In the Green Room
Present: Michael McNamara, president; Michael Berman, Vice President; Sonja Goldsmith, Secretary; Wayne Roberts, Treasurer, Directors Sharon Rogalsky; Kati Marshall, Masoud Zadeh. Regrets: Veronica Graham, Ian Thomson
1. Minutes of the July board meeting were approved as circulated by general consent.
2. On Going Business:
a) Report of Fund Raising Committee Meeting of September 14: Several board members convened and discussed fundraising, challenges, and explored directions that ISLA could take. Fundraising challenges identified; Kati booked dates in 2012 for hall fundraising events; fundraising is dependant upon public support and team efforts. Role of ISLA was discussed. Over the next six months, we need to do a siting plan and begin the rezoning application process. Idea being advanced is for potential residents to develop their own cooperatives and lease portions of land at 5040 Central Road from ISLA. This provides an incentive for people to work together in a grass roots approach to affordable housing. There are three identified sites that would accommodate several housing units. The idea of hiring a “community developer” to assist groups of potential residents to organize themselves was advanced. There followed in depth discussion regarding cooperatives and ISLA. The idea of hiring an executive director was mentioned.
b) Rezoning process: There will be a meeting Sept 28th, Wednesday for Site Planning as first steps toward rezoning application. The design/build committee will steer this process with all board members welcome to participate.
c)
Discussion: the
feasibility of forming an ad hoc committee to explore alternate financing of
down payments and mortgage loans was discussed. The administrator was requested
to research whether a co-op housing dedicated to low income housing qualifies
for charitable status. Can we access funding assistance from BC Housing? ISLA
needs to develop infrastructure. Co-op regulations on Hornby housing
initiatives will be explored (ie) Sandstone Estates, High Salal, Syzygy. Several
board members offered to research housing co-ops.
Motion: Wayne Roberts/Michael Berman “That ISLA has decided that the development
model at 5040 Central Road will be a number of serviced neighborhood sites to
be leased to non profit housing cooperatives and “co-op like” groups for the development,
building and management of affordable housing.” CARRIED by unanimous vote.
d) Business Plan: CMHC needs to be notified that an extension is needed for ISLA’s business plan submission. Janet and Michael Berman will draft a letter.
3. Correspondence
a) Letter from Vancouver Foundation informed that we are not eligible for their grant because we do not have charitable status.
b) Letter from Hornby Community Fund awarded ISLA a $1250.00 grant.
c) Email resignation of director Ian Thomson was received with regret. We greatly value Ian’s input; ISLA has benefited from his contributions.
4. Financial Report
a) Bank balance is approximately $33,000.
b) Current invoices to be paid were approved and cheques were signed by the president and treasurer.
5. Administrator’s Report:
Administrator’s contract is due for renewal in October. The revised ISLA brochure is in circulation. It was determined that the brochure information is up to date and relevant in terms of tonight’s motion regarding co-op housing.
6. New Business
a) Date of Next Board Meeting: October 19th
b) Can the Co-op till donation $$$ be targeted to ISLA?
7. Tasks undertaken:
a) Kati offered to research the regulations of the existing land partnership arrangements on Hornby.
b) Bill offered to contact the central co-op organization to get names of organizations offering consultants to newly forming co-ops.
c) Janet offered to ask the co-op about till donations to ISLA.
d) Wayne to inform Jenny and Judith of support for co-op concept.
8. Adjournment: at 9:20 P.M.
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Michael McNamara, President Janet LeBlancq, Recording Secretary