GCA Board Meeting Minutes

 

Tuesday, January 28, 7:00 p.m.
Glebe Community Centre

 

Present: Elizabeth Ballard, Jackie Bastianon, Bob Brocklebank, Anthony Carricato, Dan Chook Reid, June Creelman (proxy for John Crump), Colette Downie, Carol Macleod, Nini Pal, Brenda Perras, Bill Price (proxy for Jennifer Humphries), Steph Small, Laura Smith (proxy for Carolyn Mackenzie), Sue Stefko, Sarah Viehbeck, Caroline Warburton, Judy Wilson

 

Others: John Haysum, Angela Keller-Herzog, Shawn Menard, Wendy Myers, Andrew Peck, Jeff, Sarah

 

Regrets: John Crump, Silvia Grandi, Jennifer Humphries, Carolyn Mackenzie

 

WELCOME

Sarah welcomed everyone to the meeting and noted the new windows in the hall. She also noted that we gathered on the unceded territory of the Algonquin people.

 

AGENDA AND MINUTES

The agenda was approved as presented (Carol / Elizabeth). The minutes from the November meeting were approved with the addition of Judy’s name (June / Bill).

 

REPORT FROM THE COUNCILLOR

Shawn reported:

  • There will be a public consultation about the Bank St. Height and Character Study in April. It should be finalized in June.
  • Following the Bank St. transportation forum in December, staff are considering what is feasible. A report will come out in February and be considered by the Transportation Committee in the spring.
  • With respect to snow clearing, bus routes have been cleared relatively quickly; all other side streets should be cleared before Friday. Some issues with the Flora Footbridge were resolved, and sidewalks are being cleared more effectively than last year.
  • There will be three notable motions at Council tomorrow: climate change master plan, housing emergency, and accountability with respect to the LRT.

 

In response to questions about the Bank St. transportation consultation, Shawn said:

  • Comments can be sent in until mid-February. 
  • The consultation is looking at the Bank St. bridge, parts of Old Ottawa South, and on-peak hours options through the Glebe (i.e., when parking is not allowed on Bank St.).
  • He would like to see an option that has bus/bike lanes on the exterior during rush hour.
  • More information is needed about potential impacts on side streets (parking, overflow).
  • Shawn committed to provide more information about this at our February meeting.

 

Some Board members raised concerns about snow clearing. For any issues, contact Shawn’s office or call 3-1-1.

 

Lansdowne

Anthony reported that the newly-created Lansdowne committee met for the first time last week. He brought the following motion to the Board:

 

Motion A: That the Glebe Community Association, through the Lansdowne Committee, write a letter to the mayor, copying councillors on FEDCO and Shawn, requesting the following information:

  • Baseline data to understand what is happening now at Lansdowne (e.g., traffic, number of events)
  • City’s definition of success for Lansdowne
  • City’s objectives for the park and buildings at Lansdowne
  • Details on the process for consultations and whether they will be city-wide or Capital Ward-focused

 

Discussion: It was suggested that the letter go to all council members; a friendly amendment was made:

 

That the Glebe Community Association, through the Lansdowne Committee, write a letter to the mayor, copying all city councillors, requesting the following information:

 

Bob mentioned that the consultation has already started. OSEG has also started to consider how it would program Aberdeen Square. Shawn reiterated that consultations were moving quickly and that he would try to address this with City staff. He confirmed that it will be city-wide. Anthony suggested that the GCA conduct its own consultation and that the results be submitted.

 

Based on Shawn’s comments, a friendly amendment was made to the requested information:

 

  • Baseline data to understand what is happening now at Lansdowne (e.g., traffic, number of events)
  • City’s definition of success for Lansdowne
  • City’s objectives for the park and buildings at Lansdowne
  • Details on the process for consultations and whether they will be city-wide or Capital Ward-focused

 

(Anthony / Elizabeth) Carried

 

Elizabeth said that the City has indicated that the parkland at Lansdowne Park counts as part of the green space for the Glebe.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS / MOTIONS / Q&A

 

Health, Housing and Social Services Committee

Dan spoke about an upcoming event about aging and housing, and asked Board members to share information about it.

 

Motion 1: Housing and homelessness emergency (Health, Housing and Social Services Committee)

 

WHEREAS providing access to safe, adequate, and affordable housing for everyone is fundamental to achieving the goal of Ottawa being a caring and compassionate city where people want to live, work and play;

 

WHEREAS the City of Ottawa has made investments as an effort to reduce chronic homelessness and increase the affordable housing supply; including $15 million in capital funding in 2019;

 

WHEREAS the statistics indicate that our current plan and Provincial and Federal funding levels are not sufficient to provide adequate housing for all or to eliminate chronic homelessness in our city;

 

May it be resolved that:

 

The GCA supports Catherine McKenney’s motion to

  1. declare an affordable housing and homelessness emergency in Ottawa;
  2. acknowledge that we do not possess the resources to manage this crisis alone and that we must call on the Provincial and Federal governments to assist us by providing the City with an immediate increase in emergency funding for housing, housing supports and housing allowances as well as a long-term financial plan to meet the needs of the community;
  3. resolve that the update to the ten-year housing and homelessness plan includes aggressive targets to:
  • preserve and increase the affordable housing supply;
  • increase access to housing affordability;
  • prevent the occurrence of homelessness and eliminate by 100 per cent chronic homelessness by 2024; and
  • ensure people are supported to achieve housing stability and long-term housing retention.

