Minutes of the 11th Meeting of
The Patterson Lake Association
178 Parsons Way
April 23, 2006
Present: Lorne Bowerman, Bill Brooks, Howard Stanley, Dave MacCrimmon, Kathleen Sullivan
Regrets: Rhodena Bell
In attendance: Michael Stanley (Fairs Way)
Welcome and Acceptance of Minutes
Kathleen opened the meeting at approximately 3:00 pm. Bill Brooks announced that he is stepping down as Vice-President of Porcupine Way. He has found a replacement - Jack Hobbs. Dave MacCrimmon also announced his resignation. He expects that a replacement will come forward at the next Hardwood Ridge Road, road association meeting on the Victoria Day weekend.
Lorne moved acceptance of the Agenda, seconded by Howard. Carried.
Lorne moved acceptance of the October 16, 2005 meeting minutes, seconded by Howard. Carried. Kathleen provided a clarification on the Ribbon of Life issue related to seasonal dwellings. Tim Simpson, our township CAO, confirmed the Ribbon of Life requirements are triggered only when a property owner makes an application under the Planning Act i.e. for a zoning variance. The type of dwelling is not a consideration. Kathleen has started research on the zoning by-laws and official plan but is not yet ready to discuss with the Township the issue of exceptions for seasonal dwellings.
Update on the Lake Level Solution Process
Ken Potter had received an invitation to this meeting in order address the executives with his concerns about the lake level solution and the association in general. He was unable to attend.
Dave reported that the lake level at the culvert is now 14 inches which is down 10 inches from the high of 24 inches when the ice went out.
Dave also provided an update on the events surrounding the submission of paperwork to MNR for the investigation and possible installation of a flow regulator at the culvert. Any work done at the culvert must be approved by Council. Dave and Kathleen met with Leonard Echlin, Tim Simpson and Glenn Kargus on (March 9). Leonard agreed to take it forward to Council. We attended the March 14 pre-council working committee (Committee of the Whole) meeting where our request was accepted and put forward to full Council that evening. We were then advised that the motion would again be presented at the next (March 28) Council meeting. Council decided to defer the motion until we can prove that we speak for a majority of the property owners.
Dave mentioned that Leonard Echlin has been very helpful and supportive during this process.
Kathleen read the resolutions that were adopted by Council on March 28:
2006-03-093
Moved by B. Horlin
Seconded by L. McPhee
THAT the recommendations of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on March 14 2006 and summarized as follows be adopted:
(a) THAT the township of Lanark Highlands authorize staff to submit an application to MNR for permission to install flow regulating apparatus at the outlet of Patterson Lake; AND FURTHER THAT this issue be brought back to Council for approval once comments are received from the MNR. DEFERRED
2006-03-094
Moved by B. Sutcliffe
Seconded by L. Echlin
THAT motion 2006-03-093 be deferred until Council is advised that a consensus regarding the level of Patterson Lake has been reached among area property owners subsequent to the Patterson Lake Association 2006 AGM. CARRIED
We discussed using a petition rather than waiting for the AGM, which would tentatively be held on Labour Day weekend. According to Leonard, we would need 51% or 56 property owners to sign. Howard moved the following motion, seconded by Lorne: That a petition be circulated to gather signatures of property owners in support of the flow restrictor solution. Each vice-president will determine the best means of gathering those signatures on his/her road. Carried.
The next steps re the lake level solution process
Howard will draft the wording of what we want to do and why. He will then forward it to Lorne for editing and distribution to the executives for comment.
We will use the Newsletter to update people on the situation and to let them know about the petition. Kathleen will draft the newsletter and send to Lorne for editing. The Newsletter needs to be published prior to the Victoria Day weekend since the first road association meeting of the year will be held then. The Newsletter will also include notification of the resignations of Bill and Dave.
Culvert Cleaning
In November, Kathleen requested the Township to take responsibility for cleaning the culvert until our April meeting, at which time we would decide whether or not to resume responsibility for same. This was triggered by a call to Leonard from a resident requesting that 12 inches of debris that had accumulated be removed although the real problem appeared to be a blockage downstream.
Lorne moved, seconded by Bill, that we request that the Township continue to clean the culvert until July 1st. WE will review this situation at our June meeting. Carried. Kathleen will inform the Township.
Update on pertinent Lake Networking group discussions
We decided to skip this item since Kathleen has forwarded the minutes to the executives.
Update on October OPP Meeting
Bill attended a meeting with other lake representatives and the OPP. Although there have been few problems at the Lake, it was decided that we should have a presence at the OPP meetings. Bill will ask Jack if he can attend the next meeting in May.
Hazard Marking Buoys
Lorne will be putting out one marker today at the significant rock off Mary's Island and more in due course. Dave will put his out soon. We will remind residents (in the newsletter) to put out markers as they have done in the past and also to remind them that this is a personal effort, not one that is done by the Association.
History
No report.
Subjects for June Newsletter
The Newsletter will be published in May. To summarize, the topics based on the above will include:
The resignation of Bill and Dave
An update on the lake level solution process, including the need for a petition
The September AGM
Culvert cleaning
Hazard Marking Buoys
Other business
Lorne motioned, seconded by Dave, that we include in these minutes a summary of our lake executive workshop held prior to this meeting. Carried. The summary follows:
MANDATE
Our primary mandate is to protect the health of the lake. In addition, we need to provide a common voice for the property owners on issues that affect the lake as a whole. In preparation for future development or major changes, we need to understand the Official Plan and Zoning By-laws. We need to build and maintain a sense of community and be prepared to address issues as they arise.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
We confirmed that the executive will continue to be composed of six vice-presidents representing each of the roads, including Joe's Crescent/Nelson Way. These vice-presidents will be elected at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to which all the property owners will be invited. The elected vice-presidents will select a president from amongst themselves. The Vice-Presidents can hold portfolios, such as environment or planning. The related work can be done by an unelected property owner who would report to the executive through an elected Vice-President.
METHOD OF COMMUNICATION
The Newsletter will be the main communication tool. The minutes will no longer be published or posted on the Website. A president's message can include the relevant discussion items from the executive meetings.
INCORPORATION AND INSURANCE
Kathleen will discuss with other lake association presidents the importance of incorporating and insuring the executives in case of lawsuits. There is a related cost which the property owners would need to share.
NEXT STEPS
An AGM will be held on Labour Day weekend. Its organization will be discussed in the coming months.
Adjournment
The meeting was interrupted at various points so that the participants could admire a pair of Tundra or Whistling Swans that appeared on the lake. Magical! We adjourned at 4:30 pm.
Note: The next meeting is scheduled for June 25. The location is to be determined since it was to be held at Dave's.
Contact List
In the listing below, "(H)" means "home" and "(L)" means "Lake".
Rhodena Bell, Box 32, McDonalds Corners, ON K0G 1M0 (H)267-5291 (L)278-2562 purdonbell@perth.igs.net
Lorne Bowerman, (L) 151 Lakeside Road, (H) 6 Lipstan Ave, Nepean, ON K2E 5Z3 (H)225-7904 (L)278-2813 lorne@bowerman.ca
Kathleen Sullivan, 178 Parsons Way, RR3, Lanark, ON K0G 1K0 278-0931 kathleensullivan100@sympatico.ca
Howard Stanley, (L)632 Fairs Way (H) 313 Hinchey Ave, Ottawa, ON K1Y 1M1 (H)722-6846 howard.stanley@statcan.ca
Note: The contact information for the replacements for Dave and Bill will be included in the next minutes.