AHED

Minutes of meeting

held on Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 10:00 a.m.

at the

Kearney Community Centre

Present : Kay Tod; (Vice-Chair/Secretary - member-at-large); Gilbert Lane (Councillor - Ryerson); Eleanor Sled-Kurrle (BARSEC); Denise Sherritt (NDO MNDM); Andrew Busch (EDC Powassan); Catharine Mayne (NECO); Jeff Johnston (Councillor –Kearney); Kelly Early (EDC, Whitestone); Cliff Reeds (Mayo - Kearney); Ron Begin (FedNor); Carol Adamthwaite, (KWEF); Merv Mulligan (Councillor - McMurrich/Monteith); Sadie Fetterley (Councillor -Kearney);

Regrets : Chair Christina Golding (Councillor-Powassan) Barb Groves (Mayor – Chisholm) Jeff Buell (Bluesky.net); Denise Eckert (Community Updates); David Stewart (AH Ontario Inc)

1. Meeting called to order by Vice-Chair Kay Tod @ 10:05 a.m.

2. No declarations of pecuniary interest

3. Deputations : None.

4. Adoption of Minutes

Moved by Sled -Kurrle and seconded by Johnston that the minutes of the meeting held July 20, 2006 be accepted. Motion carried

5. Reports from Community and Resource Partners

5.1 Ministry of Northern Development and Mines .

• Denise Sherritt reported on an ongoing tax comparison study between organized and unorganized municipalities.
• Denise also stated that her contract is finished with MNDM and Dominique Marleau will be attending future AHED meetings. The Committee wished her well, thanked her for her valuable contributions and agreed that she will be very much missed.

5.2 NECO

• Catharine Mayne reported on the latest round of successful grant applications. There were three successful applicants.
• NECO is now conducting the next round of applications.

5.3 FedNor

• Ron Begin stated the FedNOR budget has been approved for the next five years
• Ron gave an update on the Centre of Excellence in Mining.
• He is looking forward to working with the South Almaguin Highlands Economic Development Committee (Burk’s Falls, Armour and Ryerson). He stressed the necessity for a “partnership aspect” for all projects
• Ron answered several questions regarding funding application requirements – he emphasized the importance of “job creation” aspect.
• There is good news coming --- possibly Sept or Oct --- regarding the research project contracted through Blue Sky. 15 municipalities are participating in this project. FedNOR and the Province have contributed funding but those municipalities that did not register will not be researched.

5.4 Bluesky.net

• Jeff Johnston reported on the GIS RFP. A selection committee of municipal reps is required
• A strategic plan for GIS implementation is being developed.
• Discussion took place on the benefits of GPS mapping

5.5   Women’s Own Resource Centre . Not present

5.6   Municipality of Chisholm Not present

5.7   Burk's Falls/Armour/Ryerson Special Events Committee

• Eleanor Sled-Kurrle reported on the annual Greg Boyes Day held on July 22 nd. Some profit was recognized from this venture. .
• Another fund-raising event will take place in the Municipal Parking Lot in September. All funds raised in the “Sink the Boat” day will go to the Our Community Works project. (BAR Arena)
• Eleanor will attend the SAHED meeting as a partner from BARSEC
• Caroline Loiselle (Multiple Ministries rep) has been invited to attend a BARSEC meeting.
• Eleanor thanked Denise Sherritt for all the enthusiastic support and assistance she has given her committee and stated that she will be greatly missed.

5.8 Almaguin Highlands Business After Hours (AHBAH)

• No report.

5.9 Powassan Observatory Committee

• Report given by Andrew Busch contained information on the meeting last evening in Powassan. Some details cannot be discussed publicly at this time.
• He was pleased to report on the recommendation made to Powassan Council that the agreement with a private partner be approved in principle. This would allow the partner to become the construction and facility manager giving stability to the project for the next five years.
• A press release from Chair Kay Tod will be forthcoming at the end of August

5.10 Municipality of Whitestone BR&E Program .

• Kelly Early reported on the potential development of trails in her community. She is experiencing some difficulty with community interest but stated that most organizations are usually extremely supportive and the lack of interest could be due to everyone being busy during the summer months.

