In Attendance: Sally Watson, Sonya Leenders, Kathryn Cameron

Excused: Paulina O’ Brien, Greg Dowman, Flint Palmer

1. FRAA Overview

            Field Utility Board (FUB): Wednesday, September 16, 2020 by conference call; Sally, Sonya and Kathryn to call in. Agenda items sent to Parks Canada Townsite Manager Tracey LeBlanc on September 8, 2020:

• Introductions
• Priorities of Townsite Office over the next year
• Quarterly Report – First Quarter, April 1 to June 30, 2020
• Honorarium: Contribution Agreement has been signed. When will the Honorarium be sent to FRAA?
• Field Emergency Plan Update Timeline
• Rocky Mountain School District #6 Lease surrender of Field Elementary school and FRAA License of Occupation for community use of gym
• Yoho National Park Construction Projects Update
  • Traffic Lights on Highway 1 at Field Intersection
  • Repairs on Lake O’Hara Road
  • Status on Prescribed Burn plan for Float Creek area
• Evaluation of Covid-19 measures on Parks Canada operations over the summer. What can Field residents expect for Parks Canada winter operations? 
• Minutes of FUB meetings – Parks Canada responsibility.

            Town Hall Meeting: Monday September 28, 2020 at Field Community Hall in-person meeting. Estimate about 25 to 28 people can attend and meet guidelines set by British Columbia Public Health Officer and posted on the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control website: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19. The FRAA plans to broadcast the meeting via Facebook Live or Zoom. Agenda, and details for attendance, either in-person or by remote connection, will be sent to the community email list.

Town Hall Meeting Agenda

• Welcome and FRAA Report
• Treasurer’s Report
• Parks Canada Reports
  • Townsite Manager
  • Highways Manager
  • Visitor Experience
  • Resource Conservation
  • Assets
• Friends of Yoho
• Community Paramedic
• Field Fire and Rescue
• Round Table

            Programs: 

Yoga Flow with Julie will resume later this fall.

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) with Laura Penner continues on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, and self-lead on Sunday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, either outside on the rink at the Community Hall or inside at the school gymnasium if the weather or air quality are poor. Do you want to receive text message reminders and updates for HIIT? Send a message with your phone number to fieldraa@gmail.com.

If you have a proposal for an event or program, put together the plan from the perspective of health and safety (Covid-19 guidelines), risk and consequence assessment (for insurance coverage), budget, location, and communication plan. The FRAA welcomes ideas that promote health and well being in the community. 

            Financial Report: The FRAA has very few expenses, but no income right now. Discussion about fundraising options, including donations. One hall booking for weekend of September 18 to 20, but anticipate that it will not go ahead. Sally to confirm.

            Grants Report: Doing final report on $1260 grant from CSRD to promote attendance at programs promoting health and fitness. Two grants from Columbia Basin Trust Community Initiatives Program are in process: engineered drawings for the St. Joseph Project, and to establish a community gym facility. 

            St. Joseph Project: Reviewing plans for a smaller project. Community consultation planned once the new conceptual plans are firm. Now looking at construction in 2022.

            Kicking Horse Ski Club: Status quo for the upcoming season. 

2. Fall and Winter Operations in Field

The FRAA asks all businesses to let us know what winter operations will be for the upcoming season. Please send an email to fieldraa@gmail.com.

3.Annual General Meeting

Scheduled for Monday, November 16, 2020. Currently six members on the Board of Directors. Nomination papers will be in the Post Office on October 1, 2020. If you are interested in volunteering with the FRAA, please talk to one of the Board members and file your papers to be part of our tiny democratic process! Operating during a pandemic has presented challenges that we seem to manage well in our community. Offer your expertise and ideas to operate and connect in ways that keep us all safe and healthy.

4. Round Table

Kudos to everyone for making Field look so beautiful this summer! The gardens and flowers are gorgeous.

BC Hydro Energy Storage Facility kicked in during the outage on June 3, 2020 but failed to operate for three subsequent outages (August 2, August 24 and September 11). Received notice from BC Hydro that repairs have been complete and there will be test outages on September 22, 2020 to confirm the battery works. 

Field Fire and Rescue Department audit report due by the end of September.

CP Rail operations: Ongoing problems with the crossing arms, lights and signals; trains covering the crossing for extended periods of time (44 minutes just before noon on September 8); old, noisy, diesel spewing engines used for work trains left idling in the yard along Stephen Avenue for days/nights; maintenance vehicles speeding through town and in the yard (creates dust); zero communication with the community about any of these issues leaving all responsibility on residents to call the CP Police line to find out what is going on and why. FRAA will ask Parks Canada to talk to CP about how these issues can be addressed to improve quality of life in the community.

