Marsh Lake Building Committee

Thursday, February 19, 2004

Minutes

Meeting with Patrick Rouble, MLA

Present: Mike Larsen, Donnal Larsen, Ray Magnusson, Tiffanie Tasane

Blair Corley, Lucy Skuba

Regrets: Wolf Schall, LeaAnn Dorval

Pat informed the committee that our letter to Glen Hart had been received.

The group gave Pat a brief history of recent planning and actions.  His initial concern centered on the $2-3 million figure proposed in our letter to Glen.

Discussed:

·        revenue generation

·        commercial kitchen use and need

·        justification of costs

·        Emergency Shelter potential

·        On-going O&M

·        Insurance costs

·        Energy efficiency

Pat asked if we have talked to the Department (C&TS) about revenue generation and suggested that we do.  We discussed Parks and Rec as a funding source for a recreational director.

Pat raised the issue that other communities are miles from Whitehorse where Marsh Lake residents can access services in town.  Carcross was raised as an example of another community that is as close to Whitehorse as Marsh Lake, yet they have the infrastructure of community buildings etc.

Brief discussion on building ownership…MLCS, YTG?

Lengthy discussion on taxes.  Pat asked if residents would support and increase to their taxes.  Committee stated that results of the survey in 2002 indicated that residents would be in favour of user fees for a building.  Donna pointed out that since Marsh Lake does not have municipal status we don’t have the power to increase taxes.  A rate increase would be done by the territory and would affect the territory as a whole. Pat pointed out to us that YTG has returned little in the way of infrastructure to the Marsh Lake taxpayers.

Tiff pointed out Pat’s unique situation that as the MLA of Southern Lakes he has three distinct communities to represent.  Each of those communities is rallying for funding for community buildings.  How does he plan to show his support for each, particularly for Marsh Lakes plan? Pat responded that it is a difficult situation, but he feels that a multi-use community building is needed in Marsh Lake, he has gone to Minister Hart to express his support and will continue to do so.

The group discussed the role that the old marina had played as a social gathering spot and as a selling potential for buyers in the real estate market at the lake.  Now that it is gone, there has been nothing to replace it.  “Marsh Lake needs a place.”

Pat informed us that the government is leary to support another step in the process for fear that it is interpreted as commitment to the actual construction of the building.

Group asked Pat what, in his view, is our next step.  He suggested that we continue to work with Sue Meikle and that we acquire a copy of Tagish’s revenue generating plan for planning uses.