 

Discussion: Dan presented the motion. There was some discussion about the number of affordable housing spaces to be created.

 

(Dan / Brenda) Carried

 

Environment Committee

Angela provided an update on the Glebe Community Centre windows (installed in December), as well as on other aspects of the larger project to reduce the carbon footprint of the centre.

 

Angela also reported that she attended a meeting of Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES) work to limit urban sprawl. There will be a workshop on February 22 about the urban boundary. Angela will share the information with Carolyn for the Planning Committee’s consideration.

 

OTHER MOTIONS AND UPDATES

 

Great Glebe Garage Sale update

Colette reported that we raised $12,000 last year for the food bank, which was a bit less than previous years. She also spoke about measures taken during the sale to address traffic issues. The sale is on May 23 this year.

 

When considering whether the GCA should take a more active approach, Board members suggested other things we could do without taking over responsibility for the whole event (raising liability concerns and necessitating the involvement of police for traffic management). For example, we could encourage people to take transit and not use single use plastics. Several Board members were supportive of bottle refilling stations.

 

We could also be more active in promoting the focus on the Ottawa Food Bank, including using social media, and coordinating with the BIA and membership drive.

 

Capital Ward Cup

Anthony reported that the Glebe is hosting the Capital Ward Cup this Saturday at the Mutchmor Rink, with a skating party to follow.

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Sarah reported:

  • In preparation for the June AGM, Sarah invited Board members to consider who may serve on the Board, particularly as Transportation Committee chair or President. Any suggestions should go to June, who is looking to strike nominations committee.
  • Sarah offered thanks to long-time GCA Board member Nini Pal, who is resigning.
  • Christine McAllister is going to work on GCA engagement. She will work with Synapcity.
  • Two Glebe projects were recently approved for cash-in-lieu funds: lighting expansion for Central Park, and Firehall Park. The Parks Committee will present their Parks Master Plan to the Board in February.
  • The Civic Hospital is looking to engage with its neighbouring communities on certain issues (e.g., traffic). It is likely that they will convene a meeting in late spring.
  • Sarah is meeting with Old Ottawa East and Old Ottawa South community associations, as well as the councillor’s office, to discuss a potential community picnic across the Flora Footbrige.
  • The Glebe BIA is continuing their discussions about Glebe gateway signage.

 

COMMENTS / ISSUES FROM COMMUNITY

Wendy provided an update on the Patterson Creek bistro, set to open from May to October 2020. There may be some zoning concerns, and Wendy is looking to meet with city staff. Someone from Shawn’s office will also be at the meeting, as will Elizabeth (as a GCA representative). Wendy also reported on a meeting held earlier this month with the NCC ombudsman. His report is expected soon.

 

OTHER BUSINESS

Sarah shared Carolyn’s update about the Bank St. Height and Character Study; there will be a consultation in March. Sarah invited Board members to send questions or comments to Carolyn. 

 

Bill presented the following motion from the Heritage Committee:

 

Motion B: That the GCA Heritage Committee, on behalf of the GCA, send a letter to urge the Built Heritage Sub-Committee to recommend that Council approve the heritage designation of the landmark heritage Ottawa Hydro Station at Glebe and Bronson along with four other such sub-stations in Ottawa, proposed by the Heritage Planning Section at the City.

 

(Bill / Carol) Carried

 

Bill also provided an update on the Monkland-Clemow Driveway and Linden Terrace Heritage Conservation District and the preliminary study of a possible heritage conservation district for Bank St. from the Queensway to Bank St. bridge. The latter will have implications for the Bank St. in the Glebe Height and Character Study. 

 

Bill, Johanna and Steph are working with the City’s Heritage Planner on a communications plan regarding the Monkland-Clemow Driveway and Linden Terrace Heritage Conservation District.

 

Sarah thanked and congratulated the Heritage Committee on this important work.

 

John identified that there has been a slight increase in enforcement with respect to illegal turns from the Queen Elizabeth Driveway, and that the councillor’s office has been engaged. Sarah reiterated the importance of finding a Transportation Committee chair for issues like these.

 

Board members made additional comments with respect to the Bank St. transportation forum:

  • We should encourage a more active corridor and increased safety for cyclists.
  • The parking garage is empty much of the time; people could park there.
  • There was strong support in Imagine Glebe for better transportation along Bank St. A 2007 study by the Traffic Committee also raised congestion as a concern.
  • Bank St. has been a transit priority route since 2003.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm. (Elizabeth / Dan)