Bulletin Board: Sonya working on it.

In Attendance: Sally Watson, Paulina O’Brien, Kathryn Cameron

Excused: Flint Palmer, Sonya Leenders, Greg Dowman

1. Meetings, Programs and Events through the lens on Covid-19 guidelines

FRAA Board Meeting: Scheduled for August 31, 2020, 7:30 pm at Field Community Hall. Going ahead with the meeting!

Field Utility Board (FUB) Meeting: Scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2020. Going ahead with the meeting!

Town Hall Meeting: Scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2020. Going ahead with a public meeting! Maximum attendance based on how many 2 meter-distanced chairs we can fit into the Community Hall. Exploring the option of live-streaming the meeting on Facebook or via Zoom, with options for questions and comments.

HIIT: Going well, either outside on the rink space behind the Community Hall or inside at Field School. Two sessions per week: Wednesday from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm with Laura Penner, $6 admission, and Sunday from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, group lead, no admission fee. Craig to confirm with Rocky Mountain School District #6 that school gym use by the FRAA is still allowed until the lease surrender process between SD6 and Parks Canada is complete.

Yoga Flow with Julie: One session per week on Thursday from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at Field Community Hall. Admission by donation.

Public Washroom at Field Community Hall: Opened on June 22, 202 and will operate until September 30, 2020. Facility is cleaned twice a day. Maintained by Parks Canada staff.

Social Distance Party: Not at this time. We’re proceeding with caution to offer programs and hold meetings. Not prepared to host any events.

2. Constitution Update

FRAA Board will present updated Constitution at the September 28, 2020 Town Hall Meeting. Shouldn’t be too painful! Looking forward to hearing comments from community.

3. St. Joseph Project

Meeting weekly to move the process along. Requested a meeting as soon as possible to discuss two options with designer Alasdair Russell of russell and russell design. For both options the building will not be moved, but will be placed on a new foundation (full basement).

            1. Ramp access to front entrance that is not exposed to snow shedding from the roof in winter. Expand back addition to include bathrooms and only have storage in the basement. Basement access by level entrance at front and by inside stairs. This would be a simple building with multi use space and bathrooms on main floor and storage in the basement. Full basement with potential to finish in the future. Cheaper and keeps similar architectural profile.

            2. When new basement is added footprint is expanded at the rear and at front of the entrance to create additional space needed for bathrooms, kitchen facility, office and storage. This plan includes an elevator. Office can be used by bride as a “get ready room” if separate room is no longer possible. This keeps the concept of the full service facility but would be smaller and other than expanded back section and basement (front and rear) keeps the same profile.

We hope to have a new concept to present to the community at the September 28, 2020 Town Hall Meeting.

4. Kicking Horse Ski Club

Exploring options for cross-country ski trail maintenance.

5. Community Hall Maintenance and Improvements

Outdoor plug-in: Used by RV campers on Sunday, July 19 to charge their battery; they made a $10 donation when informed that the electricity they were using was the property of a not for profit group with no current revenue (no pun intended). Checked to see if it’s possible to turn off the power to the outlet but it’s on the breaker is for the whole main floor of the Community Hall, so not possible.

Change room door and windows: Flint to confirm timeline with Joe.

Bar sink tap replacement: Kathryn to confirm timeline with Miles

6. Bulletin Board 

Sonya is working on the project.

Guidelines for Community Hall use have been updated to post on the Bulletin Board and at the Community Hall. To be circulated with minutes.

7. Round Table

Seems to be an increase in amount of litter at the pond, i.e. hand wipes and Kleenex. If you spend time at the pond, please take your garbage home for disposal. Leave no trace . . .

Resident Passes are now available at Field VRC outdoor information service.

Garbage outside the kid’s room back door entrance: Kathryn to take to the dump.

CBC Radio One Reception in Field: For several months, FM 97.1 in Field has had spotty reception: cutting out intermittently, and volume levels drop off considerably or occasionally get really loud. In response to information submitted to https://cbchelp.cbc.ca/hc/en-ca/requests/new, CBC Audience Services has sent this information: 

“Currently for this site, the main transmitter is undergoing repairs. 
            In the meantime this site has been transmitting on it’s backup transmitter. 
This could be the reason why you are not getting a signal at certain times. 
            We will follow up with the transmission department and update you when possible. Thank you for your patience.”

In Attendance: Sally Watson, Sonya Leenders, Kathryn Cameron

Excused: Paulina O’Brien, Flint Palmer, Greg Dowman

1. Meetings, Programs and Events Review – We are cautiously starting programs again. 

HIIT:  (High Intensity Interval Training) with Laura Penner on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, $6 admission, and group-lead on Sunday evenings from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, no charge, outside on the paved surface (skating rink/pickleball court). Please text Craig if you plan to attend.

