A new Old Ottawa South Community Association board was elected at the Annual General Meeting on May 4th for the 2010-2011 year. Association members gathered in the Ladies' Parlour at Southminster Church to hear committees give their reports on the past year's activities, elect the new board, discuss current OOS issues, and mingle over wine and cheese.
Some board members were not returning, and were thanked for their much-valued time and effort by OSCA president Michael Jenkin, who will continue to serve for another year.
President's Report
Michael Jenkin reported that it had been a very exciting and eventful year, what with moving to Southminster Church while the Firehall renovation takes place, but a very stressful one as well, with the Lansdowne redevelopment issue in particular. He thanked the City and Community Centre staff, Cathie Buchanan and Dinos Dafniotis, for all their great work during the last year. He gave a special thanks to OSCA Executive Director Deirdre McQuillan, "without whom we would truly be a bunch of lost souls". He also said that they are still planning for a late June move back to the renovated Firehall, hopefully to coincide with summer programming, and stated that he was "particularly grateful" to Southminster Church and their "fruitful and productive partnership" while housing the community centre and the association at the church this year. Read the full President's Report here.
Treasurer's Report
Steve Mennill went over the Treasurer's report details for the fiscal year 2009.
OSCA generated a modest surplus in 2009, despite a drop in revenues and an increase in expenses relating to the temporary move to Southminster Church during the Firehall renovations.
OSCA donated $357,500 to the City of Ottawa in March 2010, to help fund the renovation of the Firehall. These funds were raised through donations from the community, various fundraising events, such as lobster suppers, Savour the Flavour, the House Tour, and the River Run, as well as small surpluses in programming over the past ten years.
Committee Reports
The committee chairs and Mary Anne Thompson, editor of the OSCAR community newspaper, gave their reports, which can be read here.
Michael Jenkin congratulated Mary Anne Thompson on the "quality and standards" of the OSCAR, and said that it keeps developing "from strength to strength", while continuing to make a profit for the association.
Brenda Lee, chair of the Special Events committee, reported that OSCA events had been well received by the community last year, including the successful return of the Fall Fest, with its famous (or is it infamous?) Goat Bingo. Photos here.
John Calvert, chair of the Web/IT committee, announced a Lifetime Volunteer award for retiring webmaster Rob Burr, who served in the position for a decade. Rob was unable to attend the AGM, and will receive his award at a later board meeting. John also announced the new incarnation of the website, which was developed over the last year by John Calvert, webmaster Chris Solar, web editor Gwen Gall, and a small but enthusiastic band of volunteers that includes OOS residents Kathy Krywicki and James Hunter.
Co-chair Nerys Parry gave the ECOS report: ECOS focuses on a broad range of environmental issues and assists residents in undertaking related projects. She announced that neither she nor co-chair Michael Lowen will be returning to the board. A new chair will be selected by the new board.
Program committee chair Anna Sundin reported highlights of the past year's programs, which were very popular despite having to find new venues for the duration of the Firehall renovation. She encouraged new volunteers to come aboard, and said the committee is looking forward to moving into the new space at the Firehall: "We know you will love the new spaces and new programs that we will be able to offer there."
OSWatch: Lansdowne Park, OOS Infill
During the OSWatch presentation at the meeting, conducted by co-chair Brendan McCoy, there was much discussion of the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park, as well as the state of infill development in Old Ottawa South. Many residents feel that inappropriate and unattractive infill housing is out of control and not in harmony with the community. Councillor Clive Doucet recommended to residents that they contact his office, call the City Bylaw office and/or inform the City Planning committee if they are disturbed by a particular development. More information about who to contact will appear soon on this website.
Councillor's Report
Clive Doucet's report covered several issues, such as Hydro Ottawa hanging guywires in the new Firehall courtyard and not responding to requests to move them, which effectively renders the courtyard—which was a much anticipated new public space—unusable. The Councillor also talked about 71 Hopewell Avenue, where a developer is planning to build a large triplex with garages in front. Doucet said he was pleased that some residents had gathered over 400 signatures in only four days on a petition to urge the City to ensure that its infill guidelines are followed, which does not include garages in the front spoiling the streetscape. Note: the petition is ongoing and can be signed online here, and you can read more about this neighbourhood action here.
The Councillor also said he was hopeful that the Sunnyside Traffic Study (now called the Old Ottawa South Area Traffic Management Study) would give good recommendations, and recounted how Sunnyside Avenue was widened in the 1970s and its mature trees chainsawed down to create the "industrial accident we have today". He wants to see Sunnyside narrowed and re-fitted with trees, as well as other traffic-calming measures. You can read more about the traffic study, including where to send your comments about it here. (Deadline for comments is May 12, 2010: they want to know what you think are the main traffic issues as the study begins.)
Friends of the Sunnyside Library Acheives Its Goals
"Friends of the Sunnyside Library" founder Jenny Haysom, who has decided not to return to the board this year, reported that this would be the last year for the "Friends", because it has achieved its objective (and more): to save the Sunnyside branch from closure by the City. Through its actions and the larger community's efforts—rallying at City Hall, selling Sunnyside book bags, conducting a massive used book sale at the Firehall—they not only saved the branch but saw it get a much needed expansion and renovation. In addition, she announced that a couple of local artists will be contributing their art to the renovated library: Crystal Beshara is planning a painting for the Children's department, and Bhat Boy is working on a mural for the main floor above the information desk.
Jenny also thanked Glebe Community Association president Carolin Vanneste, who was present at the meeting as a guest, for her extraordinary efforts to save the library branch, and the important participation of the greater Glebe community as well as OOS in the effort.
Community Cooperation
Michael Jenkin pointed to the saving of the library branch as an example of how change can only be effected if this kind of overt action is taken by a community. Indeed, several times over the course of the meeting, board members commented that such "fights" as the library and Lansdowne have served to strengthen bonds and cooperation between neighbouring communities and their associations, such as the Glebe and Old Ottawa East, as well as between residents within the communities themselves. (An example of CA cooperation are the letters sent to NCC and Parks Canada regarding their involvement in the Lansdowne redevelopment.)
Election
After all committee chairs who were present had given their reports, Jenny Haysom conducted the election, as she is an outgoing board member who is not returning.
There were 18 candidates of a possible 20, but there are interested parties for the other two positions who can be appointed after they have been members of the association for the required three months. Each candidate present spoke briefly about their background and their interest in joining the board, and then hands were raised and the roster was elected.
Wine and Cheese and Entertainment
The meeting was adjourned and the wine and cheese commenced, while Web/IT chair John Calvert entertained the crowd by demonstrating the new OSCA website on a projection screen.
New OSCA Board for 2010-2011
John Calvert
Graham Deline
Michael Dobbin
Gwen Gall
Michael Jenkin
Isla Jordan
David Law
Brenda Lee
Donna Lordon
Brendan McCoy
Kendall McQueen
Steve Mennill
Geoff Murphy
Peter Reinecke
Jim Steel
Greg Strahl
Anna Sundin
Michaela Tokarski
More information about the new board members will appear in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.