DRAFT MINUTES
GCA Board Meeting
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. via Zoom videoconference
Chair: John Crump, President
Secretary and timekeeper: Janet Mayhew
Board members present: John Crump, Janet Mayhew, June Creelman, Colette Downie, Angus McCabe, Rochelle Handelman, James Stuewe, Christina Honeywell-Dobbin, William Price, Carol MacLeod, Angela Keller-Herzog, Della Wilkinson, Debbie Long, Elizabeth Ballard, Vaughn Guy, Laura Smith, Sue Stefko, Matthew Meagher, Genevieve McInnes, Anthony Carricato, Carolyn Mackenzie, Dan Chook-Reid, Janna Rinaldi
Others present: Jonathan McLeod, Shawn Menard, Giuseppe Ferrorotto, John Humphries, David Hutton, Amélie Cossé, Evan Potter
Welcome and approval of agenda and draft minutes from March 28, 2023
John opened the meeting with an Indigenous land acknowledgement.
A motion to approve the agenda was put forward by June and seconded by Bill.
Motion carried. Agenda was approved.
A motion to approve the minutes from March 28, 2023 was put forward by Della and seconded by Rochelle.
Motion carried. Minutes were approved.
Report from the City Councillor
Councillor Shawn Menard provided an update on the following topics:
- Construction on Wilton/Monk/Oakland/Woodlawn
- Lansdowne consultations (April 27, May 10) and a new survey
- Annual Report for Lansdowne
- Bank St bridge – work to be completed this spring and finished by end of May or early June
- Glebe Avenue redesign: consultation May 2 from 6:30-8:30 at the GCC
- New trees coming to the Glebe: 2 on Glebe Ave. at Bank on the west side
- Storm water soil cell project / repurposing the rain water to water the trees
Q&A:
- A question was asked about the renewal of lighting on the QED and the style of lights.
- Area outside of the Amica/Beer Store building was meant to have a tree and a bench. Send an email to Shawn and he will pass this along.
- Hydro poles are being dropped along QED/Linden Terrace – pole replacement work is being done.
Presentation by Amélie Cossé of Momentum Consulting
Amélie provided a presentation on the Active Transportation Study that will be undertaken as a result of the grant that was received by the Transportation Committee. (*A copy of the presentation will be shared with board members.)
Feedback/Q&A:
- Board would like to better be able to anticipate what’s coming up with the City and ensure that this study gives us the blueprint to be able to respond to that.
- Would like to look at how Ottawa compares to other cities in terms of active transportation.
- Question about whether the options will include costing. Response was yes, there will be a scale of costs.
- May want to consider any potential for controversy and what is realistic and how the plan might be perceived by the community.
- Consider best practices.
MOTIONS:
Motion 1: that the GCA approve the use of funds (up to $800)) to cover the cost of the AGM.
- A 1/4 page black and white ad in the Glebe Report ($212)
- A special events license ($50)
- Printing (up to $100)
- Refreshments (estimated at $400 which was the budget for the 2019 AGM)
Presented by June and seconded by Carolyn.
Approved. Motion carried.
Motion 2: that the GCA provide this year’s financial statements to Ted Lupinski, CA for review.
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 2022–2023 on a pro-bono basis.
Presented by June and seconded by Vaughn.
Approved. Motion carried.
COMMITTEE MOTIONS:
Motion 3: that the GCA approve measures to increase donations to the Ottawa Food Bank, and develop a plan for inclement weather for the GGGS.
Whereas the GCA saw a decrease in funds raised for the Ottawa Food Bank through the Great Glebe Garage Sale (GGGS) in 2022 and has recommitted, together with the Glebe BIA, to address the factors that lead to that decrease;
And whereas there is a need for a mechanism to take weather conditions into account when planning the Great Glebe Garage Sale;
BE IT RESOLVED:
- That the GCA approve the following funding of up to a total of $1,240.00:
- Up to $150.00 to cover the cost of printing posters to encourage Glebe vendors to donate to the Ottawa Food Bank;
- $452 to cover the cost of a half page black and white advertisement in the Glebe Report and $135 to cover the costs of a shared digital advertisement (half month shared to advertise GCA membership drive after the GGGS);
- $500 to contribute to the cost of a bank of accessible port-a-potties and wash stations to be located at St Matthews church.
- That the GCA also approve the establishment of a joint protocol with the Glebe BIA to coordinate decision-making about holding the GGGS when severe weather is forecast. The protocol would include the following:
- A decision would be made jointly by the GCA (Executive) and the Glebe BIA (Executive Director) on whether to cancel or postpone the GGGS based on parameters set in advance. Where Environment Canada forecasts winds of greater than 60 km/h or a strong likelihood of thunder/ lighting during the sale period (8 am to 2 PM), based on the forecast as of 2PM the day before), we would consult with the City and with the Ottawa race weekend before bringing a decision to cancel or postpone forward. We would aim to jointly decide by 5PM the night before the sale.
