SWANSEA AREA RATEPAYER’S ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF MEETING, Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Present: Nick Singh, Bill Roberts, Sybil Wilkinson, Kate Lawson, David Fleming, John Meijer, George Dubauskas
Regrets: Chris Korda Heather McCulloch, Bill Steele, Ed Gaigalas, Bill Jermyn
1. CALL TO ORDER AND DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:
The meeting was called to order by Nick Singh at 7:38 pm, with no conflicts of interest.
2. AGENDA AMENDMENTS & APPROVAL:
Upon motion by Bill Roberts, seconded by David Fleming, and carried, the Agenda for September 19, 2006 was approved.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Upon the motion made by Bill Roberts, seconded by John Meijer, and carried, the Minutes for June 20, 2006 were approved.
4. EXECUTIVE REPORTS
a) Membership: John Meijer read the report. Upon motion by John Meijer, seconded by Bill Roberts, and carried, the report was approved.
b) Fundraising: Nick Singh reported that the Village Playhouse’s November fundraiser is Thursday November 16, 2006 and he has tickets for sale and distribution.
c) Treasurer’s: The Treasurer’s Report was accepted upon motion by John Meijer, seconded by Bill Roberts, and carried.
d) Expenses: John Meijer reported expenses for $122.41 that were accepted upon motion by Bill Roberts, seconded by Kate Lawson, and carried.
5. CURRENT MATTERS
a) New Members and Guests: None.
b) Newsletter: The fall newsletter was delivered in early September. Bill Roberts suggested that a notice for both the Fall Fundraiser and the All Candidates Meeting be composed and delivered as soon as possible. John Meijer volunteered to compose and deliver a two sided flyer.
d) Adopt a Block: John Meijer posted articles in both the fall newsletter and the Villager. So far only four responses to participate have been received. We will continue to monitor responses to decide how and when to proceed.
e) City Recycling Bins: The proposal for the new recycling bins has been passed, and a tender for design is in progress.
f) Massage Parlours: Item to be closed.
g) South Kingsway Ramps Redesign: Nick Singh reported that a meeting had been postponed, and that there is no future date set.
i) Storage for SARA at the Town Hall: Nick Singh reported that the contract is still not signed, and will follow up with the City Archives. Bill Roberts and David Fleming sorted the banana boxes into archive boxes that are ready for delivery to the City Archives. New boxes are needed for the sorting of the filing cabinets.
j) East Side of Walkway from Willard Ave to Willard Gardens: No news from Councillor Saundercook’s office. Nick Singh reported that he had talked to the owner of the adjacent property, who indicated that the land was deeded to them.
k) Alcohol and Gaming Meeting: Queens Pasta: To be closed.
l) Municipal All Candidates Meeting: To be held at the Town Hall on October 11, 2006. Ed Gaigalas was volunteered to send a notice to candidates. A discussion about the format followed. Bill Roberts suggested that he chair, first priority would be given to Mayoral candidates who would be given three minutes to speak, and an additional two minutes to answer questions. Councillor candidates would be given three minutes to speak, and an additional minute to answer questions, and 2 minutes for directed questions. Coffee would be arranged by George Dubauskas.
m) OMB Reform: Bill Roberts reported that there is no news. Item to be monitored.
n) Governing Toronto Advisory Panel: To be closed
o) Front Yard Parking: New rules have been passed. The matter will be put before
the Transportation and Planning department, then City Council for final approval. To be monitored.
o) Billy Bob's Bistro and Saloon /The Fan Sports Cafe: Nick Singh reported that two meetings have been scheduled. One on September 21 at 5:30 pm at the Four Points Sheraton, and one on December 4 at 9:30 am at the Alcohol and Gaming office in North York. The meetings are to hear a motion to have conditions on the liquor licence removed or changed (patio hour’s extended, patio occupancy, rear door attendant, doorway to patio). Nick reported he set up two meetings (Monday September 18, and Wednesday September 20 to organize support for opposition. Monday’s meeting had 4 attendees. Nick encouraged all executive to attend to lend support to the neighbours.
6. VISION STUDIES
a) Bloor West Urban Design Study: No news, to be monitored.
b) Humbergate Study: No news. Nick to ask Councillor Saundercook for a status update.
