GCA Board Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 23, 7:00 p.m.
via videoconference
Present: Elizabeth Ballard, Jackie Bastianon, Bob Brocklebank, Kristi Carin, June Creelman, John Crump, Colette Downie, Sylvia Grandi, Rochelle Handelman, Jennifer Humphries, Carol MacLeod, Carolyn Mackenzie, Brenda Perras, Steph Small, Laura Smith, Sue Stefko, Sarah Viehbeck, Judy Wilson
Others: Christie Cole, John Dance, John Farah, Margaret Harvey O’Kelly, Daniel Koepke, James Little, Andrew Marquis, Kerstin Meyer, Jay Miller, Bob Monaghan, Simon Morris, Bhagwant Sandhu, Sheila Selley, David Sweener, Sue Wheeler
Regrets: Dan Chook Reid, Caroline Warburton
WELCOME
Sarah welcomed everyone to the meeting.
AGENDA AND MINUTES
The agenda was approved with two changes (i.e., approval of May minutes, not April; no councillor’s report) (June / Carol). The minutes from the May meeting were approved without changes (Elizabeth / John).
PROPOSED RIVER FOOTBRIDGE
John Dance presented a proposal regarding a new Rideau River footbridge. One attendee emphasized the importance of origin-destination survey data in identifying the best location. John was not aware if this type of data exists in this scenario. In addition, they are starting with consulting with nearby community associations and would then consult with groups like Healthy Transportation Ottawa.
One board member said that the experience of the Flora footbridge shows that early support of community organizations is helpful in moving the whole process forward (i.e., that we are more likely to get data, studies, etc.)
Motion A: Be it resolved that the GCA support the call for a study of a potential footbridge over the Rideau River.
Discussion: June presented the motion.
(June / Elizabeth) Carried
COMMITTEE REPORTS / MOTIONS / Q&A
Parks
The committee was not supportive of having food trucks in Glebe parks, as they did not meet the criteria (i.e., adjacent parking). There was also a desire to support existing restaurants as they recover from the lockdown.
Comments during the discussion included:
- Trucks could use street parking beside the parks (e.g., Central Park).
- There are other occasions when there have been food trucks in the neighbourhood (e.g., art festival).
- In future, it would be great to have the opportunity for adequate public consultation on innovative initiatives like this.
Environment
Motion 2: Bird-Friendly Glazing for the new Ottawa Public Library-Library and Archives Canada (OPL-LAC) Joint Facility
Whereas the City of Ottawa and the Government of Canada are collaborating on a new Ottawa Public Library—Library and Archives Canada (OPL-LAC) Joint Facility;
Whereas the new Joint Facility aims to be an iconic landmark destination;
Whereas the design for the new building which was unveiled on January 23, 2020 features massive windows throughout;
Whereas on June 15, 2020 the City of Ottawa issued a “Request for Qualification to pre-qualify General Contractors for the construction of the Joint Facility”;
Whereas the building will be located on a major migratory route;
Whereas collisions with glass kill a billion birds each year in North America due to reflectivity,
transparency and light pollution;
Whereas we live in an era of biodiversity loss which includes over 50 bird species that are endangered, threatened or of special concern under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA);
Whereas bird-friendly materials and lighting techniques are widely available and standards have been developed by the City of Toronto for its own buildings (the Toronto Green Standard), and the Canadian Standards Association has issued a national bird-friendly design standard for new construction and existing buildings;
Whereas the City of Ottawa is currently developing bird-friendly design guidelines;
Whereas Safe Wings Ottawa, an initiative of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club to reduce bird mortality from window collisions through research, prevention and rescue, is advocating for the implementation of bird-friendly materials and lighting throughout the new OPL-LAC building;
Whereas Safe Wings Ottawa has been advised by the design firm (Diamond Schmitt Architects) that the building will follow the Toronto Green Standard, but has not received any specific description of how the building will meet that standard, whether this includes requirements for both Bird Collision Deterrence and Light Pollution, and whether it will meet the most recent and rigorous standard (i.e. Version 3 — City Agency, Corporation & Division-Owned Facilities);
Whereas the loss of bird life is a concern for residents of the Glebe and neighbouring communities, as for the citizens of Ottawa in general;
Be it resolved that the GCA President write to the Mayor of Ottawa and the Chair of the Ottawa Public Library Board, and to the Ministers of Canadian Heritage and of Infrastructure and Communities, urging the implementation of effective bird-friendly glazing and lighting in support of the recommendations of Safe Wings Ottawa.
