S.A.R.A. Executive Meeting Minutes – April 16, 2002
Present: Jamie Bell, Ritvars Bregzis, George Dubauskas, Marianne Fenner, Louis Gris, Bill Haines, Merle Hudson, Joan Oreto, Bill Roberts, Vicki Vancas, Sybil Wilkinson
Regrets: Ron Braun, Peter Keefe, Victoria Masnyk, Jean McMullan, Lina Volpe
No Regrets: Lynn Clay
Guests: Frances Labelle
Call to order: Meeting began at 7:40 p.m. at the Swansea Town Hall. This meeting was chaired by Louis Gris.
Approval of Agenda:
A motion was made by Bill Roberts and seconded by Jamie Bell to add one new item to the agenda under New Business: Runneymede Hospital. Carried
Acceptance of previous minutes: March 19, 2002
A motion was made by Bill Roberts and seconded by Marianne Fenner that Vicki Vancas would correct and redistribute the March 19th minutes. Carried
SARA VISION AND MANDATE
The SARA vision and mandate straw dog with accepted in principle. The revised version is to go back to Ron Braun for review then refined for final approval at next months board meeting. This was moved by Bill Roberts and seconded by Bill Haines. Carried
Purpose:
Provide a forum for ratepayers where local community issues of concern to residents and business interests can be voiced and debated.
Build a strong community, build on the unique character of Swansea within the context of the City of Toronto and environs and respond to the needs of the Swansea community.
In a Way That:
Involves and encourages participation from local ratepayers, residents and businesses within the general area of the former Village of Swansea.
Provides an open forum for discussion, information sharing and voicing of specific community issues
Seeks involvement, support & participation from the local City Councillor, and City Council and other levels of government and other groups and organizations as required
Encourages sound planning that addresses the unique needs of Swansea, specifically on zoning, environment, developments, traffic, safety, schooling and community issues.
So That:
Discussions are reached, and action plans are recommended democratically and implemented
Swansea's interests are expressed and Swansea interests are promoted in the most inclusive manner possible.
MEMBERSHIP
Louis Gris submitted his report on membership as of April 16, 2002:
Single 1 @ $10.00 = $ 10.00
Family 6 @ $12.00 = $ 72.00
Business 1 @ $14.00 = $ 14.00
Total 8 = $96.00
Paid memberships to date = 98 (8 pre-paid in 2001)
2002 SARA memberships consist of the following:
Single 44
Family 49
Business 5
Honourary 3
New in 2002 7
Monies forward to treasurer: $96.00
A motion was made by Bill Roberts and seconded by Marianne Fenner to accept the membership report of April 16, 2002. Carried
TREASURER'S REPORT
Joan Oreto presented the Treasurer's Report as of April 13, 2002
There was a motion made by Bill Roberts and seconded by Joan Oretoto accept the Treasurers Report as of April 13, 2002.
Carried
Expenses: Bill Roberts $18 for TTC tokens
Swansea Historical Society $45 for Dick Wilkins gift
Swansea Town Hall $48 plus gst for mail box
Swansea Town Hall $37.45 for safety box
LOCAL ISSUES
8 SOUTH KINGSWAY
No update, will continue to monitor.
1947/1997 BLOOR STREET WEST – CONTEXT DEVELOPMENT
Will continue to monitor.
HUMBER CYCLING/PEDESTRAIN TRAIL
Jamie Bell wrote a letter to David Miller regarding plans for this trail.
FRED VICTOR CENTRE – LAKESHORE/WINDERMERE
Jamie Bell contracted David Miller, and the plan is still to go ahead with the building. There is still soil cleanup to be done under the building.
47 ST OLAVES ROAD
Continue to monitor.
MUNICIPAL SHELTERS
Bill Roberts will continue to monitor. It was moved by Bill Roberts and seconded by Bill Haines that if other ratepayers groups appeal to the City, then SARA will join in that appeal to the City. Carried
George Dukauskas mentioned the article in the Toronto Star on Monday, April 14, 2002 regarding this issues.
WINDERMERE BY THE LAKE – REON DEVELOPMENT
Bill Roberts reported that the committee meeting was deferred to May 6th.
Jamie Bell is to write a letter to Don Richard and David Miller regarding specific water issues and noise.
BILLY BOB'S
Bill Roberts stated hat the owner aborted their appeal, and that they could reapply in August. Note that the rules state that an appeal can be done every 2 years.
SAVANNAH RESTARUANT
Bill Roberts stated that the owner requested changes, and he is still waiting to hear. The owner is just trying to get reduced permission for that building to protect his rights.
CORRA – CONFEDERATATION OF RESIDENT & RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATIONS
No update at this time.
COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT
Victoria Masynk had identified 3 matters.
Bill Roberts stated that the reports are ready on Fridays, and that George and/or Merle should arrange to pick them up. Also Louis Gris will check SARA's mailbox on Fridays.
A motion was make by Bill Roberts and seconded by Jamie Bell to have Victoria Masynk write a letter to get the Committee of Adjustment matters/information on the city of Toronto's website. Carried
HUMBER YORK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Merle Hudson stated that there are no issues with the Windermere at Lakeshore intersection improvement plans.
Bill Roberts asked that Merle Hudson contact David Millers office to get a copy of reports on council activities.
GARDINER LAKESHORE TASK FORCE, CENTRAL WATERFRONT PLAN II & TORONTO OFFICIAL PLAN
Bill Roberts stated that the committee had their meeting. Bill also noted that Victoria Masynk's letter to Jack Layton was never given to the committee by the secretary. Bill also reported that the Toronto Board of Trade wanted reassuring and wanted more virtual roadways. The next committee meeting will also deal with other groups they want to have imput in the process i.e. CAA (Canadian Automobile Association). Bill also reported that SARA had a major impact on the meeting.
