2024 AGM Minutes

AGM Minutes 2023

Minutes of the 60^th Annual General Meeting

Oxtongue Lake Association

Friday, August 11, 2023, 9:30 am 

Oxtongue Lake Community Center – In Person and Zoom Meeting

1. Call to Order and Opening Remarks.  Jim Sale called the meeting to order and acknowledged that we are situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe under the terms of the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850 and the Williams Treaty of 1923 and acknowledged the historical shared presence of other indigenous nations throughout the area and recognized and honoured the original indigenous inhabitants and their stewardship and protection of the lands and waters since time immemorial.
2. Approval of the Agenda.  Motion to approve the Agenda for the present meeting:  proposed by Jim Elliot; seconded by Chris Woods.  Carried.
3. Approval of Minutes.  Motion to approve the Minutes from the August 5, 2022 Annual General Meeting:  proposed by Frank Tizel; seconded by Janine Tizel.   Carried.
4. President’s Update.   The second annual Boat Rally and the inaugural dance were held on August 5, 2023 and each were a great success.  Myrna Mason and Lea Barker continue to do a great job with the Newsletter and organized a reprint of Facts and Fables of Oxtongue Lake due to high demand.  The initial 60 meter Rogers’ tower proposal at the site across from the Wolf Den was turned down by Council after public consultation.   A new 90 meter tower is now proposed for a new site one (I) km from the first (just east of Harris Road on Highway 60).  The public consultation for this new tower is on Monday, Aug 14 from 2-3 pm (register by 9 am for the Zoom session).   By going higher, Rogers will likely be able to remove another tower north-east of our location, and it will provide better coverage and will have lights and reflectors (to prevent light pollution).   Liz Danielsen, Mayor, Algonquin Highlands and Warden, Haliburton County commented that this new location proposal was originally for a 70 m tower and is going to Council on Thursday, Aug 17 and it is likely that if this proposal is also rejected, Rogers may move on from Oxtongue Lake. One of the businesses on the west side of the lake noted that they may not be supportive of a 90 meter red light tower which would be visible to them.
5. Treasurer’s Report.  Andrea Armstrong presented the Treasurer’s Report in Ryan Armstrong’s absence.  The OLA has $29,625 in cash and GICs representing a healthy balance sheet.  Our overall profit for this past year is just under $943, mainly from membership fees and the boat rally.  Our main expense is the insurance premium of $1,885.  There was discussion as to whether the OLA should continue to pay for the local business association website fees, and it was proposed that we should continue to do so for the next year.   This was proposed by Frank Tizel, seconded by Chris Woods.  Carried.   Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report and the financial statements:  proposed by Frank Tizel; seconded by Chris Woods.  Carried.
6. MP Report.  Jamie Schmale (Conservative), MP Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock discussed the following issues:
7. Internet Connectivity:   Jamie noted that federally, cell towers are top of mind, although the labour shortage still hampers business.   Jamie and his assistant, Andrew, met with the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (“EORN”) in Ottawa and helped to persuade Rogers to change their plans re the initial tower proposal.  Jamie thanked Liz Danielsen and Jen Dailloux for their coordination on this issue and noted that they are both great business partners. 
8. Housing:  There is still an affordability issue in Haliburton County and this has impacted the growth of hospitals, Fleming College and other local businesses.   All three levels of government are working together to incentivize construction and plan to have 3.8K housing units completed by 2030. There is also a skilled trade shortage in the area.    In response to a question, Jamie indicated that he would look into whether there are grants for commercial businesses to upgrade infrastructure having environmental benefits.   Jamie also noted that the use of Crown land for housing would trigger environmental assessments and Indigenous consultations which would de-rail the timeline for construction.  Jim thanked Jamie for his attendance and support.
9. Township Council Report.  Liz Danielson gave the following update: 
10. Budget Process.  Liz noted that the recent Municipal and County business budget process was challenging but they managed to keep the tax increase to 2.6% (cost of living increase is currently at 6%).   Taxpayers can now sign up for e-billing as financial systems have been upgraded and the website has also been updated.  Staff are now working on a compressed four-day work week, and the office is now open for 5 hours/week longer than it was previously.  Liz noted that ours is the only non-unionized municipality in the Algonquin Highlands. 
11. Fire Services.   Fire Chief, Mike French, is currently recruiting in the County.  
12. Septic Inspection.  Inspections are progressing and there are 170 properties left to inspect.
13. Maple Lake Landfill.   A large expenditure has been made to install better recycling systems. 
14. Planning and Development.    Municipality is trying to lower the cost of construction.   Rural properties can now have a second or third residential unit of up to 160 sq feet without a permit.   Liz will investigate as to whether there are grants for staff housing. 
15. Shoreline Preservation Bylaw.   This bylaw was passed in April.  Taxpayers can replace existing structures on the shoreline without issue.   It was disappointing to note that one of the four municipalities in the County opted out of the Bylaw.
16. Short Term Rentals.  There are various concerns regarding the activities of short term renters, especially when the activities impact the neighbours and have implications re bylaw enforcement and municipal services.   But short term rentals are part of our economy.The Council is looking at establishing a permitting system and perhaps a “head and bed” tax on accommodators of short term rentals, which would have to be managed at the Municipal, not the County, level and a demerit system for breaking bylaws for bad actors.     There are currently over 2,000 short term rentals in the Municipality.       Policing and bylaw enforcement, and the fire ban earlier this summer, are issues and the Municipality is looking at hiring a full time enforcement officer.
17. Clean and Clear Bylaw.   This is a new bylaw which gives the bylaw department the ability to adopt a consultative approach with a property owner to clean up the property.
18. Dock Policy.   There is currently no dock policy but one is going ahead and it would impact properties that are across the road from a lake.   Some such property owners use the municipal land as their own to install a dock, but the municipality will impose a “License of Occupation” to offset high insurance costs to the Municipality (which have been raised 17% this year).  
19. Fire Department – Mark Dimpfel, Fire Chief, could not attend, so Jim Sale gave the update.  If there are any individuals looking to volunteer for the Fire Department, please contact Mark. Mark also wanted to thank the community for adhering to the fire ban which was imposed earlier this summer.  

