Minutes

Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Manor Road United Church
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

DRAFT MINUTES

Attendance
Present: Jim Walker, Brad Buss, John Holland, Joseph Pacitti, Paul Pelton, Margaret Walker
Regrets: Paul Newbigging

  1. Resulting from the resignation of three Directors from the 2004 Board, and in the absence of any members willing to serve on the Board, the members present constituted a quorum of the total number of Directors for 2005.
    • The following Directors agreed to serve on the 2005 Board:

      President: Jim Walker
      Vice-President: John Holland
      Past-President: Joseph Pacitti
      Treasurer: Paul Newbigging
      Interim Secretary: Margaret Walker
      Directors: Brad Buss, Paul Pelton (vacancies to be filled from Member)
      Ex-officio to Board: Dan Scott, Murad Velshi
  2. Approval of the October 2004 Minutes and the December 2004 Agenda.
    Proposed: John Holland. Seconded: Brad Buss. Carried
  3. Business Arising from the Minutes for October 15, 2004 - the AGM was on November 8, 2004 the Minutes to be reviewed at a future meeting.
    1. SERRA Accounts
      • Payment to Wm Roberts, the lawyer working on the CORRA Appeal for four member associations in FoNTRA, is still outstanding. SERRA is responsible for a 25% share of this account which should be paid promptly. To be discussed with the three other partners in this Appeal at the FoNTRA meeting in November. This account is now cumulative and interest charges could apply.
      • A cheque to the Church for the use of facilities for the 2004 AGM.
      • The subscription for the SERRA web may expire before Jan/2005.
      • The Treasurer provided a current balance for the two accounts.
    2. The OWL
      • There was lengthy discussion on the future of the OWL and the recognition of its value to maintain Memberhip. The Board was concerned by the rising costs of printing and distribution of each edition, also mailing costs continue to rise. Suggested that an E-OWL be sent to members with an e-mail address to reduce postage.
      • Brad Buss (Webmaster) to prepare an email alias that would be used to communicate with SERRA members who list an e-mail address on membership forms.
      • It is opportune to establish an editorial process to review the format for future editions of the OWL, to identify regular topics of local interest, and to devise a method of reducing the cost of this publication.Paul Pelton offered his professional services to resolve some of the OWL problems. Murad Velshi has also volunteered assistance with the Owl.
    3. Reports from attendance at other Association Meetings
      • No CORRA or FoNTRA Meetings in December 2004. SERRA representative at FoNTRA for 2005 is John Holland CORRA, and the Yonge Eglinton Focus Review Group - TBD.
    4. SERRA Mail Box Notices
      • The Mail Box is monitored weekly by the Secretary. Items of specific interest to SERRA residents, requests for minor variances to sub-sections of the Toronto Official Plan for individual properties, proposed major developments of specific sites, also OMB Hearings which could impose major changes in the area, will be recorded by the Secretary and presented to the Board for discussion.
      • President Jim Walker again confirmed that SERRA will not intervene in individual property issues between neighbours.
    5. Minto Staging Area Construction Site Committee. A very small attendance at the meeting on December 8, 2004.
      • Local residents are showing less concern (fewer reports) with the use of lighter drilling equipment. The Complaints System and Monitoring Procedure are on -going with records maintained by the CEO. and reviewed at each meeting. of this Committee.
      • The next on-site Meeting of the Committee is on Wednesday January 19, 2005. At 10:00 a.m.
  4. New Business
    • Current Memberships.(2004-2005 Nov.)

      These have increased by 40% and a number of sign-in guests expressed interest in learning more about SERRA. New membership cards will be available in early January, a small number were collected at the AGM. the remainder will require either postage or personal delivery.
  5. Other Business
    • None presented.
  6. Date of the first Board Meeting for 2005

    Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2005
    Time: 7:00 p.m.
    Place: The Friendship Room, at Manor Road United Church

PLEASE bring your copy of the December Minutes to the Meeting. And ALSO your copy of the JANUARY Agenda. Please advise if you are unable to attend this Board Meeting.