Members present: Paul Johanis (chair), Daniel Buckles, Iola Price, David McNicoll, J.P. Unger, Jason Kania, Erwin Dreessen,
Guest: Natasha Jovanovic (representing Ecology Ottawa)
The meeting commenced at 7:00 pm.
- Adoption of the agenda
The proposed agenda was agreed upon. Moved by Erwin, seconded by Jason. Carried.
- Administrative items
a. Minutes of the November 22, 2021 meeting (for approval)
Moved by Iola, seconded by JP. Carried.
b. Treasurer’s report: Paul submitted re-imbursement requests for Daniel regarding POP website costs ($558.69), moved by Iola, seconded by Erwin, and for himself regarding the annual rental for the Greenspace Alliance’s P.O. Box ($230.52), moved by Erwin, seconded by JP, and the annual renewal of our Zoom account ($226), moved by David, seconded by Jason.
c. Association reports: Paul recommended that the GA renew its membership with the FCA for 2022, paying the member of $35. Moved by Daniel, seconded by Jason.
d. Discussion on priorities for 2022
Paul had distributed with the agenda some ideas regarding the priorities for the GA in 2022 so this item could be discussed by members and a set of priorities adopted. This led to a very good discussion with broad participation. The following priorities were identified:
Program and policy priorities
Greenspace and Urban Forest Master Plan: The GA will seek to be part of the stakeholders group that will be established to assist in the development of this new Master Plan. Work on this may start as early as spring 2022.
Sub city-wide canopy targets: Council directed staff, as part of the Greenspace and Urban Forest Master Plan, to set canopy cover targets for a geography lower than the city-wide 40% target set in the Official Plan. The GA will seek to participate actively in the development of the methodology for defining the boundaries of this new geography and for setting the targets.
Parks and Recreational Master Plan: As parks are recognized as greenspace under the Official Plan, we are interested in how the access standard of 2 hectares per 1000 population in this Master Plan squares with the access to greenspace target set in the Official Plan (all residents within 400 meters of public greenspace, 800 meters of 2 public greenspaces). Also the extent to which park development puts pressure on urban natural areas and the use and recognition of community gardens and urban food production in parks, greenspaces and urban forest canopy.
Pinesi Portage project: Deliver on the approved Canada Healthy Communities Initiative grant, in partnership with Kich Sibi Trails, for the creation of a public trail along the route of a historical indigenous portage between the Ottawa and Rideau rivers at Rideau Falls.
Protect the Farm legislation: Work with CPAWS and Heritage Ottawa on new legislation to protect National Historic Sites, including the Central Experimental Farm.
Municipal Elections: Work in alliance with partners to promote the election of a more ecologically minded mayor and council, develop materials and proposals that promote greenspace and ecological issues and policy positions, for example extending the full protection of the Tree Protection By-law to suburban areas and rural villages.
Administrative priorities
Specific actions and responsibilities were identified for each of the following items:
– Better communication of GA activities on the GA list (for example re-instating the practice of circulating meeting highlights in a timely fashion.
Action: Paul to re-introduce this practice as of January 2022.
– Better logo rendering for online materials.
Action: Iola to seek assistance from a graphic designer friend to improve the logo for this purpose.
– Better, more consistent use of Twitter.
Action: JP to be added as admin to amplify our Twitter presence.
– Increasing membership, both individual and institutional.
