local roadways in the Parkview Place area and come out on 102 Ave, joining up with the pedestrian overpass at 168 St and with the section of the pathway that was completed on Barnston Ave. There will be signage and pavement markings on this route. The route will include a number of improvements, including curb bulges, marked crosswalks, lighting, ditches closed in and activated flashing crossing lights where needed.

Development:
• Parkview Place Development Update (this development is in the area approx. from 104 Ave to #1 Hwy and between 165 to 167 Streets). Qualico and CitiWest are putting on an Open House Monday May 9, 2016 from 6 to 9 p.m. at FH Rec Centre (an email will be sent out and it will be posted on the fhca.ca website). They have changed the design of the development and are looking for feedback. The RF12 housing has been removed from the proposed development, RFG lots have been added to the design and more parkland has been added. Make sure you fill out the feedback forms to have your voice heard. The developers have to go back to the City to obtain approval so it has paid off for the residents who voiced their concerns previously. There are fewer houses proposed to be built.
• There has been no new information on the piece of property up for development along 108 Ave from 154 (Fraser Heights Greenway) to 155 Streets.
• There will be a road upgrade on the west side of 156 Street between Northview Park and 112 Ave. The ditch will be covered over and a sidewalk will be added. Note – upgrades to 156 from 108 to 112 have been requested for years but the City does not have plans for this in the near future.

Surrey Bend Park – the Grand Opening was held on April 16th. This new park is well worth taking a trip to see what the City has created! There are trails, picnic areas and places for kids to play. It is off 104 Ave. on the left as you go to the Barnston Island ferry dock (east of 176/Hwy 17 along 104 Ave).

Fraser Heights Country Fair – this is an annual event and will be held on Friday, June 10th from 5 to 9 p.m. It is put on by Swordfern, the managers of the two malls that contain Nesters and the Esso station (on the northeast and northwest sides of 160th St and 108 Ave.) and Erma Stephenson Elementary School. Events will be held at all 3 locations. Proceeds from this fair will benefit the community and Erma Stephenson School.

Wine Store – this will be opening soon (next to Nesters). They are in the final stages of getting permits for both Provincial and City licensing.

Members Concerns/Announcements:
• A resident made a request for an activated crossing in the vicinity of 105 Ave across 160 Street. It was pointed out that this was not a safe place to cross as it was too close to the Hwy #1 onramp and the traffic speed is often higher at that point along 160 Street.

The next FHCA meeting will be in September 2016 – date to be announced

FRASER HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MINUTES
February 12, 2015

President’s report
• Web site – www.fhca.ca
• Lindsay Ryerson, President
• FHCA is a volunteer organization – we volunteer our time to represent the community
• The FHCA gathers four times a year to discuss issues that affect our community
• FHCA helps shape policy and issues that involve our community
• If you have problems in our community, please send your information to us and we will look into these issues (go to Contact Us on the fhca.ca website). This is our primary site to collect comments from residents about community issues so we know about them and can send them on to the City.
• If you are not currently on the email list, go to our website and sign up. You will receive four notifications and four reminders of the upcoming meetings per year.

