Friends of Petrie Island

Record of Spring General Meeting

May 22, 2001

Queenswood Heights Community Center

19:45 - 21:15

Present:

A. Tweddle, Chair

R. Cloutier

P. Laforest

P. Le Fort (Meeting secretary)

S. McPhee

G. Leblanc

B. Webster

J. Robertson

R. Tubbe

W. Schwartz

Guests:

R. Jellett

H. Kreling

M. McElroy

All items A. Tweddle unless noted

1. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

- Moved A. Tweddle, seconded by P. Laforest.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

- Correction: FOPI Alooking into@, not Aproceeding with@ incorporation (re: Trillium Foundation)

3. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THESE MINUTES

a) Beavers: P. Waddell will liaise with city as to the beaver damage situation

b) Picnic area lease: Coun. Kreling advised Property Mgt. has been busy, FOPI should proceed in normal way with season

4. APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL REPORT - S. McPhee

- Moved S. McPhee, seconded R. Cloutier.

Balance forward fr. 31 Dec 00		$1,509.85
REVENUE Membership Donations Maps TOTAL	120.00 1,000 --- 1,120.00
TOTAL REVENUE		$2,629.85 cont=d
EXPENDITURES Stationery & supplies Telephone Lumber, keys Photographs Food Photocopying Bank charges Monitors Donation	11.24 28.75 --- 27.49 --- 2.28 7.90 --- 25.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURES	102.66
BANK BALANCE 22 May 2001		$2,527.19

5. CORRESPONDENCE & RELATED

Cumberland rally will have checkpoint on PI, Radio Communications event will take place near storage building.

FOPI took part successfully in April Ottawa Wildlife Festival

One work day/open house weekend held so far this season

Ottawa Riverkeeper - Chair attended meeting re: setting up a watchdog for the Ottawa (environment, development, heritage values, coordination between interested groups, regulators - see www.westborobeach.org/keeper2.html

Health concerns in connection with Ottawa waste treatment plant have been brought to City attention by QHCA - FOPI will observe situation on PI

Interprovincial bridge & ring road: cooperation with local elected representatives on package for submission

Tunacliffe Report: FOPI will send updated information, as some major activities were not listed

8. UPDATES/COMMITTEE REPORTS

Working relationships with city of Ottawa: the city has been informed of FOPI activities and plans, FOPI is cooperating with all councillors concerned. Coun. Kreling is designated contact.
Amendments adopted to constitution and bylaws (R. Cloutier) - Amendments are proposed to FOPI constitution and bylaws to reflect city amalgamation and new objectives, incl. some housekeeping changes. Moved R. Cloutier, seconded P. Le Fort. Briefly:

- References to RMOC, Cumberland Twp replaced by ACity of Ottawa@

- Use of terms Chair and President made consistent, minors errors corrected

- New objective 2.4 ATo develop and deliver educational programs for the general public and interested groups as the need arises@

- Changes to 11.4, 13.2 to accommodate new non-voting associate member category

General status report:

Attendance at PI is good, few problems to report, young people generally well behaved, some reminders given about alcohol, littering. Unofficial boat launch area was landscaped as part of litter control. Angling club members report muskellunge population(top of food chain) is on the increase, a good sign for the ecology of the surrounding waters.

Monitoring: volunteers are needed, especially for evenings/weekends. FOPI looking into salaried staff, student community service programs (P. Laforest). Monitors are a good way to provide PR, keep eye on bylaw observance, pick up morning litter. P@ Laforest suggests FOPI prepare guidelines for monitors (FOPI objectives, bylaws, ecology basics, water safety/boating regs, use of cell phone, keys etc.)

J. Robertson doing excellent work on PI photographic essay/show, as well as providing, along with Ottawa Duck Club member Bill Bower, useful info on the environment.

Incorporation (R. Cloutier) : preferable for obtaining grants etc. and to broaden membership base.

Beach proposal: R. Jellett provided update on McNeely beach proposal, study. Chair was given official beach team T-shirt. During discussion, the following facilities were suggested and are supported by FOPI - a beach east of picnic area; a small boat launch; parking/washrooms/snack bar; wading pool; model boat pond; potential winter uses; docking for tour boats. Conclusion is that area should remain as natural as possible, and that existence of an interprovincial bridge would jeopardize public use of the islands.

Interpretive program (P. Le Fort) - website is active, recently updated with fine photographs. Interpretive program is very cost-effective of reaching important youth demographics to foster awareness of nature on a small scale, near home. Over 30 Fact Sheets produced and displayed on reptiles, amphibians, trees, flowers, birds, seasonal features. Folders: introductory folder, birds, trail guide coming soon. Several field walks held (weather permitting) - wildflower walk coming June 9-10, along with turtle display by herpetologist Rankin (June 24). There have been one small, two large school projects (Lasalle Secondary and local elementary). Two qualified Ottawa Field Naturalists= Club naturalists are assisting FOPI with editorial material and tours, general consulting on environment.

9. NEW BUSINESS - Chair called for volunteers for rally checkpoint and wildflower walk.

The meeting was adjourned at 21:15 - Next executive meeting will be June 19, 2001

May 23, 2001 PLF