GCA Board Meeting Minutes

 

Tuesday, March 23, 7:00 p.m.
via Zoom

 

Chair: Laura Smith

Secretary and Timekeeper: Sheryl Lattimore

 

Board members present: Laura Smith, Robert Brocklebank, Dan Chook Reid, June Creelman, John Crump, Jennifer Humphries, Carol MacLeod, Steph Small, Sheryl Lattimore, Angus McCabe, Vaughn Guy, Christina Honeywell, Carolyn Mackenzie, Rochelle Handelman, Elizabeth Ballard, Judy Wilson, Bill Price, Silvia Grandi, Brenda Perras, Colette Downie, Caroline Warburton

 

Others present: Shawn Menard, Jonathan McLeod, Liz McKeen, Allison Dingle, Kevin O’Kelly, Margaret Havey-O’Kelly, Wendy Myers, Joan Freeman, Gabrielle Dallaporta, Sharon Chartier, Jane Bower, Philip Fong

 

Opening Remarks

Laura Smith opened the meeting with an Indigenous reconciliation acknowledgment and welcomed guests to the meeting.

 

Approval of the Agenda and Minutes

The approval of the agenda was moved by Elizabeth Ballard and seconded by Robert Brocklebank. The approval of the February 23, 2021, minutes was moved by Jennifer Humphries and seconded by Bill Price. The approval of the March 2, 2021, minutes was moved by Rochelle Handleman and seconded byJennifer Humphries. Both the minutes and the agenda were approved.

 

Report from the Councillor

Shawn Menard provided an update on the City of Ottawa Official Plan; the Bank Street Bridge; Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan for the Lansdowne clinic; Aberdeen Pavilion; and, OC Transport service reductions.

 

Parks Committee

 

Motion 1: Commercial Enterprises in City Parks 

 

WHEREAS the Glebe has less than half the per capita park land the city reserves and provides for new communities; and

 

WHEREAS land prices and city policies make acquisition of additional park land in the Glebe virtually impossible even while those same policies increase population density and further reduce community per capita park area as well as the proportion of households with access to their own private green space; and

 

WHEREAS the Glebe Community Association (GCA) Parks Committee, recognizing the stress-reducing, restorative health benefit of the natural environment that parks and greenspace provide, is committed to the maintenance, preservation, and vitality of this scarce and much-loved natural resource for the community; and

 

WHEREAS the GCA Parks Committee considers the preservation of the natural, healthy, safe, open, environmentally-friendly, passive and active recreational qualities of the Glebe’s parks and other greenspaces a first principle above all other considerations, including other approaches that might be attempted to permanently or seasonally “animate” these spaces in other ways; and

 

WHEREAS existing Glebe parks are already intensively used, creatively ‘animated’ and enjoyed by the public at large, including a wide demographic range; and

 

WHEREAS the Glebe is already the home to Lansdowne Park, a City operated ‘regional’ park with a mix of grassed open land, trees, garden, picnic tables and active play features for climbing, skating, ball sport, skateboards and which has ample adjacent, permanent commercial enterprises should park users seek such facilities near a park; and

 

WHEREAS the GCA Parks Committee supports the presence in Glebe parks of traditional, fleeting commercial enterprises such as an art festival or pop-up theatrical performance which have no long-term impact on Glebe park access or landscape; and

 

WHEREAS the GCA Parks Committee, treasuring the naturalized green park spaces in the Glebe, sees no merit in permanently or even seasonally losing any portion of our City-owned parks to commercial activity, as these threaten to: disrupt the natural atmosphere of these parks with paving/gravelling of greenspace surfaces or other required infrastructure/installation, possible noise, intrusive smells, pollutants, and other related activities; and to potentially impact designated heritage property; and

 

WHEREAS the GCA Park Committee is concerned that NCC plans to establish a multi-month seasonal bistro at the east end of the NCC-owned Patterson Creek Park, converting the area from public- to private-access, hardscaping a previously grassed area, and possibly causing problems associated with eateries including increased garbage or noise, and potentially serving as a precedent for other parks in the Glebe; and

 

WHEREAS the NCC’s process of consultation with the community, including both immediate residents and the GCA, occurred after the fact and was felt by some to be insufficient;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the GCA ensure that any decision by the City to propose any changes to the use of Glebe parks first require advance agreement with the community including the GCA and that relevant baseline data be collected in advance, consultation be extensive, and that terms of any pilot project include an evaluation strategy, evaluation criteria, data collection and decision criteria; AND

 

if any proposed intervention is within or bordering on a Heritage Conservation District or involves a recognized federal built heritage property, consultations should include City and/or Federal heritage professionals as and when appropriate.

 

Angus McCabe presented the motion for approval.  The motion was moved by Angus McCabe and seconded by Elizabeth Ballard.  The following friendly amendments were proposed to be added to the above motion:

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the GCA works to ensure that any decision by the City to propose any changes to the use of Glebe parks first require meaningful consultation with the community, including the GCA, advance agreement with the community including the GCA and that relevant baseline data be collected in advance, consultation be extensive, and that terms of any pilot project include an evaluation strategy, evaluation criteria, data collection and decision criteria;

 

All GCA committee members present voted to approve the amended motion, none opposed. 

