The Grounds Committee is in need of new members. We welcome members who are curious and have low or high level of commitment. Come check us out and see if it’s for you. Just email us for the next meeting date. SHCgrounds@shaw.ca
MARCH BOARD BYTES
Board Bytes March 2023
Submitted by James Jordan
Vice-president of Sunnyhill Board of Directors.
03/08/2023
Hello friends and neighbours, the board had their third meeting of the year on the usual 2nd Wednesday of the month. James, Joe, David, Don and Robert chaired. Also in attendance was our Property Coordinator Jose.
We took minutes, we assigned some tasks, cast some votes and I took notes. I might use too much creative writing but I’ll try to boil everything down so it’s easy to digest. But if you have questions about the Board Bytes please fill out this online feedback form -- CLICK THIS LINK or send an email to SHCdirectors@shaw.ca. Maybe Include “Board Bytes” in the subject.
This report is about the meeting on March 8th 2023. But the board has weekly check-in meetings to improve our efficiency. These unofficial meetings are working well for keeping on top of deadlines, response time and task management. Once a month was too slow for the bureaucracy involved. The second Wednesday of every month is the official board meeting with quorum, minutes and agenda. All parties present and discuss updates from the committees that report to them. If you don’t know which board member your committee reports too; send an email to SHCdirectors@shaw.ca.
CIWBR (the Canadian Institute of Workplace Bullying Resources) has been engaged and they are preparing a survey for all our members to get to know our community a bit better. We are working together on some questions to include. Linda and Anneka have met with some members regarding current conflicts and disputes. They have proposed a plan for mediation and potential resolution. The board discussed their proposal and voted in favour of moving forward. It's a game of inches but the movement so far has been encouraging.
Our Policies have been under review for some time now and we have to make some modifications and updates to remain relevant. The First of these was our
Conflict of Interest policy. At the next GM we will be able to vote on it and officially change it. Then there will only be 119 pages to go. A committee will be formed to present these updates to the membership piece by piece for review and discussion and approval.
Speaking of which, the next GM will be a Budget review. It wi May and details are evolving quickly. We hope a third of the meeting will be fun, a third will be discussion and a third will be business.
Planning and Development and Buildings need to meet with the board. We hope to discuss the current state of our development project, scheduled maintenance and Structure of Governance.
The Social Committee is hosting a St. Patrick's Day party on March 18th. Invites will go out by email and posted on facebook. Contact gabrielasemail@shaw.ca to volunteer.
Member involvement is down again and we recognise the dedication of the volunteers who are devoted to this community and believe in its enduring spirit of Neighbourhood. Thank you for your hard work and valuable time, we thrive together because of your selfless devotion.
This is my first time writing the board bytes and I am excited to write more; but it’s like journalism and I want to tell you what you want to know. If there is something you want included in my next article I have made a google form for feedback and constructive criticism – CLICK THIS LINK. Please refrain from grammatical or spelling notes, I get it, everyone who lives here writes books. Congratulations Rachel Rose, "Creating Stillness" is an inspiration.
Conflict of Interest Policy
Board of Directors
At the General Meeting in January, we discussed privacy policies. The discussion at that meeting pertained to a void regarding "conflicts of interest" and the need for a more robust policy for the membership. The attached document is what we have come up with. Our question to you, "will this work?" Your feedback will determine if this can come to a vote at a future general meeting.
St. Patrick’s Day Party
Submitted by Rikia Novotny and Gabriela Laszlo on behalf of the social committee
Mark your calendars for March 18th from 4-6pm for the social committee’s St. Patrick’s Day party! Come for a drink, a visit and a bite to eat. All ages welcome!
We send out event details by email from the office. If you are receiving the newsletter but not the event emails, please check the office has your correct email address. We also post on our Facebook page — please let Gabriela know if you have not been added to the group yet (gabrielasemail@shaw.ca).
Applications are Open for a Federal Rent Payment Assistance
By Helen Wirrell on behalf of the Finance Committee
This is a link to an application for one-time Federal rent payment assistance that was sent to Finance by Bob Bott. At Finance's last meeting, it was thought that we should make members aware of this in case they wanted to try applying.
