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Ward 19: Trinity-Spadina

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Ward 19 is just west of downtown and includes Queen West, Little Portugal, Trinity-Bellwoods Park and more, down to the lake.

Ward News

Meeting Minutes May 7
9 May 2012 - 14:05 herb

Nico attends Critical Mass

Twenty-five people showed up and Nico talked with some folks about the bike union. Some will attend the next one.

Jane's Walk Laneway Bike Ride

Rob and Herb led about 60 people on a ride through laneways in our ward. It was almost too large to manage but people enjoyed it. We've posted a link to the google map on the ward post below.

Bike Month

Rob is talking with Councillor Layton's office about the Bike with Mike event. They don't have a budget for valet parking but welcome tabling and help with the ride.

Official Plan

Rob and Herb will be working with a few people selected from the joint ward meeting to come up with principles for the Official Plan review. Connor request to attend and Herb will see if it's possible.

TB Farmers Market

Connor and Anthony will coordinate dates and supplies for the farmers market. They have told us that we can come every second Tuesday so long as they know in advance a batch of dates.

Biz card

David worked on a business card for the ward group. We can distribute it to people we talk to. Before we make a final version we'll wait for the new logo and url. Herb will ask Jared about a ward19@ email.

Ideas:

1. Charette on Improve Cycling on Streets with Streetcars

Bring people together (including experts from different disciplines) to brainstorm what to do about streets with streetcar tracks. Toronto has a lot of critical bike routes where getting bike improvements is very hard, including Queen, College, Dundas, King. All of them allow parking for most of the day. One large source of injuries for cyclists involves streetcar tracks and avoiding car doors and parked cars leaving/entering. We will choose ideas which we feel are easily implemented in our current political environment in the short-term.

2. Bike Parking on Private property

Work with local businesses to promote bike parking. Examples: Metro on College; Beer Stores, 7-Eleven. We could start with targeting just Beer Stores. Need some ideas of how to convince and who to approach. Ideas were floated on taking over a parking spot as a demo; talking with connection in Beer Store; having a package to distribute.

3. Promoting membership

Go to firms to sell business memberships. We need a package to help sell it.

We can also set a goal for ourselves on doubling the ward group membership (as paid?) within a year. Currently it's at 54 people.

Next Meeting: June 4, Monday.

At the next meeting we will discuss which of the ideas we want to pursue this year.

Reminder - Ward meeting tomorrow
6 May 2012 - 21:11 rdtarantino

Reminder that we will be having our monthly ward meeting tomorrow evening.  6:30 at CSI Annex, 720 Bathurst Street. Look forward to seeing you there.  -Rob

Jane's Walk - Hidden Laneway Bike Tour!
4 May 2012 - 20:57 rdtarantino

Ward 19ers, 

Please join us this Sunday at 2pm for an exciting adventure through the laneways of ward 19!  As part of Jane's Walk weekend in Toronto, the ward 19 group will be leading a tour through our laneways to see excellent graffiti art, discover hidden laneway houses, and just have a good time.  We'll start at Trinity Bellwoods gates on Queen. All the details can be found here: http://janeswalk.net/walks/view/hidden_laneways_of_ward_19_bike_tour/

Rob

Notes:

Google Map of the laneway tour and Map Image to print

Critical Mass and good idea
30 Apr 2012 - 19:18 nkoenig

Hello everyone,

I picked up some flyers and stickers from Jared of the union and went to Critical Mass last friday. Here are some thoughts of my time there:

  • Most folks I met were in the in a similar mindse that I was in my first couple years in toronto - they knew about the cycle union, didn't know exactly what the union did, wanted to support the union in someway, but hadn't made that extra step of signing up. A couple even mentioned they would if they were giving "just one more reminder" that they would do it.
  • Not a big turn out for the critical mass, maybe 25 people. It might have been the cooler weather or perhaps the general reminder about when it is. Someone mentioned that it wasn't advertised in Now, although it usually is in the warmer months.
  • Everyone was pretty friendly to chatting and many were interested in what the cycle union was up to, and what being involved would mean.
  • Next time I might think about signing up people's name and emails for people who aren't receving the news letters. 

One idea that was mentioned to me I think could be followed up with in regard to the next critical mass May 25th at 6:30:1) advertise critical mass on now magazine (i think we'd have to do that now or asap)2) invite matt galloway to join critical mass (it makes sense as it is the beginning of bike to work) 3) have a couple more folks from the union or our ward group say hi to folks.Keep in touch and see you at our next meeting,Nico

Trinity Bellwoods Farmers Market
26 Apr 2012 - 22:48 rdtarantino

Good evening all, 

At our last ward meeting we discussed setting up a table at the Trinity Bellwoods Farmers Market this year. Recently I was in touch with the Market manager who provided some details.  They allow one non-profit/non-farmer table per market day and we are responsible for bringing a table, chairs, etc.  Market days are every Tuesday from 3pm to 7pm rain or shine, starting May 8. Here is the website for more information: http://www.tbfm.ca/ 

If you are interested in participating in this please email me at tcuward19@gmail.com or by posting a response to this post. Our next ward meeting is Monday, May 7 and we can discuss more of the details then. 

