We can wonder – what is going on at City Hall with the Blue Bridge process? As we approach the one year anniversary since council received the Delcan Johnson Street Bridge Assessment report, what lessons have been learned? [...]
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 In a Christmas Eve reply to emails Geoff Young made an unprecedented local media moment by allowing jsb .ORG to publish his message. Since the completion of the January 4th counter-petition campaign, and the January 7th council meeting – and motion to seek costs and options for bridge repair – Councillor Young has received questions and comments, which resulted in a ‘common reply’ last week. [...] The Johnson Street Bridge petition campaign is over – the oversight and engagement continues. What are the next steps for council and the City of Victoria? Will they seek independent expertise for costs on bridge refurbishment? What is the date for a referendum, and…what is the question to be put to voters? [...] Victoria City Council met in a special meeting at 12pm on January 7th 2010 to receive the results of the Alternative Approval Process (counter-petition) against the majority vote to borrow $42 million to replace the Johnson Street Bridge. [...] Rob Woodland, manager of Legislative Services for the City of Victoria, presented a report to Council on the final petition count, and the details on a referendum should they choose to go ahead with the $42 million borrowing bylaw – No. 09-057. A referendum must be held by March 20th 2010, and he indicated a possible date of March 6th. Mr Woodland also noted that should council choose to introduce another borrowing bylaw, for either replacement or refurbishment, it will require the approval of the Provincial Inspector of Municipalities and the assent of the electors through a referendum. [...] Council will meet in a special session to receive the report from city staff (Legislative Services) on the results of the Alternative Approval Process. It is expected the report will conclude the total amount of petitions received against the bylaw to borrow $42 million to replace Victoria’s Johnson Street Bridge, and the number deemed valid under the petition guidelines. [...] It is a testament to the volunteers who canvassed for signatures over the Christmas and New Year holiday season, and in all weathers, that the number of signatures far exceeded the requirement. [...] johnsonstreetbridge.org Volunteers will be collecting petitions until Noon, then conducting a final count. At 2 pm we will leave the campaign office to deliver to Victoria City Hall at 2:30 pm. A number will be announced to the public and media. [...] In a Christmas Eve email Geoff Young responded to the many letters he has received over the City of Victoria’s comparison of Johnson Street Bridge repair vs replacement numbers. The document “Johnson Street Bridge: By the Numbers” was published by the City of Victoria just prior to the December 10th Council meeting – Article and Videos – during which Councillor Young introduced a motion to seek independent consultation on the current plans to replace the bridge. [...] Dressed for the weather with a wooly toque and rain jacket, Neils Lind stops by the campaign headquarters to drop off petition forms. Lind is one of the volunteers campaigning to force the city to hold a referendum before borrowing $42 million to replace the Johnson Street Bridge. [...] |
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