Please note that the maximum income is pretty low so we don't think that many would qualify, but hopefully it could help some.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/taxes/child-and-family-benefits/top-up-canada-housing-benefit.html
Social Committee Looking for New Members!
By Gabriela Orban on behalf of Sunnyhill Social Committee
The Social Committee continues to look for new members. Please contact Gabriela at gabrielasemail@shaw.ca if you are interested. Or maybe you’d like to organize a specific event but not be fully on the committee? Or perhaps you would be available as a setup/cleanup helper at events or a “runner” for shopping/picking up supplies? We want to know about that too!
We are in the process of planning some events, stay tuned for details!!!
Ice Melt for All!
By Yvonne Sabraw on behalf of Sunnyhill Grounds
We are experiencing a great deal of melting and freezing this month!
Grounds purchased several green bins that now have Ice Melt in them. There are 3 along the pathway from 4th street to 3rd street that goes past the office. There is another one on the pathway in front of the 1-bedroom units, and two along sunnyhill lane next to the dumpsters. We would like to get feedback from members about where more might be needed. Another green bin is in the shed waiting to be placed once we know where it is most needed.
We suggest that when members are going to be walking around the co-op that they bring a disposable cup with them and scoop ice melt or gravel from one of the bins which they can sprinkle in front of them as they walk to provide a bit more traction and to aid in ice management generally. And if there are any big problem areas on common pathways and sidewalks please have members email Grounds so we can give those spots some attention,.
Join the Snow Clearing Crew
By Yvonne Sabraw on behalf of the grounds committee
Sometimes necessity is the mother of invention! And it can certainly be an inspiration. On that note, the sudden departure of our snow removal contractor has prompted a bunch of Sunnyhill members to come together to create the Snow Clearing Crew as a subsection of the Grounds Committee. At minimum we hope to manage snow clearing over the short term when we do not have a contractor, and if things work out this could become our norm.
If you have ever wondered, “why do we pay so much for snow clearing every year when we could do it ourselves?” now is the time to step forward.
We have a core of people willing to organize this, but we need shovelers. Once we know how many hands we have on deck, we will organize sections to be cleared.
We are still working out how to clear the larger parking lot areas and the north section of Sunnyhill Lane, but if we have enough people pitching in all of this could be done by hand.
Get outside! Get some exercise! Meet your fellow members at the time of year when it can be hard to connect with neighbours. Be part of something bigger than yourself! (Okay - maybe too much inspiration there)
If you think you can help out, please send a quick email to shcgrounds@shaw.ca and indicate your interest. We’ll be in touch from there.
Education Committee Seeking New Members
Submitted by Chris Taylor on behalf of the Education Committee
The Education Committee is currently looking for new members to supplement our great group! Please contact Chris Taylor at tommythecat19@hotmail.ca.
What Goes Where – Residential Recycling and Disposal
Submitted by Bob Bott
The City seems to have improved its web page What goes where--Residential recycling and disposal search tool. It’s full of useful tips anytime you want to get rid of odd stuff like coffee pods or plastic cutlery.
Ground Committee Update: Don't forget those outdoor faucets!
Another quick reminder to make sure the INSIDE valve for your OUTSIDE water faucet is closed for the winter and the outside faucet is left open. These basement pipes can freeze and burst in the winter if this is not done.
Yardworx will again be clearing our snow this winter. Any issues with their service that need immediate action should go to the Office Coordinator Monday - Friday. On weekends please email the Grounds Committee (shcgrounds@shaw.ca)
We welcome any feedback members have regarding our contractors, as this helps us when considering contracts, so please send your concerns and kudos regarding Yardworx to Grounds email through the winter as well.
Two Robert's Rules Sessions Hosted by the Ed. Committee in August 2022
Both sessions were really informative and The Education Committee would like to share the video with Coop members who were not able to attend. Click on Roberts Rules to view!
Welcome new members!
Submitted Jaime Muneoka on behalf of the member selection committee
We would love to welcome new members Rikia Novotny and family (sons, Henry and Adrian) to unit 849 as of October 1. We wish our outgoing members, Mark Terrell and Ann-Marie L'Arrivee, all the best!
Grounds Committee Update
Submitted by Yvonne Sabraw on behalf of the grounds committee
We are all enjoying the extended summer, but preparations for fall and winter are well underway.