• Lake Steward Report – Dan Kraus gave the report. Dan noted that Algonquin Park takes compost.  Our annual water sampling checks for water clarity, at Oxtongue Lake the water is brownish due to tannins in the water which are good for you.  Chloride (road salt) is not a big problem for Oxtongue Lake.   Calcium levels are also checked and they are no longer an issue since rain is not as acidic as it was, but property owners can spread wood ashes around their properties to keep calcium levels up.   Phosphorus, primarily from fertilizers, can be a problem since it promotes algae growth in the lake and we want it to below 10mm (we are currently just below that level).  Septic inspections are important and it is best to keep your shoreline natural as well.   Don’t fertilize your lawn as heavy rain flushes everything into the lake and this can exacerbate algae.  

We also track invasive species – look out for European common weed and Japanese knotweed.    The banded snail is already in the southern part of Haliburton and there are signs at the boat launch which show how to prevent bringing it into Oxtongue.   Japanese knotweed is also found in Haliburton but is not yet here.

Ospreys are making a big come back recently and there is a nest at the south end of the lake.  Monarch butterflies are usually found near silkweed and they are vulnerable to changes in the environment.  Liz mentioned that the County is looking at working with U Links Centre for community based research in order to test the lakes and do broader water sampling.  

1. Newsletter – Lea Barker mentioned that 80 copies of Facts and Fables of Oxtongue Lake has been reprinted and most have been sold.  There are some for sale at Parkway and the Dwight Garden Centre.   The Newsletter currently has 256 subscribers (mix of seasonal, full-time and friends).   There is a 60-70% open rate, which is successful.  There will be a focus on articles about young people on the lake and at the end of September, there will be a link to a podcast in the Newsletter.  Ron Craig will be joining the editorial staff.  Ron is a multi-media author, has contributed to Kabin magazine and is a professor at Toronto Metropolitan University.   Myrna indicated that new people on the lake should send an email to the OLA or a neighbour can forward the Newsletter to them so that they can subscribe.
2. Community Events.   Andrea Armstrong reported that the Boat Rally and the Dance were held on Saturday, August 5, 2023 and were both very successful.   Thank you to the sponsors:  OLAC for the DJ, Dwight Market for the pop and water, Blue Spruce for the freezies, ice and the canoe, and Parkway for the ice cream.   Gordon Woods was able to get Molson to supply the beer and Algonquin Pizza and Panini supplied the pizza and snacks.   Thank you to Gordon Woods and Mike Ferguson for co-chairing the Dance committee.  Both events together made about $1600 (including the 50/50 draw).  181 tickets (for adults) were sold and together with the kids over 200 people attended the dance.   The Executive will consider whether and when to do another dance, as volunteers are needed.   Also, the OLA would have to be prepared to pay any loss for such an event if sponsors can’t be found again.  The expenses to be covered would include the DJ, the buses, and potentially the cost of a tent in the event of bad weather (since there is a maximum capacity of 50 in the Community Centre). An action item will be to look for different tent options.   A motion was made that the OLA provide the funds for deposits for another dance even if sponsors cannot be found.    Proposed by Ann Marie Switzer and seconded by Scott Hayden.  Carried.
3. Cottage Watch Report – Brandi Bailey was unable to attend, so Jim Sale reminded cottagers that if there is vandalism or break-ins, to report it by phone to the police or on the website.   There have been no such reports this year.  
4. Other Business.

Community Centre – Liz indicated that no responses were received to the proposal to have the Community Centre made accessible, but they will keep trying.

Chris Woods reported that there are no planned activities for this coming season for Oxtongue Lake for Arts and Culture. 

In terms of winter activities, the Municipality may plan a snow mobile club and fishing derby but given there may be an insurance issue, few events are being planned. 

The Committee of Adjustments is looking for a new member from the Oxtongue Lake area.   This will also be noted in the Newsletter and anyone interested should contact the OLA.     

1. Re-election and Election of Board Members.  Jim Sale indicated that this coming year will be his last as President and if anyone is interested to take on the role, they should approach a member of the Executive.   The members of the Executive will remain for another year:  Jim Sale as President, Andrea Armstrong as Past President, Dan Kraus as Lake Steward, Ryan Armstrong as Treasurer, Laura Embree as Secretary, Brandi Bailey as Cottage Watch Representative, Lea Barker as the Newsletter Representative and Tony Pereira.   Motion to re-elect the slate:  proposed by Frank Tizel; seconded by Janine Tizel.  Carried. 
2.  Adjournment.  There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:15 am.   Motion to adjourn:  proposed by Scott Doughty and seconded by Scott Hayden.    Carried.