Canvassing in the SoHo Community

Touching base in the SoHo Community of Ward 13

It’s been wonderful seeing so many familiar faces while my team and I canvass in SoHo (South of Horton), and hearing the good-news stories from the residents of this vibrant neighbourhood. For instance, the revitalization of Nelson Park, located at the south end of Clarence St, has given neighbourhood children (and their parents) a new place to play and meet. I was there on a Wednesday evening, and found three families still at play and it was getting dark. One of the adults commented that the new playground had become very popular, and every evening this summer has been a gathering place.

I visited the Middlesex London Housing Corporation building at 241 Simcoe Street for the open house and barbeque celebrating their Communities in Bloom project. Congratulations to all the participants on creating this lovely spot.

More good news from SoHo is about the Red Antiquities building on the corner of Wellington and Hill Streets. This one-of-a-kind heritage building had been threatened with demolition. However, it was purchased this summer, and plans are underway to restore and renovate the 137-year-old building. (You can read about what’s happening at http://www.redantiquitiesbuilding.com/.) It was one of the many intriguing stops during this year’s Doors Open London.

The neighbourhood, like many others in our Ward 13, continues to have its challenges, but with the continuing work with the City on the Community Improvement Plan, and the strong and growing SoHo community association, I expect more exciting developments.

Zero Tax increase over 4 years??

That is the question:

The issue raised of a zero increase over four years is old and easy for a candidate to suggest when serving only one term. We had zero increases several years ago, with no tax increases for two years (1999 & 2000.) Therefore the council I came into was forced to increase taxes by some 8.1% and 6.6% with a total of over 15% in my first 3-year term. Since then we have reduced increases consistently and slowly lowered them to inflation or less with this year at 1.8%. Council also set a spending cap to reduce the debt servicing cost and this is now helping to keep the taxes down.

Costs do increase with inflation therefore we must control spending but a zero tax regime would mean significant cuts to services including fire services and policing (49% of the average tax bill is made up of London Police Services, Social Services, London Fire Services and Debt Servicing costs.) Yes, we must cut our costs as many of our residents and businesses are facing severe hardship. Zero taxes means either significant cuts in service or deferring debt to another council, thus putting the pain off to later taxpayers.

I seek public input into our spending priorities and that is why for each year that I have been on council I have attended forums across the city listening the taxpayers of London to help us set our spending priorities. All of us would like a world where we have no increases but unless we budget wisely we face significant service cuts. I am serving on our Services (finance) Review Committee set up this term and chaired by my colleague Nancy Branscombe. This review of finances runs year round and independently of the budget process. This committee examines every service department for overlaps, efficiencies and savings.

Council made sure our complete budget is on the city website: www.london.ca

Urban Forestry in London

New Urban Forestry Section Created at City Hall

Through the Service Review Committee a number of recommendations to improve our forestry services, provided to Londoners and streamline many administrative and operations processes, will be implemented over the next year. As a member of the Review Committee I have long been concerned that we must create more efficient services in this area of the city and this means we will be more cost efficient too.

One of our priorities is to create an Urban Forestry Section that will oversee London’s “urban forest” and direct all aspects of tree planning, planting and maintenance. Many of you will understand the need for this both from the public perspective and observation of how our staff are stretch thinly.

The Urban Forestry Section will be established in the Planning Division under John Fleming and headed by Ivan Listar – Manager of Urban Forestry. The new Section is located at 383 Richmond St. Suite 1102 , where Parks Planning & Design is situated. Roadside Operations will continue to maintain our trees and will expand their role into tree planting operations. Urban Forestry will have an increased role in strategic planning and development of policies, guidelines and standards.

This one of the first major changes to come from our Services Review Committee, chaired by my colleague Nancy Branscombe. The purpose is to work through all city service to find efficiencies and saving to provide even better service to Londoners. It is pleasure to serve on this committee and meet many of our management team who are also working to find ways of meeting greater demands from our knowlegable citizens.