Treasurer’s report
• Financial statement – total account balance is $3,718.47

RCMP update on safety and security – District Commander/ Sergeant Paul Reshaur – he can be reached at paul.reshaur@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
• If you don’t report crimes in Fraser Heights, there will be no record of them so police can’t track the criminals/hot spots of activity. Call the Non-Emergency RCMP number 604-599-0502 about any incidents, no matter how small they seem. You can also make reports using the new Surrey app called Surrey Request for emergency and non-emergency issues. This app has a link to the RCMP emergency and non-emergency numbers.
• Two representatives from the RCMP attended our meeting – Heather Paradis, our crime prevention coordinator (heather.paradis@rcmp-grc.gc.ca) and Corporal Bryan Tepper (bryan.tepper@rcmp-grc.gc.ca) (who has filled in for Sergeant Paul Reshaur when he has been unable to attend). Please note – Bryan was being transferred to the White Rock detachment so this was his last time attending our meetings. Many thanks to Bryan for all the information he’s provided us with.
• The 9 Break and Enters (B&Es) in FH in January were scattered throughout FH, mainly from 160 to 168 Streets. We are part of District 2 which has had a lower crime rate than most of the rest of Surrey.
• Whalley/Newton area has had the most B & Es in Surrey
• The Red Alert gang has been causing the most havoc – they look for houses with no one home and are especially looking for jewelry and cash. Warning – do not keep large amounts of these in your homes). This gang does not worry about alarms as they are able to get in and out in minutes.
• Commercial B&Es – only 2 in FH in January
• There had been a lot of criminal activity around 174 St and 104 Ave in the past few weeks. The residents were trying to get a Block Watch set up
• Commissionaires are now spread throughout the City. Every Fri/Sat they patrol the whole of District 2, especially the Guildford area, and they also come to FH. They have been patrolling behind the Esso gas station and have reported illicit activity.
• Quite a few arrests were made Dec to Jan (about 15 to 16) but, unfortunately, these criminals don’t stay in jail for long before they are back on the streets.
• Mailbox thefts have been happening all over Surrey – the number is way up but it is lower in FH than elsewhere in Surrey. Remember to pick up mail every day so there won’t be anything in the box to steal, should they break into your mailbox. If residents go on holidays, get Canada Post to put a hold on your mail so mail won’t be delivered to your box but will be kept at the depot.
• Wherever possible, switch to electronic mail/banking
• If you were expecting mail that didn’t show up, check with sender to see if and when it was sent.
• Canada Post is trying to solve the problem by installing the newer mailboxes.
• Most thefts are overnight. Get to know when your mail is delivered, and pick it up as soon after delivery as possible.
• There are some PO boxes at local Post Office depots – for a monthly fee, you can get your mail delivered there
• If you are expecting a new credit card, pick it up at your bank, don’t have it delivered
• The post office has stated that some people empty their boxes once a week –the thieves break into the whole community mailbox looking for boxes like this.
• There have been cases where the entire mailboxes were yanked out of their footings and taken away by thieves to break into elsewhere.
• If you notice your mailbox has been compromised, remember to report to Canada Post as well as to the RCMP by either phoning the non-emergency number or reporting it online. Matthew at Nina Grewal’s office also keeps track of the mailbox thefts and passes this information onto Canada Post.
• There was a request to post pictures of criminals in the local papers. The RCMP used to do this with the most wanted criminals but have not done so for a few years. If you’d like to see the return of the most wanted criminals, write a letter to Supt Bill Fordy – he will respond. The more people that request this, the more likely the mug shots will return.
• Transition homes – there was/is only 1 in FH – no real problems reported from it yet
• Surrey has a High Risk Location Task Force that investigates these homes to see if any bylaws are broken. If they have been, Bylaws will shut them down. The Court costs, bylaw infraction costs, nuisance costs etc. are charged to landlords/owners via their taxes.
• Mike Starchuk, City council member, attended our meeting. He explained that a bylaw is being developed so that all these homes have to be registered in Victoria. A Business license will be required and these residences must comply with fire department regulations. A lot of these homes are good. Mike said we want the number of homes to reflect our population, not be a dumping ground for the other Cities’ populations.
• 5 people attending tonight’s meeting had suffered theft from their cars and/or their cars had been stolen (sometimes to be used for further crime). There is more theft from cars than car theft. The thieves walk through neighbourhoods and try all the car doors. If unlocked, they rifle through the cars and take whatever they can find.
• Don’t leave any valuables in your car (take them into your house with you or put them in your trunk). Do not even leave small pocket change as it is an enticement for the thieves. Put a sign in car that there are no valuables in car (Heather Paradis had a brochure that folded out with a sign “all valuables have been removed”). Some people leave their glove boxes open and empty.
• Theft of autos – down in FH but it is up in every other area – there were 10 in FH. Most of them had no antitheft devices. Honda Civics or higher-end cars (especially those brought here from elsewhere were the cars most frequently stolen.
• Anything vehicle made in 2002 or earlier is the most susceptible to being stolen. Get a good immobilizer to protect your vehicles.
• Check your license plates regularly to make sure they are your plates as thieves may take them from your car to put on stolen vehicles then switch the plates so your vehicle gets the plates from the stolen vehicle (which is usually a similar make of car).
• Don’t warm your car up or leave your car running with keys hanging in the ignition.
• You can keep a photocopy of your insurance papers in your car with address etc. blacked out and keep the originals in your trunk. If you leave the originals in the car, the thieves then will have your address, know you are not at home and can break into your house (especially if the garage opener is also in the car).