Yoga: Yoga Flow With Julie on Thursday evenings at Field Community Hall from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, by donation. Social distancing measures in place for us to flow safely and stay healthy. Mat placement will be taped on the floor. Bring your own mat 

Field Utility Board Meeting: Scheduled for phone meeting on June 16, 2020. FRAA to send items for discussion to Parks Canada by Thursday, June 11, 2020.

Town Hall Meeting June 22, 2020: The Board feels that it is too soon to hold a public Town Hall Meeting in an inside venue, so this meeting has been cancelled. Minutes of both the FRAA board of Directors Meeting and Field Utility Board Meeting will be circulated by email to the community email list and posted on the fieldbc.ca website.

Canada Day Celebrations normally held throughout the community on Canada Day are cancelled for 2020. However, the FRAA encourages everyone to decorate their house or yard or business, and have a family/household/bubble Canada Day barbeque to love your life, love your family and celebrate our good fortune to live in this remarkable country! 

Community Social Distance Street Party has been in discussion for a couple of months now. Again, the Board feels that it’s too soon to host an event but are exploring options that give us chance to get together, stay safe, visit and enjoy some music. It’s on the radar.

2. Hall Rentals

Elements Physiotherapy and Massage from Golden have expressed interest in renting the Community Hall one day per week during July and August to offer services to visitors and residents. The Board feels that since we are basically mid-pandemic now, 2021 is probably a better time to embark on this option. Sally to communicate the decision with Elements Physiotherapy and Massage.

No recent hall rentals, and none on the horizon.

3. Community Hall Clean-up and Standards/Protocols

The FRAA will follow Infectious Diseases Protocols when cleaning the Community Hall after it has been used. Sally to forward guidelines to Board members.

4. Landscape Contract

Contract has been awarded to Burgess Lawn Care and Maintenance. Mowing and planting have started.

5. Community Bulletin Board

Sonya presented concept. Feels that the corkboard is in good condition. Working on organization and headings. Budget of $150 approved. 

6. Community Garden Proposal 

There is interest for a community garden in Field. It is a complicated process. The group is scouting potential locations with a timeline to have the community garden established for 2021.

7. Letter to CP Rail on malfunctions of new crossing and plans for mitigation/repair 

This will be referred to Parks Canada for action. The new crossing has been in place since late November. The physical crossing is extremely rough/unfinished. The signal mechanism malfunctions frequently. Both need to be addressed.

8. Field Fire and Rescue Department (FFRD)

Parks Canada has hired a consultant to audit operations. Report to be complete by mid-September. FFRD has signed a contract with Parks Canada to provide fire protection services, and road rescue for extrication and vehicle fires in Yoho National Park until the end of September 2020. 

9. Constitution Update 

The Board members will review proposed changes by September. Proposed changes will be presented to the community and if approved will be filed with the BC Government. The changes are minimal. Sally will file the Annual Report this week.

10. St. Joseph Project 

Site meeting scheduled for Monday, June 15, 2020 to discuss variance issues. Helen Irwin has completed the first draft of the Basic Impact Assessment, and all current information has been forwarded to russell and russell design in Canmore. We need engineered drawings to apply for the gas tax grant. Owl monitoring continues. We’re making progress.

11. Go International Volunteers

Ron Allen reports that there will be changes to the program this year to manage participant safety. He recommended that we put together a short list of ideas for FRAA projects. The Board identified cleaning and staining the deck, and painting the outside doors. Other suggestions?

12. Field Utility Board Agenda items to discuss with Parks Canada

• Invoices for public washroom use and Honorarium have not been paid to date, numerous reminders have been sent
• Traffic lights at Field Intersection update
• Kicking Horse Ski Club proposal to fund PC position to maintain ski trails
• Opening public washroom at Community Hall in 2020 
• Field Emergency Plan Update timeline
• Communication with CP Rail about plans to finish the crossing (extremely rough) and mitigate signal malfunctions that have plagued operations since November. 

13. What’s Open in Field and Yoho

Yoho Bros Trading Post: Open Friday to Sunday 9 am to 7 pm,  and Monday to Thursday 10 am to 7 pm

Velvet Antler Pottery: www.velvetantlerpottery.com open daily from 11 am to 6 pm

Truffle Pigs Bistro and Lodge: www.trufflepigs.com open

The Siding Café: The Siding Café on Facebook, closed

Emerald Lake Lodge: Open as of June 3, 2020 https://crmr.com/covid-19/

The Boathouse Trading Co. : Open daily 10 am to 5 pm https://sites.google.com/theboathousetradingco.com/emeraldcanoes

Cathedral Mountain Lodge: Plan to open August 1, 2020 https://www.cathedralmountainlodge.com/special-advisory/

Lake O’Hara Lodge: www.lakeohara.com News release April 22, 2020: Lodge not open for the 2020 summer/fall season.

