BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONFERENCE CALL MINUTES Tuesday, August 23, 2016

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1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ATTENDANCE: President T. Weicker, Vice-President W. Fontinha, Treasurer Dean Johnstone, Director C. Corbin, Director D. Fisher, Director K. Jennings, Director M. Salmon, Executive Director G. Rattray Regrets: Director F. Ambler, Director T. Lutz, Director D. Winsor 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA As President Weicker provided prior notification that she would be late joining the call, Vice President Fontinha called the meeting to order at 7:03 am upon confirmation of quorum. The preliminary agenda was reviewed. Directors did not request any additions or amendments to the agenda as circulated. Director Fisher moved/seconded by Director Corbin the agenda be adopted as circulated. Carried 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: The minutes of the June 14, 2016 conference call were reviewed. Directors did not identify any errors or omissions. Treasurer Johnstone moved/seconded by Director Corbin the minutes of the conference call be adopted as circulated. Carried 3. FINANCIAL AND SHIPMENT REPORTS: (a) Financial and Shipments Reporting (Fiscal March 2016 to February 2017) Treasurer Johnstone reviewed the financial and shipments reports for the 5 months ending July 31 st. He advised that shipments remain above the target and expenses are substantially reduced in the 2 nd quarter as per the normal situation of having significantly higher expenses in the 1 st quarter associated with the conference and other fees. He provided his opinion that the finances remain in good order. Directors did not seek clarification or have comments on the reports. Director Corbin moved/seconded by Director Salmon the financial and shipment reports be adopted as circulated. Carried 4. BUSINESS ARISING: (a) 2017 Conference Planning Staff reviewed a proposal to revamp the 2017 Conference program from that recently used for recent conferences wherein the golf tournament would be held upon conclusion of the Annual General Meeting on the second business day. He further advised of proposals received from two local Kelowna conference facilities which both have tentatively booked the last week of April for the MHABC Page # 1 of 6

2 BOARD OF DIRECTORS conference. Options put forward include starting the Conference either on the Monday or Wednesday of that week with the ice breaker and then 1 ½ days of meetings. Staff also circulated a proposal from an experienced speaker to undertake the marketing workshop. In the subsequent discussion, Directors felt that holding the golf tournament at the end of the Conference program was not workable and recommended maintaining the tournament on the 1 st day. They also felt that commencing the Conference on the Wednesday was preferable. A similar program as utilized for the previous conferences will be maintained with the Annual General Meeting to be held on the afternoon of the 1 st business day. On the proposed speaker, staff will seek additional references and bring back the information for a final decision by the Board. President Weicker referenced a recent speaker at a BC Trucking Association meeting and recommended this individual be considered for the luncheon speech. At the conclusion of the discussion, Directors agreed to hold the 2017 Conference at the Delta Grand Okanagan Conference Centre beginning on the evening of Wednesday, April 26 and concluding at noon on Friday, April 28 th. Staff will get in contact with Larry Erickson regarding organization of the golf tournament. Staff will also conduct research into the suggested speakers. (b) CSA A277 Status Staff provided an update on the A277 BC Building Code issue referencing recent notes from a June 10 th meeting with Building and Safety Standards Branch. BSSB officials indicated it is their opinion that factory-built housing industry must come inline with the same building permitting requirements as the stick-built home industry. They continue to believe the 3 rd party inspection agencies must play a greater role in working with building officials regarding ensuring compliance with the respective codes and certifications. BSSB officials also advised that would appreciate the opportunity to engage with MHABC on developing educational programs for building officials. Staff also referenced correspondence requesting a meeting with the Minister responsible for housing proposed for September. Staff concluded the update by advising communications will be strengthened with the 3 rd party inspection agencies following the summer. In the subsequent discussion, Directors supported the strategy as outlined and indicated a willingness to work towards providing more information in support of building permit applications. Page # 2 of 6