Development:
• 15560 109 Ave – The FHCA wrote a letter to City Planning regarding the protection of trees on this property
• 15685 106A Ave
• 16540 and 16582 Parkview Place
• 16609 102
• 16616 Parkview Place
• Most of these development applications are requesting increased density – if anyone has concerns, they can email City Planning

Traffic issues:
• CN noise – in the yard and the yard heading east – whistles at 104 Ave, 179 St and 182A st, and soon at 177A street
• Noise from the rail yard is amplified throughout FH as the east end on a hillside is an amphitheatre
• Intersection 108/156 – roundabout/lights – open house 2 months ago and community input. No strong opposition so appears that is what they’ll go with. Lead engineer is currently away. Land acquisition issue but is being re-evaluated – just minor acquisition. Those people have not been approached yet.

Members Concerns/Announcements:
• 168 Street/108 Ave – why is there no sidewalk? It was noted that the developers usually address that while doing a building project. Once the houses have been built, there is less chance of getting it done. Write the City about this issue as they may be able to address it.
• How often does City repave the roads (104 Ave needs to be fixed)? Every time developers put in houses, the road had to be dug up to install sewers. This has caused 104 Ave to have spots that are lower than the road – like reverse speed bumps.
• No further information has been published regarding the commercial development at 104 Ave and 156 Street that will include a Save On Foods
• There is no pull-off lane for buses heading east bound on 104 Ave so this can back traffic up. It is also a safety issue for the passengers getting off the buses. The lighting around that area is quite poor and it is difficult to see pedestrians at nighttime. The FHCA is investigating, and meeting with the City on this item with the goal of having proper bus stops built and lighting added.
• It was reported that there has been a 15% increase in traffic on 104 Ave due to the South Perimeter Road – need traffic calming/stop signs?
• Something needs to be done at the intersection of 104 Ave and 164 Street. It is only a matter of time before there are fatalities there. A very serious T-bone accident occurred a few days before the meeting. Pedestrians take their lives in their hands to cross 104 Ave at 156 Street.
• Residents would like the ditch filled in at the entrance to Northview Park (on 156 Street between 110 and 111). Vehicles belonging to residents across the street are parking at the entrance to the park and along 156 Street on the west side where the ditch is, making the road very narrow.

Next Meeting will be Wednesday, May 6, 2015 in the theatre at Fraser Heights Secondary School at 7 p.m.

FRASER HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MINUTES

September 18, 2014

President’s report

• Web site – www.fhca.ca
• Lindsay Ryerson, President
• FHCA is a volunteer organization – we volunteer our time to represent the community
• The FHCA gathers four times a year to discuss issues that affect our community
• FHCA helps shape policy and issues that involve our community
• If you have problems in our community, please send your information to us and we will look into these issues (go to Contact Us on the fhca.ca website).  This is our primary site to collect comments from residents about community issues so we know about them and can send them on to the City.
• If you are not currently on the email list, go to our website and sign up.  You will receive four notifications and four reminders of the upcoming meetings per year.

Treasurer’s report

• Financial statement – total account balance is $4,330.28

RCMP update on safety – District Commander/ Sergeant Paul Reshaur (he can be reached at paul.reshaur@rcmp-grc.gc.ca)

