Omaha Beach - Previous Minutes

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Omaha Beach Community Inc. held at Omaha Beach Community Centre Tuesday 3 January 2006 at 10.00 am.

PRESENT

President Greg Stenbeck (chair), Treasurer Peter Jackson, Secretary Jan White, Committee members Jonathan Hislop, Mike Prebble, David Hanson, Ron McMahon, Michael Dow, Ian Baudinet, Kim Fisher, Councillor Penny Webster and 50 members.

The Chairman asked if any members of the press were present. There were no declarations.

WELCOME

President Greg Stenbeck warmly welcomed everyone to the AGM. He particularly welcomed Cr. Webster, our Liaison Councillor with Rodney District Council (RDC).

APOLOGIES

Darryl Maclean, Steve Marshall, Denise De Silva, Tony Marks, Ruth and Colin Ruge, Geraldine and Terry Brailsford, Rob Simpson.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS AGM (09.01.05)

These were available on our website and were also distributed at the meeting.
Motion: That these be accepted as a true and accurate record; moved Greg Stenbeck Seconded Jan White. Motion Carried.

MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING (11.09.05)

These were available on our website and also available at the meeting.
Motion: That these minutes be accepted as a true and accurate record; moved Greg Stenbeck, seconded Jan White. Motion Carried.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

This was as published in the December newsletter and was presented by Greg Stenbeck.
Greg acknowledged the support of the Mayor John Law and our Northern Ward Councillors Penny Webster, Grahame Powell and John Ross.
He also wanted to acknowledge publicly the work of retiring committee members Michael Dow, Jonathan Hislop and the huge contribution made by Ron McMahon.

TREASURER'S REPORT

The Audited Financial Statements for the period ending 31st October 2005 had been circulated prior to the meeting and were moved for adoption by Treasurer Peter Jackson.
The Treasurer identified several one-off costs in the past year (setting up website, database, new Constitution and signage), and that we were budgeting to build our cash reserves by approximately $10,000 during 2006. He also drew the attention of the meeting to the fact that our current Financial Membership was nearly 1100, thereby establishing OBC Inc. as one of the largest ratepayer organisations in New Zealand. This representation enables a substantial voice when in discussions with RDC. The Financial statements of the Community Centre Maintenance Fund were also presented.
Motion: That the 2005 Annual Report and Annual Accounts be adopted; moved Greg Stenbeck seconded Peter Jackson. Motion carried.

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR

Motion: That the accounts for 2006 be audited and that, subject to his acceptance, Paul Kiesanowski be appointed as auditor; moved Greg Stenbeck, seconded Peter Jackson. Motion carried.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION FEE

Motion: That the Annual Subscription Fee for 2006 remain at $25.00; moved Greg Stenbeck, seconded Michael Dow. Motion carried.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2006

There were 10 positions for election and two by nomination from OBRS.
Eleven written nominations had been received. These nominations were in accordance with the Constitution.

The nominees from the community were Greg Stenbeck, Peter Jackson, Jan White, Mike Prebble, David Hanson, Kim Fisher, Ian Baudinet, Mike White, Jan Brown and the nominees from OBRS were Linda de Vine and Steve Marshall.

Motion: That these 11 nominees be confirmed as committee members until the next Annual Meeting and that the committee should co-opt the 12th person from the community; moved Greg Stenbeck, seconded Jonathan Hislop. Motion carried.

CLUB REPORTS

Golf Club
This was taken as read in the newsletter in the absence of a representative to speak.

Bowling Club
Judy Crooks reported that though a tiny club they were still very active. She said there was a real need for more members as several members had left the area. She pointed out the possibility of casual play at a cost of $5.00 (contact a committee member) and also the under 20's day to be held on the 4th January.

Tennis Club
President Russell Hart had requested that the report as in the newsletter be accepted as read.

Surf Club
Report by Kevin Bourke regarding ongoing activities and especially the family fun day to be held on Saturday 7th January and the fundraising dinner. At Cr. Webster's request he acknowledged the lifesaving assistance given by two Club members when effecting a rescue at Matheson's Bay. These lifesavers received an award from RDC in recognition of their service.

Yacht Club
Terry Brailsford had sent his apologies and the newsletter report was tabled.

