(4) Did you know that citizen delegates can participate in Standing Committee meetings but they aren’t allowed during Council meetings? Administration accepts written submissions only. Every single individual knows the benefits of a virtual address over a written submission. Ms. Critchley has explained the Standing Committee is a statutory meeting and the Council meeting is not. Ms. Critchley goes on to explain she’s happy to tell Council why it’s difficult and it is a drain on city resources.
Council directs the counsel, not vice versa.
If the city has no resources, why is it attempting to pass a project costing at least $7M?
For these reasons you must DEFER the Celestial Beacon until at least 2021. You cannot be the Council that decides citizen input is not a good thing.
(5) If you watch the three videos, all available on the website, I encourage you to play a drinking game.
If you don’t drink, counting is fine. Every time anybody uses the term “public consultation” or “overwhelming support” do a shot. Everybody knows this city has a problem with the above terms and this project is a great example.
The survey the City made available online was designed to elicit support for what has already been presented. It allows for citizens to tweak the design of the streetcar museum. It is not a type of consultation, even in the times of Covid 19.
The results of this survey are not being made available until after the deadline for public, written submissions.
According to the City of Windsor’s own records (Appendix A, June 4, 2018 Council meeting) more people want the Trolley ANYWHERE ELSE than want it ALONG THE RIVERFRONT.
Due to these mixed messages, I ask you to DEFER this art installation. Be a united Council sending one specific message.
(6) The lack of financial accountability and transparency is evident in the plan as nowhere in the city’s report is there a mention of the crowdfunding campaign for the shelter. The page is still live. Was it successful? A failure? What happened to those funds? What is the status of the sponsorships? I asked this of my Councillor and publicly. Councillor Bortolin was confident this money would be accounted for in the city report. It’s not. Councillor Morrison has informed me this money is not mentioned in any paperwork in his possession. When a city’s administration runs a crowdfunding campaign (which I was always against) that city better feel an obligation to reconcile those contributions. I feel this oversight is indicative of how this project is being rushed. For this absence of information, you must DEFER the project and ask questions.
Council cannot remain committed to a bad idea because it was their idea (or that of previous Council).
Windsor faces immense problems due to Covid 19. Businesses want tax breaks. Small businesses need help. Some businesses have closed. This mayor was even a signatory to the federal government, explaining why municipalities need more money.
Windsor has a homeless problem and faces the challenges addiction represents to our city. While we have high unemployment, we continue to import talent. Service groups, citizens, are doing all they can to help our children in need. Windsor maintains one of the largest groups of children living in poverty.
The June 27 Miracle is striving to be the world’s largest food drive and fill our food banks. Is it appropriate to spend $7 million dollars in a park?