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1.0 Welcome
1.1 Teresa opened the meeting at 19:00.
2.0 Approval of Agenda:
2.1 Motion to approve the Agenda and the Minutes by Howard Keck seconded by Louise Robert, Carried.
3.0 President's Report:
3.1Volunteers. Teresa Reeve thanked all the volunteers who agreed to sit on committees and work with Board members on specific issues.
3.2 Board and Volunteer appreciation. In order to thank them for their work, Teresa Reeve proposed to have a dinner for directors and a BBQ for volunteers. She asked that funds be made available to that effect. Motion to approve the expenses for these 2 initiatives by Howard Keck and seconded by Bill Smith. Carried.
3.3 Fun days. The President reported that the RPCRA gave $200.00 to Fielding and General Vanier schools to support their winter fun days. Teresa reported that both principlas were extremely pleased with the contribution.
3.4 Opening on the Board. There is an opening on the Board of Directors that needs to be filled on a temporary basis until the Annual General Meeting in the Fall. Ideally, the post should be filled by a resident from Revelstoke, Riverside East or Riverside South West to ensure representation from all areas within the RPCRA area. All Board members must be responsible for a Committee and attend the monthly Board meeting. Interested persons should be ready to commit 5 hours a month to Association business.
4.0 Councillor’s Report:
4.1 Because of the snow storm, Councillor McRae and Greg Killough could not attend but sent a report in advance.
5.0 Treasurer’s Report:
5.1 Howard Keck reported that he had written checks for the liability insurance, for the 2 schools and for students who worked on the rinks.
5.2 Mr. Keck also reported that new signing authority had been obtained. Now, himself, Teresa Reeve and Louise Robert are the 3 Board members who have signing authority.
5.3 Mr. Keck also reported that the City had sent the first of three checks for the running of the rinks.
6.0 Communications Committee:
6.1 Website. Louise Robert reported that the members of the Communication Committee had met to discuss the RPCRA Communications strategy. Ms Robert reported that the first priority was the revamping of the web site since no promotion nor recruiting can take place without it. Getting quotes from Webmasters and deciding what should be posted will be done before the next RPCRA meeting.
6.2 Eta Schneiderman reported on the items that should be on a flyer.
6.3 The committee will be recommending that all memberships have a standard beginning and expiry date. A motion to that effect will be put forward at the 2011 AGM proposing that the AGM become that date. The full report is available below.
7.0 Transportation Committee:
7.1 Chris Power reported on the issues discussed by the committee. Springland’s 40km limit and enforcement, the same request by Southmore Dr, parking on Springland, the roundabout, the path near Brookfield, Walkley off ramp access, and others. A full report is available for perusal.
7.2 Chris Power also reported on an organization called The Federation of Committee Associations. He thought that it would be a good idea to attend the next meeting and he will forward the web address to members. The full report is available below.
8.0 Festival Committee.
8.1 Jeff Atkinson reported that the committee had met to develop a common policy that would put forward a consistent set of requirements for festivals to meet in order to receive a "letter of non-objection" from the RPCRA. The policy would outline the community's expectations for noise, traffic and parking, clean-up, proximity to residences, communications with the RPCRA and community residents, police/security presence, etc. There is a growing number of festivals taking place at Mooney's Bay, Hog's Back, and Vincent Massey Park. Developing a clear and consistent set of requirements for all special events allows event organizers know what is required to obtain a non-objection note from the community and provide ideas on how to make the event successful for the organizers and the community.
The first draft will come to the March 9 meeting of the RPCRA.
8.2 Teresa Reeve reported that the Dragon Boat required a letter of non-objection immediately to meet the City’s requirements. A motion to send a letter of non-objection moved by Howard Keck, seconded by Louise Robert. Carried
8.3 It was also announced that the Hope Festival organizers will attend the next RPCRA meeting.
9.0 Environment Committee
No report
10.0 Rink Committee
No report
11.0 Roundatble
- Howard Keck asked about the possibility of investing into CICs. It seems that our status as a non-profit society may preclude us from investing.
- In response to a question, Teresa Reeve explained that the Environment Committee was responsible for beautification projects, environmental assessment of the impact of festivals on Mooney’s Bay, clean-ups, etc.
- Jeff Atkinson reported that an Open-House for the Bank Street Community Design Plan is taking place March 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at St. Timothy's Presbyterian Church (2400 Alta Vista Drive). It's a chance for local residents to see some early plan proposals and offer their feedback.
- Karen Cameron asked that the mandate and the responsibilities of the RPCRA be made clear on the web site.
- Eta Schneiderman mentioned that the RPCRA could use the volunteer time of students to distribute its flyer. Members were pleased to hear of this solution.
12.0 Adjournment:
Next meeting of RPCRA will be held one week later than usual or March 9, 2011
Various reports:
1- Communications Committee Report
Riverside Park Community and Recreation Association
Communications Committee
Communication Strategy (draft 2)
February 1, 2011
Goal of the RPCRA Communications Strategy
The goal of our communications strategy is to enhance the presence of the RPCRA in the community in order to represent thoroughly and effectively the citizens of Riverside Park. Enhancing the presence of the RPCRA will be accomplished through a series of measures that need to start immediately.
