Sandy Hill in action
Notes from the Action Sandy Hill Annual General Meeting
Ralph Blaine & Christine Aubry
On May 30 about 35 people gathered at the Sandy Hill Community Centre to attend the 2024 Annual General Meeting of our community association, Action Sandy Hill (ASH). Our city councillor Stephanie Plante and some of her staff attended and the meeting was chaired by departing ASH Chair Louise Lapointe.
What follows does not pretend to be a comprehensive record of the meeting – just a few highlights that stood out for us as attendees.
Amendments to the ASH By-Laws
Several amendments to the by-laws were presented by the Board of Directors for approval.
Size of the Board of Directors
In the existing by-laws (before these amendments were voted on) the Board had a minimum size of 10 directors and a maximum of 16. The Board has had problems getting a quorum for their meetings and wanted to lower requirements.
The proposal was to amend the by-law so that the maximum size remained 16 directors and the minimum was set at 5 directors.
A quorum is achieved if a majority of the directors are present.
Election of the Chair (Formerly called the President)
In the existing by-laws the Chair was elected by the membership at the Annual meeting.
The proposal was that the Board of Directors would elect the Chair at the first meeting of the Board after the Annual meeting, assuming that the incumbent has completed their two-year term.
Other changes of an administrative nature were recommended, such as replacing him/her references to they/them.
The AGM approved all the by-law amendments presented. The newly amended by-laws are available on the ASH website.
Committee Reports
Community and Social Services Committee
This is a new committee for ASH. Among other things, it maintains contact with various social service organizations such as the Sandy Hill Community Health Centre, Centre 454 etc. They are also working on trash/litter problems on the north side of Sandy Hill (north of Laurier Avenue).
Planning and Heritage Committee
Lapointe explained that this committee was not able to meet regularly and needs a new Chair, so could not submit a report.
By-law Committee
This committee also did not hold meetings and is in need of a Chair.
Environment Committee
This committee is planning to undertake a tree survey in Sandy Hill to determine the need for new or replacement trees. They also hope to encourage the City to take a more proactive approach to replacing trees that have had to be removed.
The working arm of this committee if the Tree and Greening Group, working on depaving and planting new gardens on commercial properties.
Membership Committee
ASH membership declined by 26 in the past year and is now a notch above 200.
Town and Gown Committee
The chair noted that this committee addressed the disruption in our community caused by student Panda game celebrations in past years. This year the Panda parties took place on campus.
Election of Board Members
Six new directors were elected to the Board. They will join the directors from the previous Board whose term has not yet expired.
Lapointe did not seek re-election so the Board of Directors will be appointing another Chair at their next meeting.
Comments from the attendees
There were many questions for ASH as well as for Councillor Plante, including:
- Why is the focus on waste management and by-law enforcement seemingly for “Sandy Hill North” and not all of Sandy Hill?
- Why is by-law enforcement not proactive, when officers can drive through the neighbourhood and easily spot problem properties?
- Why are trees not automatically replaced by the City when they are removed, instead of relying on property owners to make a request?
- Can the Cleaning the Capital event focus on the “disaster” that is Somerset Street?
- How do we get more benches installed throughout the neighbourhood, as can be seen in other neighbourhoods?
If you have similar concerns, or others, and are not yet a member of ASH, visit the website www.ash-acs.ca. Members receive the newsletter and meeting notices.
You can also get involved by joining a committee. Committee members are not Board members and do not need to attend all of the board meetings, only occasional committee meetings.
These people will be standing up for Sandy Hill in the coming year
The folks above will give time, thought and energy this year to support and defend Sandy Hill “as a diverse, historic, and green community within a vibrant neighbourhood.” There will be monthly meetings, committee projects, special event responsibilities and, in Megan’s case, hours with the association accounts. If you care about the community, join Action Sandy Hill at ash-acs.ca and attend some meetings, in person or online. Chair Louise Laplante, Bryan Dewalt, Kendra Eyben, Glenn Grignon and Jessica Silburt, who have just retired from the board, we say thanks!
Front, left to right: Nicholas Harrison (new); Jerry Sabin; Megan Reilkoff; Patrick Munro (new); Michael Barnes. Back, left to right: Mikaela Kennedy (new); Marilyn Whitaker; Arto Keklikian (new); Calla Barnett. Missing: Fernando Melo.
Photo: Philippe Owen