2022 AGM Minutes

Minutes of the 75^th Annual General Meeting Held

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Via Zoom

Attendance:

1. Welcome to Citizens Present and Introduction of the Current Executive

• Chairperson welcomed attending Citizens’ Association Executive Members and the following attendees to the meeting:
• Mayor: Heidi Ektvedt
• Town Councilors: Nadia Bissada, Brigitte Chartrand, Stephen Gruber, Wanda Lowensteyn, and Janet Ryan
• Community and Industrial Park Coordinator: Antonella Di Marino
• Citizens: Jamie Bitensky, Brendan Buckley, Aria Campbell-Kelly, Boriana Christov, Jeff Funnekotter, Karin Gebert, Andrea Gilpin, Marc-Alexandre Gold, Philip Infilise, Karen Laporte, Frans Lecluse, Emma McGillivray, Holly Myles, Lynda Phelps, Adrian Popa-Ruso, Marie-Noel Pronovost, Eric Riordon, James Riordon, Todd Rubin, Oana Silaghi, Diane Tetrault, Diane Weiss, Kitty Wilkes,
• Chairperson introduced the members of the Executive, mentioning their role in the committee and/or special project responsibilities.

Opening of Meeting

Quorum present, meeting called to order at 7:40 p.m.

3. Review and Adoption of Proposed Agenda

• Additions – No additions to the agenda.
• Adoption – Agenda adopted. Moved by Linda, seconded by Inès.

4. Review and Adoption of Minutes of 2021 Annual General Meeting

• Corrections – No corrections to minutes.
• Adoption – Minutes approved. Moved by Betsy, seconded by Tony.

5. Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Linda Tait presented the annual financial report for 2021.

6. Financial Audit

Betsy moved to dispense with a financial audit by an outside firm considering that CA’s assets and funds do not justify the cost of retaining financial audit services.   Cindy seconded the motion.  Motion passed with all in favour and one abstention.

7. Review of Activities of 2021

• Due to Covid-19 most of the CA’s regular events had to be canceled including the Mothers’ Day Breakfast, Baie-D’Urfé Days and the Citizenship Awards. Instead, the CA resorted to virtual activities.
• Using the Covid guidelines the CA put on a snowman-ice sculpture building contest in February, Town cleanup in April, fireworks in August, a hybrid Meet the Candidates seminar in October, a tree lighting event and the Toy Drive in November.
• The CA held a series of 4 webinars during the week of March 8 to coincide with International Womens’ Day. With this success, the CA held additional webinars throughout the year covering the following relevant topics: Gardening, two on Bill 96, and Bullying/Cyberbullying.
• The CA held their Annual General Meeting via Zoom on February 16, where all of the executives from the previous year returned. The CA also welcomed their newest member-at large, Miss Inès Forgue.
• 10 issues of News & Views/Entre-Nous magazine were published and delivered plus a revised Municipal Directory. Thanks to the former editor Tony Brown as well as to the distribution team including Jim and Marie Morrison and all the carriers.
• The CA’s new website operated throughout the year and the Newsletter was delivered on a regular basis via Mailchimp. The CA’s Social Media Coordinators Lara Ali and Inès Forgue launched a Facebook page for the Association.

8. Plans for 2022

 Continuation of normal events and planning special events for 75th anniversary subject to government rules regarding Covid

• Hoping to be able to resume some of the normal activities as Covid-19 regulations relax.
• Snowman/Ice sculpture contest is currently underway.
• There are a few activities being discussed for the 75^th In April, the CA plans to launch a Volunteer Citizens’ Service for Seniors, wherein the seniors will be invited on a regular basis to Fritz for tea and snacks, some games and perhaps listen to a speaker or two.  There will be more discussion at upcoming executive meetings regarding additional activities.

 Review of Constitution beginning at regular monthly meetings

• This will be upcoming in the very first executive meeting in March.

9. List of Nominees & Election of 2022 Executive

• Candidates’ introductions
• All candidates were invited to speak briefly about their background and/or reasons for joining as a member at large.
• Voting and results
• Voting took place via an electronic ballot that was made available to all attendees.
• Results:

Welcome to CA Executive for 2022:

10. Question period

• Jeff Funnekotter pointed out that other municipalities held events last summer despite the Covid regulations at the time and asked for an explanation as to why Baie-D’Urfé Days was cancelled.
  • Betsy answered that the CA worked closely with the Town and at the time, a decision was made based on the comfort level of everyone involved. As well, there are thousands of dollars at stake if the event has to be cancelled due to changes in restrictions.  It was also pointed out that Baie-D’Urfé Days falls early in the summer, so restrictions were tighter than they were later in the summer.
• Diane Weiss asked if the concerts in the park were at all connected to the CA.
  • Betsy answered that the concerts were not associated with the CA, that Baie-D’Urfé resident organizes those events.
• Diane Tetrault asked what comes next.
  • Jack answered that the new members would be added to the email list putting everyone in touch before the next meeting.
• Andrea Gilpin asked what tools the CA uses for communication between meetings. If messenger was used or another application.
  • Jack answered that the CA uses email to communicate, but that other tools could be discussed at the next meeting.

11. Adjourn

Motion to close by Linda.

Meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m.