Present: Amy Bodman, Brent Calhoun, Richard Cavanagh, Linda DeGiorgio, Mike Foderick (assistant to Councillor Palacio), Anita Kung (recorder), Harry Lay, Brian MacConnell, Beth Marcilio, David Raymont, Robert Szachrajuk, Dick and Florence Watts
Guests: members of the St. Clair West BIA: Sarah Lockett (Co-chair and treasurer), Barbara Indriliunas-Snow (co-ordinator), Tony Bolla (manager of MyStClair.com)
Regrets: Rosa Cordiano, John Keating, Peggy Lampotang, Peter Norman, Cinzia Scalabrini.

1. Heritage & History
   1. Heritage exhibit at the Tollkeeper’s Cottage, February 17 & 18 – 6 different groups, including RHRA, put up heritage displays in the Tollkeeper’s Cottage over the weekend for public viewing. The displays were limited to the new program room. It was a good time to see the cottage, see the displays and connect with members from the community. Approximately 50 people went through the cottage over the two days.
   2. Letters to library officials – Dick has written a letter to the City Librarian, Josephine Bryant, to request the re-printing of the St. Clair West in Pictures book, and to request that the new program room in the renovated library be named the Earlscourt Room in recognition of the history of the library. The letter was sent on January 24th; an answer has not yet been received.


2. Communications
   Pictures from the Regal Road School portico unveiling ceremony are now posted on the Regal Heights Website.



3. Schools
   Regal Road – Principal Seija Hyhko has completed her contract and is now replaced by another retired principal, Sandie Brauti. Principal Christine Von Aesch has extended her sick leave until the end of April. Regal Road School is now considered to be a “closed” school. This means that children from outside the catchment area will not be accepted for new enrolment. According to new ministry standards, primary classes are to be capped at 20 students per class. As a result, Regal Road school is at it’s maximum capacity. It is expected that at least 2 additional classrooms will be required come September. Staff is exploring options to find the additional classroom space without bringing in portables.



4. Planning and Zoning
   1. Mount Royal Parkette – at the January 17th meeting held by Councillor Palacio, possible changes to the concept plan were discussed by about 30 attendees. It was agreed that the plan should be changed to lower the wall on the west side so that the highest point of the wall would be no more than 2 feet above ground level; and that the walk-through path would be re-instated a little further south than the original location to allow more space for the playground area. The plans are now being revised. When they are completed, Councillor Palacio will have them circulated in the community.
      
      Amy Bodman shared some of her concerns about the parkette development. She has formed a small committee with the aim of working with the City and the community to look at developing the parkette into a real point of interest beyond just a play space for children. She presented a written proposal containing some short-term aims: i) additional greening of the area, ii) ensuring that all architectural elements would be both interesting and beautiful, iii) building a stronger link in the design of the parkette to other Garrison Creek sites. A longer-term aim would be to incorporate public art and /or sculptures into the area.
      
      Amy's proposal was adopted and she was made chairman of the RHRA Mount Royal Parkette Committee. Additional members of the committee are welcome; please contact Amy. Mike will be the contact person for the City. A committee meeting will be convened when more detailed plans are available.
   
   
   2. Rooming-house licence renewal for 30 Glenholme –A new owner is applying for renewal of the rooming house licence. A survey of adjacent residents by Brian MacConnell indicates there are no local concerns regarding this location. This information has been forwarded to Councillor Palacio.



5. Membership
   1. Update – 14 membership renewals, and 2 new memberships have been received since our last meeting. (Thanks to John Keating for preparing the reminder letter and to all those who have responded).
   2. Humewood Neighbourhood Ratepayers Inc. – HNRI has requested becoming an associate member of RHRA. It was decided that other associations may become associate members of RHRA. They will not be expected to pay the annual $10 membership fee, but any donation they wish to make would be welcome.



6. Finances
   We have $600 in the Operating Account and $805 in the Heritage Account.



7. Other
   1. St. Clair West BIA delegation re: making the St. Clair Avenue commercial area more attractive to local residents etc. – Tony Bolla, Barbara Indriliunas-Snow and Sarah Lockett from the BIA came to discuss the possibility of developing a working relationship with RHRA re common goals. We all want to see the stretch of St. Clair improve. Potential areas of overlap include: festivals, June 23rd street sale, St. Clair West in Pictures reprinting and sales, Canada Day parade, Sunflower Children’s festival, how to increase parking spaces on St. Clair, and attracting new business to the area. Tony and Dick will start a blog to open up discussions on “how to make things better?”
   2. Advance notice of special events organized by other groups in Regal Heights – The annual street sale will be held during the day of June 23rd. A street party on Glenholme is being planned for the afternoon and evening on the same day.
   3. Glenholme and Northcliffe TTC stops – Mike has received written confirmation from Mitch Stambler of the TTC that the stops at Glenholme and Northcliffe will be retained in the new ROW. Mike will send Dick a copy of the letter.
   4. Boom restaurant – a new all day breakfast restaurant will be opening up on the northeast corner of St. Clair and Glenholme , where there was formerly a fruit and vegetable store.

Next Meeting: Tuesday March 20, 2007, 7:30 pm at Peter Norman’s, 130 Westmount.