7. LAND USE ITEMS
a) Toronto Official Plan and Swansea Part II Plan: Bill Roberts reported that the Plan was passed July 6, and there were sessions over the summer discussing Section 37 settlement monies. Bill also reported that he would be attending the September OMB meeting.
b) Brule Gardens: To be closed.
c) 45 and 47 Mayfield Ave: Construction is underway for a large single family dwelling. To be monitored.
d) 31 The Palisades: The Committee of Adjustments approved the request with the dropping of the side setback request, and a condition that the changes are done according to the plan.
e) COA Matters: There are no new items to address.
8. COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
a) Community Police Liaison Committee: Kate Lawson reported that there have been no new meetings, or any news. She will check in with the committee organizers.
b) High Park Community Advisory Council: No news. A SARA representative is still required.
c) Swansea Community Recreation Centre & Rennie Park: No news. A SARA representative is still required.
d) Swansea Memorial Library and Friends of the Library: George Dubauskas reported that there needs to be more emphasis on getting people to have books for pick up delivered to the Swansea library. George motioned to have Bill Roberts ask the Librarian to provide an assessment of library usage at the next Swansea Town Hall Board of Management meeting. The motion was seconded by Sybil Wilkinson and carried.
e) Swansea Public School: Bill Roberts reported that he and Chris Korda attended the June meeting and distributed trophies. John Meijer will contact the school Principal for the bill for trophy engraving, and award monies ($25.00).
f) Swansea Town Hall Board of Management: Bill Roberts reported that the AGM will be February 2007. The Independent Board of Management will be having elections for its Board of Directors. He also reported that bicycle racks are in the process of being installed.
g) J.T. Bonham Residences: No news. A SARA representative is still required.
h) CORRA: John Meijer reported that CORRA is having a joint meeting regarding funding for the upcoming OMB meetings.
9. ITEMS BEING MONITORED
a) Windermere by the Lake: No news.
b) Southport Plaza: The Committee of Adjustments meeting was deferred pending a public meeting held September 13 attended by Bill Roberts and Nick Singh. Parking could be an issue due to design. It was also suggested that the plans for the site be posted in the sales office window. Councillor Saundercook suggested that another meeting be held. The developer indicated that they were unwilling to commit another meeting.
d) Dark Horse (liquor license): Nick Singh reported that the Ombudsman will not investigate the issue. He also reported that he has a request from the Ukrainian Festival organizers for the Dark Horse patio to be extended to the street for Festival use. Upon permission from the neighbours in the adjacent buildings, permission was granted as Nick gave SARA’s consent to Alcohol and Gaming. Bill Roberts motioned to approve and confirm Nick’s consent to A&G. Seconded by John Meijer and carried.
e) Humber Cycling/Pedestrian Trail: To be closed.
f) Humber Bay Treatment Plant: No news.
g) Petro Canada Station – 8 South Kingsway: No news.
10. NEW BUSINESS:
a) The Gleaner – Property Tax Issues: To be closed.
b) Bill Steele – Possible Conflict of Interest: To be monitored.
c) Royal Canadian Legion Patio: George reported that a number of people had inquired about the construction of the patio. It was Bill Roberts understanding that the work has the appropriate permits.
d) Election Candidates and Political attendees at Executive meetings: The executive meetings are open and public. Any attendee is asked to contact the President or Secretary for permission to attend meetings. As SARA hosts All Candidates meetings, we do not want to give the impression that we may be biased towards any political party or candidate. This is especially true during an election cycle. Bill Roberts motioned that SARA ban any candidates from attending Executive meetings 60 days before the All Candidates Meeting hosted by SARA. The discussion on this issue will be carried over to the October meeting.
e) Peggy Nash request: Nick Singh reported that Peggy Nash wanted to meet with him to find out more information about concerns in the community.
f) High Park/Parkdale Waterfront Residents Group: Nick Singh has attended meetings hosted by the group, but can not vote on matters as he does not have approval as a Representative of the SARA Executive. Bill Roberts motioned that approval be given as long as SARA’s participation in no way binds SARA to decisions made by the group. Seconded by David Fleming and carried.
11. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday October 17, 2006
12. ADJOURNED: 9:05 PM