BIRD RIVER COTTAGE OWNERS ASSOCIATION Annual General Meeting September 1, 2013 Executive Members in Attendance: Wally Stewart

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1 BIRD RIVER COTTAGE OWNERS ASSOCIATION Annual General Meeting September 1, 2013 Executive Members in Attendance: Wally Stewart Larry Bellefeuille Carol Guicheret Martin Hafichuk Chad McDaniel Rudy Peters Cathy Stewart Absent: Martin Rakar Greg Milhausen President Recording Secretary Chair Water Quality Web Site Administrator I. Welcome Introduction of Executive & Special Guests Wally Stewart called the meeting to order at approximately 10:05 A.M. with 35 members in attendance. He welcomed everyone and introduced special guests Linda Hapko of Wendigo Realty, Shaun Friesen, Tax Specialist/Partner of BDO Portage la Prairie, and Maureen Smith, Certified Financial Planner from RBC. II. II. Special Guests Presentations The guests gave spoke on their individual areas of expertise and fielded questions from those in attendance: Linda Hapko Shaun Friesen Maureen Smith Real estate market for recreational properties Financial and taxation considerations for property sales/transfers Investment options and accessing equity in your home. Judging from discussion generated among members during and after the presentations, the information was pertinent and well received. Wally thanked the guests and presented each of them with an honorarium as a token for their efforts. President s Report Wally provided a summary of the President s Report which had been distributed among the tables and will be available on the web site along with the minutes. He stated that the general focus of the executive is to: Maintain contact with BRCOA members and, to this end, regularly update contact information on our membership list; Respond to questions and concerns of the membership throughout the year and, where appropriate, discuss with Ward 4 Councillor, Mac Kinghorn, or the Assistant CAO of the RM, Michele Stefaniuk; Attend meetings with Mac Kinghorn to stay abreast of current issues; Maintain the Association s web site. He advised of the following activities in the past year: Monitoring the moratorium on sub-divisions; Page 1

2 Attending TANCO open houses and touring the mine operation. Wally and Rudy discussed with Cabot/Tanco personnel the possible effect of their activities on the ecology of the area; Working with the RM on boat launch upgrades; Obtaining the co-operation of the Province for water quality testing; Communicating with the RM regarding needed revisions to Travel Trailer By-Law 05/11; Planning of a Family Fun Day. Wally introduced the executive and advised that we are always looking for new executive members. We have no constitution and positions are assigned according to individual preferences. III. Treasurer s Report Martin Hafichuk reported that we have $4,580 in our fund and no major costs are expected in the near future. The annual membership fee is $20; however fees have been suspended for paid members since Wally advised that we like to maintain a war chest for potential legal costs regarding significant issues, e.g. sub-divisions. We will be able to waive fees for 2013 but, if at such time there is a need for additional funds, the fee will be reinstated. IV. Business Arising from the 2012 Minutes 1. Boat Launches Larry Bellefeuille advised that the RM has provided a new floating dock at the Tageson launch as well as some concrete. The culvert is being replaced and some road repairs made. The land swap deal with the Crown for a parking area is about two years down the road. At Pioneer, water access has been improved and a removable dock provided. There will probably never be parking available at Pioneer. No Parking signs should be provided for adjacent driveways as well as a No Mooring sign for the dock. Mac Kinghorn said he would refer the matter to the RM. Larry thanked the RM for the improvements provided; they make the launches safer to use. 2. Water Quality Cathy Stewart reported that the 2012 water sampling showed a clean, healthy river system. However, we need to remain diligent in preventing phosphorus from reaching the river as it increases plant and algal growth and negatively affects aquatic plants and animals. There are five things we can do: leave uncut vegetation at the water s edge and plant native species, keep shorelines in their natural state, refrain from using lawn chemicals adjacent to water, use phosphate free shampoo and detergent, and avoid using soaps or shampoo in the river. TANCO will be performing repair work on their mine to alleviate safety concerns. To accomplish this they will be draining part of Bernic Lake and diverting their tailings discharge into wetlands adjacent to the Bird River. The wetlands are expected to act as a filter before the materials reach the River. TANCO may be open to funding a 2014 water sampling program in the Bird to confirm water quality. Cathy will maintain contact with Cabot/TANCO and provide reports via or the web site. The level of fecal coli form bacteria was not checked in Manitoba Conservation is reluctant to support this kind of sampling due to the impact of natural influences, e.g. beaver lodges, nesting geese. Page 2

