St Francis Bay Residents Association

MINUTES OF ST. FRANCIS RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION PUBLIC MEETING 8^th APRIL, 2010 5PM AT THE VILLAGE HALL

PRESENT:

Committee Members : Joe Oosthuizen, Mike Simms, Tony Moore, Ann Knight, Angela Cadman, Keith Donaldson, Paddy Oosthuizen.

MP  & Councilors: Elza van Lingen, Ben Rheeder, Chimpie Cawood

APOLOGIES: H. Thorpe, B. Morsink (Committee Members).  I also received apologies from several Residents.

Estimated  public attendance 100

WELCOME:

JO welcomed everyone and outlined proceedings for the meeting. JO introduced Joan Barnes (a local artist) who has been involved in the Aesthetics Committee.

SFB BUILDING REGULATIONS  – JOAN BARNES (Aesthetics  Committee)

• St Francis Bay is unique, its architectural style and controlled aesthetics is what ensures that the area retains its appeal and value.
• Current guidelines are  not clear in some areas
• Building materials and styles change and become more modern
• The new guidelines will be included in Municipal by-laws and thereby become legally enforceable.
• ALL structures need plans submitted :
• Boundary walls, jetties, gazebos, pergolas, Wendy houses, swimming pools.

Village:

• White in the village is to remain “WHITE” not tints & tones of white
• No tinted (coloured) glass in balustrades.
• Limited roof and ridge glazing permitted.

Santareme:

• “Muted Earth Tones” paint swatches to be submitted for approval on all new and repainting work in Santareme. Including colours for doors and windows.
• Height limit of 8m from natural ground level.
• Shade cloth limited colours to match roofing.
• First floor maximum of 50% of ground floor but not exceeding 20% of erf.

JO thanked Joan Barnes, Chris Barratt, Ben Rheeder, Trevor De Groot and all other members of the Aesthetics Committee for their input in the Building Regulations. Two of the three issues discussed at the last meeting where owners were in violation of the recognized aesthetic standards had been amicably resolved with the owners who now agreed to conform. JO thanked Joan for intervening on behalf of the community.

Eleanor Carides queried the use of gutters in Santareme, especially given the water restrictions now imposed.

Chris Barratt informed that gutters have been approved in Santareme providing plans are submitted and gutters itemized. Gutters to be unobtrusive.

Question from the floor: -Are there inspectors to police these Building Guidelines.

Joan Barnes – Yes there are and the Aesthetics Committee will also get involved.  The KM are now taking these committees more seriously. Chris Barratt – KM will not issue a Rates Clearance (for sale of a property) if the building does not conform to the plans submitted.

Question from the floor: – Are Solar Heating Panels Allowed?

Chris Barratt – Solar Heating is allowed, but plans must be submitted. Free standing structures are preferable but must be obscured.

Bob Griffiths – We need to make sure that the Architectural Impact is not affected.

MUNICIPAL MATTERS  –  JOE OOSTHUIZEN

First KM & FEKRRA  Meeting

Implementation of a Dispute Resolution Mechanism

• Both parties agreed that should a dispute arise, this would be taken to Province and if not resolved there, then Residents can take the option of withholding rates.

Complaints Handling by Kouga Municipality

• KM agreed that once a complaint has been lodged, the KM undertakes to get back to the complainant within 5 days
• FEKRRA Matters to be lodged with Laura Leigh-Randall
• Residents Complaints to be lodged with Technical Department –KM to give us details.

Participation in the Budgeting Process

• FEKRRA has been given a copy of the Proposed Budget and will be monitoring it carefully.

Rectification of the flawed Valuations process

• KM looking into appointing an Advisory Committee comprising of RA Members and Residents to Advise the Appeals Board.
• KM have undertaken to look into all properties that have been over valued by 33% and more and properties that have been under valued by 33% and more regardless of whether they have gone through the Objection/Appeal Process.

The release of the latest Auditor Generals Report

• The latest Auditor General’s Report has still not been released and this will be followed up.

Improving Transparency of Tender Process

• KM has undertaken to provide the names of Directors of all Companies that are awarded Tenders.

Hydrological Survey of Kouga Region

• KM has undertaken to do a Hydrological Survey of the Kouga Region.

