November 14th 2013 – General Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes

Thursday November 14th, 2013

Central Memorial Recreation Centre

1. 1.      Welcome

• Elisabeth welcomed all to the meeting and asked if there were any additions to the agenda
• Added to the agenda was an update on the Neighbourhood Leadership Institute
• Elisabeth shared that Councilor Farr sent his regrets for the meeting

 

1. 2.      Secretary – Review of Minutes

• September and October meeting minutes were reviewed
• One suggestion for revising October’s minutes was to change the wording in section 7 from “The candidates were voted in….” to read “The candidates were acclaimed in…”
• Action: Erika to revise minutes before sending out to the SCA
• A motion to approve the minutes  was made and seconded

i.     September: Motion, Ralph and Seconded, Matt

ii.     October: Motion, Diane and Seconded, Amanda

 

1. 3.      Treasurer – Annual Treasurer’s Report

• Katherine provided a report on the SCA’s annual financial account activity
• Provided a handout of the report: Cash on Hand Transactions
• There was question from committee members regarding a “debit” from Jason Farr for $1700
• Katherine updated that the $1700 was actually a credit-was provided as an annual fund to be used for events. Since SCA does not fit within the criteria of hub funding provided by Hamilton Community Foundation, Jason agreed to provide from his own funds.
• Will be looking into the HCF hub funding criteria to be accessible to community associations
• Action: Katherine to switch $1700 into credit column
• Question from the committee inquired as to whether a balance sheet was available with itemized list of transactions was available, such as for the $500 spent for the SCA picnic/BBQ
• Katherine/Ralph confirmed a balance sheet was available and could be shared at the request of committee members
• Some feedback regarding the report template was positive, indicating that the format clearly demonstrated and tracked the flow of all money into the SCA account

 

1. 4.      Election Results

• Elisabeth raised that following SCA elections, concern was raised that one of the executive committee members was not in standing with criteria for being elected
• Elisabeth confirmed that this was not the case as they followed up with the SCA executive committee criteria and reviewing the members history with the SCA

 

1. 5.      Mia Ribidoux – Position of Tracker SCIP Committee activities

• Mia updated that she has been working with Melanie, developing tools for tracking the Neighbourhood Action Plans
• Looking for one resident from each neighbourhood to be a Tracker-position requirements are that the person should be a resident of the neighbourhood and actively involved with the plan
• The position is volunteer, but offers a $200 honorarium, will require approx. 18 hours of work per quarter
• Mia shared that the Tracker would be tracking info on the status of the actions and barriers/enablers to the actions
• Will require a one year commitment, training will be offered
• Neighbourhoods can decided on what process they would like to take to choose one person, an application is required to be filled out
• SCA decided to think about it, 2 candidates expressed interest in the position, will take time to consider and decide who should proceed with filling out the application
• Action: Mia to send application to Erika to be shared with interested residents
• Action: Mia to send version of tracking tool for interested residents to review

 

1. 6.      Public Information Forum

• CPR committee to be hosting Public Information Forum on November 30^th for Carter Park redevelopment. The forum will provide an opportunity to move forward with plans for the park. Hoping to get input and feedback from the community.
• Current funding will take us through phase 1 plans, there are 3 phases to complete the park
• At the forum, City staff (Landscape Architect) will be presenting information-as well there will be information tables about ways to be involved with the SCA/SNAP
• Hoping to start work on the park in the spring
• Seeking volunteers from SCA members to assist with the forum-9 AM for set up, event is from 10 AM – 2 PM and will require some time to clean up afterwards
• Action: Matt G, Diane, Andrew, Ralph, Devon, and Judith to help out at the event
• Also need assistance to post flyers around the neighbourhood-100 to distribute approx. one week prior to the event
• Action: the following members decided to each take the following streets for posting:

i.     Erika-Emerald

ii.     Ralph-Grant

iii.     Andrew-Weber,

iv.     Katherine-Erie, Tisdale, store and Main and Emerald

v.     Brenda-Alanson and Blythe

vi.     Diane-Wentworth, Ontario and Stinson

vii.     Judith-East

viii.     Christina-Church bulletin

 

