Apex Property Owners Association

Sept. 3/06 is the date for this years social which will be held at the first pond by the snwoflake loop. It is from noon-4pm. There will be free hotdogs for the kids and either steak or chicken for $8. Salads and other assorted items accompany the main. We need exact numbers and need you to RSVP no later than Aug. 31st. CAll Cindi Lou at 250-292-8353. There will be a frisbee golf course set up for your enjoyment, thanks Barry.

Hope to see you there!

It has come to my attention that our e-mail address is incorrect on the contact list. ( Thanks Paul ) This is also the case in the latest APOA Newsletter. It is stated as apexpoa@yahoo.com when it is actually apexpoa@yahoo.ca. Sorry for any inconvenience! We do want to hear from you. Especially if it is to say you are coming to the APOA Summer Social on Sept.3/06 12-4pm at the first pond by Snowflake Loop. So far, the feedback I have had has all been positive. Once again, sorry for the mistake.

Cindi Lou

COMMITTEE: ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

DATE: June 2006

PROJECT: Okanagan Vista Trails Protection

UPDATE:
Toni Clark and Denis O’Gorman met with Cam Leadbeater and Pat Farkas from Weyerhaeuser Forestlands Dept. on May 23 to discuss the proposed Apex Round Table.
The Round Table was proposed in the LRMP to do more refined planning and enhanced trail management in the Apex “polygon” to address recreational conflicts.
In our conversation the following points were made:
1. Weyerhaeuser sees (correctly) the Round Table as a “Government job” i.e. the province must lead it.
2. The Round Table is to provide details and not to “re-jig” the LRMP.
3. There are revenue impacts if harvesting does not proceed.
4. The biggest issue in the area s the changing landscape due to insect attack. The lodgepole pine tracts are susceptible to Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) and Fir Bark Beetle (in the upper Shatford Drainage).
5. The concerns are with salvage logging and with forest fire risk due to larger fuel loads (from dead trees).
6. The major effort is towards developing/harvesting susceptible stands. All pine stands in the area (including those in and around Okanagan Vista are susceptible). Full MPB attack is expected by 2014.
7. Harvesting is using a “large block” strategy. Operating areas are based on susceptibility. Forest retention targets are being sought in stand types less susceptible to attack.
8. Notwithstanding the above, no harvest strategies/methods the company indicates harvesting can be adapted in areas (such as Okanagan Vista) where other “values,” such as recreation, exist.

NEXT STEPS:
Cam and Pat suggested APOA speak to the Forest Service regarding “community awareness”. Apparently they are talking to “upland communities” regarding the fuel loading issue. Logging susceptible forests is one strategy to reduce risks. this needs coordinated F.S., company and First Nations approach. (Note Weyerhaeuser is not logging in PIB area.) Contact is Richard Topczer, Timber Tenure Forester in Vernon (558.1733).
After additional discussion with BCFS, this additional dimension should be discussed directly with MLA Bill Barisoff. APOA Board will review this proposed approach.

Prepared by Denis O’Gorman

Last winter we included a member survey with one of our mailouts. We had 29 returns from approximately 150 sent out. That is almost 20%. That is considered a favorable return rate for a mailout survey. I will give an overview of what the numbers represent.

The respondants were all satisfied with the Mission Statement. There were no changes suggested.

When asked to indicate their preferences of Board Activities and Committees, there was a general consensus to maintain or increase current activities. The priorities were for communications, community planning and management, and RDOS Liaison.

The priority topics which were chosen for the APOA to represent you on were, Resort Master Plan and Official Community Plan, Fire Protection, Environment, Trails, and Resort and Village Management.

Other topics which were brought forth include, ski-in/ski-out access, extending ski season to mid-April, Hill upgrades, especially the Triple Chair, Beetle impact, paving the Circle and posting addresses for Emergency Services.

