Fallingbrook Community Association

Minutes of the Executive Meeting

16 January 2006

Ray Friel Centre

Those Present:

Zybina Richards, Don Pottier,  Sonia Brereton, David Villeneuve, George Blake, Doug Feltmate, Marc Godboud, Brenda Spearman, Rob Jellett, Phil McNeely, Dawn Stroz, Bob Monette, Catherine Greenridge, Suzanne Sanford

Regrets: Paul Pelletier, Marc Cappelli, Eric Tousignant

Agenda

• Phil McNeely asked that his name be spelled correctly, Bob Monette said that he was no longer "councillor-elect", but councillor for Orleans Ward.  Moved (Brenda) Seconded (George) passed.

Minutes from November 2005 Meeting

• Zybina confirmed that she had sent a letter to mayor to support Riverwalk's objection to rezoning.
• Moved (Don) and seconded (George) to accept the minutes.

Treasurer's Report (Don Pottier)

• Presented his treasurers report for year to date.
• Don confirmed that Paul has received the City cheque for the rink operations grant.
• He pointed out that there is a deficit of about $7,000 so far, but we should not be concerned about it.
• Don moved to accept financial statement, seconded by George, passed.

Phil McNeely MPP

• Gun vioence is an issue -- shooting in Fallingbrook and Toronto
• $51M in new funding to fight gun crime
• Guns and Gangs Team created, 51 new Crown Attorneys hired
• 1000 new police hires soon
• Youth Justice committee
• Asked why Tompkins police volunteer program terminated
• Congratulated Rob Jellett for getting $1.5M for an addition eastbound land at the 417/174 split
• Closed to getting provincial funding for westbound split improvements
• There was general discussion on crime, safe schools, gangs.

Dawn Stroz

• 20th Anniversary of Volunteer Service awards, she is seeking nominations within the riding

Rob Jellett, Councillor

• Rob said that Bob Monette was very warmly welcomed to the City Council
• City has hired 182 police officers over the last 2 years
• Portobello is now completely open on all 4 lanes, traffic signals at Trim
• Innes Road will get top lift in spring, will be fully open then
• He thanked George for the 20th anniversary Christmas party, enjoyed meeting all the old friends
• Rob did not receive his Fallingbrook newsletter through Canada Post, even though he was looking for it.
• He has received many complaints recently about cleanliness at the Ray Friel Centre
• City buys 2400 hours of ice time from RFC, then sells it to groups at $110 per hour.  The RFC is free to sell the remaining time to other groups at whatever rate they choose.
• Doug says that hockey teams are buying ice time in Casselman to save $45 per hour, but the parents are unhappy to drive that far.

Bob Monette, Councillor

• Bob thanks the FCA for organizing the municipal all-candidates debate
• Within 9 months, Bob pledges to:
•     Initiate a local governance committee to run Petrie Island
•     Create park-and-ride at Orleans Rec Complex
•     Clean up graffitti
•     Create a multicultural committee
• Catherine Greenridge is on Bob's staff, will do community outreach from the Centrum office

Zybina's Rant

• Zybina complained about lack of heat in Transitway shelters.  Bob promised to look into this.
• She questioned the design of the lanes at the traffic signal on Charlemagne at Princess Louise west.  The eastbound traffic from Tenth Line that wants to go straight through must use the right lane, as the center lane is dedicated to left turns onto Princess Louise.  The westbound center lane on Charlemagne is a dedicated left turn onto Valade, which has very little traffic.  This is particularly dangerous because there is no indication except painted arrows on the road that the eastbound center lane is not straight-through.  Someone who is not familiar with the arrangement might not see the lane markings due to snow or rain and then collide head-on with a car in the west-to-south turn lane.  Bob Monette said he would look into this.
• George asked about RFC access road study.  Bob will look into this.
• Bob said there will be 150 new park-and-ride spots at the Trim Road lot.

Marc Godbout MP

• Canada Service Centre has been approved for Orleans
• RFP for federal building has been modified, an RFP for 24,000 square meters is coming soon.  The East end will be included.
• There is a proposal for a National Security Cluster for Orleans, to include CSIS, DND, RCMP, etc.

Suzanne Sanford, City of Ottawa

• Looking for community association representatives for Petrie Island management committee

Municipal All Candidate Meeting

• Everyone agreed that the meeting was well organized and that the moderators (Marc and Joc) did an excellent job

Federal All Candidates Debate

• In December the FCA cancelled its federal debate that was scheduled for January 12, because the Orleans Chamber of Commerce was running an identical debate in the same location (Sir Wil) the day before, January 11.

20th Anniversary Newsletter

• Zybina said she has received many calls to congratulate the FCA on its 20th anniversary newsletter.
• Don said it was delivered by Canada Post to guarantee delivery, rather than being delivered with the Pennysaver.
• Printing costs were $1000, Canada Post was $750 vs $300 for Pennysaver delivery
• Next Newsletter will be in April for the AGM
• Marc Godbout suggested selling newsletter space for politicians

Parade of Lights

• M L Bradley provided 18 foot trailer and truck that was decorated by a crew at George's house
• Slide show on rear was well received by spectators
• There was a desire to repeat this next year.

20th Anniversary Christmas Party

• George Blake hosted the FCA Christmas party at his house on 10 December 2005.
• Over 60 people came, including most former FCA executive, early politicians such as Fern Casey, Brian Coburn

Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 pm.

Minutes recorded by David Villeneuve