Great Divide Lodge: www.thegreatdividelodge.com Call for information.

ACC Backcountry Lodges: https://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/web/ACCMember/Huts/Home.aspx?hkey=2859ab1c-3d06-42d6-ab37-5a2e0c77f2ec

Parks Canada stakeholder update dated June 1, 2020 will be circulated with the minutes.

14. Round Table

Sally to pay WSP invoice for last work done on the lot survey, covers registering info with Government of Canada.

Village of Field website, www.fieldbc.ca  is almost up to date with minutes of Board and Town Hall Meetings. To be complete by end of June. 

In Attendance by Skype: Flint Palmer, Sally Watson, Sonya Leenders, Paulina O’Brien, Kathryn Cameron

Excused: Greg Dowman

1. Covid-19: Community health discussion – where we’re at, where other people are at, who needs support, options
         We’re in a unique situation in Field – so close to the Alberta/British Columbia border, and on Federal Land. Provincial authority governs public health guidelines here; the FRAA recognizes that British Columbia authority guides our decisions. Communication from Parks Canada on March 16, 2020 also recognizes the Public Health Officer of British Columbia as the lead authority on managing the pandemic in our area.

Field has a well-established bubble now, but as restrictions ease in Alberta and British Columbia there will be more traffic to the community. Last weekend the parking lot at Field VRC was full. Mothers Day is this weekend, and the Victoria Day long weekend is just over a week away. There may be some anxiety about increased traffic in Field and Yoho National Park and the bubble isn’t as well defined. Seeing an increase in traffic from the Calgary area, a Covid-19 hot spot in Alberta, is a concern. 

Golden RCMP Traffic Division is fully staffed, so able to do more patrols in this area. Greater presence noted in Field and Yoho National Park.

Field residents walk a fine line. We travel for groceries and supplies to other communities, who feel the same way we do regarding “outsiders” entering their space. It’s critical to recognize the dichotomy we face at the moment.

General feeling is that residents are patiently riding out the travel and physical distance restrictions (like everyone else on the planet!), demonstrating confidence in leadership, and resiliency. Good work everyone! Stay the course. Wash your hands, keep your distance and be calm.

2. Meeting Schedule Review

Field Utility Board Meeting – May 6, 2020: Postponed. Kathryn will send questions pertinent to current operations to Alex Kolesch, Interim Townsite Manager.

Town Hall Meeting – May 11, 2020: Postponed. Questions or concerns? Please talk to one of the Board Members or send us an email to fieldraa@gmail.com.

Next Board Meeting – May 11, 2020 will be held outside on the rink at Community Hall, 3:30 pm.

3. Event Schedule Review

Spring Fling – June 3, 2020 and Canada Day – July 1, 2020: Cancelled Guidelines from British Columbia’s Public Health Officer will determine how and when the FRAA will proceed with programs and events in the future. We anticipate information from Premier Horgan on May 6, 2020 on easing restrictions. 

FRAA Board is exploring possibility of hosting a Social Distancing Party, following group gathering guidelines. We’re being cautious.

4. Financial Report
         No money coming in. Invoices sent to Parks Canada in late October/early November for public washroom billing 2018/2109 and Honorarium still outstanding. Both FRAA and Parks Canada have signed the two-year contribution agreement that paves the way for the Honorarium. Reminder to be sent to Parks Canada re: outstanding invoices.

5. FFRD 

        Six-month contract has been signed. Both the Golden Fire Department and Lake Louise Fire and Rescue declined requests from Parks Canada to provide road rescue service to Yoho National Park at this time.

6. St. Joseph Project

• Discussions with neighbours (re: setback variance, garage access) are in process. Once we have agreement in place the FRAA will communicate with designer Alasdair Russell to go ahead with engineered drawings.
• Helen Irwin has sent the FRAA a revised Basic Impact Analysis.
• Owls appear to be nesting in the belfry again this spring. Ongoing monitoring by residents is in process for the duration. Record your observations and send the information to fieldraa@gmail.com. Bruce Bembridge is keeping a journal and some residents have passed their observations on to him. He’s fine with that!
• Little brown bats are also a species of interest. They are generally active just before dark until just before dawn. If you see any bat activity near the church, please send the information to fieldraa@gamil.com. 