Priority # 1 Our Website
The website of the RPCRA needs immediate attention because no recruiting or promotion can take place until it is fully operational and updated. In view of the fact that Amanda’s husband is very busy, it is recommended that the initial update be contracted out to a third party. In the meantime the Communications Committee is looking at the modifications that should take place including the total revamping of the site in HTML 3.
Priority # 2 Membership Drive
The City may have funds available for particular projects. A meeting scheduled for March 5 will give us more information. Projects must be in by March 31.
Measures would include
- a flyer to organizations, libraries, apartments, businesses, churches, schools, agencies, bus shelters, etc. (Draft included here)
- the recruitment of block captains from existing lists
- the development of a standard message for all recruiters
- the sharing of information with other community associations
Also required
- the standardizing of the expiry date of memberships – presumably the AGM
- the clarification of memberships such as family membership (cost, voting privileges, etc.)
- the development of a downloadable form on the website
- the addition of an e-mail address and of areas of interest to the membership form
Priority # 3 Fundraising
The RPCRA needs to target specific businesses that have an interest in our events and to develop tailored messages. We also need to find ways to publicly recognize our sponsors.
- Rinks are an example of community activity, family participation and exercise. The businesses interested could be “Play it Again Sports”, Canadian Tire, Kundstatd Sports, Figure 8, and ???
- Fireworks are an example of a community and family activity that celebrates us and our achievements as Canadians. The businesses interested could be the Legions, Canadian Tire, Fast Food outlets, and ???
On-going Priority: the media
At the CBC, Kathleen Petty and Stu Mills have given the RPCRA a fair hearing in the past as did Kelly Egan at the Ottawa Citizen.
A coherent message needs to be developed and adhered to for all those who will address the media. It was also agreed that Teresa Reeve should be the main spokesperson for the group.
EMC should be a priority. However, experience from the Hunt Club Community Organization tells us that a $100. ad in EMC does not pay off in increased membership.
2 - Transportation Committee
1) 40 km has been passed for Flannery and Springland, the signs are up
o Will there be some enforcement activities after a period of adjustment? To be determined
Some of the residents on Southmore have requested a 40 km zone. This requires a petition with 80% of the residents requesting the reduction in limit. The petition then needs to be presented to the City for discussion. Next steps, identify a resident on Southmore that would like to spearhead the petition.
2) Parking of both sides of Springland
Some residents have requested that there be parking on one side of Springland only. The parking on Springland in the winter causes danger for drivers and pedestrians and in the summer during the festivals it is impossible to see cars coming. There is concern for the children and parents picking up children when cars are parked on both sides. Note: There needs to be some analysis of which side is best for certain blocks along Springland. There needs to be some discussion on this to get a complete understanding of the issue before we look at a petition to get this matter in front of the City. Again 80% of the residents on that block need to agree before it can be sent to the City for action. A community resident pointed out that by only allowing parking on one side the road it could increase the speed at which the traffic moves along Springland.
3) Roundabout
Councillor McRae’s office has been made aware of the community concerns regarding this issue and has indicated that they are looking at the issue. The RPCRA has requested a report on this issue with data on accidents. Councillor McRae has indicated that rumble strips are not an option due to the restriction of provincial laws and the noise of rumble strips so close to residential houses but that they are looking at other options. We are waiting for the report on this issue.
A traffic update was requested last Spring, still waiting to receive report from Councillor. There have been a number of accidents that have been caused by drivers on Brookfield failing to yield the right of way.
o Request data on accidents since the roundabout was completed.
o The ‘No Through Traffic’ signs have still not been re-installed since the Roundabout was completed. We need a definitive date for re-installation of these signs.
4) Path near Brookfield off ramp - OTrain path to the Confederation stop
Councillor McRae’s office has been made aware of the community concerns regarding this issue and has indicated that they are looking at the issue and will get back to us.
Concerns were expressed last Spring over the area e.g lighting, underbrush, seclusion of path, proximity to Brookfield off ramp. RPCRA was assured all matters would be looked into and that a 'walk about' with Security and the RPCRA would be done. There is now a concern that with the new metal posts at the start of the path it may not be cleared in the winter. A special concern is the lack of barrier between the path and the off ramp, the underbrush as a safety issues and lighting.
5) Is there a plan proposal for a Walkley Road off ramp? Is there a timeframe and are there plans?
6) The community would like to have enforcement activities in the morning at the corner of Walkley and Springland to enforce the no right turn between 7 & 9 am.
Councillor McRae’s office has been made aware of the community concerns regarding this issue and has indicated that they will bring this up with the Police.
7) Is there a plan to open an O-train station at Walkley Road?
8) Work is currently being done on Walkley Rd by the train over pass at the path leading up to Arnott Park/Fielding. The path has been torn up and appears to be a safety issue as people, especially students, are still using the path. Please advise what the plan is for the path and when will it be completed? Has the school and the parents council been consulted? Councillor McRae’s office has been made aware of the community concerns regarding this.
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