Minutes from the Long Term Planning/ Property Standard Committee meeting of September 23rd 2009

The Agenda items were outlined and the following discussions and comments were as follows:
  1. The BDNA now has a website (www.barriedna.ca) and it is the best tool we have to encourage people to sign up. It has a blog and forum section where you can discuss what it is you would like to see happen in the downtown area, and share your views and comments, and insight as to how we should go about getting these things done. The people who had signed up originally at the public meetings are not being contacted because of the privacy act. Their information cannot be disclosed to the BDNA as we are not sponsored by the City, we are a private Committee. We need your written permission to do so
  2. BDNA started about two months ago.  It is proposed to be a voice for the businesses and residents of the downtown area.  Issues regarding crime, and what we as citizens can do to help the police are part of our mandate. Also, questions as what would you like to see happen downtown, and how do we want it structured need to be addressed.
  3. Volunteers are needed. This committee needs a chairman, vice-chairman to set-up meetings and agenda, a secretary to take notes and minutes, a media person, and more committee membership. The above positions can be combined.
  4.  Officer John Parliament said there are some very good programs in place, which include:
    The Block Parent Program which is running strong, and has been expanded to include a Business Block Parent Program which not only caters to lost children, but also senior citizens.
    Neighbourhood Watch. This is basically concerned neighbours looking after the street in which they live.
    Citizens on Patrol Service (COPS). The BDNA could establish their own coverage area. This would involve citizens to patrol the downtown area on Friday and Saturday nights or any nights. If they see crime happening, they would contact the police. COPS training will be requested from Barrie police for a future meeting.
  5. Officer John Parliament talked to us about Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). A CPTED report, provided for free for businesses, schools, condo/apartment buildings, single family homes, etc., and is part of the Barrie Police Community Services. By implementing CPTED recommendations the goal is a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime, as well as an improvement in the quality of life”, (taken from a CPED document). Officer Angela Butler is the full time Crime Prevention Officer and will be CPTED certified in February 2010, and she can be contacted by calling (705)725-7025 ext. 2926.
  6. There are four ways to submit complaints to Barrie City Hall, Property Standards department:  email, phone, in person and mail (submission form is on our website). The form tells you what they are looking for.
  7. When calling the police for complaints on buildings or properties (graffiti, property damage, crack house, etc) call (705) 725-7025. There is also an “Areas of Concern in Your Neighbourhood” Barrie Police form on our website that tells you what they (police) are looking for from you. The fire department may be called also if there are building complaints (fire codes). If you want to be anonymous and/or would like a tracking number (for follow up at anytime) for complaints you can call Crime Stoppers. The phone number for Crime Stoppers is 1-800-222-8477.  
  8. The current project for street improvement is for Toronto St.  We expect Maple St. to be improved next year, at which time trees are being considered as part of the upgrade for sidewalks and streets.
  9. A volunteer said that they would talk to the manager of the LCBO to find out what their long term plans for the downtown location are.
  10. There was a proposal made to eliminate the “Nude Silhouettes” signage on Dunlop St.  We will ask about this at the next City Hall Council Meeting.
  11. A discussion occurred concerning trees and how they can obstruct vision and create problems and hiding places, some areas (Berczy Park and Heritage Park) were pointed out. If plantings (ground cover) were trimmed low enough and tree limbs trimmed high enough to give clear view in between, it would be considered appropriate for security and safety anywhere on public/private land.
  12. We were assured that the Police will be thanked for all their efforts in assisting us on the website.
  13. Education is part of our mandate.  It is important to be informed, and the BDNA website is a good place to start. We need ideas and thoughts, as there is a lot to be done in a pro-active way.
  14. Discussion was had that there is a concentration of Social Services located in the downtown area.  It was concluded that it was not necessary for all these services to be so close together.
  15.  A future meeting for the next BDNA Long Term Planning Committee will take place on October 21st, 2009.
  16. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m
Posted by Stephen Riddell at 10/2/2009 11:29 AM
Categories: Meeting Minutes
Tags: Meeting Minutes Long Term Planning and Property Standards
 

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