Attendees:
Alan Asselstine: The HCCO received $180 from the Hunt Club/Riverside Community Centre. The Community Centre gives the HCCO the equivalent of the dues of 60 members (60 X $3.00 = $180).
Motion: To accept the December 2006 minutes. moved by John Sankey, seconded by Alan Asselstine. carried.
Pat Murphy: Wished everybody a happy new year and presented Maria McRae's January report.
Gisèle Loiselle-Branch: What are we going to do for Winterlude if the weather stays so warm? We could have a Festival of Lights (fireworks).
Fred McLennan: When will we get the budget?
Alan Asselstine: Council must discuss and approve the parameters for the budget and then staff
prepares the options.
John Sankey: What does a zero increase in property tax mean? Property taxes depend on the
assessed value, the mill rate and the number of dwellings.
David Gibbons: Zero means dollars per assessed residence will not increase.
Fred McLennan: Property taxes do not include charges for water, sewer or electricity.
Peter Brimacombe: Who owns Ottawa Hydro?
David Gibbons: The City of Ottawa owns Ottawa Hydro.
Shelley Parlow: The City requires that each household put its garbage into separate containers: one for paper, one for plastics and glass, one for organic waste and one for landfill. Our present kitchens are not designed to store the extra containers.
Motion: The HCCO would encourage the City not to increase the mill rate. Moved by Alan Asselstine, seconded by Shelley Parlow. carried.
John Sankey noted that the City should hold increases to the rate of inflation to maintain services.
David Gibbons: Explained his role as Mayor, Larry O'Brien's eyes and ears with the communities throughout the city. He is to complement and in no way diminish the role of the ward councillors. He met with Alan Asselstine and Fred McLennan and discussed community concerns such as the pathway to the South Keys transit station, the Southern Corridor and the expansion of the Community Centre. There are 127 community associations in the City and he has met with 102 so far.
Alan Asselstine: The Hunt Club/Riverside Community Centre provides superb value due to the dedication of the Director Sharon Moore and her staff and the efforts of the President Linda Poulson.
John Sankey: Reviewed the HCCO website with Peter Vasdi. Only items approved by the Board will be included in the website. Other material will be moved to another website. John presented the Home Page.
Motion: To approve in principle, the home page and the contact list. moved by John Sankey, seconded by Alan Asselstine. carried.
John Sankey proposes two modifications to the bus stops on Uplands Drive: to combine two bus
stops into one and to move another. The principle is that elimination of bus stops improves
service and reduces cost. Service is improved because the buses can go faster and costs are
reduced because the buses can maintain a more constant speed. John presented a notice
describing the changes.
Shelley Parlow talked to neighbours: some were concerned about snow removal, others about
handicap access and others about moving the bus stops away from the bus shelters.
John talked to five homeowners on Uplands affected by the proposed changes. Four were in
favour and one against.
Motion: To approve the notice and its distribution to neighbours. Moved by Alan Asselstine, seconded by Peter Brimacombe. carried.
Shelley Parlow: There is a prehearing before the OMB concerning all remaining issues
concerning the City Official Plan. Shelley is unable to attend, can anyone else represent the
HCCO?
John Sankey can be present at the prehearing.
Alan Asselstine: There is a new sign on Bronson Ave northbound warning of a turn restriction. This sign is confusing because it does not refer to the immediate turn onto Findlay Avenue but the turn onto the Driveway four turns later.
Next meeting: Monday February 5 at 19:30