GCA Board Meeting Minutes

 

Tuesday, April 28, 7:00 p.m.
via videoconference

 

Present: Elizabeth Ballard, Bob Brocklebank, Anthony Carricato, Dan Chook Reid, June Creelman, John Crump, Sylvia Grandi, Rochelle Handelman, Jennifer Humphries, Carolyn Mackenzie, Carol MacLeod, Bill Price, Steph Small, Laura Smith, Sue Stefko, Caroline Warburton, Judy Wilson, Josh Van Noppen

 

Others: Al Bateman, James Bowie, Nathan Bowers-Krishnan, Mary Gick, Sylvia Greenspoon, Steve Harris, Angela Keller-Herzog, Kathy Krywicki, Shawn Menard, Wendy Myers, Maurizio Ortolani, Sharon Paré, Judy Peacocke, Andrew Peck, David Sweanor,  Sue Wheeler, Sarah Young

 

Regrets: none

 

WELCOME

June welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

AGENDA AND MINUTES

The agenda was approved with minor amendments (withdrawing Motion 2; including the Nominations Committee report in the AGM discussion; including a motion in the Patterson Creek bistro discussion). The minutes from the February meeting were approved without amendments (Carol / Bill).

 

REPORT FROM THE COUNCILLOR

Shawn reported on work he and his office have been doing recently:

  • Participating in the Hotels to Homes campaign with Councillor McKenny, and advocating to house people after the COVID-19 crisis passes
  • Working with staff and farmers on how to open the farmers market at Lansdowne safely
  • Advocating successfully with Councillor King in support of community gardens
  • Preparing for the upcoming Council discussion about the urban boundary report
  • Working to create space for physical distancing for residents on Bank St.

 

In response to questions:

  • Shawn raised concerns about traffic speed with police and asked that it be monitored.
  • The next step with respect to the possibility of a Bronson guard is for staff to do a count; it is unclear when this will happen, given then current context.

 

There was some discussion about advocacy approaches regarding the urban boundary issue.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS / MOTIONS / Q&A

 

Health, Housing and Social Services

 

Motion 1: Queen Elizabeth Driveway

 

Whereas the National Capital Commission has closed part of the Queen Elizabeth Driveway to motor vehicle traffic, in light of COVID-19 physical distancing requirements,

And whereas the Queen Elizabeth Driveway is being well-used by pedestrians, runners, cyclists, rollerbladers, etc.

 

Be it resolved that the Glebe Community Association thank the National Capital Commission for its work to temporarily close Queen Elizabeth Driveway to motor vehicle traffic;

 

And be it further resolved that the Glebe Community Association encourage the National Capital Commission to extend the distance of the Queen Elizabeth Driveway that is closed to motor vehicle traffic and to keep the restrictions in place until after COVID-19 physical distancing requirements have been lifted.

 

Discussion: Dan presented the motion, adding that the NCC has extended the closure until May 10. Carol suggested specifying that we advocate specifically to extend the distance to Preston. Caroline said there may be some driveways in that space. A friendly amendment was accepted:

 

And be it further resolved that the Glebe Community Association encourage the National Capital Commission to extend the distance of the Queen Elizabeth Driveway that is closed to motor vehicle traffic as far as possible toward Preston and to keep the restrictions in place until after COVID-19 physical distancing requirements have been lifted.

 

(Dan / Carolyn) Carried

 

Dan spoke about increased space for pedestrians in light of COVID-19 physical distancing requirements and some related concerns that were raised recently, including those of local businesses. Given these concerns, as well as the extension of the Queen Elizabeth Driveway closure until May 10, Motion 2 was withdrawn. The committee will continue to explore this issue.

 

Andrew Peck shared a statement that outlined the concerns of local businesses. June added that Shawn is hosting a specific conversation about this on Thursday.

 

Shawn outlined the current proposal for the Glebe, which would be one lane blocked from Glebe Ave. to Third Ave. City staff is supportive, and Shawn is consulting with businesses this week.

 

Board members raised several points, including: 

  • The importance of providing space on narrow sidewalks for businesses that are seeing many customers right now
  • The number of users on the road right now
  • Holmwood to the Queensway is a major truck route for construction vehicles in the neighbourhood
  • Parking meters should not be enforced right now
  • Businesses should be permitted to use parking spaces to sell things outside
  • People should be wearing masks on Bank St., so it is not necessary to give extra space
  • Not everyone can access masks and it isn’t clear that they are effective
  • Many businesses in this stretch are already closed
  • There are many seniors and high risk people in our community
  • If there is a public health advisory advising to keep a 2m distance, we should do that
  • Extra space would provide safe access to essential services and space to exercise
  • We should think about other streets where we can open up physical space for distancing

 

Shawn said that he has received positive feedback about Bank St. bridge and that this would be done for local residents who are supporting local businesses and asking for more space. He is open to further discussions with the BIA.

 

Andrew said that businesses understand the community’s concerns and that the businesses’ perspective should be part of the discussion. The timing of this discussion is key, as we are coming up to the first of the month. Other BIAs in the city are expressing these sentiments too.

