Clear Lake Administration Building
Saturday July 4, 2009
Call to order: 10:03 am
Present: Trevor Winters, President, Bruce Hembroff, Past President,
Board members: Gloria Belliveau, Roy White, Pam Lucenkiw, Joan James, John George, Brian McVicar, Joyce Harland. Dwight McMillan, Parks Canada
Regrets: Gary Cavanaugh, Vice-President, Bob Fraser, Treasurer, Teddi Brown, Secretary
The president welcomed everyone.
The president requested that Pam take the minutes.
Review of Agenda – Trevor
Minutes:
Gloria moved to accept the April 18, 2009 minutes.
Seconded by Joan. Carried.
Treasurer’s Report
Brian moved to adopt the treasure’s report
Seconded by John. Carried.
The balance as of June 25, 2009 – $9,096.08.
Committee Reports
Policing – Gloria
Gloria reported on an information meeting she attended. The park warden system has changed. Currently two wardens in the park carry side arms. Two more park wardens are starting after the summer. These wardens do not respond to RCMP calls. They enforce the National Parks Act.
Three RCMP are assigned to the park area. RCMP office hours in the park are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., RCMP may be contacted in Winnipeg or Regina after hours.
RCMP response times may be slow as they cover a large area.
OBO Security Service is the company that will patrol the park over the summer months.
Motion – Gloria moved that the CLCA post emergency contact numbers at the washrooms for RCMP, OBO Security, Park Wardens, and Park officers (RUMPs) plus a short description of the services each provides.
Seconded by Joyce. Carried.
Comment – It was noted that there is garbage left outside the garbage bins in the cabin area. Dwight will send info to CLCA Board about disposal of yard waste and maps to get to disposal site.
Trevor will check with Don and Dwight re pick-up dates for yard waste.
Vegetation Committee Report – Pam
Spruce Budworm is spreading in the park. The Park is monitoring. A budworm cycle can last 5 to 10 years. It is a part of nature. Worms add to stress of the trees.
Hazardous tree removal – Park is up to date with tree removals. Work was done last fall. A few tree inspections are done each week. Requests for permits are responded to and action taken within a few weeks.
More hazardous trees will be removed in the fall of 2009.
Over the next decade there will be a big wave of trees removals in the cabin area as aging trees become at risk of causing a hazard.
Regarding tree removal, safety is the first priority . Following this, forest takes precedence over cosmetics.
A landscaping guideline is being developed for the cottage and town site areas. It could be of interest to cabin area.
Forest renewal
18 trees were planted near the beach and playground
For cabin area, forest renewal needs to be part of larger discussion. Community needs to agree on what type of natural setting they want in the future.
If trees are not planted now there will not be a canopy in 20 years. As trees are removed, the character of the cabin area is changing. Due to congestion in the cabin area there is little space to plant trees or trees that are planted may be trampled or driven over.
The Park plans to clean up the lakeshore near the Jamboree Hall this fall by removing deadfall and planting new trees. Also has plans for clean up and planting on lakeshore towards Deep Bay, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Motion – Brian moved that regarding reforestation and tree and shrub planting RMNP is the authority. Although feedback and recommendation is sought, issues and concerns over the type and placement of vegetation is to be referred directly to RMNP.
Seconded by John. Carried.
Development Review Board Report (DRB) – Gloria
Elkhorn Ranch bought Riding Stable.
The DRB will do a “walk around” of the cottage area in September to assess concerns regarding removal of trees, over building on lots, lawn ornaments, etc.
“ Or” to be removed from Cabin Building Guidelines. Currently states cabin footprint can be 16 x 32 feet or 520 square feet.
No variances were reviewed at this meeting.
Discussion around process of how decisions/guidelines/rules are made –
DRB members make recommendations for the Superintendent.
Under the National Parks Act the Park can set strict policies. The Superintendent can make the rules more strict than the Parks Act but cannot make them more lenient. There are limited rules for campground areas. Some guidelines come from the National Building Guidelines. The Community Plan has a limited impact. The fire code also has rules.
Discussion around cabin that was recently approved for a building permit that was 16′ wide at front and 18′ wide at back. It is an isolated oversight. Is technically correct. A change to fix the guideline has been recommended to the Superintendent.
According to the building guidelines, building permits for cabins require an architectural stamp for anything greater than $25,000 in value.
The DRB includes members from outside the cabin area. It was felt that they did not have an understanding of the cabin area.
Marine Committee Report – John
The Park bought a pontoon boat. It is used to put markers in the water for boats.
Website – Joyce
The website is close to being ready to go live.
The start up cost is $500 (minus $100 (($20 x 5 memberships)) for cabin association fees for ten years for Cam Hemming) for set up
The website will cost $US3.99/month to maintain. Cam Hemming will do the development.
Joyce will check billing options for payment. Preference is to pay by cheque annually.
Website will be www.clearlakecabinassociation.com
Motion – Brian moved that the CLCA approve the necessary cost to set up the proposed website.
Seconded by Gloria. Carried.
75th Anniversary Bench � Gloria
Gloria moved that upon approval by the board of a picture of the park bench, made in Souris, the board purchase the park bench for a cost of $250.
Seconded by John. Carried.
Motion – Bruce moved to accept the committee reports.
Seconded by Roy. Carried.
Report from Parks Canada � Dwight
The Park plans to have two video cameras set up by August. One will face the beach and one will face the town. They will be available for viewing on the Park’s website.
There have been revisions to Chapters 4 and 5 of the Wasagaming Community Plan. Were reviewed at the WTA April 13, 2009.
Expect approval of the Community Plan in September 2009.
When Community Plan is signed the Park will form a steering committee.
There will be three representatives from the cabin area and three from the community at large.
A suspension of development will be declared by the steering committee to last a maximum of one year.
The community review could include but not be limited to:
– Building guidelines
– Vehicle parking
– Boat storage
– Evaluation of existing infrastructure
– Capital funding
– Tenure
– Tree removal and reforestation
The six members will have to strike sub-committees to complete the review within the one-year time limit.
There will need to be discussion around formatting of the committees.
Guidelines for winter construction
The Park does not favour winter vehicular access for construction in the cabin area. Currently contractors can walk in. The Park’s concerns are emergency access, security of property and damage to chip seal on roads during the winter. The short building season is a concern for contractors. Gates to cabin area locked for the winter.
Discussion around winter construction in the cottage area and keys to the gate for contractors in cabin area.
New Business
Cook Shack Meetings –
There has been no response from anyone regarding cook shack meetings. Will be raised at the GM on July 5.
Some cabin owners feel that AGM’s are confrontational and do not want to participate.
Gloria suggested putting notices on the cook shacks to ask people what they are interested in learning about.
Discussion of agenda items for GM.
Motion Joyce moved that a request be made to the Park to put up two street signs in the cabin area; one for Main Avenue by the Boat Cove and the second for First Street near Ominik Marsh.
Seconded by Roy. Carried.
Motion to adjourn at 1:07 p.m. by Brian; seconded by Roy.
Next meetings:
Board Meeting – Saturday, September 5, 2009 at 10:00 at Clear Lake
AGM – Sunday, September 6, 2009 at 10:00 at Clear Lake
