Present:
Rebecca Aird (Chair); Vicki Davis (Minutes); John Dance; Reykia Fick; Don
Fugler; Jennifer Lee; Lyndsay MacArthur; Akua Schatz; Keith Shackleton; Mary
Trudeau; Jennifer Valberg; Justin Van Dyk; Natalia Vrystyuk; Sean Whittaker
1.Introductions
It was
the first meeting for Vicki, Jennifer Valberg and Justin.
2.Nov 13
AGM of Ottawa
East Community Association (OECA) and Community Activities Group (CAG)
Rebecca
reported the AGM attracted the largest attendance ever recorded (85 members).
Nick Massioantonio is the new President. John Dance, a member of SLOE, is on
the Board, but not as the SLOE representative. After gentle arm twisting Sean
agreed to be the official SLOE representative on the Board, but sharing
attendance at OECA meetings with Rebecca A, Keith and Kathryn on a rotating
basis.
The
"green OOE" motion was passed at the AGM, which makes for great
alignment between the OECA as a whole, and the work of SLOE:
Be it
resolved that Old Ottawa East is a Green Community dedicated to:
1.Sustainable
development and redevelopment
2.Working
together with stakeholders, including developers and governments, to maximize
sustainable development
3.Creating
& maintaining green natural spaces within the community, and
4.Educating
the community in support of sustainable choices.
Paul
Dewar made a statement in the House of Commons on Friday (Nov 16) using OE as
an example of community-level commitment to sustainability.
For the
next OECA meeting, Jayne Stoyles is working on a motion and some background
info regarding incorporation of OECA. This will allow SLOE (and other OECA
committees) more scope for fundraising.
3.Working
with volunteers
Akua, who
has done research and has worked in organizations involved with volunteerism,
provided her “Top 10 List for Engaging and Retaining Volunteers”. She went
through the list and used the Farmers' Market held in August as an example.
Some questions followed -- e.g. how to ask people to do things (answer: find
someone who is good at asking) -- and some discussion about volunteers needing
a 'hook' to bring them in, needing leadership, clarity and fun.
It was
agreed that the Farmers' Market provides good publicity for SLOE and that other
similar projects are needed.
Most volunteers prefer to “do”, not meet.
4. Rideau River
Nature Trail
John and
Rebecca circulated the map entitled “Rideau River Trail in Old Ottawa East:
some initial ideas” and a list of some possibilities for developing a nature trail
along the Rideau River shoreline. There will be an
article in the next issue of the Mainstreeter on this topic.
We need
to get the City to buy into the overall SLOE/OOE vision for the nature path
(versus the recreational path currently as per the existing Official Plan).
We've done some work on this, but more is needed. Acceptance of the overall
vision and approach will make it easier to get permission, funding and
assistance for incremental actions in support of the vision.
A meeting
was held with the Councillor's staff to define next steps towards getting a
right of way through the Oblated land ceded to the City. This needs to be
worked from a number of angles.
The SLOE
website will be on-line very soon, with a fairly developed section for the
RRNT.
Mary is
taking the lead on further development of the ecological profile project to be
undertaken by students in Scott Findlay's UofO Conservation Biology course
beginning in January. The focus will be on the aquatic environment, to round
out the picture we have already been developing of the riparian environment. A
number of promising data sources have been identified already.
Mary
suggested that we need to select initial projects carefully in order to get the
community excited. Some projects for the spring are already in the planning
stages in collaboration with City Forestry staff.
The
nursing students (Natalia, Jennifer Lee and Lyndsay) gave an update on their
work related to the Lees Avenue
apartment buildings. They have done interviews and data collection for 170, 180
and 190 Lees Avenue.
170 is about 90% university students, 180 is new immigrants and students and
190 is condos filled with working adults. People interviewed were interested in
having a “soft path” of consistent width along the river. The students will be
making a presentation of their findings November 27 at 4:30 p.m. At the Sandy
Hill Community Centre. All are welcome. They will continue their work in
January, with the goal of involving residents in some "on the ground"
activities related to the path.
Don
raised the issues of dogs vs cyclists on the path, trees on the land side
obscuring sight lines and putting women at risk, and the possibility of putting
environmentally appropriate lighting behind the Lees apartment buildings.
ACTION
(ALL SLOE MEMBERS): Provide additional feedback on the 2 page summary and map.
ACTION
(REBECCA, MARY, JOHN): Arrange for presentations to the Environment, Green
Spaces, and Parks and Recreation Committees.
ACTION
(JOHN, REBECCA): Undertake next steps re RoW on Oblates.
ACTION
(REBECCA, MARY): Get design concept prepared for Springhurst/ Oblate sitting
area. Continue to explore funding options.
ACTION
(MARY): Continue working with Scott F to prepare ground for student project.
5.
Farmers' Market
Akua, who
coordinated the Farmers' Market this year is soon moving to B.C. SLOE has
decided to hire a student from St.
Paul University
to coordinate next year's market. Sarah, Sean, Rebecca G and perhaps Nick will
continue to be involved in support of the 2008 market. More volunteers will be
needed.
ACTION
(AKUA AND ALL INTERESTED): A 2008 planning meeting
6.
Community garden
Keith
reported that a few crops are still being harvested. We paid $200.00 for the
water meter, but spent $5.00 on water. Eventually the land will be lost due to
an expansion of the St. Paul's
library. Land and water are the big issues for the garden.
ACTION
(KEITH): Meet with Chantal B re plans for next year.
ACTION
(KEITH AND REBECCA): Meet with Father L'Heureux (Oblates) re various related
issues.
7.
Children's garden
A
response is expected very soon from the City (Parks Department) regarding
permission to site the garden at Legget
Park. There are a number
of Carleton University students interested in
helping (through the Community Service Learning program). A teacher at Lady
Evelyn school is getting her students to make plans for the garden.
ACTION
(REBECCA, JULIA): Set up next planning meeting.
8. Other
business
Rebecca
circulated 4 possible designs for a SLOE logo, prepared by Annette Hegel (the
website designer). Most attendees preferred one with a heron in the foreground
and a cityscape in the background.
Rebecca
has emailed Guelph U to advertise for an urban market gardener to farm the
private lands that SLOE will help "amalgamate" for 2008.
Kathryn
Nelson is developing research project profiles related to stormwater
management, for students at Ottawa U (via the experiential learning program).
Jayne
Stoyles and John are laying the ground for a campaign to get a pedestrian bridge
across the canal.
9. Next
meeting
The next
meeting will be held December 17. Reykia will make a presentation about the
Fair Trade Community.
10.
Adjournment
The
meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
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