Minutes from the Downtown Barrie Neighbourhood Association

Long Term Planning Committee meeting

Held November 18, 2009

Barrie City Hall

1.       New members were welcomed and introductions were made.

2.       Community updates:

-  Kathleen Reid has resigned as the Property Standards Chair Person.  Cindy Giller is chairing both   Property Standards and Long Term Planning Committees. We will eventually need someone to chair the Property Standards Committee.

-          Four more trees will be placed on Maple Ave. in temporary planters, as well as nine more trees to be planted on Maple Ave. in the future.

-          Fridge with a door still attached was removed after several complaints were made as this was an unsafe condition.  A tree stump was also removed.

-          Our association is asking for benches to be returned to the downtown streets.

-          We would like to see 6-10 benches on Maple Ave. next summer, but they are not as yet ordered.

-          We understand that that some downtown businesses resist the idea of the benches, so therefore we are trying to find ways to make it work for both businesses and citizens.

-          It was noted that the downtown area has a large mature population, who cannot walk long distances to banks and restaurants.

-          Discussions are underway to redesign the parking lot behind the Salvation Army. It is an area for problems as there is no lighting.  We have learned that putting in additional lighting is more complicated than anticipated because recent upgrades on Simcoe St. removed a power cable for this area.

-          It was agreed by the Salvation Army that new shrubbery, trees and benches will be put in.

-          Cindy Giller is in the process of organizing a downtown Barrie Youth Group, with the objective being to encourage our younger citizens to take pride in their downtown.

-          We would like to thank Mr. Rob Hamilton for having the nude silhouettes on the wall on Dunlop St. removed.

-          The Barrie (BDNA) will be hosting its 1^st Annual Christmas POT LUCK luncheon on Saturday November 28, 2009 at 12noon to 3pm.  It will be held at the Barrie Downtown Theatre Building/TIFT, at the corner of Bayfield and Dunlop.

3.      Suggestions:

-          It has been suggested that the Long Term Planning Committee work with the Historical Association as a way of providing mutual support.

-          As we are a non-profit organization, we are supported only by donations and fund raising, thus we have no way of financially guaranteeing telephone answering services and the monthly support of our website.  We are open to the offers of assistance in these areas.

-          We are suggesting to the city to send out a “MAP” to homes and businesses with directions as to whom to contact at city hall for your specific problems and concerns.

-          We are attempting to communicate and co-operate with the BIA to reduce conflict and duplication of services.

-          People should be encouraged to go out and talk to their neighbours and be active in the Neighbourhood Watch program.

-          It was suggested that a patron who is caught in any criminal activity or vandalism be banned from the local bars for a period of one year.

-          Bar owners and hot dog vendors are urged to clean up the public areas in front of their place of business after closing.

-          It was suggested that a Face Book Page might help promote our interests.

-           It was brought to our attention that there is a conflict between pedestrians and wheeled transportation (roller blades, skate boards and bicycles) on the Waterfront pathways, and serious injury to someone is almost inevitable.  A clear division of use, clearly marked appears to us to be the only workable solution. Your suggested solutions and comments are welcome.

-          It was noted that part of the downtown improvement should include a rigorous leveling of the sidewalks.

4.       Suggestions for next month:

-          Suggestions were made concerning individual property improvements.  It was decided to consult the property owners directly prior to make our efforts public in this forum.

-          Our Chair Person Cindy Giller is working diligently to introduce methods of involving our Youth in downtown improvements as it is their downtown also.

-          It has been suggested that the downtown landlords could form an association that would offer suggestions and assistance in a common effort for improvements, a benefit of which would be an increase in their property values.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30pm.