Survey Results – Board Actions January 14, 2012

In the fall of 2011, Parks Canada and the Cabin Association sent all cabin owners a survey asking for opinions and thoughts on issues of importance to our area. The survey dealt with issues such as: leases as opposed to camping permits, provision of water and sewer services, cabin design and footprint, lot sizes, back lanes, cook shacks and placement of garbage bins . While it would have been nice if all 525 cabin owners had answered the questions, Parks Canada and the Board were very happy to receive 307 survey returns out of the 525 survey’s sent out. This is a good sample of our area. Attached is a summary of the responses received.

Leases VS Permits: 61% in favour of Leases

Want least expensive option: 53% in favour of least expensive

Water & Sewer in Cabins VS Washrooms: 56% want water & sewer
installed in cabins

Water & Sewer in Cabins and as exists: 21% want water & sewer
both in cabin and as exists

3 or 4 Building Plans: 70% want 3 or 4 plans

Lot sizes: 53% want to increase lot sizes

Remove Back Lanes: 49% do not want to remove back lanes ???

Cook Shacks to remain as is: 80% want them to remain as is

Cook Shacks to remain/garbage bins and wood to go: 6% say
yes to removing bins and wood

Cook Shacks & wood bins to be removed: 70% say no to
removing cook shacks and wood bins

Remove bins from back lanes: 57% say no to removing bins
from back lanes

Locate bins on green space: 55% say no to locating bins on green
space

Burial Lines: 62% want us to investigate cost of burial lines

Levy or Mortgage: Undecided

As it became apparent to the Board that each of these issues raised passionate responses from cabin owners In addition, it was readily apparent that not all cabin owners are passionate about every issue, but every cabin owner is passionate about at least one of the issues. In our considerations and discussions of the survey results, the Board heard a proposal from Parks Canada which presented a win-win scenario for all cabin owners while compromising a bit on everyone’s position.
The results of the survey indicated that 56% of cabin owners wanted water and sewer to their cabins and 21% were in favour of a dual system. The Board recognizes that you cannot simply add the 56% and the 21% and say that 77% of cabin owner were in favour of water and sewer to cabins, but it is an indication that a significant number of cabin owners want water and sewer services. Conversely there are still cabin owners, who wish to retain the public facilities. In order to accommodate both sides of this issue the Board of the CLCA passed the following motion on January 14, 2012.

Based on the results of the survey and in light of the fact that Parks Canada has indicated that we will keep the washrooms and shower building for as long as required, we, the board, recommend that the park proceed with the installation of water and sewer to the individual cabins

The motion is a recommendation for the Park to move forward with water and sewer to individual cabins while keeping the washroom and shower building for as long as required. The Park has not agreed that they can or will proceed with anything at this time. There are a tremendous number of details to be finalized and agreed upon (by Parks Canada and the cabin area) before any shovels hit the ground.

That is what the Board has done  in response to survey results we accommodated both sides of the water and sewer debate and are proceeding with digging out the information we will need to move forward and deal with the future of our area. The motion does not force any cabin owner to add a bathroom, or expand their cabin, it is not an all-or-nothing motion, it calls for a dual system at no extra cost to renovate for cabin owners.

This motion satisfies the wishes of those cabin owners who do not want to move to individual water and sewer in individual cabins, while also satisfying the wishes of those individuals who want to have water and sewer in the cabins. We will have both systems. In addition, for some of our cabin owners who are finding managing their time at the lake difficult due to issues with the bathroom, this will solve that problem, while for other individuals who wish to preserve the public facilities, the motion satisfies their wishes. To the Board this represents a win-win situation.

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Reports On Conditions of The Public Washrooms And Shower Building

In May 2011 the CLCA Board requested a detailed report from a certified Health Inspector on the conditions of the public washrooms and the shower building in the cabin area. The attached reports were completed in July 2011, and have been presented to the Board and to the 2011 annual general members meeting, and we include them on this web site as general public information.

DATA SHEET: RIDING MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
WASHROOMS / SHOWER BUILDINGS – OLD CAMPGROUND 

Building construction: 
Structure is 2×4 wood framing finished on the exterior with stained/painted wood siding, facia and soffits. All buildings have poured concrete footings and floors. A 15 centimeter (cm) (6 inch) high concrete curbing around the exterior of the floor area. Roofing is asphalt shingles. All buildings have areas of screened openable windows. Shielded fluorescent lights provided in all buildings. All buildings have an exterior concrete sewage dumping station provided with a metal cover and a water supply tap for rinsing the vault. The exception is Building #2 which has an open slop sink as a dump station.

Within the buildings all the toilet stall partitions and the dividers between the urinals and handbasin area are commercially designed painted metal partitions.

Interior finishes:

Shower Building 
Floors: Concrete finished with a seamless flooring material
Walls: Painted 20 cm (8 inch) square concrete cinder block walls to a height of 2.4 meters (8 feet). Area above this is stained tongue and grooved wood for approximately 1 meter vertically.
Ceiling: Stained tongue and grooved wood in a peaked roof style.
Shower stalls: Six shower stalls per sex. Ceramic tile covers the cinder block wall partitions in the change/shower cubicles. Floor area in the shower is adequately designed and constructed to flow waste water from the stall into the drainage chanel
Toilet / urinal facilities: One water closet per sex on each side.
Handbasin / countertop areas: One handbasin per sex installed in an arborite covered countertop

Conditions / Comments:
– Cleanliness and interior construction very good.
– *Unfinished treated wood located horizontally on the tops of the shower partitions used to hold galvanized piping holding the shower curtains. This wood would not be considered smooth, durable, non-absorbent and easily cleanable and as such conducive to mold growth.
Recommend replacement with a non-absorbent material eg synthetic planking.
– *The exterior wood siding on the north side of the building is deteriorating due to age and moisture contact with the ground surface. This presents potential for insect and rodents entry into the building envelope. Repairs should be done before the conditions worsen.

Washroom Building # 1
Floors: Painted concrete
Walls: Painted asbestos board panelling
Ceiling: Painted 60 cm2 (2 ft2) ceiling tiles
Toilet / urinal facilities: One floor mounted urinal and 2 toilets for the men and 3 toilets for the ladies.
Handbasin / countertop areas: Three basins installed in an arborite countertop for each sex. Metal trim used around basin and arborite edges as a sealing material.

Conditions / Comments
– The asbestos board (ACM � asbestos containing material) would be considered non-friable and is in good condition.
– General construction and cleanliness conditions considered good.

Washroom Building # 2
Floors: Unpainted concrete
Walls: Painted asbestos board panelling on the ladies side. Painted plywood on the men’s side.
Ceiling: Painted 60 cm2 (2 ft2) ceiling tiles
Toilet / urinal facilities: One floor mounted urinal and 2 toilets for the men and 3 toilets for the ladies.
Handbasin / countertop areas: Three basins installed in an arborite countertop for each sex. Metal trim used around basin and arborite edges as a sealing material.

Conditions / Comments:
– *The unpainted concrete floor makes cleaning more difficult. Recommend resurfacing with paint or the seamless flooring to provide a more non-absorbent and easily cleanable surface.
– The asbestos board (ACM � asbestos containing material) would be considered non-friable and is in good condition.
– *In the men’s washroom the wood paneling is deteriorating at the wall base behind the urinals and the toilet next to it due to moisture damage of the wood over time. Replacement or repairs should be planned.
– *The slop / sewage waste sink should have a lid to prevent flies or other insects contacting waste material and in turn potential transmission of infectious material.

Washroom Building # 3
Floors: Seamless flooring on concrete
Walls: Arborite panels with metal joiners for seams.
Ceiling: Painted 60 cm2 (2 ft2) ceiling tiles
Toilet / urinal facilities: One floor mounted urinal and 2 toilets for the men and 3 toilets for the ladies.
Handbasin / countertop areas: Three basins installed in an arborite countertop for each sex. Metal trim used around basin and arborite edges as a sealing material.

Conditions / Comments:
– *Some small circular holes 2 to 4 cm diameter in the wall of the handicap toilet stall. These would be from the conversion to a handicap stall. The holes should be sealed over.
– The concrete sewage dump box appears to be leaking between the side walls and base.

Washroom Building # 4
Floors: Painted concrete
Walls: Painted plywood with wood lathe at 40 cm (16 inch) intervals.
Ceiling: Painted 60 cm2 (2 ft2) ceiling tiles
Toilet / urinal facilities: Two floor mounted urinal and 2 toilets for the men and 3 toilets for the ladies.
Handbasin / countertop areas: Two basins installed in a newer molded arborite countertop for each sex, and a wall mounted handbasin in each washroom.

Conditions / Comments:
– *The first toilet in the ladies washroom was not flushing clear. Recommend a plumber check it out.
– *The fluorescent light in the ladies washroom was missing it’s protective shield.
– *On the men’s side the vertical painted wood planks along the outside entranceway are rotten at their bases and should be replaced. See photo #5. The door to the mechanical room is delaminated on the lower area.
– *Approximately a 1 meter garden hose attached to potable water system tap was left hanging in the sewage dump box and presents a potential cross connection to the water supply.

Washroom Building #5
Floors: Seamless floor on concrete
Walls: Arborite panels with metal joiner strips.
Ceiling: Painted 60 cm2 (2 ft2) ceiling tiles
Toilet / urinal facilities: Two floor mounted urinal and 2 toilets for the men and 3 toilets for the ladies.
Handbasin / countertop areas: Three basins installed in older style arborite countertops with metal joints for edging.

Conditions / Comments:
– *Holes in arborite walls of handicap toilet rooms from conversion to handicap. Holes should be repaired. See example in photo #3 above.
– *The floor mounted urinal has water leaking from around the base and ponding on the floor. This has been going on since last season when repairs failed. This would be considered an insanitary condition due to contaminated sewage waste on the floor. The urinal should be taken out of service till repairs made.
– *The toilet in the men’s handicap toilet should be checked as it may be leaking around the toilet base or may have just plugged and flooded on the long weekend.
– *A piece of garden hose attached to faucet at the sewage dump station which could present a cross contamination if left in the dump station.

Washroom Building #6
Floors: Seamless floor on concrete
Walls: Arborite panels with metal joiner strips.
Ceiling: Painted 60 cm2 (2 ft2) ceiling tiles
Toilet / urinal facilities: Two floor mounted urinal and 2 toilets for the men and 3 toilets for the ladies.
Handbasin / countertop areas: Three basins installed in older style arborite countertops with metal joints for edging.

Conditions / Comments:
– Both handicap toilet stalls have holes in the arborite paneling. Holes should be repaired.

Washroom Building #7
Floors: Painted concrete
Walls: Painted plywood with wood lathe at 40 cm (16 inch) intervals.
Ceiling: Painted 60 cm2 (2 ft2) ceiling tiles
Toilet / urinal facilities: Two floor mounted urinal and 2 toilets for the men and 3 toilets for the ladies.
Handbasin / countertop areas: Three basins installed in older style arborite countertops with metal joints for edging.

Conditions / Comments:
– *The bases of the wood wall panels behind the urinal starting to decompose.
– *The concrete coving at the wall base in the ladies is uneven which makes it difficult to clean thoroughly.
– *Wood facia on the north side is deteriorating which may allow insect and rodent entry.

Washroom Building #8
Floors: Painted concrete
Walls: Painted plywood with wood lathe at 40 cm (16 inch) intervals.
Ceiling: Painted 30 cm2 (1 ft2) ceiling tiles
Toilet / urinal facilities: Two urinal and 2 toilets for the men and 3 toilets for the ladies.
Handbasin / countertop areas: Three basins installed in older style arborite countertops with metal joints for edging.

Conditions / Comments:
– *Concrete coving at wallbase in men’s has rough sections which makes cleaning more difficult.
– *There is a lot of moss growing on the shingles which may eventually allow water leakage into the building and cause mold problems.

Washroom Building #9
Floors: Painted concrete
Walls: Painted plywood with wood lathe at 40 cm (16 inch) intervals.
Ceiling: Painted 30 cm2 (1 ft2) ceiling tiles
Toilet / urinal facilities: Two wall hung urinals and 2 toilets for the men and 3 toilets for the ladies.
Handbasin / countertop areas: Three basins installed in older style arborite countertops with metal joints for edging.

Conditions / Comments:
– Corrosion on the metal partitions separating the urinals from the handbasins and the toilet.

Washroom Building #10
Floors: Painted concrete
Walls: Painted plywood with wood lathe at 40 cm (16 inch) intervals.
Ceiling: Painted 30 cm2 (1 ft2) ceiling tiles
Toilet / urinal facilities: Two wall hung urinals and 2 toilets for the men and 3 toilets for the ladies.
Handbasin / countertop areas: Three basins installed in older style arborite countertops with metal joints for edging.

Conditions / Comments:
– *Sewage sump station leaking between the side walls and base.

Notes:
The asterisks “*” identifies comments that should be considered for action.

INSPECTION REPORT:

BRAD KELSO ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CONSULTING
INSPECTION REPORT OF OLD CAMPGROUND WASHROOMS / SHOWER BUILDING RIDING MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

Prepared by: Brad Kelso
8/4/2011

SUMMMARY
Dwight McMillan, Development Officer at Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP) requested Brad Kelso a certified Public Health Inspector to carry out a public health inspection of the washroom and shower buildings in the Old Campground. Inspection data was to assist RMNP and the Old Campground Cottagers Association in their evaluation of the present building conditions and future planning of service needs in the campground.

The purpose of the inspection was to provide a public health evaluation of any structural or operational conditions that may impact on the public health of the campground users or which should be considered in the future planning of services to this cabin area.

The inspection was to be a walk through of the ten washroom buildings and the one shower building with visual observations being made. Observations were to be based on accepted public health principles that materials in the buildings are such that they provide smooth, durable, non-absorbent, easily cleanable surfaces so as to permit easy and thorough cleaning and sanitization in order to prevent the transmission of diseases and infections.

There was a discussion with the cleaning staff of the cleaning and disinfection activities that take place in the buildings. The Park being responsible for cleaning of the buildings and only supplying toilet paper in the toilet cubicles.

Generally the interior structural surfaces and fixtures are in good condition and are being well maintained considering the age. Cleanliness and sanitation was good. There are a number of structural and operational deficiencies that should be addressed as summarized in the Observation section of the report and in the comment sections of the data sheets in Appendix I. These deficiencies would be expected as normal ones for the nature and age of these buildings and there use as communal washrooms and showers.

As with any public building which provides washrooms, proper hygienic practises by the user such as proper handwashing is a major aspect of reducing the risks of communicable disease transmission.
The conditions within the washroom and shower buildings are well maintained structurally and operationally considering the age of the buildings. This would minimize the risk of communicable disease transmission when communal facilities are used. These facilities would meet accepted public health standards.

INTRODUCTION
Dwight McMillan, Development Officer at Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP) requested Brad Kelso a certified Public Health Inspector to carry out a public health inspection of the washroom and shower buildings in the Old Campground. Inspection data was to assist RMNP and the Old Campground Cottagers Association in their evaluation of the present building conditions and future planning of service needs in the campground. Consideration is being given to whether a piped potable water and public sewerage system to the individual cottages may be a future option. The inspection was arranged for August 2, 2011.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the inspection was to provide a public health evaluation of any structural or operational conditions that may impact on the public health of the campground users or which should be considered in the future planning of services to this cabin area.

PROCEDURES
The inspection was to be a walk through of the ten washroom buildings and the one shower building with visual observations being made. Observations were to be based on accepted public health principles and any applicable regulations. The integrity of physical building conditions was only to be considered as it relation to public health aspects. The Park has responsibility to assess structural building conditions and facilities such as washroom needs as governed under the National Building Code.

In general the assessment was to focus on the structural conditions and based on the public health principles that materials in the buildings are such that they provide smooth, durable, non-absorbent, easily cleanable surfaces so as to permit easy and thorough cleaning and sanitization in order to prevent the transmission of diseases and infections.

The operational conditions were given a general assessment to determine if appropriate cleaning and sanitation procedures were in place for the facilities. A complete review of the Park’s cleaning services and procedures was not to be included.

OBSERVATIONS
Initially discussions took place with the cleaning staff working in the campground regarding the cleaning activities and procedures that take place. Further discussions took place with these staff as they were working in the various buildings. The following items were noted:
– The washrooms and shower building are given a general cleaning on a daily basis. Cleaning includes the plumbing fixtures, countertops, door and cubicle handles, shower stalls and floor areas.
– A more thorough cleaning is done of the complete building areas once per week where all wall areas are also done.
– Appropriate cleaners and disinfectants are used for cleaning and sanitizing which includes the product “Perdiem” as disinfectant cleaner with a 3% hydrogen peroxide base which is effective against such infectious organisms as Staphlococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella.
– Appropriate cleaning equipment such as brushes, spray bottles and nozzles were in use.
– Cleaning procedures are in place such as ensuring that separate cleaning equipment is designated for direct and non-direct contact surfaces to prevent cross contamination risks to facility users.
– Operational services are developed between the Park and the cottagers such as the Park not being responsible for providing soap and single service handtowels for the handbasins.
Observations in the buildings:
Appendix I provides a data summary and photos of the conditions with comments for each building. A summary of comments from the data sheets are as follows in no particular order:
– Generally the interior structural surfaces and fixtures are in good condition and are being well maintained considering the age. Cleanliness and sanitation was good.
– The unfinished wood in the shower building used to hold the shower curtains should be replaced with a more impervious and easily cleanable material.
– The lower ends of the exterior wood siding on the north side of the shower building should be repaired or replaced due to its decomposition over time from contact with the ground and moisture so insects and rodents do not begin to inhabit the building structure.
– Asbestos containing materials was noted in washroom buildings #1 and #2. It would be considered non-friable material ie not easily broken down unless drilled, sawed or otherwise damaged. It should be managed with and asbestos control program. The ceiling tiles in all the washrooms should also be considered as asbestos containing due to their age or testing shows otherwise and managed in a program.
– The unfinished concrete floor in washroom #2 should be finished to provide a more impervious and cleanable surface.
– The lower wall areas with wood panelling behind the urinals and toilets in washrooms #2 and #7 should be repaired or replace due to deterioration and the likely microbial contaminants engrained in the wood.
– The slop/sewage sink of building #2 should have a lid on it to prevent insect entry and potential disease transmission.
– Washrooms #3, #5, and #6 require repairs to small holes in the arborite wall panelling in the handicap washrooms in order to prevent any water or insect entry into the wall structure and subsequent problems.
– The sewage dump station on washrooms #3 and #10 require repair to prevent leakage around their bases.
– A plumber should check the first ladies toilet in washroom #4 as it is not flushing properly.
– The fluorescent light requires replacement of the missing light shield in washroom #4
– The wood door to the mechanical room on washroom #4 should be replaced as it’s base is now delaminating.
– Pieces of garden hose have been connected to the taps on the sewage dump stations and the length of some hoses are such that they hang inside the stations and present potential cross contamination of the potable water supply eg washrooms #4 and #5.
– Washroom #5 has the urinal leaking around the concrete base and water ponds on the floor presenting an insanitary condition as sewage was may be present.
– The concrete coving along the curbing in the ladies side of washroom #7 and the men’s side of washroom #8 is not smooth and easily cleanable.
– Washroom #8 has a lot of moss growing on the roof shingles which may result in moisture penetration through the roof causing damage and possible mold.
– In washroom #9 the metal partitions separating the urinals from the handbasins and toilet stall are rusting and require refinishing or replacement.
– Washrooms
– The majority of the washrooms had some supply of bar soap or liquid soap at the handbasins as left by cabin owners. The male side of the washrooms were lacking in soap provided at each basin.
– No evidence of mold growing in the buildings was found. This would indicate that the buildings do not have moisture problems and the walls and ceilings are being cleaned adequately.

During the inspection a number of users of the washrooms were not washing their hands either not at all, not adequately as soap was not being used and hands were only rinsed with water, and in all but one case no hand drying done as users did not bring a handtowel with them. Such practises by users and the fact that this cabin campground is only served by communal washrooms and showers increases the risk for the transmission of communicable diseases.

CONCLUSION
The conditions within the washroom and shower buildings are well maintained structurally and operationally considering the age of the buildings. This in turn would minimize the risk of communicable disease transmission when communal facilities are used. These facilities would meet accepted public health standards.
There are on-going structure and operational deficiencies which needed to be priorized and addressed. Such items would be expected in any type of public buildings particularly public washrooms and showers that have high useage and operational cleaning needs.
The risk of disease transmission would more likely be increased by users of washrooms not practising proper hygiene, example not washing their hands properly after using the facilities.

