Annual Minutes
LONG POINT RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
Port Rowan Community Centre
Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 10:00 a.m.
Peter Selk welcomed everyone to the 49th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Long Point Ratepayers' Association. He thanked the directors who decided to step down in mid-term for their contribution to the Board and the Association. He also thanked Jim Stark who for many years headed the Cottage Watch program.
Peter reviewed the activities of the Board over the past year and commented briefly on the items in the agenda.
He reported that he had attended the County council meeting to oppose, on behalf of the Association, the plan to allow parking on the north side of Erie Blvd. in the two sections where there are no cottages on the north side. He asked that the proposal be deferred and sent back to staff for further study. The parking plan was approved by council but they did agree to provide litter bins at each beach access point and to enforce the parking bylaws.
Peter thanked Carol Mitchell, our Membership Secretary, for all her hard work developing and maintaining the Association's website. He also thanked Mark Clark and Nick Van Dorsten of Clark Computers who were instrumental in the development of the website and continue to host it, all at no cost to the Association.
Peter said that for years, the Association had opposed and attempted to prevent illegal dumping at Long Point. This was the special project of Charlie Slemin and the question was who would carry on now that Charlie has stepped down. He said the decision was made to broaden our efforts in this area with the formation of an Environmental Committee and he was pleased to announce that Julie Stone had agreed to chair the committee. He asked that any members who were interested in serving on the committee to contact Julie or any member of the Board.
Approval of Minutes
The Chairman asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on June 13, 2009 and the Special Meeting held on October 17, 2009. He said that these minutes had been posted on the Association's website for several months.
Upon motion duly made, seconded and carried, the minutes were approved.
Update on Norfolk County Bylaws
Jim McIntosh, Manager Community Planning and Scott Peck, Senior Planner reviewed proposed changes to the County's zoning bylaws. Details can be obtained on the County's website at www.norfolkcounty.ca/zoningproject. In a handout provided at the meeting, the following "Resort Issues" were noted:
- Resort Residential Designation - vacation dwellings, small scale resort oriented commercial uses and institutional uses permitted.
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Summer cottage (Township of Delhi) versus Vacation Home (Township of Norfolk) - need to be streamlined.
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Lakeshore Secondary Plan - community Design Guidelines - need to be incorporated into the Zoning By-Law (Zone provisions section).
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Resort Commercial zone versus existing zoning requirements that recognize existing commercial use.
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Conversion to year round residency - Not permitted in Norfolk County Official Plan.
There will be a public meeting to discuss the changes to the zoning bylaws as they will affect the lakeshore areas in the County on July 15, 2010 from 6 pm to 8 pm at the St. Williams Community Centre.
Mr. Peck said that the County's goal is to have the new Zoning By-Law approved in January, 2011.
Treasurer's Report
The Association's treasurer, Bob Welsh, reviewed the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009. The statements had previously been sent to all members and are posted on the website.
After discussion and upon motion duly made, seconded and carried, the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009 were approved.
Amendments to LPRA By-laws
Wes De Shane reviewed the major changes to the Association's by-laws. The draft by-laws had previously been sent to all members. After discussion and comments, Peter Selk asked for a resolution approving the changes and said that the Board would take into consideration the points raised by the members. Upon motion duly made, seconded and carried (four members voting against) the draft by-laws were approved. The Chairman directed that the by-laws be posted on the Association's website.
Cottage Watch
Christine Meyer, Co-chair along with Carol Mitchell, of the Cottage Watch Committee, reported on the activities of the Committee during the past year. She said that more volunteers are needed and asked that anyone interested contact her or Carol directly or through the website.
Carol said that the website was a work in progress and asked members to send her any comments or ideas. She also said that all details about LPRA and its members are kept confidential and not shared with any other organization.
Social Committee Report
The committee members are Ruth Carlisle, Dennis Parish and Mark Walker. Ruth reported on behalf of the Committee. The golf tournament will be held on Saturday, July 17, at Stark's Golf Club. Registration begins at noon with a Shotgun Start at 1 p.m.
Ruth said that the Committee was looking for a "meet and greet" event and was considering a "meet the beach" picnic to be held on a weekend in August. In 2011, a similar event "meet the bay" would be held. She asked for input from the members as well as volunteers to help with the events.
The committee is looking for ideas for a float for the Bayfest parade. Ruth asked that she be contacted with any suggestions.
Election of Directors
Wes De Shane said that the Association's by-laws call for a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 11 directors to be elected for a two year term. He said that two directors, Bob Welsh and Ruth Carlisle are mid-way through their two year terms. Six directors currently serving on the Board, whose terms expire with this meeting, have agreed to stand for re-election. Those directors are Wes De Shane, Wayne May, Christine Meyer, Dennis Parish, Peter Selk and Mark Walker. Wes explained that nominations from the floor were allowed under the Association's by-laws and asked if there were any further nominations. There being no further nominations, nominations were closed and the six people nominated were elected by acclamation to serve a two year term.
Confirmation of Proceedings
Upon motion duly made, seconded and carried, the following resolution was passed.
Be it resolved that all bylaws, resolutions, acts and proceedings of the Board of Directors of the Association enacted, passed, made, done or taken, since the last Annual General Meeting of the Members are hereby approved, ratified and confirmed.
Condominium Development Update
Jeff Bouck of atPlay Adventures reviewed the revised plans for the condo development on Erie Ave. The details are contained in a handout given to all attendees at the meeting and it is attached to these minutes as Exhibit A. Jeff said that the revised plan is for an 18 unit, 2 storey building with adequate parking and on-site sewage treatment.
CALP Presentation
Claudia Unterstab, President of Condominium Appeal Long Point (CALP) presented CALP's position on the proposed condo development. CALP is opposed to the condo development and is proceeding with an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. The complete text of her remarks is attached to these minutes as Exhibit B. At the conclusion of her presentation Ms. Unterstab made the following motion: "that the LPRA membership authorizes the LPRA Board of Directors to donate to CALP an additional amount of $10,000." The motion was seconded by Posie Ross.
The Chairman opened the meeting for questions to Mr. Bouck and Ms. Unterstab. Several members asked Mr. Bouck for clarification about the revised plans. The majority of members who spoke raised objections to the condo development. In response to a question, Bob Welsh said that a $10,000 donation to CALP would not impair the finances of the Association.
At the conclusion of the discussion the Chairman called the vote of Ms. Unterstab's resolution. The result was 29 in favour of the resolution and 21 opposed. The motion was carried.
There being no further business, the meeting was terminated.
"Peter Selk" "Wes De Shane"
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Chairman Secretary