Field Town Hall Meeting January 30, 2017
FIELD TOWN HALL MEETING
January 30, 2017 @ 7:00 pm
IN ATTENDANCE: Kathryn Cameron, Chair; Claudia Harding, Co-Chair; Sally Watson, Treasurer; Krista Callen, Secretary; Desneige Meyer, Member; Christine Lynn, Member; Caitlin Cameron, Member; Michael LeGrice, Member; Jen Coffman, Member; Patrick Cais, Resident; Dave Allen, Resident; Ryan Cameron, Resident; Rick Kubain, Parks Canada; Marthe Boissonault, Parks Canada; Mike Vanderveen, Parks Canada
REGRETS: Sophie Cais, Member; Karen Schmidt, Member; Katherine MacNeill, Member
1. FRAA/FCC REPORT (KATHRYN CAMERON)
WELCOME
Welcome to Town Hall Meeting! Hosted by FRAA, Town Hall Meetings are an opportunity to communicate what is going on in community, to hear from Parks Canada, and to ask questions. Meetings are an important vehicle for communication between residents of Field and people who provide services to the village.
Introduction of FRAA members, Parks Canada representatives, and residents in attendance.
VOLUNTEERS
Thank you to volunteers for their hard work, with special mention to rink maintainers who have spent so many hours clearing snow, flooding the rink. The rink serves not only the community of Field but also visitors to town. Thanks to Sally for handling all hall rentals. Special thank you to people providing snow removal for Community Hall. These volunteers work for Kim and Craig at the hostel, also shovel school, firehall, and ambulance station. Thank you to Parks Canada for snow removal. (Crews are still sanding Stephen Creek from 2nd down to 1st, which may affect upcoming downhill race, but we will find a way to make it work. Caitlyn Cameron would like to compliment Parks on clearing back roads following recent avalanche!)
NEW BOARD MEMBERS
FRAA is pleased to welcome three new members: Christine Lynn, Jen Coffman, Caitlyn Cameron, for a total of 11 Board Members this year.
CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR’S RECAP
Christmas events were great! Santa able to clear time in his busy schedule to join us for the Potluck Supper and Skate with Santa. The annual Christmas Concert was held for the first time since school closed. Field Fire & Rescue were highlight of concert. Field’s renowned ukulele band were stuck in traffic, but everyone managed to make it and it was fantastic! Thank you to all who participated. The 50/50 draw raised $383.20 for the Food Bank, plus two boxes of food donations. A nighttime ski was held on New Year’s Eve. The group skied to the back of Emerald Lake for hot chocolate. Conditions were outstanding on the Kicking Horse Trail for the full moon ski organized by Kicking Horse Ski Club on January 14th. A successful pizza/movie night was held for the kids of Field on January 18th here at the Community Hall.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Yoho Blow – February 3, 4 & 5, 2017
FRAA – February 20, 2017
Field Utility Board – March 1, 2017
Town Hall – March 13, 2017
Easter Brunch & Bunny Hop – April 17, 2017
YOHO BLOW FESTIVAL
Yoho Blow is coming this weekend (February 3 – 5). Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions, sign-up sheets on bulletin board beside Post Office.
CHAMPIONS & EVENTS
Hockey tournament is being run by Kurt Devlin. Jeremy Schmidt will run bocce tournament (8 teams in total, event is fully booked). Kim & Craig Chapman will be running the heritage relay. Jessica Stichlebout and Susan Calder are organizing the downhill race. Caitlyn Cameron, Desneige Meyer will oversee kids’ events, under the kids’ directions. Minute-to-Win-It and other games on Friday night. Interpretive Skate is being organized by Kat MacNeill, Tyra Cameron for Saturday – anything goes as long as it’s on ice! Bar shifts/food shifts/clean up shifts available at Community Hall. Contact Mike LeGrice with preferred shifts or he will provide options. Liquor license has been obtained, liquor and food orders have been placed. Anything goes for snow sculpture competition! Details on the Scavenger Hunt to be announced. 50/50 all weekend long. Possible candlelight parade – more info to follow. Check schedule on bulletin board, fieldbc.ca website, Yoho Blow Daze Facebook page (thanks Mike!), and Amelie Goulet-Boucher (Parks Canada) will start tweeting and posting on Facebook. This is not a closed event – all are welcome!
DANCE
Mike has arranged transportation for Lake Louise/Great Divide Lodge staff to attend dance. FRAA paying for shuttle for staff to be transported to Field and home again so they may attend the dance, drink and not drive. Christine Lynn has organized staff bus for Emerald Lakers. Jeremy Schmidt is organizing the dance, and has booked John Jenkins and Small Town Revival to perform. Jen Coffman will be providing accommodations for the band. In addition to live band, DJ Flintaroo will be performing.
MERCHANDISE
Merchandise has been ordered. This is 40th anniversary! Special logo can be seen on sign-up sheets posted on bulletin board. Long sleeved t-shirts will be available in black or navy (not a huge number ordered but if demand is high more can be ordered), plus kids’ t-shirts, and vintage Yoho Blow shirts.
