Minutes – February 17th, 2016

The SoHo Community Association met on February 17th, 2016 at the London Roundhouse.

Present:

 

Bursch Laurie
Hamm Nancy
Innes Ellen
Edwards Jamie
Lukach Angela
Kress Maria
McCaw Tracy
Landowski Beth (Guest)
O’Hagan Britt (Guest)

 

    • Angela called the meeting to order at 7:07

 

  • MOTION:  Jamie made a motion to approve the previous minutes, seconded by Nancy, the motion passed.

 

    • Britt O’Hagan joined us from the city to talk about the Four Corners project
      • The city is still in the RFP process for the adjoining lands
      • The city is developing the streets to prepare for revitalization
      • Last year, Colborne St. was rebuilt
      • The corner of Colborne/South is called the “Four Corners”
      • Mixed residential/commercial use
      • South street to Wellington will be the “South Street Promenade”, with enhanced pavement pattern, similar to the treatment on Colborne.
      • The city will be building some unique lampposts with banner arms and possibly banners
      • Downtown and Hyde Park have similar banners
      • The project is going out for tender within a couple of weeks
      • Jamie suggested putting out a survey to the members, forwarding the results to the city

 

  • MOTION:  Jamie made a motion to create a survey and send it out to our mailing list, providing four options (Black, Gold, Deep Green, Blue, from the provided handout), seconded by Laurie, the motion passed

 

      • Jamie will provide details of the infrastructure renewal project to Maria
    • The Great Lakes Blues society has applied for a $5000 sparks grant for the shindig
      • Looking at the sunday following rock the park – July 17th
      • Volunteers are needed, please contact louise at louiseneighbourhood@gmail.com
      • First meeting was last week on Monday
    • Pathways are going ahead with a mural project on the side of a building in the neighbourhood that they have acquired
      • They are applying for a SPARKS grant to fund the project
      • Volunteers are needed to paint it
      • The building is located on Horton st across from the Boys and Girls club
      • The mural will be located on the west wall of the building
    • Jamie gave an update on the SoHo Market
      • Change of day to Tuesdays
      • Change of location, hoping to find space at Horton/Waterloo
      • Jamie spoke to Jeff Preston, who teaches a nonprofit marketing course at Fanshawe.  He may be able to get students to help us with a marketing plan.
    • Cheri’s going away party
      • Thursday the 18th at 7:30 at the restored Victoria Tavern (at South/Maitland)
    • Jamie has spoken to the urban league to get the discussion going on possibly working together to purchase Directors and Board insurance to reduce costs.
    • Angela introduced an idea – “SoHo Day”
      • The idea was brought forward to have a neighbourhood wide yard sale
      • There would be a map with all of the sales
      • In the afternoon there would be a community event
      • Can’t do June 4th – OEV is then
      • We need to also consider Old South, we don’t want to conflict with Gathering on the Green.
      • There’s the opportunity to work with Ryan Craven on his book launch
      • Pictures at day, movie at night – Beth from the city can help with reserving the screen, etc.
      • We could sell hot dogs, hamburgers
      • Volunteers for the subcommittee – Laurie, Nancy
      • We can solicit more volunteers via email
      • First meeting will be March 21 at 7pm at Nancy’s house (354 Hill)
    • Nancy and Angela went to a presentation by Libro on the prosperity fund
      • They have grants available to food security initiatives
      • The money wouldn’t be available until next year, but we could use it for the market in 2017
      • The money could be used as seed funds to expand our operations
      • There is also potential funding available through Padre Frank Mantz, who is a trustee for an organization with an endowment of $300k who are seeking organizations to make donations to.  The market subcommittee will explore this further.
    • We discussed additional possible sources of grants to get funding for the market and other projects
    • Angela introduced the 100 houses project.  The Salvation Army is undertaking a project to find permanent homes for 100 of their emergency shelter bed users.  http://www.lfpress.com/2015/10/16/salvation-army-centre-of-hope-executive-director-nancy-powers-stands-outside-of-the-wellington-street-help-centre-in-london for more details.  Those who wish to participate should contact the Salvation Army.
    • Laurie noted that Nancy makes damn good squares and requested that it be entered in the minutes

 

  • MOTION:  Jamie made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Nancy, the motion passed