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Fox Lake Association
Huntsville, Ontario
   
 
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Fox Lake Association
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
July 18, 2009
Location: Pat Currie's, Yael's Nature Walk

President Jim Watson welcomed everyone, asked for additions to the agenda, and finally the adoption of the agenda.
Motion: to adopt the agenda was made by Rob Randall
Seconded: by Reg Perkin Carried
 Annual General Minutes of 2008
Motion: by Judy Maxwell to adopt the minutes
Seconded: by Rob Randall Carried
Treasurer's Report: Jim McMahon
There is a balance of just under $4000. There was no money made from the previous year's ribfest.  Of the $30 paid in dues, $15 of that goes to insurance for various events.
Motion: made by Elaine Jackson for approval of the report
Seconded: by Gord Finbow Carried

Discussion Regarding Future Fee Structure:
With the current fees, Elaine Jackson stated that the association is creating a loss of $1.25 for each membership, and that an increase should be considered. Robin Yule questioned the number of potential members available, followed by Dick Auger's inquiry of membership recruiting.  Elaine reported that newsletters are sent to everyone, whether they are paid members or not.  Dave Blanchard inquired about the fee structures at other lakes. The information available was that larger lakes were around $100, while smaller lakes were in the $30-$50 range.  Jim McMahon advised against having a balance of less than $4000.
Motion: by Reg Perkin to increase the fees to $40 for 2010
Seconded: by Ellen Fox
Carried

President's Report:  Jim Watson
Jim thanked the Board for their time and input throughout the year: Karen Beamer (social), Pat Currie, Rob Randall, Robin Yule, Tom Perkin, and Gwen St. John.  Also thanked, were Jim McMahon as Treasurer, David White as Lake Steward, and Elaine Jackson who does the newsletters and who has also worked tirelessly to ensure that the Lake Plan was completed.  Jim thanked Rob Randall, who has been VP of the FLA and liaison for three years with the Huntsville Town Council. Rob will be stepping down.  His support and humour was greatly appreciated and will be missed. 
Issues Addressed by the FLA Over the Past Year:

  • Lake Plan- tendering and hiring of Jack Vander Meer. Jim thanked the Lake Plan committee of Jack van der Meer, Rob Randall, Ellen Fox, and David White.
  • Also acknowledged was Gabriel Anderson for her historical research into the Fox Lake area, some of which is incorporated into the Lake Plan
  • Ellen Fox was thanked for her continuing revisions in an effort to create a Fox Lake logo
  • Web Site Launch: Emily Durtnall, a student at Humber College Lakeshore Campus designed the site and is maintaining it
  • Jim Watson and Robin Yule attended the annual FOCA meeting
  • Concerns were given to the Huntsville Town Council regarding zoning variances on lake front and back lots. Attention to concerns about land clearance issues was also presented to the town.
  • David White, Lake Steward, facilitated a new sounding of lake depth with the MNR in May
  • Island Privy: There is a continuing problem with privacy and functionality. Alex Yule reported that the toilette didn't appear to be used as there were feces in various areas on Rock Island. Ted and Ari, from Camp Winnebagoe, reported that Ben, the camp's owner, would be willing to pay for one half of a new privy. As well as being used by cottagers and CampW., the island is also a stopping point for Camp Tawingo and a camp from Mary Lake.

Motion: that the FLA Board and the other stated camps will attempt to come to a solution regarding guidelines for human waste on Crown Land.
Seconded: Gabriel Anderson
Carried

  • Garbage: Jim urged everyone to dispose of garbage properly
  • Boating Safety: Concern was expressed about the proximity of camp boats coming within 30 m. of the shore in speeds in excess of 10k/hr which violates regulations of Department of Fisheries and Oceans. As well, the staff from Camp.Winnabagoe is still concerned about the use of their property for boat launching. Even though a nominal fee is being charged, there are numerous occasions when boaters arrive without calling and expect access to the beach. It is advised that cottagers and those to whom a cottage is rented be aware that an appointment time for launching is a necessity as the safety of the campers takes priority. 

Lake Plan Summary:
Jim Watson described the finished Lake Plan as a living document to be reviewed every five years.  In 2002, the members of the AGM, voted to undertake a Lake Plan. One of the key benefits would be to have the Town of Huntsville incorporate some of our needs into their plan.  It would also get the attention of the MNR and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.  In 2003, a survey of attitudes and information was gathered from property owners.  In May, 2003, the Town, the MNR, and the Board met at Camp.W. to gather information for the Lake Plan Process.  Although volunteers made an effort, it was difficult gathering information. At the July, 2008 meeting of the AGM, it was recommended that a plan must be put in motion in order to achieve the goal.  The Lake Plan was tendered and Jack van der Meer was chosen to create a plan. 
By June, the draft was complete and an open house was held, by Jack, for inspection and suggestions.  Jack explained that part of what a Lake Plan involves is:

  • present background information
  • provide analyses
  • make recommendations
  • manage development
  • public access to lake
  • species invasion
  • managing water quality, septic systems, shoreline erosion
  • protecting and enhancing shorelines
  • fluctuating water levels
  • water and boating safety
  • developing a sense of community
  • building, reinforcing, and maintaining relationships with the Town of Huntsville, the MNR, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans
  • developing a strong stewardship program and educating the property owners
  • a potential listing of flora and fauna species sightings

Motion: by Elaine Jackson that the Lake Plan for Fox Lake be approved by the Fox Lake Association's Annual General Meeting, 2009.

