Present J. Oosthuizen (JO), Ben Rheeder (BR), C. Barratt (CB),
K Donaldson (KD), B. Morsink, P. Oosthuizen (PO).Eddie Elton.
Apologies H. Thorpe (HT), T. Moore (TM), A. Cadman (AC), M. Simms (MS), A. Knight (AK),
Welcome JO welcomed all present especially Eddie Elton (Civil Ing.) who has just completed an inspection of all the bridges in St. Francis Bay.
Approval of minutes of March, 2010 meeting
The minutes, were approved. (BM & JO).
Presentation by Eddie Elton.
- Thorough investigation of all the bridges in St. Francis was done.
- All bridges needed routine maintenance, but the Bridge on Canal Road leading to Shore Road was of grave concern. The supporting structure is corroding and will need quite a bit of work. EE advised that this be taken up with the Municipal Authorities asap to ensure that repairs are done to prevent a serious accident.
- The full presentation with pictures is available from Joe Oosthuizen.
Finance
- Current Account balance at R74,525.70 and Stanlib at R165, 378.55
- It was noted that several Residents had queried subscription payments not being reflected in the paid up list. It was felt that urgent attention be given to sorting these problems out and that they be updated regularly.
Services – Bennie Morsink
- Nothing to report.
Beach
- JO reported that the Beach was looking good. A few pipes were exposed, but Neil Brent was to re-insert them on 25th June.
- The sand being dredged in the canals will be dumped on the beach accesses where there has been some erosion.
- Volume of sand according to the last survey is 75,000 m³. Next survey middle of July.
- The Golf Course has been asked to re-enforce their windbreaks.
Nuclear
- CB reported that and extension for submissions has been allowed until 30th June.
- Submissions from the RA, KT and Fosters have been sent and the appointed Attorneys will take the matter further.
- When the St Francis Kromme Trust asked Arcus Gibb for the minutes of the Specialist Reports where they decided on the rating to be given to certain criteria, they were informed that they would have to access this through “Access to Information”, which they will do.
- CB reported that HT had met with the Director General of Dept. Energy, who is to visit the area.
- HT was told that the Government were not able to afford Generation 3 Technology and that Thyspunt was more than likely going to be Generation 2 Technology. The EIA however has been done for Generation 3 Technology and would probably be invalid.
- BM reported that sea and land surveys were being conducted in the area.
- JO stated that The Kouga Xpress featured a number of articles opposed to Thyspunt.
- BR also reported that the community of Oyster Bay were now more opposed to Thyspunt than before, since they have discovered that no Insurance Company will insure for Nuclear Related Accidents.
- CB also wanted it noted that the Kouga Municipality never attend stake holders meetings, but it appears that they hold private meetings with Eskom and Arcus Gibb.
Municipal Issues
- JO reported that since the Mediated Workshop was held with the Municipality, only one meeting has been held. None of the undertakings at that meeting have been honoured. In fact the Municipality emailed their Minutes of the Meeting with Undertakings and Deadlines but still no action.
- After several requests for another meeting, JO reported that they scheduled a meeting for 24th June and then promptly changed it to 1st and then to 7th July.
- BM recommended that a communicae be sent out to the Residents suggesting that a dispute be declared with the KM and that Rates are withheld.
- It was agreed that all the homework be done in order to get the systems in place, so that once we have the mandate, we can speedily proceed.
Ward Matters
- BR reported that a Safe House has been secured for use in Sea Vista. Funding is needed to furnish it, which BR is looking into.
- The new Ward Boundaries have been Gazetted. BR is pleased that his recommendations have been included. SFB will now be Ward 12.
- A Log Cabin has been erected for the Sea Cadets in Sea Vista at the Bus Stop.
- The casting of Street Blocks is a work in progress and needs to be fine tuned.
- BR said that R1 Million was allocated by the Municipality towards Big Screen Viewing Sites, but that Sea Vista was excluded.
Canals
- Dredging is almost complete.
- A Meeting was held to discuss the purchase of a dredger, but it was agreed that this would be delayed given that dredging only needs to happen again next year.
- The Riparian Committee is investigating building their own dredger.
Aesthetics
- CB reported that they have had complaints about the issuing of Tax Clearance Certificates, but this will only be issued if the dwelling complies with the plans lodged.
- EIAs are to be done for any building or alteration which is within 100 metres of the ocean. This applies to owners in the Estuary and the Tidal Zone.
- RA to get clarification if this regulation is to apply to Canal Homeowners as well. CB to send a letter to KM.
- The cost of a basic EIA is approx. R15,000.00. The Ward Committee also need to be notified about all EIAs.
- Specifications for a Thatch Tile by Harvey Tile was sent to the Aesthetics Committee, however this was turned down. KM to inform them in writing.
- Occupation Approval for a house in Borrie Bend to be raised at the next aesthetics meeting and if necessary followed up with a letter sent to KM (by CB).
- CB reported that at the Aesthetics Committee Meetings, those who have an interest in Projects Presented for approval, are asked to recluse themselves from the decision making process.
- BR reported that the SFB Building Regulations, have not yet been promulgated. There are certain legal issues still being dealt with by the municipality.
- JO to send a letter to the Mayor requesting that the SFB Building Regulations be finalised as soon as possible.
Tourism
- BR reported that the present system is not working and that plans are being put in place to rectify this.
Fire Protection
- KD reported that at his last meeting with the Fire Department in Humansdorp , he was assured that funding would be made available in the new Financial Year (starting in July 2010) for a Fire Station in SFB. The plan was to have 8 retained Fire Fighters and 2 Officers controlling it.
- The Kouga Municipality wanted complete control and were not interested in a partnership with the Residents.
- The Residents who had volunteered money for the project, were also not interested in donating money towards equipment if the Municipality had control of it. They were of the opinion that it could easily be moved and used elsewhere.
- KD is planning a Fire Awareness week to educate Residents. Notification to be put on the website.
Valuations
- PO reported that JO and PO attended a meeting with the Appeal Board, where opportunity was given to state the case of the Residents of Kouga and SFB in particular.
- The Mayor had promised that a Residents Committee could be formed to assist the Appeal Board and act on behalf of some of the Residents. This never happened and when this was explained to the Appeal Board, they stated that application for this had been made to Bisho but it had not yet been approved. It was agreed that to implement such a Committee at this late stage would only delay the process, and was thus not viable.
- JO presented a very strong case to the Appeal Board i.r.o. the sub standard job done by the valuer and asked that the Residents be given the benefit of the doubt.
- PO pointed out that several Residents who had followed the process were not scheduled to appear before the board. The Board stated that anyone who had lodged an Appeal would be given a hearing, even if they did not represent themselves, this would be done in their absence.
- JO also asked what process was in place to deal with Valuations that were either 33% over valued or 33% undervalued even if no Appeal had been lodged. The Board stated that this was outside of their mandate and this should be taken up with the Municipality.
- When asking Peter Gerber (representing the KM) how this was to be done, he said that the Municipality did not have the capacity to do this.
- JO pointed out that the Mayor had ensured that this would be done.
General
- JO asked Chris Barratt whether he would consider joining the RA as a permanent member as it was felt by all, that he makes a very valuable contribution.
Date for next meeting 29th July at the Heritage Centre at 5pm.
