2005 Annual Meeting Minutes

September 10, 10 a.m.

Parish Hall, St. Peter’s Church, St. Joseph

1.0 President John Gillespie called the meeting to order and indicated that a quorum was present.

Members of Bluewater Council in attendance were introduced:

                     Mayor Bill Dowson; Councillors George Irvin, Bill MacDougall, Jim Fergusson and Bill Martin.

2.0 Approval of Minutes

Moved by Bob Campbell, seconded by Don Brazier:

                            “That the minutes of the June 18/05 General Meeting be approved.” Carried.

3.0 Executive Committee

              3.1         In his President’s Report, John Gillespie:

                            •            reviewed the status of the following items raised at the June General Meeting:

                                           •            suggestion of an additional supplier of dust control for subdivision roads;

                                           •            confirmation is being sought from OPP on the status of ATVs;

                                           •            in light of the high e-coli test results, the Health Unit will be asked to consider

                                                                       posting warning signs where ravines empty into Lake Huron.

                            •            provided an overview of 2004-05 BSRA priorities, activities and initiatives.

                            •            outlined the 2005/06 Association Priorities as listed in the distributed printed materials.

                            •            announced the following dates for 2006 regularly scheduled BSRA meetings:

                                                                       June 18               General Meeting

                                                                       September 10                   Annual Meeting

              3.2         In his Treasurer’s Report, Harlie Johnston noted that a review of our financial records was conducted by Don Bulloch, a Bluewater shoreline resident; provided a general review of the financial highlights; indicated that detailed financial information would be posted on the website; and outlined the financial controls that are in place. Moved by Harlie Johnston, seconded by Bob Campbell:

                                           “That the report of the Treasurer be received.”             Carried.

              3.3         Harlie Johnston reviewed the plans to update our directory of shoreline subdivisions and residents within the next year, indicating that we are investigating the use of an on-line form for updating via our website.

              3.4         Doug Banks commented briefly on the BSRA Newsletter, and asked member associations to advise him of topics to be considered for future editions. Topic authors are most welcome. Mayor Dowson expressed appreciation for the BSRA Newsletter and its role in informing members of Bluewater Council.

              3.5         Doug Banks reviewed the printed handout outlining the changes to the BSRA Constitution and By-law recommended by the Executive Committee.

                            The following motion by Doug Banks, seconded by Paul Mennill, was approved:

                              “That the BSRA Constitution and By-law be amended to reflect the revised wording as presented.”

              4.1         Environment Issues

                            •            1^st VP Paul Mennill complimented Bob Slow, Environment Committee Chairperson, on the quality of the recent conference which BSRA co-sponsored, “It All Ends Up In The Lake”, and noted our partnership with the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority and possible future contacts with organizations in the USA dealing with similar environmental problems.

                            •            President John Gillespie commented on the role played by our Political Action Committee in seeking action to resolve water quality issues and BSRA membership on the Huron County Water Protection Steering Committee. results of the 2005 testing program which showed e-coli levels > 100 in about 90% of lake water samples and about 40% of ravine water samples.

              4.2         Issues with Significant Implications:

                            •            ABCA Shoreline Authority Paul Mennill summarized the new Provincial Regulation which extends the authority of Conservation Authorities to regulate the Lake Huron shoreline.

BSRA has representation on an ABCA Committee that will recommend the extent of the regulated area, which items are to be included, and which items will require permits.

                            •            Water Rates Harlie Johnston provided the background of the issue, outlined considerations, and presented several recommendations which will be considered by the Board of Directors.

                            •            Sewage Systems Doug Banks commented on the implications of the Dillon Report on the

Grand Bend area sewer project. The consensus was that the Board of Directors should investigate the matter further.

                            •            Property Taxes Bob Campbell encouraged member associations to support the efforts of WRAFT to remedy the shift in tax burden to lakefront property owners caused by the present system of Current Value Assessment. Individual residents were encouraged to write to their MPP’s to emphasize the importance of correcting this inequity.

Shoreline residents wishing to utilize the 10-month pre-authorized payment plan announced by the Municipality of Bluewater were reminded to monitor the Municipality website, www.town.bluewater.on.ca , to obtain the application form when it becomes available later this fall.

              4.3         Road Services    (Don Brazier)

                            •            Road Grant         Member associations were reminded of the deadline to apply for the Municipality of Bluewater road grant.

                            •            2005-06 Snow Removal

Southwest Dust Control (Jason Regier) will be providing snow removal services again this winter for shoreline subdivisions. Application forms for service were distributed. Details will be posted on the BSRA website, www.bsra.ca. Interested member associations are strongly encouraged to contact Jason Regier not later than October 15 to ensure the availability of this service.

5.   Nominating Committee

Doug Banks presented the report of the Nominating Committee.

