More police and better taxi and bus service are keys to easing late-night problems of drunkenness and public urination in downtown Victoria, says Mayor Dean Fortin's Late Night Task Force report.

The total cost for its recommended six-month pilot project -- covering mostly police and bylaw-enforcement overtime as well as security, signage, public awareness and communications -- is estimated at $215,100.

"There's a huge cost to our downtown that we need to address, and we recognize that that's the cost that comes with making sure we have an active and vibrant downtown," Fortin said yesterday.

The task force recommends that an additional four police officers, which it hopes will be augmented by reserve constables, patrol the downtown entertainment district on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights on an overtime basis for a six-month trial.

It also calls for enhanced co-ordination with bylaw officers and liquor inspectors, and urges the province to increase fines for liquor-related offences.

The task force report, to go to council later this week, also calls for a six-month pilot of three managed downtown taxi zones, beginning in December. The first will be located near the McPherson Theatre. The others are to be located just north of the Strathcona Hotel and near Bastion Square.

The taxi zones are to be well-lit, with public washrooms or urinals nearby and personnel to supervise queuing and monitor crowds. Food vendors will be encouraged to set up operation in or near the zones.

Implementing the report's recommendations will cost $38,100 this year, which can be paid out of surplus funds. But new funding is needed amounting to $178,000, including $133,000 in police and bylaw enforcement overtime costs in 2010, says a staff report going to councillors Thursday.

Fortin said the money will be found within existing budgets by shifting priorities.

"We're hoping that through six months or 12 months of enforcement ... we're going to see a culture shift," he said.

Rather than being heavy-handed, officers will try to be more welcoming to people legitimately enjoying the downtown, police Chief Jamie Graham said.

"But there's no excusing or tap on the shoulder for people who are urinating all over your front door or your walk. Those people get a ticket. And if they do it again, they go to jail," Graham said.

The report also calls for the city's support for B.C. Transit's three-month pilot of late-night weekend buses, beginning in January, and encouragement of alternative transportation options such as mini-buses, limousine charters or chauffeured-ride-home programs such as Call-Mom or Dial-a-Driver.

The Task Force is recommending a number of actions by licensed establishments, such as: increased training for bar staff; having on-site security stay longer to better manage crowds; increased compliance with liquor rules; expansion of Barwatch to all bars and clubs; developing a "best bar" certification scheme and reviewing and augmenting the Serving it Right program.

It also suggests public-awareness campaigns to promote positive image of the downtown, including branding of the "Late Night Great Night" concept.

The report recommends enhancing the late-night experience downtown by providing more public urinals (fixed or portable); encouraging more late-night eateries and food vendors; reviewing and amending city bylaws and policies that may be barriers to expansion of food stalls or later closing hours for food services and encouraging events that do not focus on alcohol.

Finally, it recommends establishing a "Late Night Great Night Victoria" co-ordination committee, comprising downtown stakeholders and led by the Downtown Victoria Business Association, to develop a vision for the downtown.

Fortin established the task force in May. It included him, Graham and Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe.

Meetings with stakeholder groups, information-gathering meetings and downtown fact-finding evenings identified a number of problems, including: excessive intoxication, vomiting and spitting; vandalism; fighting and other aggressive anti-social behaviour; crowded streets after bars close; excessive noise; drinking and driving, and public urination.

The task force rejected a number of suggestions because there was little to substantiate their effectiveness. Those included: staggered or extended closing hours for bars and clubs; a tough police approach rather than a welcoming philosophy, a higher minimum drink price and increased business licence fees