DONATIONS
Lots of donations have been received for prizes. A special thanks to Parks for donating a guided hike for two to Burgess Shale, as well as to all local businesses who have participated!
KICKING HORSE SKI CLUB 30TH ANNIVERSARY
KHSC will be celebrating its 30th anniversary at Emerald Lake Lodge on February 16th. Packages are available. Accommodation, dinner for two and breakfast for two the following day for a rate of $227. Dinner-only can be purchased for $30/adult. Track setting has been completed from the Visitor Centre to Emerald Lake (11 km one-way) and is in great condition!
RINK MAINTENANCE/CHANGEROOM RULES
Gentle reminder rink/changeroom is a public facility. Quite clearly stated on rules that open liquor is against the law. We don’t want to jeopardize our chance to obtain future liquor licenses, so please observe the rules. (Copy of changeroom rules have been sent out via email.)
CANADA DAY GRANT
Kathryn apologizes for missing the deadline for this year’s Canada Day grant. Donation request will be saved for purchase of cake from Golden. (Money remains from last year’s Canada Grant, don’t normally spend a lot for on this day.)
RULES FOR SOCIETIES
BC has recently changed rules for societies. FRAA has until November 2017 to comply. Desneige and Kathryn will be consulting with a lawyer at Golden College of Rockies to find out what is involved.
PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTS
FRAA has discussed offering programs in Hall for residents. Request put out for yoga teacher, currently awaiting response but will be more likely for spring. Potential for cooking and dance classes. May circulate a questionnaire to see what types of activities residents would be interested in. Kat is currently running a playgroup here at the Hall every Monday from 8:45 am until 11 am.
COFFEE WITH YOUR MP
Coffee with Your MP was held on January 11th. He suggested we send him a summary of concerns and he will see what he can do to help. He apparently meets every 2 months with Minister of Environment, we would love to welcome her to come here next time she is in Banff and highlight some things happening in Field and Yoho, maybe cast a bit of magic on Yoho!
HIGHWAY TWINNING
Sally and Kathryn met with Terry McGuire and Noelle Summers re: highway twinning. Money has come through for environmental assessment plus initial plan for highway. They have until March 2018 and are busy working on proposal. McEhanney will be working with them on plans and undertaking environmental assessment. Anticipate 40 km of highway remaining in Yoho to cost approximately $750M – $850M to complete. Will likely start from west end of park and work their way east. Challenges due to terrain (river and mountains!) Public consultation is next – there will be an Open House in Field at some point during first 3 weeks of March. Everyone is encouraged to attend, look at the tentative plans, give feedback. They are looking for input, and will also be consulting with Visitor Experience (taking into consideration access to turnoffs, and trailheads, such as Wapta Falls, Hoodoos.)
2. TREASURER’S REPORT (SALLY WATSON)
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
Financial Statements attached to circulation email.
CHRISTMAS SEASON
Kids really liked Christmas gift choices this year – thank you to Santa’s elves for their excellent research! Thank you to Emerald Lake Lodge; Pat O’Connor used his broker to bring in the track-setter this year.
HALL IMPROVEMENTS
Tips will be used to purchase new stove, in conjunction with donation from Friends of Yoho which is currently sitting in HIP account.
RECEIPTS
Reminder to FRAA members to submit receipts re: Kids’ Pizza/Movie Night.
PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
PAC from Field School donated funds to FRAA to be put toward programming for fun activities for school-aged kids in the community.
Motion to accept financials made by Claudia Harding, seconded by Desneige Meyer.
3. RCMP REPORT
N/A
4. PARKS CANADA REPORTS
TOWNSITE MANAGER – RICK KUBIAN, ACTING SUPERINTENDENT
INTRODUCTION
Welcome back to returning Board Members and thank you to new Board Members for volunteering. We look forward to working with you! Facilitated conversations have been taking place re: renewing relationship between FRAA and Parks. Melanie Kwan will be returning mid-February, Ellen Francis has been on leave and will be returning as Townsite Manager on Wednesday.
HOUSING
Residents requesting further discussion re: housing in Field. Parks has met re: their own housing requirements in Field but not resident housing. Parks will bring report to March meeting. Housing should be discussed directly with Kathryn.
FIELD COMMUNITY PLAN REVIEW
Unclear at this time if their will be further action re: Field Community Plan Review, despite follow up by Parks. Residents concerned about housing, job opportunities. Redevelopment of lower trailer court for entry level housing would be met positively by residents, would be good for community, more demand for services, more opportunity for businesses. Heard and noted by Parks.
VISITOR EXPERIENCE – RICK KUBIAN, ACTING SUPERINTENDENT
VISITOR LEVELS/CHALLENGES – CANADA 150
With respect to visitor experience, Visitor Centre open in winter this year. Will be open 7 days a week, campground season expanded. With 150th anniversary/free Parks passes, lots of visitors expected. Focus on solution to congestion at Lake Louise, trying to bring people out to Yoho, which is less congested. Move people to less busy areas. Lots of time spent figuring out Lake Louise shuttle and parking. Working with Lake Louise community on details. (Shuttle offered 3 days per week, but will likely be increased to 7 days per week based on demand.) Parking issues at Emerald and Takkakaw Falls. Park is hitting ceiling on infrastructure and starting to affect visitor experience.