RECOMMENDATIONS
The items with asterisks “*” under the comment section of the data sheets and as summarized above in the OBSERVATIONS section should be considered for action.

The posting of some form of durable signage in the washroom buildings instructing users to wash their hands after using the toilet facilities would be of benefit to continuous educate people in proper hygienic practise.

REPORT AUTHOR
Brad Kelso, CPHI(C)
Brad Kelso Environmental & Occupational Health Consulting
61 Regent Crescent, Brandon MB R7B 2W7
Email: bbkelso@gmail.com, Phone/fax 204-726-0954, cell 204-724-5813

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Delegation To Waskesiu And Question Posed To Townsite Manager

Delegation to Waskesiu
July 22, 23 and 24, 2011

INTRODUCTION

On July 22, 23 and 24, 2011, Joan James, John George and Trevor Winters of the Cabin Association Board and Bob Fraser, as a member-at-large from the cabin area journeyed to Waskesiu in Prince Albert National Park (PANP) on a fact-finding initiative for issues common to both PANP and RMNP to assist us as we undertake the comprehensive review. The group met with Morris McLaughlin, the manager of the Waskesiu Marina, (and toured the marina), and we met with Community leaders, Barry Chapman, Herve Langlois and Rob Phillips. In addition we did an extensive look at the cabin area at Waskesiu (including tours of cabins owned by Barry Chapman’s 2 sons (new cabins built in the past 5 years) and Herve Langlois’s cabin which is on a lot which is 30 x 50 feet and has a washroom built into a 6 foot by 8 foot attached structure on his cabin. We also spoke to the townsite Manager Terry Schneider, and Coralee Vaillancourt the lease administrator at PANP. Unfortunately, because of a massive wind and hail storm in the previous few days, we had to speak to the Parks people via a conference call as we drove to Waskesiu due to their involvement in the clean-up. In addition, we spoke to a few cabin owners but we were limited in that effort because it rained all day Saturday so few people were out and about.

OVERVIEW OF WASKESIU

– PANP (Waskesiu) is more remote than RMNP, with the nearest communities being Prince Albert some 45 minutes away and Saskatoon being a 2 hour drive.
– The downtown area is newer with more modern buildings but far fewer trees. There appears to be fewer vacant buildings and the townsite has a liquor store and a post office (because there is no community such as Onanole just outside the Park).
– They have 2 grocery stores, a bakery serving cinnamon buns with or without raisins, and at least 6 restaurants if we include the golf course, with a 7th restaurant in the resort just outside of the park boundries. There is also a coffee shop and a movie theatre as well as various shops.
– Last year PANP received significant stimulus money to repave all of their streets, so the streets at Waskesiu are pretty well all paved, and roads leading into the Parks are good.
– Community leaders and Parks Canada worked together to address the Spruce Budworm issue at Waskesiu. Although there was initial resistance when the business community and cottages proved to the park that there is a product which can be safely sprayed and not harm other animals, the park agreed to spray for the budworm. Starting in 2002, 2003 and 2004 spraying of the townsite was done by air, using a product called BTK. At the first spraying, defoliation rates were 70%, and this dropped to 6% in 2005. The spraying was funded equally with Parks Canada, the golf course and the townsite paying equal amounts. They are currently experiencing another significant infestation and the community leaders we spoke to expect to spray again next summer.
– In all of our meetings it was readily apparent that the community and Parks Canada are working together to protect their assets, and to keep their park healthy.

MARINA

– This is a 220 slip (with another 15 short term slips) marina built by Parks Canada starting in 1962 and operational in 1963 – 64. The marina was built during the Diefenbaker era and there is a feeling that because this was his riding, perhaps it was easier for Waskesiu to get funding for a marina
– The marina has a fueling station (fuels boats in the water), 2 separate boat launch areas including one set of boat launches situated behind a large breakwater, a larger parking lot and a boat storage lot
– The marina is situated at least a 10 minute drive from the townsite which is inconvenient, but does prevent vandalism as the marina manager indicated that vandalism is virtually non-existent
– The marina manager pays 7% of gross to Parks Canada and slip rental ranges from $325 – $500 depending on the size of your slip. In addition, there is a launch fee of $7.50 per day, $15.00 for a 3 day pass, $20.00 weekly or $45.00 for the season
– The marina is now more than 50 years old so it requires significant work and expansion of slips to accommodate larger boats and pontoon boats. The marina manager is currently in negotiations with Parks Canada to fund this work which is budgeted at $1 million.
– One of the main issues they face is the removal of the poles which currently mark the berths, as these poles have been soaked in creosote and Parks Canada wants these poles out of the lake. Of interest is that testing of the lake has indicated virtually no pollutants either from gas or creosote.
– The marina is full and he has a 65 boat waiting list. In addition he has implemented a sharing plan to fully utilize the slips so that if you have a slip for the season but are not using it for a period of time, the slip is rented to vacationers, and the income is split. He runs a boat rescue program but does not do boat repairs.
– There are plans to renovate the marina, and negotiations are on-going with Parks Canada for funding.

CABIN / COTTAGES / SHACK TENTS

– There are currently 451 cabins as compared to RMNP at 525
– Waskesiu cabin area started in the 1940’s as shack tents which were dismantled every year, – starting in 1958 permenent cabins were allowed.
– The vast majority of cabins at Waskesiu are built off-site and hauled in. They do not have the trees nor the hills coming into their area that we do at RMNP.

LOT SIZES/ CONFIGURATION

– There are 2 different lot sizes at Waskesiu. Our lot sizes are 25×40 and Waskesiu is either 30×50 or 40×50. These lots have grown from a 40 foot length due to the following.
– In the early to mid 1980’s, Parks Canada approached the cabin area with a proposal that all camp kitchens (cookshacks) be removed and in exchange, every cabin lot was granted an additional 10 feet in length. We did not measure exactly, but the distance between decks (at the backs of cabins) appears to be about 15 feet. There are no back lanes.
– On lots 30×50, cabin owners are allowed to occupy 602 sq. ft. of the lot (this includes the cabin, deck and shed) and on 40×50 lots cabin owners are allowed to build on 650 sq. ft. Within this square footage cabin owners have an option on the size of their decks (built at the backs of cabin), and the size of their sheds, but they must fall into the total allowable square footage for that lot size.
– Each lot must have a minimum of 2 parking stalls which occurs on the side of the cabins, and according to the building guidelines there is no parking in front of cabins, but that is clearly not adhered to.
– Originally the lots on the outer edges of the cabin area were surveyed, and the inner lots were then determined by a process called “chaining”. That is, the use of lengths of chain were used to mark off the inner lots.
– The Waskesiu cabin area does not have many trees in it, and while their lots are now 50 feet deep, there is more room at RMNP at the backs of our cabins.

CABIN SIZE

– The area evolved until the present day cabin building guidelines which allows cabins to be 16 x 27 with a 16 foot height and full utilization of the second floor. In addition the Waskesiu cabins are allowed cantilevers or pop-outs on the second floor of 2 feet on each side and the back of the cabin. These cantilevers make a huge difference in the construction of the cabin, because the upstairs portions are now 20 feet wide while the main floor is 16 feet wide.
– Most cabins have decks built onto their back (since the mid 1980`s addition of 10 feet of property), and if they do not have decks they simply have extra space for their sheds. The famous “dog houses“ or washroom sheds occupy space on the deck. If your deck is built to 170 sq. ft. your dog house / wash shed occupies 48 sq. ft. of the deck space. Maximum deck height is 2.5 feet from the lowest existing grade level to the top of the main floor joist at mid point.
– The maximum size any wash shed can be is 60 sq. ft. and most are built to 48 sq. ft. to conserve deck space. For newly built cabins who have installed washrooms in the cabins, the outer sheds are now usually utilized for a washer and dryer.
– Permenant foundations are allowed as are crawl spaces, but no basements are allowed.
– All cabins have a bathroom, and the new cabins we saw usually had a full 3 piece bath up stairs with a sink and toilet in the downstairs part of the cabin.
– All cabins are on a 42 year lease and the cost of the lease varies from $1600 to $2000 with an additional water- sewer- garbage cost of $330 per year. (93% of Cabins selected the CPI option for their lease)
– Cabin values have increased dramatically since installation of water and sewer. Early in the transition period lot values jumped to $100,000, after 5 years they were $200,000 and now cabins are selling for up to $435,000. They attribute that increase directly to the installation of water and sewer.
– The asking price on this cabin is $385,000 and the asking price on this is $435,000 – whether they receive that price or not would have to be followed up on.
– At these values, the character of the community changes. Existing cabin owners were not forced out due to increased costs, but clearly at the prices being paid for cottages (cabins), not everyone will be able to afford to buy today.

WATER SEWER COST AND HISTORY

– The move to water and sewer to individual cabins occurred 13 years ago. There was never a vote of cabin owners but there had been 2 survey’s that indicated 70 – 75% of cabin owners were in favour of installing water and sewer to individual cabins.
– With the results of those survey’s, the cabin owners board approached park management with a proposal to install water and sewer to cabins.
– They have established a shallow system which has been trenched in. Water ran down one side of the street and the sewer lines ran down the other side and then the roads were trenched and the water and sewer lines were run to cabins. They have a system whereby there is only one water line per 2 cabins, and the line is Y’ed off between cabins.
– Waskesiu reported that as their streets were already a mess, they welcomed the additional work as it meant that the streets would be repaired and smoothed out, but they indicated that there was very little street damage, very little dust and virtually no disruption.
– There was no damage to trees, but in fairness they have few trees in the area. However as one man pointed out, the lines come down the street so they did not disturb any green space, and the trees that are at Waskesiu were not disturbed.
– The trenching from the edge of the property line to the water boxes at the cabins was the cabin owners responsibility and many of them trenched the line in with a shovel. The people we talked to did not have an indication of cost for this but it was not expensive. On gentleman said that the best way to do it was to bring in a trencher and a plumber and just go cabin to cabin and get them all done at once.
– Parks Canada funded the installation and extensions of the water and sewer lines, and Cabin owners were billed $134.00 per year for 10 years to pay for the extension of the water and sewer lines throughout the cabin area. This has now been completely paid for
– The release fees were waived by Parks Canada. A release fee is a one-time charge that Parks Canada can apply at their discretion, to any public property that is being taken out of public use and being reserved for the use of an individual.
– All cabin owners had the entire 10 year period to install a washroom in their cabin or to build a 48 to 60 sq. ft shed on their property to put their washroom in. This 10 year period was absolute and cabin owners had until October 31, 2008 to have their washrooms built (this is established in their building guidelines). At that time all public washrooms in the cabin area were removed. Where the old washrooms stood is now green space, and garbage and re-cycling bins are at the sites.
– During the 10 year transition period all public washrooms in the cabin area were kept open and maintained by Parks Canada. Parks Canada then paid all expenses associated with tearing down and removing these old buildings
– During the 10 year transition period, the cabin owners continued to pay their annual camping permit only. There was some confusion in that one person we spoke to claimed that the cabin owners paid an additional $50.00 per year to pay for cleaning of the washrooms while others claimed that there were no additional charges.
– Everyone we spoke to indicated that in their opinion, none of the existing owners was forced out or forced to sell because the transition to water and sewer was too expensive. The President at the time said that if there were people who felt they were forced out due to costs it would be a maximum of 10 people, and he did not think there were even that many. With a 10 year transition period, no one was forced out as over the 10 year transition the costs only increased by $134.00 per year, everything else stayed the same.
– In the fall of 2008 when the transition was completed, cabin owners switched from the one year camping permit to a 42 year lease. They were given 3 options for their leases and 93% opted for the Consumer Price Index for each year.
o 7/12 of 4% of appraised value
Re-appraisal every 10 years
o 7/12 of 3& opf appraised value
Re-appraisal every 2 years
o 1.5% of appraised land value
Land value increasing by the consumer price index (CPI) each year to a maximum increase of 5% per year.

– Annual lease fees range from $1600 – $2000 plus $339.00 for water /sewer/ garbage per year. The former president and the individual who was president during the transition feels that these fees are too high for the old cabin area, and his view is that the annual lease should be $1000 – $1200 per year (plus the water/sewer/garbage cost). However, it is possible that the cabin owners got a bit careless in these negotiations as they were convinced that Waskesiu was going to go to a Municipality and a municipal form of governance.
– Cabin owners were given a 4 year transition period while the new lease fees were implemented – in the first year they paid 25% of the total cost, in the second year they paid 50%, in the 3rd year they paid 75% and finally in year 4 they paid the entire amount.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE

– There has been a great deal of discussion at Waskesiu (and a bit at RMNP) about the issue of governance, ie. stay in a National Park or form their own Municipality
– Municipal discussions among business, cottage and cabin owners at Waskesiu started some 15 years ago as many people at Waskesiu felt that the present structure of leases was creating unfair and inequitable treatment of people at Waskesiu. At that time, the cabin area, with small unserviced lots, were paying as much or more in annual “rent” as the fully serviced cottage area. In addition the Community leaders also felt that under a Municipal style of governance, costs to all business, cottage and cabin owners would significantly decrease (on the average) as compared to the costs associated with the Parks Canada leases. The individuals we spoke with have calculated that under a municipal governance structure, cabins would be paying around $1000 per year including water/sewer/garbage, ($700 plus $300) and cottages with their larger lots would pay more than that, they would, on the average, pay a lot less than the Parks Canada lease..
– Community leaders worked long and hard to influence the government of Saskatchewan to allow them to form a local Municipality, and in fact, Parks Canada assisted them in these negotiations with the province by paying the expenses for travel for community leaders to meet with government representatives.
– The biggest issue to address was the issue of education tax, and the province of Saskatchewan agreed that because this is federal land, and is seasonal, with no school within the federal reserve, that they WOULD NOT pay education taxes.
– When the issue of approving the municipality was put before the Saskatchewan legislature, the legislature voted against allowing the formation of a municipality, much to the surprise of the Waskesiu Community as they had received assurances that the approvals were forth-coming
– Informal analysis of the Saskatchewan government refusal to allow formation of a Municipality (some 10 – 12 years ago) indicates a number of possible reasons for the government’s about turn-of-face on the issue
o Under the lease arrangement with Parks Canada some cottage and business owners are paying very cheap “rent”, and these costs would go up to those individuals if a municipal government was formed. Like RMNP, there were, and still are significant inequities in lease payments depending on which lease option someone selected
o There is a large resort (which pays education tax) situated just outside of the Park boundries and some feel that the resort owners protested to the provincial government that if they have to pay education tax everyone else should have to pay as well.
– With the recent property re-assessments completed by Parks Canada, some business and cottage owners have seen huge increases in their costs at both Waskesiu and RMNP. There are a huge number of lease options available through Parks Canada, and if you opted for anything other than the CPI re-newal option, your lease costs have gone up 4 – 5 times, thus creating huge inequities and unfairness. Waskesiu is starting the Municipality discussions again to address the unfairness and inequitable treatment.
– The issue of governance is very complex and laden with many potential pit-falls. It will need to be approached with significant caution and a great deal of study as Municipal governance may not be the best solution. However, it would address the basic inequities and unfairness of the current system.
– It goes beyond the boundries of this brief study to comment any further, but it is one of the intentions of this review to present these as issues we may well address within the Comprehensive Review.

Questions for Town Site Manager; Waskesiw

1. How was the decision made to put sewer and water lines to individual cabins in the seasonal campground in Waskesiw ie: vote, board or park
2. Were you having any health and safety issues with the public washrooms prior to conversion to private?
3.. What was the cost of this project (cost per cabin)
4. How was this project financed. Was the cost entirely the responsibility of the cabin owners or was some of the cost shared by Parks Canada and the community of Waskesiw? Were any federal grants available for this?
5. Was a 10 year conversion time long enough or too long?
6. What restrictionsguidelines were put on the plumbed out house?
7. Was there considerable damage to vegetation due to installing water and sewer lines?
8. Was the camping season extended once private water and sewer lines were completed?
9. Re: long term leases, how was this decision made? (park, vote or board)
10. What were the lease options offered?
11. How was the land assessment done (based on previous sales?)
12. When you went to long term leases, it was done during the conversion time. How were the costs of maintaining bathrooms covered?
13. When the bathrooms were removed were they sold and moved out or demolished? If they were demolished at whose expense was this done?
14. What is the average cost of a lease in the cabin area?
15. When was the decision made to remove the cookshacks? How was this done (park, board or vote)?
16. Is there an advantage to Parks Canada to have this area on long term leases rather that camping permits?
17. If you were going through this process again (leases and s&w) is there anything you would do differently?
18. How was the decision to put in a Marina made? Was this strictly a Park decision or was it based on general interest of the public using the park?
19. How was the marina financed?
20. In the Parks opinion has the development of a Marina been beneficial and cost effective?

Questions for Cabin Owners in the Seasonal Campground Area

1. Are you happy with the decision to put sewer and water to individual cabins? Did you have a say in this decision ie vote?
2. Was the cost excessive to do this and did any cabin owners feel they had to sell because of costs?
3. Was a 10 year conversion time long enough or too long?
4. Have many owners experienced problems with shut down in fall and frozen water lines etc?
5. How much did your permit costs increase when s&w was installed?
6 Were you happy with the decision to go to long term leases? Did you have a say in this decision ie vote?
7 Have your costs gone up much since the long term leases were put into place?
8. How has the removal of the cookshacks impacted your camping experience?
9. How was the decision made to eliminate the cookshacks?

Questions for the Manager of the Marina

1. How was the decision to develop a marina made?
2. What is the capacity of this Marina and is it usually full?
3. What are the costs to store a boat, launch boats etc?
4. How are maintenance costs covered? Responsibility of Park or the person holding the lease?
5. What kind of lease agreement do you have with the park?
6. If you were building this again is there anything you would do differently?

(I’m sure John will have his own list of questions for this guy!)

If anyone has any further questions please feel free to add them.

Posted in News | Comments Off on Delegation To Waskesiu And Question Posed To Townsite Manager

Board Policy – September 4, 2011

CLCA Board Policy
September 4, 2011

Because there has been such significant delays in signing off on the Community Plan and therefore significant delays in starting the comprehensive review, as a Board we decided to take a pro-active approach and tell Parks Canada what we want. The Board held our first Policy Development session on July 24, 2010, and the second session was held on February 12, 2011 . The purpose of the meetings was to develop Board Policy on issues important to our cabin area that we can present to you as cabin owners, and to Parks Canada as the official policy position of the Clear Lake Cabin Owners Association.

Results from the July 24, 2010 meeting are as follows and have been presented to our Superintendent and RMNP staff:

1. Boat Storage
We recommend that Parks Canada work towards and adequate and secure boat storage area for in-water and out of water boats
2. Water and Sewer issues
That the Board develop a policy paper with the co-operation of the Park, giving comparative information on all issues related to provision of water and sewer services in the cabin area. This to include information
– Building codes for public washrooms and cost estimates to build a public washroom – estimates to be in writing
– Shower building
– Multi year leases – cost of this.

– Cook Shacks – liability issues, costs
– Property assessment plus release fees
– Land survey – costs to cabin owners
– Governance structure – ie Condo development
– Initial costs to cabin owners to establish necessary infrastructure
– Outside washroom additions
– Building guidelines clarified for modifications in previoud point
– Conversion period
– Long term permits if we stay status quo
3. Footprint of Future Cabins
Board recommends that more variety of shape and profile be allowed on new building and renovations within the present square footage of 716 sq. Ft. And within the 16 foot by 32 foot size.
– Esthetics – more variety of cabin design
– Height – to be increased to 17 feet
– Height above grade – ie, flood free at floor level

The results of the Feb 12, 2011 meeting are as follows. These have not yet been presented to our superintendent

1. Policy: Improve alternate parking in the main parking lot and the boat storage area so we can have just two vehicles on designated lot parking areas.

Security is needed at night, not during the day.

2. Policy: Increase lights and security for the main parking lot/boat storage. Implement a neighbourhood watch program.

In terms of vegetation, there needs to be more aggressive reforestation including the cabin area, lakeshore, main pier area, the townsite and Deep Bay.

3. Policy: We recommend one down, one back.

(This policy needs to be checked by the vegetation plan formulated in 2010.)

4. Policy: Cook shacks are an integral part of the RMNP campground experience and we are in favour of the cook shacks and would like to keep them regardless.

It was suggested that we need a public relations committee to improve the cabin area image within the Park

Posted in News | Comments Off on Board Policy – September 4, 2011

CLCA Annual General Meeting – September 4, 2011

Call to Order: 10:05 a.m.

