Portobello South Community Development Association
MINUTES
Re: Meeting of April 8, 2014
Location: Francois Dupuis Recreation Centre - Provence Room
2263 Portobello Blvd, Orléans
Time: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
In attendance: Regrets:
Pamela Moss Etienne Nzolang Valérie Assoi André Arsenault
Patricia Joyce Graham Hogg Isabelle Roy Danick LaFrance
Rachelle Lecours
Guest:
Jason Coulas, Assistant to City Councillor Steven Blais
1. Welcome
The President welcomed everyone.
2. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved after two items were added to Other Business:
i. Chamber membership (Patricia)
j. Facebook (Patricia)
3. City of Ottawa – Update
Jason Coulas Assistant to Councillor Blais mentioned that the open house for the City Garage on Innes was held with very few people attending and that the work was going ahead.
Councillor Blais’s office is having difficulty bringing together students to participate in the forum to discuss the plans for the extension to the François Dupuis Recreation Centre. The President mentioned that the Association is willing to lend a hand in identifying students who may want to participate. The aim is to get the students together by the end of April.
Action Item: Jason is to provide Rachelle with information including framework, items “off the table”, budget, scope and timeframe for the expansion phase of the recreation centre.
Action Item: Patricia will post a quick survey on Facebook once the information is received from the City.
It was also suggested that a survey could be taken at the rec centre on Saturdays. Once the youth forum is held, the city will present three plans to community associations for consultation sometime in May followed by a public consultation in the Fall.
On the city operations side, Councillor Blais would like the Association to identify problem areas ie. roads, parks, drainage, etc. and compile a list to be evaluated for funding.
Action Item: Patricia is to post a request for the community to identify areas of concern.
Action Item: Rachelle is to compile a list and place this on the agenda for the next meeting.
Since dumping yard waste may be a problem at the end of Brianna like last year, Jason asked residents nearby to monitor the situation and report offences to the City. It was suggested that the sign (dump-truck unloading) located next to the sign identifying the Lalande Conservation Park (across from 2150 Nantes) be moved to the pathway leading into the park at Brianna since this is the area of concern.
4. Reading of action items of last meeting
All action items resulting from the October meeting were completed or are being actioned.
5. The Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer reported a balance of $2,916.88.
6. Family fun Day
The President submitted the report to the City with the final budget figures.
Donation to Scouts: Pamela moved to have the money collected in the donation jar during Family Fun Day to be given to the Scouts (Ventures) in recognition for their contribution on Family Fun Day. Etienne seconded the motion. All in favour. Motion carried.
Action Item: Houman is to prepare a cheque for the Scouts. (email Pamela for the specific details).
7. Updates on ongoing/new activities
a) Publicity/Partnership Campaign
New partners need to be identified to raise the necessary funding for the BBQ. The campaign so far is progressing very slowly.
Patricia moved to approve the Publicity/Partnership Kit as presented. Graham seconded the motion. All in Favour. Motion carried.
Action Item: Rachelle to set up a meeting with members interested in helping with the publicity/partnership campaign.
b) Safety Sub-Committee - update
Neighbourhood Watch signs are to be posted on Vallanceville.
A report on the last meeting was presented. For more information visit the PSCDA web site. It was suggested that Const. Caroline Tessier be invited at the AGM.
Action Item: Rachelle is to send the invitation at the end of September and place this item on the agenda for the AGM.
c) Traffic/Transit sub-committee - update
Graham will host the first meeting the last week in April.
Action Item: Graham is to e-mail the seven (approx.) people who signed-up at the Annual General Meeting to help out with this file.
8. Other Business
a. EcoFair at Des Sentiers School May 3rd
The following volunteers will be present at the PSCDA table on May 3rd to sign up and inform people about the community association:
Rachelle: 7 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm for cleanup
Etienne: 9 am to 12 noon
Pamela: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Patricia: 2:15 pm to 4:00 pm
Anyone else interested to help out is asked to contact Rachelle Lecours by e-mail at: .
Anyone with suggestions for a gift to be drawn during the ECO Fair can bring it up with Pamela.
b. PSCDA Garage Sale – May 31st
It was suggested that we discuss with Ecole Des Sentiers about holding a joint community garage sale / ECO Fair if they hold one again next year.
Action Item: Rachelle to discuss with the planning committee at Des Sentiers for next year.
Action Item: Pamela to send notice to the Community Association on Swallowtail.
Action Item: Patricia is to follow-up with Convent Glen for this year and check the price of advertising in the newspaper.
Action Item: Patricia is to advertise the garage sale through Facebook – “Mark the date”.
Action Item: Pamela to check the number of garage sale signs left from last year and organize the postings on street corners.
c. Incorporation/registration as non-profit organization
Etienne provided the advantages and disadvantages of incorporation. The advantages included: legal status of the Association, providing more autonomy to grow; association would be able to give receipts to contributors for tax purposes; association would be able to apply for subsidies and grants ie Trillium; it would reduce the risk to executive by separating the board from the association. The inconvenience is the paperwork since a financial statement has to be presented at year end.
No decision was made on this issue until the board gets more information from Isabelle on the legal implications.
Action Item: Isabelle to prepare a short briefing on the legal aspects of incorporation/registration.
d. Green Box Program
As a follow-up to a presentation made by the Mélanie Joubinville of the Orléans Community Resource Centre, the members decided that there was not enough interest to pursue the idea.
Action Item: Rachelle is to advise Ms. Joubinville accordingly.
e. Information kit to distribute to builders, real estate, etc.
A suggestion was made in December to prepare an information package about the Association to make newcomers in the area aware of the Association through developers (Minto, Mattamy), Real Estate agents, Community Centres, house to house distribution, etc.
Action Item: Rachelle to place this item for further discussion at the next Publicity/Partnership meeting.
f. Eliminating bottled water in City facilities
The City received the petition from Mr. Wade. No further action from the Association was recommended.
g. Potential PSCDA support in upcoming municipal election
The Association has to remain neutral, therefore will not endorse one candidate over another. Individually, members can help out as they wish.
h. Habitat for Humanity
Habitat will be building two more semi-detached on Cousineau (off St Joseph). They are opening their Homeownership Application Process from April 7 – 22. Their request for assistance in making a presentation to the public was sent to the Orléans Community Centre – Ms. Mélanie Joubinville.
i. Chamber membership
Patricia brought the members up to date with the activities of the Chamber and mentioned the advantages of belonging to the Chamber. The membership fee of $141.30 is due for renewal.
A motion to renew the membership to the Orléans Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $141.30 was proposed by Rachelle, seconded by Etienne. All in favour. Motion carried.
Action Item: Pamela is to request a cheque from the Treasurer for the membership fee.
j. Facebook
Patricia asked the members and their friends to “like” the facebook page.
k. PSCDA Constitution and Bylaws
Action Item: Pamela to send Rachelle the original signed copy of the Constitution to file and Patricia a PDF copy for the web site.
9. Round Table
Christine McKee, CBC Reporter will be hosting a breakfast show that will feature Orléans. She is looking for panelist who can casually discuss Orléans and its issues ie. DND jobs, raising a family in Orléans, transit, local jobs, etc. Anyone interested can contact Patricia for further information.
She also mentioned that a proposal was made to hire a professional company to study marketing opportunities for Orléans.
10. Next meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2014 at the François Dupuis Recreation Centre.
11. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 pm.
1