3 (c) Marketing Program BOARD OF DIRECTORS Staff referenced the current contract held with FRESH INC, the deliverables contained therein as well as an update provided by FRESH INC. Key issues for discussion included: 1) Revenue opportunities from MHABC.com and 2) a proposal to engage with Habitat for Humanity. On topic #1, Directors were concerned about the website having pop-up advertisements that take away from the information being provided as well as the potential for some potential users to use ad-blockers thereby restricting their access to the site. Questions were also raised about the experience of the Prairies Association and whether the MHAPP was having success with its program. Staff were requested to seek more information from MHAPP and circulate. On topic #2, Directors did not oppose further discussions with Habitat for Humanity on a possible national trade association relationship. Some questions were posed on where the required funding would be derived from and how the anticipated $ 100,000 over three years would be shared. Director Corbin also questioned the management fees associated with operation of Habitat for Humanity and to what degree of the funding would be used for home construction. At the conclusion of the discussion, staff was requested to seek more information and bring back to the Board for further discussion. (d) Z241 Issue with Regional District Central Kootenays Directors were updated on the current status of the request to present to the Directors of the Regional District Central Kootenays on the Z241 prohibition. Earlier requests for meetings have been declined pending summer holiday workload. Staff anticipate a meeting will be granted in September or October at which time the MHABC and Moduline will cooperate on a joint presentation. Staff will circulate a draft presentation to the Board for comment prior to attending the RDCK meeting. The Board indicated support for this strategy. (e) Transportation Issues President Weicker updated Directors on the June 9 th meeting with CVSE and MOTI officials to discuss wheeler/dolly policy, daytime travel and twenty wide home transport policy A very good discussion was held on the use of heavier dollies on the larger homes. The MHABC also maintained its position to promote day-time travel pilots and will be working with the BC Trucking Association on cooperation. Directors also reviewed proposed changes to Section 4.3 of the Commercial Transport Manual. The MHABC has already has had input into the changes with final Page # 3 of 6

4 BOARD OF DIRECTORS comments due by Friday, August 26 th. Directors were requested to provide comments on the Draft to staff as soon as possible. President Weicker recommended support for the amendments with the proviso that comments be made regarding allowing the use of 8 foot 6 inch dollies for the transport of 20 wide homes. Staff will submit comments by the due date. On an update on the reservations protocol with BC Ferries, staff advised BC Ferries staff requested additional time for internal review before adopting the revised protocol. President Weicker commented that BC Ferries will most likely restrict Overall Height to 4.8 meters and recommended this be addressed within the protocol when finalized. Director Corbin advised of on-going problems with BC Ferries and questioned the value of the protocol. She recommended the MHABC undertake a review of potential revenues provided to the BC Ferries towards making the case for better service to the industry. She also advised of problems in getting return phone calls from our principal contact. Staff will get in contact with BC Ferries to conclude the updating of the protocol and convey the concerns raised. (f) Strategic Planning Process Staff referenced the proposed Strategic Plan working draft. He noted some changes have already been made as received previous discussions. A recommendation was brought forward to circulate a membership poll to seek additional input into the plan. Directors supported the proposal and asked for a review of the proposed membership poll before circulating. Staff will draft the poll document and circulate for comments promptly. (g) Tiny Homes Expo Follow-up Staff referenced information from a recent meeting regarding formation of a BC Tiny Homes Collective. He advised of the potential interest by a tiny homes/laneway homes manufacturer to join the MHABC. He questioned whether the Board supported MHABC involvement in the Tiny Homes movement and whether these types of manufacturers should be considered for membership in the MHABC. In the subsequent discussion, Directors supported staff engaging with the Tiny Homes industry and requested circulation of any new information that may be received. On memberships, approval would be subject to the information received in the normal application process. Page # 4 of 6

5 (h) MHAPP Conference BOARD OF DIRECTORS Staff advised that President Weicker has been registered to attend the Modular Housing Assn. Prairie Provinces Conference being held at Banff in November. Further it has been standard practice for either the President or Executive Director to attend this conference or the CMHI conference held in October but not both. As this is the 40 th Anniversary for the MHAPP, staff questioned whether there would be any reluctance by the Board to have two MHABC attendees at the MHAPP conference. This would be subject to making every effort to minimize expenses. Directors did not express opposition to this proposal. (i) Manufactured Home Park Owners Alliance of BC Conference participation Staff provided an update on the upcoming MHPOABC conference advising the MHBAC will be asked to present at the conference. No additional expenses will be incurred as a result of staff participating in the Conference. President Weicker advised she will consider attending the Conference as well. (e) Issues in Process Summary Staff advised that research is continuing into possible MHABC membership in the Canadian Home Builders Association in recognition that MHICanada and CMHI are likely to become a sector of the CHBA. Summer holiday schedules have precluded receiving the requested membership information. This information will be circulated to the Board upon receipt. 5. NEW BUSINESS (a) Membership Application Directors approved the application by MyLane Homes to become a member of the MHABC. (b) Park Model Homes at Richie Brother Auctions President Weicker advised she had seen Park Model homes at the Richie Brothers Auctions site in Chilliwack and questioned whether Directors had information on these homes. No additional information was available. Staff will make enquiries. Page # 5 of 6

6 6. NEXT MEETING: BOARD OF DIRECTORS The next Board meeting was confirmed for Tuesday, October 18, 2016 by conference call commencing at 7 am. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Director Corbin moved adjournment at 8:40 am. File: MHABC Board Conference Call Minutes Tuesday August Page # 6 of 6