SWANSEA AREA RATEPAYER’S ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF MEETING, Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Present: Nick Singh, Bill Roberts, David Fleming, Heather McCulloch, Louis Gris, Kate Lawson, Chris Korda, George Dubauskas, John Meijer, Bill Steele
Regrets: Bill Jermyn, Ed Gaigalas, Sybil Wilkinson
1. CALL TO ORDER AND DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:
The meeting was called to order by Nick Singh at 7:30 pm.
2. AGENDA AMENDMENTS & APPROVAL:
Upon motion by Bill Roberts, seconded by David Fleming, and carried, the Agenda for May 15, 2007 was approved.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Upon motion by Bill Roberts, seconded by David Fleming, and carried, the amended Minutes for Tuesday April 17, 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 George Dubauskas and carried.
b) Fundraising: Louis Gris reported that the Village Playhouse fundraiser would be Night Watch, a murder mystery by Lucille Fletcher on November 15, 2007. Louis will try to get tickets printed for the AGM.
c) Treasurer’s: John Meijer presented the membership report. The report was accepted upon a motion by John Meijer, seconded by Bill Roberts and carried.
d) Expenses: Kate Lawson submitted expenses of $30 for the community garage sale on May 26, 2007.
5. CURRENT MATTERS
a) New Members and Guests: None.
b) Newsletter: John Meijer reported he will finish off the newsletter with news from this meeting.
c) Adopt a Block: Heather McCulloch reported that she will make a topper for the poster, and print more certificates for the garage sale. She will talk later with Kate Lawson about taking the poster to the community garage sale on May 26, 2007.
d) Storage for SARA at the Town Hall: David Fleming has not had the time to move the contents of the storage locker to the cages in the basement.
e) Property Encroachment at 55 Mayfield Ave - Willard Gardens Parkette: Nick Singh reported that he had contacted Mr Keys. He informed Nick that the owner of the property at 57 Mayfield told him that the use of 55 Mayfield is on his deed. My Keys has asked the owner to provide the deed and any other documentation to back up his claim. Mr. Keys will take the appropriate steps when he gets more information.
f) Traffic Studies in Swansea: No news.
g) Cheri DiNovo: No news
h) Flyer to promote SARA to new Swansea Residents: Chris Korda showed a copy of the new flyer for comment. There were suggestions to make the wording more positive, spell out SARA in full, change the wording on the cost of membership so that it does not imply people are too cheap to join. Chris will revise the text, add a mission statement, and put together copies for the community garage sale.
i) Proactive Measures to Preserve the Character of Swansea: No news.
j) Swansea Town Hall Web Site Redesign: No news
k) Humbergate Initiative: No news.
l) Annual General Meeting, May 2007: The 2007 AGM will be held on Tuesday May 29 in the Rousseau Room at the Swansea Town Hall. Nick Singh reported that all of the current executive will stay on. Kate Lawson will take over the role of Treasurer from John Meijer. Bill Roberts motioned that the executive nominate Ian McIsaac providing he attends the AGM. The motion was seconded by John Meijer and carried. Kate Lawson motioned that up to $50 is made available for coffee and cookies at the AGM. The motion was seconded by David Fleming and carried.
m) ABC’s of Fraud – Presentation by Volunteer Toronto: No news.
6. LAND USE ITEMS
a) New COA matters: No new items. George Dubauskas will investigate parking at the house at Windemere just south of Bloor.
b) 79 Deforest Ave: David Fleming reported that he had talked to the neighbour at 81 Deforest. They had questions about the building, and had been told that they would have to go through the Access to Information Act to see the plans for the building. Bill Roberts suggested he could find out which committee oversees the buildings department, and possibly get other ratepayers associations to investigate haw to get access to building plans to see if building are being built according to plans. Dave Fleming will talk to the neighbour at 81 Deforest, and talk to the inspector regarding the property.
c) 35 Beresford Ave – Parking Pad Appeal: David Fleming explained that the owner of 35 Beresford Ave is appealing the bylaw that prevents them from getting a parking pad. He asked for SARA’s supporting in opposing the appeal. Bill Roberts motioned that SARA support the residents in opposing the appeal. The motion was seconded by Heather McCulloch and carried. David Fleming abstained.
d) COA Matters: 50A Beresford, 356 Windermere, 44 Lavinia, 93 Coe Hill:
50 A Beresford: All variances were denied. John Meijer will check for any appeals.
356 Windermere: The shed was approved as temporary. John Meijer will check for any appeals.
44 Lavinia: No news.
93 Coe Hill: No news.
7. COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
a) Community Police Liaison Committee: Kate Lawson reported that details of the last meeting are in the Committee’s newsletter and on their web site. This is “Community Policing Week”, with a BBQ being hosted in High Park.
b) High Park Community Advisory Council: Heather McCulloch reported that walking tours and guided hikes are starting, the controlled burn has taken place, and a tree planting initiative is underway.
c) Swansea Community Recreation Centre & Rennie Park: Kate Lawson reported that the community garage sale is on May 26, 2007. Kate Lawson, Chris Korda, and Heather McCulloch will coordinate attending SARA’s booth.
d) Swansea Memorial Library and Friends of the Library: No news.
e) Swansea Public School: Bill Roberts reported that convocation will be the last Monday or Tuesday in June. Bill will confirm date, and report at the June executive meeting.
f) Swansea Town Hall Board of Management: Bill Roberts reported that The Board is considering the role of the Swansea Town Hall Association and whether it should not be involved in fundraising, and should primarily be for the purposes of electing the Board of Management. In addition it is considering whether it should go into programming. There are policy considerations and impacts of the policy change which will have to be assessed.
g) J.T. Bonham Residences: No news.
h) CORRA: No News
8. ITEMS BEING MONITORED
a) Windermere by the Lake: No news.
b) Southport Plaza: No news.
c) Former Joyco Station: Both buildings have been moved to their final destination.
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: Extensive work (landscaping, fencing, signage) will continue over the summer to compete the project.
h) South Kingsway Ramps Redesign Meeting: Nick Singh reported that Councillor Saundercook will hold a public meeting in late May or early June.
i) Front Yard Parking: No news.
j) Bloor West Urban Design Study: No news.
k) 296 Riverside Drive: The OMB hearing will resume on June 11 and 12, 2007.
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a) Canadian Internet Registry: Mail solicitation passed to John Meijer to investigate.
10. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday June 19, 2007
11. ADJOURNED: 9:03 PM