Introduction of Board Members: Bruce Hembroff – past president, Trevor Winters – president, Gary Cavanagh – vice-president, Teddi Brown – secretary, Joyce Harland – treasurer, Gloria Belliveau, John George, Joan James, Scott Jordan, Brian McVicar, Roy White, Kevin Alquire (regrets)

Approval of Agenda: Elections will be moved from item 11 to item 9 on the agenda. Add public use of washrooms and cook shacks to item 12.
Motion to accept the agenda as amended.
Moved by Brian McVicar, seconded by Alice Birnie , 36 2nd St. N.
Carried.

Approval of Sept. 5, 2010 AGM minutes: Motion to accept the minutes as circulated. Moved by Roy White, seconded by Gloria Belliveau.
Carried.

Business arising from the minutes: The CLCA web site member forum issue has been resolved. We have purchased .com so it is now linked to .org. We are looking into the cost of signage for the wood sheds. The RCMP Shoal Lake Division enforces water safety in our area. A letter has been sent to them and the superintendent regarding enforcement of regulations. The Community Plan is still not signed. A letter approved at an executive meeting will be posted on line for members to sign regarding the Community Plan.
President’s Report: Posted on line.
Motion: I move to accept the President’s Report as presented. Moved by Trevor Winters, seconded by Nelda Didychuk, 35 2nd St. N. Carried.
Bruce Hembroff, 53 5th St. S.: The trees simply need to be trimmed. We have asked not to have our back lane graded as it brings up the dirt and results in a mess.
Treasurer’s Report: Presented by Trevor Winters
Clear Lake Cabin Association Treasurer’s Report as of August 31, 2011

Revenue: As of June 30, 2011 $7,515.54
Income from memberships $1,460.00 Total Revenue to August 31, 2011 $8,975.54

Expenses: To August 31, 2011
Printing and photocopies $ 333.36
Breakfast Board Meeting July 2, 2011 98.00
Ink Cartridges 70.54
Trip to Waskesiu (4 members) 1,233.66
Bank Travel 15.00 Web site July 24,2011 to Jan.24, 2012 29.43 Total Expenses to August 31, 2011 $1,779.99
Total Assets to August 31, 2011 $7,195.55
Westoba Bank Balance as of July 30, 2011 $2,462.16
Subtract outstanding cheques 1,419.61 Add outstanding membership deposits 1,140.00 Add Westoba Equity 8.00
Add Westoba share 5.00
Add Term Deposit 5,000.00
Bank Reconciliation: $7,195.55
Total members paid to date – 434 (83% of 525 cabin owners)
Respectfully submitted by Joyce Harland, Treasurer of Clear Lake Cabin Association

Motion: I move to accept the Treasurer’s Report as circulated. Moved by Brian McVicar, seconded by Paulie Pow, 31 2nd St. N. Carried.

Committee Reports:
Townsite Security/Neighbourhood Watch: A meeting was held for the cabin owners. four were in attendance. Those owners didn’t feel we needed a walk around at night. Points for all cabin owners to watch out for were stealing firewood, inappropriate behaviour, locking your cabin and vehicles and not letting strangers into the shower building.
Development Review Board: No meetings have been held this summer.
Motion to accept the DRB and townsite reports made by John George, seconded by Ed Didychuik, 35 2nd St. N. Carried
Vegetation: Trees were planted last fall and are doing well. Scott recognized his grandfather for helping him to check the growth of the trees. Three points to consider. We are looking to replace the large stump in the green space with a new tree. The three burr oaks behind the Jamboree Hall are not doing well and may be replaced. The grass around the trees needs to be trimmed.
Pam Lucenkiw, 30 3rd St. N.: What about the care and feeding of a new tree if you ask for one?
Scott: Ultimately, you are responsible for it.
Motion to accept the vegetation report made by Gary Cavanagh, seconded by John Kelly, 4 3rd St. S. Carried.
Marine: Nil report.
Web Site: .com will link into .org now.
Elections: The following slate of officers was presented:
– President: Trevor Winters
– Vice-President: Gary Cavanagh
– Secretary: Gloria Belliveau
– Treasurer: Joyce Harland
Nominations were called for three times from the floor.
The executive officers were declared elected by acclamation.

The following people let their names stand for the Board of Directors: Scott Jordan, Kevin Alguire, Teddi Brown, Nelda Didychuk
Nominations were called for from the floor.
Gail Diller, 10 4th St. N nominated JoAnn Lombaert, 9 5th St. S.
Nominations were called for two times from the floor.
Teddi Brown had allowed her name to stand on the slate provided there were no nominations from the floor. Since one nomination was made, she removed her name from the slate. Therefore no election was held and the board members were declared elected by acclamation.

Community Plan/Comprehensive Review/Board Policies: Trevor reported on the trip that was taken to Waskesiu and a Power Point presentation was given. The CLCA Board Policies will be posted online. Parks Canada will be sending out a survey to all cabin owners re the development of the area. Please fill it out and return it to Parks Canada. Results will probably be posted online. The Health Inspector has passed our washrooms and shower building. Little things have to be done. The washrooms and shower building can be brought up to code for about $60,000.00. The full report will be posted online.
General Business: J. Kelly raised two issues he feels need to be addressed. One is speed limit signs are posted at the North and South entrances to the seasonal cabin area (maximum 20). Some drivers seem to forget that as soon as they turn south on 1st South. It becomes a speedway. (Driving well beyond the maximum 20). What can be done? The second issue is dog owners and visitors need to be reminded that dogs are on leash and pick up the dog poop.
Another issue raised was garbage by the bins on the long weekend because they are full. Also the recycling bins can be overloaded.
Report from Parks Canada (Dale Wallis and Dwight McMillan):
Dale Wallis: Changes have been made to the schedule for next year. One more garbage pickup will be done. To alleviate last year’s problem, more recycling bins have been added to the recycling centre this year. I will look at it again next year.
Dale met with the new MP on Friday and hopefully the Community Plan will be signed this fall. The sewage lagoon is up and running.
Parks position is that we want to respond to cabin owners needs. Thus with the comprehensive review, we are asking the various survey questions. One survey question will include the cook shacks and hydro. Parks Canada is going to a fee review this winter. Dale reviewed the various items in the survey and asked for feedback and any additions.
Bruce Hembroff gave a brief history of what has occurred re building regulations, etc. His opinion is the survey indicates possible solutions. Example re leases: Will the lots be surveyed? What will the release fee be?
Parks response is the questionnaire probably asks more questions than it answers. Please consider your response. What would you like to see in the comprehensive review? What information would you like? Dale is hopeful it will be sent out in the next week or two with a return date of the end of October.
Question: On what basis will the increase of fees be determined by the Park?
Dale: Camping fees are determined in a review. It is approximately 18 months for a new fee to come into effect. An estimate for a lease would be $70.00 a square foot.
Pam Lucenkiw, 30 3rd St. N.: I feel our meetings are rushed. There is so much information to absorb. Would it be possible for the Park to have more meetings to inform us?
Dale: Yes.
Pam: I would like to see more of what the expectations are on us by the Park.
Dale: Parks mandate is negative impact. For example, if we went to larger lot sizes, it would not necessarily mean larger cabins.
A discussion has been held re the Parks developing a few cabin plans that could be purchased by cabin owners.
Ed Didychuk, 35 2nd St. N.: Are there plans to reopen the development at Lake Katherine?
Dale: My understanding is there are some ongoing discussions.
The washrooms and cook shacks are owned by the public and can be used by them. Feel free to redirect people to the campground for a shower use or other places.

Next Meeting: The General Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, July 1, 2012 at the Jamboree Hall.
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn at 12:40 p.m.
Note: There were 68 cabins in attendance and 14 proxies.
Respectfully submitted,
Teddi Brown, Recording Secretary

Note: It has been my pleasure to serve as secretary for the past four years. I have tried my best to accurately record the proceedings of all meetings I attended and wish the new secretary all the best in her endeavours. Thank you to all cabin owners who gave me this opportunity to be a part of the Board.
Teddi Brown

THESE MINUTES HAVE NOT YET BEEN APPROVED BY THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CLCA, AND ARE PLACED HERE FOR YOUR PERUSAL AND IN PREPARATION FOR THE 2012 ANNUAL MEETING WHEN THE MINUTES WILL BE DEALT WITH BY THE MEMBERSHIP.

Posted in Meeting Minutes | Comments Off on CLCA Annual General Meeting – September 4, 2011

CLCA General Meeting – July 3, 2011

CLCA GENERAL MEETING
July 3, 2011
JAMBOREE HALL

Call to Order: 10:05 a.m.

Review of Agenda: Motion to approve the agenda. Moved by Roy White, seconded by John George. Carried.

Introduction of Board Members: Trevor Winters – president, Gary Cavanagh – vice-president, Teddi Brown – secretary, Joyce Harland – treasurer, Gloria Belliveau, Roy White, John George, Joan James, Kevin Alguire, Scott Jordan, Bruce Hembroff

Absent with cause: Brian McVicar

Approval of GM Minutes of July 4, 2010: Motion to accept the minutes as circulated.
Moved by John George, seconded by Scott Jordan.
Carried.

Matters arising from the minutes: The Minister has not signed off on the Community Plan. The road signage at the entrance roads is now in place. The camping fees have been split into two instalments. The website has a new member forum page in place and it is working.

President’s Report: The president’s report will be posted on the website.
Ryan Givoli tendered his resignation and his position will be filled at the next AGM. Don Huismann retired and Dale Wallis is the new townsite manager. Details of the comprehensive review are available on the website. A four person delegation (Bob Fraser, Trevor Winters, John George, Joan James) will be going to Waskesiu with some key items: permit versus lease, infrastructure and marina.
Ron Kadyschuk, 116 1st S.: Thanks to the people who keep things rolling. It is very helpful.
Motion to accept the President’s report. Moved by Kevin Alguire, seconded by Alice Birnie. Carried.

Treasurer’s Report:

Clear Lake Cabin Association Treasurer’s Report as of June 30, 2011

Revenue: As of April 30, 2011 $8,711.75
Total Revenue to June 30, 2011 $8,711.75
Expenses: To June 30, 2011
Canad Inn at Portage for Board Meeting and Dinner $ 332.72
Travel for Board Meeting May 7, 2011 384.00
Flowers for Teddi Brown (Bereavement) 95.49
Printing 10.88
Stamped envelopes for Spring Newsletter 373.12
Total Expenses to June 30, 2011 $1,196.21

Total Assets to June 30, 2011 $7,515.54

Westoba Bank Balance as of May 31, 2011 $2,502.54
Add Westoba Equity 8.00
Add Westoba share 5.00
Add Term Deposit 5,000.00
Bank Reconciliation: $7,515.54

Total Members paid to date – 363 (69% of 525)

The members paid to date has increased by about 15.
Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Moved by Scott Jordan, seconded by Gary Cavanagh. Carried.

Committee Reports:

Vegetation: The trees that were planted in September 2010 appear to have weathered the winter well. Scott is open to suggestions to having a tree planted on any cabin owner’s lot.
Ken Griffiths, 19 5th S: When will the park be able to clean up the downed trees on the green belt?
Scott: The Park cannot give a firm answer. There are pages of trees to be cleaned up.
Motion to accept the vegetation report. Moved by John George, seconded by Kevin Alquire. Carried.

Security: Gloria is working with Sandy Lake to find out how their neighbourhood watch works. She will be asking cabin owners to volunteer to patrol midnight to 5:00 a.m. The program is dependent on the owners cooperation. Motion to accept the security report. Moved by Alice Birnie, seconded by Bruce Hembroff. Carried.

Development Review Board: No new concerns have arisen in the cabin area. There have been some in the cottage/business areas. Motion to accept the development review board report. Moved by Scott Jordan, seconded by Gale Simpson, 24 3rd N. Carried.

Website: To date, not that many people have posted to the forum.
Bill Clark: Could we get an e-mail alert to let us know something new has been posted?
Scott: RSS can be set up which gives automatic notification.
Motion to accept the website report. Moved by Gloria Belliveau, seconded by Gary Cavanagh. Carried.

Newsletter: The cost for the newsletter is approximately $550.00. It is the one sure way to contact all cabin owners. We could do it electronically to save money. However, not everyone has a computer.

Marine: The triathlon practice buoys are in. They are yellow. You can train on this course. The buoys will be left in permanently. There are new signs for the boat cove. New rock pile markers have been asked for as the old ones are faded. If you are parking your boat overnight in the parking lot, please park on the perimeter rather than the middle. This will allow easier day use. The Park has been asked for a sign.

Trevor Winters: Last year you talked about insurance. Do you have any more information?
John: It depends on your carrier.
Pam Lucenkiw, 30 3rd St.N: Are there any more boats that would appear on the lake with an enhanced marina?
John: That is conjecture and would be hard to say. It would hopefully eliminate congestion.
Pam Lucenkiw: It is just for the cabin owners?
John: No. It is for anyone in the park.
Pam Lucenkiw: Is it user paid?
John: Yes. We can have security.
Bruce Hembroff: Is there any timeline?
John: No timeline.
Bruce Hembroff: Is there any plan?
John: No. The board has developed a policy.
Rob Gerry, 34 4th St. N.: Are there any plans to improve the ramps?
John: The prevailing winds and wave action is causing the problem. We can clean them. It is another reason why we need a marina.
Question: It seems the cove road is deteriorating at the north entrance.
Dale Wallis: The road is not included in the townsite map. If a marina is ever going to get built, it will have to be done with private funds. A private entrepreneur could come forward with a plan to present to the Park.
Motion to accept the marine report. Moved by Bruce Hembroff, seconded by Gary Cavanagh. Carried.

Parks Canada, Dale Wallis: The constraints for the Park are we don’t have the funding and need to live with what we have, to do the projects. My understanding is the Community Plan will be signed in August. We will then be headed into a comprehensive review. I will provide good quality information and advice and have all the information that Waskesiu had.
Bruce Hembroff; Are there any plans to keep the North Shore launch open?
Dale: We want to maintain status quo and try to maintain all the current launches.
Alice Birnie, 36 2nd St. N.: Are there any plans to fix up Jamboree Hall?
Dale: I have sent a note to the maintenance department to paint it. Hopefully they will get to it this year. (Dale thinks that it is the Park’s responsibility to pay for it.)
Question: Is the weather cam on the administration building accessible?
Dale: The issue appears to be getting our signal out beyond the Park. There is some concern about opening outside the Park without a fire wall.
Kevin Alguire: What is happening with the east end?
Dale: There are plans but no funding.
Bruce Hembroff: Has there been any impact with the Harper majority government?
Dale: Usually there are projects available if stimulus funding is available. Parks Canada has had a no new job policy for the past three years. There is a tightening of the purse strings. We have not seen any new hits. Some of the carry over projects have been shut down.
Question: Are there any plans to reopen the road to the wishing well?
Dale: We have looked at options and are trying to find a way to get it reopened. A project engineer is looking at it. There is some concern about liability.
Question: re the trees down in the green space.
Dale: The plan is to clean up all the tress over the course of the summer. The budget was $40,000 overspent last summer and is already overspent this summer. According to Park regulations, no cabin owner can cut down vegetation without permission. For
example, cut down trees, etc. to make a parking spot.
Pam Lucenkiw: Does a yellow plastic thing tied around a tree mean anything?
Dale: You can check to see if there is a permit on it.
M. Chudobiak, 4 2nd St. N.: The sewer drain has been plugged for five or six years and floods continually.
Trevor Winters: So noted.
Dale Wallis: There were signed agreements in April for sewer and water with the neighbouring community. It will be turned on sometime this fall and they will be paying for this service. For the cabin owners this year our cost is $308.00. The hope is in the next few years this will go down. The new lagoon is open and operating. The standards are quite high.
Trevor Winters: An old picnic table needs to be disposed of. Is there any way Parks Canada can come through to pick up heavy items?
Dale: We can organize that easily enough. The townsite does it now three times a year (Deadwood Wednesdays)

New Business: The Board has developed an operational procedural bylaw. It is available on the website. An amendment to the constitution has been added and is available on the website. The new policies will be reported on at the fall meeting.

Motion to adjourn: Made by Roy White at 11:40 a.m. Carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Teddi Brown, Recording Secretary

Cabins in attendance 55

THESE MINUTES HAVE NOT YET BEEN APPROVED BY THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CLCA, AND ARE PLACED HERE FOR YOUR PERUSAL AND IN PREPARATION FOR THE 2012 GENERAL MEETING WHEN THE MINUTES WILL BE DEALT WITH BY THE MEMBERSHIP.

Posted in Meeting Minutes | Comments Off on CLCA General Meeting – July 3, 2011

CLCA Board of Director’s Meeting – July 2, 2011

CLCA Board of Directors Meeting
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Wigwam Restaurant, Wasagaming

Present: Gary Cavanagh, Teddi Brown, Gloria Belliveau, John George, Joan James, Scott Jordan, Roy White, Joyce Harland

Absent with cause: Trevor Winters, Brian McVicar, Bruce Hembroff, Kevin Alquire

Call to order: 9:20 a.m.

Review of agenda: Motion: I move that the agenda be accepted. Moved by Roy White, seconded by Gloria Belliveau. Carried.

Approval of May 7 minutes: For the May 7 minutes, on page four under Dale Wallis’s budget report, remove “Repayment could possibly be up to 42 years.” On page two, item eight, remove “in spite of Parks employees resistance to this change. Parks employees reasons for resistance was not known or recorded.” On page three, under the Marine report add “cleanup” to Great Canadian Shoreline. On page three, under the website report, remove “The minutes are posted in the forum section under minute section.” On page three, under item seven, remove “Noted that Teddi Brown minutes not available yet.”
Motion: I move that the minutes of the May 7 Executive meeting be approved as amended. Moved by John George, seconded by Gloria Belliveau. Carried.

Treasurer’s Report: As of June 30, the balance in our account is $ 7515.54. Joyce received 8 – 10 additional membership fees after sending out a reminder notice with the spring newsletter. Motion: I move that my report be approved as information. Moved by Joyce Harland, seconded by Joan James. Carried.

Committee Reports:
Vegetation: The trees that were planted in the fall seem to have survived the winter.
Security: Gloria will contact the people in Sandy Lake. The neighbourhood watch program will only succeed in our area with the cooperation of the cabin owners.
Development Review Board: Most of the activity has been to do with the cottage owners.
Marine: Will be ready for the general meeting on Sunday.
Website: Joyce received an e-mail asking if we are interested in purchasing the .com site. Apparently we could get involved in a bidding war if we show an interest. Motion: I move that in consultation with a delegated board member, Cam Heming be given direction to negotiate the purchase of the www.clearlakecabinassociation.com site. Moved by Scott Jordan, seconded by John George. Carried.

Policy Meeting of February 12: From the minutes of the policy meeting on page two, add the word tree to “We recommend one down, one back.”
Motion: I move that the four revised policies formulated at the February 12 policy meeting for presentation to the general membership, superintendent and WTA be accepted. Moved by Scott Jordan, seconded by Joan James. Carried.

Membership Meeting for July 3: Joyce, Joan and Gary will man the registration desks. One desk will be for cabin owners who have paid their membership fees and one will be for cabin owners who need to pay their fees. Joan will check into a sound system. Joyce has the voting cards. Scott and Roy will count votes and a volunteer from the audience will be asked to act as a scrutineer. Everything will be set up for 9:30.

New Business: A board delegation is going to Waskesiu on July 22 to 23. The delegates are Bob Fraser, John George, Joan James and Trevor Winters. A list of questions has been generated. Should any concern arise and need to be added to these questions, a delegate should be contacted.
For the July 3 agenda, number nine should state policy meetings of the Board.

Next Meeting: At the call of the chair.

