Annual Members Meeting & Social

August 25, 2007 - Golden Lake Park, Deacon

Despite inclement weather, the meeting was attended by well over 100 members. In addition to a business session, members enjoyed a lunch of hotdogs and corn-on-the cob, had ample time to socialize and exchange ideas and were entertained by a member’s group playing “Ottawa Valley” music.

President Dave Lemkay called the meeting to order at 12.20 p.m. In his opening remarks he restated the Association’s dedication to maintaining the integrity of our environment and the value of our water way. He said also that the other two pillars are robust membership and effective communication. He was very pleased with the progress and success of the Association on each of these, reminding members that the Association is working to protect and enhance the environmental integrity and that their participation is most important. He said that we have a wonderful tool for communication amongst members and the public with our web site.

Dave Lemkay invited Harold Weckworth, Mayor of North Algona/Wilberforce Twp, Zig Mintha, Mayor of Bonnechere Valley Twp, and John Yakabuski M.P.P for Renfrew- Nipissing- Pembroke to address the group. All congratulated the Association on its endeavours and stressed the importance of its activities. John Yakabuski said he would be prepared to answer questions on provincial matters during the course of the meeting.

Dave Lemkay introduced Association Zone Managers, Directors and Executive and expressed appreciation for the work all were doing on behalf of the Association. He said that while protocol did not demand the minutes from the June 2 Annual General Meeting be read at this meeting he would refer to some of the points the minutes contained to provide an update:

Examples of large and small buoys were on display at the meeting. Dave reported there had been a problem in some cases with the tethering cables failing but this will be rectified. Buoys will be numbered in future for easy identification but the real need is to have a greater number of volunteers to service the system. Duties of a steward would include seasonal installation and removal and ongoing monitoring of the buoys. Anyone who has a buoy situated close to their property is invited to assume this role and to notify the executive. With over forty buoys presently in place on the lake and river, the collective task is daunting. Volunteers are the best way to manage this program. The bridge at Deacon has been marked with red and green arrows to identify the safe channel and red and green channel-marking buoys will be placed at the narrows at the little island, a short way up the river. There is a major hazard at this spot, especially in fall. Bill Gardner and Dave Lemkay will complete this task immediately.
The Comfort station at Deacon is receiving good usage. Dave expressed again the Association’s appreciation for funding received from Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation. He stated the project was also made possible by matching funds and in- kind contributions from North Algona / Wilberforce Twp. and G.L. P.O.A. He thanked project director Weldon McEachen and contractor Bryan Fraser Construction and NAW Road Superintendent Harvey Reckzine for their collective efforts in meeting the March 1, 2007 deadline and The Township of North Algona/Wilberforce for establishing a program of maintaining the station on a daily basis. He was pleased to note that all financial reporting had been completed and said that as he passed the site this morning at 9:00 am, there were twelve vehicles and boat trailers parked in the lot and that this is typical of each day this summer. He reiterated that the toilet facility is a fine example of a community project for the betterment of the waterway.
Efforts to achieve Cell Phone Service in this area continue. Contact has been made with key people at both Bell Mobility and Telus. A business case has been presented to Bell Mobility and both they and Telus have secured strategic tower locations in the area. While progress is slow we can be optimistic.
The Pleasure Craft Operators course was a great success. A total of 80 people participated and successfully passed the course. Jim Steeves, the course director indicated, because attendance was much higher than anticipated he wished to make a $1000 donation to G.L.P.O.A. After some minor expenses this will total slightly in excess of $800. There are plans to hold another course next spring to address the 2009 deadline.

The election of officers at the June 2, 2007Annual General Meeting was reviewed. In compliance with the GLPOA Constitution and in order to maintain both a rotation of officers and suitable corporate memory, nominations were made on the basis staggering one and two-year tenures. Results of elections were as follows for executive positions:

Dave Lemkay, President; Kevin O’Connor, Vice President and Treasurer -1 year term
Bill Clark, Secretary; Gail McPhee, Chair Membership Committee -2 year term
Directors: Norma Bailey; George Wilcox; Carolyn Letters; Cairine Cybulski -1 year term
Bill Gardner; Kathy Lampi; Susan St. Jean; Doug Yourth; Mike Cayer - 2 year term.

Gail McPhee presented a Membership Committee report. She began by thanking all the zone managers and directors for working so hard to build membership. She also thanked Monique Pye for updating the data base and spread sheets initiated by Norm Edwards to identify both members and reflect renewal activity from 2006 to 2007. Gail emphasized the importance of membership levels in guaranteeing property owners have a strong voice on matters affecting the lake and river. Present level of 2007 membership is approximately 350. A project is underway with a contractor to identify other property owners and up to date addresses as gleaned from township tax rolls. It is planned that non-members will be invited to consider joining the association in a mail-out campaign this fall.

