1. Opening comments: Dick Watts, Chair of RHRA welcomed Renata Gonsalves, Principal of Oakwood Collegiate; Caroline Ingvaldsen; Branch Head of Dufferin - St. Clair library; Alejandra Bravo, Chair of St. Clair West Residents Association; Councillor Cesar Palacio and his assistant, Mike Foderick.



2. Heritage and History
   1. Dufferin/St.Clair Library Update by Caroline Ingvaldsen: The library has been allocated funding from the municipal tax base to renovate the building and restore the rest of the murals painted by George Reid and Doris McCarthy in 1932-1934. The initial mural restoration in 2004-5 was funded by community donations and spearheaded by David Self and John McAuley.
   2. Earlscourt History Club: David Raymont asked those interested to join him in his quest for heritage artifacts, information and anecdotes about Regal Heights and nearby areas. The next meeting of the club will be in June on a date to be announced. Contact David at raymonts@sympatico.ca.
   3. Historical significance of Davenport Rd: City Council has adopted a motion to better recognize the historical significance of Davenport Rd. (especially re the aboriginal trail along the Lake Iroquois shoreline 10,000 years ago). Consideration is being given to placing plaques in the sidewalks during street reconstruction in a similar manner to Garrison Creek markers.
   4. Regal Rd School portico. In order to receive $20,000 City funding from Heritage Preservation Services, the School Board has to agree to heritage designation of the restoration. But they see this requirement as an encumbrance on the property. Heritage Preservation Services is willing to make compromises to resolve this issue. Negotiations are continuing. Harry Lay will keep us updated.
   
   
3. Street Beautification
   1. Gardens. Florence Watts thanked Parks & Trees Foundation, the Oakwood Environment Club, neighbours who donate time, plants and money, those who stoop and scoop, and everybody who contributes to making our streets more beautiful. Three Japanese cherry trees have been planted at Oakwood Collegiate. Daffodil Hill is thriving. Rosemount garden has had problems with dogs running through it, tulips being pulled, lilacs being cut. If anybody has suggestions on how to solve these problems, please contact Florence.
   2. Graffiti. A mural is being considered for the apartment building at 2 Regal Rd. to combat graffiti on its walls. Graffiti on mailboxes is being cleaned by RHRA volunteers.
   3. Street clean-up. 14 people showed up for clean-up day in spite of the rain. John Keating asked that everyone walking the neighbourhood, pick up litter. Councillor Palacio can be called if anyone would like to have a litter-can installed on their street (416-392-7011).
   4. Tree planting. About 20 have been planted in the neighbourhood as a result of RHRA volunteers going door to door last summer. If anyone wants to get a tree planted, phone 416-338-TREE. Deadline is July 15 for fall planting. If you want trees planted in your backyard, contact www.leaftoronto.org for assistance from LEAF.
   
   
4. Special Events
   1. December Carol Sing was a great success. RHRA provided hot chocolate, candy canes, Salvation Army band, even Santa! More people are joining the event every year.
   2. Canada Day Parade. Brian MacConnell asked everyone to join the parade on July 1st, 11:00 a.m. at Oakwood Collegiate, corner of St. Clair and Oakwood. The parade usually goes through Glenholme, Lauder and Northcliffe to the Regal Rd School playground where popsicles, soft drinks and water are provided.
   
   
5. Planning and Zoning
   1. Pilot project for parking:. Councilor Palacio asked for residents' input in taking part in a pilot project to enable the street-cleaning vehicles to clean both sides of all streets. Response was positive. City officials will prepare the necessary rules and regulations for a pilot project later this year.
   2. Mount Royal Parkette. A concept plan is being finalized for a major renovation of the parkette. Residents are encouraged to attend a meeting on June 19th at Regal Rd School to make any final changes before the project starts. Notices will be sent out soon.
   3. Rogers Communications Tower near Mount Royal and Alberta is being relocated. Industry Canada has endorsed recommendations by City Council to institute new regulations for installation of Communications Towers. These regulations will require greater community and City input into the siting and esthetic impacts of towers.
   4. St. Clair Transit Right of Way and undergrounding hydro wires. Construction in our area will start in March, 2007. Residents, led by Severino Centritto, want the loading platforms retained at Northcliffe and Glenholme stops. The meeting agreed: a) that residents be encouraged to write letters to Councillors and to the Mayor recommending that funds be allocated for undergrounding of hydro wires, street lighting and sidewalk improvements on St. Clair West on an equitable basis along the entire TTC right of way; and b) John Keating and Gary Gannage will draft a letter for RHRA, as well as a sample letter for residents to send to City officials regarding support for undergrounding of wires during construction of the Right of Way.
   5. St. Clair "Avenue Study". Public meetings will be held for the study on June 21st at Joseph Piccinnini (for the section between Glenholme and Keele) and on June 22nd at St. Matthews Church, 729 St. Clair W. (for the section between Glenholme and Bathurst). The City's official plan designates St. Clair West as an area for intensification. Two key objectives of study are to make St. Clair a vital place where people want to come to, and to create a plan that will accomodate a substantial increase in population along the "avenue".
   6. 28 Winona Drive. Residents in the surrounding area have written a petition to stop proposed construction of 5 small, condo townhouses on a vacant property at the rear of lots on Alberta and Winona. Access would be through an existing public lane. The proposed plan requires rezoning and an official plan change. A statutory public meeting to discuss the proposal will be held June 6th, 6:00 pm. at Winona Drive School. Notices will be sent out soon by the City.
   7. 1130 Davenport at the corner of Winona. There was a fire at that site and the new owner is considering building 3 houses facing Winona and some additional commercial uses.
   
   
6. Finances
   33 families registered tonight. Average expenses per year are about $860 for administration, street beautification and special events. Membership fees received at this meeting together with anticipated additional memberships during the rest of the year indicate that we will be able to continue our usual projects again this year.
   
   
7. Other
   1. 21 Lauder. The unsightly aspect of this property's prolonged (three years) renovation has caused concerns among residents. Cesar Palacio will put a motion to City Council to limit length of time for future construction permits of this kind.
   2. St. Clair Kick It is the first World Cup Community Festival spearheaded by Alejandra Bravo of St. Clair West Residents' Association. Soccer tournament, movies, art, dogs on parade, and more. Festival day is on Saturday June 3rd. Events run from June 2nd to 18th. Check www.stclairkickit.ca for more information.
   3. Solar Electric System initiatives. Residents were asked to sign up if they're interested in purchasing a solar system for their home or business. Jed Goldberg, a volunteer coordinator, is organizing a group purchase to obtain a discount from suppliers. Peggy Lampotang has volunteered to help Jed on this project. If you haven't signed up yet and need more information, e-mail Peggy at peggylampotang@yahoo.ca.
   
   
8. Election of Executive Committee
   The following 13 people attended 3 or more meetings during the past year and were re-elected: Richard Cavangagh, Linda DeGirogio, Rosa Cordiano, John Keating, Anita Kung, Harry Lay, Beth Marcilio, Laura McGrath, Peter Norman, David Raymont, David Shanoff, Florence and Dick Watts. In addition, the following volunteered to join the Executive Committee and were elected: Brian MacConnell, Brent Calhoun, Jeilah Chan, Susan Wilson and Paul Shipp, Peggy Lampotang.

The meeting ended at 9:15 pm.
The next regular meeting of the Executive will be Sept.19, 7:30 pm at Watts' place, 57 Regal Rd.