FHCA General Meeting – Jan 22 2009
Normally an e-mail with an agenda is sent out to members of the association prior to each meeting announcing the date and time of the meeting. Unfortunately the e-mail did not reach the members for this meeting. We have made some changes to how the e-mails are distributed and will do our best to ensure the problem is not repeated. Please accept our apologies.
Following is a summary of the discussions that took place at the Jan 22nd General Meeting.
Snow Removal
Community members in attendance voiced their concerns and frustrations with the inadequate snow clearing in Fraser Heights during the recent snow falls. The city’s policy not to clear any but what are considered to be primary routes led to most roads in Fraser Heights not being cleared at all.
Some roads, such as 110th Ave, that were cleared were done so in a very limited fashion. For example 110th Ave was cleared so only one vehicle could pass at a time. What could be simply inconvenient or annoying was actually dangerous when school resumed. With sidewalks impassable, children walking to Erma Stephenson School had to share the slippery road, which was barely wide enough for a single car to pass, with other pedestrians going to and from the school and dozens of cars dropping kids off. Virtually all the elementary schools were similarly affected with some remaining closed until it was determined the roads were safer.
Residents at the meeting expressed frustration that the city did not send ploughs to clear the secondary roads, or properly clear streets like 110th, even after the initial clearing was complete. Days after the snow stopped and the ploughs were parked, roads remained impassable or dangerous.
One resident told how fire trucks and an ambulance were called to a house on his cul-de-sac which had not been cleared. Even with the help of neighbours trying to clear a path the fire truck was stuck for hours. The injured person had to be carried out of the cul-de-sac to the ambulance.
One interesting point that was brought up was that many councillors and others at city hall live in South Surrey and therefore did not experience the same conditions as in Fraser Heights. As their roads were not blocked to the same extent they perhaps didn’t appreciate the inconvenience and risks faced by residents in our neighbourhood.
Councillor Tom Gill was in attendance and listened to the concerns expressed by residents at the meeting. As a resident of Fraser Heights himself he shared the concerns. He did say however that it was important that residents respond directly to city councillors so that those who perhaps weren’t aware of the seriousness of the situation could be educated.
To that end the FHCA strongly encourages members to take the time to send an e-mail or call members of Surrey city council and convey to them the seriousness of this issue. Their contact information (e-mail and phone) is at the following link.
http://www.surrey.ca/Inside+City+Hall/Your+Mayor+and+Council/default.htm
Note that subsequent to the meeting the city did respond by sending snow equipment to Fraser Heights the following Saturday to remove more snow. The efforts of Councillor Gill and city staff are appreciated.
Pub & liquor store application for 160th St and 108th Ave
The application for rezoning the shopping centre to allow a pub & liquor store was made in August. Once the FHCA became aware of the application members of the community were informed and their opinions solicited. The association communicated the strong level of opposition expressed by the community in communications to the city planning department as well as the Mayor and council of Surrey. These communications were sent in November and an excerpt of the e-mail sent to council is now on the FHCA web site.
Prior to the Jan 22nd meeting the city planner responsible for the application explained that just after the Christmas break Bob Cheema had said he would take some more time to determine his next course of action. As such the application is essentially on hold.
156th St Underpass
Councillor Tom Gill and Phil Bellefontaine, City of Surrey Engineering, announced at the meeting that the 156th St underpass is now scheduled to open to traffic March 19th.
Traffic Update
Regarding the roundabout at 156/110, reference was made to the lack of marked crosswalks for pedestrians to assure a safe crossing. Phil Bellefontaine agreed to review this situation in addition to other traffic concerns mentioned by various residents.
Police and Security Update
Staff Sergeant Murray MacAulay spoke to residents and reiterated that they should not hesitate to contact him with any concerns about crime or safety including break & enters, vandalism, graffiti, etc…
Community Fund Raiser
On a non-police topic, Staff Sergeant MacAulay, who is a resident of Fraser Heights, mentioned that he was working with several other volunteers to put on a community dinner & dance to raise funds for Erma Stephenson, Bothwell, Dogwood and Fraser Wood elementary schools. The event is planned for April 18th and will be held at the Fraser Heights Recreation Centre. Further details will be posed on the FHCA website when they become available.
Recreation Centre Update
A representative from the Rec Centre provided an update regarding the plans to convert the former RCMP Community Office into a 1,300 sq ft fitness centre. The staff welcome input regarding the types of equipment the residents would like to see in the centre. Activities are being planned for seniors, cardio, stretch, weights and womens’ sessions. Plans are being discussed to provide a second gym on the site as well.
Port Mann Bridge Toll
Residents expressed their opposition to the planned tolling of the Port Mann Bridge. Councillor Gill stated that the City of Surrey is formally opposed to tolls but that the decision was made at the provincial level.