Minutes - Annual Meeting

Calabogie and Area Business Association

June 28, 7:00 pm

Host location: The Duck Restaurant

Attending: Ann Stubinsky, Debbie Knaut, Lee Chapman, Lucy Lester, Kristina Chapman, David Abraham, Carolyn Jakes, Deb Giffin, Cath Reynolds. Guests: April Cappel, Reeve Emon, Gunnar Guckes

Agenda and Previous Minutes

Approved by general consent.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer, David Abraham presented the Profit & Loss statement, July 2009 – June 2010. (Please see separate attachment.) CABA’s 2008- 09 financial records were reviewed by an independent party, Brian Hunt.

Carolyn Jakes introduced two new members to CABA, Debbie Knaut of Knaut Guesthouse and Gunnar Guckes with his new cooking school, Taste Funtastic. We end the year with an official total of 96 members.

Invoices for 2010-2011 membership of $40.00 will be sent via“snail mail” .

A proposed operating budget for the 2010-2011 year was approved by general consent. Please see separate attachment.

Correspondence received

CABA received a letter of concern about the accumulation of litter and garbage at a popular outdoor camping site in the Wabun Lake area which is a few miles past Calabogie, towards Mountain Chute Dam. The ongoing buildup of garbage in the area is creating an undesirable eyesore and possible danger (by attracting bears) . In the past the Ministry of Natural Resources would clean up litter a few times a year but this is no longer the case. The word of mouth advertising and popularity of this “wilderness spot” has grown to the point that “a good thing has become spoiled”. Solutions and ideas were discussed, with the possibility a group of volunteers would clean up the existent mess. Reeve Emon offered to transport the trash from Wabun Lake to a municipal waste site. It was suggested the municipality could help raise the level of consciousness regarding the respect and protection of this beautiful and scenic spot by erecting appropriate signage, reminding people to take out what they brought in.

The same problem was raised by the Trails (Economic Development) Committee but there is no money in the municipal budget to deal with the problem at present. Wabun Lake is not the only problem area on crown lands and it appears the only immediate solution is to rely on volunteers. Reeve Emon believes that eventually the township will need to form a Parks Department with litter clean-up on trails as a responsibility.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION ITEMS

. The Festival Committee applied to OVTA to be included in the Rural Ramble this year (one of the 3 weekends). The criteria for being included as ‘a site’ was too restrictive and complicated. We needed to produce insurance certificates from all of our venues, for example. The committee withdrew their application but OVTA said that they would try to work something out for us next year. Hopefully it will still fall on the weekend of our festival. Being included in this event would be extremely beneficial. We feel the advertising done by the OVTA would bring in many more people to the area.

. Broadband is now fully operational in all the designated Outreach areas. Burnstown merchants have the use of a Tech Mentor who is willing to guide and assist anyone with internet related questions - such as how internet can help grow your business. You can reach the tech mentor at Des1959@gmail.com His assistance and expertise has been extended to all CABA members.

. HST in effect July 1. Be prepared for many of your costs going up. Lots of grumbling now that the full impact has been realized.

. Trails news: Be on the look out for plans coming from a new initiative, set up to manage the K&P South trail. This new committee is a multi use management group. Greater Madawaska Township will have a representative.

Manitou Mountain Trail and Madawaska Nordic Trail maps were distributed. Anyone wanting copies for their businesses please ask at the tourist booth. Next map to come out will be the Madawaska River Trail. Next trail to be opened will be the Griffith Uplands Trail.

. Tourist booth will be manned by Leesa Fleury, once again. The booth will be open from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm every day except Tuesday and Wednesday. CABA members who are retail/food and beverage/hospitality vendors are strongly encouraged to visit the booth and introduce your business operations. All CABA members are welcome to drop off their brochures, weekly flyers and specials for distribution to visitors.

Renfrew County 150 year anniversary celebrations – April Cappel

April gave a quick sketch of some of the planned festivities and is visiting all communities and groups, drumming up enthusiasm and looking for exhibitors, volunteers and ideas. The Expo 150 is planned for June 9-12, 2011 and will be staged at Pembroke & Area Airport. The theme is A Journey Through Time. April said that the organizers want people to be able to travel back to our past, appreciate our present and catch a glimpse into our future. The spotlight will be on food, art, culture, businesses and more.

For more information on how you can participate in this exciting venture, either as an exhibitor or volunteer please go to www.expo150.com or call 613-735-7288 ext. 150

Reeve Emon, who sits on a central organizing committee, added that they were encouraging representation of the 27 museums in the county to participate. The site will be secure for all exhibitors.

Trail Blazers Nomination Opportunity

In conjunction with the County of Renfrew’s 150^th Anniversary, Ottawa Valley Business is putting together a DVD of 150 of the most influential people in business in Renfrew County. They seek our/your submissions i.e. 50 people who have been influential in our past, 50 people who are influential today and 50 people poised to be influential in the future of our business community.

For more information please contact Jennifer Layman at 613-732-7774 or email her at jenn@ovbusiness.com

Cooperative Advertising Publication – Maple Lanes

Deb displayed the cooperative ad CABA purchased. This publication gives Calabogie lots of good exposure. Copies can be found at the tourist booth.

