Waskesiu Cabin Owners Association

2004 Annual General Meeting

July 4, 2004

1   Call to Order: By Pat McAvoy

      -Pat welcomed the members and thanked those in attendance for coming out.   He then called for

2.   Adoption of Agenda:

        Motion to Adopt Agenda - Doug Lee; seconded Wayne Simpson - carried

3.   Introduction of Directors and Guests by Pat McAvoy

        Manley McLachlan          sent his regrets        

      Pat McAvoy                    Vice President

        Brian Booth                     sent his regrets        

        Richard Chapman

        Cheryl Aramenko

        Joe Monahan

        Christie Arnstead

        Rick Lokken

        Rob Phillips                    Past President

        Guests:               Herve Langlois, Larry Zadvorny (Fire Chief)

4.   Presentations:

Fire Chief - Larry Zadvorny reported on how they are funded by Parks Canada as well as through various other groups such as WCOA

•  Fire smart suggestions: have smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors (if have wood burning appliances) and fire extinguishes

•  If have fire and extinguish ourselves, reminded all to use 911 to be sure fires are completely out

Presentations Continued

Report from the Cabin Owners Rep to Waskesiu Community Council - Herve Langlois

1) Very positive working group.   Best working relation ship with Parks Canada that he has seen over his many years of involvement.   Herve commented that Rod Blair, Park Superintendent is fair, listens, straightforward, says what needs to be said and gets things done

- Carla Flaman active with the council

Highlighted joint activities such as Fire Smart, Arbour Day (will plant 150 trees this year

2) Spray Program for budworm

•  Is in second year, spring rains were helpful this year

•  - According to BioForest spray occurred at peak times for 2004

•  Excellent results visually, written report not yet released

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3) Acknowledged to Bryan Robertson & Family for the excellent and extensive work done to date on the website

•  - Goal of the site is to provide information abut Waskesiu and the Park including (trails, restaurants, accommodations etc

•    As of today over 60 pictures were available of the July 1 parade.

•  Photo contest on the web - 3 categories - nature, recreation and history

•  A virtual tour of the golf course is being commissioned

4) Agreement with the Chamber and Lobstick Golf Club

•  Current agreement terminates in less than 4 years which stipulates that the Chamber, in exchange for $20,000 annually, will manage bowling, tennis, halls rentals etc

•  - Chamber has said it wants out of the managerial aspects

•  Council has begun preliminary exploration of how this might be undertaken

•  Noted council has no independent source of revenue and some facilities operate at a loss

•  Parks Canada is permanently out of recreation (i.e. swimming lessons etc)

•  Acknowledged the work done by Wayne Simpson and Rick Lokken to plan and facilitate a workshop last winter on the future of Waskesiu, how to manage and what are the priorities

•  -Outcomes included a strong expression of opinion the community will have to become move involved with the operations and governance of the community

•  Bigger issue is the structural maintenance of non heritage buildings, infrastructure (roads) etc.   Parks has no funding for upkeep

Rick Lokken CPS ( Concerned Park Supporters) - see handout

•  membership is $10, encouraged everyone to consider this group and its causes such as water levels, marina services, infrastructure, five year management plan

•  key priority includes recognition of under funding by Heritage Canada for maintenance, this is a targeted priority and will be addressed with Rod Blair

•  suggested be vocal, at elections, on gov't websites, with our elected representatives

•  estimated the budget needs to be $140 M annually for the Federal Parks and is currently under $40

•  noted that good work has been done by Parks Canada on our water treatment program

•  prioritization with Parks on needed programs and projects ( water treatment, roads, sewage lagoons etc)

Cottage Owners Presentation   - Jim Kirby, President

Smaller in numbers as has 119 cottages and about 95 members

•  Spruce budworm pulled the group together over the past couple of years, a challenge

•  They encourage us to negotiate a licence of occupation similar to what they have

•  Opportunities to work together on town site issues and other initiatives such as the website, water level

•  Described a charitable foundation with a mandate to improve infrastructure an, vegetation, recreation etc program to the Waskesiu Foundation to help solicit funds into the town site

•  Main message is working together we are stronger - start with joint Board meeting

5.  Presidents Report by Manley McLachlan

Pat read this as distributed.   Key areas were the website, relations with Parks Canada, town site governance, increasing membership and thanking Directors for their work - no questions arose. Motion to accept by Pat, seconded Cheryl Aramenko, carried.

6. Treasurer's Report

Copies of the Financial Statements & Review Audit Report were made available

In Brian Booth's absence the Financial Statements, as prepared by Walsh & Company was presented by Rob Phillips

•  Noted a thank you was received for our donation to the spruce budworm spray program

•  Motion to accept financial statements as presented by Rob Phillips, seconded Bob McLeod Carried

7. Committee Reports

Grey Owl Howl - Rob Phillips

•  Will occur again this year Saturday evening of the long weekend in August

•  Have a booking conflict for next year which is the 20 th Anniversary

•  Doug Lee has volunteered to help organize

•  While not a revenue generator, is an excellent evening for families and the cabin community at large

Membership Report - Rob Phillips

•  Have 171 of 451 paid memberships

•  Memberships are always higher when bigger picture items require input and voting

•  Some have now paid for multiple years

•  Members will remain at the reduced $10 fee

8.  Elections

Four one Year Directors positions were reviewed, all current Directors have agreed to let their names stand for the remaining terms.  

Pat called for nominations from the floor.

None received, Motion nominations cease -Langlois, seconded Doug Lee, carried.

By acclamation:   Cheryl Aramenko, John Day, Christie Arnstead and Richard Chapman

9.   New Business

- no new business

10. Adjournment

- motion to adjourn Wayne Simpson, seconded Doug Lee, Carried

Available Handouts               President's Report

Financial Statements and Review Audit Report

                                          Concerned Park Supporters Bulletin

                                          Waskesiu.org pamphlet