3 down, 4 to go
An update from my “2 down, 5 to go” post last month…
3. The Mayor’s Task Force on Waterfront Parking has completed its mandate. I presented their 17 recommendations in a report to City Council last week. Some simply ask the City to advance commitments already made, others suggest new initiatives or ways to improve existing programs.
The task force reviewed each suggestion it received. They were assessed according to a set of principles adopted at the beginning of the process. The potential impact on the local economy, taxpayers, social health, ecosystem and the White Rock “experience” was considered.
While all 17 recommendations were endorsed by the majority of members, 13 of them achieved consensus. 5 of the 8 members were appointed by the Business Improvement Association. Those representatives were in agreement with all 17 of the recommendations.
Parking has been a favourite topic of complaint for decades. These recommendations are a determined step toward addressing this Achilles heel of the waterfront business district.
4 – 7. I’m hoping the Spirit Square design will be resolved tomorrow, the Housing Diversity Task Force report will be in front of Council in a couple weeks, the cultural strategy and public art policy will likely be deferred until September, and the Spirit of the Sea Festival planning is progressing quickly. However, over 150 volunteers and at least $30,000 is still needed.