About 40 people attended. Dick Watts welcomed everyone to the 31st annual meeting of the Association and reminded the meeting that the Association began in 1974 as the Oakwood Escarpment Residents’ Association, and in1983 the name was changed to Regal Heights Residents’ Association. Special guests included Mike Foderick, Executive Assistant to Councillor Palacio, and Evan Castel, representing Davenport Neighbourhood Association.

Welcome to Oakwood: Renata Gonsalves, Principal of Oakwood Collegiate, expressed thanks to RHRA for all the work done to maintain the Oakwood gardens. She enjoys it on a daily basis and reported that: Doug Lewis and the extended French students recently planted more maple and oak saplings around the school property; new windows installation is now complete; money has been raised to fund the installation of a new dance floor in the dance studio in room 207 (more than 100 students are now enrolled in the growing dance program at OCI and a proper dance floor is much appreciated); four teachers will be retiring from OCI this year: Roy Greaves, Harold Wright, John Calabro and Muriel Bull, anyone wishing to attend any of their retirement parties can contact the school for details; and Cynthia Nguyen, a new vice-principal, has recently joined the OCI staff, but regrets that she was unable to attend this meeting.

Reports and Discussion

1. Heritage & History
   1. Tree planting in memory of Charles Caccia: Florence Watts reported that RHRA planted an ornamental pear tree on the front lawn of Regal Road P.S. last week in memory of former MP Charles Caccia who passed away in May 2008. A plaque has been installed and a commemoration ceremony will be held in June.
   2. Lane naming in memory of John Brooks: Brent Calhoun reported that his committee has agreed to request that the laneway north of Regal Road, from Springmount steps to Northcliffe, be named after late resident John Brooks. The family has agreed and considers it a real honour. The proposal will be now submitted to the City who will commence the process for final approvals and implementation. Residents abutting the lane will be polled for their approval.
   
   
   
2. Street Beautification
   1. Gardens, Street Planters, Graffiti: Florence Watts reporting:
      1. thanks to OCI for regular cutting of the grass in the Oakwood gardens area, and the new tree plantings;
      2. help is needed to clean and maintain the many gardens in our community; speak to Florence if interested;
      3. garlic mustard is growing throughout the neighbourhood. It is an aggressive spreader and should be removed before the flower goes to seed to prevent rampant propagation.
      4. two old wine barrels were donated and cut in half so that we now have 4 new planter barrels to replace damaged or decaying barrels.
         Some members reported that there is graffiti on the south wall of 98 Glenholme, on the upper units of the HVAC buildings on Davenport, and on the east doors at Regal Road school. Mike Foderick will follow-up re cleanup.
   2. Litter clean-up, April 25: John Keating reported that the weather was beautiful and an all time high turn-out of about 25 people came out to help clean up our neighbourhood. Many thanks to those that participated including help from Councillor Palacio’s office. But please don’t think of the need to clean up our area on only one day of the year. Remove litter from your immediate area on a regular basis to keep our neighbourhood looking great all year ‘round.
   
   
   
3. Planning, Zoning, Construction
   1. Mount Royal Parkette & Mount Royal Bump-out: Julie Mah reported for Amy Bodman who was unable to attend. Parkette: the parkette has finally been turned over to the City Parks and Recreation department and greening iniatitives can now begin. This year the local Parkette Committee has identified two areas for greening and will liaise and co-ordinate their efforts with City Parks. Discussions to determine the desire for and location of a community info board are still being discussed. Assistance with planting and maintenance of the plants in the parkette is most welcome. Contact Amy Bodman at 416-653-0055 if interested.
      Mount Royal Bump-out: a preliminary sketch for greening of the bump-out has been approved by the City Clean and Beautiful Committee. The City will remove the pavers and provide topsoil and mulch to the area. The proposed completion of this project is this fall. The community will be responsible for the plantings and maintenance of the space. Volunteers should contact Amy Bodman.
   2. St.Clair transit ROW construction: David Keith reported that switches being installed at Robina are expected to be completed by this Friday. Construction in the Oakwood-St. Clair intersection and from Oakwood Ave to Westmount Ave. will involve track installations, sidewalk rebuilding etc. and will last until September. A detailed time schedule for this work will be announced shortly. This schedule and other relevant info will be sent out by RHRA Communications as soon as it is available. Please try to “shop St.Clair” to support our local businesses, especially during this disruptive period. A concern about the safety of cyclists sharing the single lane of traffic with vehicles was raised. Mike will raise this issue at the construction meetings.
   3. St.Clair street-tree plan: Dick Watts reported that the City’s plan for street trees between Winona Dr. and Westmount Ave. was received by RHRA in November showing 74 trees to be planted or retained. There were many gaps. Some blocks were almost devoid of trees. A committee of RHRA members and BIA reps. requested that 86 additional locations be considered. Preliminary approval has now been received for 30 additional trees. We are awaiting final approval and a plan of all agreed locations.
   
