GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
August 25, 2007

(unapproved)

1.         President Paul Mennill called the meeting to order and introduced the members of the current Board of Directors; Bluewater Council members Bill Dowson, David Johnston, Jim Fergusson, and George Irvin; and Huron-Bruce Provincial election candidate Paul Klopp who was in attendance.

The printed agenda was approved on a motion by Bob Worthy, seconded by Paul Bieman.

2.         June 2/07 General Meeting Minutes were approved on a motion by Jan Purvis, seconded by Keith Locking.

3.          President Mennill introduced Lori Wolfe, recently appointed to the newly-created position of Chief Administrative Officer for the Municipality of Bluewater.  Lori clarified the respective roles of elected and administrative municipal officials, noting her role as the primary policy advisor to Council. 

She outlined some of the areas where streamlining of policies and procedures are being considered with the objective of providing the best possible service to the community.  She emphasized the importance of sound community input, welcoming feedback from both citizen groups such as BSRA and individual residents and encouraging direct communication with her either by telephone or e-mail.

4.         President’s Report

(a)         2006-07 Association priorities and activities

Paul Mennill reviewed the BSRA priorities established for 2006-07 and provided a detailed report on Association activities related to each.  A written summary, which is also available on the BSRA website, was distributed to attendees.  The report was received on a motion by Bob Campbell, seconded by Don Bulloch.

            (b)         Association priorities for 2007-08

The President outlined the following six priorities, as recommended by the Board of Directors, which will guide Association activities over the next year:

• To protect and enhance the interests of Bluewater shoreline residents and
  to act on behalf of our member associations and affiliate members.

• To provide ongoing liaison with the ward councillors for Hay West and Stanley West
  to ensure that the concerns and views of shoreline residents are effectively and positively communicated to the Bluewater Council.

• To provide positive communication with the councillor-at-large, mayor, deputy mayor,
  other councillors, the Bluewater administration, and other lakeshore organizations.

• To monitor and participate co-operatively in the development and implementation of
  local, provincial, and federal government policies for emerging issues that affect lakeshore residents – such as the environment, property taxation, local services, shoreline regulation, energy policy, and  local planning.

• To monitor and adjust where appropriate those BSRA services to shoreline residents’ associations that are either not readily available through other sources or can be obtained at lower cost through group purchasing.

• To communicate effectively with the shoreline community, the general public and the media through BSRA newsletters, the BSRA website, media releases and personal attendance at all Bluewater Council meetings.

5.         Treasurer’s Report

Jan Purvis noted the fee increase approved last year and complimented the member Associations for their prompt submission of their annual fees this year.  She outlined the highlights of the interim financial report, noting the change to a fiscal year ending December 31. 

            The Financial Statement for 2007 will be presented at the General Meeting next June. 

The report was approved on a motion by Jan Purvis, seconded by Don Bulloch. 

6.         Water Quality Report

John Gillespie reviewed BSRA’s twelve-year history of water quality testing and pointed out that test results for the beaches exceed provincial guidelines for water quality 30-60% of the time and that the ravines exceed the guidelines 80% of the time.  John referred to the manure spill in the St. Joseph ravine in 2006 as the catalyst for BSRA to write its Water Quality Report with recommendations.  This report has been sent to all government levels as well as the media. Environmental “watch-dog” agencies will also receive the report.

John also commented on BSRA’s ongoing involvement with government levels and agencies that address water quality: The Municipality of Bluewater and its Environment Committee, the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, the Source Water Protection Steering Committee, the Huron County Water Protection Steering Committee, the Huron County Health Unit and the Ministry of the Environment.

            The report was approved on a motion by John Gillespie, seconded by Ron Bonham.

Water Quality test results and the BSRA Water Quality Report can be found on the BSRA website: www.bsra.ca

7.         Grand Bend and Area Sewage Treatment Report

Paul Mennill reviewed the history of the Grand Bend and Area Sewage Treatment project and the decision by the BSRA Board to encourage the Municipality of Bluewater to buy capacity in the project.  Costs associated with this project were outlined.  Paul indicated that BSRA will continue to follow the progress of this project and will keep BSRA member associations informed about emerging issues.

            Questions raised by members of the audience included the following:

• How far north from Grand Bend will the sewer system extend?  Will it extend north of St. Joseph?

• Will only homes on the west side of Highway 21 be connected to the sewer system?

• Are septic systems enough of a problem to warrant installation of a sewer system?

• If sewers are installed, will the municipality change the density and lot size regulations?

• Who will pick up the cost of buying capacity - the users or general tax revenues?

• What are the expected costs per household?

• Is there merit in encouraging the use of electric toilets?

• How will new homes constructed in the interim period handle the sewage issue?

The report was approved on a motion by Keith Locking, seconded by Don Bulloch.

8.         CT Scanner for Huron County

Bob Campbell outlined the need for a CT Scanner in Huron County and the steps being taken to purchase a CT scanner for the hospital in Goderich.  BSRA will publicize the need and the fundraising campaign for a CT scanner in Huron County through the BSRA Fall Newsletter and its website: www.bsra.ca.  Those people interested in helping in this campaign should contact Gordon Hill at 519-233-3307. <CT Scanner handout>

9.         Political Action Committee: The Provincial Election

Bob Campbell reiterated that BSRA is a non-partisan organization. Because of its longstanding interest in water quality issues and current value assessment/taxation issues, BSRA commented in its summer Newsletter on the positions being taken on these two issues by the political parties involved in the fall provincial election.

10.       Report of the Nominating Committee

Bob Campbell presented the following BSRA Slate of Officers for 2007-2008:

President                               Paul Mennill

First Vice President                Jan Purvis

Second Vice President            Bill Smith

Past President                       John Gillespie

Secretary                              Grant Monteith

Treasurer                               Harlie Johnston

Communications                    Bob Campbell

No further nominations were received from the floor. A motion to close nominations was approved on a motion by Jim Chapman, seconded by Drew Robertson.

11.        Other Business

Dave Johnson, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Bluewater, expressed appreciation and thanks to BSRA for the quality of its input and reports presented to Council.

NEXT MEETING: BSRA GENERAL MEETING  –  SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 2008

                                                                                             Minutes prepared by Bob Campbell and Jan Purvis.