Discussion: Jennifer presented the motion.
(Jennifer / Carolyn) Carried
ALTERNATIVE TO GARAGE SALE – GIVESHOP
Colette introduced John Farah, who described GiveShop’s work. Board members asked various questions to clarify how the platform works. The Board was supportive of Colette approaching the Ottawa Food Bank to gauge their interest. She will report back to the Board via email.
COMMITTEE REPORTS / MOTIONS / Q&A
Planning
Carolyn reported that the Pretoria re-zoning issue will go to the City Planning Committee on June 25, and that a developer has acquired Ecclesiax church (Monk and Fifth) and is preparing a proposal.
She also provided an update on the Bank St. Height and Character Study, and described work that Richard Corbeil, a member of the committee, is doing on modelling the street. The committee is working on figuring out a way that the wider community can see the model. Anyone is welcome to contact Carolyn if they would like to see it.
Motion 1: Bank St. Model
Whereas Richard Corbeil, a member of the GCA Planning Committee, has built a scaled 3D model of Bank Street and adjacent residential properties between First Avenue and Powell Avenue (picture below of existing condition).
Whereas Richard has incurred expenses of up to $300 (TBC) and spent upwards of two+ weeks building the original model, which he has also just updated to reflect City draft recommendations.
Whereas GCA Planning Committee members have reviewed the model and agree that it contributes immensely to their understanding of potential built form/development scenarios being considered under the Bank Street Height & Character Study, and to that end, will discuss how the model can be reviewed more broadly by the wider community as part of the current Study.
Whereas the Planning Committee has not spent any GCA funds to date to support engagement in this Study but had anticipated some expenditures in earlier budget discussions with the Board.
Be it resolved that the GCA support a reasonable cash stipend to recognize the huge effort that has gone into building this model, as well as up to $300 to cover actual direct model expenses.
Discussion: Carolyn presented the motion. To facilitate the conversation, a friendly amendment split the motion into two motions:
Motion 1-A: Be it resolved that the GCA support up to $300 to cover actual direct model expenses.
Discussion: Carolyn presented the motion.
(Carolyn / Elizabeth) Carried
Motion 1-B: Be it resolved that the GCA support a reasonable honoraria (up to $300) to recognize the huge effort that has gone into building this model.
Discussion: Carolyn presented the motion. Board members had several comments:
- Funds coming in in association with this year’s membership campaign are down in comparison with previous years.
- The GCA is a volunteer organization to which many people donate time.
- It is worth investing in this visible, important part of the GCA’s work.
- We are grateful for the time Richard has donated.
- Some Board members recalled giving honoraria before, but only on rare occasions.
- Perhaps we could commission the work.
The Board decided to withdraw the motion and to let the executive decide on the way forward.
(Carolyn / Jennifer) Withdrawn
OTHER UPDATES
GCA Annual General Meeting
June provided an update regarding next year’s board and the AGM. We are still looking for a secretary, chairs for the Parks and Transportation committees, and two area reps.
June and Laura will determine when the AGM will be in September. Board members suggested that we plan to conduct the meeting both in person (perhaps outside) and via Zoom (for those who would prefer to meet that way).
COMMENTS / ISSUES FROM COMMUNITY
Carol shared a concern from the community on Fourth Avenue regarding the speed of traffic. Nearby residents have prepared a petition that they will present to Councillor Menard. She asked that the Board consider advocating for 30 km/h limit on the east side of Bank. Board members were supportive of Carol’s work.
OTHER BUSINESS
Sue provided an update on 289 Carling.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:02 pm. (Rochelle / Elizabeth)