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.