Fire Protection and Plot clearing

• KM has agreed to send out requests to Plot Owners to Clear their properties and should this not happen, KM will clear same properties and invoice the owners.

Clarification of sales of eight erven in Jeffries Bay

• This information was given to FEKRRA.

Recouping of missing Eskom prepaid meters money

• KM assured FEKRRA that the missing money would be recouped by the defaulting Contractor supplying prepaid meters recharges free to the value of the money missing.

The KM’s proposed Newspaper

• KM informed that this Newspaper was to inform the masses that did not have access to other forms of communication.  FEKRRA will monitor the viability of this i.r.o cost.

Unsatisfactory Disciplinary Hearings and the unresolved saga of Japie Jansen and Fred Dennis .

• FEKRRA have been told that this matter is sub judicae, but continue to monitor it.

NUCLEAR REPORT – MIKE SIMMS

Nuclear 1 (The name of the current project)

Background

• Eskom is evaluating its next nuclear site
• Have engaged consultants (Arcus Gibb) to do EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment)
• Process is nearing completion
• At this stage Thyspunt is the favored site
• For detailed status see SFB Website – Nuclear

Remaining steps for EIA

—        Public Meetings

—        Stakeholders Meetings

—        Public submissions

—        Issue of final EIA

Then

• NNR evaluation, Eskom project assessment and go/no go decision
• Government approval, fund raising…etc.

Local Concerns & Issues & Objections – there are various groups

• Anti Nuclear
• NIMBY (Not in my back yard)
• Concerned  (re environmental impact of large construction, population influx, traffic….”another Mossel Bay”. In the case of Mossgass 13,000 people were employed and 100,000 people arrived and stayed.
• Fund raising for legal costs has started

Non Objectors

—        The potential for local business and job creation

Objectors

—        Anti Nuke…..approach ……Activist/Lobyist

—        Sympathetic but not activist. Contact Ryan Donnelly/Cane

—        Residents Association

Mandate….Last Public Meeting

• Due process/Legal approach
• Co-operating with other like minded groups
• Monitoring closely to ensure Due process
• Have observed disturbing process anomalies and are engaging legal opinion

Key Next Steps

—        Await Hilton’s return

—        Brief Environmental Lawyer

—        Attend public and Stakeholders meetings

—        Submit objections to specialist reports and draft EIA

—        Assess our position pending Eskom’s response

—        Fund Raising

—        Continuous feedback via SFB website

Ken Maxwell – We need to be careful how we object. We should concentrate on the economic issues, such as the cost of upgrading bridges & cost of the powerlines vs relocating the site to Coega.

Mike Simms – Agreed. The Community needs to take an Ethical Balanced Approach.

CANALS – TONY BUTLER

Progress with Canal Dredging & future dredging program

• T&T Marine are busy with dredging at the moment and doing sterling work.

Construction of Windbreaks

• The Canal Owners will be starting to erect Wind breaks along the spit as from next week

An anonymous donor from the Canals has offered to pay for the construction of Revetments along the spit

• An  EIA will be required for work on Spit

—        Construction of stairs and a Boardwalk  will also be included along top of Spit.

The Canal Owners feel that the PEM systems is working well on the Beach but feel they have no guarentees that any future storms might not negatively effect the spit and thus would like to do the revetments as added protection along with the PEM system.

THE BEACH – JOE OOSTHUIZEN

A full presentation was given by Joe Oosthuizen which indicates that there has been a significant build up of sand on the beach, since the installation of the PEM system.

• To date there has been a 67% volume increase in sand and the average height of the beach has been raised by 19cm.
• March 2009 – March 2010 a 55% sand volume increase was realized. This increase occurred in the targeted 60m wide swathe of beach that stretches 2.6km.
• Wind and sea data indicate that this build up occurred during a year where severe storms were experienced. During the year prior to the installation of the PEM system the storms were not as severe yet damage to our beach was significant.
• The Municipality has paid for the next phase of the project and installation of additional drains will take place on 26^th April.

