June 11, 2003

Saturna Community Club
Saturna Island, British Columbia V0N 2Y0
Incorporated under the Societies Act since 1945

Present: Committee members: Hugh Grasswick, Brian Hollingshead, Janet Land, Gloria Manzanno, Rick Mayher, Tom Johnstone, Jacques Campbell, John Money (late), Pat Carney (ex officio); Guests: Susan Steele and David Thorne of DFO, Small Craft Harbours Division (SCH); Others: Rick Tipple, Priscilla Ewbank, Judy Tipple (acting secretary)
Jacques Campbell called the meeting to order at 3:50 PM. She outlined yesterday's meeting objectives to bring Susan Steele and David Thorne up to date. BC Ferries are willing to build a 4 ft walkway with railings on each side for about $6,000, cost to be shared with DFO as an interim measure to provide access to the floating docks. Al Winning is in charge of Ferries service dock maintenance. Brian Hollingshead spoke with Ferries CEO David Hahn today, confirming Ferries participation in this arrangement. David Thorne will contact Al Winning tomorrow and report back to Jacques. Both guests were given copies of minutes of June 9 meeting.
Susan Steele outlined the two programs run by SCH:

Harbour Authority (HA): where active commercial fishing is a significant use of the dock, e.g. Whaler Bay and North Galiano docks. The dock is leased from DFO; the HA operate and do regular maintenance.

Divestiture: where there is a low level of commercial fishing usage, a local group take over the responsibility of the operation of the dock and DFO gives over assets. There is an agreement with the Provincial government re: the land and water lot tenure. DFO work with the group to bring dock up to snuff prior to divesting.

The Saturna dock has been in neither program and has functioned smoothly as is with no need to change the status even though fishing use has been receding. DFO have Fee Simple title to part of the property and the balance is held in an Order in Council Agreement with Province of BC, giving DFO tenure. For the short term, Susan committed to paying for part of the walkway to be built by Ferries, in order to give access to the floats.
Jacques worked with Gary Lacey on divestiture of several of DFO docks. DFO does not have a budget for fires as most of their money goes to HA docks. DFO is self-insured, and pay third party liability insurance on HA docks, while HA carries director insurance and any asset insurance they may have. Western Community Program has helped fund groups such as Zabelos in the divestiture of DOT docks. Some HA can get funding through HRDC.
Question and Answers:
Q: (Tom Johnstone) There is some interest in creating a HA but will there be an effect on the timeline of replacement? We could consider a larger geographical region to join, since our commercial fishing use is low.
A: David Thorne reminded us that there needs to be a revenue source to have a successful HA. Is a dock of the former size needed, as maintenance costs will be higher as well as replacement cost? CRD has formed a Harbour Commission; there is a possibility to link with that.
Q: (Priscilla Ewbank) Presently, does BC Ferries pay for use?
A: No, David has yet to find a written agreement with Ferries. Ferries buildings were on their extension of the dock.
Q: (Rick Mayher) Does DFO have a leaning toward one program or the other for Saturna?
A: Not at this point. Saturna's situation doesn't fit one program clearly. To reconstruct what was there, SCH must have a detailed plan together and submit the project to DFO (Ottawa) for approval (can be a lengthy process.)
Q: (Hugh Grasswick) How long would a complete structural analysis take?
A: David responded that more importantly the committee should determine what are to be the uses of the dock and what configuration would best suit these needs. Susan interjected that if a community is to take on a site, they want the structure to have as long a life potential as possible for the least amount of money in replacement costs.
Q: (John Money) John is really impressed with the dock at Whaler's Bay and how it is run. They have shown interest in a union with Saturna. The president of their HA is willing to come over to answer any questions.
A: David Thorne would be happy to accompany him.
Q: (Pat Carney) Dick Silverberg has a license for gas service on the dock. BC Ferries discourages having small boats around Ferry docks. Are water lots being changed over to licenses?
A: Not a clear indication.
Q: It would be useful if SCH could send us a list of HA they deal with at present to compare community size and activity with Saturna's situation.
A: To be forthcoming.
Q: (Janet Land) What would SCH estimate it would cost to repair the damage.
A: Approximately $300,000, not including clean-up.
Q: (Gloria Manzano) Must we go for one program or the other; is it not possible to go back to the arrangement we had?
A: This would not be practical as we would have to continually have to go to SCH for changes.
Q: (Brian Hollingshead) Will the process of rebuilding be held up while it is decided who is to pay for it?
A: Susan stated there is no reserve in SCH nationally to finance fire replacement (perhaps DFO has a reserve fund), so a funding source will have to be identified before anything long term can be done. They would be willing to put a bit more money up-front to ensure longevity of the dock. New construction must stay within the water lot size as it is now.
Rick Tipple noted that Saturna needs access quickly.
Q: (Jacques Campbell) Is it correct that the dock was offered to Parks Canada?
A: David Thorne confirmed this, but they weren't interested at that time, maybe in 6 months. He has a call in to PC and will hear in a week and will contact Jacques. He feels that they won't be interested.
Q: Is there money available to do a feasibility study to help us decide which path to take?
A: SCH would sooner see money go into development of the dock than into a study. The committee can use the SCH staff to help with decisions and plans that need to be made. There is much expertise on the SCH staff. They will supply a map of the water lot, location of bearing piles.
Investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing and will not drag out the proceedings of the committee. Much thought and discussion will need to happen to make the decision of how to deal with the Saturna dock reconstruction. David Thorne would like to be part of the discussions regarding options, configuration, costs, etc.
Next meeting is scheduled 16 June, 7:30 PM at the Hall.
Meeting adjourned at 5:45 PM.
Judy Tipple, Acting Secretary