Field Recreation Advisory Association Town Hall Meeting, September 30, 2019
Field Recreation Advisory Association (FRAA)
Town Hall Meeting – Monday, September 30, 2019
1. Canadian Pacific Railway – Field Projects Update
Pete Bayerle, Senior Public Works Manager, Calgary
Pete was not able to attend the meeting due to bad weather in southern Alberta and poor highway conditions. He sent this information to share with residents at the Town Hall Meeting tonight.
The current projects are straightforward.
- CP is adding 1800’ of track to an existing siding in order to accommodate grain trains. The intent is to ease congestion at the crossing and make movement through the rail yard more fluid. There is no change to crew change location.
- The new warning system at the crossing is designed to give an extra layer of safety. Low decibel bells will be installed. They are at the low end of a high decibel rating, and will be at about 85 decibels, not much louder than the noise of a train at the crossing. Flashing lights and signals will happen for the duration a train is on the crossing. Lights are LED (replaces incandescent) and focussed toward the traffic, so will not throw a big arc of light.
- The material stockpile in the yard will be cleaned up at the end of the projects.
- Both projects are anticipated to be complete between the end of October and the middle of November.
- The Field Bunkhouse stays. CP has no plans to close the facility or shift the crew change to Golden.
- If anyone has questions, please contact Pete by email at Pete_Bayerle@cpr.ca or by phone at 403-835-9372.
Clarification requested from CPR:
Questions about the full crossing warning system, specifically the bells:
1.Will there be bells on both sides of the system, or only on the riverside of the tracks?
2. What is the expected duration of the signal?
Questions about the clean up currently taking place where the roundhouse used to be located. There were piles of dirt moved to that site some time ago that a contractor is currently moving up against the bank and levelling the area where it had been located. Someone called it “contaminated soil”.
1.Where did the material come from?
2. How long has it been in the yard?
3. Is it contaminated material? Has it been tested? If yes, please provide details on testing and contamination. If no, when will testing be done to determine chemical composition of material?
Hearing health and safety websites to consult courtesy of Craig Chapman, Community Paramedicine:
This is probably the best one as approved by a significant global safety organization:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/app.html
This is a site showing the general recommended apps and apps for different devices:
https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/47805-The-best-phone-apps-to-measure-noise-levels
Canadian Safety Association wording on noise exposure and other useful sites/info:
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/exposure_can.html
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/noise_basic.html
WorkSafe BC Info:
https://www.worksafebc.com/en/health-safety/hazards-exposures/noise
2. FRAA Report
Kathryn Cameron, President FRAA
What a summer! Welcome to the next season!
We have so much to appreciate – beyond a smoke-free summer.
Thank you to Sally, once again, for planting and watering the beautiful plants and flowers that grace the Community Hall area and contribute to the beauty of the village.
Thank you to Bonnie Brandt for a initiating a low-waste Canada Day celebration by rounding up and purchasing glassware for the Community Hall, and doing dishes at the Pancake Breakfast.
Thank you to The Friends of Yoho who offer history, entertainment and a bit of the inside story about Field through the summer Historic Walking Tour of Field.
Thank you to Flintaroo Productions and all the volunteers who put on the 2nd Annual Field Summer Music Festival.
Thank you Sonya for grooming the public spaces that showcase the community, and for the Perennial Plant Swap in August.
Thank you to the leaders and instructors who offered yoga, fitness and dance programs this summer.
Congratulations to Paulina and Darren O’Brien who received Canadian citizenship on July 21, 2019!
Congratulations to Reg Hawryluk on your retirement from Parks Canada, and thanks for bringing so many familiar faces back to Yoho for your party at the ranch on Friday, September 27, 2019. It was blustery and wind blown, and the weather was dynamic too. It was so great to visit with everyone!
Fall Programs and Upcoming Events
Tabata High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has a new schedule: Wednesday evenings with Laura Penner from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, drop-in fee of $12. New this fall, starting Wednesday, October 9, a six-week beginner HIIT program with Laura Penner from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm, drop-in fee of $12. No charge for first-time participants at Wednesday evening HIIT. Self-lead HIIT continues on Sunday evenings from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, no charge.
Shake It Up With Paulina is on autumn hiatus. Paulina will let us know when winter classes will start. The summer program ran from June 7 through September 13, with 2 sessions cancelled, for a total of 11 classes with an average of three participants per class. Donations to the St Joseph Project collected: $240, which were passed on to Sally.
We have a yoga teacher interested in taking on the Field yogis: Mardy Elliott from Banff. Details are in discussion. Fingers crossed!
The FRAA received a grant from the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) to subsidize participation in Tabata and Yoga classes this winter. Each attendee will pay $6 per class and the CSRD will pay the other non-Field Fire and Rescue participants $6 of the attendance fee. The intent of the grant is to boost participation in both programs.
Monday, October 21, 2019 is the Federal Election. Field Community Hall is the polling station for our area.
Monday, November 4, 2019 is the FRAA Town Hall Meeting and Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers. Prepare for a slide show of the past year, a delicious Pot Luck Supper, a new slate of potential Directors and a vote. Nomination papers will be circulated this week, and will also be available at the Post Office.
Make The Christmas Concert Great Again, date to be determined. Flint and Karen to spearhead event in the school gym in December. Start your instruments and be on the program! Ideas or suggestions? Talk to Flint or Karen.