3 Cathy distributed a self assessment questionnaire for members to use in evaluating their individual impact on water quality. Cathy s complete report and the questionnaire can be viewed on the web site. Mac Kinghorn stated that some factors which will impact on the predicted effects of the dewatering of Bernic Lake are: disturbance of settled solids, rate of flow, time of year. Lines of communication need to remain open. Wally advised that Cathy will maintain contact with Cabot/Tanco and provide reports via or the web site. 3. Family Fun Day In the absence of Stephanie Jeffrey at the meeting, Lynn Robert reported that the Family Fun Day was definitely a success. Stephanie, with the assistance of Lynn Robert, organized the event which took place on Saturday, August 24. The number of attendees was predicted at 100, but 125 turned out to partake in the refreshments, games and socializing. Sponsors included Abel Pest Control, Trapper s, the RM of Alexander, Elite Equipment Service, Manitoba Fitness Council, and Emma s Garden. Lynn thanked the many volunteers who helped make the day possible. It is hoped this will be an annual event. Any ideas or suggestions are welcome. The Fun Day was featured on the front page of The Lac du Bonnet Clipper published the following week. 4. Moratorium on Development The moratorium is still in place; however, any applications approved prior to the moratorium can go forward, as well as development of lots on which owners have not yet built, e.g. Ledin subdivision. No new subdivisions will be permitted. 5. Trailer By-Law Carol Guicheret reported on events over the past few years with regard to communications with the RM and revision of Travel Trailer By-Law 05/11. In August of 2012, the BRCOA wrote to the RM pointing out the inadequacies of the by-law. The language and references are inapplicable to the present state of most trailer parks and fees have not been changed for several years. At the present time there seems to be no by-law that deals with trailer parks as they currently exist. Council is now taking action against trailers on private properties and requesting their removal; however, in response to our recent follow-up, the RM s Assistant CAO advised that trailers cannot be assessed as they are not permanent structures and that, because the Travel Trailer By-Law was revised in 2011, it is not being revisited at this time. Since trailer park occupants have access to all of the services and amenities of the RM and the population density in the parks has considerable impact on the surrounding environment, it is felt that trailer park occupants are experiencing an unfair tax advantage over property owners. A petition was circulated requesting that the Council of the RM of Alexander review Travel Trailer By-Law No. 05/ll and enact a revised by-law that will: a) reflect the current situation with regard to trailer parks in the RM, Page 3

4 b) provide equity between trailer sites and cottage properties with regard to municipal and school taxes and other applicable fees, and c) establish a cap on the number of new trailer sites that can be established in the RM. Mac Kinghorn stated that he and Reeve Arnold would be visiting Tall Timber trailer park this coming week to familiarize themselves with the types of units that are occupying the park. He commented that By-Law 05/11 definitely needs revision. However, he was doubtful about putting a limit on trailer site numbers in an established park. 6. Rip Rap on the Shorelines Chad McDaniel spoke about erosion of his shoreline as well as other areas of the river. Some areas have received rip rap; others not. Some residents have paid for rip rap themselves. Hydro took pictures four or five years ago at various locations. No direct answer was received from Hydro as to how they establish which locations receive priority. Mac Kinghorn advised that shoreline with high cliffs is higher priority as chunks fall off the vertical face. The RM does not have authority; Hydro owns the shoreline to the high water mark. Chad and Wally will pursue this issue and request a meeting with the proper authorities. 6. Other ATV Regulations A member in attendance commented that, in the vicinity of Hugh Road and the Bible Camp Road, ATV s are crossing the road with no regard for traffic. It s only a matter of time before there is an accident. The ATV By-law is not being enforced. Dangerous Driving on the River A member in attendance complained about boats racing on the river and wake boats causing shoreline erosion. Mac Kinghorn advised that Council is investigating a change to how rules and regulations are established for small waterways. It may be advisable to approach the RM in the spring. The concern needs to be addressed, but currently the complaint process is extremely cumbersome. The RM would like to see increased presence of the RCMP on the waterways. A member commented that we should be careful what we ask for--increased enforcement results in ticketing for minor infractions as well as blatant offences. V. Message from Councillor Kinghorn Water system issues in Pine Falls and St. George have been addressed in consultation with water stewardship. Users will pay for system improvements. The various departments of the RM will be centralized and moved to a new facility at Bouvier and the No. 1 Highway outside of St. George. The current building is inadequate. Costs will be paid from reserve funds. TANCO It may be possible to obtain funding from the RM for water testing. The BRCOA can complete a grant application available on the RM web site, providing details and costs of the project. Cathy Stewart will do this. Page 4

5 VI. The RM Amalgamation plan is scheduled to be enacted in the legislature by the end of the month. Victoria Beach and Alexander are on the list of amalgamations. RM of Alexander Council sent its plan of action to the Province as Victoria Beach officials are not interested in meeting. Complaints have been addressed regarding dust control. The recycling area of the garbage dump will receive attention. The gravel drive around the recycling platform will be stabilized and chutes provided for the bins. The Provincial Government has plans to close the bridge over the Winnipeg River for repairs as it has been declared unsafe, but they have not provided plan details or a time line to the RM. Mac has advised the Province of his concerns regarding closure because emergency vehicles use the bridge. It could well be more cost effective to build a new bridge. The Pinawa bridge repair is scheduled to be completed this month. A new sewage lagoon is being considered along the road to Pointe du Bois. Location should reduce haulage distances. The possibility of partnering with Lac du Bonnet will be explored. Drainage will be through wetlands and Rice Creek. Cost estimate is reasonable at $200,000 to $300,000. There is room for expansion and Conservation seems to be in favour. Membership Wally referred to the BRCOA s recent information pamphlet. He asked members to talk to people who have not joined--the more members, the stronger our voice. The present executive is willing to stay in office; however, anyone who would like to volunteer is welcome. Lynn Richard volunteered to serve on the executive and Leah D Errico, who was not present, has also offered her services. Moved by Chad McDaniel; seconded by Carl Kennedy THAT Lynn Richard and Leah D Errico be appointed to the BRCOA Executive. Carried. Adjourned: 12:30 PM Page 5