January Meeting minutes 2026
Date: January 6th 2026
Meeting called to order: 5:30 pm
Attending: Pat Suter, Candace Burt, Ryan Friesen, Kim Grimwade, Kristine Brownscombe, Rick Playfair
Guests: Larry Thompson, Veronica Potts, Dan Davis, Art Kaehn, Debbie Schultz, Miranda Jaye, Kim Gibbs
Motion to approve agenda: Larry seconded by : Candace
Motion to approve previous minutes: Rick seconded by: Kristine
Treasurer’s Report: Balance Dec 31, 2025 $106,466.45, Grants $46,233.94 (soup group $14,980.08, Newspaper $287.32,
Sound system $10,000, Planter grant $1200.90, Fall fair $14965.45, Food safe $1,430.80, Weeding grant $1,824.99,
Halloween $3.30, Good skills $545.00, Yoga $996.10, Christmas market revenue $245.05, Theatre revenue $1,101.20)
General $60,232.51
Motion to approve Treasurer’s report: Kim seconded by Ryan
New Business:
● Sound system cabinet
– Pat has demo of cabinet in hall but ours would be one foot longer and it would be attached to the wall and have wheels
and two draws with a slide out shelf for the system. This would keep the equipment safe in one space and settings fixed.
– question if a proper cabinet was looked into. Pat says yes, mounting and prices not comparable.
– concern about location close to the 2nd bar window. The window is not really functional as there is not extra space
behind.
Motion by Candace seconded by Rick for Pat to further pursue getting the cabinet. All in favour.
● Fall Fair sponsors
– Enbridge – usually donates meals. Kristine will approach first about meal, then Kim about table.
– lets get committee started, do it after next meeting (one hour only)
● Keys for directors: Currently there are 5 keys for the main door, that is considered to be sufficient, keys can be shared as
they are pricey ($100 each from Trident) Pat, Candace, Ryan, Emilia, Kristine.
● Over-the-line tournament and Chilli cook-off : a snowy ball game, 3 players per team, one day event, entry to get in, half
the funds to a pot for the winner, the other half for fundraiser. Chilli cook-off on the same day, neutral third party (Collin
Case) to oversee, probably a Sunday middle to end of Feb. Collin will be at the next meeting to talk about it further.
● Pat has had people volunteer to do community outreach via email about planned events Motion by Pat seconded by Kim
Gibbs to start an email list for community outreach. Pat in lead on this point.
● A cabinet to promote all donors and volunteers
– Motion, Ryan proposes this to acknowledge major donors, citizen of the year, etc to be put in lobby
– a cabinet fills up too fast, what about plaques on the wall instead? digital picture frame?
– how to decide how far back we are going? Is $5 the same as $2000? What to do about anonymous donors (give $ figures)
– suggestion to talk to Cynthia Woods.
– Rick to talk to her about idea- on hold for future formal proposal.
● Bylaws and constitutions
– not presently digitized, Pat has them.
– Ryan will get a copy from Pat for scanning.
Old Business:
● Street lights on the school bus route update:
– led solar street option, but cannot be attached to government poles.
– Rick sent letter re updating lighting – response came back regarding speed signs (separate issue)
– Rick also sent letters to the ministry of transportation, but has not yet heard back . Waiting until the next meeting to see
if we get a response.
– other option is a light district 12-14 sites (likely involve a tax increase)
● Speed sign on hwy fundraiser
– looking for one person to lead on this. Art will take the lead on location and costs,
– Highways has to come and approve the site.
– Ministry has already written a letter saying that if there is community support they will go for it
– once we have those pieces Candace will be on the fundraising.
● Speed signage update- see above point
● Water meter/ reducer valve
– Proposal for water jug dispenser unit to end free for all water tap that is depleting the water table and has considerable
costs to the hall.
– no seconder; motion does not carry
– Ryan researched adding fob, value, and time limits on the system, box of 100 fobs $50, total cost roughly $3,500.
– costs for water closet style being researched by Pat
– waiting for both quotes to come in
– motion to allow for use by only people in fire district region – no seconder; motion does not carry
– concerns about community blow back personally on directors.
Meeting Adjourned: 6:45pm
Next Meeting : February 3rd, 5:30pm; after the meeting Fall Fair meeting
Date: January 26th 2026
Meeting called to order: 5:30 pm
Attending: Pat, Candace, Ryan, Kim, Kristine, Rick, Emilia
Because of a drought, well capacity and pump usage new rules were proposed for using water from the community hall
building effective April 2nd 2026. Water only for members of the Hixon Community Association, 30 gallons per week per
person, totes can no longer be filled. Water at the community hall is water for drinking for people.
Voted: 6 Yes, 1 abstain, 1 absent