May Minutes

Greetings Readers,

Here's the minutes from May 2018 below.
No Guests

Under Old Business:

• Area "B" update, association informed about property evaluation of the BX Ranch land, trail acquisition, fencing BX ranch land (complete), portable toilets for the Rail Trail and sewer system update.

• Paul Williamson, reporting on the BX Ranch Land Committee, said committee is waiting on the official opening of the BX Ranch Land trail for further PR on the land ownership. He suggested committee be re-branded as the BX Ranch Food Land Co-op.
• Discussion on BX School letter to Ministry of Transportation & Infrastrcture. Was suggested a delegation be sent to the school board meeting. Bob Fleming looking into making a presentation.

• Beckie reported on Facebook status.

 Under New Business:

• Executive Directors: Terry Slobodin President; Belinda Stewart Vice-President; Terry Donnelly Secretary; Ray Ivey Treasurer.

Next Meeting on June 13, 2018 7:00 pm @ B.X. Fire Hall.

January 2018 Minutes

Greetings Bloggers,

The items of discussion from the January meeting is as follows:
Under Old Business;

• No Electoral Representative update due to no representatives being present.

• Update Paul Re: G.V.A.C. presentation. One year extension was passed before G.V.A.C. pursues sale of the land.  Motion made for Paul write a letter to the Minister of Agriculture (Ms Popham) to bring to her attention the Society’s intent to develop an agricultural park in the BX Ranchlands area (Motion Seconded and Carried by Paul/Ray).  Mike has pressed for G.V.A.C. to make a decision but so far Coldstream and Vernon have not been swayed. There is an open meeting of the planning group every 4th Thursday at the Fire Hall.  Several task forces need to be set up so canvassing for Chair People for committees.
• Ray to invite the newly appointed Manager of Community Works Mr. Fox to the next monthly meeting.  Terry and Belinda will draft some possible items for discussion.
•  Belinda will circulate draft letter to Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to executive members via email.

Under New Business

• Ray reported that all non - profit organizations must comply with new regulations for BC Societies.  By- Laws may require altering all unalterable clauses must be changed to alterable. He has approached Davidson (lawyers) asking for a price.  Motion Ray to get information and circulate required changes. (Motion Seconded & Carried by Paul/Terry D)
• Proposal for the Assoc. to create a "Facebook" page. Discussion on purpose and use to follow.
• Annual General Meeting upcoming.  Proposed agricultural park will be the focus of the A.G.M. with usual business.

• Mike Moyer invited to May meeting (Motion Seconded & Carried by Paul/Terry D)

 Some of these topics will be further discussed.  So keep checking the blog for more updates.  Questions and comments can be left below for assoc. perusal.

December 2017 Minute Summary

Greetings Bloggers,

The meeting in Dec. was well attended.  Topics are below...
Under Old Business

• Agreement with Spallumcheen to create a 200,000,000 L reservoir which will allow for sufficient pressure for further hydrants.
• BX Ranchlands presentation was well received. Point well made. Recommendations focus on main points of engaging younger people, refrain from personal political ideology.
• Concern raised that Grey Canal trail sections need small parking lots. Letter to be written to R.D.N.O.
• Mutrie Park. The parking has been expanded and fenced.

• Update Paul Re: G.V.A.C. presentation Dec 07 2017.  Paul outlined costs incurred by the Oct meeting. He raised the question of the BX/Swan Lake Community Association continuing to support the ongoing drive to maintain the 'BX Ranchlands' as an entity if the decision from G.V.A.C. is positive. To be further discussed at future meetings...

• The newly appointed Manager of Community Works (R.D.N.O.) is to be invited to a monthly meeting.

Under New Business

• Paul raised the question of whether members would be interested in volunteering to work on restoration of some of the trails in the wooded section of the BX Ranch Park. Mike cautioned involvement Re: liability.  He suggested some of the Fire Protection employees and monies could be used for this purpose.
• Increasing awareness of BX/Swan Lake Community Association. Suggestions included possibly having the Fire Hall to advertise meetings on their sign board?  Man a table at The Farmers Market?  Form a group email.  Topic to be further discussed...

• Recommendation that the Association create a Face Book account to take advantage of social media.  Once official, it will be posted in the blog.

Next meeting Jan 10th 2018 at the BX/Swan Lake Fire Hall

Minutes from November Meeting

Greetings Readers,
Firstly, the Directors and Members of the BX/Swan Lake Community Assoc. wish to pass along condolences to the family of Dieter Hans Godt.  His involvement with the assoc. was substantial and ongoing over the years (over a decade) and his presence will be missed.  The obituary entry link is below:
https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/obituaries/dieter-hans-godt/

The minutes for the November meeting brought up the following items.
Under Old Business:

• Area C, R.D.N.O rep. Mike McNabb met with provincial gov. ministers at the U.B.C.M. meeting. One topic that arose was - Business Licenses in Electoral Areas.  Currently not permitted without an order in council from Govt. of  B.C.  This will be further discussed at a Electoral Areas Forum in Jan. 2018.  Due to the marked increase in properties in Electoral Areas acquired for industrial purposes.
• Additional Conservation Officer to be hired.
• New appointment of a General Manager of Community Works
• Waste Water Recovery -  some funding to explore governance structure. A tertiary treatment center is planned.  Purchasers of  waste water have expressed interest.
• Silver Star Residents are requesting Resort Association Category.
• "BX Ranchlands" G.V.A.C. meeting on Dec.7th at 8 AM.  Next meeting will be the follow up to this presentation.
• Fence is going up to create the linear park connecting Mutrie Road and existing BX Ranch Park.   