Hall Repairs
Hipi Construction is working on a new outside door for the change room, windows replaced in the change room and shelves repaired in the kitchen, with a completion date of October 31. Miles Dickenson is replacing the hot water tank if it can’t be repaired (quote on new tank received today), and repairing leaking taps in the bar and upstairs washroom, with completion date imminent.
Banking
FRAA will move our accounts to Columbia Valley Credit Union when we have a chance to go to Golden to do the work.
Highway Construction East of Golden in 2020
Two residents have communicated with MLA Doug Clovechok’s office to gather information about the upcoming highway construction and road closures. Apparently there will be a public meeting this fall/winter sometime to answer questions about access for school bus and students, commuters, emergency vehicles, regular local traffic for groceries, banking, picking up liquor orders, etc., power supply/lines and impact on local businesses. No date set yet.
For updates on the Kicking Horse Canyon Project – Province of British Columbia: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/kicking-horse-canyon-project
St Joseph Project – Presentation by Craig Chapman
- Final Reports submitted to CSRD (for $5000, used for the Lot Survey and designer plans consultation) and Rural Dividend Fund ($10,000 used for conceptual drawings).
- $150,000 grant from Built Heritage (managed by Columbia Basin Trust) confirmed.
- $150,000 grant from Columbia Basin Trust confirmed, contingent on approval of Gaming Grant or Gas Tax Grant.
- $200,000 grant application submitted July 30, 2019 to the Gaming Commission. Anticipate an answer in October.
- Once we have engineered drawings, the FRAA will put the project out to tender. We need three bids to submit an application to the Gas Tax.
- Working on Development permit with Parks Canada Development Office.
- Working on final conceptual drawings, then the FRAA will hold community consultation to get resident feedback and go-ahead.
- Fundraising options in discussion.
3. Treasurer’s Report
Sally Watson, Treasurer FRAA
Moved by Flint, seconded by Kathryn to approved the financial reports as presented. Carried. Files attached to the distribution email.
4. Parks Canada Reports
Juliet Van Vliet, Townsite Manager
- Water and sewer rates have been capped at a current rates. Costs for both are subsidized by Parks Canada: water at 60% and sewer at 50%.
- Working on recycling to get full understanding of who is taking recyclables to which centre. Campground staff in Alberta return drink containers to facilities in Alberta, campground staff in British Columbia return them to facilities in BC, highways staff pick up material in the bins (plastic, tin, glass, cardboard and paper) which enters the Town Of Banff stream. Reminder: look at the Town of Banff website for recycling specifics. If material in the bins is contaminated, the whole bin load goes to the landfill.
- In discussion with FRAA on Terms of Reference or Memorandum of Understanding to give clarity to relationship. Monthly Advisory Board style meetings also in discussion.
From Michael Vanderveen, Highway Service Centre, via Juliet Van Vliet
- Fully staffed for winter at this point. Night shift starts October 13, 2019
- Preparing for snow removal meeting on October 8, 2019 to review level of service, past issues, expectations for future.
5. Friends of Yoho Report
Brenda Selkirk, Manager Friends of Yoho
- The Friends of Yoho store at Field Visitor Centre will be open until October 31, 2019, from 9 am to 5 pm starting October 1.
- Water fill station initiated by Friends of Yoho has been paid for and installed at the Visitor Centre by Parks Canada. Located in the washroom lobby, which will be open all winter.
- Historic Walking Tour of Field was a resounding success again this summer. Total of $693.25 was donated to the St Joseph Project.
6. Field Fire and Rescue Report
Patrick Caïs, Acting Chief, Field Fire and Rescue Department
Call Outs –
8 in Jan, 7 in Feb, 1 in March, 2 in April, 3 in May, 3 in June, 2 in July, 4 in August, 2 in September. The lowest number in 8 years.
Members – Sitting at 17 members (13 active only).
5 Officers, 5 Firefighters, 6 Probationary Members, 1 Recruit
New and Planned Purchases
New purchases
Flash hoods, Top tarp for rescue one.
Planned purchases
Heating one time use blankets
Completed Training
Team Leader, Exterior Fire, Incident Safety Officer, Ventilation, High Hazard Flammable Trains (Crude by Rail in Colorado), Interior Fire, APO, EVD
Upcoming Training
Exterior fire (2 members), Strategies and tactics (2 members), air brakes class,
4 members renewing their first responder certification (in house with Maggie).
Apparatus
Engine 1 (all good)
Rescue 1 (all good)
Rescue 2 (all good). Just needs a bulb.
Ongoing Projects
Waiting from BCEHS for our agreement for first responders.
Discussions with PCA about importance of fulltime fire chief on FFRD (Fire Chief) meeting with Juliet Van Vliet and Rick Kubian on Oct 7th.
Generator for Firehall – PCA Assets is working on it. Should be done this fall.
Society contribution for HIIT classes.
Upcoming AGM
Oct 29. No candidate for the fire Chief Position.
7. Round Table
The westbound lane at the Lake O’Hara junction with the TransCanada Highway has a merge lane, but many people go directly to the passing lane. It is quite dangerous and needs better direction on entering the westbound traffic flow safely.
Benches and tables in the Plaza have been damaged by weather and need to be sanded and painted. In the past this work was added to the landscaping contract. Juliet to look at options. Also suggestion that it could be a project for International Volunteers next summer.Meeting adjourned at 8:45.