You'll notice that the picnic tables and the immovable bench in the common space have been repaired and spruced up. Thanks to those who took on these tasks! We ask members to please take care of these items as they are so useful to our membership and would be very expensive to replace outright.
Thanks also to everyone who came out to weed and then move mulch into the Food Forest and then move mulch under common space trees. Some of the trees along the 7th avenue sidewalk now have more mulch than they need and members are welcome to scoop some of that up for their own use.
Please continue to deep-root water the trees around your unit while the ground is not frozen. It has been a long, dry summer and our trees need that moisture. Let a sprinkler run over the roots (not right up against the tree trunk) for 1-2 hours, once per week.
When the temperature does drop to consistently below zero, please make sure your outdoor tap has been turned off from WITHIN your unit and the tap on the outside left open so that water does not freeze and expand in the pipes. Basement flooding occurs from such frozen pipes! If you have any questions about how to do this, please contact a Grounds member or a Buildings member who can come and help you.
We are going to try a new approach to the management of our Snow Removal contract this winter, and then the lawn care contract next summer. These contracts will now be handled by our Office Coordinator who is in a better position to respond to members' immediate concerns and communicate efficiently with the contractor because he is on site weekdays. If you have information you want to relay Monday-to-Friday about snow removal, such as areas that have been missed, checking when the crew is expected on site, commendations for work well done, etc. please call or email the office (sunnyhill@shaw.ca). On weekends, please continue to address concerns to the SHCgrounds@shaw.ca email address as we check our email daily to be able to respond in a timely manner to members. At the time this is being written, we still do not know which contractor will be hired for snow clearing. We are waiting for the Board to review the bids then finalize and sign that contract. Watch for an update in the November Newsletter.
When you are planning for spring flowers, please be very mindful about using "wildflower" seed packets that don't explicitly name the seeds that are contained within. The City Website on invasive plant species warns about the packets containing seeds for such species as Himalayan Balsam and Creeping Bell Flower which are NOT native and can be bad for the native species we want to encourage.
The Grounds Committee always welcomes new members to our crew. Winter is our period of planning for the busier seasons, so it's a great time to start on Grounds and contribute to the planning process, learn about how things work, and get to know the other Grounds Committee members. Just email us for the next meeting date - we set the dates to work for our committee members!
Pancake Breakfast at Sunnyhill Lane
Submitted by Phil Cox
Join us on the lane for a celebratory pancake breakfast next Sunday, October 2, at 11am!
What to do if you see drugs or needles or people using them
Submitted by Belle Auld, Education Committee
We recently had an incident of what could have been someone using drugs in the Coop. They left behind the remains of a small fire, broken glass, empty prescription bottles and a white powder.
The Needle Response Team came and cleaned everything up for us. It turned out that the white powder was probably not drugs, according to the team, but best to be safe.
So, if anything like this happens again, please phone: the Needle Response Team at 403.796.5334. They are open 7 days a week from 7 am –3 pm.
If you need them outside those hours, please leave a voicemail. Often DOAP Team will cover the Needle Response line after 3pm. Jose in the office has their business cards.
If you see someone who is very intoxicated or high and you are concerned for them or yourself, please phone: The DOAP (Downtown Outreach Addictions Program) Team at 403.998.7388. Open 24/7.
Also for your information, from the Safe Needle Disposal Information Guide, “if you get poked by a needle:
Let the wound bleed as much as possible
Flush the area with flowing water
Wash the wound well with soap and warm water
Call Health Link – 811 – or seek medical attention for an assessment.”
Thanks to Helen Wirrell for reporting the incident.
Special General Meeting
Join Zoom Meeting on September 25, 2022
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88988637157?pwd=cG5IdmhiNTZDcGQyd0pJRkJmQlJuZz09
Meeting ID: 889 8863 7157
Passcode: 572619
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Motion for Special General Meeting:
Whereas CMHC has confirmed that Sunnyhill is eligible for funding under the Federal Community Housing Initiative to assist members with housings costs greater than 30% of household income
It is resolved that Sunnyhill accept this offer as a supplement to our existing internal subsidy program.
Background:
This would be a Special Resolution, requiring a two-thirds vote of members present for a general meeting. The motion could be amended or withdrawn depending on which of three possible scenarios (outlined below) receives majority support from members attending the special general meeting.
