Council day and it's a full one!  Civic engagement strategy, Cecelia Ravine Park, Garden Suites policy and Climate Action Reserve Fund.  Animal control bylaw review - what do we do to help curb animal over population like rabbits and stray cats?

A full and busy day yesterday - but a great respite was to meet with actress Tea Gill (Queer as Folk, Proof) and Director Brian Richmond and artist Richard Bell. Tea is currently starring in "Streetcar named Desire" at the Mac! Off to Moss street Paint in - weather today... still "Awesome"!

Wow, Thursday's City Council agenda - we are looking to legalize jaywalking downtown, sterilize bunnies, promote public art, rezone a provincial water lot, do more pubic urinals, and control cruise ship emissions.  Thats just the morning!

Bringing welcome to the Canadian Authors Association National Conference today. Great to meet Canadian Author Patrick Taylor.  Then a ceremony marking the national historic Pemberton Operating Room at Royal Jubilee.  This afternoon, off to Courtney to play a weekend of ball!

A realitively clear day - just 3 or 4 mtgs and then City Council mtg tonight . Time to did into that pile of 600 or so emails!

Spending the evening with James Bay Residents, finding out what makes their hearts sing about Victoria and heart ache. Concerns about homelessness and employment, high rents and cost of living - love James Bay and all the great people that live there, and protecting what makes Victoria special - heritage and liveable neighbourhoods.

Today we announced the external advisor to the Victoria Police Department, who will review our use of force policies and issues, including our cell block procedures.  Vince Bevan is the former chief of police for Ottawa.

The fundamental role of the Police Board is civilian oversight – it is there to make sure we are running the best police force possible.  This kind of internal audit is an important step in this effort .
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It was fabulous to meet Governor General Michele Jean and participate in the fleet review this weekend.  Her term is just about done, no hint who will replace her.  She is warm and very genuine.

Today we receive the Johnson Street Bridge technical reports and costing on the refurbishment option and updated costing on the replacement option.  CBC radio tomorrow morn at 7:10.

Working on setting up an economic steering group for Victoria.  Preliminary meetings with the Downtown 2020 group and the executive of the Chamber of Commerce last week.  read more »

I have been invited to give a presentation on "Economic Development that Works" by the Union of BC Municipalities - its a real credit to the people we have in the GVEDA.  Thanks Sasha!

Continuing with our Strategic Planning today, then mtg with Esquimalt mayor to review policing options between Victoria and the Township.  Close out the evening with a Council meeting.

Breakfast with Chamber of Commerce reps David Marshall and John Juricic, talking about developing Victoria's Economic Development Strategy, and links to the OCP.  Then Oaklands Parent Appreciation celebration. 

9 am meeting with Downtown Victoria Business Assoc reps on the Downtown Plan and boundaries, legislative district and impact of Uptown development.

Interview with Paul Seal for Vibrant Victoria on late night transit.

Core Area liquid waste mtg at 10:30 to discuss and choose siting for sewage treatment plant, followed by CRD Hospital Board and CRD Board mtgs.

Special incamera mtg with police services to talk about recent police audit and Victoria/Esquimalt arrangements. 

Home for supper!

Tomorrow morning, a very special mtg with Sister Margaret and her group of first nations homeless, looking to stay clean, one day at a time... a few warm words of support - anything to help.   It is called Retreats in the City.

Council recieves the Johnson Street Bridge consultation strategy,and the  BC Transit presentaion of the future of public transportation in Greater Victoria  at GPC tomorrow.

Today: Sewage treatment at CRD, Transportation committee and Urban Development Institute members mtg on the downtown. Tomorrow, special council mtg to get the results of the Ipso Reed poll on what Victoria's think about the Johnson Street Bridge.

Tree planting ceremony with Mayor of Morioka Japan at 11 today in Beacon Hill park, and then off to the opening Ceremonies of the Highland Games!  Sun just peeked through - lets go Victoria!

Thank you for the recent editorial on the pressing need to address the radio performance issues being experienced by police officers in Victoria and Esquimalt.

As an important point of clarification, the recently commissioned study by the City of Victoria was independent of both CREST and Victoria Police and was conducted in an effort to bring closure to conflicting reports from both parties respectively.  read more »