Harbord Village Residents’ Association
Minutes of HVRA Board Meeting
June 20, 2006
Kensington Gardens

Board Present: Gus Sinclair, Sandra DeAthe, Gord Brown, Maria Perin, Tim Grant, Stuart Schoenfeld, Jane Auster, Sue Dexter, David Booz, Michael Heydon, Richard Longley, Margaret Beare

Regrets: Susan Pfeiffer, Richard Gilbert

1. Chair’s Welcome: The meeting commenced at 7:07 p.m.

2. Agenda: The agenda was approved with the addition of two motions un the Environment committee reports and one motion under membership; U of T liaison report was added as “g”. Several items were added under Other Business. Moved by Tim Grant, seconded by Richard Longley. Carried.

3. Approval of Minutes: The April 18, 2006 minutes were approved without any changes, moved by Richard Longley, seconded by Sue Dexter. Carried.

4. Committee Reports

a. Environment

i. Trees Tim Grant
Tim spoke supporting a tree inventory in HV, and suggested it is time to get fundraising started and the soliciting of volunteers, using our usual tree contribution money. A motion at the AGM was thought to be the best way to get the project going, staring with a info table at the Fall Fair. Sue Dexter moved that the Board approve in principle Tim going forward with the tree inventory, and support the concept of requesting more tree money at the AGM this year. Seconded by Richard Longley. Carried.

ii. Solar Energy Project Tim Grant
Tim suggested with piggyback on the arrangements of the initial solar heating project in Riverdale (Ron McKay’s project) in Harbord Village. In the next 2 weeks an email would be sent to residents to get an initial statement of interest from people who be willing to be on a committee to facilitate the choice of a vendor. Tim moved that HVRA launch a Solar Pioneers project, and invite neighbouring residents’ associations and BIA’s to join in order to create economies of scale for an eventual bulk purchase of solar electric and solar water heating panels by local residents. HVRA’s financial contribution would be limited to the printing and area-wide distribution of 1-2 flyers, the rental of a hall for a Fall public meeting, and miscellaneous expenses, not to exceed $400.00. Seconded by David Booz. Carried.

iii. Graffiti Tim Grant Michael Heydon
Tim did the graffiti clean-up in the neighbourhood in May with Neil Wright. Action: Tim will advise Neil that HVRA wants to work with the BIA on a graffiti project. Michael reported that the May 13th group cleaned 25-30 garages and 4 murals were painted. The main obstacle in the project was the lack of consent from homeowners. We need by-law officers to ticket more for graffiti-ed property to encourage owners to participate in voluntary, free removal. Action: The Board will brainstorm by email about how to get paint and other supplies.
Jane Auster reported that Green P parking has applied for a City grant to beautify the lot at Lippincott and Borden. Waiting to hear from Green P.

b. Membership Gord Brown

Gord opened the discussion of the need to add a Membership Secretary to the officers of the Board. The membership is now over 400, and the records management and recruitment are substantial responsibilities. It would be beneficial to have someone in a membership position who was recruited to do that job and would be willing to provide the work necessary. Gord moved that the Chair approach the Nominating Committee and ask them to consider adding a position of Membership Secretary to the officers of the Board. If the Committee concurs, a motion will be framed for the AGM, and someone found to accept the position. Seconded by Maria Perin. Carried.

c. Community Liaison Gus Sinclair
No report

d. College Street Gord Brown

The Eucans are in place on College. There are several trees that have died because they were not watered – it may be possible to get the businesses involved in watering.
Clearway model update
The College Street Revitalization Project report went to committee last week, with strongly worded support for the project, but the majority of councillors sided with the businesses who objected. Consequently, watered down recommendations are going to Council on June 27th. The Board will get an update on what happens at Council, and will re-visit the issue in July to see if we want to consider a motion.

e. Zoning Gus Sinclair
Nick Lucca’s students are doing the planning study inventory for the south end.

f. Communications Gus Sinclair
Action: Gus will get an assessment from Suzanne about completing our web site.

g. U of T Liaison Sue Dexter
The University wants to open their lands, presently zoned as a Part II Plan to development; this could impact heritage areas, institutional areas of special interest, as well as the Victorian community of Huron-Sussex west of the Robarts library. There are concerns that the University wants changes to Varsity arena entrance and its east wall, as well as changes to Philosophers’ Walk. The Board authorized Sue and Rory Gus to request for a special meeting of the U of T Liaison Committee.

5. Spring Meeting
Not discussed.

Business Arising
None.

6. Other Business

a. Traffic on lower Brunswick, topics for public meeting Gus Sinclair
i. Paid parking has been suggested for this area, with those with parking permits exempt
ii. The City is running a pilot for weekly street cleaning that would mean parking on the other side of the street for 24 hours. Is lower Brunswick a good place to pilot this?

b. Brunswick House Gus Sinclair

There is another new owner; Gus met with him and he wants to meet the Board.

c. Parkette Richard Longley
Walter Houston was not born in the neighbourhood, but lived there between 1894 and 1896. His sister Margaret was financed by women of Toronto to study in France. The Board decided to memorialize both of these interesting people who lived in Toronto.

d. Robert Street Fire Education Program Tim Grant
The Board has $1,200 raised after the 2005 Robert Street fire, and $1,000 from the BIA that is supposed to be used for a fire education program. Action: We will try to get an education committee together via email; if no interest will donate the money to a cause.

e. Restoration Directory Richard Longley
Sales needed. Sandra will mention the directory at the next HCD Robert Street meeting.

f. Robert Street Rink Stuart Schoenfeld
After some research, Stuart reports that it would cost $100,000 to fix the refrigeration pipes or replace the fluid. Action: Gus will call the City for the report on the rink.

g. Police Liaison Margaret Beare
Margaret has attended one meeting of the police liaison committee.