Minutes
Glebe Annex Community Association (GACA)
Board Meeting – Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 7 p.m.
Present: Joanne Benoit, Marnie Crossley, Ryan Rampel, Scott Templeton, Sue Stefko, Jonathan McLeod (Office of Councillor Menard)
1. Call to Order and Approval of Agenda
The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m.
2. Approval of the Minutes from June 12, 2024
A motion to approve the minutes of June 12th was made by Sue and seconded by Scott and carried.
3. Membership Update
Ryan expressed his appreciation of those those who worked on the membership drives. The exact number of current members is to be confirmed, and Scott will confirm financial numbers at a later date.
4. Non-Disclosure Agreement for Development Pre-Consultation – Ryan
a. You have to have training by the city (taking place this fall)
b. You must sign a non-disclosure agreement
c. 4 people from community association boards can participate.
- Krikor of the LakeLander was suggested as a potential person to participate. Ryan will reach out to see if you are required to be on the board, Sue noted that in the past being a board member was not a requirement. Sue will stay on, Ryan put his name forward, Joanne will if no one else wishes to participate.
4 people from community association boards can participate.
Krikor of the LakeLander was suggested as a potential person to participate. Ryan will reach out to see if you are required to be on the board, Sue noted that in the past being a board member was not a requirement. Sue will stay on, Ryan put his name forward, Joanne will if no one else wishes to participate.
5. Development (Sue)
Clemow – Katasa build
The Clemow is expected to be completed by mid-November and people moving in by Christmas. The removal of building material is commencing next week. The reason this timeline was recently looked into is because Darlene a former board member, raised concerns of garbage, particularly an unused bus shelter. This shelter was taken out of use due to construction scaffolding. The shelter has litter and defecation and was reported to the city for cleaning. Darlene asked that the city board it up while not in use. Jonathan spoke to the city, and they are planning to remove it, and the bus stop all together. Sue raised a concern that we will lose a sheltered bus stop, it is very challenging in winter when waiting for a bus without one. Losing the stop would be concerning, it is a long way to another one. Members were in support of needing a bus shelter in the area if it is going to be safe and clean. At minimum a bus stop, particularly with additional residents once the Clemow is occupied as Marni commented. Jonathan suggested getting something in writing would be beneficial in dealing with this issue. Sue will undertake this.
299 Carling 299 Carling
Sue reached out to the Canada Lands Corporation (CLC) after the news release came out that the CLC expect the sale to be done before 2025. There really is no update and no basis for that announcement. They are supposed to be doing a public consultation for the park this fall and will ask GACA to spread the word. Scott commented that the commercial real estate firm CBRE has the listing for 299.
Booth Street Complex
The CLC is waiting for the city for the approval of the design, then they will try to find a developer.
6. Event Planning
Cleaning the Capital (Ryan)
Registration is now open for the fall clean. The dates are September 15 – October 15. The date of September 21 – 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., was selected (rain date September 22).
Halloween (Sue)
We have a surplus from our party in the park. We spent $1,700. But $1,500. was from a grant from the City of Ottawa. We had some left over ($27.00) from the grant and the city said it could be used for another event. Halloween in the park was a great success last year.
- Last year we spent almost $300.00, expect to need less this year. We have decorations from last year and have sponsor donations left to cover candy. A budget of $250.00 was proposed for this year.
- A motion to approve, a budget of $250.00 for the GACA Halloween event was made by Sue and seconded by Scott and approved.
- Commented that September party in the park was a big success despite the cold weather. The magician was enjoyed and while we did not want to pay extra for a rain date, it worked out well we did as we postponed. The bubble performer could not attend our rain date but paid him for a credit for next year. The additional food treats this year were very appreciated.
7. Councillor’s update – Jonathan
- The Glebe Annex safety meeting is coming up by the end of the month, with Shawn Menard, Joel Harden’s office, JHS, Ottawa Police and community members.
- The city budget directions were released. The mayor is estimating a 2.9% increase (in place of 2.5%) to property taxes. Last year we passed a motion that we shouldn’t just increase across the board but try to align it with the strategic objectives of the city. These are the budget directives, not the draft budget. Jonathan explained the budget process. In November or December, the draft budget will be in released and go to council. There will be updates in the councillor’s newsletter. There will be a budget consultation with Capital Ward, River Ward, Alta Vista Ward, and the Gloucester-Southgate Ward.
- Scott commented that he did tune into the mayor’s presentation. One of the comments made was that transit is dependent on provincial and federal funding. The mayor did mention that if no additional funding was received, there could been an increase of 75% in fares. This was said to indicate how much it could cost without funding. It was stated to give a level of magnitude of the situation, given the shortfall. Jonathan said there is some politics in the statements. It was expressed by members that the OC Transpo system is a serious problem and to fix it would be costly.
8. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.