Minutes

Wednesday March 2, 2005
Manor Road United Church
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

DRAFT MINUTES

Attendance
Present: Jim Walker – President, Brad Buss, John Holland, Margaret Walker (Secretary)
Regrets: Paul Newbigging (Treasurer), Joseph Pacitti (Past-President)
Guest: Jonathan Colford

  1. Approval of the January 2005 Minutes and March 2005 Agenda
    • The Minutes and the Agenda were approved without change or amendment.
  2. Business Arising from the Minutes for January 19, 2005
    1. SERRA Accounts Payable in March - current balance of Accounts
      Treasurer's Report:
        Legal Account $2,053.24
        Operating Account $1,299.24 *
      * Three Membership Cheques to be paid in total = $70.00
       
      Accounts payable in March
        Membership Cards blank (250) $79.35 *
        Envelopes #8 (200) $4.28 *
      Amount to OPA for CORRA Appeal (awaiting communication)
       
      * Re-imbursement cheque to M. Walker
    2. The OWL Spring 2005 - Update Jim Walker
      • Paul Pelton away March 1 - 7. All items for inclusion were received, some past the February deadline. The lay-out would be reviewed by Paul, then returned to the Board for a second review and final approval.
      • The expectation was that the OWL would be delivered locally in March, before Easter.
      • Margaret Walker suggested that SERRA Members receive their copy of the OWL by mail (or SERRA delivery) BEFORE the total local area distribution, in view of the time lapse between editions. MOST membership dues were paid at the November AGM.
      • No decision was made on this point.
    3. Attendance at Association Meetings since January 19, 2005
      • FoNTRA Meeting February 8 - No SERRA representative
      • Review of the Agenda and discussion of items significant for SERRA.
        These included:
        • FoNTRA Dues 2005 some remain outstanding
        • Payment for Wm Roberts (Lawyer) CORRA Appeal
        • Request for Funds Letters for OMB Appeal to Local Councillors
        • FoNTRA Awards Night Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at NTCC (Invitations to ALL FoNTRA residents, General Public and Local Press to attend.
      • The next FoNTRA Meeting is Tuesday March 29, 2005.location (TBA)
      • John or Brad will attend and report to the April 20 Board Meeting.
    4. SERRA Mail Box Notices (Margaret Walker)
      • Committee of Adjustment Notices for Hearings on January 18 and 26, February 9 and 23, 2005.
        • Six (6) items referred to properties within the (SERRA) boundaries, these included 29 Tilson Rd. (see item 3:5). The Board did not recommend any action for the six items. All relative documentation remains on file until local issues are resolved. and the Committee gives a decision.
      • Notice of Planing and Transport Committee Meeting March 7.
        • Principles and Proposed By-law Provisions for a City-Wide A-Frame and Mobile Signs By-law.
        • Harmonisation of the Sign By-law Concerning Posters on Utility Poles.
    5. Minto Midtown Site-Construction Liason Group Meeting
      • February 23, 2005 (attended by M. Walker)
      • Constant Pour of Foundations date TBD by Minto Group and Police
        • Totally weather dependant (temperature and moisture are critical).
        • Operation time 14-16 hours approx: ONE Saturday only.
        • Upwards of 100 cement-making trucks required for process.
        • Single lane traffic North and South on Yonge, from Eglinton to Soudan.
        • Operation directed by 5 (five) Police Constables and 1 Supervisor.
      • THERE WILL BE NOISE AND DIRT
      • Report from BA Group Transportation Consultants - only minor changes "noted" to the pre-existing traffic pattern for rush-hour travel prior to the Minto Site construction. The City representative appeared to agree with this overall assessment.
      • Traffic violations around local streets (near.site) is rigorously monitored.
    6. SERRA Membership Cards (2004-2005) - Board Members
      • A supply of SERRA Membership cards is needed for ALL 2005 Members. MW to purchase (plus envelopes). A member has offered to print the cards. Brad Buss, John Holland and Margaret Walker volunteered to house deliver and avoid postage.
      • Brad Buss to prepare a Label Document for the 2004/5 Membership List for future use. He would also prepare a list of e-mail addresses of current members, to improve communications between members and the Board.
    7. Recognition of recent cash donations to SERRA Funds
