February 2022 Meeting Minutes
February 8, 2022, 7 - 8:30pm via Zoom
Invitees:
● Kirsten Peck, Margaret Althaus, Sylvie Dufour, Nicole Sullivan, Jennifer James, Ann Dumas, Sarah Williams, Jack Foster, Ken Dyck (regrets), Glen Saamanen (regrets), Shawn Dearden (regrets), Tim Dyck (regrets)
Guests:
● Dave Althaus, Kevin Limb, Jeff James, Renae Richardson, Scott and Melinda Falez, Dave (Adorn ?), Kelly and Theresa Sandve, Cindy, All others welcome
Meeting called to order at 7:03pm
Prior Meeting Minutes & Action Items (Kirsten)
● Approval of AGM Meeting Minutes (All)
○ Approved unanimously
● Review of December 7, 2022 Action Items (All)
○ All action items have now been completed
○ Kirsten noted that there is no liability insurance provided with FVDRA’s Letter of Understanding authorization
Stakeholder & First Nations Engagement (Kirsten & Margaret)
Barrick
○ DL470 Lease & implications
○ Access between camp and learner’s loop
○ Trailhead (campground/learner loop/staging area) located on Barrick’s lease land so don’t require RSTBC authorization to construct. We do require Barrick Gold’s approval and have that;
○ Bridge can be built from new campground to kid’s learner loop area across drainage ditch. Confirmed with Barrick Gold that this is not a spillway and rip-rap was added for our benefit to prevent erosion to drainage ditch.
FLNRO (RSTBC)
○ LOU renewal
○ Section 57/56 strategy update
○ Letter of Understanding was renewed for 2022 so that we can maintain trail system and RSTBC permission is required to significantly re-route or build new trails.
○ The Section 56 Authorization (polygon defining high-value recreational area) currently includes the entire boundary of the Cascade Lower Canyon Community Forest (CLCCF) and has not progressed over the pandemic.
○ Kirsten is having discussions with our Rec Officer and some progress is being made, but largest area contemplated by Section 56, so could take over a year.
○ When rehabilitating bridges or constructing new bridges, RSTBC will work with FVDRA to show us how to tackle bridges. Kirsten suggested that we use the Bridge Trail boardwalk (not the main bridge) as an example.
○ RSTBC would like to do an inspection with some executive members to become familiar with the area and for us to learn what is important to maintaining a riding network from their perspective. Should be April 2022. Ken Dyck indicated interest in attending with Kirsten and Darrell Peck.
Cascade Lower Canyon Community Forest (CLCCF)
○ Structure & purpose
○ 2022 Campground Improvements Funding proposal & Sponsor Agreement
○ FSR condition update and maintenance standard
○ Section 56 Interpretive Forest update & implications
○ Cutblock activity
○ Kirsten described the structure and purpose of CLCCF (manage economic and noneconomic value of the land and contribute up to 1% of gross revenue to projects that enhance high value recreational areas of the forest). and announced the successful funding application for 2022 Campground Improvements totalling $11.29k.
○ CLCCF will continue to maintain the Nickelmine FSR to industry standards for a logging road and have repaired the roads after the November atmospheric rain event in the Fraser Valley.
○ Logging continues into 2022 but activity should decrease after that.
Yale First Nation
○ Communal fire pit and cultural celebration
○ Winter storage of picnic tables
○ Storyteller tours
○ Campground name
○ Good communication ongoing with Chief Hansen and Steven Patterson
○ Chief Hansen suggested a large communal fire pit would be desirable at the campground area and we should consider hosting a cultural celebration for the salmon run.
○ A small salmon-based barbecue could be organized and the Yale FN community members could share stories around the value and traditions of the area that we ride in.
○ Chief Hansen offered to store the picnic tables over the winter in his yard at the bottom of the hill.
○ Tours can be organized in which story tellers take interested members around the campground area and share knowledge regarding the plants, animals, and other traditions.
BCORMA
○ 2022 Membership Dues
○ Trail Supporter funds of $1,637 were received from BCORMA for years past. Kirsten will consider FaceBook post to let members know we do receive the funds and help to maintain trails.
Membership Report (Margaret & Ann)
● Waiver
● Code of Conduct
● YTD membership summary
○ Added a revised waiver and code of conduct to the www.fvdra.com website with the help of Ann Dumas and Sarah Williams. This keeps us aligned with our Commercial General Liability insurance requirements.