7. Columbia Basin Trust Community Initiatives and Affected Areas Grants Announcement

         Field Recreation Advisory Association received both grants we applied for in February: St. Joseph Project for cost of Engineered Drawings and Architectural review (requested $45,625.00), and; to purchase gym equipment (requested $9450). Thank you to Golden and District Foundation Selection Committee for choosing our projects to receive financial support from Columbia Basin Trust. Press release to be drafted and sent May 6, 2020.

8. Parks Canada Seasonal Operations: Concerns to Communicate to Parks Canada in Lieu of Field Utility Board Meeting May 6, 2020

• As we all know, it was a snowy winter with lots of gravel deposited on the streets to mitigate icy driving conditions, followed by a very dry, windy spring giving us high dust levels in Field. Mike Vanderveen has indicated we’ll have the street sweeper in town in the “next few weeks”. Given the current conditions, the FRAA feels that we need the street sweeper here sooner rather than later. We need an imminent date for Field to be cleaned up. Good work to all who have been sweeping in front of their property. Thanks.
• The landscape contract has expired. What is the plan to put the landscape contract out for bid?
• The normal date to open the public washroom at Field Community Hall is June 1. With anticipated lifting restrictions on businesses opening again, and the role the public washroom plays in reducing use of washrooms in The Siding and Truffle Pigs, will Parks Canada go ahead with opening the public washroom at the community Hall on June 1, 2020? The FRAA supports opening the public washroom on that date.
• What is the status of installing a traffic light at the Field Intersection on the TransCanada Highway this summer?
• Can Parks Canada post signs at the border to direct travellers to visit the Public Health Office website for Provincial orders for the destination province (westbound for BC; eastbound for Alberta)?

9.  Hall Clean Up and Maintenance Plan

• Weekly building walk-through to check for issues continue. Good work all who have kept an eye on the health of the Community Hall!
• Padlocks on the outside storage sheds have been replaced. Ice rink equipment has been put away for the summer. Thanks rink people!
• Pickleball won’t be set up until we can figure out how to sanitize the paddles and balls between users. Any suggestions?
• Kathryn and Sally to meet at Community Hall on May 6, 2020 to draw up plan for cleaning and maintenance plan for hall (inside and outside) to prepare for eventual use for programs and meetings. Board members to select cleaning duties and do the work.

10. Round Table

No spring bins this year. People are using their time at home to clean out; the Golden landfill is open. That’s the option for disposal this year.

Sonya will update the community bulletin board to showcase the St. Joseph Project, and promote to Health and Safety in the community, including social and sexual health in addition to information on Covid-19. Concerns expressed that when people consume alcohol, good judgement on maintaining physical distancing can also be impaired.

Paulina to draft a letter by Friday, May 8, 2020 to CP Rail about malfunction of the new safety system at the crossing; the gates come down when there are no trains or when the crews are changing at the crossing. People are not only driving around the gates in the absence of trains, but report that crews have waved them around on occasion. The FRAA is very concerned that there will be a collision between a vehicle and a train at some point unless the malfunctions are repaired immediately. The whole purpose of the gates, lights and bells is for safety but has served to create less safety. 

Flint announced that Field Summer Music Festival for 2020 will not go ahead. Planning now focussed on 2021. For details, please visit the Field Summer Music Festival Facebook page.

For more information on current Covid-19 guidelines in British Columbia, please visit British Columbia Centre for Disease Control website: www.bccdc.ca.

In Attendance: Patrick Caïs, Brenda Selkirk, Heather MacNeill, Christine Selkirk, Dave Selkirk, Ginette Therrien, Stephen Selkirk, Hollie Tataryn, Ryan Cameron, Carla Evans, Lorraine Zirke, Craig Chapman, Mike Vanderveen, Alex Kolesch, Paulina O’Brien, Kathryn Cameron, Sally Watson

Excused: Sonya Leenders, Flint Palmer, Greg Dowman

1. FRAA Report 

            Kathryn Cameron, President FRAA

Since the last Town Hall Meeting on January 20, a short 7 weeks ago, Field Recreation Advisory Association had some periods of intense activity which include:

Events: 

• Yoho Blow Winter Festival, January 31 to February 2

Weather is always a big part of the Yoho Blow Weekend story. 2020 saw heavy snow Friday night, changing to rain all night and until 1 pm Saturday, then a beautiful break of sunshine Saturday afternoon, and more snow Saturday night. Sunday was beautiful! Really great event for the community! Financials: took in $4009 in revenue and spent $2623.72 on expenses for a net gain of $1385.25.

Shinny Hockey: Torpedoed by the weather. The weather was too snowy, the rink was too soft and there was no way to improve conditions.

