– Waskesiu Wilderness Region representative, Terry Dow, director of sales and marketing and the 2017 Waskawanderer, Brenden Maisonneuve, provided an overview of the 2016 year, and plans for 2017. They have an awesome new mobile app that provides a lot of great information about our region including places to go and things to do. Check it out!
– Council approved a request for a Fire Smart area assessment. Information related to specific areas will be circulated when the assessment is complete. Additional information is available at www.environment.gov.sk.ca/fire.
– Seasonal public work staff for 2017 include Aaron Hiese and Jason McLeod. In addition, summer student staff will be engaged for July and August.
– A new and improved dock has been installed at McPhail Cove launch.
– Gateway Resort has applied for rezoning of their property at McPhee Lake from C1-Commercial to RMU-Multi Residential Unit. The public hearing related to their application is set for Saturday, July 8, at 2pm at the Legion Hall in Christopher Lake.
– Tax notices will be mailed out prior to the end of June. Included with the tax notice is an insert prepared by the Environmental Advisory Committee covering Dark Sky Lighting, ATVs, Invasive Zebra and Quagga Mussels, and Friendly Fertilizers.
– Council met with a delegation from an area of Front Street, Sunnyside Beach, and reviewed letters received regarding a permitted parking project initiated this spring. A key District priority over the past several years, is to regulate parking on municipal reserves and road allowances. Over the years, the size of cottages/homes has increased combined with the size and number of recreational vehicles and vehicles driven by residents and visitors, and the result is that parking in residential areas has become a concern. These concerns include the ability of emergency and service vehicles to reach locations in a timely manner, tensions between neighbours, and on occasion between residents and visitors to the area. Recognizing that the transition from ‘how we’ve always done it’ may cause questions and uncertainty, the District continues to look for ways to accommodate the needs of our residents in a fair and equitable manner on a district-wide basis.
– Cindy Hanson from Anglin Lake has resigned from the Environmental Advisory Committee effective July 1, and Karee Davidson’s appointment to the committee was approved. Thanks to Cindy for her service over the past couple of years, and welcome to Karee.
– Councillor John Stauffer was elected to the board of the North Central Saskatchewan Waste Management Corp. NCSWMC is in the business of recycling paper and cardboard, and now multi material recycling. It is a non-profit corporation owned by 12 municipalities, including the District of Lakeland – Albertville, Birch Hills, RM of Garden River, Meath Park, Paddockwood, Prince Albert, Prince Albert National Park, RM of Prince Albert, Weirdale, Christopher Lake.
– Former Reeve, Al Christensen provided a report from the Rural Landfill Committee, a provincial Ministry of Environment advisory committee which includes representatives from rural municipalities, towns, SARM, SUMA and Government Relations.
– An example of a ‘Love Your Lake’ personalized shoreline property report provided to all lakefront owners was provided for Council’s review. The information was gathered in 2016, and the information required to access each report provided to cottage owners over the past month. This project was a joint initiative of the District of Lakeland (Environmental Advisory Committee and volunteers), North Saskatchewan River Basin Council, Watersheds Canada, and the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Much of the report which is not personalized contains some excellent information regarding shoreline health, and it will be put on the District website.
– The Water Quality report for 2016 was provided by Wayne Hyde. The water quality data on all four lakes, Anglin, Christopher, Emma and McPhee continues to meet the provincial objectives for Recreation and Aesthetics and for the Protection of Aquatic Life, with the water sample analysis for 2016 remaining fairly consistent with data collected for the 2005 – 2015 period.
– And finally, don’t forget the annual information meeting on Saturday, July 8, at 11am at the Christopher Lake Legion Hall. The Lakeland & District Co-operative Volunteer Fire Department and the Emma & Christopher Lakes Association (ECLA) annual general meetings will be held the same morning with the Fire Co-op at 9am and ECLA at 10am. Please join us for an informative morning, with opportunity to ask questions about the operation and activities of all three organizations.
While the contact information for myself and all councillors is on the website and/or available through the District office, we encourage you to contact the District office if you have a concern or require municipal services (and saying thank you for good service is always appreciated as well) so that it can be addressed in a timely manner.
Cheryl Bauer Hyde
Reeve