MINUTES

GCA Board Meeting

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Chair: John Crump, President

Secretary and timekeeper: Janna Rinaldi

Board members present: Colette Downie, Angus McCabe, Janna Rinaldi, Rochelle Handelman, Deborah Long, Brenda Perras, Bob Brocklebank, James Stuewe, Steve Ball, Dan Chook Reid, Maggie Gorman, Laura Smith, Christina Honeywell-Dobbin, David Kelly, Genevieve McInnes, Elizabeth Ballard, John Crump, William Price, Johanna Pershon, Christina Honeywell-Dobbin

 

Others present: Constable Stephanie Lemieux, Constable Megan Arbuthnot, Paul O’Donnell

Welcome and approval of agenda and draft minutes from September 27, 2022

John Crump opened the meeting with an Indigenous land acknowledgement, followed by a brief roundtable introduction.

A motion to approve the agenda was put forward by _____ and seconded by _____.

Motion carried. Agenda was approved.

A motion to approve the minutes from September 27, 2022 was put forward by_________ and seconded by _____.

Motion carried. Minutes were approved.

 

Update from Community Police Officers and Q&A/discussion

Constables Lemieux and Arbuthnot introduced themselves and spoke to community policing context in the Glebe, the intelligence-led policing model, and common calls for service (i.e. bike thefts). Constables noted resources for community members (e.g., Garage 549 app with respect to bike registration, theft notification and facilitation of return of property to owners) and underscored the importance of consistent reporting to support OPS’ intelligence-led policing model, noting there were reporting mechanisms such as Crimestoppers for community members preferring anonymity. Constables also shared information on community resources available for individuals needing support or in immediate distress. [*handouts are available.]

Questions:

  • Colette spoke to issues flagged by community members and the perception of increase in crime, asking if OPS noted a change since 2019 with respect to community members addressing issues on their own rather than through OPS. Constables noted an uptick in Break and Enters at the outset of the pandemic (75% and now rests at 40% over pre-pandemic levels). Constables reiterated the importance of communities working through Police to address issues. 
  • James asked about providing feedback via the users form to submit reports to OPS, noting the online form may present a barrier to community members (challenging process for first-time users).
  • Rochelle asked about graffiti and constables noted they were not aware of a significant issue and that the BIA has a program to remove graffiti.

MOTIONS

 

Motion 1: for the GCA to accept the budget for 2022-23 as presented

Dave spoke to key line items in the budget (i.e., Candidates Debates, GGGS, and the Board Retreat), noting there was surplus of $2698.00.

The motion was presented by Dave and seconded by _______.

Motion was carried.

 

Motion 2: that the GCA approve spending $377 USD ($534 CAD) + tax to renew the Board website for 3 years.

 

Be it resolved that the GCA allocate $377 USD ($534 CAD) + tax for three years of web hosting.

 

Colette presented the motion and provided some background information, noting the expiration of current web hosting and the cost savings associated with a three-year renewal.

 

The motion was presented by Colette and seconded by Dan.

Motion was carried.

 

Motion 3: that the GCA approve spending up to $200 for the upcoming GCA Board Retreat

 

Colette presented the motion and spoke to the goal of the retreat as a planning and prioritizing exercise. The focus would be to establish a forward agenda and look for opportunities to improve work across GCA committees. Colette noted work underway with a facilitator to design a 2 to 3-hour program.

 

The motion was presented by Colette and seconded by Christina.

Motion was carried.

 

 

Committee updates:

  • Education Committee: Genevieve spoke to current status of the Mutchmor outdoor rink, and introduced GNAG’s Paul O’Donnell who spoke to latest developments with respect to GNAG’s involvement in the rink. Paul spoke to GNAG policy and operational. requirements (i.e., certification requirements for supervisory staff during operating hours) and noted some discussions were ongoing with the City of Ottawa and the Mutchmor School. Paul spoke to overall costs to GNAG (approximately $10,000 CAD) largely owing to potential snowblower purchase or repair of current snowblower, on-site Pod rental for the season, and other equipment such as shovels, Paul note where GNAG would offset costs through a City of Ottawa grant, revenues from recreational programming noted there remained a projected $4000 CAD deficit and that GNAG would welcome support from GCA and other community members
    • Angus asked if GNAG was engaged with the Glebe Memorial Glendale Rink with respect to best practice. Paul noted GNAG and Glendale were well connected.
    • Kristina askes about hours of operation and Paul relayed the planned schedule, noting when there would be recreational programming versus open hours.
    • Maggie asked what GNAG expected to pull-in through programming to offset costs. Paul noted forecasted revenue was TBD as capacity projections are depending on COVID and staffing.
    • Elizabeth inquired about the level of past GCA contributions to GNAG. Paul indicated an amount of $1000 CAD.
    • Elizabeth also inquired whether GNAG had sought any local business sponsorship. Paul noted that GNAG, as a volunteer run organization was operating a City of Ottawa rink and that donations from “Friends of GNAG” were welcome.
    • Genny asked about when GNAG might have a sense of its programming numbers; Paul noted the second week of January.
    • John asked that GNAG provide GCA with a requested contribution amount that the Board could discuss.
  • Heritage Committee: Johanna spoke to the importance of raising awareness on Heritage Committee work and asked about best practices from other GCA committees to conduct outreach. She inquired about Communications policy in the context of planning Heritage Committee outreach activities [*Action item: circulate Comms Policy to Heritage Committee]. Johanna asked about GCA Board’s approach to minutes and posture with respect to archiving, as well as use of Google accounts to facilitate knowledge transfer, records keeping.
  • Parks Committee: Angus spoke to park name issue at 635 O’Connor Street, noting the committee recommendation to not proceed with naming of park until the City adheres to its established process under its reconciliation action plan. Johanna asked about GCA engagement to date with the City and Angus noted the Parks Committtee did not feed into a consultation process.
    • Angus moved a motion from the floor, which was seconded by Johanna.

Motion on 635 O’Connor Park Naming:

Whereas the City of Ottawa Reconciliation Action Plan seeks to encourage the use and visibility of Indigenous languages, support initiatives from the public which contribute to the reconciliation process, and engage Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation, First Nations, Inuit and Métis representatives in the commemoration and naming of public spaces to honour Algonquin Anishinaabe Host Nation, First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and languages;

Therefore be it resolved that the GCA recommends that the city does not proceed with naming and signage at the new park at 635 O’Connor until it has completed a process that adheres with the City of Ottawa Reconciliation Action Plan.

Motion carried.

  • Angus to send motion to City of Ottawa, with a CC to GCA President (who will then follow-up with Councillor Menard’s office to discuss next steps.

President’s Report:

John opened his report with thanks to June and Bob for their work on the mayoral debate, noting as well that $434.35 CAD was raised for the Ottawa Food Bank at the event. John provided an update on the following topics:

  • Engagement activities:
    • Met with new GNAG Executive Director
    • NCC meeting re the closure of Queen Elizabeth Drive and the impact to the Glebe, noting a lack of consensus on the community’s views with respect to the initiative and that the NCC has collected info on user numbers, but no data re impacts or safety.

Motion to adjourn: moved by Colette and seconded by Maggie