Marsh Lake Community Society General Meeting

September 25, 2002

                                                    Minutes

1. Meeting called to order at 7:05. 22 people attended.

2. Minutes from July 31, 2002 meeting were distributed at the meeting and prior to the meeting to members whose email addresses are on file. Moved by Ray Magnuson, that the minutes be accepted as presented; seconded by Perry Savoie. All in favor. Motion carried.

3. No additions to the agenda.

4. Correspondence:

i. Letter sent to Marjorie Fraser at Land Dispositions regarding the community’s concerns related to the terms of the lease for the tennis courts.

ii. Letter sent to Paul Harris requesting changes to the 2001 population census.

iii. Letter sent to Donna and Daryl Johnston from Y.T.G., Sport and Recreation, cc’d to MCLS; letter reiterates purpose of the Internal Reserve on which the playground sits.

iv. Letter from Corporate Affairs, Dept. of Community Services informing MCLS that the society’s file number has been changed.

v. Received booklet from Y.T.G. outlining Yukon Sport and Recreation Contacts.

5. Treasurer’s Report

Balance as of Sept.23, 2002 - $24,970. Playground budget - $26,000. $8000 of this has been paid out to date.

Copies of the budget will be made available at the next general meeting.

6. President’s Report: Pat Duncan meeting

Donna arrived late to the capital budget meeting held at Inn at the Lake, but was able to speak with Pat Duncan after the meeting and arranged a private meeting with the Premier. Topics discussed at her meeting with the Premier included:

- Tennis courts proposal; proceeding with this proposal is dependent upon survey results

- Rec. center: discussion on a community recreation center focused on ‘the building’, - ownership, operating costs and maintenance. Pat Duncan stated that a community could not own a building; however, research since this meeting, through Sport and Rec., has shown that several Yukon communities do in fact own their local community centers.

- proceeding with recreation center planning is also dependent upon survey results.

- the Premier assured Donna that the Marsh Lake population count will be corrected and that she will look into Marsh Lake being designated ‘a place’ by the Bureau of Statistics in the 2006 census.

Following this meeting, Donna wrote a letter to Pat Duncan reviewing the topics they had discussed, informing her of the history of recreation societies owning recreation centers, and providing statistics regarding the demographics of Marsh Lake.

Donna read that letter to community members in attendance; reaction to the content of this letter was positive.

7. Old Business

a.) Sam Cawley has written a plan outlining criteria for the community to use in selecting new project development. The draft plan received approval from the board at the last board meeting. As Sam was not at this meeting to speak to the plan, this will be deferred to the next general meeting.

b.) Population estimates - Donna has written another letter to Paul Harris requesting that the population numbers for Marsh Lake be corrected.

8. Committee Reports

a.) Ice Rink

Shed:

The shed is being stored at the college until delivery plans are in place. It will sit on skids and be housed near the Fire Hall. Money is in the budget for the shipping. Jan will follow up on this.

Project Yukon improvements:

Gravel is not spread yet. Advanced Construction will be doing this.

If we would like the ice rink paved at some point, Skookam said they will do the job for whatever amount the community can afford. The pavement would likely need cracks repaired every three years or so.

Gates into the ice rink are loose and need repair.

Perry Savoie will get in touch with Helen Smith when she returns from holiday and get the puckboard installation organized.

b.) Planning committee

Most surveys were hand delivered on Labour Day weekend; some were sent in the mail. Over 435 households were surveyed. This was a time consuming and at times frustrating project which included developing the survey, addressing by hand over 200 envelopes and making sense out of a very confusing lot numbering system. A big thank you to Donna and Mike for all the time and energy they have devoted to this project.

Budgeted $2000 for the survey; $936.95 has been spent to date.

126 surveys have been returned so far. Donna and Mike will have the data from the surveys available at the next meeting.

c.) Welcome Wagon - Lisa Snyder will look at designing an information flyer listing sub-divisions, community services, businesses, committees. Lisa will present this at the next meeting.

d.) Tennis courts - the proposal for tennis court development will be held until the results of the survey are compiled.

Donna has written a letter to the Lands Dispositions branch stating the community’s concerns with the terms of the tennis court lease. These concerns are outlined in the minutes of the last general meeting. Donna has not yet received a reply to this letter.

Perry Savoie commented that we should keep our established right to that particular property whether or not it is used for tennis courts.

e.) Playground - Lucy Skuba reported that half of the equipment is installed. The inspector has been to the site and helped to determine where the fence line will have to be. The playground will be inspected after all the equipment is installed, and the sand is in.

The $4000 donated by the Lion’s Club will help to pay for the costs of the fencing. The fencing will cost approximately $5000.

More clean-up is needed and Lucy is hoping to get volunteers out this weekend.

The yard sale was a success and raised $1001 towards the playground expenses. Thanks to all the volunteers. Thanks also to Tilley, Tom’s Store who donated 50% of their profit from food and drinks sold. And thank you to LeaAnn who contributed the money made from the wraps she donated.

For a fee of $50 the Salvation Army picked up things that were left over. Thoughts for next year ... do another yard sale, have more volunteers, combine a local business fair with the yard sale.

Donna Johnston, the neighbour objecting to the location of the playground and parking lot, has requested a meeting with MLCS president, Donna Larsen and Sport and Rec. Tiffanie has volunteered to go to this meeting with Donna if and when it is arranged.

9. New Business

a.)Boat Course: RPAY (Recreation Parks Association Yukon) is offering a Boater Operator’s Accredited Training class. Cost $326.75 course fee plus $22 per person. The community association will cover the basic course fee.

Nov.2nd is a possible date -- this course will be held inside, not on the water. Perry Savoie will take on the organization of this course.

b.) Ski trail clean-up - Oct.5, 11:00am. Meet in the parking lot; bring clippers, gloves.

c.) Web Site - Mike Larsen has volunteered to set up a web-site to post community events, information and minutes from meetings.

d.) Children’s Halloween party - in the Fire Hall, Oct.31st. Fire Society will organize the party and the community society will provide $300 to fund the party.

e.) Kids Christmas party will be held the Saturday before Christmas.

f.) Fire Smart - $40,000 received for the year. Work to be completed by November; wood that has been cut may be removed by the people in that area.

10. Motion to adjourn

Moved by Perry Savoie, seconded by Ray Magnuson to adjourn the meeting at 8:40pm