  • as a recognition of the unique character of our lake and its area
  • as a statement of a set of values important to the Fox Lake community
  • as a guideline for stewardship for land use issues and decisions by the Fox Lake community, and those neighbours  and agencies with whom there may be an involvement in our future

Seconded: by Rob Randall
Carried

General Concerns of FLA Membership:

  • suggestion to put up 'no wake' signs on the narrow channels, the Buck River area and the previous loon nesting sight
  • signs need approval from Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans
  • suggestion to put signs to indicate environmentally sensitive areas where deemed necessary
  • suggestion to have volunteers for different areas to avoid volunteer burnout
  • suggestion that new owners receive all information
  • suggestion to make web site interactive

Lake Stewardship: David White

David reported that the phosphorus levels in the lake averaged 3.2 grams/litre which is still below the acceptable level, however, there has been an upward trend since 2000.  This past year the ice formed on Nov. 23 and went out on Apr. 19. As previously stated, the depths were measured and recorded.  David presented his concern over the number of dead clams in the spring.  A consulting biologist thought that it might result from a lack of oxygen or increased calcium levels.  He will discuss the issue with someone at the U. of Toronto.

Membership Update : Elaine Jackson

  • May /08-Apr./09 – 62 paid members (increase of 10 from last year)
  • Upcoming Year- 15 members paid prior to today
  • Highest Membership-2002/2003 – 69 paid
  • Please keep addresses for home and e-mail updated

 

Newsletters: Elaine Jackson

  • Spring newsletter went out May 22, and Fall newsletter to follow in October. Any items of interest should be forwarded to Elaine.

 

Muskoka Watershed Council : Elaine Jackson

  • The Muskoka Watershed Council was formed in 2001 under the combined auspices of the District of Muskoka and the Muskoka Heritage Foundation. Its mission is to provide governments and citizens with the best available, independent, science-based information and advice on watershed health, management and planning practices.
  • Membership is comprised of representatives from the District of Muskoka municipalities, and other environmentally related organizations and businesses.  I served on the MWC from Jan./2003 to Sept./2008 as a Huntsville Lakes Council Representative.  The Fox Lake Association is not a direct member of the MWC, but benefits from their work indirectly.
  • The MWC attempts to help lake associations with issues that were formally the responsibility of the MNR and the MOE, as these provincial agencies are no longer very involved with issues that affect our water quality and lakefront environment.
  • I regularly receive correspondence from the MWC on current issues/projects/endeavours and pass this information on to the FLA's Board and membership via e-mail and newsletters.

 

Huntsville Lakes' Council : Elaine Jackson

The HLC was originally founded to serve lake associations in the Huntsville area and then expanded to include lake associations from the surrounding areas.  Membership is now comprised of ten associations from the Town of Huntsville, nine associations from the Lake of Bays Township, and one association from Parry Sound.

The HLC's mandate is:

  • to identify and then provide a single strong voice to lobby for issues held in common among the lakes
  • to facilitate lake plan development
  • to provide education on issues involving lakes
  • to promote stewardship

 

I served on the HLC from its founding in March/2002 to Jan./2009 as founding chair and Co-Chair for many of those years and as a Director and Voting representative for the Fox Lake Association.
From Sept.-Dec./2008, the HLC went through an internal reorganization process.  The objective was to more efficiently deliver its mandate in the community by more fully involving its member representatives in its day to day operations and projects.  I felt that its new structure and its proposed method of operation would not accomplish this goal.  Therefore, I resigned my position as a Director and Voting Representative for the Fox Lake Association in Jan.. Several other long-term directors shared my opinion and resigned at the same time. 
The HLC has built a strong reputation as a meaningful, hard working organization for the community it serves.  I sincerely hope it will be able to do so in the future.  At the moment, Fox Lake is a member of the HLC, however, we do not have a Director/Voting Representative on their Board to keep our association informed about their activities and efforts.  Their AGM will be held from 9:30-noon, on Sat., Aug.15 at the Robinson Independent in the meeting room on the second floor.  New Directors and Voting Representatives will be appointed at that time.  Monthly meetings are usually held on Sat. mornings at Robinson's.  Anyone who is interested in this position should plan to attend at least fifty per cent of the meetings and be willing to contribute to the HLC through participation in one of their committees.  Committees include: Environment, Planning and Land Use, Local Government and Taxation, and Communication and Membership.  More information can be viewed on their website at www.huntsvillelakescouncil.org.  The Fox Lake Association is linked to this site.

The FLA would welcome a volunteer to take on this position.

Gabriel and Bernie Andersen will host the next AGM July 17, 2010.

Motion: to adjourn the meeting by Rob Randall
Seconded: by Robin Yule   Carried