SWANSEA AREA RATEPAYER’S ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF MEETING, Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Present: Nick Singh, Bill Roberts, David Fleming, John Meijer, Heather McCulloch, Louis Gris, Kate Lawson, Ed Gaigalas, Bill Steele, Chris Korda
Regrets: Bill Jermyn, Sybil Wilkinson, George Dubauskas
1. CALL TO ORDER AND DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:
The meeting was called to order by Nick Singh at 7:37 pm.
2. AGENDA AMENDMENTS & APPROVAL:
Upon motion by David Fleming, seconded by Chris Korda, and carried, the Agenda for March 20, 2007 was approved.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Upon motion by John Meijer, seconded by Louis Gris, and carried, the amended Minutes for January 16, 2007 were approved.
4. EXECUTIVE REPORTS
a) Membership: John Meijer presented the membership report. The report was accepted upon a motion by John Meijer, seconded by Ed Gaigalas and carried. Louis Gris reported that is nearly completed calling old members to renew. He is working on calling back people with whom he left messages.
b) Fundraising: Louis Gris reported that the Village Playhouse would love to have SARA sponsor their second show of the season (usually held in November). The exact dates and details are to be worked out at a later date.
c) Treasurer’s: John Meijer presented the Treasures Report. The report was accepted upon a motion by John Meijer, seconded by Kate Lawson and carried.
d) Expenses: John Meijer reported invoices of $215 for the mailbox and photocopies at Swansea Town Hall. John Meijer reported expenses of $55.74 for stamps. The expenses were accepted upon a motion by John Meijer, seconded by Heather McCulloch and carried.
5. CURRENT MATTERS
a) New Members and Guests: None.
b) Newsletter: John Meijer reported that the January newsletter was mailed on Thursday February 22, 2007 to 148 addresses. “Last Issue” notices were attached to 37 newsletters of the recipients, whose 2006 membership fee was not paid.
c) Adopt a Block: The new poster had a coming out at the Swansea Town Hall AGM. It generated very good feedback. An additional header of “Help Swansea Ratepayers Keep Swansea Clean” will be added to the poster. Cheri DiNovo’s assistant asked to have details of the program for a notice to be posted in her office. Ed Gaigalas will see if there is space in the Swansea Town Hall to display the poster. John Meijer will add program details to the SARA website, and produce a document describing the program. Heather McCulloch will review this document before it is sent to the offices of Cheri DiNovo, Peggy Nash, Councillor Saundercook, and Swansea Town Hall.
d) Storage for SARA at the Town Hall: John Meijer moved that SARA makes use of two storage cages in the basement. The motion was seconded by David Fleming and passed. David Fleming volunteered to move the contents of the storage locker to the cages in the basement.
e) East Side of Walkway from Willard Ave to Willard Gardens: Nick Singh reported that he had been contacted by Nancy Tavares-Jones, the Property Officer for Facilities and Real Estate regarding the property. She forwarded details of the situation on to Mr. Craig Keys, the Encroachment Coordinator – Parks, Forestry and Recreation. She informed Nick that the property is 55 Mayfield Avenue and is entitled “Willard Gardens Parkette”. The item will be renamed “Property Encroachment at 55 Mayfield Ave - Willard Gardens Parkette”.
f) Traffic Studies in Swansea: Ed Gaigalas reported that at the January 2007 Community Council meeting, and subsequently City Council, a motion was passed to install a four way stop at the intersection of Morningside Dr., Beresford Ave, and Rennie Terrace.
g) Cheri DiNovo: No news. Nick Singh will follow up with Cheri DiNovo’s office. David Fleming reported that he is now sending a copy the Agenda for each Executive meeting to Councillor Saundercook, Cheri DiNovo, and Peggy Nash.
h) Flyer to promote SARA to new Swansea Residents: Ed Gaigalas, Chris Korda, and Sybil Wilkinson still need to arrange to get together to go over ideas.
i) Proactive Measures to Preserve the Character of Swansea: Bill Roberts reported that he consulted a local resident regarding Heritage Designations. The process of obtaining the designation has changed as the City no longer funds the process, nor is proactive in seeking Heritage designations for neighbourhoods. The new Official Plan has a policy dealing with Heritage Designations, but there is no appointee or funds to carry out the policy. Bill Roberts will try to find someone to talk about Heritage Designations at the SARA May 2007 AGM. Nick Singh reported that contacted Councillor Saundercook regarding the possibility of him calling a public meeting to talk about the following issues: an Avenue Study, Traffic Studies, Zoning Bylaws, Heritage Designation, and the South Kingsway Ramps.
j) Swansea Town Hall Web Site Redesign: John Meijer will provide the Swansea Town Hall (Ed Gaigalas) with content for their new website.
