DRAFT MINUTES

 

GCA Board Meeting

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

7:00 – 9:00 p.m. via ZOOM

 

Chair: John Crump, President

Secretary and timekeeper: Janet Sutherland

 

Board members present: John Crump, June Creelman, David Kelly, Janna Rinaldi, Janet Sutherland; Deborah Long, William Price, Anthony Carricato, Maggie Gorman Velez, Carol MacLeod, Carolyn Mackenzie, Angus McCabe, James Stuewe, Bob Brocklebank, Angela Keller-Herzog, Christina Honeywell-Dobbin, Rochelle Handelman, Elizabeth Ballard 

 

Regrets:  Colette Downie, Laura Smith, Catherine Waters, Judy Wilson; Councillor Shawn Mendard

Community members present: Jane Bower, Dave Coyle, Martin Freeman, Sylvia Greenspon, Jay Miller, Paul Thomson, Richard Wagner, Monica (DLRA)

Welcome and Approval of Agenda

VP June Creelman opened the meeting with an Indigenous land acknowledgement. She noted that John Crump would be joining the meeting shortly and proceeded with the review of the agenda.

Changes to agenda: City Councillor update removed.

A motion to approve the agenda was put forward by Janna Rinaldi and seconded by Deborah Long. Motion carried. Agenda was approved.

Approval of the Minutes


A motion to approve the minutes from May 23, 2023 and June 13, 2023 was put forward by Jana Rinaldi and seconded by James Stuewe. Motion carried. Minutes were approved.

Report from the City Councillor – item deferred

John Crump joined the meeting and called upon Anthony Carricato to present the motion from the Lansdowne Committee.

MOTION:

 

Whereas the proposed Lansdowne 2.0 development would bring massive change to the Glebe and have implications for planning, transportation, parks, environment, retail and neighbourhood liveability;

 

Whereas the GCA passed a motion on May 23, 2022 outlining proposed positions on different aspects of the project;

 

Whereas  community input at a Lansdowne open house held on June 19 ,2022 demonstrated support for the GCA position on Lansdowne;

 

Whereas it is uncertain when or how the City will move the Lansdowne project forward;

 

Whereas there may be expenditures required to support GCA’s advocacy related to Lansdowne 2.0. in areas such as communications or legal advice; and

 

Whereas the GCA board is not scheduled to meet again until September 26 2023;

 

Therefore:

Be it resolved that the Board authorize up to $5,000.00 in spending to advocate for changes to Lansdowne 2.0, with expenses of more than $500.00 to be approved by the Executive.

 

It was noted in the discussion that potential expenses over the summer include Access to Information requests, as well as printing and distribution of related communications. 

 

The motion was put forward by Anthony Carricato and seconded by Bob Brocklebank.

Approved. Motion carried.

 

COMMITTEE UPDATES:

 

  • Planning/Lansdowne: Carolyn Mackenzie reported on the Open House held on June 19th where the 3D model was on display. About 130 people attended and she noted that the model has been an important catalyst for community engagement and feedback on the proposals for Lansdowne at the Open House and at the Farmer’s Market. She was interviewed by CBC Morning and City News this week. Since the last meeting a letter from the GCA to the Mayor was issued, outlining concerns about the Lansdowne development and to reiterate the GCA’s earlier calls for meaningful consultation, to propose  redevelopment criteria and alternative concepts for the site, and to advocate for transparency of the financial arrangements and analysis of the business model.  In follow up discussions, they’ve asked the City to evaluate options for the proposed arena that take access to the LRT into consideration as well as the future development of a new NHL arena. There is not much time left to influence the development as the City’s Finance Committee and Council will approve the business model for Lansdowne in September.  She anticipates that there will be some changes to the model as currently proposed given increased costs which may affect the number of units built, and on the issue of revenue neutrality.

 

John Crump thanked everyone involved from the Planning and Lansdowne committees in organizing the Open House and for ongoing advocacy and consultation.

 

  • Transportation: James Stuewe reported that the Active Transportation Study work was continuing with initial scanning and scoping currently underway, including a community survey.  There was an Open House on June 7th at St. Giles Church.  Traffic calming initiatives continue to be implemented with the installation of flexible signs and stakes. The 

 

John Crump provided an update on discussions with the NCC on impacts of the closure of Queen Elizabeth Drive (QED) over the summer such as higher traffic volumes and congestion, as well as potential negative environmental, health and tourism impacts.  In response to the GCA’s request, a meeting with the NCC and the City of Ottawa has been scheduled for July 5th at 7:00 p.m. and while the NCC has confirmed, the City has not agreed to attend as of yet.  There are concerns about collaboration between the two parties, but the meeting will proceed as planned.  The QED will be closed to car traffic July and August from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily.  In the discussion, it was suggested the NCC be asked to produce an evaluation of summer traffic and the impact of traffic diversion. 

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT: item was deferred

 

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:

 

  • Future Meeting Format:  June Creelman noted that Colette Downie will be polling members of the Board to determine the meeting format for 2023-24 (virtual and/or in-person). It was suggested that a hybrid option be explored as well.

 

  • GCA Board Retreat: June inquired about the Board’s interest in scheduling a retreat to determine strategic priorities for the year ahead. Possible timing would be summer or early September.  In discussion it was suggested later in September to allow for GCA Committees to meet in advance to prepare their input to the process. June noted a poll will be issued to gather Board member input on timing and focus of the retreat.  The report from last year’s Board retreat will be circulated to current Board members for information/reference.

 


ISSUES FROM THE COMMUNITY:

  • Escapade Music Festival:  Carol Macleod asked if members of the Board had received noise complaints about the festival at Lansdowne, held June 23-25.  John Crump reported none had been formally received through the GCA website or via committees.
  • Letter re: Financial Transparency and Lansdowne: Elizabeth Ballard asked if the letter from Kevin Page and others on financial transparency and risk analysis is available for distribution.  June Creelman indicated that the letter is posted on the GCA website: https://glebeca.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Sutcliffe-Lansdowne-Financial-Transparency-June-25.pdf

 

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday September 26, 2023, 7:00 p.m.  

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Rochelle Handelman and seconded by June Creelman. Carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m..