CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNCIL
Report Number: MSB-O8--03
Date:9/04/08
From: Maurice S Brenner
Community and Social Advocate
Subject: Update on Community Engagement Inititiatives Pickering
Recommendation:
- Council receive Report MSB -08-03 “Update on Community Engagement Initiatives in Pickering” and the”Fairport Community News Update”
Background:
January 21st 2008 Report MSB-08-01 was presented to Council along with several delegations who appeared and recommended the following:
(1) Council receive the 125 “Traffic Calming Support Forms-figure 4 and Report MSB -08-01 “Traffic Calming on Fairport Road”
(2)Council direct staff to form a “Nieghbourhood Traffic Calming Committee” with representatives from “The Citizens’ Group for Traffic Calming on Fairport Road” to examine and recommend preferred “cost effective traffic calming options” and develop a “Traffic Calming Plan”
(3)And that this committee be formed and commence its first meeting no later than the second week in February at a mutually agreed up time and date
(4)Staff report back to Council for consideration of inclusion in the 2008 Budget any projected costs that will ensure commencement of the process to implement recommended outcomes of the “Traffic Calming Plan” set out in recommendation 2
At this meeting the report and recommendations was referred to staff for further review. In an effort to achieve our recommended time lines, to commence meeting no later than the second week of February, our group has been meeting almost weekly for the past few months while we wait to hear back from your staff.
Moving Forward:
We are now in the final stages of preparing our “Traffic Calming Plan” through the utilization of available community resources and by examining a range of North American models and hope to arrange for an informal meeting with Council and appropriate staff in the near future in advance of our formal presentation to Council expected no later than June 2008.
Process:
On Monday April 14th while we understand that you were not able to attend our April 14th Community meeting as it conflicted with your regular meeting of the Executive, this meeting provides the working group an opportunity to ensure adequate engagement and consultation prior to completing our final recommendations you.
Future Consultations:
As you are also aware I have been working with the Rosebank group and will be using the Fairport process as a method to help mentor this group who will build on the best practices we have achieved from Fairport. Through Councillor O’Connell the City Councillor Ward One , you will be kept informed as this how this process is evolving.
City Wide Engagement:
There is no doubt that through mobilization at the community all of us stand to gain as we will achieve positive results and influence how decisions are made at Council which is essential for real sustainability.
While those involved in the work of advocacy recognize that at times engagement may seem time to you as Council time consuming when delegations appear before you, I want to assure you our goal is not one of confrontation but community building through participatory dialog which as a former Councillor I believe is the true goal and vision for the City of Pickering.
Based on the calls that have been generated from many communities across Pickering since January, I welcome the continued opportunity to work Ward Councillors in a co-operative fashion..
The Fairport model is not a one off, since this is more than about traffic calming, its about community engagement, mobilization and empowerment and how this is taking off in all aspects of accountability in the City of Pickering
Prepared and Submitted By:
Maurice S Brenner
Community and Social Advocate
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