Minutes
Meeting of the Board of Directors Monday, February 24, 2025
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm (in-person and virtual)
Present: Betsy Schuurmann (Chair), Jackie Farrow (Vice-Chair), Jerry Sabin (Secretary), Megan Reilkoff (Treasurer), Calla Barnett, Patrick Munro, Arto Keklikian, Mikaela Kennedy, Nicholas Harrison, Marilyn Whitaker, and Fernando Melo.
Regrets: Michael Barnes
Guests: There were sixteen guests.
- Review and approval of agenda
Motion to approve agenda.
Moved by Patrick. Seconded by Marilyn. Carried.
- Approval of minutes
Motion to approve minutes of the meeting of January 27, 2025.
Moved by Fernando. Seconded by Calla. Carried.
- Word from the Chair
The Chair shared that the Ontario election candidate’s forum was a great success. The Board will organize another debate for the federal election when it is called.
The Chair gave a presentation about ASH to the Sandy Hill Community Health Centre’s (SHCHC) Board of Directors. She discussed the situation in the neighbourhood and the SHCHC Chair offered to attend one of our meetings.
The Chair received a tour of Centre 454 and spoke with their management. She also met with Rev. Michael Garner at St. Alban’s and the chaplain at uOttawa to discuss the eventual closure of the Bernadette daycare.
Finally, the Chair discussed ASH’s response to the federal government’s announcement about a new East End bridge connecting Ottawa and Gatineau. ASH is supportive of this bridge in the hopes that it will alleviate some of the truck traffic on King Edward Avenue.
- Word from the Councillor
The Councillor shared her ongoing activities with the Board, including attending provincial candidate forums in Sandy Hill and Vanier.
She provided an update on snow clearing in the neighbourhood and the process for storm cleanup. She will provide updates on her Facebook page.
The Councillor provided a positive update on her problematic properties advocacy.
The Councillor discussed a potential expansion of the Rideau Street BIA to include areas beyond Rideau Street. The BIA could be expanded to include additional streets within Sandy Hill.
The Councillor answered questions about access to medical walk-in clinics, family doctors, and the re-routing of #16 bus outside of the neighbourhood because of snow plowing.
- Special Report: The Other Hill
The Board received a presentation from The Other Hill (https://theotherhill-lautrecolline.ca/) and its Chair, Leanne Moussa.
- Membership
There are 220 current members of the Association.
- Business arising from submitted Committee Reports
Motion to adopt the Treasurer’s Report for January 2025.
Moved by Calla. Seconded by Patrick. Carried.
Motion for ASH To Renew Its Annual Membership in the Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES) Ottawa.
Moved by Megan. Seconded by Calla. Carried.
- Focus issue
Motion to Withdraw Action Sandy Hill Support for the Health Canada exemption for the OASIS Safe Injection Site at the Sandy Hill Community Health Centre as Recommended.
Moved by Calla. Seconded by Fernando. Carried.
- New Business
The Board discussed the announcement of a new bridge in the east end of Ottawa and a federal election candidate’s forum as early as April, 2025.
- Horizon Issues
-Policing update from Inspector Leblanc, OPS (March)
-Pollinator Garden (tentative March)
-Daycare needs
-Homestead funds
-Membership process review and refresh (pending FCA survey)
-OCLT next steps
-Family doctors
- Motion to adjourn
Motion to adjourn.
Moved by Betsy. Seconded by Jerry. Carried.