Motion to adjourn at 10:45 a.m. Made by Gloria Belliveau. Carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Teddi Brown
Recording Secretary

Posted in Meeting Minutes | Comments Off on CLCA Board of Director’s Meeting – July 2, 2011

Clear Lake Cabin Association Board Procedural (Operational) By-Law (Amended January 8, 2011)

Clear Lake Cabin Association Board
Board Procedural (Operational) By-Law
January 8, 2011

General Regulations Re: Meetings

1. Each and every member of the board has equal rights
2. The Chairman should call the meeting to order precisely at the hour for which the meeting is called, providing a quorum is present
3. A quorum is a majority of the whole board, and no business can be legally transacted without a quorum being present.
4. If there is no quorum when the meeting is supposed to begin, those board members present, operating as a committee, may wish to proceed with the business of the meeting. When a quorum is present, the legally constituted meeting would then be asked to approve the decisions made by the committee.
5. The first person recognized by the chairman as desiring to speak has the right to the floor
6. No board member shall be interrupted while speaking, unless he/she is out of order, or on point of privilege, or for clarification (as defined in Bourinot’s Rule Of Order).
7. When any matter is before the Board, the consideration of same cannot be interrupted except on a motion: to table; to postpone; to refer; or to amend.
8. During a presentation by a delegation, board members should not express opinions but should only ask questions for clarification. The board should discuss the presentation during the normal course of the meeting.
9. Every board member, prior to his/her speaking, shall address the chair.
10. Any board member who feels aggrieved by a decision of the chair has the right to appeal by motion which is duly moved and seconded.
11. A question, once decided by the board shall not be reversed unless:
a) Written notice of a proposal to reverse the decision has been given from at least one meeting to another; and
b) A majority of the total number of board members votes in favour of the reversal.
12. Exceptions to rules within the jurisdiction of the board can be made by unanimous consent of the entire board.

The Agenda 

13. The agenda should be prepared by the Chair. Items should only be added to the agenda after the meeting has started and by a motion approved by a majority of the whole board.
14. The agenda is an official document
15. The agenda and any official background information and reports should be in the hands of board members (via e-mail) at least two days before the meeting.
16. Members of the board should be able to place items of business on the agenda by writing (e-mailing) the chair and outlining in the request the business to be discussed.

Duties of the Chairman

17. At all meetings of the board the chairman shall:
a) Maintain the order and proper conduct and decorum of the meeting; and
b) Decide questions of order, subject to an appeal to the rest of the board.
18. The chairman shall preside at the meetings of the board and may vote with the other members on all questions. Any question on which there is an equality of votes shall be deemed to be negative.
19. If the chairman wishes to speak on a motion, he/she should vacate his/her seat as a chairman and ask the vice-chairman to take over. The chairman should speak just prior to the last speaker who will be the mover of the motion. The mover of the motion has the right to close the debate.
20. The chairman may speak to points of order in preference to other members, and shall decide questions of order, subject to an appeal to the board by any two members duly moved and seconded.

Motions

21. To begin a motion, “I move that” is the correct phrase
22. A motion must be seconded, and then repeated distinctly by the chairman or read aloud before it is debated, and every motion shall be reduced to writing if the chairman or any board member requires it.
23. Any board member who shall have made a motion shall have liberty to withdraw it, with the consent of his/her second, before any debate has taken place thereon, but not after debate is had, without leave being granted by a majority of the board.
24. An amendment may be moved on any motion, and shall be decided upon before the original motion; but no more than one amendment to an amendment shall be entertained. An amendment can only modify the motion, not change the intent of the motion.
25. A motion for adjournment shall always be in order and shall be decided without debate, except that it cannot be entertained when the board is voting on another question or while a board member is addressing the board.
26. A motion for postponement takes precedence over a motion for referral, and a motion for referral takes precedence over a motion to amend or vote on the original subject
27. A motion is: postponed – to a specific date, and automatically appears on the agenda at that time; referred  to a committee; tabled indefinitely. A tabled motion can only be removed from the table by motion and a majority vote of the board
28. A tabled motion disappears after two (2) successive meetings.

Votings

29. No question once decided shall be reversed without notice from at least one meeting to another and without a majority of the whole board voting in favour of the reversal.
30. Board members should be required to vote on every question unless excused by the chairman for some particular reason. One reason acceptable to the chairman for absentia could be a conflict of interest. If a board member abstains from voting without permission of the chair, his/her abstention should be considered as a negative vote, and that a board members name be recorded in the minutes.
31. If any board member considers himself/herself grieved by the decision of the chair, it shall be his/her privilege to appeal to the board, and the vote on such appeals shall be taken without debate except his/her reasons for appealing and the chairman may explain his/her reasons for the ruling.
32. Preceding the vote any two board member may require the recording of the yeas and nayes on any question.
33. Preceding the vote any board member can request that his/her vote be recorded in the minutes.
34. During debate on a motion, members of the board may call for the question, and unless the majority of the board decides otherwise, the chairman shall call the vote.
35. Immediately before putting the question, the mover shall have the privilege of summarizing the debate, but shall not introduce new matters.

Committees

36. The board chairman is an ex officio member of all committees. He/She may attend all meetings and contribute to the debate, but should not have the right to vote.
37. The number of members on any committee should be less than a quorum of the board.
38. After every committee meeting, the committee shall submit a report to the board of its investigations and findings together with its recommendations, if any.

Bourinot’s Rules of Order

39. Where these rules to not apply, we refer to Bourinot’s Rules of Order and the rules and procedures of parliamentary procedure as stated therein, in accordance with the association by-laws.
40. Bourinot defines Order as follows (p.15)
a) Behaviour in a meeting which permits members to conduct its business without disruption
b) An admonition (call to order) by the Speaker or chair to stop any disruption by a participant or participants.
c) An issue (point of order) raised by a participant at a meeting claiming that the procedures of the meeting or of an individual participant are contrary to procedural rules or practises.

Page 28 further states “It is the right and duty of every member to bring to the speaker’s attention any deviation or departure from the rules of ordinary procedure of the House during a debate, and any such point of order must be clearly and succinctly stated”

Page 56 states “In formal assemblies the word “order” has more than one meaning. The chair calls the meeting to order to quiet the participants and get their attention focused on the business of the meeting. The by-laws or regulations of organizations set out an order of procedure. Order also means decorum and plain good behaviour. It is the chair’s duty to see that order in all these senses is observed and preserved.

Any member can at any time rise on a point of order, interrupting a speaker if necessary, to point out a breach of the rules. The speaker should sit down while the point is cleared. The chair must then rule whether a breach of order has occurred.”

Page 56 further states “It is the duty of the chair to be ready and able at all times to maintain order , that is, to ensure the meeting proceeds and that deliberations remain calm. If there is a disturbance, the chair must courteously call for order and, if needed adsmonish the offenders. If order cannot be restored this simply, the chair can recess the meeting for a brief period or, in the event of a serious disturbance, adjourn the meeting to another day.”

Pages 102 and 103 defines a point of order related to non-parliamentary procedure or procedure not related to the order of the meeting. It states that /a member who is speaking to a motion on the floor may be challenged on a point of order if” the member is not addressing the question under consideration; he/she is talking about another subject”. The chair rules on the point of order, and the rule of that chair can be appealed by the meeting on a motion duly moved and seconded. This is a non-debatable motion.

Riding Mountain
National Park
parkscanada.gc.ca
Parc national du
Mont-Riding
parcscanada.gc.ca
Onanole & Wasagaming Wildfire Protection Program
As part of its ongoing fire management program, the Riding Mountain National Park fire crew
is preparing to implement a prescribed burn on the east side of Highway #10 near Onanole
and Wasagaming this spring. The areas being considered for burning are the Compound
Prairie, Pudge Lake and Arrowhead.
One benefit of the prescribed burn is to reduce the risk of wildfire burning into the Wasagaming
and Onanole communities by reducing the amount of spruce forest adjacent to Highway #10
and converting it to grasslands. Many of these areas of dense white spruce forest were
planted between 1930s and 1960s. Restoring the area to its natural state will also provide an
ecological benefit to wildlife and improve biodiversity.
Prescribed fire is not risk free, however, with highly trained Parks Canada fire staff and
controlled conditions, the risk is far less than the risk of wildfire. Public safety and health are
of critical importance during prescribed burns and measures are always taken to ensure the
neighbouring landowners and communities are safe and that the impact of smoke is reduced.
Public Meeting
Topic: Onanole & Wasagaming Wildfire Protection Program
Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Time: 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Place: RM of Park Council Chambers, in Onanole
If you would like to know more,
please attend in person or by teleconference:
The meeting is open to the public.
If you are unable to attend, you can still join in by teleconference. Simply dial
1-866-805-7923 and enter the access code 717174 to join the conference call.
There is no charge for you to participate in this way.
For more information about RMNP’s Fire Program, please contact:
Stephen Cornelsen
Resource Management Public Safety Specialist
204 848 7270
stephen.cornelsen@pc.gc.ca

Posted in Articles of Interest, Other Reports | Comments Off on Clear Lake Cabin Association Board Procedural (Operational) By-Law (Amended January 8, 2011)

CLCA Annual General Meeting – September 5, 2010

CLCA ANNUAL GENERAL METING
SEPTEMBER 5, 2010

PARK THEATRE
www.clearlakecabinassociation.org

Call to Order: 10:05 a.m.

Introduction of Board Members: Bruce Hembroff ¡V past president, Trevor Winters ¡V president, Gary Cavanagh ¡V vice-president, Teddi Brown ¡V secretary, Joyce Harland ¡V treasurer, Gloria Belliveau, John George, Joan James, Scott Jordan, Brian McVicar, Kevin Alquire (regrets), Roy White (regrets), Ryan Givoli (absent)

Approval of Agenda: Elections will be moved from item 11 to item 8 on the agenda.
Motion to accept the agenda as amended.
Moved by Brian McVicar, seconded by Sandy Kluka , 75 3rd St. S.
Carried.

Approval of Sept. 6, 2009 AGM minutes: Motion to accept the minutes as circulated. Moved by Gloria Belliveau, seconded by Scott Jordan.
Carried.

Business arising from the minutes: Our web site has been invaded by porn spam. The administrator is looking for a new site and hopefully it will be up and running soon. The community plan has not yet been signed. The moratorium is not in effect at this time. The street signs are coming into effect this fall.
President Trevor stepped down from the chair and Vice-President Gary assumed it. He reported the attendance of the meeting.
In attendance: 92
Proxies: 25

President’s Report: The President’s report is printed on line. Motion: To accept the President’s report as circulated. Moved by Trevor Winters. Seconded by Sandy Kluka, 75 3rd St. S. Carried.
Vice-President Gary returned the chair to President Trevor.
Treasurer’s Report:

CLEAR LAKE CABIN ASSOCIATION – Treasurer¡¦s Report as of September 5, 2010
Revenue: As of May 31, 2010 $ 5,574.73
Income from Memberships 5,920.00
Total Revenue to September 1, 2010 $11,494.73
Expenses to September 1, 2010
Printing, stamps, receipt books, copies $ 60.72
Website service 07/24/2010 to 01/24/2011 25.46
Board Meeting and refreshments July 3, 2010 74.75
Travel for Board Meeting May 1, 2010 130.00
Sympathy card for Bruce Hembroff 2.57
525 window stickers 542.08
Policy Setting Meeting and refreshments July 24/10 120.02
Policy Setting Meeting and refreshments Aug. 21/10 40.75
Total Expenses to September 1, 2010 $ 996.35
Total Assets to September 1, 2010 $10,498.38
Westoba Bank Balance as of July 31, 2010 $ 6,499.06
Subtract outstanding cheques 105.18
Add outstanding deposits 4,091.50
Add Westoba Equity 8.00
Add Westoba Share 5.00
Bank Reconciliation $10,498.38
Respectfully submitted by: Joyce Harland, Treasurer
Motion: To accept the Treasurer’s Report as circulated. Moved by Joyce Harland, seconded by Russ Newton, 11 3rd St. N. Carried.

Web Site Report: The website is going well, people are slowly sending in their email addresses to be put on the Clear Lake Cabin Association mailing list.
We had a problem with the online forum a couple of weeks ago. I started noticing a few spams and I deleted them as they came in but then one day 150 or more came in all at once and we had to disable the site. We are looking into finding a more secure forum so just keep watching for it.
Someone had asked me at the last meeting if they could be notified by email when we put up any news letters or articles of interest. I now have instructions on the website on how to subscribe to what is called an RSS Feed. If you go to the website and subscribe to this, updated content from the website can be delivered to your email automatically at no cost. This information on how to do this is on the website under News & Announcements.
Respectfully submitted by: Joyce Harland, Web Administrator
Question: Can you pay for a secure site? We seem to have a healthy bank balance.
Joyce: Probably.
Trevor: As a board, we will resolve this situation.
Joyce explained how to go to the web to enrol and get updated content of the web delivered to your e-mail.
Motion: To accept the web site report. Moved by Joyce Harland, seconded by Alice Birnie, 36 2nd St. N. Carried.

Elections: The following slate of officers was presented:
�X President: Trevor Winters
�X Vice-President: Gary Cavanagh
�X Secretary: Teddi Brown
�X Treasurer: Joyce Harland
Nominations were called for three times from the floor.
The executive officers were declared elected by acclamation.

The following people let their names stand for the Board of Directors: Gloria Belliveau, Roy White, John George, Joan James and Brian McVicar.
Nominations were called for three times from the floor.
The board members were declared elected by acclamation.

Committee Reports:

DRB: No meeting was scheduled in the summer.

Townsite Security/ Neighbourhood Watch: Gloria apologized for the RCMP cancelling the neighbourhood watch meeting on July 26. She has met with the park wardens. She intends to meet with the gentleman at Sandy Lake who is presently running a good program. In regards to the dog issue where a person was bitten by a dog off leash, the matter is handed over to the park wardens. Motion: To accept the DRB and Townsite security reports. Moved by Gloria Belliveau, seconded by Bruce Hembroff. Carried.
Ena Leskiw 52, 4th St. S.: Can signs be placed on the wood storage to indicate that the wood is our and should not be taken? We pay for it.
Gloria: Report the license number of the person to the Park office or to me and I will report it.
Motion: That signage be placed on all the wood shelters indicating that the wood belongs to the cabin owners and is not to be taken. Moved by Ena Leskiw, seconded by Kathy Metelski, 13 4th St. S. Carried.
Question: People have phoned the numbers on the washrooms re security and received no answer. What should we do?
Gloria: As a last resort, call me and I will try to handle it. In July, I suggested to Paladin that they walk from the playground to the boat cove re security and they have.
Suggestion: Put emergency numbers on the signage for the wood shacks.
Jeff Sim, 12 4th St. N.: If we have a washroom issue on the long weekend (re toilet backup), who do we call?
Don Huisman: Jasper dispatch has the list of who to call for the right job.

Vegetation: Gary Cavanagh, with the help of Joan James and Kevin Alquire, wrote a draft document for a vegetation management plan proposal. Twenty trees will be planted on September 29. Motion: To accept the vegetation report. Moved by Scott Jordan, seconded by Gary Cavanagh. Carried.
Ena Leskiw: What are you doing about carpenter ants?
Scott: To destroy them?
Don: Come to the Park. Tell them what you want to use and where. With carpenter ants, our trees are getting older. Present your chemical to Wybo. Our concern is what it is doing to the environment and people or children in the area.
Question: What is the turnaround time?
Don: It depends on the research needed.
Ena Leskiw: Should the Park not be doing this?
Don: Carpenter ants are a natural part of the ecosystem.

Marine: No report. John questioned the members as to who had had items stolen from the boat storage area. Question: Why are power boaters not being checked and fishermen are?
Don: The Park wardens deal with person resources. Drinking and dangerous driving is the RCMP. The wardens do not have the authority to stop power boaters. It is not their mandate. Motion: To accept the marine information. Moved by John George, seconded by Brian McVicar. Carried.
Question: What are we to do about people pulling tubes with children on them into the no wake zone?
John: This was discussed at the lake group. Hopefully signage will be posted to make people aware of procedure.
Jeff: Do the RCMP have a boat on the water?
John: I have not seen them out there this year.
Motion: That the President write a letter to the Superintendent of the Park requesting the Park look at increasing enforcement of the water safety regulations. This letter should be cc’d to the RCMP as well. Moved by Bruce Hembroff, seconded by John George. Carried.

President Trevor stepped down from the chair and Vice-President Gary assumed it.

Community Plan: At the policy meeting held in July, the directors broke into three groups to review areas re boat storage, water and sewer and footprint of future cabins. Trevor reviewed the policies formulated at the meeting. Some points discussed were survey, property assessment and release fees. What does this cost if we were to move to leases? How do we supply wood and maintain the cook shacks? What about liability? If we stay status quo, what are the options for long term permits? This is asking for information from the Park that we can post on our web site. For example, in cabins that are 16 by 24, can they have the same square footage with a second floor. Is it possible to raise the height to 17 feet? We do not want a row look and are looking to find ways to offer choices.
Brad Bullock: Would boat storage be part of our fee?
Gary: Initially I feel it would be a separate fee.
John: We need a marina. It is the only legitimate answer to our problem.
A. Cass, 46 4th St. S.:A while ago, we felt that we could not afford sewer and water, why do we feel we can now?
Trevor: To build a bathroom, Parks Canada recovers the cost from us. We are not advocating one side or the other, we are just getting information from Parks Canada.
Comment: Concrete costs to upgrade the bathrooms. Why can’t they just be renovated?
Trevor: If the Health inspector tells us to build to standard, what is it? The flip side is what is the cost of sewer lines?
Comment: Do you want to take a step ahead of the Community Plan? Are you hoping that by providing information to us, we are to pressure the federal government to sign it? Maybe we should be pressuring Parks Canada. We should phone our federal representative to get things going.
Trevor: You, as members, need to know what the Board is doing. This is policy developed by the Board.
Comment: I have sympathy for both sides. My concern is we may be moving too fast. If we all wrote letters to our MPs, we might get things moving.
Jeff Sim: I feel we are on the right track with the policies. Discussions will be held once the Community Plan is signed. I compliment the Board in being proactive.
Question: Who is the Minister who is signing the plan? Can we get his number in order to write or call him?
Trevor: Jim Prentice. I will put it on the web site for the members.
Suggestion: Write a sample letter on the web site.
Trevor agreed to do this.
Comment: Call your MP or his aide. Send an e-mail. Tell him what the situation is.
Motion: That a sample letter be put on the web site urging members to phone, e-mail or write a letter to their MP to sign off on the Community Plan. Moved by Carolyn Hunter, 107 3rd St., seconded by Jeff Sim. Carried.

Vice-President Gary returned the chair to President Trevor.

General Business: Motion: Any duly elected member of the Board of Directors who is absent from three consecutive meetings without cause, may by motion, as passed by a majority of Directors present at a duly called meeting, be removed from the Board of Directors. Moved by John George, seconded by Gary Cavanagh.
Question: Is the wording “may” be or “shall” be.
John: May be. Anyone can be away.
Question: If they miss three meetings with a legitimate reason and the Board can make the decision, would they be removed?
John: No. The Board requires a commitment. Other boards have a similar bylaw. We want people to be accountable to the association.
Question: We have duly elected the members to the Board. My concern is the member might be ousted if he misses three meetings due to illness.
Gary: We have three categories for attendance. We record attendance, regrets due to illness, family matters, etc and absence without cause or without informing the Board of the absence.
Jeff Sim: I am in support of the motion. How are you proposing to replace a director?
Trevor: As per the constitution at the next AGM. (Article III- 1d)
A vote was held and the motion was carried.

Parks Canada:

Community Plan – This is the Parks Canada version. The process was started in 2005 when we asked the boss. In 2006-7, it was discussed what could be changed. In 2008, we went to the people about their issues. Nothing definitive came from the people so we went to a comprehensive review. The Policy review is a great idea. I (Don) can not engage in conversations until the Plan is signed.
The Marina issue is a community discussion. I (Don) do not have permission from my boss to answer questions.

Maintenance- The wet Spring resulted in crews having to do catch up work and they will be working later into the fall.
Typically there are 60 development plans in a year. This year only 20 have applied.

Sewage lagoons – This is the second year on the project and we are almost complete. We are having some problems with computer programming. We are capturing all the sewage being generated by the community.

Recycling – The station has had a lot of debris this summer. We haul to Erickson to bale. It then goes to Brandon to a broker. They have had a backlog. We have looked at ordering more bins.

Web site – The camera on Wasagaming has had issues. We hope to resolve them over the winter and link to our web site. Parks Canada jobs are posted on our web site for the summer as well as full time.

Spruce Bud Worm – There are 21 traps around the Park to trap the moths. At this time, we have 25% of what we had last year.
Citizen Science programs are for people interested in helping the Park. For example, retrieval of elk collars.

There are 75 applications from across Canada for Don’s position when he retires. The new town site manager will be here in November. The crossover will be until the end of December.
John: What happened to the bench at the end of the main pier?
Don: It is the end of the contract for the Marina. With a new contract, we will be looking at having them provide furniture.

Next Meeting: Sunday, July 3, 2011 at the Jamboree Hall

Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn made by Brad Collette, 70 4th St. S. at 12:30 p.m.
Carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Teddi Brown

The above minutes are for informational purposes only and still need to be accepted at the AGM 2011.