• If you don’t report crimes in Fraser Heights, there will be no record of them so police can’t track the criminals/hot spots of activity.  Call the Non-Emergency RCMP number 604-599-0502 about any incidents, no matter how small they seem.  You can also make reports using the new Surrey app called Surrey Request for emergency and non-emergency issues.  This app has a link to the RCMP emergency and non-emergency numbers.
• The Community Constable program – these officers are not armed at present – they deal with community issues, crime prevention, residential problems – grow ops/crack shacks etc.
• Heather Paradis is our new crime prevention coordinator.  She is Marlene Drozda’s replacement.  You can contact her at heather.paradis@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
• Corporal Bryan Tepper (bryan.tepper@rcmp-grc.gc.ca) fills in for Seargent Paul Reshaur
• SFPR – there were 76 accidents at 96 Ave and 176 St last year (reasons may be due to the hill, different speeds on each of those roads and the fact that there are lots of lanes).  There were no stats available yet on accidents on the SFPR portion that runs through Fraser Heights – it has only been open since Dec 2013
• ICBC contact Karen Klein – contact her at karen.klein@icbc.com
• Theft from auto – this is often not reported.  Please note, even small incidents need to be reported so police can track where crime is being committed and look for patterns.
• Speeding – The City of Surrey has bought more speed reading boards and there is a volunteer Speed Watch group that sets these up around the City to monitor speed.
• Neighbourhood liaison now has a licence plate reader that will notify the car owner/driver if there are issues with the car/driver/uninsured drivers etc.
• Observe it Report it – Please make a police report even for minor things such as someone is wandering around your neighbourhood and they don’t look like they belong.  Police would rather look into this than find out later that the person broke into several cars/houses.
• Police collect this data and it can help pinpoint the hotspot areas and target them.  You can text or call 911 if important or call the non-emergency number (listed above).  There’s also a link to both numbers on the Surrey app – Surrey Request)
• Crime in the FH area can be viewed on the RCMP web site.  These stats are publically available to district 2 (Guildford area).
• FH is not a crime hotspot for Surrey as it is mostly residential, there is not a lot of transportation, it is isolated and people coming here usually come for a reason
• Robberies – There were 3 in July to Aug and 3 from Jan to June.  Unreported robberies cannot be counted in these stats (please report even minor incidences)
• Disturbances – maybe a dozen for last few months
• Drug offences – 2 for summer months
• There were 4 break and enters in the commercial area of 108 Ave/160 St during Jul/Aug (they occurred after hours)
• There was a cluster of residential break and enters in the area of 160 to 164 Streets and 112 to 104 Aves.  The Red Alert gang from Winnipeg have done a lot of them – mostly aboriginal males.  They watch houses and when they see you pulling out of your driveway, they might go up and ring your doorbell.  If no one is home, they will attempt to break in through your rear sliding door or a rear window (often unlocked windows or doors, especially in the summer).  Best recourse is to make sure your windows/doors are locked – use metal bars or wood dowels in track.  Leave your lights on outside your house.
• Have a motion sensor light installed.  They are good if they are installed in high places so they can’t be reached to unscrew them.
• The Red Alert has targeted certain ethnic groups who keep jewelry/cash at home.
• A number of new crime analysts have been hired to find patterns and MOs.
• Robberies usually occurred in the late afternoon on weekdays (4 till 8 pm)
• If your vehicle is broken into, your garage opener can be used to gain access to your house.  Make sure your garage door to your house is locked.
• In one area, residents reported several thefts on a Sunday early morning (about 4 a.m.) – plastic flower pots, lawn furniture etc.   One car was broken into twice on a weekend
• Watch for people on foot casing your neighbourhood.  They often come with backpacks and check house and car door handles and take items that are loose in the cars (such as chargers, holders for iPods etc.)
• Theft from auto has been a scourge all over the City this year (cluster in Tynehead Park – 12 in last 2 months).  Don’t leave any valuables in car (even minor change), GPS – don’t leave your holder on the car window, wipe off the suction cup  mark, leave your glove box open, windows up, park your vehicles in the garage.  If they are parked on the street, park under street lights and lock your doors.  Nine out of ten times, the thieves are addicts looking for drugs/money.   ICBC hands out clubs to older vehicles that are the most targeted by thieves
• FH population is about 25,000.  The total population for District 2 is around 100,000
• There is a Website that all police officers can go to – if they have video surveillance from a crime, they’ll post that info on the site.
• There is a bait car parked at Guildford
• Commissionaires – community safety patrols start patrolling tonight (Sept 18/14)
• If there are problem residences in your area, call as the City/RCMP will work with bylaws, fire dept etc. to shut them down.

