Displays by :
North American Native Plant Society (NANPS): native plant literature & information
Lorraine Johnson, author of native plant books
City of Toronto Forestry and Parks: horticultural literature
City of Toronto Solid Waste Management: recycling carts

Opening Remarks – Dick Watts welcomed about 45 attendees to the meeting. He explained that RHRA holds 8 meetings a year; 6 in members' homes, and 2 in public buildings (November and May). Scheduled for tonight are two presentations on current issues affecting our area and a few regular business items.

Naturalized Areas and Naturalized gardens

Florence Watts gave an update on the various gardens in Regal Heights. She expressed her appreciation to Councillor Palacio and his assistant, Mike Foderick, for their immense assistance with problematic issues, (complaints about a naturalized garden having been one of them). Other supporters of our gardens include donors from this community and City departments who have given many plants for the "orphan spaces" which we have turned into gardens. Florence then introduced Patricia Landry from City of Toronto Natural Environment and Horticulture, and John Romano, by-law officer from the Municipal Licensing and Standards department.

Pat Landry gave a presentation and answered questions on various issues including:

What qualifies as a naturalized garden?
There is no black and white definition. However, criteria would include:
Environmentally responsible – pesticide and chemical free, drought tolerant and water efficient
Practical – native and non-native plants, low-cost and low-maintenance
Attractive – not containing noxious weeds that are harmful to others or the environment
Creates attractive habitats for wildlife.
Almost anything that is in lieu of a high-maintenance lawn area.

Criteria for removal of naturalized plantings include:
Threatens a person’s health – e.g. causing allergic reactions, skin rashes
Threatens our native plant communities, ravines and parks – e.g. invasive species including dog strangling vine, purple loosestrife, European buckthorn, garlic mustard and Japanese knotweed to name a few
Presents a potential safety hazard – e.g. thorns, blocks sight-lines re traffic

John Romano described his role as a City by-law enforcement officer in Toronto’s West district.
He deals with complaints about property maintenance. Garden complaints are usually about gardens that have been abandoned or neglected. The complaint and resolution process proceeds as follows:

1. Complaint received by City
2. By-law officer inspects and assesses complaint
3. An order to make changes may be issued to property owner
4. An appeal for exemption can be submitted by the owner. Appeals are referred to Pat Landry who will give the owner advice on rectifying the problems
5. Final decisions on appeals are made by Council
6. If no action is taken to comply with a City order, the City makes the required changes to the garden and charges the owner for the cost of the work done.

Questions & Answers

Q. How can one avoid having a garden altered by the City as happened this past summer in another part of the City?
A. The above process should be followed. A detailed account of the mentioned case can be found in the Blazing Star newsletter produced by the North American Native Plant Society. You can obtain a copy by e-mailing your request to Harold Smith of NANPS at harpersmith@sympatico.ca or Dick Watts at fregal@total.net.

New Garbage and Recycling Carts

Mike Foderick introduced Kevin Vibert of the City of Toronto Solid Waste Management department who displayed examples of the recycling carts that are going to be pilot-tested on Highview Cres and Springmount Ave this coming month, and which all residents will be required to use beginning in the spring of 2008.

Kevin advised us that the City diverted 42% of our solid waste from landfill last year. The city aim for the coming year is for 70% diversion. The pilot program in Regal Heights area will give valuable information on how these bins will work in a hilly area with long, steep steps. More items are being continuously added to the list of recyclables so larger containers are now needed.

Recycle carts (blue carts) will be available in three sizes: 120 litres = 2 blue boxes, 240litres = 4 blue boxes, and 360litres = 6 blue boxes.

There will be no cost for recycling collection during the pilot or when the program is fully implemented city-wide. Items presently put into the blue or grey boxes will go into the blue recycling cart.

Garbage carts (black carts) will come in four sizes: 60 litres = 1 bag, 120L = 1.5 bags, 240L = 3 bags, 360L = 4.5 bags.

