2009 Annual Meeting

LIONS’ HALL, COBOCONK

Sept01/09

The Annual Meeting of the Balsam Lake Association Inc. was held on Sunday, August 02, 2009 at 09:00 at the Lions’ Hall in Coboconk. There were approximately 40 in attendance. Coffee was available from 08:30 during informal discussions with various attendees prior to the start of the formal portion of the Meeting.

1. Call to Order

President Doug Paterson called the meeting to order at 09:10, and welcomed all in attendance. The Directors were introduced by the President, including their location on the lake.

Doug also explained the voting rules. Individual members and members of Road Associations in good standing, who had been issued voting cards at the Registration Desk, would have one vote per household on any Motion.

2. Minutes of the 2008 Annual Meeting

These Minutes were posted on the BLA Web Site, and also available at the rear of the Hall. In the interests of time, it was decided to dispense with the reading of the Minutes.

Motion: It was moved by Tim Braddock and seconded by Sonia Valve that the reading of the 2008 Minutes be dispensed with, and that they be approved as circulated. Carried.

3. Financial Report

Treasurer Gerry McKeown presented the Financial Report.

Opening balance March 1, 2008 $8203.04

Revenues $2996.79

Expenses $2313.69

Closing Balance February 28, 2009 $8886.14

Eighty copies of the Financial Report detailing the revenues and expenses were available as handouts.

Motion: It was moved by Jeff Cairns and seconded by Josie Pascoe that the report be accepted as presented. Carried.

4. BLA Business

4.1 Volunteer signup sheet:

Doug Paterson announced that there was a sign-up sheet at the entrance door for volunteers who wish to assist the Association.

4.2 Reading of the 2008 AGM Minutes:

See item 2 above.

4.3 Election of Directors:

A slate of Officers and Directors was presented as follows. Doug Paterson explained that the Officers are on the second year of a two year term.

OFFICERS

President Doug Paterson

Vice President Donna Braniff

Treasurer Gerry McKeown

Secretary Ross Bird

Past President Murray Townsend

DIRECTORS

Tim Braddock

Doug Erlandson

Drew Davison

Cindy Lee (new)

Bob Murray

Bob Nixon

Barbara Peel

Motion: It was moved by Jeff Cairns and seconded by Roland Herman that the slate be elected as presented. Carried.

4.4 Water Testing:

Doug Erlandson gave an overview of the E-coli testing program for Balsam Lake, being done in conjunction with the Kawartha Lakes Stewards Association. The results to date are very encouraging.

He also gave recognition and thanks to water testers as part of the Lake Partner Program on Balsam Lake. Six samples are taken each year for submission to the Dorset Environmental Sciences Lab as well as twice monthly clarity readings.

4.5 Board Activities:

Doug Paterson reported the following for the year:

• Board representatives attended meetings of the Kawartha Lakes Stewards Association (KLSA) which resulted in the initiation of E-coli testing in Balsam Lake.
• The Lake Simcoe Protection Act was reviewed for any impacts on Balsam Lake.
• Board representatives attended meetings of the City of Kawartha Lakes Water Roundtable.
• FOCA is working out requirements with Transport Canada for marking of navigation hazards. Doug asked for input regarding specific hazards to be marked. Requests should be sent to any of the Directors via the BLA web site at

www.balsamlakeassociation.ca .

• The monitoring of the status of the West Bay property continued. The property has been resold, but no further information is available.
• Board representatives attended a meeting regarding the Ontario Parks Management Review.
• The Board is monitoring the status of WRAFT/CAPTR activities prior to deciding whether to continue to support them financially.
• Invasive species “STOP” signs have been erected at selected sites. (there appears to be no regulation governing invasive species precautions for anglers participating in fishing tournaments).

5. City of Kawartha Lakes

Mayor Ric McGee and Councillors David Hodgson, Steven Strangway and Doug Elmslie were in attendance. Regrets were received from Councillor Emmett Yeo. The Mayor spoke on behalf of Council and the attending Councillors.

• The City financially supported the publication of the KLSA Annual Report.
• Zebra mussels seem to declining, and wild rice is returning to some lakes.
• The recent provincial initiative on extending high speed internet service will help the City efforts in this regard
• The tax increase this year was 1.67%, exclusive of CVA changes. Everyone needs to lobby their MPP to make changes.
• The Trailer Park near Rosedale described in the Toronto Star of Aug 01, 2009, is of limited size.
• Building permits are required for nearly all additions, new buildings, etc.
• First Response via Paramedics while waiting for ambulance arrival is proving to be beneficial.

6. City of Kawartha Lakes Libraries

Linda Kent of City staff described the services available from the eighteen Branches. “One Stop Shopping” is now available for most needs, including DVD’s, E- resources, and on line renewals.

7. Shoreline Naturalization

Kawartha Conservation was established in 1979, with responsibility for a watershed of some 2563 sq. Km.

Shalin Abbott of Kawartha Conservation described the various methods to stabilize shorelines, and discourage Canada Geese access. The geese need clear sightlines to guard against predators.

She also explained the natural process of erosion and the effect on retaining walls over time.

Kawartha Conservation offers free on site consultations and possibly modest grants for shoreline restoration work.

8. New Business

There was no new business.

9. Adjournment

It was moved by Gerry McKeown at 10:50 that the meeting be adjourned.

BLAannualmeetingminutes09final