2019 Annual General Meeting Minutes

CHURCH WELLESLEY NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
MARCH 21, 2019  7:00 PM – 9:00 

Called to order at 7:01 pm

Stephanie Mellon, co-chair of the Communications Committee,  welcomes all guests, our MPP Suze Morrison, Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, and neighbouring associations.

Stephanie highlights map of our area and neighbouring association’s area.
Paul Farrelly, President of CWNA, reads land acknowledgement.

A moment of silence is observed for our lost neighbours.

Stephanie Mellon reads the CWNA’s Mission Statement

Presentation by City Councillor, Kristyn Wong-Tam

• Shift in demographics of new ward 25
• Downtown east is what ward 25 is known as. And the action plan is being put in motion.  A 5 year investment plan is being developed.
• Over 200 service providers in our catchment area
• 519 is a hub for many of these services
• The Downtown East Action Plan will increase the service levels in the area and will deliver a higher quality of care from a health and mental health lens.
• Coordinated response for crisis that will deemphasize police response and emphasize the appropriate response for the situation via a concerted effort between many service providers.
• Menstrual products for homeless and at-risk menstruators are now available
• New Church Street Fence Project underwary to complete an interactive fence in the area to activate.
• Trans Flag Crosswalks to be painted in the area, adding colour and honouring our trans community members
• Yonge Street Linear Parks redesign underway, starting with James Canning Park
• TOCORE – downtown area secondary plan to help manage the growth of the area (as long as it survives the OMB)
• There is a development map is available on our city councilor website – you can download documents directly off the site.
• Though some of the plans and powers of LPAT are being eroded by our current provincial govt., which replaces OMB, community still has increased support

Presentation by MPP Suze Morrison

• Concerns about changes to autism funding cuts at provincial level
• Concerns about changes to healthcare legislation.
• Expresses concerns that discussion of legislation in the house is being limited, restricting the voices of community
• New Ontario health agency Board (replacing LHIN) held its first meeting and was not open to the public.  It is a file MPP Morrison is watching closely. Is particularly concerned about how this opens up our system for privatization of our healthcare system
• Additional cuts to education system; increased class sizes, loss of 10000 educators across the country.  
• Opposition is working tirelessly to hold provincial govt. to account.
• There are successes as well.  Changes to the sex education have been walked back.  Chief Commissioner for OPP Townsend has stepped down after pressure applied due to the nepotism inherent in the appointment.
• Minister Lisa McCloud has begun to back step on position around autistic funding.
  
  

Councillor Wong-Tam presents the CWNA with a certificate to honour our service to the community:

"On the occasion of your 2019 Annual General Meeting, I would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to the Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association for your contributions to our community. The CWNA has been a remarkable champion for the Church Wellesley village community in downtown Toronto. Your efforts to preserve the character and heritage of our neighborhoods are commendable. Through community and city partnerships, our streets are safer, eight laneways have been properly named and new beautification efforts are underway. As a volunteer organization, your commitment to service is extremely admirable. Today, I recognize and applaud your dedication, ensuring that your community is meaningfully represented on all local matters. I extended my gratitude and best wishes for continued success. Thank you.”

Presentation by School Board Trustee Chris Moise

• Concerns around budget changes as budget was set prior to start of school year.
• School board employs 600 students via a grant that supports at-risk and lower-income students, with ripple effect on approximately 1200 students – it appears that it will not be available this summer, which will negatively impact the students and possibly the community (as idle people have more chance to “get in trouble”)
• Secondary schools will feel a large impact as 600 teachers will not be part of next year’s program due to funding cuts
• Funding for 200 primary school teachers has been removed for next year
• What does this mean to our young people? Students will have less choice in courses (5 teachers removed = 30 less classes available), and “under-enrolment” will cause a class to be cancelled.
• 54% of high school students in 2017 survey indicated they don’t feel good about themselves or feel liked/supported in school.
• Many concerns for our students

Annual Report

President Paul Farrelly reports on the development within our community.  

• TOCore Map shows the Church Yonge community is expected to grow 150% from a population of 27,677 to a population of 55,000.
• Discusses the approval of TO CORE and how it affects our community
• Population will double in the next few years
• CWNA website now includes a map that outlines character areas, proposed and under construction development
• Highlights newly confirmed beer store development
• Discusses 64 Wellesley street east heritage designation
• May 4 2020 is hearing date for 66 Wellesley street east with LPAT, and talks about some of the concerns of the corner building
• Yonge TOmorrow – Study area to revitalize Yonge Street
• City-wide Inventory of heritage properties is being contemplated.

Blair Williams reports on Community Safety

• Police Liaison Committee meets once a month, co-chaired by a civilian and division 51 – chance to share information
• Village Critical Incident and Crisis Response Network
• Kyle speaks a little further about the Crisis Response Network
• Police Officer Robert Chevalier encouraged the community to come forward and speak with any member of his team if they have questions or concerns in the community.

Connie Langille reports on Placemaking

• New spaces we have our eyes on to improve and beautify
• Events like Meet Your Neighbours and Music in the Park with the BIA
• The green pedestrian loop – Bob Fabian spoke quickly about the vision and encouraged people to use their voice to support the opportunity we have with the green loop

2018 AGM minutes presented. KYLE Iannuzzi moved to approve minutes from the 2018 AGM.  No against. Passed

CWNA Financial Position discussed by Stephanie Mellon

Nominations for Six Directorships

• Two retirements from the board
• Thank you to Stephanie and Bob for their years of service

Kyle Ianuzzi nominates Connie Langille
Stephanie Mellon nominates Trevor Hennig
Tara Schorr nominates Paul Farrelly and Neil Gibb

All acclaimed to the board

Meeting adjourned.  Q&A period and social continues.

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[For an added visual experience, please take a look at the accompanying slide presentation pdf​]