BSRA Home > Who We Are> General Meetings> AGM September 2003
Bluewater
Shoreline Residents’ Association
2003 Annual Meeting
Saturday, September 6 10:00
a.m.
Parish Hall, St. Peter’s
Church, St. Joseph
__________________________________________________________________________________
1.
President Bob Campbell called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.
Dignitaries in attendance were introduced; Mayor Bill Dowson and Mrs. Dowson,
Deputy Mayor Paul Klopp, and Councillor Jim Fergusson.
2.
Minutes and
Correspondence:
2.1 Moved
by Melodie Northey, seconded by Cec Southward that the minutes of the June 21,
2003 general meeting were adopted as distributed. Carried.
2.1.1
Correspondence September 2002-August 2003 listed. (Item 3.1, Report Section 1.4)
2.1.2
Business arising from the minutes – none.
3.
Executive Committee report:
3.1.1
Bob Campbell reviewed:
q
2002 – 03 activities and initiatives as written.
(Report Section 1.0)
q
Committee initiatives and activities.
(Report Section 2.0)
q
2003-04 Association Priorities.
(Report
Section 3.0)
3.1.2
Ratification of BSRA interim By-laws
Moved
by Bob Worthy, Seconded by Susan Nyenhuis, to approve the BSRA by-laws as
written. Carried.
3.1.3
The 2004 regularly scheduled BSRA meetings will be June 19, 2004 for
the General Meeting and September 11, 2004 for the Annual Meeting.
4.
Reports of Officers:
4.1 Membership
report submitted by Jim Chapman noted 45 subdivisions out of the 50 along
the Bluewater shoreline are now members of the BSRA. Out of the five
subdivisions that are not members, two are in Stanley West Ward and 3 in Hay
West Ward. One subdivision in Stanley
West is not yet formally organized and
have an assumed road. Two of the Hay West Ward subdivisions are not yet
formally organized.
Q: The question arose as to “trailer parks
having formal membership in BSRA”.
A: The committee is still investigating
whether residents of Turnbull’s Grove, Tall Trees, Driftwood and Sugar Bush
trailer parks fall within the membership criteria. Trailer parks have
significant differences to consider such as ownership, tax structure, leased
land.
4.1
Treasurer’s
Report
Bob Worthy reviewed the printed Treasurer’s Report highlighting that of August 31, 2003 the bank balance of $477.15 relating to our operating account as compared to a balance of $536.88 at the beginning of the fiscal year and reported at the last Annual Meeting. It was noted that internet web site expenses are a new charge. The ongoing fee is only $10.70 per month.
Moved by Bob Worthy, seconded by Bill Halloran (Schadeview) that the financial report for 2002-03 (attached) be accepted as distributed. Carried.
Moved
by Bob Worthy that association membership fees be increased from $5.00 to
$10.00 to cover increase costs of mailings to associations, the $1 for each
property owner will remain unchanged. This will add about $250.00 to our revenues
next year. Seconded by Susan Nyenhuis (Vista Beach). Carried.
Bob Worthy noted that to date over $35,000.00
has been collected with expenses of approximately $15,000.00. The balance as of
August 31, 2003 was $20,188.54. There are 51 associations of which 12
associations paid 100% of the $50 per property suggested; another 14
associations paid over 75% of the total expected fee recognizing that some
likely were 100% if vacant lots were factored out. Bob stated the
disappointment is that 15 associations paid less that 35% of the monies
expected to assist BSRA. Discussion followed as to what was methods have been
undertaken to collect the reserve fund and what is needed to equalize this
situation.
Moved by Bob Worthy, seconded by Mark Tucker (Antoinette’s Lane) that the Reserve Fund Report (attached) be adopted as written. Carried.
5.
Communications:
5.1 Member Communications Committee, Jim Chapman (See
Report section 2.1)
5.2 BSRA Website ( www.bsra.ca)
Jim Chapman introduced Harlie Johnston who
developed and maintains the BSRA web-site. Harlie Johnston reported that over 750 individuals have visited the web
site with and a total of over 1500 visits( hits) have been recorded since its conception
in December of 2002.
5.3
BSRA Newsletter
Doug Banks remarked that the main point of
contact designed to provide information
6.
