2003 Annual General Meeting-Waskesiu Community Council

Community Hall- Sunday August 3, 2003

2003 Executive

Don Ravis, Chairperson                             Peter Strawson, Vice-chair                                      Wayne Simpson ,

Member at Large                                         Waskesiu Chamber of Commerce                          Member at Large

Shelley Funk,                                                Al Ross,                                                                Don Cyr

Cabin Owner Representative                    Cottage Owner Representative                                    Permanent Resident

                                                                                                                                                   Representative

Herb Urton                                        

Member at Large

Call to Order

Meeting called to order at 10:00 am.

Introduction of council and park staff.

Adoption of minutes

Adoption of the minutes of the 2002 Annual General Meeting of the Waskesiu Community Council, August 3, 2002 and agenda for the 2003 Annual General Meeting as amended.

Moved by Bryan Matheson, seconded by Don Johnson and resolved.

That the minutes of the 2003 Annual General Meeting and the 2004 agenda be adopted as amended.

Report for the Chair

              The spruce budworm issue consumed the majority of Council's time this past year.    The council dealt with general concerns of lobby groups and individual people in the Park.   The Council acted as the voice of the community in dealing with Parks Canada on the vegetation management plan and recreation water levels.

              The council's main priorities for the 2002-03 year were:

•  To enhance the community's relationship with Parks Canada.

•  To strive to make the community affordable (example: utilities and land rent).

•  To work with the Park to continue to promote a healthy commercial environment for the businesses of Waskesiu.

•  Maintain a strong commitment to protecting the townsite environment for future generations.

•  To act as a forum for the people of Waskesiu.

•  To conduct the work of Council in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding.

2002 Financial Statement

There have been some significant changes to the accounting system from the past.    Parks Canada is no longer allowed to have a deficit.   Because of this, the method of some recalculations needed to be changed.   It is noted that the operating budget is going to be held at the same level for 2003.   Additional revenue is needed for the fire department.   The EMT's rates have increased resulting in the Park absorbing the additional expense.   The water operating expenses have increased due to the early fall freeze up and increased use of chemicals at the water treatment plane.   This resulted in a small increase in utility charges.   A stabilization fund will be established for any future unexpected incidents.  

There was a question of what the general administration budget is used for.   It is noted that the expense was used for salaries for townsite management and council expense.   Council expenses include the salary for the clerk, travel expenses for meetings and stipends for council members for meeting attendance.  

  The total funds borrowed are at the maximum as stated in the MOU so the Park will take 100% of any further debt incurred.   There were some capital projects totally funded by the Park in the 2002-03 budget: lining cell #3 of sewage lagoon which is complete, UV protection at water treatment plant, and odor control at two lift stations both in the construction phase.    It was noted that there are unfunded capital projects approved by council.   One of these projects is a pathway connecting businesses between Waskesiu Drive and Lakeview Drive.

Moved by Al Ross, seconded by Herve Langlois and resolved,

That the Financial Report of 2003 be adopted.

Chair Don Ravis introduced the new superintendent, Rod Blair and his wife, Elaine.   A warm welcome was extended to them by the people in attendance.

Management Plan

Peter Strawson addressed the management plan and the public discontentment with the original draft.      Some of the issues were related to water levels and rezoning for recreation purposes.   The Council and the Park will look this matter during the coming year.

In response to a comment regarding the procedure of dealing with a draft while approaches change, Superintendent Rod Blair answered that there will always be changes because of new ecological findings that need to be added to the reports.

Spruce Budworm

Wayne Simpson presented the progress report on the Spruce budworm.     In November 2002, the council passed a motion that the WCC would pay for two-thirds of the estimated $46,000 for the environmental assessment.   Funds were raised by the community.   Meetings were held that provided a forum for discussion about the spraying for the Spruce budworm.   As the assessment recommended, spraying of the townsite with BtK was completed on June 3 and 10.   The spraying was successful with a reduction in the population of the Spruce Budworm.   A complete report will be provided this fall by the Park with the assistance of Bioforest Technologies.

The 3-year spraying program will cost approximately $150,000 to $180,000. Parks Canada will provide one-third of the funds with the other two-thirds to be raised by the community.   The Lobstick Golf Club will contribute one-third of the funds needed, which leaves a balance of $67,000 to $80,000.   The WCC has set up a finance committee chaired by Bryan Matheson.   Bryan Matheson noted that half of the funds, $40,000, have been raised with tax receipts issued to those who contributed.   More campaigning will be done to raise the remaining funds. The environmental assessment was not included on the WCC financial statement because the community raised the money.  