A motion was made by Jamie Bell and seconded by Jean Oreto that Victoria Masynk send a letter to the City Clerk of this Commission, it's secretary Della Ting, and its chair Jack Layton to ask that key stakeholders have imput and deal with matters on the future of the gardiner expressway.
HIGH PARK CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Jamie Bell stated that the notice of meeting regarding the family/pond/gathering area and animal paddocks will be held next week.
Phase one will involve the parking area and redirecting the road and reconfigure the intersection. There is also headway in the revitalizing wetlands areas and phase two will involve the revitalizing the south end of the duck pond.
RENNIE PARK
Merle Hudson started that were suggestions to have the part become part of the Swansea Recreation Centre.
SWANSEA MEMORIAL LIBRARY
George Dubauskas stated that the Bloor West Villager picked up on the library issues and wrote an article in the April 12, 2002 issue.
George Dubauskas asked that information regarding the library to be inserted into the next newsletter mailing. Bill Roberts and Louis Gris to investigate, and if there is no additional postage the information will be inserted.
George Dubauskas as reported on the survey results, and asking people still to respond, as the Toronto Library Board has agreed to accept this survey as feedback from the Swansea community.
SWANSEA PUBLIC SCHOOL
Bill Roberts will contact the principal regarding the awards presentation in June.
SWANSEA TOWN HALL
Louis Gris discussed that at the April 2nd meeting, the library committee did a presentation, and that the west end home show was a success: over 2,000 people attended, revenues were up $1,000 and there were more exhibitors over the previous year.
He also reported that the building extension meeting was set for Monday, April 22nd regarding the zoning.
SWANSEA RECREATION CENTRE
Merle Hudson reported that the on June 1st there will only be a dance and not a casino. The Rennie Park Fundraiser Garage Sale is to be held on Saturday, May 11th. They are hoping to raise money for the roof, and the Swansea Recreation Centre. Tables cost $15. The Swansea school field is closing from June 24 to Septembe to top up the field and install irrigation system. The adult ball games will run from May to June only this year. The rec centre has been asked to host the Ronald Foster children's picnic will be held for the second year. It will be held on June 15th in Rennie Park.
TRAFFIC CALMING
Merle Hudson stated that the new policy was being debated at city hall today. She stated that were lots of debates, lots of changes to the policies.
Jamie Bell mentioned that plans for the Windermere Circle hold more value than traffic calming.
WORLD 19
Louis Gris asked John to keep him informed of meetings. The recent forum on health care was a success. George Dukauskas also attend the health care event.
NEWSLETTER
Bill Roberts has worked on the first draft, and will be ready to be sent out soon.
MARKETING
Bill Roberts noted that guest addresses, phone numbers or emails should be included on the meeting minutes listed on the Website.
It was discussed that most of the letters that are send out on SARA's behalf should be put on the website.
A motion was made by Bill Roberts and seconded by Merle Hudson that the SARA board meeting minutes not be added to the SARA website until after they have been approved for one month. This will ensure that any corrections/omissions have been noted.
Carried
John Meijer: note re website issues
FUNDRAISING
Louis Gris spoke to the Village Players and informed us that the rules are changing. They will now take $4 per each $14 tick sold, plus a flat fee of $500. This means that SARA must at least sell 100 tickets to the event.
A motion was made by Bill Roberts and seconded by Sybil Wilkinson to have Louis Gris explore the idea of having food and drink prior to, during the intermission, and after the performance, as a fundraiser to SARA. Carried
AGM
Both Marianne Fenner and Bill Roberts will be given 15 minutes to speak on gardening. Marianne on indoor/condo gardening and Bill on roses and summer outside gardening. Vicki Vancas stated that David Miller and Gerrard Kennedy will be attending the meeting. It was noted that a flipchart, slide projector and screen will be required. The notice will be mailed out the beginning of May. Vicki Vancas will prepare the flyer and George Dubauskas and Merle Hudson will distribute and post in the community.
OTHER ISSUES
Pizza Pizza on Beresford:
Merle Hudson noted that the appeal was aborted at this time.
Dark Horse:
Louis Gris is still to write a letter to the Dark Horse. He also stated that the meeting posting was not there and that he would write a letter also to the alcohol and gaming commission regarding this. He also stated that residents on Larkin are concerned about the expansion.
Ravine By-Law:
Jamie Bell wote up a document regarding the ravine control by law issue, which was passed around, and there was a request to add citizens involvement to the copy. Bill Roberts stated that the city needs to classify ravines by category type.
A motion was made by Bill Roberts and seconded by Jamie Bell to have Victoria Masynk write a letter to the committee regarding this by law and to get SARA involved in the process, as this community has numerous and varied ravines. Carried It was noted that Ritvars Bregzis abstained from the vote.
Boathouse:
Victoria Masynk is still to write a letter to David Miller cc City Parks about this project.
Colonization of Sign Bylaws:
Bill Roberts noted that this bylaw was being debated.
NEW BUSINESS
Runnymede Hospital – There is a meeting being held on April 23rd at 7:00 p.m. at the Annette Recreation Centre about the tearing down of the old building and building a new one. It was noted that this facility is used by Swansea residents.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by George Dubauskis and seconded by Joan Oreto to adjourn the meeting. Carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
NEXT MEETING
Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. STH.