Thank you all for attending our Sunday Annual General Meeting. Thanks to you we were able to address some major issues facing the club, conduct the regular business according to the Society Act of BC and elect new club leadership. 100 members registered and many participated in the debates. Draft minutes are being prepared and will be posted in our AGM 2020 page when reviewed (they will be ratified at next year’s AGM). A summary of the meeting is included here to keep members up to date. The meeting adjourned at 1:34 PM (11am start).
Elections
President (2y term) – Keith Loh acclaimed
1st Vice President (2y) – Donald Sohm – acclaimed
Trustees (3y)
Steve Wade – acclaimed
Paul Noble – acclaimed
Chris Scott – acclaimed *two year term to fill a vacancy due to resignation
Directors (2y) – elected
Gerry Irvine – returning
Rob Backus – returning
Croydon Collier
Tammy Moyer
Stephen Guise
Lance Smith
Mark Horsley
We thank all who accepted nominations to run for club leadership as well as those who have committed their time to volunteer for the club. The Club Executive page has been updated to reflect the new 2020 board.
Motions
Moved by Jack Fletcher and seconded by Tyson Nicholas with reference to PCDHFC bylaws membership dues be increased by no more than 20% beginning with the 2021 membership year.
Much discussion was had on the motion to allow the board to increase fees next year.
Note:
Procedurally, fee increases must be voted on by the members in the previous year as the increase must be posted for start of the following calendar year to provide for printing and operational changes. The wording of the motion allows the board flexibility to set the increase up to a certain point to meet current conditions. NO increase was made this year 2020.
Discussion:
- Members expressed concern about the value of the membership fee vis a vis other clubs
- and also of the challenges facing the club following the CFO inspector’s report and the uncertain lifespan of the Burke Mountain location.
- A member asked if there was another way to increase revenues. It was pointed out that rental rates for institutional users were increased by the board every year and, like member use, rental usage appears to be at capacity not only at our range but at all Lower Mainland Ranges.
- In response to a comment asking for compensation to members because of the reduction in service due to the CFO mitigation it was pointed out that fees for this year were not increased and that members would be able to judge the value of the range by the end of the year after mitigation would have been complete when they would choose to renew.
- Based upon quick calculations, the increase – if supported by the board – could increase fees as much as $44 which could garner the club an additional $155,000 which could be used for meeting the challenges of the mitigation and for a warchest for a future move and site remediation
- A member pointed out that according to the financials, there is already a surplus that could be used for that
- A member pointed out the increase is equivalent to “a couple boxes of ammo”.
Motion was passed by majority of hands, with none opposed and with one abstention
Presentations
Three presentations were made to the members present regarding challenges facing the club. They were advised that they could review the presentations later on our AGM 2020 page.
Lease and Location
The membership was guided through a presentation on the current status of the Burke Mountain site occupied by PCDHFC. The members were informed that the City had recently approved our current three year lease continuance by unanimous vote at the City Council and that we had a cordial and informative relationship with the City Planning Department. We thanked our institutional partners for advocating for our current location – including many of our law enforcement renters. However, we were also given notice by the city that our current operation as a gun range would inevitably not be compatible with their long-term plans for the neighbourhood and that we should seek an alternate location. Based upon a followup meeting with the City Planning Department, it is unlikely a location can be found within the City of Coquitlam. It was suggested other operations could potentially continue but not as a gun range such as archery, the meeting hall or other non-firearms activities.
View Lease and Location presentation
Discussion:
- In response to questions about what would happen if we were not approved after the current three year period, the members were informed that the two-year wind down period could also affect full operation of the club as during this time we would need to begin remediation of the property as per our lease
- Members suggested various alternate locations. Members were informed that locations within the City were not likely ex. Pipeline Road and Quarry Road
- Members were informed that the City believed there would be one million new residents in the Lower Mainland region and that residential expansion could continue at the current pace
- Members asked whether we could expect help from law enforcement renters. The members were told the same suggestion had been made by the City and that the response was that it was up to municipalities to have the foresight to invest in range facilities for law enforcement as it would ultimately benefit public safety. However the cities were loath to spend that money when recent police only facilities had cost upwards to $40 million to construct. Even if such facilities were being planned it would be unlikely they would share use with the public.
- Members were asked to continue to contribute their ideas to the board as our search for an alternate location or direction on possible transformation of the society would proceed
CFO Mitigation
A presentation summarizing the present challenge to the club from the recent CFO Inspector’s report was made to the members. The members were told that the findings of the CFO – the need to raise the berms and possibly require overhead and ground baffles – was not indicated in our conversations, that there were disagreements with the findings of the inspector but that we would need to make these changes by terms of our operation. However, we would be engaging a professional surveyor so that we could meet the “by the book” requirements and proceed as soon as plans are drafted while not awaiting delayed responses from the CFO. Unfortunately, members were told this would necessarily draw from our surplus, a surplus we had hoped to preserve for alternate location or transformation plans. Members were told that the exact construction of the berms and baffles would have to be professionally designed and the siting would be resolved after the professional survey.
CFO Inspection Mitigation presentation
Discussion:
- Lengthy discussion ensued over the challenges to members due to the interim mitigation i.e. loss of 200m shooting, loss of pistol shooting and temporary closure of range 10
- Members were informed that Range 10 would be reopened as soon as staffing could be arranged to allow non-RUC pistol shooters to use R10 at reduced ranges
- Members were informed we would increase RUC courses to enable members to earn lower range privileges
- Members were informed about the Range Construction Guidelines used by the CFO Inspector and its requirements
- Members made suggestions and asked questions about range construction, the composition of berms and baffles
- In response to member questions on time and cost estimates, they were informed none could be made until after professional surveying and designs
- Members were asked to step up to volunteer if they have experience in these matters.
Notice of Special General Meeting on Range Direction
Director Rob Backus lead the membership through a high level review of recent financial history of the club. The members were informed that while revenue had steadily increased since the 2000s, that costs had taken away from a surplus the club had hoped to use as a contingency fund. It was suggested that staffing levels was a major factor in the increased expenses and that this model was unsustainable in view of the challenges facing the club. The members were told that a Special General Meeting would be called this year in order to explore changing the club model to members + guests only and in doing so reduce costs that we incur by having to serve the public. At an SGM, the members would have the opportunity to debate and ultimately vote on a motion to change the club model.
View SGM presentation
Discussion:
- There was discussion about the costs, previous direction and process of the SGM
Other Items
Gun control and lobbying
Members discussed the current Liberal minority government’s promise to ban “assault weapons” and possibly give municipalities the ability to restrict firearms. Members were exhorted again to add their names to the e-petition 2341, to engage in the pre-budget consultation survey at https://budget.gc.ca/2020/prebudget-prebudgetaire/index-en.html and to engage with their local MPs and their community.
Moment of Silence
As is tradition, a moment of silence was held for members, their friends and family who had departed in the previous year.
Feedback
To send feedback or questions to the board, please write to secretary@pcdhfc.com.