Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director (memberships)
• Nancy Seaby, Director (transportation and editorial)
• Maria McRae, Community Services Centre

Regional Councillor, Wendy Stewart, submitted a report on the following:

• Ottawa 20/20 New Official Plan
• 2003 Budget
• Hunt Club Riverside Community Service Centre
• Proposed Animal Control By-law
• Pesticide Use on Private Property
• Community Grant Programs
• School Zone Safety Awareness Campaign
• Groundwater Mapping Study
• River Ward Development Proposals October 2002

Maria McRae reported on the opening of the Hunt Club Riverside Community Services Centre (HC/R CSC). The Community Services Centre is directly funded by the City of Ottawa, there are three groups which make up the Community Services Centre: a volunteer Board of Directors, staff and general volunteers. The Community Services Centre is located in the A & P Plaza beside the Shoppers Drug Mart but carries out some programs at the Community Centre, the Riverside Churches on Riverside Drive and the Heritage Log Cabin off Uplands Drive. The Community Services Centre offers services and programs that are of practical use to the Hunt Club/Riverside Community. There is a Co-operative Playgroup, a Mother Goose Program which offers songs and stories for children and their parents and the Heritage Log Cabin Program which offers games and crafts for children 6 to 12. There is a Heart Check Clinic and an Investment Workshop. For seniors there are table games and a crafts in a social context. On October 16 there is a clinic on heart health for women and on October 28 there is a clinic on prostrate health for men.

Maria McRae led discussion on the plan to expand the Hunt Club Riverside Community Centre, There was discussion on the conflict between adding more parking spots and preserving green space, a Community Parade and community safety and graffiti.

Fred McLennan led discussion on the Annual General Meeting (AGM). It was decided to hold it at the next regular meeting on Monday November 4, 2002 at 19:30. The meeting would be advertised and the topic of special interest would be ‘Strategy for a Safer Community’.

Next HCCO meeting: Mon 4 Nov 2002 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Art Miskew, Vice-President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director (memberships)
• Nancy Seaby, Director (transportation and editorial)
• Fred Winters
• Tom Collins, The News

Wendy Stewart: Wendy visited a pig farms and a dairy farm to see how modern agriculture is carried out. The dairy farm had an automatic milking system where the milkers would automatically attach themselves to the cows. There was a general discussion about waste disposal including manure from farms and leachate from landfill sites. Dioxins and furons are amoung the most dangerous kinds of waste. The pilot program to collect organic waste in the Hunt Club Community is moderately successful.

Wendy said that Allan Asselstine will be a member of the Saw Mill Creek Study. The Study will update the environmental assessment and recommend the creation of a constructed wet land that will purify runoff from the South Keys Shopping mall and reduce the danger of flooding. Construction will be paid for from a special fund – Wendy was able to track down money that the old municipalities had collected for the treatment of waste water but had never spent – she enlisted the support of the province to make sure that the money be spent for its identified purpose.

Wendy said that it is difficult to find a way that would allow pedestrians and bicycles to cross the Airport Parkway, the Alta Vista Parkway was proceeding, the capacity of trucks to move goods is reaching a limit, trucks cause almost all of the damage to the roads, Canadian National Railways is expanding its marshalling yard at Walkley Road. Once Minto completes all construction on McCarthy Road, the Road will be finally resurfaced. Cash in lieu of parkland for the Minto Development is $205,000.

Peter Brimacombe said that the intersection of the Alta Vista Parkway and Highway 417 will cost $100 million and that it will provide only a partial answer to north-south traffic. The City should offset the negative impact of the Alta Vista Parkway on the Ottawa East Community by reducing the width of Main Street from four lanes to two.

Alan Asselstine reported that the Hunt Club Community Organization had received $360 from the Hunt Club Riverside Community Centre (HCRCC). This amount represents two years of cash in-lieu of membership. There are two separate organizations: the Hunt Club Community Organization which deals with the municipal government and the Hunt Club Riverside Community Centre which deals with the organization of the Community Centre itself: programs, staff and budget.