 

Motion 2: Consultation/Evaluation of Patterson Creek Bistro 

 

WHEREAS the Glebe Community Association (GCA) is committed to the maintenance, preservation, and vitality of the Glebe’s parks, other greenspaces, residential areas, retail sector, and heritage sites; and

 

WHEREAS the GCA appreciates renewed efforts on the part of the National Capital Commission (NCC) to adhere to the letter and spirit of its own public engagement policy as it and the community navigate the implementation of the related Bistro (canteen) proposal on NCC greenspace around Patterson Creek; and

 

WHEREAS in October 2019 the GCA suggested that the evaluation criteria for the Bistro project include “park experience,” “unintended/community impact,” the “environmentally-friendly” aspects of the proposal, and issues related to “traffic and parking”;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that in light of the forward movement on the Bistro (canteen) proposal in an NCC park in close proximity to other City parks and residences, the GCA communicates to the NCC re-affirming its desire that the NCC and City continue to fully and extensively engage in meaningful consultation with the community at any and every stage of their consideration of such proposals; AND

 

that in particular, the GCA’s previous recommendation to the NCC that the evaluation criteria for this project include “park experience,” “unintended /community impact,” the “environmentally-friendly” aspects of the proposal, and issues related to “traffic and parking,” along with any necessary collection of data, be implemented; AND

 

that the GCA asks the NCC to commit to an approach that sees the GCA, along with other stakeholders, be formally involved in the evaluation process undertaken for the current Patterson Creek Bistro pilot project; AND

 

that consultations and evaluations should include City and/or Federal heritage professionals as and when appropriate.

 

Angus McCabe presented the motion for approval.  The motion was moved by Angus McCabe and seconded by Elizabeth Ballard.  The following friendly amendments were proposed to be added to the above motion:

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that in light of the should the NCC move forward movement on with the Bistro (canteen) proposal in an NCC park in close proximity to other City parks and residences, the GCA communicates to the NCC re-affirming its desire that the NCC and City continue to fully and extensively engage in meaningful consultation with the community at any and every stage of their consideration of such proposals; AND

 

that in particular, the GCA’s previous recommendation to the NCC that the evaluation criteria for this project include “park experience,” “unintended /community impacts”, the “environmentally-friendly” aspects of the proposal, issues related to “traffic and parking,” along with any necessary collection of data, be implemented; and that any implications for the safety of those in the area also be considered in the evaluation; AND

 

that the GCA asks the NCC to commit to an approach that sees the GCA, along with other stakeholders, be formally involved in the evaluation process undertaken for the current Patterson Creek Bistro pilot project; AND

 

that consultations and evaluations should include City and/or Federal heritage professionals as and when appropriate.

 

All GCA committee members present voted to approve the amended motion, none opposed. 

 

Planning Committee

Carolyn MacKenzie provided an update on the 30-48 Chamberlain rezoning application.  Carolyn told the Board it is likely that this item will be raised at the City of Ottawa’s planning committee in advance of the City’s discussion on the Bank Street Height and Character Study.  Carolyn is working with Councillor Shawn Menard to try to find a resolution with the developer.

 

Great Glebe Garage Sale Committee

Colette Downie gave an update on the Great Glebe Garage Sale (GGGS).  Colette told the Committee that there was a recent article in the Glebe Community Report explaining how members of the community could still make contributions to the Ottawa Food Bank.  Colette also informed the Committee that the feedback she has received to date on the cancellation has been supportive.  

 

Other Motions and Updates

 

Nominations for 2021-22 GCA Board

June Creelman asked for volunteers to support the work of the Nomination Committee to support efforts to recruit new members.  GCA Board members that are interested in helping June should contact her by e-mail.

 

2021 GCA Annual General Meeting

Laura Smith discussed the timing of upcoming GCA Annual General Meeting.  In particular, she was interested to find out if GCA Board members had a preference for either a June or September meeting.

 

Membership Committee

 

Motion 3: Membership Budget

The Membership Committee moves that it be given permission to spend up to $900 to cover the costs of the 2021 membership campaign.

 

Below is a proposed budget.

 

GCA Membership Committee Proposed Budget, 2019

 

6000 4×6 colour GCA double-sided postcards​​​ $250 (Vistaprint)

​​​​​​​​​

250 4×6 colour DLRA double-sided postcards ​​​$100 (Vistaprint)

 

Glebe Report ad ¼ page B&W​ ​​​​$200

 

On-line membership system (excluding per use fee)​​​ $150

 

Facebook post boost (up to) ​​​​​​$100

 

Contingencies​​​​​​​​ $100

 

Total ​​​​​​​​​$900

 

Note: Each Committee has $200 discretionary spending which has not been included in the proposed budget.

 

Silvia Grandi presented the motion for approval.  The motion was moved by Silvia Grandi and seconded by Carol McLeod.  All GCA committee members present voted to approve the motion, none opposed. 

 

President’s Report

Laura Smith gave an update on cannabis stores in the Glebe; GCA governance; and, strategic planning work.

 

Issues from the Community

No issues were raised.

 

Other Business

Elizabeth Ballard proposed a motion that the GCA oppose the Patterson Creek Bistro.  The motion was not seconded and the motion was withdrawn.

 

Adjournment 

The motion to adjourn was moved by Jennifer Humphries and seconded by June.