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1. Call To Order. The Regular Meeting of August 9, 2006 was called to order at 7:07 pm. 1A. Roll Call. Present were Helen Smith, Mike Larsen, Peter Heebink and Malcolm Taggart. Absent was Perry Savoie. Approximately 17 observers. 2. Adoption Of Agenda. Motion #1. Motion that the following agenda items be added under Old Business: House Numbering, Army Beach well update. Add under New Business: Cell Phone coverage. Moved by Helen Smith, Seconded by Mike Larsen. Vote: 4 in favour. Motion # 1 Carried. 3. Adoption Of Previous Meeting Minutes. Minutes of the June 14, 2006 meeting were read. Motion # 2. Motion THAT the minutes be accepted with the following amendment: under 4.c. the word "possible" is to be added before "future development". Moved by Mike Larsen, Seconded by Peter Heebink. Vote: 4 in favour. Motion # 2 Carried. 4. a. Yukon Government Dept of Forestry discussion of small scale logging in Marsh Lake area. Myles Thorp, Manager, Forest Planning and Development gave background on the amount of small scale logging including private firewood permits in the Marsh Lake area, a total of about 10,000 cubic metres per year for south central Yukon with only about 50% of that total being actually logged. It was acknowledged that only small-scale selective commercial logging occurs in Marsh Lake. His department is asking for input from residents and commercial loggers concerning any areas that have issues, such as caribou migratory routes or recreational tracks that can be flagged for their future planning exercises. Firewood permits being given out in the Judas Creek recreational reserve area was brought up as a current issue. Thorp requested that any residents with these kinds of issues including ecological, wildlife and bird habitat knowledge or other factors that could affect the possible future use of areas in Marsh Lake, should contact his department. 4.b. LAC Intervener status with regards to Yukon Energy's 20-year plan. Mike Larsen attended a hearing in Whitehorse concerning Yukon Energy's 20-year plan along with other groups wishing to take intervener status with the Utilities Board. The most prominent issue for Marsh Lake is Yukon Energy's plan to apply to raise the lake water level by 12 inches on non-flood years, above their current permitted level. Other issues effecting Marsh Lake are environmental impact, property values and social and economic issues for residents. After further discussion it was decided that Mike Larsen would phone the Utilities Board immediately and apply for intervener status before the deadline. Motion # 3. Motion THAT Mike Larsen apply on behalf of the Council to the Utilities Board for intervener status with the Yukon Energy 20 year plan proposal. Moved by Helen Smith, Seconded by Peter Heebink. Vote: 4 in favour. Motion # 3 Carried. Sasha Webber and Robert Wally, two members from the Carcross/Tagish First Nation introduced themselves and offered to liase with Council to discuss water & forestry issues. Chair Taggart welcomed their participation and agreed to be in contact with them concerning these issues. 5. Report From the Chair & Correspondence. Chair Taggart reported that Council's CDF application for Community Trail planning had been approved. Work would begin with GPS tracking of existing trails and mapping them to plan connecting trails between all the subdivisions. Correspondence: Sent a reply to the O'Grady agriculture lease application on the Alaska Highway as per last month's motion. Taggart contacted YESAB and their reply to him was that all of Council's concerns were disregarded. YESAB recommended that the application be granted. Chair Taggart has a meeting in September with Agriculture Branch A/Director Tony Hill to discuss the community's concerns with the increasing number of agriculture leases being issued in the Marsh Lake area. -Received application for Westburg, M'Clintock Bay lot enlargement that Perry Savoie had forwarded a reply to Chair Taggart, which Taggart would forward to YESAB. -Received an application for Thompson at old km 1422, Alaska Highway. Council had been given no reason to oppose the application. Bear Problems. Increased bear encounters this summer have occurred throughout Marsh Lake, especially at the new Transfer Station dumpsters. Council reminded everyone that anyone encountering problem bears should contact the Yukon Government Renewable Resources wildlife experts and not the volunteer Local Advisory Council members. 6. Committee Reports. AYC: Chair Taggart reported that the director of AYC is requesting feedback on the dog issue throughout unincorporated communities. Marsh Lake Community Society: Recreation Director John Streicker reported that the community hall was being outfitted with office equipment and kitchen appliances were on order. A donation of other kitchen items had been received and was greatly appreciated. The old playground on Doehle Drive had been inspected and none of the old equipment was reusable for the new playground at the new location. Any of the old items were available for salvage, with the exception of a few pieces that were spoken for. The Society was working on a meeting room rental deal for the Council plus the availability for a document storage area for Council. FireSmart: Jurgen Willms reported that there is a plan to FireSmart an area along the creek between Old & New Constabulary. Marsh Lake Solid Waste Management Society: Gloria Johnson reported that the Marsh Lake dump had ceased burning household garbage and now had a Transfer Station made up of 16 dumpsters. However, without the recycling depot in place all of the potential recycling had to go into the dumpsters. Funding has been received through CDF to cover an attendant being at the Transfer Station for 40 hour per week beginning in October. One full time or two part time attendants would be hired and once they were in place the hours would be posted and the Transfer Station would only be open the 40 hours per week. Emergency Measures Committee: nil report. 7. Old Business. House Numbering: Helen Smith reported that they were now on their 5th draft of the house numbering maps. This will be their last opportunity to clarify changes, check the names of roads and submit corrections. After the maps are finalized a letter will be sent from Council to each property owner with their street address and a request that the addresses be posted. It was suggested that digital maps could be posted on the web site for the use of residents. Army Beach Well: Problems continue with the new Army Beach well, which is now producing only 1-1/2 gallons per minute. Community Services is considering alternatives options. Motion # 4. Motion THAT a letter be written to the Minister for Community Services requesting their position and a time frame for an adequate water supply for the north Marsh Lake area. Priority should be given to this issue. Moved by Helen Smith, Seconded by Peter Heebink. Vote: 4 in favour. Motion # 4 Carried. 8. New Business and Question Period. Cell Phone Coverage: The analog signal for the Marsh Lake area has been degrading for some time. Although not mentioned in NWTel's latest announcements, Marsh Lake would be included in their new cell coverage of Tagish. The analog system will be kept going until a digital system could be in place. However, areas currently in the dead zones, notably those in Army Beach, will never be reached by the tower. Local Advisory Council Election 2006: Motion # 5. Motion THAT Council appoint Marg Dunn as the returning officer for Marsh Lake Local Advisory Council Election 2006. Moved by Mike Larsen, Seconded by Helen Smith. Vote: 4 in favour. Motion # 5 carried. Marg Dunn stated that the Deadline for Nominations for Council is September 28. Polling day, if necessary will be October 19th. Chair Taggart encouraged anyone interested in running for the volunteer position in his or her ward to submit their nomination form before the deadline date. Marsh Lake Weather Station: Helen Smith reported that the tower structure on the highway across from Mitchie Place is the new weather transmitter for sending automated reports on highway conditions. 9. Adjournment. Motion # 6. Motion THAT the meeting be adjourned. Moved by Helen Smith, Seconded by Peter Heebink. Vote: 4 in favour. Motion #6 Carried. Chair Taggart adjourned the meeting at 9:29 pm. |