- The sale would continue to be advertised as “rain or shine” but that a proviso be added clarifying that the GCA and BIA will be watching weather forecasts and may recommend that vendors do not set up for the sale or delay set up if severe weather is in the forecast.
- We would communicate the protocol described above to the main involved stakeholders in the community and on the GGGS sale FAQs as well as in the Glebe report article in advance of the 2023 sale. A decision to call off or postpone the sale would be communicated through traditional media, social media, etc. (to be developed in advance).
- Will need to develop protocol for severe weather. To come back to the May meeting for further discussion.
Presented by Colette and seconded by Janna.
Approved. Motion carried.
Motion 4: that the GCA approve spending up to $750 on materials to support building a scale model of Lansdowne 2.0
Whereas the City is moving ahead with community consultations
Whereas it is important that taxpayers and users of Lansdowne understand the implications of key elements of the proposal, particularly the proposed built form;
Whereas information and images provided by the City do not provide sufficient understanding;
Be it resolved that the GCA approve spending up to $750 on materials to support building of a scale model Richard Corbeil, a local/Glebe resident and member of GCA Planning Committee. The intent would be to complete it by May 15th, and to use it as a tool in as many venues as possible to improve understanding of the Lansdowne 2.0 proposal.
Presented by Carolyn. Seconded by June.
Approved. Motion carried.
Booth to be reserved at the Ottawa Farmers Market where the GCA Board can share information with the community about the plans for Lansdowne and show off the new model.
Motion 5: Parkland deficit issues in the Lansdowne 2.0 Plan
Whereas the Glebe is deemed by the City to be deficient in parkland for its existing population (the current parkland standard of 2 ha per 1000 population and Glebe’s 13,000 person population would require 26 ha of parkland for the Glebe; it currently has 10.1 ha or 39% of the required parkland, a deficiency of 61%); and
Whereas the reduction of any park space or other greenspace in our community is detrimental to the quality of life of our city; and
Whereas the GCA supports a position with respect to the Lansdowne 2.0 proposal that advocates for, at a minimum, no net loss of parkspace, and preferably, a proposal that brings the area closer to city parkland targets, taking into account planned number of new residents;
Whereas the Lansdowne 2.0 plan removes existing park space already at Lansdowne Park; and
Whereas the Lansdowne 2.0 plan includes a significant increase in population associated with more residential development and therefore should result in an increase, not a decrease, in park space (the Lansdowne 2.0 development proposes 1,200 units; calculated (as the city does) at 2.5 people per unit, this would result in a 3,000 population increase to the Glebe for a total of 16,000; the parkland dedication would be 32 ha and with its current neighbourhood parkland base the Glebe would have only 31.6 % of the required neighborhood parkland, a 68.4 % deficit in neighbourhood parkland);
Therefore be it resolved that the GCA endorses the position of the GCA Parks Committee that Lansdowne 2.0 not go forward until these parkland deficit issues are addressed, and that this position be communicated to our city councillor and mayor.
Feedback:
- Carolyn indicated that she would be comfortable putting forward the concerns about parkland deficit. Suggested friendly amendment.
Presented by Angus. Seconded by Elizabeth.
Approved with friendly amendment. Motion carried.
Motion 6: Winter stairway maintenance for Central Park West and East from Bank Street
Whereas Ottawa prides itself internationally as being a winter city; and
Whereas ideally a winter city should provide its citizens and visitors with the opportunity to access and enjoy its parks year-round; and
Whereas Central Park West and East from Bank Street represent approximately one third of the Glebe’s park space but are not fully accessible without winter maintenance of their key staircases connected to the Bank Street pedestrian corridor; and
Whereas the City staff report on Winter Maintenance Quality Standards will be presented to committee in early Fall, 2023 and will speak to the winter maintenance of stairs;
Therefore be it resolved that the GCA recommends that the City approve funding for a pilot project to provide the budget for winter stairway maintenance for Central Park West and East from Bank Street as part of its Winter Maintenance Quality Standards and City Transportation Masterplan.
Feedback:
- Suggestion was made to adjust wording to suggest winter maintenance for all staircases, with a pilot project to focus on the park named in the motion.
Presented by Angus. Seconded by Dan.
Approved with friendly amendment. Motion carried.
COMMITTEE UPDATES:
Membership Committee: handed out kits to area reps. The committee is seeking another volunteer.
Lansdowne: feedback regarding a meeting that took place same day and suggestion for board members to take part in upcoming consultations.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
This item was deferred due to time constraints.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
Nomination Committee: June announced that the GCA Board will be seeking to fill the Secretary position for next year.
Dan mentioned that the Glebe Report (page 7) contains an update on SWOOS (Seniors Watch Old Ottawa South).
ISSUES FROM COMMUNITY:
N/A
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn the meeting was put forward by Colette and seconded by Angus.
Meeting was adjourned.