      • A number of donations of varying amounts have been received from long-time members, one for $100. Board members felt that a "blanket recognition" of the smaller amounts could be given en masse in the OWL without embarrassment, but a personal letter from the President should be sent to the $100 donors. The President would also acknowledge by letter to the Pastor, the generosity of the Manor Rd. Church for the regular use of the Friendship Room (see 2:8).
    8. PR with local Newspapers - SERRA Articles for several publications and Manor Rd Church Committee for Advertising on Notice Boards
      • Following discussion, Jonathan Colford (Journalism student Ryerson) volunteered to identify and contact suitable persons at local Newspapers.. He would check on publication dates for various newspapers and the deadlines for receiving articles. Jonathan was invited to submit an article to a local publication on SERRA as viewed by a newer, younger member of the association.
      • Jim Walker would ask the Pastor of Manor Rd Church for space on the Main Notice Board (inside the doors) to display information on SERRA.
    9. Substitute Board Members for Association meetings "buddy system"
      • Attendance at meetings of other associations and hastily called un-scheduled evening meetings for other purposes is often problematic to this small Board. John Holland is currently our representative to CORRA and FoNTRA. Brad Buss volunteered to be "John's buddy" for these meetings. Margaret Walker attends many of the other meetings, and reports to the Board. The President stated that every board member is a potential "buddy" BUT it is often a matter of availability.
  3. New Business
    1. Contributions to the OMB Appeal requested by FoNTRA
      • A standard letter (from FoNTRA) is available requesting a donation of $600 from the Office Budget of the appropriate local councillor. The Secretary would send a copy to Councillor Michael Walker (St. Pauls Ward 22) signed on behalf of SERRA President Jim Walker who would be travelling for some weeks.
    2. Collection of south eglinton data requested for FoNTRA records
      • Jim Walker informed Board Members that this information is easily available from StatsCAN in the format requested by FoNTRA. Brad Buss offered to obtain this information in time for the March FoNTRA Meeting.
    3. Public Meeting March 10 at Innis College, U of T "Powers and Taxes" chaired by John Sewell (speakers listed)
      • No member of the SERRA Board was available to attend this meeting.
    4. Recipients of the e-mails sent to serra@southeglinton.com
      • Brad Buss is SERRA's webmaster and in this capacity is monitoring ALL the electronic pathways to SERRA. He accesses ALL information directed to SERRA and contacts other Board Members as needed. To-date Brad has responded to questions and concerns of members directed to SERRA via these routes.
      • Although it is an onerous task, a record of information exchanged is essential for the Board to function effectively.
    5. Local Residents Requesting Assistance from SERRA
      • Traffic Study monitoring the "truck traffic" on Soudan Ave was requested by Diana Tarasca, a resident on Soudan. Ms Tarasca was directed to SERRA by Councillor Walker's Staff. Margaret agreed to investigate and respond (by letter) as this complaint had been mentioned briefly at the Minto Construction Site Meeting on February 23.
      • An Appeal against the Committee of Adjustment Judgment Decision to Approve the Variance Application for 29 Tilson Road, has been lodged by other residents of Tilson Road (Tracy Johnson).
      • The Board stands by its decision (October 2004) not to support any Appeal against the Decisions given by the Committee of Adjustment.
      • Brad to advise Ms. Johnson of SERRA's position, which is not related to membership in the association.
    6. North Toronto Collegiate Development Project - Update
      • This information was not received from Josh Matlow (Trustee - TDSB)
      • There was a general feeling that the Developers, the TDSB Trustees, and NTCC Staff would be meeting in April/May to review NEW plans.
    7. Meetings Schedule for 2005
      • The Secretary asked for a schedule of Board Meetings for 2005 and suggested a time interval of no more than 6-weeks, if SERRA is to remain a viable local residents' association.
      • By agreement the dates set are April 20, June 01 and July 13.
  4. Other Business
    • None presented at this Meeting.
  5. Date, Time and Place of next Board Meeting
    • Wednesday April; 20, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. Manor Road Church.

Please - bring your copy of these Minutes and the April Agenda to the Meeting. Also advise the Secretary (M.W.) if you are unable to attend.