Meeting notes, November 28, 2007
- Because of severe weather conditions, attendance at the meeting was below average, and several directors were unable to attend.
- Constable Muench of the RCMP provided a response to a request for crime statistics for Fraser Heights; they have been compiled on a display board which may be seen at their office at the Recreation Centre on 160 Street.
- Michelle Davies of the Recreation Centre also attended to inform members that the Centre is organizing a Christmas pancake breakfast at the Centre on Saturday, December 23 (9.30 to 11.00 a.m.). Approximately ten volunteers are required, phone Michelle at 592-6922.
- Michelle and Constable Muench also invited all members and residents to a community safety forum, to be held on Saturday, January 13 at the Guildford Recreation Centre (12.45 to 4.45 p.m.). Topics will include grow-op detection, kids and drugs, and Internet safety/child exploitation. Experts on all these topics will present information to those in attendance.
- Councillor Gill, MLA Hayer, and Joel Giebelhaus of the Mayor’s office all sent their regrets because of other commitments. MP Grewal was in Ottawa.
- Ian MacPherson presented an update on the Association’s work respecting the South Fraser Perimeter Road:
- A committee chaired by Rob Langford (and including directors and other residents) will submit a written report setting out concerns and recommendations to the environmental assessment office which is now assessing the proposed project by December 17;
- All members and residents are encouraged to submit their comments to the EAO by the same date: e-mail: eaoinfo@gov.bc.ca or fax: 250-387-2208;
- A public meeting was held on November 16 at Pacific Academy to present information on the Road, and included a one-hour question and answer session; many directors, members and other residents attended;
- Prior to the meeting, Rob Langford and Heather Nelson organized a guided tour for two officials of the EAO to show special areas of concern for residents; we appreciated the participation of Councillor Bose (on behalf of Mayor Watt) and MLA Hayer during the tour, as well as MP Grewal’s special assistant;
- When the committee’s report has been completed, it will be posted on the FHCA web site; it was suggested that the committee should personally present the report to the EAO, and Ian MacPherson said that he would be prepared to do so, even if a trip to Victoria was required (other committee members able to make the trip would also attend the meeting); and
- Ian MacPherson stressed that the Association’s and committee’s involvement will not end with the assessment process, because ongoing monitoring of this project over the next few years will be essential.
- Other traffic issues were discussed:
- The City will probably hold an open house concerning the 156 Street overpass in the New Year;
- The right-turn lane on 160 Street north of the on-ramp should be completed by the end of the year;
- Further discussions with the City concerning the four-way stop issue at 104 Avenue East and 164 Street will take place next week.
- Other issues were raised with the members:
- The City will present its bicycle recreation strategy at an open house at City Hall on Tuesday, December 5 (6.00 to 8.00 p.m.); Ian MacPherson will attend and all are welcome;
- A resident has requested Association support for inclusion of a bicycle/pedestrian overpass in conjunction with twinning the # 1 highway, somewhere between 164 and 168 Streets; the overpass would be part of a north Surrey regional bike/walking network; members in attendance agreed that Ian MacPherson should send a letter of support to Gateway.
Next meeting: Wednesday, January 24 at Fraser Heights Secondary School (7.00 p.m.).