Omaha Beach Foreshore Protection Society
The president of the society was unable to attend so committee member Michael Dow presented the report. The society members had been active during the year supporting the coast care group's planting on the estuary side north of the boat ramp, as well as attending the cleanup day on the beach. Michael pointed out that the attendees of that day were either committee members or Foreshore Protection Society members. The main emphasis this year has been liaison with RDC. He identified the rehabilitation of the groyne and work on the walkways.
He identified the major concern with respect to the Tonkin Taylor Report regarding coastal inundation and was very concerned that RDC had accepted this report "in committee" without properly informed discussion with the stakeholders of Rodney district as a whole. The OBFPS is seeking urgent attention to this matter.
He paid tribute to retiring committee member Ron McMahon for his fine work with the environment over several years and proposed formal thanks.

Matakana Fire and Emergency Trust
Mrs Margaret Simpson presented the report and offered John Badham's apologies (absent due to family ill health).
There have been 24 callouts to date. There has been the Coming Out parade of Fire station volunteers.
Location of the fire station has been at the storage facility and she acknowledged the generosity of Adrienne Miller for this and also for allowing the training to take place there on Tuesday nights.
She also acknowledged the supreme generosity of Bruce and Raewyn Whistler for their donation of land valued at $300,000 as a permanent home for the Fire Service buildings.
She thanked the Mayor and Northern Ward Councillors as well as other people whose services were offered to assist in gaining resource consent.
Mrs Simpson was hopeful that ASB Bank might become involved and made a push for continued donations and support for the upcoming fundraising events in February, namely Opera in the Olive Grove and Jazz in the Olive Grove.
Greg Stenbeck congratulated John Badham and his committee on the fine achievements of the Trust.

Police Report
Officer in Charge of Warkworth Police, Bede Haughey, made a full report. He felt our security cameras had been both a deterrent and an aid in solving crimes and that our 0800 OMAHA helpline was a great assurance to our members.
Most crime in Omaha was petty and was far less than in most other beach communities. However he advised caution with respect to leaving valuables out all night or cars/houses unlocked.

GENERAL BUSINESS

President Greg Stenbeck listed the projects underway as well as those planned for 2006:

Causeway walkway - needs demarcation and we had been told by RDC it would be done by Christmas 2005. Cr. Webster suggested short poles might get put in more quickly.
Estuary seawall - expression of discontent re time taken to action this resource consent.
Sand cliff erosion - it was acknowledged by council that this is critical.
Golf Club Water - needs to be sorted with respect to salinity.
Tonkin Taylor report - RDC requested to arrange a stakeholder's forum as this is an extremely important issue. Discontent was voiced that there had been no notification or discussion from RDC with the community. Cr. Webster pointed out that it had been government driven.
Public Reserves - ongoing maintenance required especially southern end.
Middens - Query whose responsibility to maintain the middens. Need to consult Iwi.
Walkway to Matakana – acknowledged by RDC as a worthwhile long term project.
Speed limit on causeway - strong feeling from floor that this is a priority and the committee and Cr. Webster will continue working on this. A request was made to the floor that individual letters to RDC about this would be of assistance. The point was also made that petitions are much less influential than individual letters.
Trees - Greg pointed out that this would always be a matter of dispute within the community and advised that RDC will not be pruning any longer and that they will have available a booklet on appropriate plantings.
Estuary/mangrove maintenance - mentioned, and recent trial of mangrove removal in another area will be watched with interest.
Marina - proposed marina discussed in broad terms and commitment made to keep residents fully informed.
Pontoon - for children on estuary side. Some issues re safety and these will be explored.
Footpath Omaha Drive – noted by RDC.
Roading quality – Cr. Powell expressed disappointment at the decline of road quality in the area. RDC to work on this.
Calesi Virus – the rabbits have returned and other control measures may be investigated.
Toilets Southern Omaha – are needed. Too costly for council so OBC committee to investigate sourcing a cheaper labour solution.
Recycling and Rubbish Collection - attempt to coordinate both for Monday collection.
Stormwater rates - huge revenue for RDC of $296,000 per year. To be assessed/value for money.
Maintenance of existing walkways – ongoing project by RDC.
Jones Rd Sewerage Plant - Query proposal for Matakana waste to be processed there, unlikely to cope and the idea is opposed by OBC committee.

Website: www.omaha-beach.org.nz
Greg and Ian Baudinet encouraged use of our website and pointed out that it is a live site with updates and important information. Jo Richards requested that the committee remains aware that some people do not have access to a computer and this was acknowledged.

In closing, Greg mentioned that the proposed beachfront villas to the south of the Surf Club would no longer be built and there were to be single dwellings instead. He then extended an invitation on behalf of the committee for the members to join the committee for refreshments.

The meeting closed at 11.30am.