Currently you pay a garbage collection service fee as part of your property tax bill, approximately $209 annually per household. When the new program starts at the end of next year, each house will pay a garbage collection service fee based on the size of cart you have. Carts will be distributed free. A broken cart can be replaced by bringing it to any recycle depot as is the current policy. For more information about the new carts and the pay rate system, visit: www.toronto.ca/garbage/seventy/qu.htm and www.toronto.ca/recycling.

Questions and Answers:

Q. Will a landlord be able to charge the tenant for the cost of the garbage receptacle use?
A. In single dwelling units (up to 6 to 8 units) with rentals, the tenant should choose the size required and make arrangements with the landlord for payment.

Q. If my storage space will not fit the larger cart size yet the smaller one is not enough, or the larger size is too heavy for me to manage, can I request two of the smaller carts?
A. Yes. Staff is available to go out and problem solve on individual basis when cart use is not suitable. In fact, there already is a special service available for the elderly who have problems bringing their garbage to the curb.

Announcements

1. Regal Road School Portico plaque – Harry Lay announced that the heritage plaque has been mounted at the school entrance to commemorate the restoration of the portico and to identify the building as a heritage site. TDSB school trustee Maria Rodrigues expressed her appreciation on behalf of the school board for the work done by RHRA towards this effort.
2. “St. Clair West in Pictures” possible third printing – Dick announced that there is a meeting with Toronto Public Library representatives this Friday to further discuss a third printing of the book. The possibility is looking positive.
3. Mount Royal Parkette redevelopment – Mike Foderick announced that the redevelopment of the parkette is turning out better than many had expected. The steps at the Mount Royal entrance are now being constructed, sod has been laid, a table is in place and the locations of benches to be installed have been decided. Amy Bodman is chairing a subcommittee to look at further greening initiatives for the parkette. Anyone interested in being involved with this can speak with Amy.
4. Christmas Carol Sing, Friday December 21, 7 pm at OCI parkette – Brian MacConnell announced that this tradition was started by RHRA over 10 years ago. It is a wonderful opportunity for the community to meet for a sing-a-long, have some hot chocolate, see the police on horses, meet Santa, and greet their neighbours . All are welcome to join in the fun.
5. Membership & finances – Linda DeGiorgio reported that we received, to-night, a donation of $100, a donation of $25, and 9 new memberships. We now have 62 paid-up members for the 2007-2008 season, $110 in petty cash, $903 in the operating fund, and $805 in the heritage fund.
6. Policy on powers of the RHRA Executive Committee – At the Annual Meeting in May 2007, it was agreed that at the next general meeting there should be a discussion of "the powers of the executive to make decisions on behalf of the membership". It was agreed that since the member who raised the matter in May was not present at this meeting, she should be asked to prepare a statement or recommendation for discussion at the Annual Meeting on May 13, 2008. It was further agreed that until the matter is resolved, decisions of the Executive will be subject to the following procedures:
1. the minutes of Executive Meetings will be sent to all members as soon as possible after each meeting.
2. objections to any decision are given to the Chairman.
3. the Chairman, in consultation with all Executive members may confirm the decision, but in most instances he will stop action on the issue until the matter has been reviewed by a meeting of the Executive or by a meeting of the membership.

Other

TTC schedule – Mike was asked to give an update regarding the TTC construction.

Phase 2 of the construction work on St. Clair began in October 2007, from Westmount Avenue (one block east of Dufferin) to McRoberts Avenue (one block east of Caledonia). Sidewalk reconstruction will be completed first, followed by track reconstruction and roadway work.

Phase 3 of the project includes Vaughan Road to Westmount Avenue and Caledonia Road to Gunn’s loop. These sections are currently scheduled to begin in spring and late summer of 2008 respectively. The detailed design of these areas has not yet been completed, but it is anticipated that the existing stops at Glenholme and Northcliffe will be retained.

The meeting ended at 9 pm

Next regular Executive Meeting: January 15, 2008, 7pm at Harry Lay’s, 2 Glenholme Ave.