Next meeting: Mon 9 Sep 2002 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Art Miskew, Vice-President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director (memberships)
• Nancy Seaby, Director (transportation and editorial)
• Fred Winters
• Dave Lamb
• Nevil Hunt, The News

Motion: Peter Brimacombe moved to give $100.00 to the Victoria Day Activities, seconded by Nancy Seaby, carried.

Fred McLennan: Minto Development on McCarthy: The cuts across McCarthy were made to connect to existing water and sewer lines on the other side. Cahill Drive will be closed between McCarthy and Twyford to allow more connections to existing water and sewer lines on the other side of Cahill.

Last meeting Alan Asselstine pointed out that the bicycle path between Cahill Drive and the Airport Parkway had been severely damaged by construction. City staff believe that use of the path is unsafe and want to avoid liability. The Community Organization reluctantly agreed and recommended that the City repair the path but post signs stating that it is not a public pathway and users do so at their own risk.

Nancy Seaby: The Community Resource Centre (CRC) is offering a day camp this summer for children ages 6 to 12 at the United/Anglican Riverside Church. Cost is $10/week per child. The store in the A & P Plaza where David’s Pizza used to be, will soon be renovated for the CRC. The CRC will organize a clean-up of McCarthy Park as part of its Youth Zone project.

Peter Brimacombe suggested that the young people could improve the pathways through McCarthy Woods by cutting down the thorn trees. It was pointed out that the land belonged to the National Capital Commission (NCC) and the project would need its permission. Peter Brimacombe offered to see what could be done.

Nancy Seaby: The Sawmill Creek Watershed Study needs members to sit on the Public Advisory Committee.

Next meeting: Mon 3 Jun 2002 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Art Miskew, Vice-President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director (memberships)
• Nancy Seaby, Director (transportation and editorial)
• Wendy Stewart, RMOC councillor
• Fred Winters
• Maria McCrae, Community Services Centre
• Dave Lamb
• Tom Collins, The News

Maria McRae: The City of Ottawa has established the Hunt Club/Riverside Community Services Centre, its initial budget is $236,000, activities include the Friday Night Youth Zone, the Log Cabin Program, Monday Night Games for Seniors and Women’s Health workshop and an Estate Planning Seminar.

Wendy Stewart: The City Budget was cut 10%, $35 million was given to improve ambulence services, plus money for 85 new buses and 10 new firetrucks. Of course the budget for the Community Services Centre was approved.

The previous City and Regional Governments had charged developers a fee in lieu of storm water treatment. The expectation is that this money will be spent for more comprehensive storm water treatment. The outflow of our streams and rivers should show a measureable improvement. Wendy is trying to identify these funds and ensure that they will be used to improve the treatment of storm water.

140 Darlington Private: five new rooms will be added to the seniors residence. Longwood Developments on Patermeade Crescent: the proposal goes to Committee on May 9, 2002, the new development will have door-to-door mail delivery and garbage collection. Urbandale plans to begin construction of two towers just north of Fine’s Flowers. The blasting at the Minto Development on McCarthy Road is completed. The stand of red pine on the south side of Hunt Club is owned by the Airport Authority and is zoned commercial.

The Hunt Club Community Organization asked the City to study traffic on McCarthy Road and advise if parking on the east side of McCarthy and south of Plante could be prohibited. The City says it cannot. The intersection at Hunt Club and Riverside will be completely rebuilt to provide better traffic flow.

Alan Asselstine: the footpath from Cahill Drive to the Airport Parkway has been heavily damaged by construction and it needs to be repaired.

General discussion on the O Train: $60 million so far! This is not the best way to spend our money.

Next meeting Mon 6 May 2002 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director (memberships)
• Nancy Seaby, Director (transportation and editorial)
• Fred Winters
• Dave Lamb
• Tom Collins, The News

Fred McLennan: The owners of the The Barber Shop plaza at 800 Hunt Club Road have applied for permission to expand the pub and provide an outdoor patio. They also want to extend the parking lot into the Hydro corridor at the back.

The Ottawa River Corridor Study is to look at possibilities for development along the River and ways to protect the environment. Findings from the Study will be presented twice on Wednesday February 27, 2002: once at 15:00 and again at 19:30 at the National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa.

