Any DECA members are welcome to come to DECA executive meetings. I will post the information about the next meeting in April. Here are the minutes of the last meeting.
DECA Minutes Meeting Tuesday January 25th, 2011
In attendance: Natasha Granatstein, Rachel Jolicoeur, Mary Vallis Cowan, Lorraine Cheng, Catherine Porter, Shelley Darling, Anita Schretlen, Sheri Hebdon, Steve Wickens, Sarah Kiriliuk, Peter Schmiedehen, Bryan Spratley, Kim Dolan, Cameron Gunn, Angela Matich, Cindy Rozeboom, Honey Dacanay, Tom Howell, Melanie Thompson, Michelle Silver, Melanie Ramsay and Alison McMurray
An introduction with just the DECA executive took place from 7:30-8:00pm as it was our first meeting after the election.
Safety committee:
Community safety walk planned
Self Defense class at Dragonz martial arts date tba
recruits needed for this committee – please contact Rachel Jolicoeur if interested
Farmers’ Market:
No barricades this year which frees up time and energy for more planning with festivals
1 volunteer per festival, easier to plan
Volunteers needed to help at the DECA table at the market – 2 hour shifts
see Alison McMurray or Cath Porter
Business Revitalization:
Cozy Café in need of help in order to keep them operating
Marketing plan and lighting key points
upcoming facelifts: Royal Beef
Catherine Porter would love to hear of any other hidden gems that could be put on the list
Arts Fair:
In it’s 3rd year, dates for 2011 – Sept 17-18th in East Lynn Park
volunteers needed see Mary Vallis Cowan
Especially want to have food this year either outsourced or as a fundraiser
Meeting at Mary’s house Feb 26 to help plan
BIA:
There is a new board and chair at the Danforth Mosaic BIA
DECA was not involved in the election process of the new board
Sarah K. was the liaison but has stepped down, Steve Wickens is interested in sitting in on meetings as an observer
The new chair will meet with Natasha and Steve and Sheri after the BIA meeting Jan 31st
Governance:
The terms of reference document needs to be updated
Sheri H. will email this out and invite comments
Want to clarify what is expected of members
Only DECA members can come to DECA meetings
Toronto East General Hospital:
DECA has been asked to give feedback on the renovation proposal for TEGH
many of the areas of the hospital are inefficient
DECA was asked to provide a letter of support for the renovation. It did and it mentioned the importance of a new hospital to our community as well as suggesting ways that TEGH could keep elements of historical importance such as the lobby in the design of the new hospital, including a multi-media archive that would be accessible to residents and honour those that have helped build the hospital through their generosity
Steve W. has also written a letter outlining the various elements of historical importance and has set up a date for DECA to tour the hospital
Website:
Angela M. has the website finished it just needs to be approved
There will be a paypal link and Peter will send her the membership form to be included
The pamphlet is also done but we need a printer to do the job
There is no Greening Committee, if someone is interested, please contact Natasha
Monarch Park
Steve W. would like to see improvements to Monarch Park especially the ice rink
He has met with Jutta Mason of Dufferin Grove to get ideas on how to make the rink more accessible to residents and more of a community space
He suggested a parks and rec committee to do an inventory of the spaces in the DECA area – Steve, Cath, Sarah, Honey, Angela, Alison, Cameron, Cindy, Anita
Cindy R. will help by adding cultural arts spaces to that inventory
Future plan to map this on the DECA website
Cameron G. expressed an interest in getting a fire pit going in East Lynn park and/or Monarch park – committee will investigate further
Sarah K. noted that a renovation to Monarch Park would be a catalyst for the residents there who have not heard of DECA
A rink committee for Monarch park was also formed consisting of Steve, Catherine, and Sarah
the quality of the ice is not good (bare concrete) and it is underutilized there are also issues with ice time
Mural
BIA money is needed to get the project get done as the city is more apt to do business if a BIA is behind it
proposed mural on south side of Danforth – Toronto Honda wall
2012 –Art of Danforth would like to include a mural in the event
Reskilling
Melanie T. is taking over the committee, info to come
TTC bus barn update:
Brian S. updated us that with a new mayor and new councilor and Build Toronto involved there may be some movement on this site
DECA to be involved in the planning process to see the space become a jewel in the hood
East Danforth Creative Collective:
Cindy R. updated us that the group is now non-profit so they can apply for grants and fundraise for future projects
It is a loose artistic collective and Natasha is on the board
Planning stages – Global Danforth music festival with music, dance and visual arts drawing on some of the communities that live in the hood
Cath P recommended that we have a showcase of that at the Farmers market
meeting adjourned: 9:32pm