Mailbox break-ins:

• Please clear your mail from your box every day when you come home.  The break-ins usually occur during the night.  When the boxes have had the bait mail planted, it was found that many boxes had days or weeks’ worth of mail that hadn’t been picked up.
• Mail thefts – Canada Post deals with this – postal inspectors keep track of where thefts are happening (big cluster last month NE of 104 Ave/168 St (Community Super boxes).  New boxes being installed in areas where break-ins have been occurring.  Make sure you clean out your mail daily.  Please let RCMP know if people hanging around boxes or if there are unmarked vans near the mail boxes.  Report those licence plate numbers to the RCMP so they can check to see why the person is there.
• Rather than use the mail for banking, do as much of that as possible electronically so thieves can’t steal that information.
• Security access line for Canada Post – call  1-855-229-6025 (also call RCMP)

Update on final Trans Mountain Pipeline routing through Fraser Heights (released August 2014)

• If you are concerned, and this will affect you negatively, band together with neighbours and send your emails to info@transmountain.com
• Area along 181 St east of 176 St (pipeline will run through a Surrey Park))
• 158 St to 168 St – pipeline runs along the bank down to the SFPR, will be close to residences in this area.
• A swath of about 10 meters needs to be cleared over pipeline so trees that have provided noise mitigation may have to be removed.  Trans Mountain is looking at how to remove as few trees as possible.
• The pipeline will rise to top of bank between 164 to 157A Street.  Along 181 St, it will run along the top of a Surrey Bike path – tree removal will cause loss of noise mitigation for road and trains
• Trans Mountain is willing to look into mitigating the noise for residents
• Wildlife habitat  – Trans Mountain has responded to information requests about the environmental impact (will run through Surrey Bend)
• The pipeline runs very close to the Fraser River and Trans Mountain is dealing with mitigation of possible spills that could leach into river and how shock and vibration from the railroad will affect the pipeline

Links – https://docs.neb-one.gc.ca/ll-eng/llisapi.dll?func=ll&objId=2450830&objAction=browse&viewType=1

• The pipeline will be sending different types of oil through in batches and a cleanser between these batches.

Traffic issues:

• Express 555 bus from Carvolth Exchange Station in Langley to Braid Station in New Westminster is now stopping in Fraser Heights (there are bus shelters/stops on the HOV ramps to the #1 Hwy off 156 St.  Reports have been received that the bus comes full from Langley so during rush hour, it isn’t servicing Surrey – people are waiting to get on that bus – Translink is working on putting extra buses on this route so instead of every 10 minutes, it could run every 7.5 minutes
• Local impact – are people parking on residential streets as a “park and ride” (count was done before stops were put in and this situation will be monitored to see if becomes a problem)
• Roundabout at 156 St and 108 Ave vs Traffic light – Engineering wants more public input about this intersection.  They will be talking to PAC at Dogwood once school is back in session.  If you use this intersection and want to give your opinion and reasons for or against either traffic light or roundabout or contact transportation@surrey.ca,
• Better signage has been requested for the 160^th overpass in regards to #1 Hwy and 104 access
• 104/ 170A (pedestrian crosswalk) – cars don’t stop for it.  There was a full survey to the blocks on either side of the crosswalk about 4 months ago – no further discussion – for continuing issues with this intersection (e.g., a request for a stop light / roundabout), please email the city – the more emails they get about the same situation, they will take notice of that site and it is more likely there will be action
• Highway 15 (176 St) accidents coming down the hill to 104 Ave from Hwy 1 – It wasn’t known if this was a Ministry of Transport issue, a design flaw or construction error?
• Noise mitigation as result of Jake brakes coming down the hill – the Ministry has installed excessive noise reduction signs on the hill but it is at the discretion of driver for safety as to whether they use the jake brakes.  Residents stated that the jake brakes were heard on the flats heading toward the traffic light where 104 Ave intersects with Hwy 17
• Ministry said the design and construction were appropriate – it was driver error

Members Concerns:

• Resident raised the issue – will there be a pedestrian overpass over Hwy 17 as this is a dangerous intersection to cross.
• Since the SFPR opened, a lot of trucks have been going up 104 Ave – they race up/down hill at night (many are from home construction??).  The traffic is speeding on 104 all day and residents stated that it is hard to cross 104 Ave, even at the pedestrian crossing at 170A Street – vehicles don’t stop.
• Signage on 104 Ave says No Trucks

Next Meeting will be November  12, 2014 in the theatre at Fraser Heights Secondary School at 7 p.m. – this will be put on website to confirm date as school use needs to be confirmed first (with strike, this has not been possible to do).

The meeting dates for 2015 will be announced on the website or at the next meeting.