BIRD RIVER COTTAGE OWNERS ASSOCIATION Annual General Meeting August 31, 2014

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1 BIRD RIVER COTTAGE OWNERS ASSOCIATION Annual General Meeting August 31, 2014 Executive Members in Attendance: Wally Stewart Martin Hafichuk Stephanie Jeffrey Greg Milhausen Rudy Peters Lynn Richard Cathy Stewart Absent: Carol Guicheret Leah D'Errico Martin Rakar Recording Secretary Director Treasurer President Director Chair Social Web Site Administrator Past President Social Assistant Chair Water Quality 1. Welcome Introduction of Executive Wally Stewart called the meeting to order at approximately 10:00 A.M. and extended a welcome to the 31 members in attendance, introducing the executive members and Mac Kinghorn our council representative. 2. REPORTS 2.1 President s Report Wally noted that the main focus of the past year was: to maintain contact with Bird River cottage owners respond to questions and concerns as they arise keep cottage owners' contact information updated as much as possible maintain the BRCOA website follow up on issues raised at 2013 AGM Wally noted that he has kept in close contact with councillor Macx Kinghorn and has attended council meetings when issues of interest to the BRCOA were on the agenda. The executive monitored the activities of TABCO/Cabot, followed up on the trailer by-law, planned and executed the Family Fun Day. We continued to pursue ways to test and maintain our water quality and communicated with officials planning the Lac Du Bonnet bridge repair. Regular info has been posted on the website and notices of current events were also sent by to members. It was moved by Wayne Stewart and seconded by Brian Reed that the The minutes of the 2013 AGM be accepted as circulated.

2 2.2. Treasurer s Report & 2.3 Membership As the treasurer's report was not available Wally reported that the BRCOA bank balance at the 2013 AGM was $4580 and as of the 2014 AGM it is $ new memberships were gained which helped to offset some minor expenses. Thus no new levies are required. We are charging $20.00 for new memberships or for previous members that did not pay the $20.00 in We should encourage new neighbours to join the BRCOA Water Quality Cathy Stewart reported that despite the flurry of activity from TANCO in 2013 there has been no progress on the mine remediation program that they presented. There have been no updates further to the information that has been placed on the online public registry. Tanco was asked to address the comments and concerns that were raised during the public review period and the company is now evaluating their options and consulting with additional specialists to determine a path forward. Once Tanco submits their information to MC, it will again be made public and there will be an opportunity to review and provide comments. I will continue to check the public registry website at: w.gov.mb.ca/conservation/eal/registries/1906.3tanco/index.html</a></span>manitoba Wally reported that after several tries he was able to speak with the new CAO/Director at the TANCO plantsite and confirm that they will not do the project that was presented (ie not drain Bernic Lake). They are planning to do the remediation from inside the mine. Wally and other executive members plan to attend a meeting at TANCO on Sept. 10 for a presentation on the revised plan. Cathy noted that the last water quality sampling was done on the river in 2012 and the executive felt that in order to maintain a clear picture of our water quality- with changes in businesses, development of several properties etc. that a sampling program would be prudent again in Manitoba Water Stewardship was contacted about possible support for a sampling program. They were unable to committ to financial support at this time, however they would be able to provide sample training, technical assistance and review of our final report. They gave the following advice as to current costing for a sampling program, for each sampling cycle: Test 6 package (water quality variables, for general chemistry and nutrients) is $ GST= $ The other 7 water quality variables which we tested in 2012 (Total nitrogen, total phosphorus, ammonia, chlorophylla, BOD, ph and total suspended solids) would cost $ GST=$ This is over $750 per sample set. We could reduce the sampling frequency from bimonthly, but sampling timing would have to be carefully considered.

3 We will look at applying for a grant from the RM of Alexander to support a sampling program in Family Fun Day Stephanie noted that the objective of the day and the executive was to bring people in the BRCOA together and to help create a sense of community. Due to the high participation in 2013 the budget was reworked and due to major donations from ABLE Pest Control and the RM of Alexander (via councillor Mac Kinghorn) we were again able to offer the event to families at no charge for food and activities. The only charge was for a raffle held to give away some donated items. The BRCOA purchased an inflatable soccer field that can be used at future events. Expenses included food and prizes, rental of the bouncy house and insurance. There are other ideas to expand the event but more volunteers would be needed. There was some participation in the Yoga class in the evening. Some pictures are available on the website. A big thank-you to all the sponsors and a note of appreciation of having the Fire Hall to bring cottage members together Website Demo The website was brought up live Greg gave us a tour and noted that members should check the site occasionally for updates and links to items of interest such as the LdB bridge renewal project. 3.0 Business Arising from Minuites of 2013 Meeting 3.1 TANCO/Cabot- covered under water quality report 3.2 Trailer By-Law Carol Guicheret has been the point person on this issue however as she was absent Mac gave the update. The RM of Alexander administration reviewed the charges for existing trailer parks across all wards of the RM. It was then recommended and passed that the trailer fee be increased by $350/trailer to bring annual fees up to the average tax level of $550/property. This is a fixed number for the current year, and could increase with time. The RM is still investigating and collecting pictures of 'permanent' trailer sites (those with fixed decks, docks etc.) for further evaluation. 3.3 Lac Du Bonnet Bridge repairs- deferred to Mac Kinghorn report 4.0 Other Issues 4.1 RCMP involvement in area Wally reported that in discussion with detachment there has been only 18 break-ins for the RM from Oct/2013 to May/2014 which is lower than previous years. However, it was noted that the RCMP felt that several of those break-ins were targeted and had been cased to determine residents' habits. Lights with timers that vary the timing and location of lights turned on in the home are a better preventative than lights with repeated same timing and location. 4.2 Treatly Land Entitlement on Bird River

