Timmins Local Citizens Committee
Minutes of the June 09, 2004 MeetingJun 09 hours: 26.00
Year to date: 273.60
Total: 3950.40Date: June 09, 2004
Location: Gold Mine Tour Conference Room
Present: Bill Russell, Allan Moyle, Andrea Griener, Bob Bielek, Corrie King, Paul Demers, Robert Vien, Marvin Frew, Michael Fallat, Dino Pellarin, Real Gendron, Melanie Johnson, Manfred Grasser
Regrets: Robert Calhoun, Gary Scripnik, Shawn Pratt, Mike Malek, Mark Joron
Guests: Karen Stokes, Glen McFarlane, Ken Ukrainetz, Jim Abbott
MNR: Terry Pawson, Dianne Corbett, Randy Pickering7:00 p.m; Meeting called to order by Chairman Bill Russell.
CORRESPONDENCE and CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS
· No correspondence
· Littering signage can be picked up after the meeting
· Each member received a CD from MNR
· Canadian Forest Services questionnaires were handed out to members
· NOTE: Wednesday, June 23.04 PJV tour of tailings - 5:30 p.m. @ gatehouse. Please bring boots and fly dope.AMENDMENT TO AGENDA
Karen Stokes of Bear Wise was moved to the second item on the agenda.
BEARWISE
This program will focus on education and awareness in order to reduce the potential for negative encounters with bears. Karen will be making site visits to educate people in reducing attractants such as garbage, poorly cleaned barbeques and bird feeders. She has also been visiting industries such as mines to give tips on controlling attractants. For example, many people do not know that bears are attracted to petroleum products.
People can report bear sightings by calling the toll free number 1.866.514.2327. They can also follow the Bearwise link on the MNR website or visit the Bearwise homepage at
<http://bears.mnr.gov.on.ca>
Once a bear sighting has been reported, the location is mapped. Karen noted that one bear walking through a neighbourhood can generate many calls.
The next part of the program to roll out will be a community funding program where a community considered a “hot spot” would do a bear hazard assessment with MNR and then could apply for funding for a variety of preventative measures to reduce the number of bear conflicts with humans.
Bearwise is also there to encourage municipalities to really look at their management of garbage and landfills. There is a bylaw in the City of Timmins that says a household cannot put garbage out until the morning of pick-up.
There is a signed memorandum of agreement between the MNR and the Police. The police can page MNR at any time to attend. The MNR continues to work with the police to train officers in bear biology so the officers will be better equipped to assess a bear’s behaviour.
Each member received a hand-out which covered each point made in the presentation. A copy is attached to the minutes.
COMPLIANCE PLANNING
Jim Abbott reported that a final draft of the Annual Compliance Operating Plan (ACOP) has been forwarded to the District Leadership Team (DLT) for review. Once Jim receives the DLT’s comments on the ACOP, he will present it to the LCC (Local Citizen’s Committee!)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Michael Fallat moved that the minutes of the May 12th meeting be approved with one spelling correction. Seconded by Real Gendron. Motion carried.
REGIONAL FORUM PLANNING
ICE BREAKER
A presentation on K9 training was suggested for an ice breaker. A shotgun shell could be hidden under a seat in the audience and Kyle Cachagee’s dog would sniff it out. (note: this item is approved by the members later in the meeting and is scheduled as an ice breaker at 8:30 p.m. on Friday night)
Ken Ukrainetz proposed a static display illustrating types of evidence a conservation officer would encounter at a crime scene. LCC Members could participate in a “mini game of Clue” where they would record as many pieces of evidence as they could on a sheet of paper, sign their name and deposit it in a box. The winner would be announced during the Regional Forum. The goal would be to give LCC members an appreciation of the work a conservation officer does. This display could be set up on Friday night and taken down Saturday. Kyle Cachagee, Jim Abbott & Ken Ukrainetz would be available for questions while the display is up.
Each member received a hand-out which covered each point made in the presentation. A copy is attached to the minutes.
CORRESPONDENCE
Terry has sent the letter formally asking Millson Forestry Service to participate in the Regional Forum. He has received a verbal positive response from Sue & Dave Millson although they will not personally be able to attend as they have other commitments on that weekend.