London's Festivals

London's summer rolls out such a variety of Festivals. And we are privileged to see and hear a wide range of great artists both local and international. Whether you take in London's International Children's Festival, SunFest or Home County Folk Festival and many have said, it was their best ever this year Londoners are an appreciative crowd.

Coming up we have Rock the Park, Rib-Fest, London Pride Festival and then Festival of India Afrofesta, Festa Italiano, East Coast Festival, and on to LOLA in September and Lighting the Lights in November. I name just a few. Recently on the Festival Review Committee, we found festival culture alive and well. City staff meet at least once a year with festival owners and the community or as requested to discuss on going programing, logistic and scheduling. Interestingly with two big festivals behind us neither SunFest nor Home County sort to extend their hours.

Council Chambers & Accountability

Londoners have long been concerned by the fact that they cannot see or even hear what is going on at Council. They also want to know how their councillers are voting. Londoners also seek a public posting of topics under discussion. Last year a Governance Task Force reported to Council their concerns on these very issues.

The Task Force strongly recommended priority be given to improve public accessibility to Council proceedings. This means posting of the topic under discussion; electronic voting so that you know who voted for what; live stream recording of proceedings and the ability to see the councillors faces during debates. Other recommendations included reducing the use of paper agendas, currently an environmental issue to say the least, and accessability to The Council Chambers.

Council voted unanimously for recommendations to upgrade chambers sighting the need for public access to information and proceedings. Given the current chamber was never public friendly, even in the 70's, it is high time the public see what is transpiring in their City. I welcome the upgrades that will bring us to the 21st century for all constituents to benefit. Our Council must literally be seen to be accountable.

SoHo and the South St. Hospital lands

One of several Soho community meetings discussing plans and dreams for the neighbourhoods.

The South Street hospital lands present a wonderful opportunity to grow and enrich the community. A community with neighbourhoods all within walking distance of the local shops, the Downtown and the beautiful south branch of the Thames river must be designed and planned with the residents involved.

I have added the London Free Press link:

http://bit.ly/c8bHG1

Municipal Election News Release

News Release

For more information call 519-660-0828

Judy Bryant, Ward 13 Councillor, Seeks Re-election in
2010 Municipal Elections

Bryant Registers Her Candidacy on January 4 as City Clerk’s Office Opens for Nominations

London, ON, January 3, 2010 – Judy Bryant officially announces her intention to run for re-election in Ward 13 in the 2010 municipal elections.

Since Bryant’s election as Councillor of Ward 13, she has been heavily involved in major city and neighbourhood projects. Councillor Bryant, as a board member of the London Downtown Business Association, is advocating the development of the current Downtown Master Plan. She supports and is involved in many neighbourhood groups, including SoHo as this growing and engaged community plans for future development and revitalization. In total, she has been active on 16 committees, including the Planning Committee (chair in 2008), Environment and Transportation Committee, London Heritage Task Force, and the Urban Design Steering Committee.

Councillor Bryant’s focus will be to continue to help grow London by supporting sustainable development and vibrant neighbourhoods. “I am really proud of London. With its strong business community, neighbourhoods, educational leadership, and cultural depth, London is great place to live,” said Councillor Bryant.

Councillor Bryant was first elected in 2003 in Ward One, under the former system. She was later re-elected in 2006 as councillor of the then newly formed Ward 13. She lives in the downtown area on Hyman Street, which is within the newly formed West Woodfield Heritage District.

“I’ve had a successful four-year term, but there is still much to do to ensure London continues to grow. The changing economy and the need for more sustainable cities will be amongst the challenges we need to tackle as we move forward,” she concluded.

