Meeting Minutes – Thursday, June 27th, 2013
Attendees:
Ben Babcock, Christina Babcock, Elisabeth Brown(VP), Maggie Day-Myron, Katherine Dymkowsk (Treasurer), Matthew Hall, Lee McIlmoyle, Ralph Meiers, Joanna Millions, Brenda Millions, Brenda Mitchell, Erika Morton, Mike Montreuil, Adam Bentley, Brian Goodman, (President),
Guests :
Councillor Jason Farr, Rebecca Doll, Community Development Worker, Melanie Pothier, Neighbourhood Action Evaluation. .
Call to Order – President, Brian Goodman
Amended Agenda:
– Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer, Katherine Dymkowski
– Melanie Pothier – brief presentation on Neighbourhood Action Evaluation
– Rebecca Doll providing update.
– Brenda Mitchell providing update on 467 Charlton Ave
Treasurer’s Report – Katherine Dymkowski
$1,700.00 – Received from Councillor Farr for SCA operating expenses.
$500.00 – From Neighbourhood Development Strategies for Stinson Community Picnic
$169.46 – Donations received at Picnic
$819.54 – Expenditures for Community Picnic in the Park
Questions – Why request donations at Picnic to enter raffle when grants provided to cover expenditures. Picnic advertising did not mention raffle or donations?
Response – To be reviewed how this should be handled in future.
Open Forum Discussion:
– President opened with the concept of Ikigai; i.e. ‘What is your ikigai?’ – Japanese – a reason for being.
Discussion Point – Member noted an apparent attrition of members/volunteers. Do we know why?
Responses – President explained that, in his experience, volunteers come and go (and return) for many reasons; would not like to guess why.
Suggested Action – Contact members who have left for feedback, volunteer appreciation, review number of events held, review and prioritize Action Plan Goals, meeting agenda to include time for members to socialize, campaign to attract new members.
Discussion Point – President commented that the Goal B Committee, through its Chair has requested that responsibility for Events be removed from their committee. This will be addressed and perhaps all committees’ action points should be reviewed /re-aligned/prioritized.
Discussion Point – VP commented that an SCA member has sent unwelcome emails to members and individuals outside of the SCA resulting in a number of complaints being received.
Response – President confirmed SCA members e-mail addresses were not accessed. He sent e-mail advising that this unwelcome communication was not from or supported by the SCA and he is addressing the issue with the author of this unwelcome message.
Discussion Point – What is the current paid membership number?
Response – Treasurer stated that there are approximately 30 paid members, and about 50 ‘faces’ involved in SCA activities
Discussion Point – Can Minutes of Executive meetings be published for membership access? Belief is that important decisions are being made without membership awareness/involvement.
Response – President explained that no minutes are kept; ad hoc; setting agenda; also some confidential information. Other neighbourhoods also do not record executive meeting minutes.
Decisions – Currently events activities rests with the relevant Committee that is required to report back to the SCA general membership for feedback, input and solicit volunteers. Responsibility for Events will be removed from Group B Committee. Chair of the committee has requested this action of the President.
Re-organize to ensure greater opportunities for involvement of all members in determining what events to hold, events planning, organizing, notice to the community, soliciting community volunteers and donations. Any member can propose an event.
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Break
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Melanie Pothier – Neighbourhood Action Evaluation
– Stinson has unique relationship with City
– Interviews are to collect feedback from planners; compare and contrast with 10
Communities are involved in the Neighbourhood Action Strategy.
At least 4 volunteer planners to be interviewed and 2 service providers.
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Reports
467 Charlton Project Committee – Report from Committee Chair
– Development not supported by NEC {Niagara Escarpment Commission?]
– Must be below 6 stories in height among numerous other issues
– Proponent came back with 4 story plan; end to end ‘slab’; other plan also inappropriate
– Proponent disregarding NEC. City requesting revised proposal from developer.
– Proposed 151 units -> 1.1 hectares of high density residential space
– still an opportunity for community to discuss/get involved
Question – Who owns former mini putt course property on slope?
Response – Ownership currently contested; City versus proponent
Community Development Worker Update – Rebecca Doll
1) City Tracker for Action Plans becoming unmanageable
– City seeking volunteers from each neighbourhood be ‘hired’ to keep track
– honorarium
– September ‘hiring’ process; letter of interest; letters of recommendation
2) Neighbourhood Leadership Training Programme
– Congratulations Grads. Looking for participants for next year’s sessions
– Update in September, based on developments over the summer.
3) Neighbourhood Capacity Research
– 1st year – Students canvassed neighbourhoods
– 2nd year – Best Practices – Research
– 3rd year – Implementation
– Campus Collaborative ThinkTank-University
– Rebecca to report back when CDWs get their latest update
4) Council on Aging
– Stakeholder communities
– One focus group from each neighbourhood. Recommendation that native communities be contacted; native communities don’t have ‘seniors’, due to poor health outcomes
5) Asset Based Community Development
– What is our measure for success? Not number of meetings/event attendance.
– Asset Based Community Development based on the gifts of volunteer base
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CPR Presentation – Renovating Carter Park
Presenters: Elisabeth Brown, Adam Bentley, Ralph Meiers, Erika Morton
Guiding Our Vision – Elisabeth
Basketball Court – Adam
Plantings and Gardens, Terraced Garden on Slope, Gazebo, Fencing – Ralph
Main and Secondary Entrance Gateways, Lighting Fixtures, Electrical access throughout Park, Drinking Fountain, Park Fountain – Erika
Questions – Height of Fences – As required by City regulations.
SCA members in attendance enthusiastically endorsed Carter Park plan as presented.
Committee Chair advised that next step is to present to City Staff, once confirmed by City Staff a Public Information Session for all Stinson Resident feedback will be scheduled.
Councillor Jason Farr Updates
– Landing at the top of Victoria Ave. stairs will be getting some work done on it given the existing condition of the landing.
– Review of ramp concept for entry to rail trail at Victoria being reviewed by Parks – $100,000. plus. Requires Geo technical review. Must meet AODA regulations. Every potential for high retaining wall and numerous switch-backs. Tunnel like space.
Difference in taking Young S. versus Victoria Ave. is 605 m versus 590 m. respectively.
– Stop sign being reviewed for Victoria and Charlton
Question – Where did these concepts come from?
Response– Member responded that she has taken this forward to the Councillor.
Councillor’s Up-Date:
– CP Rail will not cover graffiti or install pigeon spikes on the Victoria Ave. overpass. Councillor will pursue graffiti further.
– Discussion will be undertaken of a potential sidewalk on west side of Victoria from Stinson to Young St. . This is currently designated as road allowance.
– New bike lanes are being painted on Stinson.
Question – inadequate parking on Stinson Lofts property may cause problems with parking on streets.
Response – Permit parking can be implemented
Response – Permit parking causes parking problems to domino to adjoining neighbouring streets.
Next Meeting –
President announced that there will be no meetings of the SCA in July and August.
The REC Centre is undergoing maintenance work and will be closed.
Members should take a well deserved break.
The date of the September meeting will be announced as soon as it is confirmed the REC Centre will again be available for meeting space.
Meeting Concluded.
Minutes Recorded by Lee McIlmoyle