Posted in Meeting Minutes | Comments Off on CLCA Annual General Meeting – September 5, 2010

CLCA Board of Director’s Meeting – September 4, 2010

CLCA Board of Directors Meeting
Saturday, September 4, 2010

Wigwam Restaurant
www.clearlakecabinassociation.org

Present: Trevor Winters, Gary Cavanagh, Teddi Brown, Gloria Belliveau, John George, Joan James, Scott Jordan, Joyce Harland, Bruce Hembroff, Brian McVicar
Phone: Kevin Alquire
Regrets: Roy White
Absent: Ryan Givioli
Call to order: 8:45 a.m.

Motion: To accept the minutes of the July 3, 2010 meeting as circulated. Moved by Brian McVicar, seconded by Kevin Alguire. Carried.
Motion: To accept the minutes of the August 21, 2010 meeting as circulated. Moved by Gloria Belliveau, seconded by John George. Carried.

Business Arising from the Minutes: Trevor spoke with Ryan re his intentions. Roy has indicated his decision to run in the upcoming election.

Presentation of Board Policies to AGM: The paper with the three board policies was distributed. The board members will support the President in his presentation at the AGM. Brian suggests that a business approach be used in order to run an orderly meeting. Information from the membership will be taken under advisement for future discussion on possible policy revision.

Status of the 2007 Community Plan: not signed off

Issues with web site: Joyce spoke with Cam. Our current member forum will not be coming back due to spam content. Cam is looking for a better, more secure forum. An RSS Feed is now on the website. Members can go to news and announcements to subscribe and have updated content delivered to their email automatically at no cost.
.com web site: Bruce indicated that he requires a reason to hand over the site.
Motion: Either by yourself or with the assistance of Scott, that Bruce hand over the website by December 4, 2010 or reimburse the Board the cost of the website. Moved by Brian McVicar, seconded by John George.

Point of Order: Bruce indicated that you can only make a motion over something that you have control of. Brian has no control over whether Bruce has to comply.
Trevor ruled against the Point of Order.
Discussion followed as to reasons why the .com needs to be moved back to the Board.
Gary: How do we know what Bruce needs to reimburse the association?
Joyce: The books indicate $400.00 for printing and the website.
Brian: Let’s look at the printing costs and Bruce could reimburse the association the difference between the $400.00 and the average cost of printing.
During the next three months, the Board will try to get an accurate monetary account. Discussion was halted. Trevor and Joyce will go to Cam who will go to the provider to see if we can get the cost of the site.
The vote was called.
In Favour: 7
Opposed: 0
Abstentions: 4
Carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Joyce presented her financial statement as of September 1, 2010. (A detailed statement will be included with the AGM minutes.)
Joan wondered about changing the account to the Royal Bank for future treasurers. Joyce presently goes to Brandon to deposit funds. Westoba has grandfathered a no service fee for our account.
Bruce suggested asking about a courier service.
John suggested sending an email to Wayne McLeod to inquire about inter-branch or inter-credit union deposits or transactions.

Committee Reports:
Vegetation: Twenty trees will be planted on September 29. Meet at the Jamboree Hall at 9:00.
Policing: A large white dog in the cabin area held onto a woman who then needed tetanus shots. A month later, the mark is still there. The dog was on a leash. The owner was informed that the dog needed a soft muzzle. The dog has since been seen without a muzzle. As security, Gloria has reported this to the warden.
Marine: No report.

AGM Procedures:
– Board members should arrive at 9:30 a.m.
– The agenda for September 5 was reviewed. In regards to the notice of motion re Board attendance, minutes will reflect regrets with a cause or without a cause for attendance purposes. John’s purpose with his motion is to reflect on whether you have time to attend Board meetings should you put forth your name to run. Elections will be moved to #8 after the Treasurer’s Report.
– Attendance will be announced. Proxies will be included in the announcement. Joyce will record who is carrying a proxy.
– Joan and Scott volunteered to count votes during the meeting.
– For the vote count during the election, it will be done on the stage. Scott can scrutinize. If Ryan gives notice, it will open a Board position for one year. Once the Executive is voted upon, the new Treasurer and the new Vice-President will scrutinize.

New Business: A member is wondering about an improvement to the canoe/kayak launch area. It was pointed out that this is Park property.
Motion: That the President write a letter to Parks Canada forwarding the email from the Howells. Moved by Joyce Harland, seconded by Joan James. Carried.
The gate at the shower building has been left open for most of this summer. There has been a concern expressed that children while playing are running out from the garbage can into vehicles.
Motion: That the Park be asked to keep the gate at the shower building locked at all times for safety reasons. Moved by John George, seconded by Kevin Alguire. Carried.
Brian: For the sake of clarification, do we want to ask the Park to renumber the cabins re the two blocks north of the green belt?
John suggested that on the access roads, we put streets and numbers of cabins.

Adjournment: Motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 a.m. was made by Brian McVicar.

Respectfully submitted,
Teddi Brown

Posted in Meeting Minutes | Comments Off on CLCA Board of Director’s Meeting – September 4, 2010

CLCA Board of Director’s Meeting – August 21, 2010

CLCA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Onanole Seniors Drop In Centre, Onanole
www.clearlakecabinassociation.org

Present: Trevor Winters, Gary Cavanagh, Teddi Brown, Gloria Belliveau, John George, Joan James, Scott Jordan, Roy White, Joyce Harland

Absent: Ryan Givioli, Kevin Alquire, Bruce Hembroff, Brian McVicar

Call to order: 8:40 a.m.

Motion: To defer adopting the minutes of the July 3, 2010 executive meeting to the September 4, 2010 meeting.
Moved by Gary Cavanagh, seconded by John George.
Carried.

The paper regarding the three top priority issues in the cabin area was distributed and discussed.

Motion: To accept the boat storage statement as amended as board policy.
Moved by Roy White, seconded by Joyce Harland.
Carried.

Motion: To accept the water and sewer statements as board policy.
Moved by John George, seconded by Scott Jordan.
Carried.

Motion: To accept the footprint of future cabins statements as board policy.
Moved by Gloria Belliveau, seconded by Scott Jordan.
Carried.

The delegation that will be appointed to take these policies to the Superintendent will be deferred until after the election of the new board members on September 5, 2010.

A copy of the three new board policies will be printed by the secretary to be distributed at the AGM on September 5, 2010.

The following board members will let their names stand for re-election. Joan James, John George, Gloria Belliveau and Brian McVicar.
Roy White indicated his decision to not run in the upcoming election. He also indicated that he will continue to support the Board in whatever area needed.
Trevor will approach Ryan Givioli as to his intent for next year.
At this time, there is one vacancy for a board of directors position.

Motion: To adjourn the meeting.
Made by Roy White.
Carried.

Meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.

Respectfully submitted, Teddi Brown

Posted in Meeting Minutes | Comments Off on CLCA Board of Director’s Meeting – August 21, 2010

CLCA General Meeting – July 4, 2010

CLCA General Meeting Minutes
July 4, 2010
JAMBOREE HALL
www.clearlakecabinassociation.org

Call to Order: 10:15 a.m.

Review of Agenda

Introduction of Board Members: Trevor Winters – president, Gary Cavanagh – vice-president, Teddi Brown – secretary, Joyce Harland – treasurer, Gloria Belliveau, Roy White, John George, Joan James, Kevin Alguire, Scott Jordan, Bruce Hembroff

Absent: Ryan Givioli, Brian McVicar

Trevor commented on the informational paper Bruce posted on the washroom bulletin boards. He indicated that it was a document of opinion and asked that members refer to their minutes on the website.
McLeod, 19 3rd St.S: A major issue should be indicated on the agenda under new business and should not poison a meeting initially.
Trevor indicated that the opinion piece has to be addressed.
Judy Mueller,78 2nd St.S: It is her first meeting and she feels the two men need to keep their personal opinions to themselves so no adversary is indicated.

Approval of GM Minutes of July 5, 2009: Motion to accept the minutes as circulated.
Moved by Jeff Sim, seconded by Bob Woroschuk.
Carried.

Business Arising From Minutes:The President has not sent a letter to Parks Canada regarding the members’ views on the building moratorium since the Community Plan has not yet been signed.
Bruce Hembroff: The moratorium was introduced to eliminate any non-conforming building. Some members might have concerns that their building might not be conforming in the future after the Comprehensive Review.
Motion: I move that the President of the CLCA write a letter to the Park Superintendent requesting that all applicants for building permits be advised that a 32 foot by 16 foot cabin could be a non-conforming building.
Moved by Bruce Hembroff, seconded by Wayne Clayton.

Curtis: Don’t all permits now conform? If by chance something in the future changes, what happens?

Don Huismann: Everything changes over time. When you do a renovation or replacement, you must conform with the standard of the day.

Kathy Metelski, 13 4th St.S: I remember people having to remove four feet from their cabin so I would support the motion.

Don Huismann: You have the same rights as a hotel room.

Ena Leskiw, 52 4th St.S: What happened to the motion from 2008 – to send a letter to the steering committee?

Trevor: No steering committee has been formed yet. There are different components of the Comprehensive Review and we will need to set up sub-committees. The October 2009 minutes indicate the makeup of the committee.

Scott Johnston, 3 5th St. N: He spoke against the motion. We have adopted status quo. If the Park honours the permit holders there is no problem.

Friesen, 23 1st St.S: Indicated a confusion between Kathy’s and Don’s statements.

Don Huismann: In 1977-1978 the Park stopped hauling out cabins. There was a lot of chopping and moving done. That is part of the history. Could we go back? The Community Plan of 2000 tried to deal with that. At a review there is a lot of polarized opinion in the cabin area. There is not enough time for everyone to have their say so the community plan initiated a comprehensive review. The comprehensive review committee will initially figure out how the community works. In regards to the moratorium, we are back to normal building (2 or 3 permits). We will honour what is in the campground now.

Ena Leskiw, 52 4th St.S.: You are allowing variances on the building code that is interfering with the rights of people beside them.

Don Huismann: The DRB was formed to handle the issues.

At this time the motion was reread.
In favour: 29
Opposed: 38
Defeated.

A letter to the Superintendent regarding the lack of maintenance in the boat cove has been written and is posted on the website.

The cook shack meetings were offered in the summer of 2009. No one took the Board up on the offer. As we enter the comprehensive review, we will likely revise and implement some form of these meetings again.

President’s Report: The report is posted on the website.

Trevor: Is the newsletter useful or is it too much information?

Jeff Sim, 12 4th St.N: It was one of the best we’ve had. Keep it up. People can always discard what they don’t want to read.

Gale Simpson, 24 3rd St.N: Move to put the President’s Report on file. Seconded by Pam Lucenkiw, 30 3rd St.N
Carried.

Treasurer’s Report:
Current balance as of May 31, 2010 is $ 5,574.73.
Motion: To accept the Treasurer’s report as presented.
Moved by Joyce Harland, seconded by Gloria Belliveau
Carried.

Question: Can we save money and have it sent to us on the e-mail?
Joyce: I will talk about it in the website report.

Committee Reports:

Vegetation: The White Spruce trees were planted around 1933-34. We are losing many of them now. In the bare areas, we are working in conjunction with the Park biologist and stakes have been placed for new trees. Three species are being planted, Burr Oak, Green Ash and White Birch. In coming years we will look at shrubs and personal cabin space.
Ena Leskiw, 52 4th St.S: What should we do about carpenter ants?
Scott: I’ve noticed them on stumps and think maybe grinding the stumps down.

Question: Is there any restriction on trees on your lot now?

Scott: As long as it is indigenous to the Park and within your lot line.

Jason, 50 4th St.S: Is the green space going to be reforested?

Scott: Probably on the comprehensive review.

September 29 is tree planting day and there is a need for volunteers. The Park resources are available in September.

Motion: That the vegetation report be placed on filed.
Moved by Gale Simspon, seconded by Kevin Alquire.
Carried

Policing: The security meeting will be held in 10 days. We have a contract with Palladin Security. In order to have more security, we would need to pay more on our permits. We are going to try to work out some form of neighbourhood watch.

Development Review Board: Over the winter, we have looked at items of aesthetics by electronic means. Some were from the North Shore, some cottages, some businesses and one cabin.

Marine: John George suggested that cabin owners check their insurance policies for their boats. Is your boat insured when off your property? We are paying for our property in the campground.
Question: What about the Park green space?
John: Check your insurance policy. See what the specifics are. Let me know if you are not covered. There are a lot of people who want a marina.
Suggestion: Perhaps post something on the washroom bulletin boards so that more cabin owners who own boats are aware.

Website: The website is running smoothly. In addition to our own information the board sends out, we have some new articles of interest being sent to us. Cate Watrous, the Communication’s Officer Resource Conservation for the park contacted Joyce and asked if she could send some articles for our website. She is currently looking after communications and public relations for the Clear Lake Project and the Lake Group. Also Wybo Vanderschuit, the Park Biologist has sent an article about the Spruce Budworm. Roger Schroeder, External Relations Manager for the Park sent in an article regarding the public meetings called Community Conversations which have been held in April and May in the rural areas and will be held in Wasagaming sometime in August. Shelley Neustater, Human Resource Assistant for the Park sent documents to post inviting students to apply to work for Parks Canada for the 2010 season. If you have anything that you think would be of interest to our members please send them to info@clearlakecabinassociation.org

To date there have been 40 people sign up on the website mailing list and Joyce would really like to up that number considerably so in the future we could start sending out the newsletter via e-mail rather than paying to send it through regular mail. It costs about $500.00 to make copies and for the postage so this could be eliminated by sending them by email.
Remember the website is www.clearlakecabinassociation.org
Jeff Sim, 12 4th St.N: Is there any way to notify people when a new article has been posted? Can the system automatically send out a notice to our e-mails?

Speed Watch: The cottage owners have procured a radar device to track your speed. It is an informational program. Volunteers will not be recording license numbers though they can if necessary. Parks Canada vehicles will have their licenses recorded as per their request. The boat cove road is earmarked for our area. The RCMP are supporting the program fully. A data sheet of noted speeds will be available.

Motion: That the committee reports be placed on file. Moved by Bruce Hembroff, seconded by NIta Friesen.
Carried.

Parks Canada: Don reassured the meeting that the Park has never cancelled a permit.
A camera is on the administration building pointing down Wasagaming and will be linked to the website. A second camera will be posted on the flagpole at the pier.
At the request of the executive, North and South signs will be posted on the access roads. Billing will be done in two instalments – permit on April 1 and utilities on July 1
Something is happening every weekend at the Park this summer with Doc Walker and Sierra Noble performing on August 21.
The sewage lagoon will be in operation shortly. On July 24, there will be an Open House at the lagoon.
The endowment fund from the Heritage stones has $1000.00 available for community events. You can apply through the Friends office on Columbine.

Pam Lucenkiw, 30 3rd St.N: Has there been any discussion around garbage along the shore?

Don: The project right now is the base line data for scientific indicators. Social issues are next in line.

Question: Is there any date for a disaster management plan here?

Don: The Park does not have a disaster plan. They have a plan where people who work for Parks are trained for various aspests.ie. a person goes missing. It is coming but not yet.

Question: There is talk of off loading some administration to the RM of Park. Where does that stand?

Don: People pay rent in the Park. We are looking for some way as to how services are run and shared. Is there some way to change the administration? There is a model out there that would work. Consultation would be done before any changes were made. Parks is willing to go there.

New Business: Questions have come to the Board about Waskesiu so Trevor contacted them. The information was put into the newsletter.

Bruce Hembroff, 53 5th St.S: Can building guidelines for Waskesiu be put on our website?

Trevor: Yes. We have $15 000 this year for extra repairs from our permit fees. The thought is to take this money and have Parks match it, then look at a comparative analysis of providing water and sewer.

Jeff Sim, 12 4th St.N: Part of the package is that we need a lease to have water and sewer and this will cost us more than a permit.

Question: Do we have any review about existing washrooms and their conditions?

Don: Nothing substantial.

Bruce Hembroff, 53 5th St.S: Are we talking about an Engineering study?

Friesen, 23 1st St.S: If we ever did have sewer and water, how will it look? For example in the rainy season would we have mud and trenches?

Trevor: We need an engineer or professional to answer that.

Question: Are we doing any work on the shower or bathrooms?

Trevor: Yes. Decisions were made at the May 1 executive meeting and listed in the minutes.

Brenda Loll, 13 5th St.S: The new sinks in our bathroom are great.

Norm, 12 2nd St.N: Everyone here be concerned about the referral to a hotel room. We should be thinking about a lease.

Wayne Layton: We knew what we bought into. Yes, times change but we knew what we bought.

Friesen, 23 1st St.S: A comment in regards to the cottage lease. At the end of the 45 years, it is stated in the lease that the property is returned to its original state. I don’t want to go there.

Ena Leskiw, 52 4th St.S: In the 1970’s we were going to be forced out. Georgina went to Ottawa to fight for low income people. The bigger cabins are going to force older people out who can’t afford it.

Mike Shwetz,73 4th St.S: A lot of people don’t understand the history. We have a lot of debate now because these people fought for us to be here.

Joan Lepp, 12 2nd St.N: Some of this is going with the times. Bikes are stolen off decks. There has been a murder. There is vomit in the sinks. We need to look at our health and safety. We do need to think into our future.

Motion: I move that Bruce Hembroff’s letter to the Clear Lake Association entitled I think you should know be added to the minutes and be posted on the website.
Moved by Bruce Hembroff, seconded by Al Cass.

Wayne Layton: We are not discussing the motion.

Glen Rogers, 62 1st St.S: I don’t know what we are voting on. I don’t know the contents of the letter.

Rob Gerry, 34 4th St.N: As far as the content of the website, I believe some of it is a person’s opinion. Is there information that has to be passed to be posted?

Jeff Sim, 12 4th St.N: The website is a great tool. If we digress to posting our own opinions, it could be a dangerous precedent. It could be slanderous.

Gord, 107 3rd St.S: I strongly disagree. I would love to read anyone’s opinion on the website. We should be able to hear the pros and cons of both sides.

Pam Lucenkiw, 30 3rd St.N: I suggest that the motion be split in half. One vote to attach the letter to the minutes and one vote to attach the letter to the website. Jeff Sim seconded that idea.

John George, 4 4th St.S: Can we amend our website to post a form?

Scott Jordan, 4 2nd St.S: There is a forum to post on the website.

Bruce Hembroff, 53 5th St.S: I thought that I could not post on the website.

Scott Jordan, 4 2nd St.S: Anyone can post on the members forum.

Motion: That Bruce Hembroff’s letter to the Clear Lake Association entitled I think you should know be added to the minutes.
Moved by Bruce Hembroff, seconded by Al Cass.
In favour: 23
Opposed: 27
Defeated.
Motion: That Bruce Hembroff’s letter to the Clear Lake Association entitled I think you should know be posted on the website.
Bruce will withdraw this motion.

Next Meeting: The AGM will be held Sunday, September 5, 2010. The location will likely be the Theatre.

Motion: To adjourn the meeting.
Moved by Bruce Hembroff.
Carried.

The meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Teddi Brown

The above minutes are for informational purposes only and will be approved by the membership at the General Meeting on July 3, 2011.

Posted in Meeting Minutes | Comments Off on CLCA General Meeting – July 4, 2010

CLCA Board of Director’s Meeting – July 3, 2010

CLCA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Saturday, July 3, 2010
154 Columbine, Wasagaming
www.clearlakecabinassociation.org

Present: Trevor Winters, Gary Cavanagh, Teddi Brown, Gloria Belliveau, John George, Joan James, Scott Jordan, Roy White, Kevin Alquire, Joyce Harland, Bruce Hembroff, Brian McVicar

Absent: Ryan Givioli

Guest: Don Huisman

Call to order: 9:35 a.m.

Review of agenda: Add Speed Watch Program under committee reports

Approval of May 1 minutes: Motion: To accept the minutes as circulated. Moved by Roy White, seconded by John George.
Carried.

Business arising from the minutes: The bench is still pending. In regards to the cottage appraisals, lakefront property rent has jumped to $5000 – $6000 due to the lot value. The signage on the dumpsters needs to include leaves. John checked some buoys on Friday evening and they seem to be off.

Treasurer’s Report: As of May 31, 2010 the balance in our account is $5 964.25.
Motion: That the Treasurer’s report be accepted as read. Moved by Joyce Harland, seconded by Brian McVicar.
Carried.