Urbandale Development has applied for permission to build a plaza at the Fines Flowers Site.

Minto Development is proceeding with its development on McCarthy Road, blasting was heard and felt.

Nancy Seaby: The Community Services Centre (CSC) held its open house on February 26, there were about 100 people in attendance. Programs include a Tax Clinic, a Clinic for Diabetics and a seniors program. George Brown is running a food box program out of Holy Cross Parish, the objective is to provide food at reduced cost.

Peter Brimacombe noted that the City has not been informed about any new development on the south side of Hunt Club Road where there is a stand of pine trees.

Next meeting: Mon 8 Apr 2002 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director (memberships)
• Nancy Seaby, Director (transportation and editorial)
• Fred Winters
• Peter Foulger
• Tom Collins, The News

Motion: Alan Asselstine moved to ask the City to study the feasibility of a three-way stop sign at the southern intersection of Plante Drive and McCarthy Road and to consider limiting the parking near the intersection. (Plante and McCarthy intersect at two places.) seconded by Fred Winters, carried.

Motion: Alan Asselstine made a two-part motion concerning ward boundaries: 1) that wards should have an equal number of people so that all people would have an equal voice on City Council and 2) the Communities of Hunt Club and Riverside Park should be kept in the same ward. seconded by Peter Brimacombe, carried.

Regional Councillor, Wendy Stewart, presented a report on the following:

• 2002 City Budget
• What Your Taxes Bought in 2001
• Transit Service Update
• Ward Boundary Review
• Ottawa 2020 – New Official Plan
• Development and Proposals Underway in River Ward

Fred McLennan: Tim Hortons intends to add a new store on the south side of Hunt Club Road just east of Royal Route – the parking lot will surround the former ambulance site. The National Capital Commision(NCC) proposes to develop a business park south of Hunt Club Road off Uplands Drive, between Uplands Drive and the Airport Parkway. This land is located in Gloucester-Southgate Ward where Diane Deans is the Councillor.

There was a general concensus that transportation should be factored in with the development of new employment centres.

Peter Brimacombe asked about new development on the south side of Hunt Club Road where there is a stand of pine trees. He will find out more for the next meeting.

Alan Asselstine: Over the years, Mike Nihmey has made a number of proposals to reduce the traffic impact at the southern intersection of Plante and McCarthy but they do not have the general support of the Hunt Club Community. The Hunt Club Community Organization has never supported his proposals.

Nancy Seaby said that the Community Resource Centre has rented space in the A&P Plaza and the Centre will host an Open House on February 26, 2002 in the Hunt Club/Riverside Community Centre.

Next meeting: Mon 4 Mar 2002 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director (memberships)
• Nancy Seaby, Director (transportation and editorial)
• Wendy Stewart, RMOC councillor
• Tom Collins, The News
• Dave Lamb
• Tony Presutti
• Cesar Guerrero
• Miriam Charlton
• William Charlton
• Bob Morey

Fred McLennan: Longwood Building Corporation is proposing to build 25 bungalow townhouses on vacant property near Patermeade Crescent.

Bob Morey said that he is concerned about the increase in traffic.

William Charlton said that the turn from Plante Drive onto McCarthy Road is a problem for the existing traffic and that the situation will get worse with more traffic.

Cesar Guerrero said that the proposed development will decrease property values because of the increase in density.

Tony Presutti presented a petition signed by residents:

Petition opposing proposal, presented on behalf of the community of Pattermead Crescent: Concerns: 1. Townhouses do not blend with the neighbourhood 2. Traffic and noise by opening a road on Pattermeade Crescent

Wendy Stewart: City policy is to encourage intensification because it allows services to be provided more efficiently. Wendy and the City planners have already prompted Longwood to add guest parking and the walkway. She invited those interested to a public meeting on January 21, 2002 at the Hunt Club Riverside Community Centre. The meeting would address concerns about traffic and the existing character of the community.

Wendy Stewart asked the Hunt Club Community Organization to comment on Mike Nihmey’s traffic proposal. She described the Ward Boundary Review: all wards would be reviewed including the rural wards specifically set up by the Province, the review would recommend new ward boundaries to provide equal representation on City Council. There are 21 existing wards with populations ranging from 14,000 to 60,000, the average is 37,617. Council must make a final decision in May 2002.