4 Wally reported that there is a process in place that could affect the Bird River. Hollow Water Nation has been offered three- 35 acre parcels of land that are approximately located: i) between Bird River and Bird Lake on narrow section of river ii) next to the waterfall along Hill road iii) edge of Moose Row and along shore ~1000m up to snowmobile trail The request went from Hollow Water to the Province of Manitoba and then to the RM of Alexander. Council has replied that this is not a good fit due to the moratorium on development along the river. However, it is noted that the First Nations are not bound by Provincial or municipal regulations, although it would be up to the RM to negotiate a service agreement with the First Nation for roads, water, sewer, etc. Wally committed to staying in touch with the various players on the progress on this file. Mac noted there has been no further action since the RM replied to the Province. 5.0 Update from Councillor Mac Kinghorn 5.1 LDB Narrow Bridge Repairs Mac reviewed the 4 options that had been presented for remediation of the LDB bridge and noted that the 3rd option (see proposals by using the link on the BRCOA website) of removing the top deck of the bridge and replacing it with a normal width 2 lane roadway was selected. The bridge will be out of service periodically over 2 years, with construction to start in late 2015 or early Some concern was expressed with regards to communication to cottage owners about dates and times bridge will be closed (especially for weekenders) and also with regards to maintenance/upgrades to facilitate the higher traffic levels on highway Bird River Cemetery The cemetery is being closed for 2 reasons- graves on or close the the road right of way and issues with bank slippage. No futher burials will be permitted however the RM will maintain the exisiting graves (mow lawn etc). 5.3 Grants It was noted that the $500 donation for the Family Fun Day came from Mac's discretionary spending fund- but it is not guaranteed that this would be available every year. There is a grant application process whereby the RM requests on-line applications around the end of October. The Family Fun Day and Water Quality Sampling are suitable requests for grants. 5.4 Boats on the River There is continued concern about boat speeds on the river. Jurisdictions are split between Federal Navigable Waterways, the Coast Guard and the Province of Manitoba. To post speed limits 'someone' must take responsibility for the river and the RM is not interested. The application is ~2 year process. BRCOA will apply for permission to post signs.

5 It was also suggested that hints should be placed on the website with regards to 'Water Etiquette on the River'. Martin Hafichuk was asked to try and come up with a document. 5.5 Wastewater Treatment Lagoons RM of Alexander completed an agreement with RM Lac Du Bonnet for lagoon usuage. This may require some backcharge to residents of Ward 4. There is a possibility of developing our own lagoon on Hwy 313 due to the borrow pit created by Manitoba Hydro. An engineering study has been submitted to Manitoba Conservation, however at least another year of use by hydro before land can be turned over. 5.6 RM Alexander Campus A new RM campus has been completed just outside St. George. It now includes the administrative offices, public works etc. all under one roof. No debt was incurred to develop and expect to be moved in by the end of September. 5.7 Municipal Elections If you own property in the RM of Alexander you are eligible to vote. Can request a mail-in vote. Advance poll being held the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend- at firehall from 10am to 6pm. Election day is Oct. 22nd. Vote at Fire Hall from 8am to 8pm. Mac Kinghorn is again running for our ward (no other contestant has registered to date). 6.0 Other Business How is Rip Rap placement allocated? A request must be made to the Shoreline Stabilization Program at the Lac du Bonnet Hydro office. Residents should take pictures to submit with their request. Requests are prioritized by Hydro and there is no cost to the property owner. Wally asked if anyone uses this process to keep him updated on progress. There have been 2 resignations of executive members. Wayne Stewart volunteered to sit on executive. If others are interested (or know a neighbour or friend that is interested) please contact Wally either by phone or . There will be an executive meeting in September. 4 environmentally friendly soap prizes were given out to lucky winners and the meeting was adjourned at noon.