Motion: That the budget for 2010 – 2012 be accepted as presented. Moved by Roy White, seconded by Brian McVicar.
Carried.

Motion: That the membership fee for 2010 – 2011 be set at $20.00. Moved by Roy White, seconded by Brian McVicar.
Carried.

Policy Meeting: Roy led a discussion on the necessity to have established policies for the cabin area so that board members do not go to any meeting without direction from the membership. Policies he felt that we needed included the kitchens, bathhouses, toilets, vegetation, boat storage, building in the cabin area, policing and alcohol. The Board needs to meet to divide into groups and work on these policies. Then they need to invite the Superintendent to an executive meeting to discuss them. He feels we should also be going to our MP and inviting him for his opinion.
Trevor, Gary: Would like to see a policy on roads
Bruce: Brought forth the point that Board members would have to be prepared to put in quite a bit of time preparing prior to a policy meeting.
John: Felt that Roy’s list was a good start.
Roy: Felt that the policies should be presented at a GM.
Roy’s list was then priorized. Marina – including boat storage, kitchens, bathrooms/toilets, vegetation, buildings in the cabin area, policing, alcohol, roads.
A meeting date for the first policy meeting was set for July 24 at 8:30.

Motion calling for resolution to the name clearlakecabinassociation.com: Bruce will look into giving the CLCA the .com address. If any members ask why the address is still in his name, they can approach Bruce. He will make the change when it is convenient for him.
Bruce has not responded to the Board’s request to make the change for approximately one year and has no plausible reason for the delay. He was asked by the Board for a date to make the change and refused to give one.

Committee Reports:

Vegetation: Scott reported that stakes have been put up with the tree species. He is working with the Park biologist. It is his first initiative so has made it 20 trees to achieve his goal. The Park will provide the trees (Burr Oak, Green Ash and White Birch) and equipment. The planting is scheduled for Sept. 29.
A concern was expressed about the corners re boats, cabins being moved and trees being damaged.

Policing: No meeting has been held as yet. Our area can have more security if we are willing to have our lease rates go up. Perhaps we can establish a neighbourhood watch.

Development Review Board: Reviews concerning esthetics are dealt with electronically. Variances are done in a face-to-face meeting.

Marina: John reported he will check the wake zones again with a GPS. If we express the opinion that a Marina is required for our area, the Park will need a good explanation as to why they should spend the money.

Website: The website is running smoothly. In addition to our own information the board sends out, we have some new articles of interest being sent to us. Cate Watrous, the Communication’s Officer Resource Conservation for the park contacted Joyce and asked if she could send some articles for our website. She is currently looking after communications and public relations for the Clear Lake Project and the Lake Group. Also Wybo Vanderschuit, the Park Biologist has sent an article about the Spruce Budworm. Roger Schroeder, External Relations Manager for the Park sent in an article regarding the public meetings called Community Conversations which have been held in April and May in the rural areas and will be held in Wasagaming sometime in August. Shelley Neustater, Human Resource Assistant for the Park sent documents to post inviting students to apply to work for Parks Canada for the 2010 season. If you have anything that you think would be of interest to our members please send them to Joyce at info@clearlakecabinassociation.org

To date there have been 40 people sign up on the website mailing list and Joyce would really like to up that number considerably so in the future we could start sending out the newsletter via email rather than paying to send it through regular mail. It costs about $500.00 to make copies and for the postage so this could be eliminated by sending them by email.

Speed Watch: Gary has been trained for this program. Most of the use will be in the cottage area but we will be looking at Boat Cove Road in the cabin area. A sign takes a radar reading of your speed. The police will be involved. This is an information program and the hope is that people will reduce their speed. If there are significant numbers of people that are violators then tickets may result.

Motion: To accept the committee reports as given. Moved by John George, seconded by Gloria Belliveau.
Carried.

Membership Meeting on July 4: Trevor is requesting that board members be at Jamboree Hall at 9:00 to set up for registrations.

Parks Canada: The Community Plan is on the Minister’s desk. The previous one stays in effect until there is an amendment. Chapters 4 and 5 is what has been reviewed and the environmental status also has to be updated.
Scott: Is it worth the Board writing a letter to the minister requesting the plan be signed?
John: Should a letter be written to the MP?
Don: The danger is that a deeper look might be made into the Community Plan. It is not unusual to take this amount of time to sign.

The entrance on the golf course road will be moved on and will cost $85 000.
There will be a free street concert on August 21with Doc Walker and Sierra Noble.
Land rent is still a big issue with the cottage owners and businesses. Roy suggested that we put this as another issue on our agenda re taxes being increased and driving businesses out of the Park.
Elkhorn will be going with us on the sewage so our bill will probably remain the same next year.
The RM of Park will sign an agreement with the Park for water so that portion of our bill will probably drop next year.

New Business: Trevor would like to put information regarding the cost of a new bathroom on our website. Don indicated that the Health officer would be coming around in August. In regards to Waskesiu, Don indicated that we need to be careful in comparing ourselves with them. In the end, Parks Canada needs to know “what’s in it for us”. Liability is a key issue. Waskesiu rid themselves of the cook shacks which is opposite to what we want.
Trevor: What would it cost to hook up to the sewer system there now?
Don: The sewer system would now be a low pressure system instead of a gravity system.
Trevor: Do you have any money to match us for an Engineering Study?
Don: Probably this year but not next year.
Roy: Doing an engineering report would be a waste of time. All kinds of factors affect the decision of a cabin owner. Money is not the total issue. We don’t know when the comprehensive review is coming.
The Park will look at the infrastructures at this time.

Next Meeting: The next executive meeting will be September 4 at 9:30 with the location to be announced. The AGM meeting will be September 5, hopefully at the theatre. Trevor will speak with the Gowers.

Adjournment: Motion: To adjourn the meeting. Made by Scott Jordan. Carried.

Meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Teddi Brown

Posted in Meeting Minutes | Comments Off on CLCA Board of Director’s Meeting – July 3, 2010

Spring 2010 Newsletter

All of us are happy to see the end of winter and the start of summer and another camping season at the lake. This newsletter will up-date everyone on activities since the 2009 annual general meeting. To start, here are your current board members:

President:
Trevor Winters
Residence: (204)253-5449
e-mail: mistey@mts.net
Cabin: 23 – 2nd Street North
Phone: 848-2769

Vice President:
Gary Cavanaugh
Residence: (204) 727-7888
e-mail: wgryc@mts.net
Cabin: 26 – 5th Street South

Secretary:
Teddi Brown
Residence: (204) 339-7996
e-mail: tbrown@retsd.mb.ca
Cabin: 49 – 5th Street South
Phone: 848-7417

Treasurer:
Joyce Harland
Residence: (204)250-7965
e-mail:
joyceharland@gmail.com
Cabin: 18 – 2nd Street South

Past President:
Bruce Hembroff
Residence: (204) 832-4809
e-mail: bhembroff@shaw.ca
Cabin: 53 – 5th Street South

Directors at Large
Gloria Belliveau
Residence: (204) 831-5574
Cell (204) 218-2952
e-mail: g_belliveau@live.com
Cabin: 21 – 3rd Street North
Phone: (204) 848-2952

Brian McVicar
Residence: (204) 727-4777
e-mail: mcvicar@wcgwave.ca
Cabin: 4 – 5th Street North

Roy White
Residence: (204) 261-0353
e-mail: whiteroy@mts.net
Cabin: 4 – 5th Street South

John George
Residence: (204) 726-4096
e-mail: jageorge@mts.net
Cabin: 4 – 4th Street South

Joan James
Residence: (204) 476-2570
e-mail: ejames567@mts.net
Cabin: 14 – 2nd Street North

Kevin Alguire
Residence: (403) 245-9623
e-mail: kjalguire@shaw.ca

Scott Jordan
Winnipeg, Mb.
Residence: (204) 222-7542
e-mail: scottjordanclca@gmail.com

Ryan Givoli
Residence (204) 487-3499
e-mail: ryangivoli@shaw.ca

Report on the September 6, 2009 AGM

The meeting was held at the Park theatre with 115 cabin owners represented. While this is a far cry from our 525 cabins, it still represents a good turn-out of members as well as a good cross section of opinions. The biggest issue placed before the membership was the status of the Comprehensive Review and additional background information regarding the origins of the initiative to implement the comprehensive review. As background, at the end of this newsletter, there is a brief summary of the Comprehensive Review proposal arising from the 2008 AGM and following through into the 2009AGM. This is simply repeat information that was available last year.

Comprehensive Review Actions from the 2009 AGM

There was a possibility that the Minister would sign off on the Community Plan in the fall of 2009, or early in 2010. Therefore, in anticipation of that occurring, at the October31, 2009 Board meeting, there was a recommendation put forward to Parks Canada by your Board that the makeup of the Comprehensive Review Committee be as follows:
– 1 person from Parks Canada
– 3 people at large, or the general public
– 6 people from the Clear Lake Cabin Association

Once the Community Plan is signed, the Comprehensive Review Committee can be put in place.

Additional AGM Discussions

Street signs for the Cabin area

Discussions are being held with Parks Canada, but no action has been taken to date.

Development Review Board

On February 19, 2010, the Development Review Board (DRB) passed a motion which significantly changed the terms of reference and the scope of responsibilities of the DRB. Under these new guidelines, responsibilities of the DRB will include:
– DRB will take an active role in the development review process
– The DRB will be assessing the aesthetic and the design structures to determine if they are suitable for RMNP.
– Development Officer will send completed construction applications to DRB members
– Package will contain enough information for each DRB member to make an informed recommendation.
– The DRB will have 2 weeks to respond to the development officer. If they do not respond, then this is considered that there is no objections and the process would then continue.
– If there is an issue, all DRB members would be informed and a vote would be taken. With majority ruling, a recommendation will then be made to the superintendent.
– At this point in time the DRB will be looking at all development projects. There could be modifications to the types of construction as the process is refined.

Originally the DRB was put in place to review applications for Variances (in the existing building guidelines) by anyone in the Park. This allowed a “peer review” and the DRB made their recommendation to the Superintendent. The new DRB will have significantly greater scope of operations and your Board reviewed this new DRB structure and decided to give it some time to see how it will work out.

New Business

2010 Camping Permit and Work Plans:

Total costs for our camping permit for the 2010 season have risen to $758.95 from $712.37 in 2009 and $673.44 in 2008. The actual camping permit remains unchanged at $484.00, but the $117.22 everyone has been charged as our share of debt recovery for the new water treatment plant and the sewage treatment upgrades is of note. This debt recovery item represents the cabin area share of the debt incurred to build the new facilities and is amortized over 20 years. Our charges for debt recovery will not increase in the future as we are at the maximum allowed to be charged by Parks Canada. To provide members with a better understanding of where their money is allocated, and how it is spent, we provide the following break-out of charges.

 

The cabin area consist of 525 cabins, 32 cook shacks and wood shelters, 10 public washrooms, 1 shower building and 3 light standards. The $484.00 camping permit is budgeted, and spent, as follows:

 

TYPE TOTAL PER CABIN
Building maintenance and repairs $36,771.00 $70.00
Cleaning washrooms and shower building $83,277.00 $159.00
Road and street maintenance $6,721.00 $13.00
General Maintenance
– Mow grass in common area $712.00 $1.00
– Clean-up wood sheds, collect ashes and chips $5,446.00 $10.00
– Tree Removal (safety issues) $13,996.00 $27.00
– Firewood delivery $6,492.00 $12.00
– Firewood cutting and stockpiling $11,612.00 $22.00
– Implement vegetation management plan $3,000.00 $6.00
Miscellaneous (security, fire protection etc) $86,073.00 $164.00
TOTAL $254,100.00 $484.00

Within the miscellaneous line item are other costs allocated to the cabin area related to general administration and cost of shared services to maintain the townsite and support infrastructure.

Within our camping permit, 30% of our fees are used for cleaning the bathrooms and the shower building and the total costs of firewood cutting, hauling, stockpiling and clean-up there represents another 10%. These figures do not include costs of building maintenance and repairs which represents another 15% of the fees.

Important note: With our annual camping permit at the level of $758.95, your Board initiated discussions with Parks Canada requesting that we implement another payment option for camping permits to allow cabin owners to pay over two instalments. The one time payment option will also remain in place, but the proposed new second option, which would split the fee into two instalments to be collected over the season, would ease the financial burden on cabin owners. Parks Canada have been very receptive and co-operative to this idea and we hope to have additional details at our spring meeting.

Work Plan for the Cabin area – 2010.

Since breaking out water sewer and garbage charges on separate line items a few years ago, we have a bit of extra money from our camping fees which the board can allocate out to additional work items. In 2010 this amount will be in the range of $15,000 – $17,000. The work plan for the cabin area is created by reviewing what is required by legislation, and a review of the maintenance needs of our facilities. There are 2 streams of information which come together to determine the maintenance needs. First, there is a recommendation / listing from Parks Canada staff and second there are recommendations from the CLCA Board, through the work of the Buildings and Grounds Committee.

ACTION:
Based on health and safety issues, the Board has recommended that the following additional work be completed in 2010.

1. Replace sinks and counters in 1 washroom building
2. Replace one stove and concrete base
3. Replace rotten support posts in 2 cook shacks
4. Repair and replace foundation problems and support posts in one cook shack.
5. Roofing on wood shelter

Construction hours:

The Board has recommended to Parks Canada that construction hours in the summer be extended to 6:00 pm. This is an extension of one hour and means that summer construction hours will be from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm for the period from July 1 to the end of the September long weekend.

Web Site:

We are registered as clearlakecabinassociation.org, and we wish to register ownership of the domain name clearlakecabinassociation.com. as well. Currently this is controlled by a domain name re-seller, and the Board is negotiating with them to re-acquire the name.

The Board has envisioned our web site as a means of communicating information to members on issues important to our area. Relative to the Comprehensive Review, we have been receiving information from Waskesiu (Prince Albert National Park) regarding some of their costs relative to running sewer and water to individual cabins. This is important information for all of us to have and it is contained at the end of this newsletter in a letter from Herve Langlois, a cabin (cottage) owner at Waskesiu. It will also be added to the website.

Cookshack Etiquette:

Due to several complaints of noise and general rowdy behaviour at one or two cookshacks, the Board will be posting general guidelines for cookshack etiquette. These will be common sense guidelines and will re-enforce the rule that quiet time needs to start at 11:00 pm. Parks Canada has agreed to assist us in the implementation of these guidelines.

Board Committees:

Boating and Marine – John George and Brian McVicar as alternate
Building and Grounds – Gary Cavanaugh
Development Review Board – Roy White and Gloria Belliveau
Townsite Security – Gloria Belliveau Joyce Harland
Vegetation Committee – Scott Jordan; alt. Kevin Alguire
Procedural By-law – Roy White and Trevor Winters
Website – Joyce Harland
Newsletter – Joan James and Trevor Winters

It is readily apparent that as a Board, the Clear Lake Cabin Association has never developed any type of policy or direction for those members of our Board who represent us on these various committees. Therefore, the Board is taking appropriate action to develop these statements of direction by conducting a Board retreat in June 2010 to establish policy and direction which will allow our cabin area to be more pro-active and less reactive. The Board tested this concept this past winter with the development of a DRAFT vegetation management plan which is the next item, and it proved to be very useful and successful.

Vegetation Management:

The big pine and fir trees in the cabin area are rapidly reaching the end of their life cycle as witnessed by the number of trees that have had to be removed over the past few years. It is imperative that we work with the vegetation committee to develop a plan to re-forest our area before all of the existing trees are lost. There has been a distinct lack of progress in developing a vegetation plan over the past few years, so your board has taken a pro-active approach. In October, the board struck a 3 member sub-committee with a mandate of developing a draft vegetation management plan to the Board by March 15 2010. This sub-committee with Gary Cavanagh in the chair and Kevin Alguire and Joan James has worked with Scott Jordan as our representative on the vegetation committee and developed a Draft plan which was reviewed by the Board on May 1. The results are that board members will look at the document presented, and let Gary know about any topic we would like to see changed. The objective is that in the long term it will develop into our policy for vegetation. In the short term, we will look at the loss of trees and identify common areas that would not be affected by future building where trees can be replanted starting October 31, 2010.
Motion: To accept the draft vegetation management plan in principal. Carried.
Action: That Scott Jordan work with the Park to determine the logistics of obtaining and planting vegetation. His report to be given at the AGM. has been forwarded to Parks Canada and will be shared with other members of the WTA.

Notice of Dates for the 2010 Spring General Meeting

The spring meeting will be held on Sunday July 4 2010 10:00 am – noon at the Jamboree Hall. Meeting dates for the 2010 AGM will be announced at a later date.

Odds and Ends

The Board would like to remind everyone that the Park does not pick up items such as : old televisions, bar-b-ques, old couches, fridges, carpeting, old lawn chairs, construction refuse, and other large or electronic items. We are expected to take this material to the land fill in Onanole or to the appropriate recycling depot.

Comprehensive Review Explanation and Information

Over the winter of 2009 -2010, there was a concerted effort to gather factual information from Prince Albert National Park (Waskesiu) regarding their experience and costs relative to installing water and sewer in each individual cabin rather than maintain a system of public washrooms. As we are about to undertake a comprehensive review of our area which includes a review of our services as compared to other methods of service delivery, it is important that we deal in facts on all issues and not rumours.
– First is a letter from Waskesiu Cabin/Cottage owner Herve Langlois on the 10 year old Waskesiu experience,
– Second are comparative costs to construct an insulated 8 foot by 6 foot add-on shed to house a bathroom.

Letter from Herve Langlois at Waskesiu

Barry Chapman forwarded your inquiry to me. I do not have any of the documents you referred to but can answer some of your questions.

First, the cost of the project – done in 1998 – was borne fully by the cabin owners. We paid $134 annually for 10 years as a loan repayment to Parks Canada which included principal and interest at a fixed rate. This levy covered the cost to the property line. Additional hookup costs varied with each property depending on length of excavation, topography and whether or not you were friends with the contractor. I don’t know the range but somewhere between $200 and $1000. An important point is that it was to the cabin owners advantage to have this done when the project was done rather than having the contractor come back for a few hookups each year.

Second, it was agreed that cabin owners would have a 10 year window to hook up and install sewer and water on their property. This was strictly enforced and cabin owners were constantly reminded to get this done. In most cases, owners replaced their old cabins with new ones but a significant number had installations done in their older cabins. Bathrooms were permitted in doghouses and cabins were allowed to add 50 sq.ft. to the cabin for bathrooms. The system is not a deep system and is shut down ever fall, to be reopened in the spring. With the benefit of hindsight, you should not scrimp when the system is being designed – it only leads to problems later.

Third, the community washrooms were torn down at the end of the 10 year period. That provided strong encouragement for cabin owners to install services in their cabins.

Fourth, in 2006, cabin permits were converted to 42 year leases. The lots were appraised and cabin owners were given a 25% discount on those appraisals in recognition of the fact they paid for the sewer and water system. Installation of services became a condition of the leases. The conversion to leases contributed to cabin price increases.

Fifth, in 1997 – one year before sewer and water was approved – cabin lots with old cabins on them were selling below $20,000 – as low as $16,000. Over time, those prices rose to about $135,000 to $150,000 for the lots only. That didn’t happen overnight but prices kept increasing year over year and have now likely plateaued. Today, a new cabin, well appointed, sells for just under $400,000, including the lease.

Herve Langlois

Costs of Materials to build an 8 foot by 6 foot attachment

In the fall of 2009, the President of the CLCA, received estimates for supplies to build an 8 foot by 6 foot insulated shed to add house a shower stall, toilet and wash basin. In addition, an estimate was received from Twilite Manufacturing of Neepawa to actually build an 8 X 6 structure. The complete breakdown of these costs will be available on our website and copies will be available at the spring meeting . Results are as follows:

Home Depot Canada $1,473.99
Rona Home and Garden $1,407.04
Twilite Manufacturing $1,316.00

These numbers reflect all taxes, but do not include fixtures, and all figures were obtained in October 2009. Please refer to our website for the details of these estimates.