   
   
4. Special Events
   1. Regal Heights Street Party, Sat. June 20: Judy Adler reported that the party will be held on Glenholme Ave between Rosemount and the laneway north of Regal from 2-5 pm with family games; 6-8 pm for a community potluck; 8-11pm music and entertainment. $20 per family will be collected from residents who wish to attend to help cover the costs of the street closure permit, rental of equipment etc.
   2. Community Street Sale, Sat. June 27: Margaret Rao reported that this year the street sale will extend east of Oakwood to Winona Drive. Volunteers are needed as street captains to distribute flyers on each street and collect $2 from each participating vendor on the day of the sale. The sale will be held from 9am to 2pm.
   3. Canada Day Parade, Sat. July 1: Judy Adler reported that the parade is in its tenth year. Participants will meet at the front of OCI at 11 am dressed in red and white. The group will then parade through the neighbourhood with flags, noise makers and decorated bikes and trikes.
   4. Carol Sing: Harry Lay reported for Brigid Higgins that despite frigid temperatures and frozen valves on the Salvation Army’s musical instruments, the Carol Sing was a well attended event on December 17, 2008. Some 60 to 70 people made it out to greet their neighbours, have some hot chocolate, sing some carols together and be visited by Santa. Credit was given to those who endured the weather.
   
   
   
5. Finances & Membership: Linda DeGiorgio reported that 37 memberships were paid tonight; and current balances in our accounts are now:
   Operations Fund: ………………………...$1503
   Heritage Fund: ……………………………. 1145
   Mount Royal Bump-out Fund (in trust) …. 1500
   
   
6. Other
   1. Mail service at 1655 Dufferin St : John Keating reported that RHRA wrote a letter to Canada Post objecting to the removal of our local postal outlet on Dufferin St. A copy was sent to MP Mario Silva. A letter to RHRA from Canada Post dated May 7 says “We are currently canvassing the area for a new business partner and hope to have a new outlet in service in the future.”
   2. Police Community Partnership: Rosa Cordiano reported that she has been attending the monthly Police meetings on behalf of RHRA. The police have information brochures on the following programs: crime prevention, and on June 16th “a return the streets back to neighbourhoods”. In May a home was raided and arrests were made in the Roseneath gardens area for multiple illegal dealings. Tips from residents on the suspected illegal activity assisted in the bust. In efforts to help deter graffiti, the police are offering free paint and vouchers towards the purchase of paint brushes to paint over graffiti. Contact the police at Division 13 if interested. Due to the loss of parking spaces during TTC construction, police are permitting parking 15m. from a bus stop versus the usual city standard of 30m.
   3. Dog-leash racks: Lottie Levine asked whether racks to secure dog leashes outside of stores can be installed in the Regal Heights neighbourhood. Mike Foderick will look into whether this is possible.
   4. BIA between Oakwood to Winona: the Regal Heights BIA has received approval from the City to extend it’s eastern boundary from Glenholme to Oakwood Ave. Plans are also under consideration for the Hillcrest BIA to extend it’s western boundary from Winona to Oakwood. If successful this will ensure that all parts our area on St. Clair will have BIA coverage.
   5. Regal Road School: John Lorinc reported that major landscaping improvements have been approved by the School Board for stabilizing and protecting the trees on the south side of the school. And, the School Council is now working on plans and fundraising for establishing an outdoor classroom. Karen Beattie reported that this year’s School Fair on May 21, 5pm to 8:30 pm will have a Garden Table. Donations of plants and garden tools etc. are being sought. Please deliver your donations to Kathryn Walter at 103 Springmount. Please label your plants if possible.
   
   
   
7. RHRA Meetings & Election of Executive
   1. Schedule of Meetings for the 2009-2010 season: Dick Watts reported that RHRA holds eight meetings each year, six in executive member’s homes and two in Oakwood Collegiate. In response to members’ requests for more meetings to be held in a public facility, arrangements have now been made to hold four of our meetings in Oakwood Collegiate. Dates for these meetings will be set in the fall when schedules for OCI functions are known.
   2. Election of 2009-2010 Executive Committee: David Raymont, Past Chairman of RHRA, conducted the election. The following were nominated, agreed to stand and were elected as the Executive Committee for the 2009-2010 season: Amy Bodman, Brent Calhoun, Richard Cavanagh, Rosa Cordiano, Linda DeGiorgio, John Keating, David Keith, Anita Kung, Harry Lay, Brian MacConnell, Beth Marcilio, Peter Norman, Margaret Rao, Florence Watts, Dick Watts.
8. Next regular Executive Meeting: Sept.15, at Watts' place, 7 pm at 57 Regal Rd.