Bocce: Total revamp of the tournament that happened on Friday night with discussion about Round-Robin vs. Elimination models, and Round-Robin won! Which meant games every hour with the team winning most number of games winning the tournament. Great idea! Lots of good competition! 2 hour break for Heritage Relay on Saturday. Bocce all day on Sunday. 

Heritage Relay: A couple of changes to the challenge line-up that everyone loved. Energized by Saturday afternoon sunshine. Good participation with 11 teams; good generational representation.

Dance: 54 people attended. The band was good.

Anything Goes Downhill Race: Second last event of the weekend. Seven participants on skis, snowboard and toboggan! Mass start this year – that was fun, and not as dramatic as you think. Great big Thank You to Kicking Horse Ski Club track setter Joe Nixhipi for grooming the race course, and starting the race from the upper reservoir in 2020 rather than the lower, easier start point at the cemetery. Superb snow conditions at the top, a bit icy toward the bottom. 

Pot Luck Supper: Delicious as always. Lovely way to end the weekend. 

Suggestions for future:

Hold the Anything Goes Downhill Race earlier in the day on Sunday, during a scheduled Bocce break, similar idea to Saturday line-up. 

Reschedule for one weekend later, tentatively February 5, 6 and 7, 2021. 

Find ways to encourage Emerald Lake and Great Divide Lodge staff to participate in events and come to the dance.

• Vegan Pot Luck Supper and Information Evening, February 9

25 participants, delicious food, plenty of good information via samples, literature and videos about vegan options. Thank you Bonnie and Jana!

• Groove Is In The Heart, February 14

Elk Run and Riot from Canmore played for the dance. Great band! They are in the line-up for Field Summer Music Festival so it was really nice to get a sneak preview. 27 people attended. Door proceeds went to the band. Bar proceeds to FRAA. Lots of social media promotion. No posters printed for the event; in the future will definitely print and post to augment digital communication.

• Yoho Nordic Challenge, February 15

Organized and run by Kicking Horse Ski Club. Superb turnout of around 80 participants. Great weather and ski conditions this year. Well done KHSC!

Programs: 

• HIIT going strong with two sessions weekly, one lead by Laura Penner on Wednesday evenings and a self lead session Sunday evenings
• Yoga with Mardi Elliott on Thursday evenings

(Both programs have been subsidized by a grant from Columbia Shuswap Regional District since September, to boost attendance and promote personal health and well being for participants. The FRAA will do a second accounting this month of grant monies used since the end of December to see how much is left.)

• Learn to Make Healing Foods Vegan Cooking Class with Bonnie Brandt on February 23. Full registration of 8 participants, great program! Well organized and presented, delicious food, lovely to spend a few hours together making food, eating food and visiting – everything we love as a community. More courses in the works.

Meetings:

1. Constitution Update Meeting on February 10, full review, identified areas that need amending, call to Societies Branch for definition and process clarification. The organization defines terms in the By-Laws and if the By-Laws are submitted as a package for update, then we pay one fee, rather for each article changed. Hope to have a draft to circulate in the next month.

2. FRAA Board Meeting February 17 – see minutes circulated in mid-February.

3. Meeting with Parks Canada management on February 18 to touch base and discuss community concerns.

            a. Volunteer contribution to community of Field compensates for lack of Parks Canada presence. 

Role of Kicking Horse Ski Club and track setting; out dated Winter Trails Map – needs to be updated and reprinted; YNP twitter account promotes winter recreation without acknowledging that KHSC is providing the service – encounter with snowshoers on the trail shows misunderstanding of role of KHSC; aging volunteers. FRAA feels it is in everyone’s best interest for Parks Canada to maintain winter trails and provide up-to-date information that gives users accurate trail info and critical safety messages.
            b. Field Fire and Rescue: solution to impasse, role of FFR for community and Yoho National Park, burn-out, recruitment, retention long term vision, administrative continuity re: ensuring propane tank is full and insurance policy is paid and current. Role of FFRD is primarily public safety on TransCanada Highway. 57 call-outs in 2019. Structure fires are rare.
            c. Yoho VRC open year round to offer services to visitors. Average daily use since October 2019 averages 438 people per day. 

            d. Community access in winter: snow removal and storage. We need a new model, not same old method that leaves Field at the end of the maintenance line, looking like an abandoned village. Concern about top-down attitude of Highway Operations Unit (HOU) staff toward maintenance in Field; this community is seen as a burden when the reality is insufficient funding to HOU in the Field Unit. Entrance to community is not inviting: snow is piled in front of the Village of Field sign, summer banners are still up, and are in tatters. Note:Banners have been replaced.
            e. Emergency Plan Update: During the communications blackout and power failure on February 3, 2019 Field Fire and Rescue Department (FFRD) played a leadership role in organizing a response plan, communications door-to-door to assess needs, and staffed the Community Hall as an emergency shelter. When the CP train derailed in the early hours of February 4, 2019, CP Bunkhouse was put on evacuation notice due to oil tankers in the Field yard and uncertainty of what would actually happen to the out of control train. Residents heard after the fact; there was no evacuation protocol in place for residents (keeping in mind that particular emergency situation unfolded very fast).
            f. Status of Contribution Agreement: Alex is working on Contribution Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding options.

