MINUTES

 

GCA Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

 

Chair: Colette Downie, Vice President

Secretary and timekeeper: Janet Mayhew

 

Board members present: Janet Mayhew, Colette Downie, June Creelman, Angus McCabe, Janna Rinaldi, Rochelle Handelman, Deborah Long, Vaughn Guy, Brenda Perras, Paul Saurette, Bob Brocklebank, James Stuewe, Steve Ball, Angela Keller-Herzog, Dan Chook Reid, Maggie Gorman, Laura Smith, Christina Honeywell-Dobbin, David Kelly, Genevieve McInnes, Carolyn Mackenzie, Elizabeth Ballard, John Crump, William Price

 

Others present: Jonathan McLeod, Janet Sutherland, Diane McIntyre, Liz McKeen

 

Welcome and approval of agenda and draft minutes from June 28, 2022

 

Colette Downie opened the meeting with an Indigenous land acknowledgement.

 

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

Motion carried. Agenda was approved.

 

A motion to approve the minutes was put forward by Bill and seconded by Janna.

Motion carried. Minutes were approved.

 

Report from the Councillor

 

Jonathan McLeod provided an update on the following topics:

  • Queensway closure from Metcalfe to Carling
  • Bank Street bridge: west side is complete. Hope to get this project completed by winter, but there may be delays.
  • Mutchmor outdoor rink: the rink will be coming back this winter. Future of the rink to be determined.
  • Re-paving on Carling is continuing. Active transportation lanes extend only as far as Preston.

 

Questions:

  • Angus asked about the construction at Firehall Park and indicated that pavement that was put down has since been taken up. Jonathan to follow-up. Parks Committee will be deciding on a name for the park.
  • Diane asked about the development at Carling at Holland/Parkdale and raised the need for council to push for a comprehensive traffic study. With the proposed developments and new Civic campus, there will be significant impacts.
  • Diane asked about the status of the development at Bronson and Carling. It has not yet been approved and the design is still being finalized.
  • Angela asked about orange cages with plywood on top along First Avenue. She was told Hydro is digging a trench and had concerns about the trees. Jonathan to check with the City and forestry.
  • Elizabeth asked about the flex stakes on Patterson. Jonathan indicated that they will be removed before winter. He will check in to see that they were installed according to the approved plans.

 

Motions

 

June provided a quick summary of the all candidates debate that had taken place on September 22, 2022 at the GCC. The event went well. Approximately 100 people attended and the video is available for viewing on Youtube. The GCA had approved spending $350, but only $320 was spent.

 

Motion 1: GCA approval to support the Mayoral all candidates’ debate

 

Whereas members of the Glebe community are interested in knowing more about where mayoral candidates stand on issues of particular relevance to the urban core and our neighbourhood;

 

Whereas no other mayoral debates focussing on key planning and development issues, such as Lansdowne, are currently planned by others;

 

Whereas the GCA has the expertise and capacity to take a leadership role in organizing a mayoral debate;

 

Whereas initial planning and outreach to partners has laid the foundation for a successful event; 

Be it resolved that 

 

  • The GCA allocate $500 towards a mayoral all-candidates meeting on October 17 at the Horticulture Building;
  • The GCA take on a coordinating and financial management role in organizing a mayoral debate

 

The motion was presented by June and seconded by Steve.


Discussion/comments:

  • June provided details about variable expenses and asked for feedback from board members with regard to security, chairs, sound system, video.
  • Contributions have been made by other communities to fund the event and some donations are expected at the door. Steve Ball offered for his Association to make up any difference of up to $500. June indicated that there is likely enough funding from the community association partners.
  • Questions were raised about how the event was being promoted, whether all 14 mayoral candidates would be invited or just the top 3 or top 5, and the need for security.
  • Board members agreed that this will be a large event and that the money should be spent to do it properly and make it a success. It was felt that security would be necessary for an event of this size. It was noted that communications to the public would be particularly important, especially if the decision is made to include a limited number of candidates.

 

Motion was carried.

 

Committee Motions

 

Motion 2: GCA approval to enter into an agreement with Infrastructure Canada for grant monies and to launch an RFP process to conduct an active transportation study (Transportation Committee)

 

Whereas the GCA Transportation Committee has a mandate to promote active transportation safety within the Glebe;

And whereas the GCA Board endorsed a GCA Transportation initiative, in partnership with Councillor Menard’s office to seek funding for a pilot active transportation study;

And whereas the GCA was successful in securing a grant in the amount of $50,000 from the Active Transportation Fund of Infrastructure Canada;

Be it resolved that the GCA Board authorizes the GCA Transportation Committee to take the following steps to pursue the transportation study:

  1. To enter into a standard funding agreement with Infrastructure Canada to permit the GCA to receive the grant monies. 
  2. To develop, in cooperation with the Councillor’s office, a process to solicit proposals from consultants to conduct the study, with terms of reference for the project consistent with the following objectives: 
  • To create a template for a safe, inclusive, bike and pedestrian friendly neighbourhood that is well connected to other communities in central Ottawa with a focus on:
    • Bike and pedestrian connectivity, mobility, and safety in an urban space
    • School zone safety
    •  Attention to vehicular speed and safety in a mix-used neighbourhood (walking, scooting, biking, driving)
    • Best practices for connectivity to other neighbourhoods, including major thoroughfares

James presented the motion and provided some background information. This is a continuation of the active transportation study that had already been initiated.

The motion was presented by James and seconded by June.

Questions/discussion:

  • Paul asked if Dow’s Lake is included in this study and indicated their interest in participating.
  • Colette asked if James could come back to the Board to share details of the RFP and plan at a future meeting.
  • Laura asked about the involvement of the City Councillor’s office. Lessons can be learned from the window project and she suggested that James connect with Angela on this. It was noted that this initiative would be done in collaboration with the councillor’s office.
  • Carolyn asked about the RFP/tender and suggested that it could be reviewed by the Board.

Motion was carried.

Committee updates:

  • Education Committee: Genevieve provided an update on the Mutchmor outdoor rink which will be back this winter. Board members expressed their gratitude for all the hard work she put into this, as it is important to many in the community.
  • Membership Committee: Maggie provided an update on the money collected from the membership drive and noted the importance of being able to canvass door-to-door again. Currently, the GCA has 1300 members.

President’s Report:

Colette provided an update on the following topics:

  • Engagement activities:
    • NCC meeting regarding the QED is taking place October 6, 2022
    • Meeting to take place with the Glebe BIA
    • Meeting to take place with Sarah of GNAG
  • Community Police Officer: the CPO for the Glebe neighbourhood was invited to the GCA meeting but unable to attend. She provided some information in writing which Colette shared with regard to the recent crime in the neighbourhood. 
  • Administrative items:
    • Colette offered to organize ‘board buddies’ for any new board members who would like to be paired up with an experienced board member. People who are interested can email Janet.
    • GCA Board meeting format: a survey will be sent out seeking feedback from board members about whether they are ready for in-person meetings or if they would prefer to continue with virtual meetings.
    • GCA Board retreat: the idea for a board retreat was raised. The objective would be to discuss forward agenda items, share and discuss priorities, and plan ahead for the year. Janet will reach out to board members to schedule this event (2 hours on a weekend this fall). Steve offered to provide a location for the board retreat at a local hotel.

Janet informed board members that MP Yasir Naqvi sent a letter to all board members offering his wishes and support. The letters can be picked up at the GCC.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m.