Minutes: August 5, 2007

Board Member attendance: Ryan Tarrant, Paul Morgan, Sheila Fryer, Liane Black, Tracy Biggar. Regrets: Steve Blundy, Claudette Pintwala

Opening remarks: were made by Ryan Tarrant, President, welcoming all and thanking Glenn Burney for the use of their facility.

Review of Minutes; Motion to forgo the reading of the minutes from the 2006 AGM was made by Rick Zanussi and seconded by Renee Chabot-Hoculik.

Treasurers Report:: Presented by Liane Black. Finance statement from year end; May 31, 2007 was presented to and reviewed by the membership. Both the general account and the contingency account are healthy. Thanks to Eleanor Reed for her assistance to Liane in maintaining the books. Motion to accept the Treasurers report was made by Don Wheeler, seconded by Carol Topping.

Membership Report: Presented by Liane Black, on behalf of Steve Blundy. As of July 22 there are 95 members. New member packages have been handed out to prospective members as a way of recruitment. Packages were available for the AGM attendees to give to their neighbours or other prospective members. Motion to accept the Membership report was made by Lance Topping seconded by Carol Topping.

GBA Update; Was presented by Ryan Tarrant, on behalf of Claudette Pintwala. Included update on:

· Honey Harbour Condo development

· Water Levels

· GBA’s Wind Farm Report

· Aquaculture

· New GBA Executive Director being sought. Penny Pepperell to take temporary position in the interim.

Water Quality Update: Lance Topping presented on the work he has done to monitor the water quality of the South Channel. He reported that in general the water quality is pretty good. Trends noticed is that the water quality is best in early year and then declines over the summer. There are often problem spots around a long weekend. It is believed that the Township of the Archipelago septic system inspections are having a positive impact. Zebra mussels affect the clarity of the water but not the e. coli levels.

Nominations: Ralph Smith Jr. has stepped down from the Executive. AT least one new member must join the executive in order to make quorum. Wendy Stone accepted a nomination to the Executive. Thanks Wendy.

TOA Presentation: Rick Zanussi, council Member for Ward 4 gave an update on information from the Township. Reeve Peter Ketchum sent his regrets. At the last municipal election, all councilors were acclaimed into their positions so no election was required. The TOA Official Plan and Comprehensive Zoning By-Laws are near completion. However, these are currently stalled because of objectives being raised by other wards.

Eric McIntyre Presentation: Eric is the MNR area biologist for Parry Sound and chair of the Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council. The Stewardship is a water focused and fisheries based council. Covers from Severn Sound to the French River Delta and one township inland. Current projects are:

· Moon River Walleye Rehabilitation Plan

· Invasive Species Awareness Program

· Annual Lake Stewardship Workshop

· Netting Survey in Bayfield-Nares

· Bass nest protection Project

Rattlesnakes are an endangered species. They should be avoided but cottagers should not be overly concerned about their presence. They are very sensitive to environment change and if they are moved more than 20 metres from their home they will die.

10. Motions From the Floor:

· Don Wheeler raised a concern that the Town of Parry Sound has passed a bylaw preventing them from providing drinking water to the public i.e. at the Fire Hall. Rick Zanussi will investigate if the TOA building can provide water to TOA residents. Seconded by Denys Reed. Motion passed to write letter to the Town of Parry Sound raising this concern

· Motion made to approach the Town of Parry Sound to request increased pubic docking. Seconded by Eliana Wheeler. Rick Zanussi will investigate if the TOA has provided docks for residents usage. Ryan will provide a list for the next newsletter of where water is still provided.

· Motion made by Paul Morgan to review the fire pump allocation throughout the South Channel. Ryan and Paul will look into this.

11. Closing Comments: Presented by Ryan Tarrant.

· Stan Topping has been nominated for a Green Cottager Award.

· The value of a continued membership in FOCA (Federation of Cottagers Associations) was questioned. It was decided that we will not pay for membership in FOCA this year and in the interim will ask FOCA to provide more information on the benefits of their association.

· Thanks once again to Glenn Burney for the venue and for sponsoring the lunch which all will enjoy.

12. Thanks to:

· Eleanor Reed for staffing membership table

· Marion Wheeler and Pat Blundy for raffle prizes.

· Denys Reed for raffle ticket sales

· Robin Argenta for lunch set up

· All who bought raffle tickets with helped us raise $475.00 for the SCA contingency fund.