Britannia Village Community Assocation Meeting
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BRITANNIA VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCATION MEETING Website http://bvcaottawa.wordpress.com Facebook “Friends of Britannia Village” Email <[email protected]> January 10, 2018 MINUTES Time: 7:00 pm Location: Jonathan’s home Attendees: Jonathan Morris Doug Biers Matilde Hahn Marie Arsenault Mela Constantinidi John Riordan Corrie Van Walraven Brewster Kneen Christine Brock Discussion 1) Agenda Approval of December Minutes Community Social Cohesion Berm and Floodplain status Community Built Character Village Sign Community Communications Britannia Book Crime New Items / Round Table Next Meeting 2) Approval of Minutes December 5th minutes approved for upload to website. 3) Community Social Cohesion i) Community Puddle Rink Jonathan has approached Andrew and asked if he is interested in pursuing the City of Ottawa’s grant of up to $7000 per year for the upkeep of a community boarded hockey rink. Andrew has replied he is not interested in expansion at this time, and that volunteers are needed to help maintain the present puddle rink. 4) Berm and Floodplain Status Jonathan reports that all necessary repairs and final construction of the waterfront infrastructure are now completed, other than final landscaping to be completed in the spring of 2018. In discussion it is questioned what repair measures were taken where the waterfront infrastructure was breached at the revetment wall located at Jamieson Street. Jonathan will seek an answer to this question from the RVCA, as well as get a status update on the levy implementation from Councillor Mark Taylor. (2018 01 10-A1) At the December BVCA meeting Moe reported that the week of April 18th would be best for MPP Bob Chiarelli to be recognized for his contribution towards having the berm completed. In discussion a date of Thursday April 19th 2018 is proposed. It is agreed to combine this celebration of the berm’s completion with the High Water Social. (2018 01 10-D1) Marie will check the availability of the BYC on the proposed date, and Matilde will confirm with MPP Bob Chiarelli’s office the proposed date. (2018 01 10-A2) In further discussion it is agreed to also invite those former politicians and persons allied to the BVCA who helped the project to completion. (2018 01 10-D2) 5) Community Built Character 1- Inclusion in the Mature Neighbourhoods Overlay –Infill 1 Jonathan has contacted Beth Desmarais of the City of Ottawa ‘Mature Neighbourhoods Overlay’, to confirm what the next steps are in the process. Jonathan states the City of Ottawa has placed Britannia Village on the list of communities to be included in the new Council process for 2018, but reports that the BVCA has the opportunity to withdraw from the process if it is not beneficial to the community. Jonathan would like to invite Beth Desmarais to take a tour of the Village, to get her impressions on how phase II of the ‘Mature Neighbourhoods Overlay’ would affect development in the community. (2018 01 10-A3) 2- Britannia Park Master Plan (Matilde) Matilde reports she has met with members of the previous Working Group and seven community associations interested in joining the revitalized Working Group. She plans to have another meeting in January. She is reaching out to potential stake holders like La Maison de la francophonie d'Ottawa, Larga Baffin, and the Michele Heights and Ritchie Street communities. Matilde notes that currently the park and Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre are underutilized, especially in the winter months. The Working Group envisions using the park and buildings all four seasons of the year, with a range of activities, programmes, and facilities. Matilde notes that there is currently a window of opportunity to revamp the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre in the immediate future. Matilde reports structurally the Working Group will be divided into two committees; a Steering Committee as the key body within the governance structure, and a Park Master Plan Committee concerned with the actual nuts and bolts of giving the plan direction. Matilde requests assistance getting letters of support from stakeholder groups. Matilde reported at the December BVCA meeting that she would like the BVCA to apply for an Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed Grant. Matilde reports that the Trillium Foundation requires community groups that are incorporated with a two year financial history, and therefore BVCA is unable to apply at this time. It is suggested the BVCA should still incorporate to be eligible for future grants. 3- Lincoln Fields Community Design Plan (Jonathan) Jonathan reports he has had a meeting with community association leaders neighbouring the Lincoln Fields shopping plaza, including Whitehaven, Queensway Terrace North, Lincoln Heights, Wood Park, and others. They have collectively agreed to a set of 4 key principles: 1. The redevelopment should be transit, bicycle, and pedestrian orientated 2. Open to neighbouring communities in scale and in a way that encourages non-vehicular flow into and through it. 3. The extension of the Richmond Road ‘Complete Street’ to Richmond Road’s intersection with Carling Avenue 4. Mixed usage including residential, commercial, and office. No big box stores. Jonathan notes that a meeting with an Ottawa City Planner to seek options forward was cancelled. Jonathan also notes that the Secondary Plan (RioCan property) and the Community Design Plan (1km radius from LRT Station) are ways to influence the redevelopment; and that the location of the LRT station across the transitway from Lincoln Fields is set in place, and probably unchangeable. 6) Village Sign A new sign committee was formed at the October BVCA meeting consisting of Susan, Marie, Corrie, and Roger. The committee still plans on meeting with Matilde to discuss a way forward on this file. (2017 12 05-A4) 7) Community Communications Jonathan states a community bulletin will be sent out in January. The main item included in the bulletin will be the BVCA January 30th AGM at the BYC. (2018 01 10-A4) 8) 2017 Initiatives i) Republish Eva Taylor and James Kennedy’s book ‘Ottawa’s Britannia’ (1983). Jonathan notes that the current printer has 90 days remaining on his contract, and may sell books with no remuneration to the BVCA during this time. 9) Crime Jonathan reports that there has been a house break-in and cars have been broken into in the Village. Ottawa Police have arrested suspects associated with these incidents. There is a person going door to door in the neighbourhood with a snow shovel looking for work. He is known to be checking doors and gates to see if they are locked. 10) New Items / Round Table i) AGM The BVCA Annual General Meeting will be held at the Britannia Yacht Club on Tuesday, January 30th at 7pm. Marie will print the AGM flyer for distribution to all residences in Britannia Village a minimum of 10 days in advance of the meeting. (2018 01 10-A5) It is agreed that the Community Constable Jeffrey Kostuch be asked to speak. (2018 01 10-A6) ii) Incorporation In discussion the pros and cons of incorporation, and the reasons for incorporation are debated. It is suggested that professional legal advice should be sought. A motion is brought forward: “That the Britannia Village Community Association changes its legal status from a non-profit organization to a non-profit corporation.” The motion is carried by majority vote. A notice of motion for amendment will be included in the AGM meeting notice. (2018 01 10-D3) iii) Upper Britannia Jonathan suggests that organizers of an Upper Britannia Community Association be allowed as observers to BVCA meetings. Next meeting AGM Tuesday January 30th, 2018 at 7:00pm Location: BYC Next regular meeting: Tentatively Tuesday February 6th, 2018 at 7:00 pm Location: TBD .