 

Motion 3: Housing emergency

 

Whereas Ottawa declared a Housing Emergency in February 2020;

Whereas Public Health has asked citizens to stay home and maintain physical distancing of at least 2m;

Whereas our most vulnerable people in our society are most at risk of mortality from this virus, including the homeless population;

Whereas hotels are empty and looking to sell space for the homeless to reside;

 

May it be resolved that the GCA asks our municipal and federal governments to house our homeless communities in hotels at this time.

 

Discussion: Dan presented the motion. One Board member asked that the motion include women who need access to shelters. A friendly amendment was accepted:

 

Whereas Ottawa declared a Housing Emergency in February 2020;

Whereas Public Health has asked citizens to stay home and maintain physical distancing of at least 2m;

Whereas our most vulnerable people in our society are most at risk of mortality from this virus, including the homeless population;

Whereas we understand that the incidence in rates of violence against women is rising during COVID-19 and that shelters are full;

Whereas hotels are empty and looking to sell space for the homeless to reside;

 

May it be resolved that the GCA asks our municipal and federal governments to house our vulnerable communities in hotels at this time.

 

(Dan / Elizabeth) Carried

 

Membership

Carol presented options being considered by the Membership Committee regarding the 2020 membership drive in the current circumstances, and some of the related considerations:

  • Have a mail out postcard
  • Do a virtual campaign in September
  • Conduct a virtual canvass now using the membership lists that we have
  • Roll over the current membership (this is the committee’s recommendation)

 

There was a broad discussion that raised several points:

  • The issues with door-to-door canvassing now would be the need to recruit additional block reps and the health risk of canvassers.
  • If the membership were rolled over, this would cost the GCA about $11,000 in revenue.
  • We could mail out a membership card to current members.
  • The cost of mailing something out at this point would not be worth it.
  • Block rep emails would be more effective than a mass e-mail. There could be both.
  • We should postpone completely as people are distracted right now and the GCA is not as active as usual.
  • If we send something now, we should remind people what the GCA is about and what we’re still doing in the current circumstances.
  • There is no guarantee that things will be better in September.
  • The campaign is not about fundraising; it is about telling people what the GCA does and encouraging them to be involved.

 

Board members agreed that there should be an email campaign now, and that we could revisit this discussion in future depending on its success and on the status of COVID-19 restrictions.

 

Environment

Jennifer provided an update on advocacy related to the urban boundary issue and report to be discussed at City Council on May 11. Some concerns were raised regarding the proposal being put forward, including that no financial costing information was included. Board members also mentioned the importance of considering densification implications for the Glebe.

 

OTHER UPDATES

 

AGM timing

 

Motion 4: Date of AGM

 

Whereas public health guidelines make it impossible for the GCA to hold an in-person AGM in June 2020 as planned,

 

Be it resolved that;

  1. a) the GCA: postpone its AGM until September 2020 

 

  1. b) In the event that public health guidelines do not permit in-person meetings in September 2020, that for this year only, on an exceptional basis,  the GCA’s AGM be held in an alternative format,  such as videoconferencing

 

Discussion: June presented the motion.

 

(June / Dan) Carried

 

June also reported that Laura is willing to stand as president of the GCA next year and John Crump has one of the vice presidents. June, Caroline and Steph will stay on the executive.

 

Motion 5: AGM advertising budget

 

Whereas the GCA will need to inform its members about the AGM,

Be it resolved that that the:

  1. a) GCA allocate a budget of up to $500 for advertising the AGM to its members

 

Discussion: June presented the motion.

 

(Carolyn / Bill) Carried

 

Motion 6: Appointment of an auditor

 

Whereas the GCA’s year-end is April 30th of each year at which time the organization must prepare its financial statements for the AGM. 

Be it resolved that the GCA requests Ted R. Lupinski, CA to review the GCA financial statements for the year 2019 –2020 on a pro-bono basis.

Discussion: Caroline presented the motion.

 

(Caroline / Bill) Carried

 

Patterson Creek Bistro

June reported that the NCC is planning to move forward with the pilot project and that they would like to engage the community on the evaluation of the project.

 

Motion 7: Patterson Creek Bistro

 

Be it resolved that the GCA ask the NCC to cancel plans for a Patterson Creek Bistro this year due to COVID-19.

 

Discussion: Elizabeth presented the motion. In response to a question, Elizabeth clarified that this motion concerns just this year. There could be more discussion next year.

 

(Elizabeth / Carol) Carried

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

June provided updates on a few items:

  • The farmers from the market had reached out to us, but as negotiations are currently going well, they don’t require a motion of support from us at this time
  • There is an upcoming Glebe Report article about a potential additional footbridge in Old Ottawa East, going toward the hospital.
  • The Board chose not to make a submission regarding the Good Cannabis Company’s application for the space formerly occupied by Mrs. Tiggy Winkles.

 

COMMENTS / ISSUES FROM COMMUNITY

  • Bill commented on the heritage status of the Mrs. Tiggy Winkles building.
  • Steve raised a concern about the proximity of the Mrs. Tiggy Winkles location to schools. He also raised concerns about the options in the urban boundary discussion.
  • Dan said that the Health, Housing and Social Services Committee is working on a survey regarding the rink but will talk to the school before sending it out. He also added that the committee is considering surveying the community on the Bank St. lane closure question and invited those with additional comments on the Bank St. lane closure to send them to health@glebeca.ca.

 

OTHER BUSINESS

n/a

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:06 pm. (Carolyn / Bill)