There was a consensus that the Communities of Riverside Park and Hunt Club should stay together because they share a common community centre, because children from each community go to schools in the other and because of their historical relationship.

Nancy Seaby: The Resource Centre will hold an open house in February, it has rented space in the A&P Shopping Plaza. George Brown was helping to organize the Good Food Box Club out of Holy Cross Parish.

Alan Asselstine said that construction crews had disrupted the bicycle path to the Airport Parkway. There is a long standing need to provide pedestrian and bicycle access between the South Keys Shopping Plaza and our Community which is to the west. He said that the fence south of Hunt Club Road and east of Riverside Drive had been moved 400 metres.

Next meeting: Mon 4 Feb 2002 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director (memberships)
• Nancy Seaby, Director (transportation and editorial)
• Fred Winters
• Tom Collins, The News

Fred McLennan: Minto has submitted its Draft Plan of Subdivision to City Council, along with an Municipal Environmental Evaluation Report (MEER) and the Delcon Traffic Report done in February 2001. It is expected that the Draft Plan will be approved.

Nancy Seaby: The City has approved the creation of a new Resource Centre for Hunt Club, Melody Paruboczy will be the Director. The Resource Centre will hold an open house at the Hunt Club/Riverside Community Centre on Tuesday February 26, 2002. A new portable will be located next to the Community Centre to temporarily house the new Resource Centre.

Nancy Seaby: The new O Train is now in service and it is working really well but there is a danger that the existing 41 bus may be cancelled in order to partially offset the cost of the O Train.

Alan Asselstine said that there must be at least 10,000 people within walking distance of a train station and that only the Carleton University Station meets this criteria.

There was general concern that the new O Train is not feasible.

Fred McLennan said that residents near Uplands and Rhapsody Lane had complained about youths making noise on the basketball court. The City is taking no action because the problem is not serious.

Fred McLennan reported that the property owner of the seniors residence in Darlington Private had applied to add a 5^th floor.

Gisèle Loiselle-Branch said that the teen dance in the Walkley Sports Centre was not adequately supervised. Teenagers need to be told not to fondle each other on the dance floor.

Next meeting: Mon 7 Jan 2002 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director (memberships)
• Nancy Seaby, Director (transportation and editorial)
• Wendy Stewart, RMOC councillor
• Fred Winters
• Dave Lamb
• Elizabeth Russell
• Des Walker
• Cheryl Brouillard, City Planner
• Charles Raymond
• Helga Martin
• Sandra Estabrooks
• Jim Ulicny
• Denyse Baizana
• Noreen King
• Doug Slater
• Dawn Slater
• Richard Paterson
• Pamela McDonald
• Maria McRae
• Daniel Gratton
• Mary Jarvis, Minto
• Ron Jake, Minto
• Judie Muligan, Minto
• Dave McManus, Minto
• Guy Whissel, Longwood Building
• Don Kennedy, Longwood Building

Cheryl Brouillard (City Planner) reported on the Minto Development on McCarthy Road: the zoning bylaw was amended to allow the compromise proposal, the next step is to present the plan of subdivision to the City. The low water pressure experienced by the Carleton Condominium is caused by its higher elevation and that the 180 units to be built will not further reduce the water pressure. Minto will plant new cedar hedgerows and a few new trees.

Des Walker said that the squirrels on the existing property would be displaced by the new construction and asked if there were any plans to relocate them. He asked about damage to properties on Kildeer Bay caused by blasting.

Cheryl replied that there were no plans to relocate the squirrels but there was a program to monitor damage caused by blasting.

Daniel Gratton was disappointed with the results of the planning process, he thought that there should be a squirrel relocation program and in general believed that the environmental aspects were not properly considered.

Sandra Estabrooks brought attention to the fact that the existing fence is one metre off the surveyed property line and she asked what would be done with the trees and cedar hedgerow that lie beside the fence.

