Crime Prevention, Safety and Long Term Planning Committee

Barrie Downtown Neighbourhood Association

Thursday December 9, 2010

Present:  Sharon Cindy, Brian, Jayne, Amber, Mike, Karen, Nick, Rosie, Don, Jeremy, 

        Irene

Guest:  Susan Ley, School Trustee Ward 1, 2, 3

1. Minutes of Wed. Nov. 10.10 were approved.

2. Barrie Central High School Closing –

      Susan Ley provided the Committee with an overview of the ARC process and some

      of the realities of fixing up Central High School. The ARC Committee must look at

      the facilities condition, declining enrolment and the funding available to bring Central

      up to standard. The cost of replacing the 60 year old heating system would be 

      approximately $25,000.00.  Fisher Auditorium, which is not up to code, would have

      to considered as not part of Central.    One option is to build a new school on the

      same property.  There is the potential to partner with others to build a multi service

      facility.

      The Board and Trustees must look at changing numbers across the County.  Changing  

      school boundaries are hard to do.   Midland has approximately 18 empty classrooms

      and there are more in Penetang.  A high school is needed in the south end due to the

      expected growth in that area.  

     Arc meets with the School Board in March to present options.  There are three school    

     trustees in Barrie, one native trustee and 8 in the rest of Simcoe County.   Any

     decision must be made in the best interest of the students both at Central and across

     the County.

     Committee can help by sending letters and phoning Trustees (across the County),

     lobbying the Ministry of Education – (letters, emails), Aileen Carroll, Letters to the

     Editor of local papers.  The public can attend the ARC meetings – the next one being

     Jan. 25, 2011 at 7 p.m.

3. Parking Services and Rates in the Downtown - 

Mike is a member of a Committee wanting public input into a new parking policy for the downtown.  They are working with a consulting firm over the next 12 to 18 months to check peak parking times, fees and other related issues.   The Committee will make recommendations to City Council.

4. Updates..

 Downtown Bars, Released Offenders Transfer From the CNCC to the bus terminal  

 in Barrie, Drug Paraphernalia, Video Cameras, and the Bylaw for minimum 

 separation distances – no updates, awaiting the new City Council to be in place.

5. Next Meeting Date – Tuesday, January 25 at 7 p.m. at the Barrie Community Health Centre.  Special Guest – Aileen Carroll