Thanks!

Rob Tarantino

Meeting Minutes - April 16, 2012
19 Apr 2012 - 21:52 rdtarantino

Ward 19 Meeting Minutes

April 16, 2012

Present: Herb, Nico, Rob, David, Donald

*Next meeting - Monday, May 7, 2012 - CSI Annex, 720 Bathurst St. @ 6:30*

 

1. Community Environment Day

Recap from Ward 19 CED on Sat, Apr 14. Connor, Antony and I (Rob) set up a table at this event and met many ward 19ers throughout the day.  About a page and half worth of folks signed up for the bike union monthly email letter.  We had many great conversations with people about cycling in the city. About half I would say knew about the union already, and the other half were introduced to who we are and what we do. Thanks to Connor and Antony for helping out!

 

2. Bike Month

Bike month is coming up in June.  I believe the bike union is an official partner of the events.  On Sunday, May 27, 2012, Mike Layton will be holding an events afternoon at Christie Pits - 'Bike with Mike'. We have been asked to set up another table for the event.  I will contact Mike's office to find out what we can do and how we can participate more than just setting up a table. Volunteers are requested to come help out on the day.  More information to come. 

 

3. Joint Ward Meeting Update

Herb attended a joint ward meeting a few weeks ago where folks discussed the proposed Wellesley-harbourd separated bike lane.  Herb said the meeting was well attended.  Herb also attended the following joint meeting (held on April 17, 2012) and will update us about it at our next ward meeting on May 7.

 

4. Official Plan

The City is currently undergoing an Official Plan review and members of the bike union have been asked to think about and submit some recommendations.  We spent some time at this meeting looking over the 2012 Toronto Cycling map and discussing areas within ward 19 that can/should be improved, including: connecting routes, rail path, dundas-college-lansdowne intersection, bike specific traffic lights (with those cool little bicycle icons), Robinson-Trinity Bellwoods, underpasses, etc. We are clarifiying whether our OP suggestions should be general principles or specific details, and it may be a bit of both.  If you have any suggestions for OP amendments within the ward, please post a reply to these minutes. Herb and I will continue to work on this project. 

 

5. Trinity Bellwoods Park Farmers Market

We talked about having a regular table at this event throughout the spring and summer.  We can set up a table and get the word out about the union and our ward group.  I will look into when the day/time is and please let me know if you can come out for one of these weekly farmers market events to work the table.

 

6. Jane's Walk (Ride)

Jane's Walk is happening May 5-6.  We discussed how to increase ward membership and participation more generally and thought it would be a great idea to put on a Jane's Ride in the laneways of ward 19. The idea would be to lead a relaxed bike ride through the laneways of the ward and end up somewhere for some drinks/eats at the end. Herb has offered to lead the ride; I will be working on the route. Someone (who would like to do this?) should work on some advertising, including: getting our event on the official Jane's Walk website, talking to Mike Layton to get an event listing in his next monthly ward email, possibly NOW magazine listing.

 

7. Ward Membership More Generally

We also spoke about some other ideas to increase ward membership/participation.  Nico will be attending the next critical mass ride and hand out some flyers or buttons. David and Donald will be looking into developing some ward information cards. There was some talk of a ward facebook group, or perhaps just advertising our ward group on the bike union listserv. Other ideas welcome. 

 

Thanks again to those who came out to this meeting!

Upcoming:

*Bike Union AGM - Wednesday, May 2, 2012 @ 7pm - CSI Annex* -> come out to vote on new board directors (I am running for a spot!) and, of course, vote on the hotly debated name change from Toronto Cyclists Union to Cycle Toronto. Hope to see you all out there.

 

*Next meeting: Monday, May 7, 2012 @ 6:30pm - CSI Annex*

Rob 

on behalf of Ward 19

Community Environment Day - Volunteers Wanted!
1 Apr 2012 - 20:10 rdtarantino

Hi Ward 19ers, 

Our ward's community environment day is coming up on Saturday, April 14, 2012 and our ward cycling group will be setting up a table.  We're looking for volunteers to come out and help at the table, meet with other ward folks, and help promote the cycling union and our ward 19 group and initiatives. If you're interested in helping out or coming out for part of the day that would be great!  The event is from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, and we'll likely need about half an hour before and after to set up/down.  It's going to be held at Fred Hamilton Park, along Shaw St south of College.  If you're interested please email me at tcuward19@gmail.com. 

Hope to see some of you out there!

Rob Tarantino 

Ward 19 Events Coördinator 

 

Community Environment Day
1 Apr 2012 - 19:56 rdtarantino

Join Mike Layton and community members (including the bike union's ward 19 group) at Ward 19's Community Environment Day!