1. 7.      Revision to the Constitution/Code of Conduct

• Looking for volunteers to work with members of exec committee to revise the Constitution and Code of Conduct
• Christina and Diane offered to volunteer
• Action: Exec committee to follow up via email to set up meeting

 

1. 8.      467 Charlton

• A 5th application has been submitted to City for construction at the site
• Newest application has increased number of units, smaller sized and increase parking spaces
• A consultant offered to come to the 467 Charlton group, but will be declining the offer-not sure what new info can be shared at this point. The consultation report has been helpful
• The report demonstrates concerns regarding the instability of the slope, habitat/ecology, sound, increased traffic
• Currently, there is no permit or site detail, but developers are aiming to have approval in January. City Engineering will be looking into plans

 

1. 9.      SCIP Committee Updates

• Goal A. CPR (Civic Square, Carter Park and Recreation Centre) Committee
• Currently, committee is working with City on planning the Public Info Session.
• The committee is focusing its work on the re development of the park, next steps will be to look into the Civic Square and Recreation Centre
• Andrew has been looking into the parcels of green space throughout the community-CPR would like to know if anything can be done with those spaces (i.e. triangle of land bound by Victoria, Wellington and West.

 

1. 10.   Neighbourhood Network Committee Update

• Devon provided an update about the committee
• The committee consists of community coordinator (one per Neighbourhood Action community), McMaster University, Neighbourhood Action Strategy office, Community development workers, and Hamilton Community Foundation
• Project work addresses research and information needs in Neighbourhood Action communities,
• Residents can identify their research need and engage with McMaster to discuss opportunities to join on a research project that fits within a need at McMaster
• If there are SCIP committees who are interested , please contact Devon
• SCA meeting attendants identified that they would like more info about the project
• Action: Rebecca to follow up and arrange for more info / discussion/ presentation for meeting in January 2014

 

1. 11.   Neighbourhood Leadership Institute

• January to June 2014 two residents from each community are invited to attend the Neighbourhood Leadership Institute
• Opportunity to learn how to become a better leader in your community
• SCA can decide who the 2 candidates should be
• Candidates must be engaged actively on a project
• If interested, please send a letter of intent expressing your interest

 

1. 12.   Participatory Budgeting Ward 2 Update

• Ralph and Brenda recently attended a meeting with other community associations involved with PBW2 to network, learn about each other’s work, share experience with recent PBW2 project etc
• Will be meeting quarterly
• Good opportunity to keep connected across Ward 2

 

1. 13.   Pedestrian Mobility Plan

• City recently approved/adopted Pedestrian Mobility Plan to create safe streets-based on concept of Complete Streets-where streets are designed with pedestrians and cyclists needs integrated with motorists needs for travel
• Discussed looking into an opportunity to partner with the City with their new Pedestrian Mobility Plan
• Roadwork will be happening in Stinson in the next year-2014
• Possibility we could be part of a pilot project
• Action: Brenda/Elisabeth to arrange meeting in January with Jason Farr, Suzanne Brown to discuss ideas

1. 14.   Updates from Councilor Farr’s Office

• Updates sent via Jason’s office
• Will be going forward with making Wentworth and Sanford two way streets
• Currently looking into making Victoria Ave two way street

 

1. 15.   Other Business

• Andrew shared “Community News” and updated about Artiques a new art and antique shop that opened on West Ave and King St
• Looking for more artists to sell their work at the store
• Action: Info about Artiques to be posted on SCA website
• Guest, Amanda Pepin, visiting from Gibson Lansdale Association
• Shared that a Christmas Carol event will happen on December 13^th, with anyone welcome to attend
• More details to be shared

 

1. 16.   Next Meeting

• Thursday December 12^th, 7 PM Central Memorial Recreation Centre
• Will be a short business meeting, followed by  a Christmas meet and greet
• A presentation will be provided from Save On Energy group (Horizons Utilities Program)