Background on Comprehensive Review

The Community Plan document which was forwarded to the Minister for signature in 2008 contained the following clause / direction:

“Within one year of plan approval, form a steering committee and develop a terms of reference to initiate a comprehensive development review for the cabin area. The review will be based on a long-term vision that takes into account the above goals and addresses issues such as density, aesthetics, quality of life, and land use. The comprehensive development review could include, but not be limited to:
Building guidelines
Possible re-configuration of lot footprint
Will maintain maximum lot development or reduce from the existing 71.3 square meters.
Vehicle parking
Boat storage
Evaluation of existing infrastructure
Capital funding
Tenure
Tree removal and reforestation
Green space management including possible redistribution of cabins
Security/Safety
Development along the lakeshore”

In addition, the Community Plan also called for the implementation of a building moratorium in the cabin area until such time as the comprehensive review was completed. The members assembled at the 2009 annual meeting requested details on the proposed moratorium; how did the concept of a moratorium get into the community plan without discussion among members, what are the specific details of the moratorium, why did membership as a whole not have an opportunity for discussion on this subject.

Following debate, the following motion was passed by the 2008 annual meeting:

Send a letter to the steering committee asking them to eliminate the moratorium

In anticipation of the Community Plan sign-off, and therefore the formation of the steering committee, the Board passed the following motion on April 18, 2009.

That the CLCA recommend that in terms of the comprehensive development review for the Wasagaming Community Plan, Parks Canada will consult with the CLCA Board.
Unfortunately, The Community Plan, has still not been signed off, therefore the Board is still not able to get the Comprehensive Review process underway.

Posted in Newsletters | Comments Off on Spring 2010 Newsletter

CLCA Board of Director’s Meeting – May 1, 2010

CLCA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Canad Inn, Portage la Prairie

Present: Trevor Winters, Gary Cavanagh, Teddi Brown, Gloria Belliveau, John George, Joan James, Scott Jordan, Roy White

Skype Attendee: Kevin Alquire

Conference Phone: Ryan Givioli

Regrets: Joyce Harland, Bruce Hembroff, Brian McVicar

Guest: Don Huisman

Call to order: 9:25 a.m.

Minutes of October 31, 2009:

Motion: To accept the minutes as circulated. Moved by Gloria Belliveau, seconded by Joan James.
Carried.

Business arising from the minutes:

The park bench the Board was looking at to purchase does not seem to be sturdy enough and also needs to be maintenance free. Trevor will contact Roland Peloquin re a metal bench and Gary or John will check with the City of Brandon re a concrete bench.

Contractor hours for this summer will be 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. starting July 1 and ending September 6 (Labour Day weekend).

Signage for the access roads including the no exit signs needs to be followed up with Don by Trevor.

Trevor will include the information he has collected about Waskesiu water and sewer in the Spring newsletter.

Treasurer’s Report: nil (not in attendance)

Review of WTA Meeting of April 17, 2009:

Re the cottage appraisals: The appraisals are done every 10 years by an independent third party. The cottage owners can choose one of three options, to be appraised every 10 years, every 2 years or the inflation index. Most choose the last option. An example of the increase is some lakefront properties that were assessed at $96 000 in 2000 are now $281 000. Our lots are assessed at $8 000 to 10 000. They are not appraised. To do so we would have to pay a release fee to change from permit to lease. The formula for our rent if we were to change would be appraised land value x 1.5% x 24 weeks = rent + inflation rate (maximum 5% in any year)
The cottage owners have retained the services of Chuck Meighan to see to their interests in the matter of their rent increase.

The doctor is returning. The license for his residence is good until 2014.

Security will have two constables in the Park this summer. Their office hours will be on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As well OBO will be continuing their services.

Johnson Cabins and Cottage Crafts have been sold.

Signs will be placed on the dumpsters re appropriate waste.

The Artist program will continue.

August 21 is Homecoming. Doc Walker will be one group that is performing.
A ten foot hill will be created for the amphitheatre. There will be an open stage constructed from logs.

Don is retiring as of August 13 but will stay on until January.

July 17 is National Parks Day.

Friends of RMNP have purchased 154 Columbine and it will be the location of future meetings.

Review of DRB Role:

A paper with the changes in the development review process for 2010 was distributed and dialogue commenced.

Gloria: The DRB does not want such items as the colour of paint or shingles coming before them. They feel it is stated earth tones. They are concerned with such actions as a six foot bear statue being placed on someone’s property. The Park has not been supervising structures so the DRB feel they need to do more.

Trevor: The cabin, cottage, and commercial areas set building guidelines. The Park should police the building permits. The DRB will be reviewing all permits.

Kevin: Additions such as a six foot bear statue put into a yard will never be seen by the DRB. The Park will have to police.

Roy: Roy has been appointed to the DRB and did not go to the meeting. (Trevor went in his place.) The Superintendent stated in a letter that if the DRB recommended something that did not fit the act, it would not pass. Why should amateurs rule on topics that professionals need to? Why should business rule on cabin or cottage and vice versa? We do not have policies for people on our Board who act on other committees.Roy does not want to rule on his neighbours and stated that he is not qualified to review packages that are sent to the DRB.

John and Scott felt that Roy made a good point re policies. Gloria agreed that all DRB rulings go before the Superintendent.

Trevor wants the changes to be posted on our website.

John suggested that our member on the DRB not be part of this process.

Roy felt that he had no instruction from our Board and acts upon his own ideas. This Board deals with items that are put upon us instead of making policies.

Don: The terms of reference in the Community Plan allow the DRB an expanded role. Presently we are dependent only on the Development Officer. Don wants to have a committee to approve aesthetics. The issue is where do you draw the line. The consequences of an expanded role is a longer approval time. The Park does not want to be the “taste police”. They have no code to follow. They can only go by the technical requirements. Don wants us to be involved before an inappropriate act occurs in order to recommend.

Scott felt that both Don and Roy have valid points.

Joan was under the impression that our current building guidelines were pretty strict. Don replied that they are behind in technology and gave the kinds of shingles that are now available as an example.

Roy can see the Board being involved if it is prior to the fact. He wants us to be proactive and not reactive.

Don stated the DRB wants everything for now in order to narrow it down and formulate policies on the different aspects.

Motion: To recommend that the Chair consider a retreat for the Board to consider development of policies. Moved by Roy White. Seconded by John George. Carried.
The retreat date will be Friday June 25 to Saturday June 26. It will be in Portage la Prairie. Trevor will canvas the Board members prior to the meeting to prioritize areas of policies.

Review of Draft Document from the Vegetation Management Team:

Scott suggested that we look at the document and let Gary know about any topic we would like to see changed. Then in the long term let it develop into our policy for vegetation. In the short term, look at the loss of the trees. Identify common areas that would not be affected by future building where trees can be replanted starting October 31, 2010.

Motion: To accept the draft vegetation management plan in principal. Moved by Scott Jordan. Seconded by Roy White. Carried.

Action: That Scott Jordan work with the Park to determine the logistics of obtaining and planting vegetation. His report to be given at the AGM.

Lake Group Meeting:

John attended and gave a review. A fishing report on tracking was presented. A survey done by Alison Dawson last year was also shared. A tour of the water plant was provided. The water going into the plant surpasses the minimum standard before even being filtered.

Committee Reports:

Policing: nil report

Marine: John GPSd the no wake zone last year so the buoys will be replaced in the same position. The WTA recommends the North Shore be marked which would basically be the whole lake. The Park has not responded to this as yet.

Parks Canada Community Plan: It is sitting at the CEO’s office and Don is hopeful that it will be signed within the month. He anticipates the Comprehensive Review to be scheduled in September. Consultation on all fees could occur this summer.

John: Has there been discussion that fees could be paid in instalments?

Don: No one has ever raised this issue.

Motion: That Don Huisman will investigate the possibility of paying our cabin rental in two payments to be reported at the next meeting. Moved by Roy White. Seconded by John George. Carried.

Garbage fees will be consulted upon. It will be done on a formula and we will see an increase next year.

The camera is up and running on Wasagaming Drive.
Two cameras are scheduled to be installed this summer on the flagpole at the pier – one looking out onto the lake and one facing the beach area.

Garbage Days are gone. The Park is stilling investigating the gas station re underground cleanup and Managaming is restoring its site.

The Superintendent’s house will become a corporate retreat.

The sewage lagoon is close to being finished.

The contaminated site at the golf course has been cleaned up.

New Business:

The GM meeting will be held July 4 at the Jamboree Hall with registrations at 9:30 and a meeting start set for 10:00 a.m.

Next Meeting:

The next executive meeting will be July 3 at 9:00 at the Wigwam. (providing Trevor can make the arrangements with the owner of the Wigwam)

Respectfully submitted,
Teddi Brown

Teddi Brown had to leave at 1:25 p.m. The balance of the minutes taken by Gloria Belliveau.

Review of budget and work plans

Upon review of the work plan distributed by the park, it was moved by John George and seconded by Ryan Givioli that the following items be selected as the most urgent to be completed, using the parameters of health and safety and structural:
a) Remove and install one stove in Kitchen Shelter #28
b) Replace wood shelter roof at #26 Kitchen Shelter
c) Replace sinks and counters in Washroom Building #4
d) Replace rotten support posts and paint same in Kitchen Shelters #7 and #19
e) Install eaves troughing on the east side roof of Kitchen Shelter #7
f) Repair roofing on Wood Shelter #19
Carried

Website

Scott Jordan reported that he did some checking on the Clear Lake Cabin Association.org name and discovered it is now owned by Wild West Domain and could now be sold to someone else. John George moved that Scott Jordan contact Wild West Domain and find out what it would cost us to buy the name back, and to proceed to do so up to a maximum of $100.00. Seconded by Scott Jordan.
Carried

Spring Newsletter

The Board agreed that Trevor Winters should write a draft spring newsletter and e-mail copies to the Board for input.

Visitor Survey

Don Huisman explained that a visitor survey is compiled every 5 years by the Park. The questions used on the survey each time are essentially the same, so that a comparison can easily be made. He reported that , with the exception of the 75th anniversary year when figures were much higher, attendance was much the same each time.

Meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.

Posted in Meeting Minutes | Comments Off on CLCA Board of Director’s Meeting – May 1, 2010

CLCA Board of Directors Meeting – October 31, 2009

CLCA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Canad Inn, Portage la Prairie

Present: Trevor Winters, Gary Cavanagh, Teddi Brown, Gloria Belliveau, John George, Joan James, Brian McVicar, Scott Jordan, Bruce Hembroff, Roy White

Skype Attendees: Joyce Harland, Kevin Alquire

Regrets: Ryan Givioli

Guest: Don Huisman

Call to order: 10:05 a.m.

Minutes of September 5, 2009: Motion: To accept the minutes as circulated. Moved by Gloria Belliveau, seconded by John George.
Carried.

Business arising from the minutes:

Trevor will show Don the picture of the bench along with its specs for the Park to approve. They must approve the design due to liability. We are responsible for the upkeep of the bench once it is installed.

Gary asked Don about three areas of concern in regards to the construction hours, liability, security and roads.
Don’s response was the road is chip sealed. It breaks if too heavy a truck drives on it once the frost comes. Contractors are encouraged to get their materials in prior to the gate closure. They can call and the Park will allow them access depending on the weather.

Gary then asked about the July and August work hours.
Don replied that the Park has no issue with the CLCA changing the hours to 10:00 to 5:00 but would suggest that we have those hours in effect until after the September long weekend.
We have had mixed feedback from the members. Any change can be put on the website, into the Spring newsletter and discussed at the July General Meeting of 2010.
Motion: To extend construction hours to 6:00 p.m. from July 1 to the end of the September long weekend.
Moved by Roy White, seconded by Brian McVicar.
Carried.

Trevor will follow up on signage for the access roads. Don indicated that it would probably be at our cost. North Entrance and South Entrance are the suggested names. The cost of purchasing No Exit signs for the North end will also be investigated.

Cook shack Etiquette: Trevor has had two complaints about behaviour in the cook shacks.

September 6, 2009 AGM minutes will be posted on the website with the disclaimer that they are a draft to be discussed and approved at the next GM.

Treasurer’s Report:

As of October 20, 2009 we have 404 members paid or 77% of our membership. The balance in our account is $7324.88.
Motion: That the Treasurer’s report be accepted as read. Moved by Joyce Harland, seconded by Gary Cavanagh. Carried.

Standing Committee Reports: 

Vegetation:

The vegetation committee has stalled. Don indicated that once the committee completed the Fire Smart Plan, they stopped working. Meetings were cancelled. Parks Canada is committed to reforestation and wants the committee to endorse it.
Roy suggested that we revamp the vegetation committee.
Bruce questioned as to what the structure of the committee was.
Don replied that it is a subcommittee of the WTA and is comprised of 1 cabin, 1 cottage and 1 commercial. We could subdivide out as cabin owners but if we wanted to aceess the available funds we would have to stay as part of the community.
Gary suggested that Pam Lucenkiw stay on the committee as an alternate due to her good work on it.
Kevin proposed setting up a cabin area subcommittee as to what we want to see for reforestation in 15 to 20 years and present it to the WTA.
Motion: To strike a three-member subcommittee with two members needing to be in attendance with Webo. The mandate for this subcommittee is to recommend a vegetation plan to the Board by March 15, 2010.
Moved by Gary Cavanagh, seconded by Kevin Alguire. Carried.
Discussion: Trevor asked for volunteers with the following result.
Motion: That the vegetation subcommittee consist of Gary Cavanagh, Kevin Alguire and Joan James. Moved by Trevor Winters, seconded by John George. Carried.
Motion: That Gary Cavanagh stand as chair of the vegetation subcommittee. Moved by Roy White, seconded by Bruce Hembroff. Carried.

Security:

Gloria spoke to Dave Tovell who is responsible for the OBO. He indicated that he would try to rectify the situation next year in regards to having someone do a walk through the cabin area. There were 11 calls to the OBO this year, 10 for fireworks, 1 for a cook shack party. Gloria related a story of a woman who called Jasper and got the response that there was no one available in Riding Mountain.
Don indicated that keeping the peace is the responsibility of the RCMP. The OBO is a deterrent. They observe and report. Call 911 for emergencies. Next year we will have 4 wardens.
Trevor: Do we need a greater presence of OBO?
Don: Right now our contract is about $92 000.00 of which we pay 30%. One person added to the contract would be $10 000.00 plus possibly a car and housing. OBO ceases to be visible after the September long weekend.
As of this past week, there have been 14 break-ins within the Park and 27 outside the Park. A contractor who offers winter security was broken into. Keys and security pad numbers were taken and used to gain access. The RCMP has two local suspects with arrests being imminent.
Brian: Would closed circuit TVs rather than adding one more person to OBO be a better use of our money?
Don: The Park is experimenting with that. A camera has been installed on the Administration Building (cost $2200.00). They have worked to see what can be clearly identified in photos. The cable cost to hardwire a camera for the cabin area could be very expensive. The RCMP intends to put together a pamphlet on how to secure your cottage. The RCMP has narrowed it down to two people in the murder case. In 76 years there have been four murders, all unsolved.
Gary suggested perhaps we form informal neighbourhood watches.
John said no one seems to want to get involved.
Don replied that the WTA would also be addressing security.

Development Review Board:

The next DRB meeting will be held December 5. It will look at two variances on the North Shore, a review on cottage issues and a review on the cabin comprehensive review.

Grounds:

Gary reported that he had completed his Fall survey to see what needs to be repaired in the cabin area. Spark arrestors and rain caps on the chimneys seem to be a common concern. Most things on our capitol priority list were completed. There appears to be 8 or 9 dampers on stoves that are inoperable.
Don indicated that there is some regulation as to where a damper can be placed but he is not sure what it is.

Marine:

John reported that at the summer meeting he indicated that we need to build a proper Marina that has one access to the lake and facilities that could monitor and control what goes into the lake.
Don said to keep it an issue at the community discussions then the Park will look at it.
John questioned why the parking lot had not yet been cleaned. Don was unaware that it was on the slate to be done.
John said a sign was put up but not until the September long weekend.
Don said that he would follow up.

Motion: That the standing committee reports be accepted as presented. Moved by Bruce Hembroff, seconded by Gloria Belliveau. Carried.

Standing Committee Appointments:

Trevor stated his preference that appointments to the standing committees be board members who are then able to report directly back to the executive the results of their meetings

Motion: That Scott Jordan be appointed to the vegetation committee with Kevin Alguire as an alternate. Moved by Roy White, seconded by Bruce McVicar. Carried.

Motion: That Gloria Belliveau and Joyce Harland be appointed to the security committee. Moved by Gary Cavanagh, seconded by John George. Carried.
Motion: That Gary Cavanagh be appointed to the grounds committee. Moved by Roy White, seconded by Bruce Hembroff. Carried.

Motion: That John George be appointed to the marine committee. Moved by Roy White, seconded by Bruce Hembroff. Carried.

Motion; That Roy White and Gloria Belliveau be appointed to the Development Review Board committee. Moved by Gary Cavanagh, seconded by Joan James. Carried.

Web Site Review:

Bruce has done some work at linking .com to .org. Scott indicted that as of right now it links to upcoming meetings. It should probably link to the home page. He and Bruce will fix this problem.
Don will put open job competitions at the Park on our web site. He will do this in a similar manner to the cottage owners association. He will also link the camera to our web site so we can access it.

Cook Shack Etiquette:

Some general rules need to be put in place. One complaint has been registered with the Park. The cook shacks are public space according to the Park and need to be quiet as of 11:00 p.m.
Joan: Can a letter be sent to the cabin owner in question?
Bruce: I don’t think you can go there.
Brian: I think that a letter from our Board is needed that you are on notice.
Don: The Park operates on inform, warn and charge. If you make the rules of etiquette you are informing the cabin owners. He will send the letter for us.
We will put the rules of etiquette onto the web site, put them in the Spring newsletter and inform members at the GM. What the next level will be is undecided at this time.
Gary will draft the rules of etiquette including those for the bathrooms and showers over the winter and will email them to the Board members.

Adjournment for lunch: 12:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Teddi Brown

Teddi Brown had to leave following lunch. Balance of minutes taken by Brian McVicar

Return from Lunch 13:40 hrs.

Committee Reports

– WTA .

It was agreed that due to time constraints that WTC minutes would be attached to these minutes. Most if not all of items have already been mentioned already.

-The Lake Group

John George. It appears that that there is an increased awareness and understanding of continuing need for all areas surrounding the Park to improve water stewardship especially areas near Elkhorn Resort, Onanole and those adjacent to Octopus Creek (high density area). As well it was noted that there is a need to be aware that there is a high risk of introducing foreign organisms to Clear Lake from other geographic areas from boats thus disturbing the ecological balance and turbidity (clearness) of Clear Lake. There was discussion about the need for a boat wash station so that boats/trailers that were used on other lakes/areas can be cleaned/ bladders flushed out before entering Clear Lake. Until such time that such a station is built, it was suggested that signage be put up to advise such boaters to use the dumping station in big parking lot for this purpose.

– There were two separate accidents involving motorboats and non-powered crafts. Reminder that people in small crafts who do not wear bright gear are not easily seen in the waves and as such are at a higher risk of accidental encounters. One case is still under investigation with possible charges pending.

Grounds Report-

Back Lane Safety Concern.
Scott Jordan proposed need for slight change in back lane driveway which may require removal of a couple of trees. It was agreed that the matter be deferred to the Park for review and support to proceed as needed if deemed necessary.

Comprehensive Committee Review.

As per Don Huisman, it is possible that the Federal Minister may sign off the Plan by mid January 2010. The Park has received 117 applications from the Public at Large interested in sitting on the Review Committee of which 40 are considered not eligible since they are already in areas that will have representation through WTA or others. It was suggested that our Association would need to decide on who will represent the CLCA. He noted that the Review process could be 2 years or more. The suggested composition of the Review Committee would be:
1 Park
3 Members at Large (General Public)
6 CLCA
Motion by Roy White and seconded by Gary Cavanaugh that the Comprehensive Review Committee be comprised of 1 from Park, 3 from At Large and 6 from CLCA.

Trevor asked that members interested in sitting on this committee submit their names to him via e-mail within the next week. Selection to be done in the next couple of months or so.

Information on Waskesiu Water and Sewer installed 10 years ago.

Trevor provided historical information on the matter of introducing water and sewer at Waskesiu. He will provide written reports to attach to minutes for inclusion to our Web site for information to membership.

Summary of information;

– The Board not by way of plebiscite vote made the W & S decision.
-Cost of installation was amortized over 10 years at about $130.00 per site.
-Separate 8 x10 outhouse cost about $1,600
– Annual fees went to $1,400 / year about 2 years ago
– Average value of cabins following W & S is now over $200,000.00 They recommend that Lease Release Fee for Park be agreed upon prior to W&S since it is based on assessed value of property. The Release fee for Waskesiu (10 years ago) was about $3,200.00 per unit.
– The cost from the “Y” hook up on the personal property (w & s service ) was $1,500. per site
– They phased out the washrooms over 10 years and the last washroom was closed last year.
– There are two different size lots at Waskesiu- 30 x 50 and 40 x 50. Don H noted that other than geographic (lot size etc.) differences they are administering the same way as here at RMNP.
Trevor to provide electronic site map as well for minutes and Web site.