Committees:
6.1
Economic Development, John Gillespie (See report Sections 2.2)
John reported still accepting members to the
committee. He encouraged members to attend the Saturday, September 13 Public
meeting at the Municipal offices in Varna at 10:00 a.m. to allow direct public
input into the creation of the ‘Official Plan’ for Bluewater Municipality. The
stand of the BSRA is that there should be an Economic development component to
the plan. An issue to be addressed is
the zoning classification of ‘seasonal residential’ on permanent
shoreline residences in Stanley and Hay.
6.2
Road Services, Don Brazier (See Report 2.3)
Don reported that 34 subdivisions applied for
the Road Grant before the deadline of August 15th. These
subdivisions must submit their road maintenance invoices to the Municipal
offices prior to November 30th. They may be submitted now and
payment is usually received within a week or two. There have been queries
related to the measurements of roads. Ross Fisher stated the devise used to
measure the roads has been re-calibrated and he has re-measured all the roads.
Subdivision road grant representatives are advised to contact Ross Fisher or
Terri Brandon to verify their road distance. Don Brazier commended Terri
Brandon for her professional and efficient management of the road grant
administration.
q
Jim Alexander from Diamond Environmental encourages subdivisions to
contact him by September 30th as he is setting the schedule for this
winter’s snow removal.
Q. A
question was asked why liability insurance is not covered by Road Grant funds.
A. Others have suggested that tree removal,
or brush clearing are other items that could fall under road maintenance. Don
said he would take these suggestions back to the Road Grand Committee for
examination at the annual review.
6.3
Member Services, Bob Worthy (See
report 2.4)
q Bob Worthy reports Sprint Canada has applied to the CRTC for permission to service this area which could prove a significant reduction in long distance charges.
q
30 member associations have purchased general liability insurance
through Westlake-McHugh and 26 associations have Directors and Officers
Liability insurance also. The renewal rate is $438 for General and $142 for
D&O plus applicable tax. Members in arrears of their annual fees are
reminded that the reduced insurance premiums are a benefit of being a BSRA
member in good standing.
q
Several subdivisions have used the sample bylaws available on the
web-site and in hard copy to formalize their associations, a requirement of the
Road Grant.
6.4
Environment Committee, Doug Banks (See Item 2.5)
The 11 member committee awaits response from Council
to their presentation of six
recommendations on subjects such as the Zurich lagoon, septic tanks, and
agricultural runoff. The following key points were stressed:
q
Water testing is standardized for optimum results being used in
research study. Instructions and assistance in processing samples is available.
In answer to query as to why the extreme northern and southern subdivisions
were not being tested. John Gillespie
responded that the primary purpose is to collect data to demonstrate the degree
to which the problem exists along the shoreline, related to the ravines. Out of
29 tests, 23 showed ecoli levels greater than the score of 100 ml designated as
safe. The medium count was 270. The August newsletter explains the criteria and
results further. John stated that when one is considering whether to swim or
not, they should remember that wave height of over two feet and heavy rains
greatly increase the levels of ecoli.
q
The Zurich lagoon requires major upgrading. Mayor Bill Dowson stated
the work is scheduled to be completed in 2004, however they are waiting for
Provincial funding has not yet been received but the basis costs will be
weighed by the ward of Zurich.
q
6.5
Political Action ( 2003 Municipal Election) John Gillespie (See
report 2.6)
7. Election of officers for the 2003-04 term were presented by
Nominating Committee Chair Doug Banks.
1st Vice
President Glen May
2nd Vice
President Melodie Northey
Secretary Bob Campbell
Treasurer Harlie Johnston
Membership Jim
Chapman
Newsletter Editor Doug
Banks
Past President Doug
Brazier
Bob
Campbell asked for nominations from the floor. No nominations were made.
Doug Banks moved that the
slate of officers be approved as stated, seconded by Bruce Bates. Carried.
Bob Campbell and the Executive paid tribute
to Bob Worthy who has volunteered for many years in the building of the BSRA.
Bob Worthy will continue to provide Member Services. Doug Kyle received
honourable mention also for his support of the BSRA cause.
8. Other business and Doug Kyle
9.
Meeting was adjourned
A “meet the candidate” session followed the meeting, providing an
opportunity for attendees to meet and talk with Bill MacDougall, Hay West
candidate; George Irvin – Stanley West candidate; and Jim Fergusson –
Councillor-at-Large candidate.
The new Executive met following the meeting to plan for the upcoming
Public Meeting, Saturday, September 13, 2003 at which time the “ Official Plan
for Municipality of Bluewater” process and content will be discussed.