Fallingbrook Community Association

Minutes of the Executive Meeting

28 February 2011

255 Centrum Blvd

Those Present:

Zybina Richards, David Villeneuve, George Blake, Nick O'Connell, Joel Denis, Philippe Berthiaume, Pierre Blais, Harold Melish, Henri Gravelle, Royal Galipeau

Treasurer's Report (David Villeneuve)

• David Villeneuve took over as FCA treasurer from Don Pottier during the summer of 2010.
• David handed out the treasurer's report.
• David asked that we defer approving the minutes until one transaction is clarified.

Royal Galipeau (MP Ottawa-Orleans)

• Federal funding of $50M was obtained to add extra lanes to Hwy 174 at the split.
• 255 Centrum: passport office no longer wants to use building.  Galipeau, Monette, Blais and Bloess to move into second floor on the north side in a set of suites.
• Wants NRC to move industrial centre to 255 Centrum.

Harold Melish (for Phil McNeely MPP)

• Showed plans for 174/417 interchange improvements.
• Hunt Club is being extended east, but interchange to 417 not yet funded.
• HST tax credit, seniors credits discussed
• 95% of jobs lost during recession have been recovered.
• Funding obtained to extend operating hours of MRI machines in Ottawa.
• Health Hub site has been purchased on Mer Bleu Road, no schedule for construction.

Henri Gravelle (for Councillor Bob Monette)

• Handed out list of capital and improvement items from upcoming city budget.

Philippe Berthiaume (for Councillor Blais)

• Trim Road realignment  from North Service Road to Blackburn Bypass Extension, 4 lanes, funded.
• Extension of North-South Link to Trim Road to go through Park 18B.
• City is considering buying 75 double decker buses, which operate better in snow than the articulated buses.

Pierre Blais (Ray Friel Centre Manager)

• 18% reduction in fitness centre users due to opening of new centres.
• Loss is in the 25-45 year old group, which is the group targeted by commercial centres.
• Pool is now open after several months of renovations.

Sherri Eustace (4th Orleans Scouts)

• 145 youths and 41 adults registered.
• Have to add another fundraiser to pay for increased rent of Fallingbrook School gym; will sell rain barrels for $55.
• 25th anniversary party on June 4 at Petrie Island

Joel Denis

• Joel had organized a Community Conversation to discuss Orleans issues with residents.  36 participants.
• Will consider what the next steps are.

Nick O'Connell (FCA Rink Manager)

• All 3 rinks generally running well.
• Usual problems of getting rink attendants to show up.
• Continued difficulties with Sean Dore, the city custodian at Maple Ridge / South Fallingbrook.
• Police called to Fallingbrook Rink over a mixup with a hockey puck.

Development Application (David Villeneuve)

• Minor variance being sought for building at 3413 St Joseph Blvd to permit a 12 storey office building.
• There was some concern that this might reduce the view of some residents of Fallingbrook along the ridge.
• The city will inform these residents in the usual way, so that they can attend the committee of adjustment meeting on 2 March 2011.
• The FCA in general supports development of employment centres in Orleans.

Garage Sale (David Villeneuve)

• Garage sale scheduled for May 14.  On web site.
• Zybina will warn Bylaw Department that we are putting up signs, so they don't destroy them like last year.

Fun Fair (Zybina Richards)

• Fun Fair scheduled for August 27.

Minutes recorded by David Villeneuve