Terry has sent letters to Mayor Victor Power and Jamie Lim. He has also composed a “to whom it may concern” letter regarding sponsorship.
A letter has also been sent to Honourable David Ramsey inviting him to speak at the forum.
REGISTRATION
Bill Russell has completed the Registration forms and they have been sent out. There have been three responses so far. It was suggested that a reminder be sent in July or August.
Bill is working on the Registration Package which will include museum hand-outs, sheets of acronyms, a key chain, Shania Twain / Gold Mine Tour hand-outs and other items.
Bill will look into having Welcome signs posted at the Chamber of Commerce, Goodyear, the Beer Store on Algonquin.
Real suggested the registration package should contain some “ground rules” for the forum. Example - the Agenda is fixed.
Registration will begin at 11:00 a.m. Friday.
ACCOUNTING / FINANCIAL
The budget is approximately $15,000.00 Sponsorships should bring in more money.
EVENTS
Melanie has planned three events for Friday afternoon. Each registrant can make their choice on their registration form. The choices are Gold Mine Tour / Shania Twain Centre, Millson Forestry Service or KamKotia Mine which is an extreme example of an abandoned mine property when regulations were not in place to address long-term impact. Chris Hamlin of MNDM would be interested in attending the KamKotia Mine tour.
Wally Bidwell of Lake Abitibi Model Forest would like to put up a static display.
George Brumer of Canadian Forestry Research would also like to put up a static display.Banners recognizing the sponsors will be displayed as well as a Welcome from the Timmins and Gogama LCC’s.
All members agreed to drop the Trivia Contest.
SPEAKERS
All speakers have been confirmed. There will be 7 topics of 20 minutes each. Some back-up speakers are also confirmed
SPONSORSHIPNo updates to report.
OTHER
Meals
Marketing - Event highlighted in Chamber of Commerce July Newsletter
Accommodation - Day’s Inn, Timmins
Event Motto - “Our Future is Growing”The MNR will have someone take minutes at the conference. A CD will be given to each LCC.
FOLLOW-UP ITEMS
July 16, 2003 Meeting
Disturbance - history 1909-2008 - approximately 200 ha
Motion: Gary made a motion that LCC shyuld make a recommendation to the Provincial Government that they must do something to limit liability on standard issues. Marvin seconded the motion. Carried
Action: The Chair will prepare a letter to Dianne Corbett, District Manager, MNR. There is no record of a letter to Dianne per Terry.ACTION ITEM #1: Bill Russell will write a letter to Dianne Corbett regarding this issue.
July 16, 2003 Meeting
Enforcement - charges should be made and followed more consistently.
Mark made a motion that enforcement is consistent and that a more proactive stand is taken. Marvin seconded the motion. Carried.
Anti-littering signs were made up and some were posted by the Junior Rangers. There is a supply of signs in the fire bay.ACTION ITEM 2: Terry Pawson will locate the anti-littering signs in the fire bay. At June 9th meeting, members may take a supply for posting. Item completed June 09.04
ACTION ITEM 3#: Terry will contact Jim Abbott for numbers and types of charges laid.
Mark Joron asked if it would be possible to get a document showing the number of amendments filed and who filed them. This document could be reviewed annually by the LCC as a way of tracking our review and comments associated with each amendment. This needs clarification. I am not sure what it means.
ACTION ITEM 4: Terry will write a letter to Millson Forestry Service formally inviting them to participate in the Northeast Regional Forum. Item completed.
ACTION ITEM 5: Terry will ask Dianne Corbett to send a letter to Timmins City Council requesting that Gary Scripnik be their representative at the LCC. (Gary is presently representing ‘General Public’). Item completed
ACTION ITEM 6: Bob Bielek will write an article for the Timmins Chamber of Commerce Newsletter. Item completed. Article will appear in July issue.
OTHER
On behalf of the MNR, Terry Pawson and Dianne Corbett showed their appreciation to the members by presenting them with membership cards and a letter welcoming them to the LCC. Each member was also given a canvas brief case displaying the Timmins LCC logo.
ADJOURNMENT
Robert Vien moved that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by Bob Bielek. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be held on August 11, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. at the Gold Mine Tour. (follow the road to the left of the Shania Twain Centre)
Prepared by Corrie King, Secretary
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