People were asked to identify their level of satisfaction on Village Management, Ski Hill Operations, Resort/Community Planning, Utilites Services, RDOS Services and Management of Surrounding Environment. The level of satisfaction was generally Average. Resort/Community Planning was singled out as Poor. Management of surrounding environment was also of concern.

The general expectation is that APOA will actively advocate with the Resort, the RDOS and the Province.

Thank you to all of you who took the time to complete your survey. It helps us to know what is important to the membership of the APOA. It also helps to validate that we are focusing on the right issues.

Cindi Lou Baker

Following the APOA AGM on Sunday March 12/06, it was decided by the RDOS to cancel the upcoming referendum on the fire protection issue at Apex. Many of those who attended the meeting felt that they did not have enough information to make an informed decision. The Board of APOA supports this postponement. Although it is disappointing to have further delays, it is felt that people need to go to a referendum with a clear idea of what they are voting on. We will endeavour to provide you with information as it becomes available to us.

Form No. 2-8
Local Government Act
Section 51(6)
REGIONAL DISTRICT OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN
NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTOR CONSENT FORM
We, together with the person registering, constitute a majority of registered owners of the real
property noted below and hereby give consent to
(name of non-resident property elector)
residing at
(residential address)
to be registered as the Non-Resident Property Elector for the jointly owned property
legally described as ,
(legal description of property)
and located at .
(street address or location)
name
signature
name
signature
name
signature

one of the
registered owners of the property.
(b) The person registering must be one of the individuals granting consent.

For whatever reason, the other form did not work out to get on the website. It was the Application for Certificate for registration of a Non-Resident Property Elector. I would expect there to be copies of the form available at the AGM which is Sun. Mar. 12/06 in the meeting room in the Apex Mountain Inn. Registration for the meeting starts at 2 pm with the meeting starting at 2:30 pm. To learn more about the APOA and the upcoming Referendum on the Fire Department, be sure to attend!

This years AGM is on Mar. 12/06 in the Apex Mountain Inn. Registration starts at 2 pm with the meeting being called to order at 2:30. There will be reports from the President and Secretary as well as updates on the various committees. The various issues currently being addressed include the environment, the highways, the garbage, and the fire department. Jeff Plant will speak to us regarding the Apex Master Plan. We also have Bill Schwarz, RDOS repressentative for the Apex area. He will cover the Official Community Plan, the garbage and the Fire Protection Referendum which is coming up in April. He will address the voting process as well as the report from the Fire Underwriters Protection and projected savings on insurance. He will also be able to answer any questions you may have.

The referendum is on April 1/06 at hte RDOS office on Martin St. I believe the hours are from 8 am- 8pm. I am happy to say that they will also be doing an advanced poll at Apex on Mar. 22/06. This will likely happpen in the Hotel. When I know for sure I will update this.

I hope to see you at the AGM. Please tell your mountain neighbours. This is a great community that we live in and it feels good to be invloved with all that is happening here.

I have also added the electoral guidelines for the upcoming referendum.

Local Government Act Voter’s Declaration

18 years of age or older;
Canadian citizen;
Resided in British Columbia for at least six months immediately preceding voting day;
Resided in OR have been the registered owner of real property in Apex Mountain Volunteer Fire Department Service Area for at least 30 days immediately preceding voting day;
Not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in this election;
I am entitled to vote, and have not previously voted in this election.

Local Government Act Non-Resident Property Elector Declaration:

18 years of age or older;
Canadian citizen;
Resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before today; (VOTING DAY)
Registered owner of real property in Apex Mountain Volunteer Fire Department Local Service Area for at least 30 days immediately before today; (VOTING DAY)
Not entitled to register as a resident elector in Apex Mountain Volunteer Fire Department Local Service Area;
Not registered as a non-resident property elector in relation to any other parcel of real property in Local Apex Mountain Volunteer Fire Department Service Area;
I have received the written consent of the majority of individuals registered as owners of the real property to be registered as the non-resident property elector for this property (if applicable); and
I am not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting or am not otherwise disqualified by law.