In August, Sunnyhill received confirmation that we were eligible to receive funding from CMHC under the Federal Community Housing Initiative. The funding is to be used to assist low-income households with their housing costs to ensure that no household pays more than 30% of its income on housing charges plus heating (natural gas).
To receive the funding, Sunnyhill will have to make an annual income report to CMHC including individual income declarations from the households receiving funding. Sunnyhill would have to show how we distributed the funding to the eligible members.
Sunnyhill has until September 30th to accept the funding for the current year. Accepting could provide significant additional revenue to Sunnyhill--tens of thousands of dollars annually.
As a result, members need to consider the following three scenarios.
Sunnyhill accepts the funding and suspends its internal subsidy program until the funding is no longer available. (Note that this option might complicate and negatively affect our current redevelopment negotiations with the City and funders.)
Sunnyhill accepts the funding but maintains its internal subsidy program and uses the funding to increase the subsidy for households that would still be paying more than 30% of their income on housing and heating. (Planning and Development Committee recommends this option because it would not further complicate our redevelopment plans.)
Sunnyhill refuses the funding and maintains its current subsidy program. (This option would negatively affect those members currently spending more than 30% of income on housing and heating.)
We advise members to study the attached documents outlining how the program works and what assistance is being offered. The pros and cons of the program will be discussed at the general meeting prior to voting.
“The Lane” - Sunnyside’s Newest Destination Hotspot
Submitted by Yvonne Sabraw
If you haven’t had a reason to come check out the finished construction along Sunnyhill Lane, you really owe it to yourself to swing by and take a look. This is the culmination of the City realizing it had to extend the sewer system to go further than just a few metres north of 7th Street. Those of us on the Lane got to watch some serious construction since early June, alll very exciting if you like big machines digging deep holes.
And now, in keeping with “if you build it, they will come” - the newly paved Lane is teeming with kids.
If you’re a kid, what’s not to love about an expansive flat surface where there used to be holes and gravel? You can bounce a ball, You can run barefoot. Your wheels can roll so fast you can glide like the wind.
The chorus of voices suddenly crying out in unison, “CAR!” Is music to our ears - a spontaneous moment of harmony. Where once fierce opponents battled each other in two-on-three ball hockey, or raced down the lane - scooter versus rollerblades - there is suddenly cooperation, the priority now to keep each other safe. And as that car passes, neighbourly interaction: the driver rolling down her window and asking incredulously “Have you kids seriously been at this since I last saw you three hours ago?!” And being reassured by laughing faces “oh no, we did go in for lunch!”
The timing couldn’t have been better for the reopening of a paved Sunnyhill Lane that now has a full-length sewer system to drain the puddles (some would say small lakes) that plagued us. Well before the onset of blustery fall weather, with plenty of summer days left for our community to make the Lane our own, we’ve been throwing around ideas of basket ball hoops and painting the pavement to encourage interactive activities and discourage vehicles speeding. We are hoping to host a gathering very soon to celebrate our new space - perhaps an afternoon tea with scones. Stay tuned for the date.
Grounds Update
Submitted by Yvonne Sabraw on behalf of Sunnyhill Grounds
Thanks to everyone who came on short notice to the Food Forest Weeding and Mulching weekend! We got the job done and still have mulch to spare, so members who want some for their yards are welcome to help make the pile disappear.
A small Gardening Club crew has been monitoring the common spaces for Creeping Belleflower and carrying out search-and-destroy missions for that and for thistle, but we are still expecting members to dig out these weeds from their own yards and along their fence lines.
With a little luck, this month we will have a local artist creating a mural for us on one of the garbage enclosures on Sunnyhill Lane OR 4th Street (the artist is still determining that). Details will be sent to the membership by email from the Office.
Grounds welcomes new members to our committee - get in touch with us at SHCgrounds@shaw.ca and we'll let you know when we meet.
Yvonne on behalf of Sunnyhill Grounds
Food Forest TLC Day!
Submitted by Debbie Willis
We got our mulch and we’re ready to take care of our food forest!
Please join us on Saturday, August 20th at 10am at the food forest to do some weeding and mulching.
Shouldn’t take long if we get a few helping hands!
Thank you!
The Grounds Committee