To speak to Councillor Bryant, please call 519-660-0828

Downtown Master Plan Study

Downtown Master Plan, update

In the spring we had a wonderful turnout to the first Public Participation meeting held at the Museum London. City planners are working on the input from that meeting. I encourage you to have your say now on the City web site survey as the next public meeting has not been set. If you live or work in the Downtown or surrounding areas I'm interested in you feed back. I have championed this Master Plan process because Downtown belongs to everyone and it is 10 years since the City has undertaken a comprehensive study and developed an up to date vision and strategy.

http://bit.ly/CBHNB

Top right for the survey

SoHo Community Planning update

SoHo Community Planning 

(photo taken at 2nd meeting)

Residents of the SoHo community came together again this week for SOHO ’s 3rd Community Planning meeting.  The community meeting began by drawing from the work done at the two last SoHo community meetings and elaborating on vision ideas for SoHo .  Many of the things people love about SoHo are encapsulated in some community guiding principles:

Developing the connections and relationship between people and places.

Enriching SoHo ’s community and heritage and the connections to Downtown and The Thames river. 

In a collaborative spirit, this meeting reviewed the community’s desired vision and guiding principles for the SoHo area.  To work towards that vision, 9 strategic directions were identified in the economic, social and environmental realms.  Below are a few examples to give you a sense of some of the items that we discussed.        

“Create strong mainstreet commercial corridors along Wellington and Horton”

“Identify opportunities for places & activities that foster community interaction.” 

“Enhance the public realm, including streetscapes, public spaces and infrastructure”    

               Along with the residents all the meetings are well attended by City staff including the two principals planners John Fleming and Lou Pompilii and the city Urban designer Sean Galloway.  Parks Planning Landscape Architect, Julie Michaud also presented two park enhancements that will be made next year. ie Meridith Park and Richard B. Harrison Park.  There will also be public input sessions to refine need and directions for these well used Soho Parks.

 The City web site, www. London.ca will also keep you up to date with progress. 

Heritage Districts;

Do they work? Reported in the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario newsletter sent to me today are some answers.

Heritage Districts Work! - Report Now Available

A major project on Heritage Conservation Districts (HCDs) undertaken by the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario to determine whether they are meeting their goals is now complete.

The conclusion? Heritage Districts work! By in large the goals set for individual Heritage Conservation Districts have been achieved. Satisfaction with living and owning property in districts is overwhelming; with seventy-five per cent of respondents indicating that they were either "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with living in an HCD. A study of sales trends showed strong real estate performance in HCDs, especially those where HCD guidelines are consistently enforced.
www.arconserv.ca.

http://bit.ly/Pd8FY 

Residential Licensing Program

Residential Licensing Program:
The by-law is set to come into effect on March 1, 2010.

Council approved (13/17 ) a rental residential licensing program. The Program specifically and only targets: ‘rental structures containing four or less rental units and converted dwellings’. Please note this program will not apply to apartment buildings, stacked townhouses, or townhouses. The intention of the by-law is to ensure that the health and safety of all the tenants are met, and that tenants are provided with essential services (such as heating and water). Additionally, the by-law strives to see that rental premises do not create a nuisance to surrounding neighbours and residential communities.

You might be wondering how all this will work?

Landlords who own property with four rental units or less, or who own converted dwellings will be required to apply for a license from the City of London to continue their rental business. To apply landlords will complete a checklist provided by the City to ensure that all property standards and regulations are met on the property. The City of London ’s by-law enforcement officers will perform random inspections to make sure the property does indeed meet standards. The by-law (aside from inspections) provides other ways which safeguard against falsely completed checklists and applications by landlords. One such method will be the use of duplicate checklists signed by the tenants of that property.

Here are some examples of what would be on the checklist that landlords would fill out;
Roofs are in good solid condition:
Foundation is strong and stable:
No major cracks in walls:
No signs of visible mould:
Etc.

As always any increase in rent above the guidelines set out by the Landlord and Tenant Board of Ontario, must be approved by that agency first. Only an “extraordinary” increase in taxes or fees from a municipality can be claimed as a legitimate reason to increase rent. Please note the cost to landlords is $25 per building

This by-law has come about through lengthy consultation with all stakeholders. The By-law has been amended considerably because of the consultation. Unfortunately many landlords posted inaccurate information about the by-law and this created panic and confusion for many. If you have any further questions please call me.