 Under New Business:

• The Mertions outlined their plans to remove some material to facilitate a driveway to their new residence at the top end of the property on Brentwood road. Landscaping around the house & the remainder of property will continue to be left as a meadow with trees.
• Traffic on Silver Star Road near the Elementary school during the drop off and retrieval of students, twice daily on weekdays. Overall safety of students, caregivers, chauffeurs and local residents is an issue of concern.  General feeling is that parking and road conditions need to be addressed.  Motion carried for a letter to be sent to Ministry of Transportation, with copies sent to School District #22, BX School Principal, BX school P.A.C. Re: concern of local residents regarding safety with traffic congestion and the physical condition of East Vernon Road adjacent to the B.X. Elementary School.

Next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 13th, 2017 @ B.X. Fire Hall.

N.B. December's minutes will be posted in January.

Lastly, the entire association wishes everyone a safe and very "Merry Christmas" as well as Happy Holiday wishes for this season and into the New Year.

Minutes from May's Meeting

Greetings Bloggers,
Minutes from May are as follows:
The update from Area B & C directors was tabled (as they were absent,) as well as the B.X. Ranchlands update.
Under the New Business...
Annual General Meeting Minutes were reviewed.
Bill Wacey, Fire Chief of the BX Fire Dept. approached for a proposed fire presentation in June.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, tonight's meeting (June 14th, 2017) at the B.X. Fire Hall has been postponed.
So this post will be light (unlike others) as always people can post comments below.

There will be a separate post Re: the proposed park in Area C soon, so stay tuned.

More information to come, just dealing with some 'wrinkles' in the scheduling.

March Minutes

Hi All,

Most recent event is, the monthly executive meetings venue has changed.  They will be transpiring at the BX Fire Hall.  However, the Annual General Meeting will be at the "People Place" this year.

• R.D.N.O. is not getting funding for phase two sewer study. Alternative funding being explored. (Area B)

• Trail to Crystal Waters is progressing, tenders are being tendered in May 2017.

• Okanagan Rail Trail has received $500,000.00 for work from Coldstream to Lake Country.

• Swan Lake Wildlife refuge work postponed until this year's election. The park at Crane Road to get some fencing and parking. 

• Brentwood Road development:  The owner (Mertion) has filed notice of intent to remove soil for construction of a driveway. Mike explained procedures and concerns that previous requirements have not been met. Permits are still required. Original application is to be forwarded to Agricultural Land Commission. There has not been an application to exclude the property from the A.L.R.

• Proposed Park on East Vernon Road... A Sub-Committee has been formed.  The Community Association has accepted minutes of a meeting for information only.  There will be another entry specifically for this information (maps, trail plans and information on covenants) as there's a number of pages not able to be posted on this blog. (But the links once established, interested individuals will be able to download.

Upcoming Annual General Meeting; April 18th 2017, 7:00 pm @ the People Place 3402 27th Ave, Vernon
Topics are (posters for the meeting are on the Morning Star Paper boxes and all are encouraged to attend):
a) Paul Williamson on Agricultural Park model proposal.
b) Swan Lake corridor sewer plans.
b) Swan Lake corridor sewer plans c) Fire Protection services presented by Alistair Crick.
d) COPS program and training presented by Mike Moyer.


So please leave comments below or if possible, attend the A.G.M.  Also, the executive wishes everyone a Happy Easter.

February Minutes

Greetings Bloggers,

Apologies for the delay but Jan. minutes are being sought. Regardless, topics carried over to these minutes will be in February minutes.

Old Business

• Mike Moyer presented on the Citizens on Patrol program by outlining program benefits and training requirements.  (Total information on file).  Mike is of opinion that "Citizens on Patrol" would be the best way for residents to maintain a fire watch during the summer months, since participants would be trained, and liability protection would be assured. Some Directors were soley concerned about fire watch.  Mike Moyer might be able to canvas interest in C.O.P. training on the RDNO website.  Further discussion and see how many residents in neighbourhood might be interested. Mike Moyer prepared to do a possible presentation at the Annual General Meeting.  More to come...

New Business

• Paul Williamson presented on Agricultural Parks models and his concept of utilizing the BX Ranchlands as an agricultural park. Much concern that there is a strong push to sell off most of the land not required for the connecting trail.  (Printed material on agricultural parks models is all on file.)

• Motion Second Carried Terry D./Terry S.  The BX/Swan Lake Community Association is in favour of establishing an agricultural park on the BX Ranchland, by a) retaining the entire purchased area of the BX Ranchland and b) establishing an Agricultural Park on the property.  The motion was carried unanimously.

• Motion Second Carried Terry D./Terry S.  The BX/Swan Lake Community Association will strike a committee at large with Paul Williamson standing as chair.  The motion was carried unanimously

• Alistair Crick Protection Services Manager at the R.D.N.O. spoke to his background and interest in fire concerns expressed by residents of the electoral areas.  Terry S. will contact association members to determine the most pressing fire smart issues and share them with Alistair. Of immediate interest are how to protect property and how to evacuate. General discussion re fire protection ensued.

• Date of 2017 Annual General Meeting is Tuesday April 18th,2017. Potential topics: a) Fire Services, b) Agricultural Park proposal, c) Fire Watch/C.O.P. programme.

Next Executive meeting March 8th 2017 7.00 pm at the BX/Swan Lake Fire Hall.
Minutes will be posted when available.


Please leave comments / thoughts below.