Vegetation Management Stategy

              The Park has asked the WCC to play a lead role in developing this stategy.   A draft discussion paper was presented to the council on July 19.   This item will discussed at the August 2003 WCC meeting.

It was noted that on August 19 at 10:30am in the Recreation Hall, there will be a presentation about gardening with native plants by the Native Plant Society. On September 1, there will be an Arbor Day.   This day will be a community tree planting day to be followed by a barbecue.   Hopefully this will become an annual event.   Weyerhaeuser has also donated 700 seedlings and some have been given to cabin and cottage owners for planting.   It has been suggested that the youth of Waskesiu take part in the planting of the trees.

Emergency and Protective Services

              EMS-911 and Ambulance Service .

Fiona Moreland addressed the audience about services available in Waskesiu area.   911 services are available at Waskesiu by Parkland Ambulance.   To save money, Parkland Ambulance is using the warden services ambulance.    The Park has defibrillators and all wardens are trained in the use of the equipment.   Wardens will assist the EMTs in emergency situations and are on standby to help.    Law enforcement deals with the criminal offenses while the wardens deal with park offenses and resource calls, such as bear control or poaching.   Emergency medical aid is available from June 27 to September 1 by calling 911.   The contract for the EMTs costs $38,500 plus overtime for calls after 8pm.   As of August 1, there have been 45 calls with 7 serious incidents.  

              Fire Department

              The Fire Chief is Larry Zadvorny.   An additional cost was incurred for liability insurance for $9,000 that needed to be purchased for the fire department that affected the training budget and equipment budget.   Additional funding from the Park was provided for training and equipment to be brought up to standard.

              Parks Canada

              Environmental protection remains the wardens' primary focus.   The visitor center staff have also been trained in compliance messaging.   The wardens that are active in law enforcement have taken training to deal with such situations.   There have been 81 law enforcement issues this year.

              RCMP

Constable Lee Jahn informed the audience on the RCMP in Waskesiu.   Currently there are 4 constables in the Anglin Lake to Montreal Lake area.   Constable Gunther Mehl will be retiring this year.   Because of the low staff levels, calls have to be prioritized.   Some of the concerns this year are youth drinking, noise levels, drugs and theft.   Less serious offenses are often dealt with by trying to get the people to comply, rather than taking the person into custody.  

Youth Recreation Coordinator

              Shelley Funk introduced the concept of the youth recreation Coordinator during her time on council.   Because of the late-night noise and vandalism, the WCC looked for a solution to the youth problem.   It was recognized that law enforcement plays a big part but the council saw a need for activities for the youth.   As a result of this need, a youth coordinator was hired.   Lisa Nisbet, a University of Saskatchewan graduate with experience with special needs children, has taken the challenge of organizing activities for youth.   Currently, Lisa is in the process of developing a report to find the most effective way to get the youth involved in the town activities and what these activities should be.   The report will be done August 11. Some of the activities that are planned are late night water baseball and aloha ball.   There have been some things that youth would like to see such as a skateboard and rollerblade park, lighted sports and tennis courts.

Recreational Water Levels

              Because the water levels in Waskesiu Lake are so low, a consultant has been looking at the flow of the water and the level of the lake.   A meeting will be held August 20 to address this issue.   The boat launch has been expanded to accommodate the low water levels.   It is noted that the fish habitat is very low.

              There was a question from the floor regarding the increase of green algae in the lake.   It was noted that the low water level and the high water temperature contribute to the increase in algae.

Potential Website

              It is quite difficult to get the information to the community regarding meetings, etc.   It was noted that a website would be very useful to get information to the community since most of the residents are seasonal. The website could be used to post board meeting motions and general information.   Council will pursue a website in the coming year..

Question from the Floor

              Don Ravis opened the meeting to address any questions the attendees might have.   One of the questions was regarding the painting of the lines on the road, and why this was not done in spring while the traffic was at a low point rather than during   busy times.   It was noted that these lines are not painted every year and are done when time permits.   A comment regarding the vacant resident representative position of WCC was made. It was noted that someone should be appointed to this position as it is important to the community to have a representative for the permanent residents.  

Other Business

              Members of the community commended the council for the handling of the Spruce budworm issue.   Don Ravis noted that the people on Council are committed to their community and want Waskesiu to remain beautiful for the visitors and the residents.

              The veterans of the HMCS Waskesiu were very grateful for the warm welcome by the community.

              Herve Langlois expressed a note of thanks to the outgoing council members, Shelley Funk, Don Cyr and Herb Urton.

Adjournment

Moved by Al Matheson, seconded by Donna Scissons and resolved,

That the meeting be adjourned at 11:30 am.