MINUTES OF 2015 ANNUAL MEETING

Sunday, July 5, 2015 at the Hideaway Camp – start time 10:15 am

Welcome by President Michael Freel. Thank you to Paul Lindsay and family for hosting our Annual General Meeting. There were 23 people present.

The Minutes for the 2014 Annual General Meeting and the Financial Report for 2014 were reviewed. The bank balance as at Dec 30, 2014 is $ 3149.01 in General funds plus $ 2024.07 in our “Legal Fund” for a total of $ 5173.08. Motion to accept the report as presented was made by Bill Kittmer, seconded by Darrell Jarvis. Motion carried.

There was a discussion about the future of the Legal Fund. Ron Pollitt made a motion “that we keep the Legal Fund and show it as a separate item on the Financial Statement”. Dave Stewart Sr. seconded motion. Carried.

It was briefly discussed that the executive was looking into the possibility of changing our year end to December 31st instead of June 30th so the Association’s annual revenue and expenses are fully reported in our financial statements making year over year comparisons easier. This should also simplify our Canada Revenue Agency annual Income Tax filing. The government approval was just received.

WATER QUALITY REPORT – Bruce Pearson gave the water quality report. Clarity was at 6 m. (19 ft. approx.) and total phosphorus was 3.8 m/l. We are still rated near in top percentage of the 1349 lakes involved in the program. The water quality information will be posted on the web site.

WEB SITE REPORT – Bruce Pearson is also the “Web Guy”. It has been established through “Go Daddy”. The web site will have the Annual Minutes posted along with the water quality report. There is a link on our web site to the Burk’s Falls fire department’s current fire ratings. Check the fire rating signs in Burk’s Falls and on North Horn Lake Road please note there is NO DAYTIME BURNING at this time. He advised the web site had been hacked and was in the process of being updated. He also gave a reminder to be careful of your passwords.

Bruce would like more submissions of content from members- eg. lake photos, favourite cottage recipes or other items that would be of interest to members.

FIRE EQUIPMENT REPORT–Michael Freel reminded us where fire huts were located around the lake. They are ready to use in the event of a fire. Richard Hiley is the volunteer who puts fresh gas out for the pumps for the May long weekend and brings them in Thanksgiving weekend except for the pump at Birch Crest which is available year round.

FISHING – It was reported that bass are 2-3 weeks late. Approximately ¼ of those present actually go fishing on the lake. It was mentioned again that the province does not stock our lake. Horn Lake is considered “at capacity” since it is designated a trout lake. Introduction of a slot size plus closing winter trout fishing has been helpful in keeping fishing a sport on the lake.

NEW BUSINESS:

Membership Discussion – Dues notices were sent out via email and a few mailed out. We also accepted E-transfers this year. We normally have about 65 members but this year membership is down. It would be great to increase the number of members considering there are approximately 175 cottages/homes on the lake.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA ISSUE – Ron Pollitt presented an update on this topic. All is quiet at this time and very little has changed.

The North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority is not interested unless the water discharged is 10,000 l./day or more. Health Canada, our MP – Tony Clement, our MPP – Norm Miller, Rona Ambrose, Federal Minster of Health, Ministry of Environment, etc. have not answered our questions or emails to our satisfaction.

Questions as to how often the government will be doing inspections and who will be doing the inspections of the facility have not been answered.

Ron along with the other committee members will continue to monitor this issue and send out follow-up emails as warranted. If anyone hears of any other items on this issue please advise the committee so that they may check the accuracy of that information.

Announcement Regarding Next Year – Marilyn Pollitt announced that next year is an election year for the Association and she will not run again for Secretary-Treasurer after serving for the past 20 years. Please consider taking on this position.

REGATTA:

Date: Saturday, August 1st, 2015 (Rain date – Sunday, Aug. 2nd)

Time: 1:00 pm

Place: Birch Crest Resort

The Cookson Family has volunteered to organize the Regatta. If you can help please contact them.

NEXT YEAR’S MEETING –

Date: Saturday, July 2, 2016

Time: 10:00 am

Place: “Hide Away Camp”

ADJOURNMENT –

Motion Don Heal

Seconded Theresa Freel

Carried