AGM this Saturday

 

Note: The DIGS work party will not take place this coming Saturday morning as we will be having our AGM at 1:30 pm at the lighthouse instead. Come at 1:10pm if you wish to purchase a DIGS membership before the meeting.

 Here are last year's AGM minutes:

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DIGS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES : February 18, 2023

Number present: 20 plus 9 proxies

1. Kevin called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm.

2. Approval of the Agenda: moved by Lin seconded by Kathleen

3. Minutes of 2022 AGM: correction was made to f) under New

Business: Jurgen’s notice of motion that the maximum size of allotment bed per household be limited to a half bed effective March 1, 2023 was tabled so there was no seconder. Read and moved by Margaret to accept the minutes as corrected, seconded by Lin. Carried

4. Correspondence: a)Margaret read a letter from Carol M. thanking Margaret for sending her photos of the two rhodos which are planted at the front gate to the garden commemorating her husband Mike. b) Kevin read a letter from the Parks Board Manager, pertaining to noise levels that might disturb nesting eagles nearby.

5. Business arising from the minutes. – None

6. Treasurer’s Annual Report: read by Veronica who moved to have her report accepted as read. Lin seconded. Carried

7. Allotment Coordinator’s Report: presented by Jurgen 1) He mentioned the sad passing of Linda Irvine, a long time member of DIGS, last year. At her husband, Jim’s request, everyone of the allotment bed waiting list were given the opportunity to grow something in the Irvine’s allotment bed. 2) One bed was overgrown with invasive plants.  This was dealt with. 3) Some beds are opening up to accommodate some on the waiting list. 4) Currently there are 23 gardeners with a bed.

8. President’s Report: read by Jim 

1) We are back into our regular routine after 2 years of covid. 

2) Little Diggers will be starting in April on Sundays.

3) Events taking place this year: May 13 – Plant Sale; June 17-Dessert Auction; September 8 th and 9 th – Fall Fair; Dec. – Garlic Braid Raffle. 

4) The adult work party will still meet on Saturday  

5) The Parks Board have set aside $10K for a greenhouse and $5000 to restore the rotting wood on the raised beds. Jim will be speaking on DIGS behalf at a City Finance Meeting in April to formerly request funding for these two issues.

6) DIGS is still waiting for approval from the Parks Board of new boundaries for the garden.

9. Directors for 2023-24: President: Jim H. Secretary: Margaret H. Treasurer: Veronica Z. Directors: Jane F., Mike G., David E., Jurgen G.

10 New Business: 1) Veronica moves that the asparagus be dug up this spring and sold at the Plant Sale to free up the beds for other uses. Seconded by Jurgen. Carried. 2) Jurgen moved to increase the allotment bed for allotment beds from $10 to $15 for a 1/3 bed, from $15 to $25 fir a ½ bed and from $30 to $50 for a full bed beginning at the start of the 2023 season. Seconded by Corinne

Discussion: a) Marla supports raising fees to allow more movement from leased beds b) Lin supports fees being raised but wonders why fees are only raised slightly. c) Barry proposed an amendment to the motion to allow low income residents not being prevented from getting a bed because of the increased fees. Kathleen seconded this amendment. Carried. d) Jim suggested that potentially 3 more beds could be added to the garden but built with another material other than wood to cut done on costs e) Veronica opposed the fee increase. She proposes to put the fee money for allotment beds in a reserve fund for bed replacements and repairs. This and the City’s input of $500 will be enough to cover the costs of refurbishing 2 beds a year. A vote was taken on Jurgen’s amended motion. Carried.

3) Jurgen moved that the maximum allotment bed per household be limited to a ½ bed effective March 1, 2023. Kathleen seconded. Discussion: a) Kevin said that we have to honour previous commitments. Beds have been grandfathered by the constitution and it would take a 2/3 majority to change the wording of the constitution. b) Jim pointed out that the wording in the DIGS constitution states that the only reasons an allotment bed holder would have to give up their bed is if they did not pay their fees on time or they did not clear weeds from their plot. He also said that there would always be a waiting list and that you cannot remove existing bed leasers so that those on the waiting list be given a bed. The motion failed.

 4) Veronica moved that all allotment bed fees be held in a reserve fund for future bed replacement and repairs and, further, that this takes place retroactive to 2021 with funds totalling $720.00 transferred from General Revenue. Seconded by Lin. Motion carried. 

5) Jane moved that in order to be placed on the waiting list for an allotment bed it is expected that the applicant has worked in the community garden on a regular basis for a least a year. Veronica seconded. Discussion: Ann opposed this saying allotment bed holders water and mow the lawn which is a contribution to the communal garden. Kevin opposed the motion saying that he sees the allotment beds and the communal beds as 2 separate entities. Motion failed. 

6)Corinne moved that a space in the garden be provide for the propagation of native plants. Barry – seconded. Discussion: Jim mentioned that he has a plan to provide a space behind the garden fence. Motion carried. 

7) Kevin moved the DIGS directors complete an annual review of DIGS finances and, based on that review, bring to the membership at the AGM in the form of two separate motions their recommendations for the membership dues and allotment bed fees for the upcoming year. Marla seconded. Motion carried.

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