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Board meeting minutes: 2025-05-13

1. Welcome and land acknowledgement

The meeting opened with a land acknowledgement.

2. Approval of agenda

  • Motion to approve: [Name]
  • Seconded: [Name]

3. Approval of minutes

No minutes to approve this month.

4. President’s Report – Bob Gordon

Report provided.

5. Treasurer’s Report – Don Fugler

OOECA balance: $21,867.18 (with pending cheques):

  • $500 cheque to Rideau Winter Trail (not yet cashed)
  • $42.37 cheque to GCA for All Candidates Debate (not yet cashed)

Additional expense: $200 donation (approved March 2024) for commemorative church plaque at Echo on the Canal building.

6. Capital Ward report (ShawnMenard.ca) – Miles Krauter for Councillor Menard

AVTC

  • TMP goes to committee in June and Council in July; once approved, AVTC removal is confirmed. Next steps include designating Lees Field and People’s Park as park space (awaiting process details from staff).

Roads & Construction

  • Riverdale street renewal: another consultation in spring/summer before designs are finalized.
  • GMH reconstruction will close multiple streets (Concord, Montcalm, Harvey, Echo, Greenfield, Main) from March 17 through late summer/Sept 2025.
  • Other updates: Concord boulders to stop cut-through traffic, Hawthorne night work May 30–June 2, Col By night work June 23–28.

OOE Secondary Plan

  • Ongoing discussions with staff on zoning/height changes under the PPS. Goal is realistic, reasonable updates aligned with OOE, thanks to the planning committee’s efforts.

299 & 355 Deschâtelets

  • Continuing to press Regional to adjust plans to protect the viewscape; met with staff and Regional reps last week. File escalated through Planning ahead of Committee review.

SUP at Brantwood Park

  • The Councillor’s office is working with Parks & Rec staff (Dan, Ashley, Kaytlin) to clarify rules and implications (accessibility, conservation, use of park space). A fuller update expected mid-May.

Centennial Blvd Replanting

  • Hydro One will share a draft replanting plan in May for community input before spring planting. Follow-up ongoing to ensure success.

Comments:

Kristine requested that info@ottawaeast.ca and admin@ottawaeastcag.ca be copied on parks and greenspace communications.

7. Community Activities Group report (OttawaEastCAG.org) – Lee Jacobs

Highlights included:

  • Clean-Up the Capital: 20 volunteers, 10 bags of recycling, 10 bags of garbage collected. Request for more regular clean-ups, especially in high traffic, low garbage bin areas
  • Kitchen renovations at Old Town Hall completed (significant improvements).
  • Brantwood field house bathrooms: trial opening evenings/weekends (unstaffed).
  • Tentative date for The Main Event: September 19–20. Art Walk also on September 20.
  • Senior engagement: ongoing consultations; senior socials Fridays, including puzzle exchange on May 16.
  • Planning underway for CAG AGM.
  • BBQs expected to start soon.

Comments:

  • Alexandra thanked Lee for organizing the seniors’ programming. Suggested adding technology-learning classes.

8. Committee Reports

Planning – Acting Chair: John Dance (Report)

  • Concerns raised about Forecourt units: prices now $1.4–1.5M (initially $600K).
  • No affordable housing; Regional committed $500K for Deschâtelets building instead.
  • Secondary Plan amendments: City proposes 9-storey buildings on Main Street. Committee letter circulated; members invited to provide feedback.
  • FCA zoning meeting attended by Paul Goodkey; concerns that proposed zoning bylaw changes do not represent “gentle intensification.”
  • Wendy (Lees Ave.): raised objections to 6-storey proposals, citing excessive density and negative impacts on community connectivity.

Transportation and Infrastructure – Tom Scott

  • TMP survey reviewed; concerns with consultation quality.
  • Tree replacement requests submitted; residents to water new trees.
  • Clean-up north of Queensway collected less waste than previous year; needles discovered (311 did not collect).
  • Request for OOECA participation in Lansdowne 2.0 workshop (infrastructure/transportation impacts).

Main, Greystone Village, Lees – Peter Tobin (Report)

  • Geothermal drilling began (7-week delay due to lack of approvals).
  • Bar Burrito received occupancy.
  • Rosemere Gate: effective work on mud mitigation.
  • Springhurst dock opened May 13.
  • Trees at Des Oblats Street unlikely to survive (were second-hand plantings).

Health & Safety – Georgia Blondon (Report)

  • Attended Council on Aging and senior health initiative.
  • Most reported crimes at Main & Springhurst.
  • Noted connection between accessibility for seniors and broader accessibility issues.

Lansdowne – Alexandra Gruca-Macaulay

  • Meeting with community association reps scheduled for May 28 to discuss anticipated construction impacts (Lansdowne 2.0).
  • Concerns: financial implications for City, displacement of professional sports teams, downsizing of arena (from 8,000 to 5,500 seats). Lack of transparency highlighted.

Federation of Citizens’ Associations (FCA) – Ron Rose

  • FCA session on Draft 2 of proposed zoning bylaw held at Hunt Club Community Centre. OOECA entitled to send 2 representatives.
  • Councillor’s newsletter announced State of the City Budget event (May 21, 6pm to 8pm).

Membership – Jayson MacLean

No report this month.

Sustainable Living Ottawa East (SLOE) – Vacant

No report.

Parks & Greenspace – Vacant

No report.

9. New Business

Rideau River Water Testing & Dock Safety

  • Rick Burrows introduced a new Facebook group (“Rideau River Paddlers and Swimmers”) and survey on local river use. Raised safety concerns about lack of ladder at Springhurst dock. Draft letter to City proposed.
  • Kristine Houde raised accessibility issues and is in support of improved dock safety and installation of a ladder
  • Mark Dermer (retired physician) raised liability concerns for OOECA consideration about endorsing testing and safety risks of installing ladders.
  • John Dance noted ladders exist at NCC and Parks Canada docks.
  • Alexandra referenced the City’s interactive map of combined sewer overflows (noting Clegg St. outfall).
  • Board confirmed $200 already allocated for two water quality tests (not an endorsement of swimming).

Motion: That OOECA request the City to review and resolve health and safety risks at Springhurst dock, ensuring accessibility for seniors and youth.

  • Moved: Kristine Houde
  • Votes: 6 in favour (Kristine, Phyllis, John, Alexandra, Catherine, Felix); 2 opposed (Ron Rose, Tom Scott); 1 abstention (Peter Tobin).
  • Motion carried with majority in favour.

Invasive Weeding

  • Phyllis noted volunteer efforts on garlic mustard and poison ivy removal at Springhurst Park (starting May 18).

Official Plan Amendment Response

  • Paul Goodkey reported no change from City staff despite concerns raised by OOECA Planning Committee. Suggested legal review.

Motion: That OOECA engage a planning lawyer (up to $1,000) for preliminary assessment of proposed Secondary Plan amendments.

  • Moved: John Dance
  • Votes: Unanimous support; 3 abstentions (Ron, Catherine, Alexandra).
  • Motion carried.

10. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn: Ron Rose
Seconded: Kristine Houde

Next Meeting: June 10, 2025