5.11 E conomic Development in the Municipality of Powassan

• First Impression community project is going to be partnering with a community on Manitoulin Island and could possibly be completed in September.
• The Pines Interpretive Trails opening will be tomorrow in Powassan. This is on property owned by Eastholme and leased to the Municipality. Signs will give details of historical significance and flora that abounds on the mountain.
• Powassan Strategic Plan is still in progress. MoPED will be meeting with business leaders this month.

5.12 Almaguin Marketing Proposal

• Ron Begin spoke on the process to date. While federal funds have been allocated, other funding is not being successfully obtained by the lead municipality – Village of South River .
• The upcoming November municipal elections could put the project in jeopardy.
• Merv stated that his Municipality of McMurrich/Monteith had been willing to support the project to see where it would lead.

5.13 Almaguin Highlands Bed and Breakfast Association. (AHB&B). No report

5.14 Kearney Watershed Environment Foundation/2008 Centennial Project .

• Carol Adamthwaite was pleased to report that the KWEF has received funding from NECO and information packages are now being assembled.
• Jeff Johnston explained the composition of the Centennial Committee and sub-committees and their duties. (Attached for information purposes)
• The Town of Kearney appreciated the funding through Caroline Loiselle dedicated to canoe lessons.
• Ron Begin suggested developing a separate website to create excitement, to allow advance registration and to offer contact info etc

Jeff Johnston introduced the new Kearney CAO, Twyla Nicholson. On behalf of AHED, Jeff also thanked the Seniors group who donated the scrumptious tea biscuits, fruit, jams, tea and coffee .

5.15 Community Updates Directory

• No report.

5.16 South Almaguin E. D. Committee (formerly BF/A/R Economic Development Group )

• Gib Lane reported on the plans for a public meeting with the area business people.
• David Thompson hopes to organize other Almaguin Highland areas.

5.17 Almaguin Highlands Ontario Inc.

• No report

6. Correspondence

7. Unfinished Business

• Items 7.1 and 7.2 were tabled until the next meeting

8. In-Camera

9. Other Business/Community Reports .

9.1 McMurrich Monteith report

• . Merv Mulligan spoke of the state of P2P (Park to Park) that runs from Kearney to Baysville (almost). He stated that businesses do benefit from the activity on the trails. They are investigating how to let people who use the trails know how to contribute to the maintenance and feels that other connecting trails (from other communities). would most certainly benefit from the business.

9.2 Magnetawan report

• Kay Tod spoke about the 5K race on September 9, 2006 , sponsored by the Magnetawan Area Business Association (MABA) Proceeds will go to a scholarship for an Almaguin Highlands Secondary School student pursuing tourism or business. There will be a silent auction, vendors and entertainment along with the addition of more names to the Trans-Canada Trail Kiosk in Magnetawan.
• Kay also spoke about a new organization -- the Magnetawan River Watershed Association. There were 19 members in attendance at this first meeting and many issues and concerns were brought to the table. Some necessary duties were filled voluntarily and will report at the next meeting on September 3/06.
• Representatives from the Huntsville Lakes Council and the Kearney Watershed Foundation will be invited to attend the next meeting to advise on development process.
• Ron Begin suggested that when the organizations along the Magnetawan River Watershed have developed a partnership arrangement, there could possibly be an intern hired and funded through FedNOR or the Province to assist in research and organization.

10. Adjournment and next meeting

Moved by Sled-Kurrle the meeting adjourn at 12:00 a.m. Carried.

Next meeting : Dunchurch Community Centre

Date September 21, 2006 Time: 10:00 a.m.

Directions: Take Highway # 124 and drive west towards Parry Sound. (Dunchurch is about ½ hour
west of Hwy 11)

________________________       ______________________

Christine Golding, Chair                     Kay Tod, Secretary

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