Clear Lake Cabin Association
Sunday July 5, 2009
Jamboree Hall
The meeting was called to order by the President at 10:07 a.m. In the absence of the Cabin Association secretary, Board member Gloria Belliveau volunteered to record the minutes of the meeting.
As 20% of the membership is needed for a quorum at a general meeting, it was decided that 78 attendees would be required. It was therefore determined that there was not a quorum. Roy White explained that because there was not a quorum, the meeting could continue, but the fall annual general meeting would have to ratify the minutes of the meeting.
The President reviewed the agenda and asked if there were any additions
The President introduced the Board Members and thanked them for their support.
The President read highlights from the annual general meeting of September 2008. The past president indicated that as the minutes from the September 2008 annual meeting had not been distributed, they should be distributed at the 2009 annual meeting and reviewed at that time.
Les Porteous rose to a point of order that we did indeed have a quorum, but a review of the constitution confirmed that we did not.
President’s Report
– The president reported that he had met with Don Huisman in response to the interview reported in several newspapers regarding governance in the Park. Don indicated that he was interviewed regarding plane crashes in the Park, and was only briefly questioned by the reporter regarding governance issues in the Park and that he had then been mis-quoted. The entire newspaper interview is a non-issue at this time.
– Highlights from the 2 winter executive meetings were reviewed
– There are 2 board positions open this fall (Pam Lucenkiw and Lorna Cowan’s terms end this year. As past president, Bruce Hembroff will head the nominations committee.
– The doctor is in residence again this summer and will have office hours in the Erickson Clinic.
– The Community Plan has not yet been signed by the Minister but the expectation is that it will be signed in the fall of 2009.
– Scott John (3 – 5th N) asked what time frame people have who are interested in building in lieu of the proposed building moratorium. Dwight McMillan indicated that permits are still being issued and are valid for 1 year. The President explained the details of the moratorium.
– Bob Garry (34 – 4th N) referred to the motion in last year’s annual general meeting which directed that a letter re: the moratorium be sent to the park and asked if it had been sent. The President read the actual motion that had been passed at the 2008 annual meeting and explained that when the Community Plan is signed off and the comprehensive review committee is established, the president will write to that committee explaining that the members at the 2008 annual meeting voted overwhelmingly against any building moratorium in the cabin area. In the letter, the president will request that the wishes of cabin owners re: the moratorium is honoured by the review committee and that the moratorium be struck down.
– Bruce Hembroff suggested that it may be a good idea to hold back on building until after the new building guidelines are established
Pam Lucenkiw – Jeff Sim:
That the President’s report be accepted
Carried
Treasurer’s Report
Gary Cavanaugh passed on the treasurers (Bob Fraser) regrets at not being able to attend, and distributed the report prepared by the treasurer. Gloria Belliveau noted that line 4 under assets should be amended to read 75th anniversary bench in place of amateur night.
Gary Cavanaugh -Brian McVicar
That the treasures report be adopted as amended
Carried
Security Report
Gloria Belliveau reported that the RCMP building will be open from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The RCMP cover a large area and response time may not always be quick. The park has 2 wardens this year who are carrying sidearm’s. They will not be duplicating the duties of the RCMP, but will be responsible for enforcing the National Parks Act. The rest of the wardens have been renamed, and are now commonly known as “rumps” and will be responsible for the animals (like bear sightings in town), plants, trees, and other scientific areas of the park. In addition, “rumps” are responsible for public safety
The security company hired this year is O.B.O.
The three main issues in the cabin area are:
– Wood theft
– Unsanctioned fireworks (especially in the tree line along the lake)
– Dogs not on leashes
Gloria Belliveau – Bruce Hembroff
That the security report be accepted as amended
Carried
Vegetation Report
Pam Lucenkiw reported that the infestation of spruce budworm this year is almost over and the trees will recover. Pam reported on hazardous tree removal. Tree removal, 10 year plan for a large wave of tree removal, landscaping guidelines using indigenous plants, forest renewal (difficult in our area because of comprehensive review), and lakeshore clean up and planting near Jamboree Hall are significant issues. Andy Urbanovich (23 – 1st S) questions who pays for the removal of healthy trees – if removed for cabin building, the cabin owner must pay for removal
Rob Garry (34 – 4th N) asked if cabin owners pay for tree and stump removal. Two past presidents indicate that there is a line item in our budget whereby the cabin area does pay for tree removal as a whole, but not individual cabin owners. Stumps are not removed at this point.