○ ACTION: Code of conduct will be laminated and hung in the kiosk.
Communications Report (Nicole)
● President’s Annual Note (Kirsten)
● Other?
○ Continuing to suspend Facebook members for inappropriate postings.
○ Communications plan is to drive memberships earlier in the year through messaging that shows members the plans for 2022 and the costs of running the club.
○ Future Posts:
■ ACTION: Thank you to CLCF for funding the 2022 Campground improvements projects.
■ ACTION: Thank you to BCORMA for Trail Supporter Funds so the club members know that it is appreciated when they name FVDRA when purchasing ORV insurance.
■ ACTION: Strategically increase Facebook and Instagram activity to gear up for new riding season, encourage maintenance, celebrate construction goals, and drive memberships.
Finance Report (Sylvie)
● Society Director filing submitted
● 2022 Budget (for approval – Kirsten to distribute to executive Feb 6’22)
○ Approved unanimously
● YTD Performance against budget
○ Total Income: $610.00 – membership and BCORMA Trail Pass sales
○ Total Expenses: $521.50 – administrative fees, storage and the kiosk trail sign
○ Net Income: $88.50
Trail Maintenance & Planning (Jack & Kirsten)
● Trail Maintenance & Restoration planning
● Trail Signage planning
○ 100 fibreglass trail stakes and labels, if approved for BC ORV funding, will be ordered in April’22
○ Kirsten & Darrell will pick up chainsaws and hedger from storage and perform spring maintenance
○ Three trails planned for restoration are Hwy 99, Campers Pampers and Bridge Trail
○ Maintenance will start at the campsite and work outwards to follow the snow melt and get the green trails opened up first for the kids and learners.
○ ACTION: Advertise trail maintenance days on Instagram and Facebook for people to help maintain the tails.
Grounds Maintenance & Planning (Kirsten)
● Learner Loop - plan & key construction window
● Kiosk signage – Yale FN, CLCCF, Barrick project
● Picnic Table construction party
● Escalating Campground Issues
○ Learner loop plan to take 285 yards of the filtered pile of Barrick’s road base material from the ‘gravel pit’ area at KM4.5 to the learner loop area. Barrick offered all the material for the learners loop .
○ Four picnic tables will be built for the learner loop area for parents to watch their children ride.
○ Will need volunteers to move the pile May 27th weekend. Plan to rent to dump wagons and skid loaders, to help move material and shape the loop. Kirsten will seek volunteers that can run a skid driver and dump trailer.
○ Need people to stain picnic tables and will likely host a volunteer staining party at Kirsten’s home followed by a barbecue.
○ Fir trees were recommended for the learner loop as they grow quickly.
○ Kiosk: CLCCF, Yale First Nation, Barrick Gold are working together to design four panels for the backside of the information kiosk. March or April is the planned completion date for design.
○ Kirsten mentioned the Yale First Nation Guardian program can be used to investigate any inappropriate activity in the campground or riding network including inappropriate harvesting of live trees.
Event Planning
● Orientation rides?
● Other
○ Orientation rides could be arranged to welcome new people and women. Volunteers are welcome to lead them.
○ If a 24 hour relay is organized, the RSTBC permissions and rules must be followed and a plan to rehabilitate the trails afterwards. More discussion to follow.
ORV Funding (Margaret & Kirsten)
● Trails and Construction Funding update
● Support & Promotion of Safety and Responsible ORV Use Funding update
o FVDRA is submitting two applications and they are due February 18th.
o The club is requesting just over $21k for trail maintenance, signage, and construction of the kid’s learner loop.
New Business (All)
● Constitution & Bylaws update
o The bylaws are outdated and not reflective of the times. Kirsten suggested that a volunteer could help to rewrite them prior to the November AGM. No volunteers offered help. ACTION: Carry forward request
o Online waivers: Sarah described how an online smart waiver app could better meet FVDRA’s needs to have each family member sign the annual waiver with their membership application. ACTION: Sarah to provide Membership committee with more details and consideration to be given to next year’s membership process.
Meeting adjourned at 8:37pm
Attachments:
● 2021 AGM Meeting Minutes (for approval)
● December 7, 2021 Action Items
● 2022 Annual Budget (for approval)
● Project schedule