k) Humbergate Initiative: No news. Nick Singh will contact Councillor Saundercook for details about the initiative, and the February 26, 2007 meeting at City Hall.
l) Annual General Meeting, May 2007: After some discussion, it was decided that SARA would hold the 2007 AGM on Tuesday May 29 or Wednesday May 30 2007. Kate Lawson moved that Ed Gaigalas will investigate the availability of the Rousseau or Council Rooms at the Swansea Town Hall for the two dates. If unavailable, alternate dates will be as close as possible to the 29th or 30th. The motion was seconded by Bill Roberts and passed. Bill Roberts moved that Nick Singh as chair, Chris Korda, and Louis Gris strike an AGM Nomination Committee. The motion was seconded by Ed Gaigalas and passed. All executive members present indicated that they would be happy to keep their current positions for 2007-2008.
6. LAND USE ITEMS
a) Toronto Official Plan and Swansea Part II Plan: Bill Roberts reported that the settlement of housing related matters is going before the OMB for approval on April 3, 2007.
b) New COA matters: John Meijer reported that there were nine Committee of Adjustment matters in Swansea for March 8, 2007. Nick Singh reported that the owners of 202 South Kingsway informed him that the Committee of Adjustment approved the lot severance that they were seeking.
7. COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
a) Community Police Liaison Committee: Kate Lawson reported that the most recent meeting was at the Swansea Town Hall. The Committee is concerned about low attendance. There have been many break and enters in the area. The Police will be increasing foot patrols and police presence. In the last six months, there were no traffic accidents with bodily injuries, but there are currently forty plus ongoing traffic complaints. March 21, 2007 is Racial Awareness Week. The next meeting will be at the Toronto Police 41 Division.
b) High Park Community Advisory Council: Heather McCulloch reported that there was a presentation about the fish habitat restoration in Grenadier Pond. It was very informative. The fish habitat is improving, and improvements will be ongoing. The Council will be doing a dog survey for the park. She reported that she delivered fifty flyers and SARA newsletters to houses along the west side of Grenadier Pond.
c) Swansea Community Recreation Centre & Rennie Park: Kate Lawson reported that hockey is finished for the season, softball registration was today, and soccer registration will be soon. The City will install a buzzer with volume control for the next hockey season. The community garage sale will be Saturday May 26, with tables being rented for $30.
d) Swansea Memorial Library and Friends of the Library: Bill Roberts reported that he does not yet have the study about the assessment of library usage.
e) Swansea Public School: No news.
f) Swansea Town Hall Board of Management: Bill Roberts reported that the elections were completed, and the Constitution has been amended. The slate for the Board of Directors will be presented to Community Council for approval.
g) J.T. Bonham Residences: No news.
h) CORRA: Bill Roberts reported that CORRA is internally restructuring.
8. ITEMS BEING MONITORED
a) Windermere by the Lake: No news.
b) Southport Plaza: No news. Ed Gaigalas presented a sales brochure for the project.
c) Former Joyco Station: Nick Singh reported that he asked Councillor Saundercook’s office for information regarding the moving of the building to the new site. Ed Gaigalas reported that the buildings will be moved to the location on the south side of Lakeshore Boulevard near the Breyers Ice Cream stand on an upcoming Sunday.
d) Dark Horse (liquor license): No news.
e) Humber Bay Treatment Plant: No news.
f) Petro Canada Station – 8 South Kingsway: No news.
g) Storm Water Management Plan – Ellis Ave/Colbourne Lodge Dr: Work is ongoing. The fish habitats will be the last items to be completed.
h) South Kingsway Ramps Redesign Meeting: No news. Nick Singh will contact Councillor Saundercook’s office for an update.
i) Front Yard Parking: No news. Ed Gaigalas will research some information for April’s meeting.
j) Bloor West Urban Design Study: No news.
k) 296 Riverside Drive: Bill Roberts reported that the OMB appointed him as council for SARA. The testimony from The City’s outside planner, Kathleen Speers, was very thorough. The rest of the hearing will be scheduled for a later date. Kate Lawson reported that the two days she spent at the OMB hearing were an eye-opening experience. The applicant, the applicant’s architect and planning consultant gave testimony on the first day. Kathleen Speers, gave testimony the second day. Testimonies from SARA, the Swansea Historical Society, and objecting neighbours have yet to be given.
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a) Billy Bob's Bistro and Saloon /The Fan Sports Cafe: Their liquor licence was suspended from March 4 to March 11, 2007 because of overcapacity.
b) ABC’s of Fraud – Presentation by Volunteer Toronto: Nick Singh reported that Jennifer Lamb contacted him about SARA hosting a presentation. SARA would have to sign up fifteen attendees. John Meijer will put a notice of the presentation in the next newsletter.
10. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday April 17, 2007
11. ADJOURNED: 9:15 PM