OSCA Board Meeting Draft Minutes

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Present: Greg Strahl, Anna Sundin, Brenda Lee, Deirdre McQuillan, David Law, Steve Mennill, Brendan McCoy, Geoff Murphy, Jenny Haysom, Mary Anne Thompson (OSCAR), Clive Doucet, Donna Lordon, Marianne Keyes (Carleton U.), John Calvert

Regrets: Lai Ling Lee, Michael Loewen, Nerys Parry, Michael Dobbin, Michael Jenkin, Mohammad al-Asad, Jim Steel

Guests: Catherine Caule, President and Simone Thibault, Executive Director of Centretown Community Health Centre; Jayne Stoyes, Pedestrian footbridge over Canal at Fifth Avenue.

Agenda

Preliminary Items

1. Approval of Agenda, Minutes of April 21, 2009 board meeting
2. President's Report
3. Councillor's Report

Decision Items

Information Items

4. Centretown Community Health Centre
5. Canal Pedestrian Bridge, Jayne Stoyes
6. Committee Reports
7. Other business and adjournment

Preliminary Items

1. Approval of Agenda and Minutes

• Motion: Proposed by Jenny Haysom and seconded by Brenda Lee that the Agenda be accepted.
• No quorum
• Motion: Proposed by Steve Mennill and seconded by Jenny Haysom that the May 19 minutes be accepted with the following additions:
• that Donna Lordon be added to those present
• that the Treasurer reviewed the financial statements
• No quorum

2. President's Report

• Michael Jenkin was out of the country and Greg Strahl gave the report.
• Lansdowne - a rally was held on June 14 by the Glebe Community Association. The board may consider the option of an emergency meeting in July to determine what action to take.
• Firehall Renovation - Committee met for 2 ½ hours on May 10 to review final cuts totalling $240,000 to the design. All of the cuts are regrettable but some items can be subsequently reinstated after the project is finished either through our fundraising activities or having them undertaken by the City as minor renovations.
• Sunnyside Safety Audit - the City has staffed the position designated to carry out pedestrian and traffic safety studies and there is a good chance the work on Sunnyside will now go ahead.
• Lease with Southminster United Church - discussions went very smoothly at a meeting on June 2. The City has agreed in principle to cover the cleaning costs. The lease was signed tonight by Steve Mennnill and Anna Sundin and Deirdre will deliver it to the church.

3. Councillor Doucet's Report

• Lansdowne:the problem is that this is a sole source procurement, now a solicited proposal – the City should go to a competitive proposal. Clive is encouraging everyone who can to attend the City council meeting on August 26 – a massive protest at City Hall is the only thing that might make a difference.

Decision Items

Information Items

4. Centretown Community Health Centre

• Two representatives, Catherine Caule, Board President and Simone Thibault, Executive Director, made a presentation to the board. They have already met with Centretown and Glebe.
• The Centre deals with primary health care, health promotion, mental health & addictions, community development, diabetes education, early years and much more.
• They have done a Neighbourhood study of Old Ottawa South-Old Ottawa East – 13,030 residents of which 75% are young and middle aged adults who are above average health and income and have a high civic engagement. Weaknesses are the number of families in poverty increased, lots of homes in neeed of major repairs, ready access to unhealthy food sources by school children.
• OOS 2006 census data – higher bilingual population, walk or cycle to work, significantly higher education, very wealthy neighbourhood.
• Questions for the board included: what are top health issues in OOS, are there opportunities for our boards to work together, how can we best communicate, and next steps. Board members said problems include safe cycling paths, noise, pressure treated lumber in Brewer Park, lead water pipes and mold in wet basements.

5. Pedestrian Bridge over Canal

• Jane Stoyes made a presentation to the board about a suggested pedestrian bridge over the canal at 5th Avenue – members of the group are from Glebe, Old Ottawa East and Old Ottawa South – John Calvert is a member of the group. OSWATCH has already supported the bridge. A traffic light would be required as part of the bridge installation.
• John Calvert would have liked to have a board motion supporting the bridge, but as there was not quorum; the motion is deferred to the September Board meeting.
• Brendan McCoy is to circulate the OSWATCH motion to the board.

6. Committee Reports

• Website
• Firehall Redevelopment
• Special Events - Brenda Lee said the Farewell to the Firehall party on May 24 cost OSCA $150; The annual BBQ has been cancelled this year.
• Library- Jenny Haysom reported that the Sunnyside branch has received $1.3 million for renovations. Structural problems can now be addressed.
• Program
• OSCAR
• Finance- Treasurer Steve Mennill presented the financial reports to April 30, 2009 and said the finances are tracking perfectly with the budget.
• The City has now agreed to pick up the costs of cleaning at Southminster.
• Proceeds from the House Tour total over $12,000 and from the River Run almost $8,000. Michael Jenkin will write letters to thanks to both organizers. Jenny Haysom suggested that part of the proceeds of the House Tour should go to an item that honours the late John Collins who was involved in the early planning of the House Tour.
• OSWATCH- Empty lot at Bank and Sunnyside - now that Shoppers Drug Mart is on hold, OSCA should ask the city to make sure Mr. McConkey keeps and the lot looking good.
• FCA
• CUSA

7. Other Business

• Deirdre noted that OSCA board meetings had been held in the Firehall for 31 years and that this one had been the last to be held in the ‘old’ Firehall. She reminded board members that the next meeting would be on Tuesday, September 15 at Southminster United Church.
• Motion: Proposed by Brenda Lee and seconded by Brendan McCoy that the meeting be adjourned.
• Motion carried
• The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 pm.