Vaseux Lake Stewardship ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Minutes
September 25, 2022
I. Call to order
Norm Gaumont called to order the board meeting of the Vaseux Lake Stewardship Association at 14:00 on September 25, 2022 at 216 Sundial Rd at Vaseux Lake.
II. Roll call
Norm Gaumont conducted a roll call of the General Members present at the meeting. The following persons were present: Grant Temple, Michelle McReavy, Randy Ruf, Sandy Ruf, Colin Worth, Gord Smith, Patty Smith, Steve Jones, Monika Jones, Oval Shattenkirk, Annette Shattenkirk, Norm Gaumont, Michele Gaumont, Taryn Winsor, and Laura Wanamaker.
Open Discussions
a) James Littley presented the results of having the milfoil harvester in the lake for the first time in over 35 years. He stated that they were limited this year by having to go in areas that were mapped out in 2016 when they first started the permitting process. He is hoping to have the permit changed next year where they will be able to go where ever milfoil is a problem and be part of a 5 year permit process. The north area which has a large amount of weed was mostly indigenous weeds and not milfoil and therefore could not be cut. The other issue was the fact the water was so low that the bottom was being dredged up so they had to stop. It was suggested that next year the lake could be raised allowing the harvester to work more in the north end of the lake. It was stressed that there are concerns that not enough of the north end was done this year.
James was asked if there was any progress in getting the Rototiller in the lake since all agreed this would be better than the harvester which simply cuts the milfoil but does not ripped it out by the roots. James stated it was important to work with Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) to have a pilot project to ascertain if dredging the bottom when ripping the milfoil out will release heavy metals. James felt the pilot project will move forward since there is interest by the ONA to remove the milfoil since it does affect the salmon habitat. This has to be done in a way that does not affect the Rocky Mountain mussels, which are endangered in the Okanagan.
b) Norm Gaumont reviewed the changes to the association bylaws. Main changes were the new code of conduct for board of directors. The new bylaws state only one person per family can by on the board of directors and a minimum of 8 members must be at the AGM for quorum.
A motion was made by Norm Gaumont to adopt the new bylaws
Moved by Oval Shattenkirk
Seconded by Monica Jones
Vote: unanimously adopted
c) Norm Gaumont reviewed the revised constitution which clearly articulated the Association was created to maintain the bird and wildlife habitat especially for endangered species.
A motion was made by Norm Gaumont to adopt the new Constitution
Moved by Colin Worth
Seconded by Taryn Winsor
Voted: unanimously adopted
d) Norm Gaumont reviewed the financial report, which is attached, for the Vaseux Lake Stewardship Association. All banking has been moved from RBC to Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union in Oliver. Norm discussed the reasons for the move, primarily being financial as Valley First does not charge nonprofit organizations monthly fees and the Association now has the ability to pay yearly fees through e-transfer. It was also explained that PayPal is charging ever higher fees and we should encourage all members to pay yearly through e-transfers where there are no fees.
A motion was made by Norm Gaumont to move away from PayPal and encourage the membership to pay through e-transfers to
vaseuxsa@gmail.com.
Moved by Annette Shattenkirk
Seconded by Patti Smith
Vote: unanimously adopted
A motion was made by Norm Gaumont to adopt the financial Report
Moved by Taryn Winsor
Seconded by Annette Shattenkirk
Vote: unanimously adopted
e) Norm Gaumont discussed the issue of improper addling of eggs on the Island this past year which caused a very large gosling population. The association will be working with the group which addles the eggs next year to make sure as many of the eggs will be addled including the eggs that are solid which have to be either drilled or oiled which have not been done in the past, resulting in more goslings.
*Egg addling is a method that terminates embryo development through shaking, puncturing, or oiling the egg and placing the egg back in the nest.
f) Norm Gaumont discussed the siltation study which clearly showed the problem was the straightening and building of berms on each side of the Okanagan River which no longer meanders through the flood plain, allowing for the release of the silt from Shuttleworth creek. The study recommended the river be allowed to meander through the flood plain at the bottom third of the river near Vaseux Lake. This will have to be done with the cooperation of the Okanagan Nation Alliance who also would like to see the river be brought back to its natural state.
III. Adjournment
Norm Gaumont adjourned the meeting at 15:45 hrs.
A motion was made by Randy Ruf to adjourn the meeting
Seconded by by Oval Shattenkirk
Voted: unanimously adopted
