Archive for February, 2011
Council votes to re-tender pier project
Council has voted to find a new contractor to complete the pier, after learning that the bonding company for the current contractor has rejected the city’s claim on the $3.5 million bond to finish the project.
My take: The re-tender process and the litigation pose significant risks in cost and time delays to taxpayers, so I could not support it. I also believe a deal could have been reached with the contractor. Your feedback also influenced my decision. Since I wrote about this in January, dozens of you, including residents with significant experience in construction, engineering and law, have told me your prefer a negotiated settlement and abandonment of the legal action.
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Community rallies to save Freeman Station
Historic Freeman Station is safe from the wrecking ball – for now. Council unanimously supported my staff direction in January to put the demolition on hold to allow councillor Blair Lancaster and myself to form an ad hoc citizen’s committee to find a location, use and funding.
The committee cannot consider any locations previously voted on by council (Spencer Smith Park, Ireland House grounds and behind the Burlington Art Centre), and must find independent funding. The city has previously committed to paying relocation fees, which are about the same as the what the city would have to pay to demolish the station.
Already, many residents have stepped forward to get involved, pledging time, skills and money to the project.
Churches targetted for property taxes
Meeting TBA
I have learned from a downtown church leader that the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation is targetting some places of worship to assess their community gathering spaces (eg. parish hall) for the purpose of assessing property tax. This has already been done in churches throughout Ontario to disastrous effect.
Many churches offer their community space to local groups; if places of worship will now have to pay property tax on those spaces, the cost will be prohibitive to the church and the community group, and these important activities in our community places of worship will end.
I have contacted downtown churches, most of whom are very concerned. I’ll be hosting a meeting of community faith leaders, date and time to be confirmed, to discuss the issue and plan a coordinated response.
Cycling race proposed for downtown July 1
A local cycling organization is working to bring the 8-day Canadian Road Cycling Championships to Halton, with three events planned for Burlington. One of the proposed routes is along Brant/John/Lakeshore Road between noon and 7:30pm on Canada Day (Fri. July 1). Two routes are along Walkers Line north of 407, for Thurs. June 23 (10am-4pm), and Thurs. June 30 (9am-3:30pm). The last is along Waterdown and Snake Roads Sun. July 3, 9am-1pm.
I’m supportive of bringing sport tourism to downtown Burlington, but I do have concerns about the route up Brant St., which serves as a pedestrian walkway on Canada Day; and down John, through the bus terminal area. I’ve asked whether the route could be shifted to the east, so as to complement, rather than collide, with other activities int he downtown on Canada Day.
Please check out the articles covering issues that you've told me matter to you. I value your feedback on them because it informs the decisions I make. If you want to let me or others know about concerns or events in your neighbourhood, please get in touch.