Attendees:
Regional Councillor, Wendy Stewart, presented a report on the following:
Gord Belyea presented a draft letter to Cheryl Brouillard -City Planner - listing four requests that the Hunt Club Community Organization would like to see in the Minto development on McCarthy. The requests are put forward so that the new residents could park their cars and pile their snow on their own properties and so that they could walk to the bus stop directly. The proposal was discussed and there was general agreement on the four requests.
Wendy Stewart reported on City Council: the new City of Ottawa is trying to prepare the budget on-time but this is difficult because there are middle-level staff positions which are still not filled. A review of staffing in the new City has resulted in 100 positions being cut and this could increase to a total of 1000. To-date golden handshakes have cost $40 million. OC Transpo: revenue and ridership continue to increase, the parking lot in the South Keys Shopping Centre reserved for the Park and Ride has been consistently full, construction of the Light Rail is on schedule. The City gave the Quarry Co-op $2000 to plant trees which will provide shade and reduce erosion and ground-water runoff. Wendy said the City is considering a ban on smoking in restaurants, bars and bingos, she asked for opinions.
Liz Russell felt that smokers are being unjustly pushed around.
Peter Brimacombe said that more restrictions on packaging at the Federal level were the most effective way to reduce smoking.
Art Miskew said that smoking was not appropriate in restaurants.
Wendy Stewart wants to have a Community Resource Centre to serve the Hunt Club Community, services would include a well-baby clinic, English language training for immigrants and better facilities for volunteer groups such as Cubs and Brownies. She is looking for six to eight people that would actively work on defining the services.
Alan Asselstine said that because of Provincial cutbacks, the Public School Board is no longer able to provide its facilities to volunteer groups.
Wendy Stewart discussed the Para Transpo strike and said that total money spent would not increase. There is no money for new roads, the Environmental Assessment of the Alta Vista Parkway is proceeding but there is no budget for construction. The Province has floated the idea of an far outer ring road - Vars to Kars.
Next meeting: Mon 7 May 2001 at 7:30pm