            g. Community use of school gym when Parks Canada finishes paperwork for lease surrender from Rocky Mountain School District 6. Very close to signing all paperwork for lease surrender, then Parks Canada will start process to renovate structure for use as National Park Administration Building. Use of school gym for community recreation and events will be managed through a License of Occupation between Parks Canada and FRAA

            h. Reinstate Outstanding Items List that identifies maintenance issues in Field. Provides a guideline and priorities. Addresses general state of neglect.

            i. Individual issues between Parks Canada and residents need resolution before acrimony develops. FRAA supports cooperative, reasonable, logical solutions to issues.

            j. Overall, what does Parks Canada envision for Field over the next 10+ years? Aging demographic, volunteer burn-out, steady loss of services over the past 25 years – it’s easy to be demoralized. Any movement on CPR land not used for CPR operations reverting to the Crown?

4. Field Utility Board Meeting February 27 – Alex will report

General Business:

• CPR Lease has been signed for five years, in place to October 31, 2024
• Working on repairs and maintenance in the Community Hall. Miles has agreed to do important plumbing repairs to the hot water tap in the bar and a leaking toilet in the women’s washroom. Joe and Flint looking at the change room door replacement/repair.
• Grant Applications submitted to Columbia Basin Trust for St. Joseph Project for cost of Engineered Drawings and Architectural review submitted to CBT Community Initiatives (requested $45,625.00) and to purchase gym equipment (requested $9450). Presented February 24 to selection committee in Golden. Anticipate hearing results of applications by the end of March.

In case you didn’t already know:

• Styrofoam meat trays stamped P6 made from Expanded Polystyrene can be recycled through the British Columbia program and are accepted at the Golden Bottle Depot. They are not accepted through the Town Of Banff recycle program – that is where our recycle program materials are sent. So, if there is P6 material in our plastic recycle bin, the load is contaminated and ends up in the landfill, which none of us want.
• Neighbourhood Small Grants “program helps residents of any age, experience, or background take part in building community”. Grants up to $500. Check out details and info at the website: www.neighbourhoodsmallgrants.ca  

Overall, lots of opportunities to get together to have fun, learn, participate and talk about the issues that are important to our community. As always, volunteers support activities that enrich our lives and manage the details required for a Society registered in the Province of British Columbia that operates in a National Park with one asset on CPR land and one asset on Parks Canada land. Great big shout out to everyone! FRAA always welcomes new Board members. If interested, please talk to one of us.

Passages

Former resident and retired Parks Canada Highways employee Bruce Wiebe died in early March 2020. Bruce, Heather and their son Jeff owned and lived in the home currently owned by Susan and Ian McIlreath, They moved to Calgary when Bruce retired; Heather continued to work for CPR in Calgary. Bruce was a great neighbour and colleague. We offer our condolences to his family and friends.

2. Treasurer’s Report 

            Sally Watson, Treasurer FRAA

Motion by Paulina, seconded by Kathryn: to accept financial reports as presented. Carried.Files attached to minutes email, and posted on inside bulletin board at Post Office.

3. Parks Canada Reports 

            Alex Kolesch, Acting/Townsite Manager

Highway Twinning Basic Impact Assessment and Mitigation Plans Open House on February 5, 2020 was well-attended. 

Field School: Parks Canada recognizes the important role of the school in the community. Will preserve memory in renovations; feedback is welcome as are ideas for commemorative space/presentation. Renovations will also enable entrance for use of gymnasium, access to washrooms for gym users. Building will be Parks Canada Administration Office. Considering parking area for staff, currently looking at playground area for parking. Once all offices have been moved to new space, Parks Canada will end its lease with CPR in the present Admin Building; status of building is responsibility of CPR. Site may be developed as community green space, possibly site for new playground, picnic area.

Parks Canada Housing: New triplex ready to be let to staff. Contains two 2-bedroom suites and one 1-bedroom suite. Anticipate start of construction this season on second triplex on former Dollhouse lot. Boulder Creek Bunkhouse renovations will be complete for winter staff residence, not ready for summer staff in 2020. Superintendent’s Residence is ready for tenants. It’s very expensive to heat; potential renters are hesitant to take it on. Ideas for use other than housing? Contact Alex. Parks Canada is committed to improving staff accommodation. Assets team is preparing a report on some properties to determine if they could be sold or should be demolished.

