SWANSEA AREA RATEPAYER’S ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF MEETING, Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Present: Nick Singh, Bill Roberts, Chris Korda, David Fleming, John Meijer, George Dubauskas, Heather McCulloch, Louis Gris, Sybil Wilkinson, Kate Lawson, Bill Steele
Regrets: Bill Jermyn, Ed Gaigalas
1. CALL TO ORDER AND DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:
The meeting was called to order by Nick Singh at 7:33 pm, with no conflicts of interest.
2. AGENDA AMENDMENTS & APPROVAL:
Upon motion by John Meijer, seconded by Bill Roberts, and carried, the Agenda for November 21, 2006 was approved with the following amendments:
Adding Expenses to Executive reports, removal of 8h) OMB reform.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a) Minutes from October 21, 2006: Upon the motion made by Bill Roberts, seconded by John Meijer, and carried, the Minutes for October 21, 2006 were approved
b) Matters arising from the minutes from October 21, 2006: A discussion regarding matters arising from item 5j), “Election Candidates and Political attendees at Executive meetings” ensued. The motion was subsequently amended to read “Ban any candidates from attending a SARA Executive meeting the later of, 40 days before close of nominations, or the SARA Executive meeting immediately before the All Candidates Meeting”. Upon a motion made by Bill Roberts, seconded by Chris Korda, the motion was passed.
4. EXECUTIVE REPORTS
a) Membership: John Meijer read the membership report.
b) Fundraising: The executive members gave unsold tickets, and monies collected for the Village Playhouse’s November fundraiser to Nick Singh. Nick Singh will provide the final report at the December 12 Executive meeting.
c) Treasurer’s: John Meijer read the Treasures report. The report was accepted upon a motion by John Meijer, seconded by Heather McCulloch and carried.
d) Expenses: None.
5. CURRENT MATTERS
a) New Members and Guests: Lydia Perovic (Cheri DiNovo’s Office).
b) Newsletter: John Meijer is working on January’s newsletter.
c) Adopt a Block: No news. John Meijer will forward some information to Bill Roberts who suggested that a display for the program as well as SARA be created. John Meijer and Heather McCulloch will represent a committee to take up the task.
d) South Kingsway Ramps Redesign: No news.
e) Storage for SARA at the Town Hall: Nick Singh has received the contract and gave the executive an outline of the archival procedures and processes. He needs to review some items with Bill Roberts, and then return the signed contact as soon as possible to the City Archives.
f) East Side of Walkway from Willard Ave to Willard Gardens: Nick Singh reported that he contacted Councillor Saundercook’s office before the election but had no reply.
g) Billy Bob's Bistro and Saloon /The Fan Sports Cafe: Nick Singh reported that he had brokered a potential settlement between the community and Billy Bob’s. All discussion on the matter was deferred until after our guests had left.
h) Traffic Studies in Swansea: No news as Ed Gaigalas is absent. Ed to report on the letter at the December 12 Executive meeting.
i) Cheri DiNovo: Nick Singh reported that he, Bill Roberts, Heather McCulloch, and Chris Korda had met Cheri DiNovo. Overall it was a good meeting. They discussed taxes, OMB, Alcohol and Gaming, Urban Design Study, Committee of Adjustments, and Planning in general. Cheri DeNovo will get back to us on the Dark Horse and procedures at the Committee of Adjustments.
6. LAND USE ITEMS
a) Toronto Official Plan and Swansea Part II Plan: Bill Roberts reported that a number of housing issues were put over, pending an experts attendence, until the April 2007 hearing.
b) 296 Riverside Dr.: Bill Roberts reported that he attended the Committee of Adjustment meeting. All variances were turned down. The decision was later appealed to the OMB. Bill Roberts advised the neighbours opposing the variances to start to organize themselves in preparation to go to the OMB. George Dubauskas motioned that SARA send a representative to the OMB hearing to support residents opposing the development. The motion was seconded by Heather McCulloch and passed.
c) 43 St Olaves Rd.: Bill Roberts reported that he attended the Committee of Adjustment. The variances were passed with the provision that the property is built substantially in accordance with the plans. The Swansea Area Ratepayers continue to believe that the condition to build “substantially in accordance with the plans” is important for the community, and not asked for personal reasons or agendas.
7. COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
a) Community Police Liaison Committee: Kate Lawson reported that the next meeting is November 22 and would be hosted at the Swansea Town Hall. Kate requested monies for refreshments. Bill Roberts motioned that up to $25.00 for refreshments be approved. The motion was seconded by George Dubauskas and approved. George Dubauskas requested that Kate ask for a report of traffic accidents in Swansea (south from Colbeck) covering the last three years.
b) High Park Community Advisory Council: Heather McCulloch reported that she received some information from Ed Gaigalas, and that she will volunteer to be the representative for SARA.
c) Swansea Community Recreation Centre & Rennie Park: No news. Kate Lawson volunteered to be the representative for SARA. Bill Roberts motioned to appoint Kate Lawson to represent SARA at the Swansea Community Recreation Centre & Rennie Park meetings. The motion was seconded by George Dubauskas and passed. David Fleming will provide a letter of representation for Kate if required.
d) Swansea Memorial Library and Friends of the Library: George Dubauskas reported that the shelves at the library are empty, and that the library will die if it is not used. He reported that libraries are scored on items that are picked up at the branch. George also expressed concerns that not enough is being done by staff to encourage library use. Bill Roberts suggested that any evidence of incidents be documented and collected. Bill Roberts reported that he had asked the librarian about the selection of books, and the survey of user groups regarding materials needed, and of library usage.
e) Swansea Public School: No News.
f) Swansea Town Hall Board of Management: Metal storage units are being ordered for the basement. Bicycle racks are going to be installed.
g) J.T. Bonham Residences: Nick Singh reported that he will invite Linda Reed to the December 12 Executive meeting.
h) CORRA: John Meijer reported that he spoke to Brian McGuire at CORRA to inform him that we had sent a cheque.
8. ITEMS BEING MONITORED
a) Windermere by the Lake: Bill Roberts reported that he had scheduled a meeting with the developer regarding changes to the site. Bill Roberts motioned that a committee be struck to deal with any urgent issues that may arise from the meeting. Nick Singh motioned that the committee be Nick Singh, Sybil Wilkinson, and Bill Roberts. The motion was seconded by David Fleming, and passed.
b) Southport Plaza: Bill Roberts reported that he attended the Committee of Adjustment. Councillor Saundercooke and lawyers for the Ripley Avenue Business Owners also were in attendance. The Committee of Adjustment turned down the variances. Bill Roberts reported that no appeal to the OMB had been filed. Nick Singh proposed that he write a letter to Councillor Saundercooke and David Garrick in order to see if there has been any progress on filling the commercial space at the development with a large grocery store. Kate Lawson reported that the CIBC branch at the plaza is closing.
d) Dark Horse (liquor license): Cheri DiNovo is looking into the issue.
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: No news.
h) OMB Reform: Item to be closed.
i) Front Yard Parking: No news. Ed Gaigalas to report on the new rules at the December meeting.
j) Bloor West Urban Design Study: No news. Discussions on the matter will be deferred until the December meeting.
k) 45 and 47 Mayfield Ave: No news. Construction is nearly completed.
l) Bill Steele – Possible Conflict of Interest: Item to be closed.
m) 41 and 43 Worthington Crescent: Louis Gris reported that the fence was reduced and lowered, and that the inspector had yet to give final sign off. Louis Gris will follow up with Ms. Drummond, the owner at 43 Worthington Crescent.
9. NEW BUSINESS:
No new business to report. Lydia Perovic from Cheri DiNovo’s office reported that there would be a Town Hall meeting on November 27 to discuss provincial matters with Cheri. She also invited people to attend the Arts and Art Forum in Ward 14 in December. See www.cheridinovo.ca for details.
Nick Singh started a discussion around membership and suggested that we call old members. Sybil Wilkinson and Lois Gris volunteered to call persons. John Meijer will compile a list of persons and phone numbers of members who have not renewed since 2001). Chris Korda suggested that SARA create a letter for real estate agents to welcome new members of our community. It could be packaged or combined with other groups in the area (Historical, Horticultural, et cetera). Chris Korda and Sybil Wilkinson will talk to Ed Gaigalas about putting together a package.
The following item is sensitive and is in camera.
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Deferred discussion regarding item 5g) Billy Bob's Bistro and Saloon /The Fan Sports Cafe:
Nick Singh reported that he had brokered a potential settlement between the community and Billy Bob’s. The details are as follows:
Liquor to be served on Thursday, Friday, Saturday to 11:15 pm, and the area closed by 12:00. Sundays would also apply on long weekends where the Monday is a statutory holiday (the applicable weekends to be listed).
Patrons to be limited to 75 persons.
The north door can be used as an entrance, an exit, for serving, and must be on an automatic closer.
Two attendants will be posted on the back door on busy nights (applicable nights to be listed).
Five year ban on new licence applications.
Further noise reduction and a willingness to deal with complaints immediately.
Nick Singh is still looking for feedback from the community and the owner will consult his brothers. Bill Roberts moved that Nick Singh represent SARA. The motion was seconded by John Meijer, and passed.
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The preceding item is sensitive and is in camera.
10. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday December 12, 2006
11. ADJOURNED: 9:05 PM