Mike Schwetz (73 – 4th S) indicated a concern about the park enforcing regulations about the removal of bush and trees.
Ed Didychuk (35 – 2nd N) expressed a concern that the trees by the 2nd street dock were just pushed aside – the meeting was told that this would be rectified.
Pam Lucenkiw – Marty Baron (38 – 4th S)
That the vegetation report be accepted.
Carried
Development Review Board Report
Gloria Belliveau reported that the meeting was generally just to review building guidelines, no variation applications were before the Board.
Gloria Belliveau – Ed Didychuk (35 – 2nd N)
That the DRB report be accepted
Carried
Website Report
Joyce Harland reported that the web site would probably be up and running shortly. She briefly explained various proposed links. The site will be set up by Cam Heming at a cost of $500 less $100 in lieu of our memberships to Cam. We will also have to pay a membership fee of $3.99US a month.
Joyce Harland – Don James (14- 2nd S)
That the website report be accepted
Carried
Cook Shack Meetings
The President explained the concept of cook shack meetings. Most Board members have been approached by individual cabin owners who indicated that they have stopped attending our regular meetings, or they have stopped expressing their views because of the acrimony and mistrust that seems to be prevalent at our meetings. In order to build trust and open up communications with all members, the Board is proposing a series of individual cook shack meetings over the coming summer. Board members do not have an agenda for these meetings, but want to hear what people are thinking. As a Board there is one question we would like members to think about and discuss: “if there is one thing about our area which you really like and do not want to change, what is it, and if there is one thing about our area that you do not like and would like to change, what is it”
Les Porteous (65 – 5th S) post on cook shacks when meetings will take place
Mike Schwets (—) likes the concept of meetings, but feels they do not go far enough – suggests information gleaned should be presented back to the membership
The President indicated that this was the plan all along, that notes would be taken at all cook shack meetings, and the Board would present results to the membership at a future meeting.
John George – Board members are volunteers, we would like cook shacks to tell the Board when they organize a meeting, and Board members will attend
Nita Friesen (23 -1st S) thanked the Board for the offer and suggest that people behave better at all meetings.
Greg Fleck (25 – 3rd S) wants the Board to have a plan on what to do with results from cook shack meetings
Bruce Hembroff suggests we keep minutes and distribute them
Greg Fleck (25 – 3rd S) cabin owners are responsible to be at meetings – it is not fair to suggest they are not interested if they cannot attend.
Nelda Didychuk suggests using the new website or a questionnaire with a newsletter to solicit member input.
Brian McVicar stated that Board members are approached by a number of owners who are reluctant to attend large meetings, but would attend smaller ones. Cook Shack meetings are our attempt to allow owners to voice their concerns.
John George commented that with respect to questionnaires, we are not going to cook shacks to ask questions, we are going to listen as you tell us what you think.
Andy Urbanovich asked if it is restricted to paid members – it is not, the objective is to talk to cabin owners
Gail Simpson (24 – 3rd N) what will we do with all the information – Board will record the information and hopefully we all learn to talk to each other again.
To organize a cook shack meeting please contact any Board member
New Business
– Cornell (6 – 4th S) commented on the recent interview with Don Huisman regarding governance issues in the park, and the context of these comments. He requested that the Board enquire as to what funding is available and what the cost would be to bring water and sewer into individual cabins
Lyle Parnell – Brian McVicar
That the Board engage an engineering firm to do a cost study to determine the cost of bringing water and sewer lines to the property lines of all cabins.
DISCUSSION
– Diane Valentini (2nd S) reminded the meeting of the vote 2 years ago. She asked why are we all of a sudden back on this kick again.
– Bruce Hembroff asked that the motion be withdrawn due to the cost of the engineering report
– Lyle Parnell stated that he feels that the information is necessary
– The President offered to meet with the Park to get the information on who did the study a few years ago, and ask the park about cost sharing for a study, and then he would contact the engineering firm to ask what they would charge to up-date the previous study. He would report this information back to the annual general meeting.
