LJi - Fox's Point Meeting
August 12, 2021
Committee member Barb Gilbey, who represents kiteboarders, joined the meeting over Zoom, and Darryl Crabbe, CEO of Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, was absent. In chambers was Stan Willcox - descendent of the Fox family, Steve Mazurak – Committee Chair and Mayor of Pelican Point, representing the RM - Councillor Garry Dixon, Larry Pfliger - area resident and SWF Region 3 Director and Administrative Assistant for the RM Camille Box. Members of the public were able to view the meeting over video from the municipal office basement.
After opening the meeting and approving the agenda and the minutes, Camille Box, who was was serving as a temporary secretary, informed the committee she could no longer be the Secretary as the RM Council had directed her to resign. She added that the terms of reference for the committee designated the Secretary to come from the committee.
Barb Gilbey was nominated and accepted the position. Gilbey asked Box if she would continue to provide administrative support for the meeting, and Gilbey would start at the next one. The committee said that would work, and Box said she would until Councillor Dixon interjected and Box said her resignation was effective immediately. Gilbey took over as Secretary for the remainder of the meeting.
There were several changes to the terms of reference, which the committee discussed. Councillor Garry Dixon said that council was ok with the changes but wanted a dispute resolution mechanism within the document.
Dixon suggested a dispute resolution mechanism such as is in place with organized hamlets and the RM. Dixon volunteered the RM's administration to draw up the wording with direction from the committee. Chair Steve Mazurak and Barb Gilbey will work with the RM's Chief Administrative Officer to bring back some recommendations to the next meeting.
The committee discussed how to decide on committee members when there was no agreement between the RM and SWF. Previously the RM's CAO and SWF favoured drawing a name from a hat for a disputed position. However, the RM council was not in favour. RM council is now in favour of the hat method for future position disputes.
The PowerPoint presentation, as well as discussion on the SWF Cairn, was deferred.
The committee discussed a potential heritage resource impact assessment or archaeological studies. Mazurak will be looking at them further.
The committee will undertake a public consultation to include First Nations, neighbours and stakeholders. The consultation will include the name of the point.
The committee discussed potential funding options from SWF, RM, donations and grants, which would be looked at further after a plan is in place.
There was some discussion on requiring applications to use the space for 1-2 day clinics. Gilbey said that for the one person with weekly clinics, that requirement would significantly impact his business. She clarified for safety; there is only the instructor and one person out on the water. And clinics aren't a large gathering of people. The committee agreed the smaller sessions were ok.
There was some discussion around camping at the point. It's been noted that different people have tented there overnight. Larry Pfliger said that on SWF land, camping or fires are not allowed. Gilbey said the kiteboarder executive board is concerned that camping at the site would cause concerns for cabin owners and people in the RM. She said they are very sensitive to the camping issue but aren't in a position to tell others not to camp overnight.
Gilbey said multiple people attend the Provincial kiteboarding competition during the September long weekend. The location is determined by the wind direction and occurs at either Regina Beach or Fox's Point. If there isn't any wind, other activities occur. There are approximately 15 competitors and six people who organize. She said because it's great entertainment, people love it and parking occurs on the beach. Dixon noted that there could be 20 kiters at the point on a windy weekend and that various users are respectful of each other. Mazurak said that policy and balance for public use would come via the consultation process.
Tracks caused by motorized vehicles concern the committee as they look to return the point to its natural state.
The RM made a resolution to approach the Ministry of Highways to transfer the road allowance that runs along the boundary to the point. Garry Dixon said options for use for the road would be looked at through the RM's consultation process.
The committee discussed washrooms and garbage could be a future discussion.
The next meeting of the committee will be on September 13th at 10 am.