MANAGEMENT PLAN
Management Plan due in 2020, would like to get people to start thinking about these issues/possible solutions. Scoping document will be prepared in next year. Think about what you want to see in future. If interested in details of hours for Visitor Centre, dates of campground openings, everything is on Yoho National Park website.
TCH TWINNING PROJECT
The ability for public to comment on upcoming plans for TransCanada Highway twinning project is historic, try to get a lot of folks out when Terry comes to town with presentation, a lot of room for input from public.
HIGHWAY SERVICE CENTRE – MICHAEL VANDERVEEN
SNOW REMOVAL
Has been an easier winter this year, and 24-hour schedule working out well. Have received good feedback, both Lake Louse and Golden RCMP have stated this change is making a difference. Sludge removal in west end took place prior to winter and will resume when closer to spring.
RESTRICTED ACCESS – MAIL TRUCK
Concerns about mail truck being unable to come through town for fear of getting stuck addressed. Post Office staff had to drive to highway to retrieve town’s mail. Highway safety takes priority, and guidelines are being met, however if this continues to be an issue contact Helene or Townsite Manager. Will do their best, do have to prioritize.
ASSET MANAGEMENT – MARTHE BOISSONAULT, ACTING TOWNSITE MANAGER
SOLID WASTE REMOVAL
Cost increase re: solid waste removal services. Trying to do cost recovery of this service based on volume and pickups, is a work in progress. Believe rates are in line with other communities in BC, but working on comparison to ensure this is the case.
RECYCLING
Comments by residents that plastic recycling bin always very full, plastic is going into tin recycling receptacle. Parks confirmed these two bins can be combined. Request for recycling bin for wine/beer/liquor bottles, however is not practical as bottles will be broken and third party would be required to run that service. If a service group in town is interested in taking this on, Parks would be open to it providing storage is bear-proof. If the right proposal came through they would consider. (Bottle depot in Banff will pick up recycling, but will take 50% of profit. Possible conversation for next FRAA meeting – good fundraising idea, but in past people don’t rinse bottles and recycling attracts animals. Will be added to FRAA agenda.)
WATER METERS
Old exterior water meters were not providing accurate readings, bills may have been higher than they should have. Software for digital water meters was not compatible and causing issues. Keith Parkinson, Water Treatment Plant Manager, is working with company to deal with readings and plan to have issue fixed by March. Have been actively contacting many affected Field residents. If you have not been contacted, your meters probably working properly, but if concerns contact Helene and she will work with Keith on this. Installation of water meters is 75% complete – approx. 93 installed, remaining 20 will be installed once issue with readings is fixed. (At recent FUB meeting, Keith said best thing you can do is monitor your consumption, look at past bills for the norm, and if any issues contact Helene at Townsite Office.)
EARTH DAY
Looking at an event for Earth Day, perhaps a tour of wastewater treatment plan. Discussion at FUB about how great system is here.
5. FRIENDS OF YOHO
N/A
6. FIELD FIRE & RESCUE
RECENT CALLS
Since November, Field Fire & Rescue responded to 26 callouts, including 14 calls during an 11-day period, 3 of which were fires. Great performances to all calls!
ELECTIONS/NEW MEMBERS
Elections recently held. Jaime re-elected Chief. Patrick elected Deputy Chief. Dave, Chris, Doug all elected Captains. Miles elected Engineer. Five new recruits, possibly one new probationer.
Heartfelt thanks to Field Fire & Rescue for their hard work and unprecedented dance recital at Christmas Concert.
7. ROUND TABLE
SNOW REMOVAL – YOHO BROTHERS
Jen Coffman has noticed a lot of snow dumped in front of Yoho Brothers, gas station not visible due to obstruction, perhaps this can be mentioned to their contractor.
PUBLIC WASHROOMS – COMMUNITY HALL
Jen Coffman mentioned an increase in traffic at Truffle Pigs to use washrooms as Community Hall bathrooms are only open from June 1st to September 30th. Limited hours due to the facilities available 24/7 at Visitor Centre, as well as bulk of Hall rentals occur October through May and like washroom to be accessible. Will revisit winter washrooms in next FRAA meeting.
KIDS’ COMMITTEE
Desneige suggested Kids Committee to be set up for them to have more input in suggestions and set-up for kids’ activities.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI TRAILS – PARKS CANADA
Kathryn extended her hope to see Parks at Yoho Blow and Kicking Horse Ski Club anniversary celebration, also mentioning she would love to see funding restored for Parks Canada to maintain the trails in Yoho again. Cross country ski trails important part of community and to have Parks involved in track setting would be a huge relief and help.
Thank you everyone!
Meeting adjourned at 8:17 pm.
NEXT TOWN HALL MEETING: March 13, 2017 @ 7 pm