                The following motion by Doug Banks, seconded by George Darling, was approved:

“That the report of the Nominating Committee be received, and that the members nominated for positions on the Board of Directors be elected to serve for the 2005-06 year.”

                                 Position                                        Officer                                          Subdivision

                            President                                          John Gillespie                                   St. Joseph Shores

                            1^st Vice-President                             Paul Mennill                                      Cedarbank

                            2^nd Vice-President                            Gary Rose                                        Sunset Estates

                            Past President                                  Bob Campbell                                   North Houston Heights

                            Secretary                                          Diane Blackall                                  Snowden Acres North

                            Treasurer                                          Harlie Johnston                                Elmwood

                            Communications Chairperson          Doug Banks                                      Houston Heights South

                            Membership Chairperson                 Jim Chapman                                   Westdell Beach

6. The meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

Bob Campbell

Secretary

BSRA ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

·         BOB SLOW, chair 472-3349

·         PAUL MENNILL, exec. liaison 238-1240

GODERICH CONFERENCE (Aug.27)

• “It All Ends Up in the Lake ” – 150 attended – very positive feedback

• Thanks to Huron County Health Unit

• Discussion topics included Walkerton systemic breakdown, wastewater & manure treatment systems, real-time beach testing, changes to Nutrient Management Act, wind power, E-coli pollution in Lake Huron

GRAND BEND SEWER PROJECT

• Dillon future plans include # 21 to St. Joseph & #83 to Dashwood

FUTURE CONTACTS

·         Upcoming partnerships with ABCA & possible contacts in the USA

ABCA SHORELINE AUTHORITY

• Ontario Conservation Authorities have been given authority to regulate shoreline as well as ravines & wetlands
• BSRA invited to be member of Standing Shoreline Issues Committee
  • Contacts: Paul Mennill (238-1240) and Bob Campbell (565-5202)
• Will regulate shoreline, bank, & defined erosion area at top of bank (“Lakeshore Areas 1 & 2”)
• Working to integrate administration of regulations with Bluewater Municipality

to avoid double regulations

• May include the following within Bluewater by-laws: stairs, decks, storage sheds, additions & cottage replacements
• May require permit for bank protection, new cottage construction, bank drainage
• Information Session: Ailsa Craig Recreation Complex 4:00 to 8:00 PM

Revision of the BSRA Constitution and By-law No. 1

The need to revise the formal enabling documentation of BSRA was driven by a number of factors, including:
✦ changing external circumstances, (e.g., Ministry Reports and insurance issues),
✦ changing internal policies and practices, (e.g, new responsibilities),
✦ the need for congruity in the documentation, (i.e., making both documents say the same thing),
✦ simple “housekeeping” issues, including ensuring that there is appropriate formatting of documents, correct capitalization, spelling, etc.,
✦ etc.
 

The initial motivation was to provide congruity between the Constitution and By-law No. 1, although a few other items have also been included that have been identified. Later in the revision process, it was realized external forces, e.g., insurers and government, were forcing BSRA to change its nomenclature. Thus, in the revised version, the Executive Committee becomes the Board of Directors, while the former Directors become Delegates. However, the function of the Constituent Associations remains unchanged, and the role and responsibilities of the (now) Delegates who represent the interests of the Constituent Associations have not changed. Only the names have changed; the players remain the same. However, the names of two officers have changed to reflect their assigned responsibilities.

The process of change was to:
☛ have an ad hoc sub-committee make proposed changes to the documents based on policy decisions by the (then) Executive Committee, (and the process was repeated as needed),
☛ draft documents were presented to the existing Executive Committee, (Board of Directors to be), for its approval, and when approved
☛ the proposed draft was presented to the (then) Board of Directors for its approval at the Annual General Meeting. The draft presented was approved in the proper and legal manner.

To have the most complete documentation to work from, the Constitution and By-law No. 1 were printed in their entirety, with proposed deletions made by striking out words to be removed and by double underlining words, etc., to be added. These were distributed to all those at the Annual General Meeting who wished to have a copy.

Re grammar, punctuation, style, etc., in English, words are capitalized to distinguish the specific from the generic. As a simple example, the word “board”, (in our corporate context, and in our documents), means any body of persons so designated, whereas the word “Board” refers specifically to the BSRA Board of Directors. Such minor changes to the documents, as well as standard formatting, have been made as an editing task, and are not specifically identified. To see where this has occurred, compare with the previous versions of the documents then in force.

Above all, clarity of communication is most desirable. Sometimes, communication can be distinctly improved by the mere addition of a comma or other punctuation, while at other times the addition of word may help the reader’s understanding considerably. In fact, the addition of a simple comma, for instance, may give a whole new meaning to what has been written. Often, the writer thoroughly understands what he/she is trying to say, and may not realize that the reader might not comprehend what is meant. The documents have also been edited to improve the flow of communication where possible. Again, to see where this has occurred, compare with the draft presented for approval, or with the versions of the documents being revised.