– Greg Fleck said that there was a lot of talk 2 years ago, and a vote was held. He believes the majority decision was not to proceed, so why would we spend more money now.
– F. Johnson (30 – 4th N) feels this is a very serious issue and far too costly. He feels the park should have this responsibility and not the association
– Les Porteous stated that the vote was decisively against water and sewer. A vote on this motion is not necessary.
– Lyle Parnell states that we had a vote 2 years ago.
– Bruce Hembroff rose to a point of order. Due to the fact that the association does not have enough money to conduct such a study, there is no point in holding a vote on this motion
The President pointed out that we have a motion on the floor which has been moved and seconded in correct and accepted parliamentary procedure. Because the point of order raised does not pertain in any way to any aberration in correct parliamentary procedure, the point of order raised by the member is out of order
Brian McVicar states that the intent of the motion is to get accurate information that was not available at the last vote
Les Porteous – —-
That the ruling of the chairman that the point of order which would nullify any vote on the motion is out of order be challenged by the meeting.
Carried 26 – 21
Parks Canada Report – Dwight McMillan
– Lagoon project is proceeding well. When completed, it will treat sewage higher than Provincial standards – keep the clear in Clear Lake
– Amphitheatre funding is in place and the project should be started in the spring of 2010
– Xtra Gas – expect the report of the environmental assessment will be ready soon.
– Winter construction – cottage owners have decided to allow it in their area. In the cabin area however, the gates are locked at the end of the season, and all contractors must walk in until the gates are opened in the spring.
– Cameras are being placed on the front and back of the administration building. Pictures and weather etc. Will be available on the internet.
– Doctor’s residence is in use again this year
– Community Plan – it is expected that the community plan will be signed off by the Minister in September. Once it is signed off, then the steering committee will be formed, and terms of reference for the review will be established. At that point the building moratorium as in the Community Plan would normally start.
– Question from the floor on emergency exits from the cabin area. Dwight stated that the entrance to east end will have breakaway posts and possibly 2 more emergency exits will be developed.
– Ed Didychuk asked if an evacuation plan has been developed and Dwight responded that this is in progress and may be ready later in 2009.
– Mike Schwets asked what the delay in signing the community plan is, and Dwight responded that it is simply a matter of Ministerial priority in terms of how quickly the Minister can get to these types of issues.
– Les Porteous commented that until the Community Plan is signed, keep affordable ($500 cap) and keep cook shacks. The Cabin area by definition says no water and sewer.
– C. Grenfell asked if campers in the new campground have to pay separately for their wood (yes)
– C. Dupuis states that perhaps our wood would not be stolen if campers in the actual campground did not have to pay separately for theirs.
– Joan Ladd asked what actions the park would take regarding wood theft in our area, and Dwight responded that wardens will ticket and charge anyone caught stealing wood.
– In response to a question from the floor regarding the condition of Jamboree Hall, Dwight stated that the park will be rating the buildings and work will be done on the Jamboree Hall.
– Ron Kavischuk complimented the park staff on their work.
– The President expressed appreciation for the good work done on our shower building.
Park Trails
– Richard —— presented a report on park hiking trails and stated that a draft trail document should be available this summer.
– He suggests that people drop by the Visitor Centre in mid-August to see the document and offer their comments.
– Boat launches are an area that needs to be reviewed. The launches are not cleaned out quickly enough. The Park is trying to negotiate a better system.
– John George asked if written comments to the park would help in creating a better system and the meeting was invited to offer their comments to the park. Bruce Hembroff asked if a letter from the President would help and Richard answered that it would be useful in developing a better process for the launches.
Rob Garry – Brian McVicar
That the President write a letter to the park with respect to maintenance, or lack thereof, on the boat cove, especially during periods of strong north or north-west winds
Carried
– Andy Urbanovich asked if there is a plan to cut back on trail maintenance, and Richard responded that there are different types of maintenance on different trails.
– Brenda….. asked why are Lady Slipper flowers more prevalent on the Boat Cove road this year and the answer is simply weather conditions
Next Meeting will be Sunday September 6th 2009 starting at 10:00 am with a location to be announced, but anticipate the Park Theatre
Meeting was adjourned at 12:15 by John George