– Current cost estimates for Outhouse Shed (8 x 6) provided by Joan and Trevor
Don H noted that it was on record years ago that Park was not opposed to an Outhouse shed option for CLCA area and reminded the Board that its support was for a toilet and sink only and not a shower and hot water tank etc.
The quote for 8 x 6 shed with siding, insulation, basic inside finish, metal roof, basic locking door, stack, no windows. Estimates based on minimum order of 20.
Home Depot $1474.00 (w/taxes) Delivery likely extra
Rona $1407.00 (w/taxes) Delivery likely extra
Colony $1316.00 (w/ taxes) Delivery can be likely arranged
Other costs: electric hot water tank, toilette, shower would be extra and as noted Park support did not include provision of shower in such a shed.

Park Canada- Don Huisman- updates

– Current camping fee was frozen for 2 years and will be increasing by Spring 2011.
– Cabin Sales past 5 years- 2005 -2009 with still some activity to date.
2005 23
2006 16
2007 18
2008 20
2009 30
Total 107 cabins changed hands.
There is one vacant lot coming up for sale at this time by permit holder.

– Operation budget update: 

As of Sept 30 /09 about 68% or $140,800 was spent in the CLCA area with about $61,000 balance for such items as tree cutting, firewood, and outstanding basic washroom repairs, cook shack stoves, etc.
– Don answered questions about query received about why 2 trees were allowed to be removed for what appeared to be to make room for a patio. Don indicated there are only two reasons for removal of trees notwithstanding a Mb. Hydro issue.
-1. Part of approved Cabin development plan.
-2 Request for Hazard test and upon confirmation of a Hazard Inspection, the authorized removal of tree(s).

Member mileage rate set at 30 cents per km for meeting.

Meeting adjourned 15:45 hrs.

B.McVicar

Posted in Meeting Minutes | Comments Off on CLCA Board of Directors Meeting – October 31, 2009

CLCA Annual General Meeting – September 6, 2009

CLCA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 6, 2009
PARK THEATRE

Call to Order: 10:10 a.m.

115 cabin owners represented

Approval of Agenda:
Motion to accept the agenda.
Moved by Lyle Parnell, seconded by Gary Cavanagh.
An amendment was made to the agenda by Bruce Hembroff to delete bullet 3 under item 7.
Carried

Introduction of Board Members: Bruce Hembroff iV past president, Trevor Winters ¡V president, Gary Cavanagh ¡V vice-president, Teddi Brown ¡V secretary, Bob Fraser ¡V treasurer, Gloria Belliveau, Roy White, Pam Lucenkiw (absent), John George, Joan James, Joyce Harland, Brian McVicar

Approval of July 5, 2009 GM minutes: Motion to accept the minutes as circulated. Moved by Roy White, seconded by Lyle Parnell.
Carried.

Business arising from the minutes: Trevor has written and sent the letter to the Park that was requested at the July 6 meeting regarding the boat launch conditions.

No cookshack meetings resulted this summer from the invitation sent by the Board. Bob Fraser did speak with three people in regards to a neighbourhood watch being instituted, the number four washroom and what is legal for decks.

Approval of August. 31, 2008 AGM minutes: Motion to accept the minutes as circulated. Moved by Gloria Belliveau, Seconded by Gary Cavanagh.
Carried.

Business arising from the minutes: The constitution has been updated and posted on the website.

President’s Report: In regards to the work plan for the cabin area, Parks Canada does a review as required by legislation. The Board prepares a list and recommends to Parks Canada. After consultation, a plan is drawn up to satisfy both parties.

There are very few speed limit signs in the back lanes of the cabin area. As the meeting progresses, the membership should think about whether they would like to propose a motion to change this situation.

Looking forward to future years, issues that affect the membership need to be brought forward. We can all agree that we like the cook shacks. However there are very differing views on such issues as the size of cabins and the water/sewer infrastructure.

As information comes from the Park, it will be posted on the website and any member can contact a Board member with questions he/she might have.

In regards to the moratorium, a steering committee will be formed when the Community Plan is signed. One suggestion for the steering committee is to have 6 members that the Executive would select, 3 Canadians at large and 1 Parks representative. Trevor has the letter requested at the August 2008 AGM ready to be sent as soon as the committee is formed.

Motion: To accept the President’s report. Moved by Trevor Winters, seconded by Gary Cavanagh.
Carried.

In the discussion that followed, Ena Leskiw noted that no improvement for the handicap had been done to the docks or the green belt walk as noted in the comprehensive review.

Treasurer’s Report: Bob Fraser presented his financial report. As of September 2, 2009 the association had $8935.74. In the last week, approximately $900.00 in bills has been received and Bob is anticipating $500.00 in the next month. That would leave the association with approximately $7500.00.
Motion: To accept the financial report as circulated. Moved by Bob Fraser, seconded by Brian McVicar.
Carried.

Committee Reports:
Townsite Security: Gloria Belliveau reported that the wardens were able to track down and deal with the young people re the fireworks in early August. She would like to do a walk through with the OBO in spring to show them our areas of concern. The phone numbers needed to report incidences can be located on the website. Incidences do need to be reported so that there is a record with the Park.
Motion: To accept the townsite security report. Moved by Gloria Belliveau, seconded by Ena Leskiw.
Carried.

John George, 4 4th St. S.: indicated that when he had seen the OBO he asked them if they kept records of their patrol. They indicated that they did.

Kathy Mennie, 23 2nd St. S.: indicated that she had seen the OBO in the cabin area two times the previous day, 4:00 and 5:00

Vegetation: No meetings were held this summer.

Marine: John George reported that boats need to be removed by September 20 from the parking lot for the Park to perform maintenance. Please leave the middle of the lot open for day people.
Motion: To accept the marine report. Moved by John George, seconded by Gloria Belliveau.
Carried.

Web Site: Joyce Harland reported that the web site is now up and running. The address is www.clearlakecabinassociation.org. Any questions that you may have, just go to info@clearlakecabinassociation.org and it will go directly to Joyce’s e-mail.
Motion: To accept the web site report. Moved by Joyce Harland, seconded by John George.
Carried.

The question why did we use .org was asked. Joyce responded that when we went to use .com it was already in use and unavailable. Trevor clarified her response by indicating that .com was in Bruce Hembroff¡¦s name who was unavailable at the time so a decision was made to go with .org since it was cheaper. The name will stay with the CLCA and Joyce will maintain the site for the time that she is a Board member.

Ena Leskiw, 52 4th St. S.: Do we know how many cabin owners have computers?
Trevor Winters: No.

Brian McVicar, 4 5th St. N.: The newsletter costs $600.00. By using the Internet we will reduce costs. The members could indicate if they wanted a hard copy of the newsletter.

Development Review Board: No report.

Comprehensive Review: Trevor Winters stated that there is no slant re water by the Board. The membership will get unbiased information. Parks Canada will do nothing in the cabin area until the comprehensive review is completed. The review cannot begin until the Community Plan is signed. Information that is being handed out at today¡¦s meeting is the 2005 report done by the Park on the water infrastructure. Brian McVicar, on his own recognizance, prepared a summary of 2011 costs and this will also be given out for the members to peruse. The letter regarding the wishes of the membership expressed at the 2008 AGM on the moratorium will be forwarded.

Ryan Givoli, 7 5th St. S.: How did the moratorium come to be? Will I be told in the future that I cannot build?
Trevor Winters: Most of us are not sure where the concept came from. It appeared in the Community Plan. The Board had a meeting since the moratorium was to be unlimited in the Community Plan and indicated that we wanted a time limit of 1 year. During the moratorium, cabin size would revert to 16 feet by 24 feet.
Bruce Hembroff: The moratorium went in so that during the comprehensive review illegal or nonconforming cabins could not be built. We live in a densely populated area and the comprehensive review was established to determine where we want the area to end up.
Trevor Winter: Parks Canada consults with a number of committees. The moratorium appeared on the Community Plan and we had to deal with it.
Lyle Parnell, 11 4th St. S.: Will the steering committee recommendations come before the membership?
Trevor Winters: As long as I am President, yes.
Bruce Hembroff: There will be community meetings to express your concerns.

General Business: Scott Johnston, 3 5th St. N. brought forth the following motion, which was seconded by Brian McVicar.
I move that the concept of developing a variance committee be referred to the Clear Lake Cabin Owners Association executive for review and recommendation.

Ena Leskiw, 52 4th St. S.: It does have some merit. Some former variances have had negative effects. The motion needs to indicate that neighbours not have negative effects.
Scott Johnston: The variance committee would take those criteria into consideration. It would go to bat for cabin owners needs.
Morley Barron, 38 4th St. S.: The motion needs to be fine-tuned so that everyone in the neighbourhood would have as say.
Scott Johnston: The motion is general so that the Executive can deliberate. I did not want to impose conditions on them.
Garry Roberts, 83 3rd St. S.: I am worried about dealing with cabin size and getting ahead of ourselves.
Scott Johnston: The variance committee would not make decisions on cabin size. It would be more to do with patios, decks, sheds, etc.
Bruce Hembroff, 53 5th St. S.: It is not necessary as we have a process in place. We start with the Park.
Bob Fraser, 71 3rd St. S.: We have a process in place with the DRB right now.

The vote was called and the motion was defeated.

Elections:

The following slate of officers was presented:
�X President: Trevor Winters
�X Vice-President: Gary Cavanagh
�X Secretary: Teddi Brown
�X Treasurer: Pam Lucenkiw

Nominations were called for from the floor.
Brian McVicar, seconded by Lyle Parnell nominated Joyce Harland as Treasurer. Joyce accepted the nomination.
Bruce indicated that Pam Lucenkiw’s letter indicated her desire to serve wherever the Board might need her so he withdrew her name as Treasurer and the executive officers were declared elected by acclamation.

The following people let their names stand for the Board of Directors: Pam Lucenkiw, Scott Jordan and Kevin Alguire.
Jeff Sim, 12 4th St. N. asked for background information on each of the candidates.
Kevin Alguire has been a cabin owner for four years and is dedicated to preserving the area.
Scott Jordan wants to work on the ongoing improvement in the cabin area. His family has held camping permits since the early 1980¡¦s.
Pam Lucenkiw has been coming to Clear Lake for twenty years. She is employed with the Federal Government. She has sat on the Board of Directors for two years and sat on the Vegetation committee.

Nominations from the floor were requested three times and the above people were elected by acclamation.

Point of Order: Lyle Parnell indicated that he did not make a nomination because the membership was told there were two openings on the Board and not three. He did not want to dilute the vote.

The Chair rules that nominations can be reopened, and informed the meeting that this ruling can be challenged by the meeting.
Al Cass, 46 4th St. S. seconded by Hugh Davis, 21 3rd St. S. challenges the ruling of the Chair. This was defeated.

Lyle Parnell, seconded by Marlene Parnell nominated Ryan Givoli for director. Ryan has worked for the government and now has a legal firm. He deals in mediation.

Motion: That nominations for the three directors positions cease. Moved by Roy White, seconded by Brian McVicar.
Carried.

Parks Canada Report: Dwight McMillan called for questions from the floor. Seeing none, he indicated that he thought the Community Plan would be signed by Sept. 15 but the upcoming election would affect it. Construction hours in the cabin area are 11:00 to 5:00 during July and August. He suggests that the Board put forth a motion to extend that time frame to the Tuesday past the September long weekend. Anything goes if we are not in the months of July or August. Dave Tovell gets daily reports on the OBO. The building guidelines are black and white. Compassionate reasons are taken into account and taken to the DRB for review. Sheds should not be off lot. The Park will investigate if a complaint is made. For a combustible deck, the minimum distance is now three feet from your property line. A grand fathered deck however can remain. If a cabin owner is renovating or moving their cabin, they must comply with the current deck regulations.
Question: In regards to the cabin on First Street South that is close to the cook shack, is it not a fire hazard?
Dwight: The cabin in question is to the back of its lot line. The distance of the chimney to the structure must be ten feet and it is.
Question: What are the long term plans for the green space?
Dwight: It is what we get from the Comprehensive Review. The Park is on the side of green space. The trees are at the end of their life span and the Park is eager to replace them.
Ed James, 14 2nd St. N.: I have a concern about water in the insulation in cabins in the spring. Can something be done?
Dwight: I can request Parks Canada to flush the storm sewers.
Question: Can fire trucks get into the cabin area?
Dwight: It would be tough with the corners.
Gloria Belliveau, 21 3rd St. N.: The Hydro lines going through the trees are dangerous. Who is responsible?
Dwight: Hydro looks after the primary lines and Parks looks after the secondary.
Trevor Winters: I will look into tree trimming with the Hydro lines and who is responsible for paying to have the job done.

Election Results: The following people were elected to serve as members of the Board of Directors: Kevin Alquire, Scott Jordan and Ryan Givoli

Motion: That the ballots be destroyed. Moved by Gary Cavanagh, seconded by Bob Fraser.
Carried.

New Business: Members may e-mail any items they would like to see added to the agenda for the next General Meeting in July 2010.

Motion to adjourn at 12:20 moved by Jim Finlayson.
Carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Teddi Brown

These draft minutes of the 2009 AGM need to be accepted at the 2010 AGM

Posted in Meeting Minutes | Comments Off on CLCA Annual General Meeting – September 6, 2009

CLCA Board of Director’s Meeting – September 5, 2009

CLCA Board of Director’s Meeting Minutes
September 5, 2009

Present: Trevor Winters, Gary Cavanaugh, Bob Fraser, Teddi Brown, Gloria Belliveau, Roy White, Joan James, John George, Bruce Hembroff, Brian McVicar, Joyce Harland

Regrets: Pam Lucenkiw

Call to order: 10:05 a.m.

Approval of Agenda: Add grounds to committee reports.

Motion: To approve the agenda as amended. Moved by Brian McVicar, seconded by Gary Cavanagh.
Carried.

Minutes of July 4, 2009: Motion: To accept the minutes as printed. Moved by Roy White, seconded by Brian McVicar.
Carried.

Business arising from the minutes: In regards to our decision to purchase a bench, Gary questioned whether the Park had to approve the purchase. The answer is yea. Trevor will talk to Don and proceed with the purchase.

In regards to construction hours, Brian indicated that some construction companies have asked if the cabin association would support a longer building season or extended access. This includes the July and August hours of 11:00 to 5:00. Bruce requested that Gary talk to Don about this. The contractors understand about the chip seal and will not go in with a plow. Bob expressed a concern about propane heaters at night and the possibility of fires.

The following motion will be brought forth at the AGM on Sept.6, 2009.
Motion: That the building hours remain 11:00 to 5:00 for July and August and that the construction season be extended by what Parks Canada considers feasible.
Moved by Roy White, seconded by Bruce Hembroff.
Carried.

Trevor will continue to raise the issue to put two signs up for the access roads. Gloria expressed a concern that there are no “no exit” signs posted for First to Fifth Streets North.

Joyce indicated that the address for out website was .org and not .com. The website is a place where Board members can be contacted. Joyce is the designated person on the Board who can make changes to the website.

Treasurer’s Report: Bob presented his financial statement as of September 2, 2009.

Committee Reports: 

Townsite Security: The wardens were aware of the fireworks that were set off in early August and have dealt with the situation.

Development Review Board: Gloria received a letter from the Superintendent and will read it at the AGM on Sept.6, 2009.

Marine: The parking lot has to be cleared at the end of the season (a date will be given) for the Parks to do maintenance.

Website: Billing will be done on a 6-month period. Joyce will pay with her credit card and the Treasurer will reimburse her.
Motion: That the Treasurer pay out $100.00 to Cam Hemming for his final work on the website.
Moved by Gary Cavanagh, seconded by John George.
Carried.

Building and Grounds: New cabin owners are unaware of the etiquette around the cook shacks, bathrooms and showers. Gary will compile a list for the Board to review. This list will then be posted on the website as well as sent out in a newsletter.

Nominations:
Past president Bruce Hembroff
President – Trevor Winters
Vice President – Gary Cavanagh
Secretary – Teddi Brown
Treasurer – Pam Lucenkiw

Gloria Belliveau, Roy White, Brian McVicar, John George, Joyce Harland, Joan James � entering year two

The following person is interested in one of the two positions that need to be filled on the Board. Scott Jordan.

For voting, the membership will use the yellow card they are given at the registration desk.
Scrutinizers for the count from the Board will be Gary Cavanagh, Joan James and Joyce Harland. One volunteer will be asked for from the membership.
For any other issues that need to have a vote, Gloria Belliveau, Bruce Hembroff, Roy White and Brian McVicar will count.

New Business: Roy indicated that since the Superintendent had paid attention to our concerns about the quality of the roads and started repairs we should thank the Park at the AGM.
Motion: That the Board commend the Superintendent on the beginnings of road improvement as suggested at the community meeting.
Moved by Roy White, seconded by Bob Fraser.
Carried.

Bob indicated that he had met with a few people at a cook shack. They were concerned about security issues and wondered about starting a neighbourhood watch.

Bruce asked if the nominees should speak prior to the voting for the directors. The consensus was yes.

Brian McVicar brought forth a 2005 report compiled by the Park in regards to water/wastewater completion for the cabin area. He indicated that he had been unaware of this report and felt that information was being withheld from the general membership. On his own initiative he compiled a summary and 2011 cost estimate.
Motion: That the Board provide the 2005 report re cost estimate for water and wastewater completion to the cabin membership at the AGM and post it on the website along with the summary of a 2011 update provided by Board member, Brian McVicar.
Moved by Brian McVicar, seconded by John George.
Some discussion ensued where Board members indicated a desire to peruse the report. The following motion was made.
Motion: That the Board postpone acting upon Brian’s motion until the next executive meeting.
Moved by Bruce Hembroff, seconded by Gloria Belliveau.
Defeated.
Brian’s motion was then voted upon. Seven were in favour and the motion was carried.

Motion: That the Treasurer pay the Gowlers a $100.00 honorarium for the use of the Theatre for the Sept. 6 meeting.
Moved by Bob Fraser, seconded by John George.
Carried.

Motiion to adjourn by John George at 12:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Teddi Brown

Posted in Meeting Minutes | Comments Off on CLCA Board of Director’s Meeting – September 5, 2009

Boat Cove Letter to Cheryl Penny, RMNP Superintendent – August 5, 2009

August 5, 2009
Wasagaming, MB

Cheryl Penny
Superintendent,
Riding Mountain National Park
Administration Building
Wasagaming Manitoba
R0H 2H0

Dear Cheryl,

The July 5 summer meeting of the Clear Lake Cabin Association, passed the following motion:

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

During periods of strong north or north-west winds wave action on the lake causes all of the boat launches to become covered with a thick cover of coarse sand or fine gravel. The presence of this material makes it very difficult to launch and remove a boat from the lake and in fact there are instances of people who do not have a 4 wheel drive vehicle becoming stuck in this material. Some boaters have resorted to using a shovel to dig down to the concrete pads underneath all of the accumulated sand/gravel, while in other instances, people will actually use their boat motors to provide an extra “push” to get the boat and car moving through debris on the boat launches. This causes a considerable slow down in boat removal as well as a significant safety issue and we would ask that Parks Canada move to rectify the situation as soon as possible

As a short term solution, it has been noted that when the boat launches are cleaned off with the large, heavy duty front end loader, the launches are cleaned off properly, down to the concrete pads. At the very least, the launches need to be cleaned down to the concrete pads on a daily basis during summer months. The long term solution is to re-set and build up the concrete pads which have been installed at each of the launch sites. These have clearly settled over the years and are now susceptible to accumulations of sand/gravel especially with strong north or north-west winds.

Leaving the boat cove and the boat launches in their current condition presents a very poor image of Riding Mountain National Park to our many visitor and boaters. In addition, in the event of a sudden storm blowing up on the lake the launches as they are now, present a significant safety concern as they cause delays in getting boats off the lake as boaters struggle with the heavy sand/gravel accumulations on the launches.

We look forward to your response and action on this issue and thank you for your attention .

Trevor Winters
Clear Lake Cabin Association
23 – 2nd Street North

Posted in Articles of Interest | Comments Off on Boat Cove Letter to Cheryl Penny, RMNP Superintendent – August 5, 2009

CLCA General Meeting – July 5, 2009

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

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