Urban Structural Plan: London, On.

Urban Structural Plan:  What is that?  http://bit.ly/LYVED Paul Berton summarizes it in the LFP today!

London’s Urban Structural Plan is perhaps our most important Planning document.  The Plan ultimately coordinates the Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural sustainability of our communities.  

The Plan is the missing piece in London that has frustrated me over the years.  Without an Urban Structural Plan there is no reference point for so many of our decisions at Council. London's population of 360 deserves such a plan. 

Building a great Livable City requires Planning out to the distant future.  Our Community Plans including The SOHO Community Plan and The Downtown Master Plan now have a planning context for decisions.

Stay tuned; I am a very excited Councillor. 

LOLA

LOLA: London Ontario Live Arts festival.

September 17, 18, 19, 20 2009

LOLA Eve: Gordon Monahan, Judy Bryant, Paul Wald, 

Gordon is setting up for "Two pianos talking to each other"

in Victoria Park.

All power to the LOLA team for bringing together another great line up of events.  Four year ago I attended the first LOLA in Downtown London.  It was a wet and chilly night and now this 2009 promises to be super fine.

Visit the schedule of events and cool map: http://www.lolafest.com/home/map/

or call 888 915 5652

Kick off at MacIntosh Gallery on the UWO campus,  6pm Friday

...check Doors Open London too!

Do London! Doors Open London

Doors Open London

September 19 & 20,  2009

10am - 4pm | Admission FREE

Event Map and Guide available at DO London Headquarters 

Eldon House Interpretive Centre at 481 Ridout Street North

Eldon House is also home to London Heritage Council

Check out the cool Web Site

www.doorsopenlondon.ca

*Ride tourism London's Bus

*DO London Restaurants

*For Kids

*Tips for the Weekend

Take in LOLA too!

Plastic piles up in the oceans

If you ever wonder where all the plastic and other garbage ends up when it is washed down the storm water sewers into the rivers, streams and lakes and then out to sea check out: http://bit.ly/jNdzx

In recent times huge garbage patches were discovered in the Oceans. The two biggest patches (Pacific Gyros) in the mighty Pacific Ocean combine to form a massive area the size of USA.

London City Council has made a number of small moves to encourage us to reduced our plastic usage. This is elementary in terms of influencing behavior. For example London City Council was the first in Canada to eliminate selling plastic water bottles from City owned facilities. We will need to do more!

Housing CO-OP

Mary Campbell CO-OP

A Co-operative Housing Community Celebrates 25 years of 

Co-operative Living.

In the co-operative spirit 64 apartments in three separate buildings form a self governed corporation.  15% of the units are held for members on a rent geared to income plan.  Member participation in the running of the co-op helps to build a strong community and keep housing charges low.

The Mary Campbell Housing Co-operative Inc., was named in honour of Mary Campbell, a well know feminist and social activist in London, who died in 1982.

Blackfriars Restoration

I am excited to share with you great news about the Bishop's Mansion on Central Ave.  The house commonly known as "Blackfriars' was bought from the Roman Catholic diocese by an ambitious group of four.  They have transformed this 1875 Italianate style grand home into deluxe condominiums.  

Congratulation to the owners  for seizing an opportunity to save an impressive piece of London History.  The grand home now provides a living history in London thanks to a creative team of owners, designers, artists, builders, artisans and trades people!

Clearly a 21st Century life style can be accommodated in homes that retain their elegance and historic presence in the streetscape.

Welcome to my blog

Welcome to my blog.  I will use it to help keep in touch with you by letting you know what is happening at Council, in the City and in our surrounding communities.  

Like many of you I live, work and play in the downtown and surrounding area.  I often get to talk to you when I am out walking and this helps to inform me of issues and concerns in our neighbourhoods.