Mary Jarvis (Minto) said that the fence on the Co-op property would be moved to the property line – this move cannot be done without damaging the existing cedar hedge – the cedar trees that are damaged will be replaced. The trees along the fence will be kept but the trees in the body of the site would be cut down. She hoped that the subdivision plan would be approved in October and that construction could start later in the fall.

Don Kennedy and Guy Whissel (Longwood Construction) presented a plan to build 25 bungalow-style townhouses on the vacant property just off Patermeade Crescent. The plan includes a pathway along the west side of the development – this path would connect Patermeade to Hunt Club – right now there is a dirt path which allows people to walk or bicycle from Patermeade to Hunt Club. The existing noise barrier would be rebuilt to allow for the pathway. Once the development was complete the City would own the pathway and would maintain it.

Wendy Stewart said that the plan fits with City policy to encourage more efficient use of land through infill development and that the townhouses are close to the existing bus stops on Hunt Club.

Maria McRae is a member of the group that Wendy Stewart has organized to work on a community resource centre in Hunt Club. Maria presented a proposal to create a community resource centre in Hunt Club – our community is the only one that doesn’t have a resource centre. Services that would be offered would include stop smoking programs, crisis councilling and seniors programs. The group will make a presentation to members of City Council September 27, 2001. Funds come from the Social Services budget of the City.

Wendy Stewart quickly presented her report: most people are satisfacted with the Minto Development on McCarthy Road; the beavers in Hacket Pond build dams which cause flooding – their numbers need to be reduced; a young man was killed while racing his car on Riverside Drive; the Urbandale Towers just north of Fine’s Flowers are going ahead; the City Committee on Transportation voted 4 to 3 to keep the existing ramps from Walkley Road to the Airport Parkway; young men playing basketball are distribing other residents on Rhapsody Lane; proposed Home Depot store just south of the LCBO on Bank Street looks too big for the site; Wendy is concerned that our local bus service will be cut back to make Light Rail look good.

Annual General Meeting to be held Monday November 5, 2001

Next meeting: Mon 1 Oct 2001 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Nancy Seaby, Director (transportation and editorial)
• Wendy Stewart, RMOC councillor
• Fred Winters
• Dave Lamb
• Elizabeth Russell
• Des Walker

Wendy Stewart: Home Depot has plans to locate a store on Bank Street just south of the LCBO. The store would require the purchase of the LCBO warehouse and the relocation of Sawmill Creek. Wendy noted that Sawmill Creek and its buffer is part of a corridor that links important natural habitats. She is arranging a meeting of the various community groups. There is a move to either close or limit the use of the Walkley and Hunt Club ramps onto the Airport Parkway. The downtown community groups: Sandy Hill, Glebe, Ottawa East and Centre Town are putting forward proposals to close or limit the use of the ramps onto the Airport Parkway. There will be a public meeting on the issue of the ramps on Tuesday June 5, 2001 at the Jim Durrel Centre on Walkley Road. Wendy noted that she voted against the Light Rail project because it would not serve our community but she believes that the a properly designed Light Rail project could serve our community.

Des Walker reported on the May 24^th meeting of Planning Committee which dealt with Minto’s development on McCarthy Road. He thanked Dan Gratton for his light-hearted comments on the deficiences in the planning process. Wendy Stewart submitted a letter to the Planning Committe and was present at the meeting. The Committe approved the plan presented by the City Planner which was a compromise between Minto and the Community. The Committee approved Wendy’s proposal to direct the cash-in-lieu-of parkland to the Community Centre.

Wendy noted that there are a number of other steps before construction can begin: Minto must submit a Plan of Subdivision and an Official Plan of Ammendment which must go before the whole City Council.

Fred McLennan: CPR is proposing to expand the Walkley Rail Yards. Wendy noted that the railways provide the most energy-efficient way to move bulk items and expansion of the railways is needed.

Peter Brimacombe supports the reform of the taxi industry as proposed by Andy Haydon. The number of taxi plates should be increased so that ownership of the plates would not be a overwhelming barrier to enty into the taxi business. Currently taxi plates cost more than $100,000 and the ordinary taxi driver is a virtual slave to the plate owner. Wendy reported that Brian Bourns has written a report supporting the existing system and this report has the support of Council.