Reeve’s Business Report – Peter Emon

Peter was excited to talk about the new Regional Tourist Organization (RTO) formed to “manage” tourism in the newly reorganized districts. - Mitch Wilkie, of Renfrew County’s Economic Development Dept. has written the terms of reference for the province wide groups. At present there have been 6 RTO’s formed of the required 14. The funding for this initiative will be drawn from the EXTRA 3 per cent accommodations tax following HST implementation. Our RTO will be headquartered in Pembroke and staffed with 4-5 employees. The responsibilities of this organization will be to lobby the province, train operators and staff, provide funding for marketing , tourism facility upgrades and provide funding for new facility development.

They will look at point of sale opportunities and a wide ranging reservation system. This new concept is being lead by our Ottawa Valley Tourism Association.

The municipality has purchased Calabogie’s vacant elementary school for $40,000. Council is not sure what the best use will be for the building. A suggestion was that council offices move there leaving more space to be used by the Medical clinic. Perhaps we could improve the library conditions too.

Plans are in the works for Renfrew and Area (Health) Welfare Village, in and around the Moore Street – Raglan area. The plan is to have many health practitioners in place. Doctor shortages are being looked at. A committee is exploring several possible strategies for encouraging new doctors to settle here, including real estate agents and car dealers offering discounts to new medical personnel or a stipend covering expenses until a medical student graduates.

Application is being made for a Family Health Team in our area. This committee is looking for therapists, social workers, nurse practitioners and others who can give care in such matters as heart and stroke and diabetes. There is also a push to make our clinic full-time, extending the present doctor hours to 60.

Rink development will be done in 3 phases. First phase is putting in concrete bunkers and new boards. Second phase, next summer, will be to install a concrete pad. Finally top and sides to be added within 5 years.

Road work update includes Norton Road being “tar and chipped” this year and repairs to county road 71. Mill Street work is set to begin around July 15. Presently the same company is working on Pucker Street.

Canada Day budget always seems to run at a deficit and the council is always looking to diminish the loss. The biggest expense is the cost of the fireworks (just over 8,000.00)

Improvements to the first bridge crossing on the K&P causeway is being considered. Council has asked for the aid of the army training corps with their engineers and man power. They are looking to rebuild the first bridge, adding sides as well. It was suggested that trash cans be placed in the area as it is a busy area for sightseers and fishermen.

Calabogie MotorSport has requested a zoning bylaw change to accommodate building expansion.

Registrations are being accepted by the Municipal Office for individuals running in our municipal elections. Ideally, candidates should be interested in representing the interests of all citizens and not “single issues”. As well, candidates with time and energy for “heavy lifting” would help move plans for improvement in all areas forward at a respectable pace. Issues to consider this time around are library, expansion of municipal offices, small road work projects to be accomplished with less funding and land use planning. It will also be time for a new comprehensive zoning by law (2011).

A new township website is ready to be unveiled. The site has been designed by Blue North Web and Design Studio.

To maintain a status quo budget the municipality counts on 30 new homes going up each year. We enjoy a 13% growth rate presently.

Peter asked if CABA would be able to make a donation to the Canada Day festivities. Carolyn Jakes made a motion that CABA donate $100.00 to the Canada Day fund. As CABA was also sponsoring a pie eating contest for the event an amendment was made that the donation of $100.00 would also include any monies left over from the pie eating contest (no more than another $100.00). Motion approved.

Festival of the Senses – Brainstorm

Current Festival committee is looking for another member to help coordinate the festival. This committee is made up of Carolyn Jakes, Deb Giffin, Cath Reynolds and Skip Hale. The responsibilities of this committee are

To invite businesses to participate, distribute application forms, collect fee

To advertise, through print and radio, free and paid

To order, pick up and distribute site signs

If anyone is interested in joining this committee please contact Cath at 613-752-1585.

New/Old business

It was suggested that at our next meeting, the new CABA executive should look into the possibility of inviting candidates for the upcoming municipal election to attend and answer questions from business members and/or present their views/opinions/platform.

Prior to the elections, the President (Deb Giffin) thanked the Executive and Directors for their work over the past two years and gratitude to the membership for their contributions .

Thanks expressed to host Kristina Chapman and The Duck for their fine hospitality and wonderful refreshments.

Elections

In lieu of an election committee, Carolyn conducted the election for the executive and Cath conducted the election for the directors. The executive for the year 2010-2011 is

President-----------vacant

Vice President------also vacant

Treasurer-----------David Abraham

Secretary-----------Cath Reynolds

Board of Directors

Carolyn Jakes

Deb Giffin

Lucy Lester

Kristina Chapman

Debbie Knaut

The new executive will meet as soon as possible to decide on how we shall proceed with no elected president.

Meeting adjourned 9:50

UPDATE:

As of the follow-up Executive Meeting the new slate is as follows:

Debbie Knaut – President

Lucy Lester – Vice-President

Secretary – Cath Reynolds

Treasurer – David Abraham

Directors at Large – Deb Giffin, Carolyn Jakes, Kristina Chapman

NEXT MEETING: November, 2010 LOCATION: tba