Field Utility Board Report: Review of quarterly reports. Rates for water and sewer continue to be frozen and will remain the same. Parks Canada anticipates the subsidy for 2019/2020 fiscal year will drop from around $18,000 down to between $12,000 and $13,000. In previous fiscal year there were major equipment, and wage expenses (wage increase and retro pay due to contract settlement) that are not repeated in current year. May see increase in solid waste costs. These rates are not frozen. 

            Alex is doing research on insurance and honorarium options as part of Contribution Agreement update.

            Covid-19: Parks Canada takes direction from Health Canada. No special direction at this time regarding visitors however this could change; the situation is very fluid. Parks Canada will look at policy and direction over the next 2 to 4 months. In the meantime, follow Health Canada’s advice. It sounds like Parks Canada is looking at visitation and economic impacts as a result of the virus spreading worldwide.

            Michael Vanderveen, Highway Service Centre

Nothing new to report. Currently in late winter/early spring operations, cleaning medians and pushing back snow build-up on TransCanada Highway shoulders. Freeze/thaw cycles, more snow forecast. Will have water maintenance team look at frozen storm drain south of Community Hall to mitigate water pooling at bottom of Centre Street.

Nothing to report at this time from Visitor Experience, or Resource Conservation.           

4. Friends of Yoho Report 
            Brenda Selkirk, Manager Friends of Yoho

The nice winter break is almost over! Store opens April 2, 2020; April is a busy month for the Friends of Yoho store. Come on down and see what’s new! Two full-time staff positions filled; one part-time position is still open. Parks Canada plans to open May 1, 2020.

5. British Columbia Emergency Health Services

            Craig Chapman, Community Paramedic

Quiet in general. Covid-19 is a big part of conversations. If you are elderly with existing health conditions risk is higher. It’s important to take precautions to protect yourself: don’t travel; carry hand sanitizer, avoid large gatherings. The virus is passed by large droplets. Cough or sneeze into elbow. Wash hands frequently using soap and water. Don’t touch your face. No cruises. Use of masks more effective on clean-shaven face, but ultimately masks are an illusion of protection. If you have symptoms (fever, runny nose, dry cough) call 811 for information and direction, i.e. isolate in place or call 911. Follow Get Prepared www.getprepared.ca advice on stocking food and supplies in event of quarantine; assess support systems. If you run a business, have hand washing facilities and hand sanitizer readily available on site. For reference visit British Columbia Centre for Disease Control website: www.bccdc.ca

6. Field Fire and Rescue Report 
            Patrick Caïs, Acting Chief, Field Fire and Rescue Department

1. Call Outs: 7 in November, 13 in December, 4 in January, 3 in February – 27 for 2019/20.
2. Members: One new recruit with Brad Tataryn
3. New and Planned Purchases
   1. No new purchases
   1. Propane generator is in place in case of power outage with an automatic switch.
   1. Bunker gears are going through their annual clean up.
   1. The hydraulic pump and extrication tools have been maintained by KGC.
4. Completed Training: No external training during the winter.
5. Upcoming Training: Spring training is posted with CSRD facilities in Salmon Arm.  Strategies and Tactics, interior fire, exterior fire, ventilation, pump operators, emergency driving, etc…
6. Apparatus
   1. Engine 1 (all good) 
   1. Rescue 1 (all good) 
   1. Rescue 2 (all good considering its age).  
7. Ongoing Projects
   1. Discussions with PCA about importance of fulltime fire chief on FFRD (Fire Chief) ongoing
   1. Last meeting was on Feb 18 with Pauline Boisier (FFRD president), Rick Kubian (PCA), Alex Kolesh (PAC), a new representative for PCA and Patrick Cais (deputy chief). 
   1. PCA met with Sophie (FFRD secretary) later through a phone conference to look at improving the administrative procedure. FFRD has not received any news from PCA since regarding this development.

Parks Canada asks the community for time to resolve the negotiation with FFR on issue of full-time Fire Chief. Advised by community that FFR understand their operation and are a very valuable resource to consult. Observation that this has been in process for nine months, the current contract expires on March 31, 2020 and with no Fire Chief in place (it’s an onerous task that no current members want to take on under present contract model) no one has the authority to sign new contract. 

7. Round Table

Not offered for open discussion, sorry. However, Go International Volunteer program, operated through Lake Louise Ski Area is interested in any projects individuals or businesses may have in mind for this summer. If you have a project in mind, contact Ron Allen:yohoguesthouse@gmail.com