Present: Jeri Brody, Richard Cavanagh, Ricky Horowitz, John Keating, Peggy Lampotang, Harry Lay, Beth Marcilio, Marlene Reeve-Newson, David Self, David Shanoff, Richard Watts, Florence Watts. Regrets: Emily and Brian McConnell, Councillor Palacio

• Heritage and History.
  1. “St. Clair West in Pictures” RHRA has only four copies left. A letter has been sent to the Toronto Public Library requesting a reprint. Letters have been sent to seven other organizations in St. Clair West suggesting that they make a similar request. Copies of the request were sent to Barbara Myrvold and Caesar Palacio.
  2. Regal Road School Portico. – Harry Lay reported that a City of Toronto Heritage Fund grant programme may be intituted to assist with this project by the end of the summer.
  
  
• Street Beautification.
  1. Street Trees – Two large Norway Maples were cut down to-day on Highview Avenue. The City had said that they were a potential hazard and had to come down. Several other trees are slated to be felled also. Ricky Horowitz and Marlene Reeve-Newson watched the felling of the trees on their properties and feel that the trees were relatively healthy and were taken down prematurely. In response to the general feeling of distress at the meeting, John Keating agreed to prepare a letter to Caesar Palacio expressing our dissatisfaction with the manner in which the City is handling the tree problems in Regal Heights. It was suggested that the letter might be sent also to the Forestry Department and the Newspapers.
  2. Urban Forest Policy –The RHRA Special Committee on Urban Forest Policy has submitted a Request for Policy Review to Councillor Palacio. The request and cover letter are attached to these minutes as an appendix. (pages 3 & 4)
  3. Tree Planting Campaign – John Keating will coordinate the project; he noted that the last tree planting campaign was in 1998. He asked for volunteers to assist the City by going door to door to take orders for additional street trees. Canvassers will be supplied with a kit giving information and pictures about available trees and answers to probable questions that residents may have. Volunteers for a late April or early May campaign were:- Marlene Reeve-Newson, Peggy Lampotang, Beth Marcilio, David Self, John Keating, Florence and Richard Watts and Ricky Horowitz.
  4. Flower Barrels - Florence Watts reported that some flower barrels were in need of repair and two had been stolen . She requested $125 for repair and replacement. Approved.
  5. Daffodil Hill Spring Clean up – Scheduled for 10 a.m. April 10, 2005. It was suggested that some other bulbs could be planted on the hill to sustain the floral display during the spring, other flowers that bloom after daffodils.
  6. Oakwood Collegiate North Side Gardens – Florence reported that $1500 had been received from the TD Foundation by the Oakwood Collegiate Environment Club for spring planting.
  7. Compost Supply - In response to Caesar Palacio's request for a suggestion on the best location in Regal Hts. for a compost distribution site, we agreed that Oakwood Collegiate parking lot would be best, if arrangements with the school could be made.
  8. Litter - The City Clean-up Day is Saturday April 23. John Keating will coordinate the project.Volunteers will meet at Oakwood Collegiate parking lot at 10a.m.
  
  
• Communications and Website.
  David Shanoff reported that most of the changes requested at the Feb. mtg. have been made. Beth Marcilio will update the Garden section.



• Planning and Zoning.
  1. 75 Regal Road - An OMB appeal hearing will be held on April 6, and a number of the RHRA members will attend.
  2. Communications Towers – As a result of Councillor Palacio's initiatives, the city is considering draft regulations to give greater local control over the installation of towers such as the one recently installed near Alberta Ave. and Davenport Rd.
  3. St. Clair Transit Study - The Minister's decision on this matter is expected by the end of March. Dick noted that local newspapers have reported that the City and the TTC have plans for sixteen more designated rights-of-way in the city.
  
  
• Annual Meeting Dick will try to arrange for the meeting at Oakwood Collegiate on May 17. Programming suggestions included Trees and Urban Forest Policy Review.



• Other
  1. Schools – The Regal Road School Spring Fair is on May 25.
  2. [murmur] – Dick and David Raymont wrote to Councillor Palacio on this matter and he is very enthusiastic about the possibilities.
  3. Pot Holes Repaired – At the last Executive meeting mention was made of some bad pot holes in the district. The executive thanked the city for the prompt repair of these pot holes.

Next Meeting: Tuesday April 19,7:30 pm. at John Keating's, 99 Springmount.