FINANCIAL REPORT – ANGELA CADMAN

BANK BALANCE
Stanlib – Money Market Account:-	R102,354.45
Standard Bank Current Account:-	R133,299.69
Paid up Members:-	290

EXPENDITURE

TOTAL EXPENDITURE:- R25,007.23

(31 March 2010)

BREAKDOWN:- Admin Costs	R3000.00
Office Supplies	R  678.00
Wages	R  700.00 (bush cutting for beach)
Postage	R    70.00
Printing	R  294.00
Website	R9638.00
Rental	R  300.00 (Links for AGM)
Software	R  192.00
Travel	R4520.00 (Hilton expenses  to get back for Nuclear meeting)
Bank Charges	R  383.23

MEMBERSHIP & SUBS – PADDY OOSTHUIZEN

—        2010 Subs slow in coming in.

—        Forms available giving reasons why you should be members.

—        Completed forms  & subs (or proof of payment) to be dropped into SFBRA box at the SPAR (situated on back wall behind the tills)

—        All Ratepayers’ details are being put on Quickbooks to facilitate easier renewal procedure.

—        To make things easier, from next year we will be running our Annual Subs from January to December.

—        Please assist with recruitment.  Forms available.  If everyone recruits their neighbours, it will be a huge help.

Valuations

—        Kouga Municipality have advertised for an Additional Valuer to assist the Appeal Board

—        2 Valuers from the area have applied.

—        The Appeal Board is still currently busy in Port Alfred and is not nearly finished.

—        Provisional Appeal Board Hearings for our area to Commence 7^th of June in Humansdorp.

—        Residents who have appealed, should have a backup to represent them should they not be here.

—        Residents still experiencing problems to be in touch with Paddy. (082 426 5060)

—        KM did not send acknowledgments of Appeals – up to residents to get receipt.

—        FEKRRA discussions with the Municipality regarding Valuations, resulted in them agreeing to invite certain members of the public to act in an advisory capacity to the Appeal Board Members.

—        All properties that have been overvalued or undervalued by more than 33% will be re assessed.  This is regardless of the fact that an Objection or Appeal has been lodged.

Future Public Meetings

• We have been asked to arrange future Public Meetings on a week-end. Show of hands for this
• Those present felt that it did not matter when the meetings were held.
• Out of town residents are urged to indicate what dates and days are suitable for meetings. (send info to contact@sfbresidents.org)

SOCIAL SERVICES – ANN KNIGHT

—        Care of Rape Victims in Sea Vista

—        Attaining of Berth Certificates

—        Home Based Carers  and DOTS support team

—        Place of safety in Sea Vista

—        There are many other ideas but more work needs to be done before we can provide detailed feedback

SECURITY – TONY MOORE

• New SAPS building not expected to be started before 2012.
• Restaffing an ongoing project.
• CCTV camera project to be handled privately.  Simon from Calibre has agreed to fund 3 cameras and to do the control room monitoring.
• Public Participation will follow once details have been ironed out.
• Residents are encouraged to have outside lighting as a deterrent of crime.

ROLE AND RESOURCES- MIKE SIMMS

Back drop of RSA Local Authority Service Levels

• Constant need for vigilance, follow up, public/community service support by Residents Association
• Significant successes to date – Irony is that success is causing loss of Interest and Participation

Current status

• Manned by volunteers
• Costly and time consuming to maintain current level of service
• Need to consider part time employee

Consider:

• Monthly rates/Utility bill of …..R1000.00pm
• Residents Association fee……Currently R12.50pm

Proposal:

• From new Accounting year, increase members voluntary contribution to R25-R30 pm
• Hire part time (Paid) employee

FIRE PROTECTION – KEITH DONALDSON

• KM considering a separate Fire Fighting Unit in SFB.
• Operated by 2 retained officers and volunteers
• Funding is currently the stumbling block.

GENERAL

• Sandra Hardy offered to send letters from a Nuclear expert to place on website.
• Jenny Dale request that the SFBRA take up the issue of land for a Church site.
• A Member from Sea Vista asked that the SFBRA request Companies to utilize the services of the Sea Vista Community when doing work in SFB and not bring in workers from elsewhere.  This also to apply to the Municipality. 
• JO agreed that the SFBRA would do all they can to assist the community of Sea Vista but that the newly formed Civic Association in Sea Vista needs to bring their most urgent problems to the SFBRA so that assistance can be given.