In Treasurer Kevin O’Connor’s absence Dave Lemkay gave a short Financial Report. Present bank balance is in excess of $7000. In addition to membership revenue this total includes proceeds from the July 7 boating course and advertising revenues from the four association boat launch map billboards. The full cost of establishing the signage program will have been underwritten by the proceeds of this, the second year of advertising revenues, with good indications that future operation will be a funding source for other projects. He said that without exception, advertisers are highly pleased with results that they are seeing from this exposure. Dave once again thanked Weldon McEachen for his leadership in this important undertaking.

At the Annual General Meeting, the executive was directed to continue to make water quality on our waterway a high priority. Kathy Lampi, Chair of the Water Quality Committee gave an update on efforts. While some testing over the years has been conducted at Round Lake and on the Bonnechere River, current information is unavailable and this situation is unsatisfactory. The order of the day will be to design a comprehensive program of water testing. Executive committee discussions estimate that this would require consideration in future budgets of as much as $5000. Dave Lemkay called for motion from the floor to approve such an amount. Moved by Merv Buckwald, seconded by Howard Bernard that the committee be allocated up to $5000 to undertake a program of water testing. Carried unanimously.

Dave Lemkay reported on a presentation made by Peter Boldt, Executive Director of Renfrew Power Generation (RPG), to a small group of directors from our association and the Round Lake Property Owners Association. The presentation outlined difficulties he was encountering meeting the water flow requirements of RPG while maintaining the water levels dictated for Golden and Round Lakes within the guidelines established by the Bonnechere River Management Plan and enforced by Ontario Ministry of natural Resources. This plan calls for the water level in Round Lake to be maintained in the fall, at a depth believed to be necessary to protect Lake Trout spawning grounds. Maintaining this depth in the fall appears to cause RPG difficulty in terms of evacuating the system so as to avoid late winter ice damage to shoreline on Round Lake and springtime flooding on Golden Lake. The Bonnechere system has a natural “bottleneck” at the Golden Lake dam. Without certain flexibility with draw down rates and timing, RPG is prone to being out of compliance with the authority.

Before any change to the established minimum water levels might be considered, it will be necessary to conduct a scientific study to determine the current status and spawning habits of the Lake Trout population in Round Lake. The cost of the testing is approximately $14,000. The two lake associations’ executives have had discussions and believe that some shared support is warranted for a proper scientific study. RLPOA has passed a resolution at their AGM to pledge $2000 on the proviso that GLPOA would match this amount. Dave Lemkay called for discussion and a motion from the floor to address this issue. Moved by John Beatty, seconded by Ken Kruger that GPLOA executive would take steps when and as necessary to contribute between $2000 and $3000 to support an approved scientific study. Carried unanimously.

Alan Fox, Chairman of the Bonnechere River Watershed Program (BRWP) gave a short presentation outlining some of his group’s current activities along the Bonnechere River system. These include the building and installing of nesting boxes for ducks and blue birds, supporting farmers in establishing facilities for watering cattle rather than their using the river, a school-based program to acquaint grade 3 and 4 students on the value of wetlands and a program for grade 7 students to familiarize them with riparian and forestry values and a program calling for high school students to assist in collecting marker vertebrates to measure the health of the watershed. The BRWP has also created a strategic plan for 8 reaches, or levels, on the river to be established. Initially the reach of the Bonnechere between Douglas and Renfrew is being studied to achieve effective monitoring of development.

Before closing the meeting President Dave Lemkay called for any new business from the floor. He announced that member Doug Scheels had attended the August 18WRAFT Meeting in Round Lake Centre. WRAFT is the acronym for Waterfront Ratepayers after Fair Taxation. There was discussion on Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) and the recent activity by the Ontario Ombudsman André Marin. Members present expressed concern over apparent disproportionate assessment increases in recent years and resulting tax increases. MPP John Yakabuski was asked for comment. He said he was reluctant to comment on the election platforms of other parties but did outline the platform for the Provincial Conservative Party in the upcoming October election, which is as follows:

The establishment of a 5% annual cap on property assessment increases for so long as an individual owns their home including if property is transferred to a spouse.
Implementing a reverse onus appeal system so the MPAC will have to justify an assessment increase instead of placing the burden of proof on the home owner.
Ensuring MPAC fully implements the recommendations of the Ombudsman.

As steaming corn-on-the-cob and hot dogs were being brought into the room by busy volunteers and in keeping with his pledge to conduct a one-hour meeting, President Dave Lemkay called for a motion at 1:15 pm to adjourn. Motion by Malcolm Warnholtz was approved unanimously.

Respectfully submitted:
Bill Clark , Secretary