Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Directors Monday, January 27, 2025 as approved at the ASH Board of Directors meeting on February 24, 2025
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm (in-person and virtual)
Present: Betsy Schuurmann (Chair), Jerry Sabin (Secretary), Megan Reilkoff (Treasurer), Fernando Melo, Patrick Munro, Calla Barnett, Arto Keklikian, Mikaela Kennedy, and Marilyn Whitaker.
Regrets: Jackie Farrow (Vice-Chair), Michael Barnes, and Nicholas Harrison.
Guests: There were seven guests.
- Review and approval of agenda
Motion to approve November 25 and December 5 minutes.
Moved by Calla. Seconded by Fernando. Carried.
- Approval of minutes
Motion to approve the minutes.
Moved by Calla. Seconded by Marilyn. Carried.
- Word from the Chair
The Chair thanked the organizers of the Winter Carnival for their hard work and congratulated them on a successful event.
The Chair has met with various community groups and stakeholders. She will produce a 10 minute slideshow to introduce ASH when meeting with other organizations. For example, ASH has been invited to attend the Downtown Condominium Alliances meetings.
The Chair has created usernames and passwords for all the committee Chairs to be able to edit the website on their own. She is also happy to publish content on the website.
- Word from the Councillor
The Councillor offered her congratulations on the Winter Carnival. Her team gave out over 230 cups of hot chocolate!
The SHCHC will be applying to renew its license for the supervised consumption site. Community organizations are encouraged to share their position on the renewal with Health Canada.
The Councillor has had discussions with the developer who purchased 83-91 Sweetland Avenue. Asked to consider including three-bedroom units as family-sized housing is needed in the neighbourhood.
The Councillor will be hosting several events including Drag Bingo at St. Brigid’s and her regular office hours at local businesses. Check out her social media or newsletter for details.
The mural at Wurtemberg and Rideau was defaced. The perpetrators filmed themselves doing it. The police are aware of these images and are actively investigating.
The Councillor received questions about renovictions and the concentration of supervised consumption sites in Ward 12.
- Membership
There are 200 current members of the Association. There are 144 memberships up for renewal.
The Board thanked David Elden for this service in maintaining our membership roll and the website.
- Committee Reports
Treasurer’s Report – November and December, 2024
Motion to adopt the Treasurer’s Report for November and December, 2024.
Moved by Fernando. Seconded by Marilyn. Carried.
Motion to amend to City by-laws re: biohazardous material on private property.
Moved by Fernando. Seconded by Calla. Carried.
- Focus issue
The Board agreed to prioritize inviting the Ottawa Police Service to speak and answer questions.
- New Business
Patrick introduced his work on the Priority Bicycle Infrastructure Improvements.
The Board discussed the Annual Meeting (May 29) and Transition Meeting (June 2).
- Horizon Issues
-ASH CSSC draft letter re: Oasis exemption (Feb agenda)
-Membership process review and refresh (March agenda?)
-Homestead funds
-Daycare needs
-Food insecurity, expecially for university students.
-OCLT next steps
-New committee idea: Kids Advisory Committee
-New committee idea: Events and Activities Oversight Committee
–City of Ottawa 10 Year Housing and Homelessness Plan consultations
- Motion to adjourn
Motion to adjourn.
Moved by Calla. Seconded by Patrick. Carried.