Saturday April 14, 2012

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Fred Hamilton Park:

http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=fred+hamilton+park&hl=en&fb=1&gl=ca&hq=fred...

Meeting Minutes - March 26, 2012
27 Mar 2012 - 23:08 rdtarantino

Ward 19 had a good meeting yesterday and here are the minutes:

Attendance: Herb, Dave, Connor, Mallory, Rob

Agenda:
(i) structure of ward group;
(ii) report from recent joint ward meeting;
(iii) update on Strachan Avenue;
(iv) post and ring bike parking;
(v) BIXI

We spoke about regularizing our Ward meetings so that people can plan and put them in their schedules.  We decided to pick the first Monday of each month to hold our meetings.  Location and time will stay the same: 6:30 pm at CSI-Annex 720 Bathurst St.  We decided to have one in between meeting, though, which will be held on Monday, April 16, 2012, same time and place. After that the meetings will be the first Monday of each month (e.g. May 7, June 4, July 2 - although that may be a holiday so we'll reconsider when we get closer). 

(i) Ward Group Structure

We decided to transition structurally from two co-captains in the group to a more decentralized structure with various people taking on responsibility for different roles.  Herb remains our Ward Captain and fearless leader; Mallory volunteered to lead communications; I (Rob) will be responsible for events/campaigns; and Connor is our new Director of Special Projects.  This isn’t meant to be a closed system; rather, we invite others to take on jobs or share responsibilities with us for various campaigns, projects, tasks, etc.  If you’d like to get more involved in Ward activities, please let it be known!

(ii) Joint Ward Meeting Report

Herb attended a recent joint Ward meeting with Wards 19, 20, 27, and 28, which he reports was a good meeting to discuss what different ward groups are doing and possible joint projects.  One issue on the agenda was providing submissions to the Toronto Official Plan.  This will be addressed more at the next and upcoming joint ward meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, 7 - 9 pm, at 35 Charles St W in the Recreation Room (level 2, buzzer number 313). All are welcome and encouraged to come out to this meeting.

We need to confirm when the deadline for submissions to the City is for the Toronto Official Plan, and we can discuss this more at our next ward meeting (April 16), which will be the day before the next joint meeting.  We spoke about setting out a list of priorities or principles such as connecting bike lanes in the ward.

(iii) Update on Strachan Avenue

This has been an on-going project of our ward group to improve the bike lanes on Strachan and the intersection at the waterfront trail.  Mike Layton joined us for a ride last year to see the street and its areas from improvement. Dan Egan, of City of Toronto Cycling Department, has seen our report and recommendations.  We will need to follow up with Mike and try to push this along.

(iv) Post and Ring Bike Parking

Sounds like this issue will take the place of this year’s ward audit.  We spoke about the need for more bike parking in our ward at particular locations.  We decided that we could organize a time to ride around the ward and identify areas where parking is needed.  We also spoke about soliciting other ward 19 residents for their feedback about bike parking at community day events this summer.

(v) BIXI

The Bike Union has launched a site to mark new locations for BIXI stands.  Ward 19 can participate in this and check the BIXI map to identify locations in our ward where more BIXI stands could be put.

(vi) Miscellaneous

We also reviewed some of our on-going campaings and projects.

- We submitted a set of recommendations to the Coroner’s Inquest back in November 2011.  There may be follow up work to do; otherwise we will await the Report.

- Outreach at Trinity Bellwoods Park.  We discussed setting up a tent/booth at farmer’s markets and other events in TBW this summer to meet other residents and promote the Bike Union and our ward group.

- Bike Month is coming up in May-June.  We discussed what we could do and perhaps join up with Mike Layton on his community day/event.

That’s all I have for the minutes.  For those who were there, please add in anything I forgot.

We hope to see some more of you out at our next meeting on April 16!

Rob

Ward 19 Meeting - moved to Monday, March 26, 6:30pm at CSI 720 Bathurst
14 Mar 2012 - 13:19 herb

Let's have our first Ward 19 meeting of 2012! There was a slight mixup and it is now going to be on March 26, 6:30pm at CSI, 720 Bathurst. Though things have been relatively quiet in Ward 19, things have been afoot in other wards plus there are cooperative campaigns that we'll be doing with other ward groups in 18, 20, 27 and 28.

Let's meet at CSI, 720 Bathurst, (room to be determined). Coffee, tea and water are available. Please pipe up if you're able to bring some snacks.

Our agenda:

  • report on joint 19, 20, 27, 28 meeting (including Wellesley - Harbord separated bike lane)
  • update on Strachan improvements
  • potential bike parking campaign
  • We want more BIXI campaign
  • key project ideas for 2012 (for bike month, etc)

See you there!

Call 416-912-6130 if you have problems finding us at CSI.

Email Councillor Mike Layton
Phone: 
4163924009
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