Minutes

March 1, 2006
Manor Road United Church
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

DRAFT MINUTES

Attendance
Chair: Jim Walker
Directors: Brian Abbey, Brad Buss, Jonathan Colford, Cheryl Creatore, Ron Lalonde, Shelley Laskin, Paul Pelton
Members: Margaret Walker
Regrets: John Holland; Paul Newbigging

  1. Agenda
    • Agenda approved
  2. Minutes of of January 26, 2006
    • On a Motion by Jim Walker, seconded by Jonathan Colford, Minutes approved. Follow-up items.
    • $600 cheque from Michael Walker received; cut cheque to FONTRA for $600.
    • Planning application for 18 Brownlow Avenue Community Meeting scheduled for March 2, 2006 from 7pm - 9pm at the Salvation Army Office, 7 Eglinton Av East.
  3. Treasurer's Report
    • Report from Paul electronically received by Jim Walker and presented - balances in accounts remain unchanged Legal $1853.24; General $1845.04.
    • $200 donation to church paid November 2005 - in other years $100/entire year; payment for 2006 due in the fall.
    • On a Motion by Paul Pelton, seconded by Ron Lalonde, Treasurer's Report approved.
  4. Spring OWL
    • Paul Pelton has agreed to edit again.
    • John Holland will write FONTRA report on two Bills for the Spring OWL.
    • Shelley Laskin to ask Trustee Josh Matlow for School Report.
    • Shelley Laskin will forward PDF sketch of Hodgson regarding landscaping project.
    • Brian Abbey will write article on Bill 124 and its implication on Building Permit/Code and Committee of Adjustment.
    • Ron Lalonde and Jim Walker will write article on "Why I joined SERRA" and value proposition.
    • Back Page membership page.
    • Draft due the second week of April and/or by the next meeting (e-version).
    • Include announcement on Garage Sale/Book Swap and potential description of fundraising initiatives.
    • Brief discussion of whether or not to include classified or business card ads - decided this would need to be a further policy discussion.
  5. Issues & Committee Reports
    • FONTRA Report via letter from George Milbrandt
      • Recommendations regarding Bill 51 - Bill to reform the approval of those things which the OMB currently has responsibility for:
        • The OMB should only be allowed to overrule a local municipal Council decision if it is inconsistent with either the Provincial Policy Statement or the municipal Official Plan.
        • the "no new evidence" proposal in Bill 51 should say that new information in support of a development application cannot be heard by the OMB unless the application has first been reconsidered by the municipal Council.
        • new evidence by non-applicants in support of or opposition to a municipal Council decision should be allowed to be heard at the OMB. The "no new evidence" rule should only apply to proponent appeals.
        • the OMB should only be an advisory body. Elected representatives on muni9cipal councils should have the right to override an OMB decision by a 60% majority.
      • Recommendations on Bill 53 - Bill to amend City Council and the new City of Toronto Act:
        • The legislative and executive functions of City Council need to be better separated, not more concentrated.
        • there needs to be a better balance between addressing local community concerns and dealing with City-wide issues.
        • the civil service needs more independence in offering professional advice to Council as well as closer political oversight.
      • Michael Walker is holding a community meeting March 7th at 7pm at NTCI to discuss the new City of Toronto Act.
      • Third consultation meeting Proposed Implementation Guidelines for Height and/or Density Incentives (Section 37) Policies of the Official Plan that City staff are asking March 31st, contact Peter Langdon, Project Manager 416-392-7617.
      • Official Plan can be found at www.toronto.ca/torontoplan/official_plan.htm#6.
    • Minto Construction Liaison Group Report from Margaret Walker
      • Minto won an award from Peter Ellis from Chicago.
      • Concrete pour done in January-but there needs to be reinforcement done with stone-2 trucks/hour with 8 policeman on site.
      • Building site waste will accumulate-coded garbage containers by the laneway-trucks down the laneway to pick it up-negotiations with the City.
      • Total plan will be presented at next meeting in March.
      • Building will be environmentally friendly.
      • Hoarding permit extended to May 2006.
    • Committee of Adjustment Report from Brian Abbey
      • Went through the agenda and investigated-nothing impacting this month's agenda.
  6. Fundraising
    • Discussion settled on having a Garage Sale and Book Exchange - Jim to check with the church to get a date for the end of May-Jonathan to advertise in the local papers.
    • Other ideas
      • Potential donations from local businesses to a raffle.
      • Community BBQ
      • Street Party
      • Holiday Party for kids
    • Check dates for all local school fun fairs to have SERRA presence there-Shelley to ask Trustee Josh Matlow.
    • What Would We Be Raising Money For?
    • Active participation for FONTRA and CORRA to help support community activism.
    • Build up the legal fund in case we need to go through OMB.
    • Raise the profile of SERRA within the community.
  7. Contact Information
    • Directors are asked to confirm contact information to be sent out with the draft minutes and report any changes to Shelley.
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