GACA Board Meeting – September 18th

Present:

7:03 p.m.

The motion to accept the agenda made by Carrie, seconded by Joanne.

Motion to accept the minutes made by Sue, seconded by Carrie.

There were no matters arising from the previous minutes

Shawn spoke about his background. He lived in Old Ottawa East for a few years and now lives in Old Ottawa South.   He was Vice Chair of the City of Ottawa Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee and ran and won a pedestrian campaign against Mayor O’Brien.  He fought to get the U pass, bus pass for University students.   He is very concerned about development and the city continuing to break its own rules.  He would like to see mixed housing models.  Developers fund candidate campaigns through family members, and the only way to break this practice is to elect new city councilors.   Shawn used to work with the FCA and would like to bring back community council.  He wants to see more reliable service for transit downtown, and bus fares lowers, or eliminated.

The park renewal completion was delayed due to the original placement of the gazebo not meeting code. Work stopped while the plan had to be re-adjusted to move the gazebo about 1 metre further back into the park. One of the new play structures was eliminated from the plans as there wasn’t enough room in the play equipment pit to insert it and still maintain the required safety zones.  Also, because of its height, it needed to be installed on footings, and the bedrock was too close to the surface to allow the proper depth. One issue some are disappointed in is the size of the picnic table, as there is little seating for people to really sit together to chat. This is compounded by the layout of the benches in the front of the park, which are around the tree and not facing each other.  Sue has asked if a picnic table could be added, given the fact that we lost a piece of play equipment.  The park is expected to be completed at the end of the month, we will look at having the park opening in October.   We will move discussion of the Dalhousie Park reopening at the end of the meeting.

Having the fall cleanup the same day as the park opening was discussed. It was felt that having it the same day took away from the celebration.  It was decided to hold the spring clean-up on Saturday, September 29th with a rain date of September 30th.

There have been people looking at and photographing the 289 Carling site.   If anyone bidding on the RFP reaches out to David Chernushenko’s office to get a community perspective, the office will suggest they reach out to us instead.   So far no one has.  Unless they do, we will be unaware of who applies.  GACA is receiving some complaints via email about the development. The closing date for submissions on the RFP is October 10th, construction is expected to commence in the spring.

A site plan proposal from Taggart has been put forward for what was formerly referred to as 265 Carling.  The reason for the change of address number is due to the fact that the property has been severed for development.  Comments on the proposed plans are also due by October 10th.

The all-candidates meeting for city councilor candidates for Capital ward is on Thursday, September 27th, 7 p.m. at the Glebe Community Centre.  Each association can submit a question.   Sue will provide one regarding transportation in our area.  The moderator will choose from sponsoring community association questions and questions from the floor. Joanne and Sue will volunteer at the event.

A short discussion was held as to whether the third Tuesday of each month still works for our board meetings.  It was agreed that it does.  Joanne will ask Remax, located at Bronson and Plymouth, if we could possibly hold our meetings there.  Next board meeting, we will discuss dates for the AGM.

Sue asked if anyone was interested in attending the planning meeting of the Glebe Community Association, held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, or their park committee meeting held on the 4th Monday of the month.   Joanne offered to go to the park meetings.  Sue also asked if anyone was interested in attending the FCA  (Federation of Citizens’ Associations of Ottawa) meetings, they are held the third Wednesday of every month.

October 13th was chosen as the date, dependent on construction being finished by the end of September.   Ideas include Halloween décor, little pumpkin painting, coffee and hot chocolate and snacks, maybe a BBQ.   Sue will ask Morris about music, and if he would do the introductions.  Mike Abbas and Ray Lalonde’s participation in the opening was supported, due to their efforts in getting the park created more than 25 years ago.  David Chernushenko will be able to attend as councilor, not as candidate, as it is official city business. There will be a meeting on Sunday, September 23, 2 p.m. at Sue and David’s to plan the event.

The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.