President------------------- Anna Pellizzari
Vice President--------- Daryl Emilio
Treasurer-------------- Randy Gulliver
Secretary ------------- Christine Gillies
Water Steward------- Greg Keane
Members at Large - Paul Mundy, Bob Beccarea. Maggie Vaivods
Web Site---------- Randy Gulliver
Once again this year, the Annual General Meeting was held online. This venue has proven to be very successful, and this year there were 51 Members in attendance.
President Anna Pellizzari opened the meeting at 7:40 pm, and welcomed Members and the Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson.
Financial Report
Treasurer Randy Gulliver gave a brief explanation of the change in our financial reporting. The Royal Bank has regulation that would not allow our former bank account to be converted into an Auto-Deposit account. Hence, we had to open a new account with a new name - the Miller Lake Association. The money from the existing Miller Lake Community Group account was transferred into that profile as a secondary account.
Opening Balance - Sept 1/2023 2,851.31
Closing Balances - Sept 1/2024
Account 1 1,288.99
Account 2 Auto Deposit 2,235.87
TOTAL 3,524.86
Total expenses for 2024: 6,800.51
For a complete copy of the yearly expenses, email Randy. He noted that our major expense for the year was the BluMetric Hydrology Study of the lake, which cost $5650. Members contributed approximately $6200 for this study, and remaining contributions are included in the final total above.
Update from Water Level Subcommittee from Daryl Emilio:
- Daryl thanked committee for meeting several times to strategise and come up with solutions
- thanked everyone who contributed $ to the study
- Table top study done: Maps, statistics, and confirmed we have a problem with water leaving the lake at the SW end of lake
- Daryl read a statement which explained the sabotage of the sandbags which had been installed to slow the emptying of the lake (statement attached)
"MLCG Water Level Report to Membership:
Earlier this Spring, concerned Miller Lake citizens took action to repair the earth dam at the southwest end of the lake that was constructed in the late '70's. These repairs regulated the water outflow into the local watershed. According to the BluMetric Environmental report, the lower water levels are likely caused by increased karst activity, reduced flow and spring input and the absence of a beaver dam at the end of the lake.
In early August, the dam repairs were sabotaged by unknown persons. Sand bags were cut open and dumped. The lake level has been dropping drastically ever since. For example, the lake level dropped 5" from Spring until that point. The lake level has dropped about 1.5" per week since that time. It was obvious the repairs were doing their job.
Higher (normal) water levels assist Miller Lake to remain healthy and resistant to climate change and other factors mentioned. Normal water levels are in the best interest of the environment and property owners. Low water exposes the lake bottom where many species live or reproduce. Fish, for example, use the shallow water near the shores to lay eggs, which get exposed in low water, destroying fish stocks. Low water allows the sun to penetrate deeper into the lake, creating more oxygen consuming algae and increasing weeds, which can literally kill a lake. Low water, means higher water temperatures improving conditions for E. coli growth. Lastly, as water levels recede, the water erodes the the shoreline more quickly and pulls organic into the water, which can be harmful.
Human beings are part of the lake ecosystems, low water levels impact swimming, fishing, boating and property values. Lake stewardship is everyone's responsibility, and normal water levels are critical to a healthy lake for many years to come. Please help us educate all property owners and protect the outflow regulation dam."
- Daryl asked for any concerns about the water levels or the sandbagging
- Dave Dolson: commented better communication might help so folks know what's happening
- others offering suggestions, questioning whether it will be done again, thanked for the work that's been done
- Question about the culvert or abandoned water tank, and concrete water bags from Paul Mundy
- Question about ideal levels
- Question about governing bodies: MNRF not been helpful, MPP hasn't responded, maybe the municipality has a vested interest since Miller Lake attracts a lot of tourism?
- Q to Deputy Mayor about the new culverts on Ira Lake Rd., was MNRF involved? Will get an answer
- Q from Rob Schuman: why unsure about next steps? Daryl: how, what, who is going to do it?
And any other causes of the water levels from the report? Yes, now considering Phase 2: On ground, water meters and flow meters
- Gord Barr encouraged group to try sand bags/concrete bags again, maybe get volunteers to help, show of solidarity
- Q -any environmental concerns with the sabotage? Bags were recovered but sand is still in the lake
New Water Steward Required
- Anna raised the need to fill the Water Steward position as Greg Keane is stepping down
- the Group thanks Greg for his diligent service
- Anna asked for volunteers, and a few Members expressed an interest
- Rod Anderson asked if folks from Stokes Bay could be in touch as they are having algae issues
Update from Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson
- Public Works: 8km of microservicing in the Miller Lake Area roads, rut repairs, grinding and servicing, signs, gravel resurfacing, dust control measures, planning for hard surfacing on Tammy's Cove is in the works, expect communication
- Municipal Tax 4% on hotels, motels, BBs, other establishments in addition to STAs for any transient housing, marinas (Lion's Head run and gets tax from that) and campgrounds exempt because of competition with Federal campgrounds
- funds used (50% goes to Chamber of Commerce bc it's a provincial initiative) and 50% for projects of tourism and benefit residents and visitors
- $284,000 so far
- Budget deliberations Jan-Feb, hope to set budget by Mar 1, municipal website has info on process
- Re-doing Official Plan - encourage input, read website, watch for fine tuning
- Parking fees still exist, $535,720 raised
- 14 million from taxes, 50% goes to County of Bruce
- need to raise money through various user fees to offset this
- 30 km of County roads run through municipality so hoping to get 2 mill back from Bruce County
- Q: What's going on with hydro?
- trees falling, maintenance work on poles
- Q: resurfacing work on Barney's Blvd stopped before they got to the worst part, why?
- he'll ask, maybe a piece by piece approach, could be several reasons
- Q: must budgets always be in the black, yes that's true
- Q: fiber optic progress? Signs are up! Been coming since 2004.
- Q: any updates on cell service? Cell tower on Lindsay Rd 40 as a possibility, it might benefit Miller Lake, Lion's Head tower has been down for a year, Rogers/Bell doesn't seem to care and we need them to deal with it, issue has come up at Emergency Planning meetings, some cell towers have no back-up power, no cell and no power is a crisis situation
- Anna thanked the Deputy Mayor for his time
Water Steward Position
- Anna invited Greg to explain what he does as Water Steward
- lab is in KW area, so that might be more convenient if the new steward lived in that area
Anna opened floor for Questions
- Q from Dave Chesterfield: hours of the dump, why has Lindsay site closed? What are folks supposed to do with garbage? With the money being charged for STAs, what investments have been made in this area?
- a bin is the best idea
- Q: Emerald Ash Borer has hit the Bruce hard. What is the approach to dealing with the dead trees? A program is in place and has been for the past few years. Call in to let Troy at the Municipality know if you spot some.
- Q: Are fireworks rules being enforced? As much as we can but it's tough. A license is required but they are hard to enforce. 2 bylaw officers on the Peninsula, work 9-5. Last summer they increased hours to midnight, but it still takes awhile to get around. Maybe signs would help to deter.
Closing
Anna wraps up the meeting at 9 pm. Encouraged folks to email any other questions or concerns to anyone listed on the website.
Reminder of annual dues, $25.
Paul Mundy officially requests to meet again in person for the BBQ. Anna said 51 people showed up for this meeting which was a record. Suggested we do a Spring vote on it for the future meetings. We could send a survey in the spring to see what folks want to do going forward.
End at 9:33pm