Nancy Seaby first wanted to correct last month’s minutes: she hoped that a Police Centre in the Community Resource Centre was possible but it is by no means a certainty. She noted that most of the participants in planning the new Community Resource Centre are employed in other Community Resource Centres in the City. The existing Coummunity Centre simply is not big enough to allow for more programs. In the short term, she hopes that the portable at the back of the Riverside Anglican/United Church can be used for new programming.

Next meeting: Mon 1 Oct 2001 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Art Miskew, Vice-President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director (memberships)
• Nancy Seaby, Director (transportation and editorial)
• Wendy Stewart, RMOC councillor
• Fred Winters
• Peter Foulger (representing the Hunt Club Corridor Protection Association)
• Dave Lamb
• Elizabeth Russell
• Susanne Lapointe-Agarwal
• Des Walker
• Gemma Cutler (The News)

Motion: Fred Winters moved to give the Fireworks Group $100; seconded by Liz Russell – carried.

Regional Councillor, Wendy Stewart, presented a report on the following:

• Operating Budget Approved
• Property Assessment & Tax Reform
• Cryptosporidium – Can it Happen Here?
• 100% Smoke Free By-law Approved Unanimously
• OC Transpo Update
• Widening Riverside Drive (South of Hunt Club Road)
• Compost Available at Trail Road Landfill
• Deer Warning on Local Highways
• Water System Rehabilitation on Melfa/Minaki/POW
• Para Transpo Strike Update
• Water Quality at Mooney’s Bay Beach
• Pesticide Policy for New City
• River Ward Roadways to be Resurfaced in 2001
• Forest Renewal Program 2001
• Dog License Renewals Now Online
• Fish Habitat Creation
• River Ward Development Proposals – April 2001

Fred McLennan reported ongoing discussions between the City Planner Cheryl Brouillard and Minto Development concerning the development on McCarthy Road. Items discussed were side yards of 0.9 m on each side, interior road width of 18 m and cash in lieu of land. The proposed development will be presented before Planning Committee on May 24, 2001.

Alan Asselstine said that presentations made before the Planning Committee can not be determined beforehand and that the Community should be prepared to respond. He noted that the Community Organization has delegated a Committee to follow this issue.

Peter Foulger said that the Community has to be there.

Nancy Seaby reported on the Community Resource Centre. Wendy Stewart has invited a group of interested citizens to participate in the planning of a Community Resource Centre for Hunt Club. It would include a Community Policing Centre, English Language instruction for immigrants and a seniors program. The Resource Centre would require an addition to the existing Hunt Club/Riverside Community Centre and an architect is providing advice on the addition.

Alan Asselstine noted that the existing basketball court and the children’s play area just west of the Centre are very popular and care should be taken to keep them at their current size.

Liz Russell was happy to hear that a Police Centre would be included in the new Resource Centre. She thanked the News for advertising Spring Cleanup Day and the City of Ottawa for placing new no-littering signs and adding new garbage containers around the Community Centre. She expressed the wish that Minto would clean up the garbage on its newly acquired land.

Fred McLennan presented a letter from Lucy Corbin asking for a donation to the annual May 24^th fireworks.

Next meeting: Mon 4 Jun 2001 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Art Miskew, Vice-President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Nancy Seaby, Director (transportation and editorial)
• Wendy Stewart, RMOC councillor
• Dave Lamb
• Elizabeth Russell
• Ernest Ruppenthal
• Gord Belyea
• Tom Collins (The News)

Regional Councillor, Wendy Stewart, presented a report on the following:

• Windmill Option Signed for Hog’s Back Park
• Community Resource Centre Opportunity
• Francophonie Games at Terry Fox – Mooney’s Bay
• Walkerton Inquiry
• Smart Growth Summit
• Update on Ottawa Economy
• Rural Component in our new City
• Advisory Committees for New City
• Light Rail Pilot Project – Update
• Land Exchange at Hunt Club Rd./Riverside Dr. – Update
• Transitway Wins Award
• Smoking By-Law
• River Ward Development Proposals – April 2001

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