The city has found homes for eight sea-cans removed from downtown earlier this year.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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Public service committee members received an update Monday on the inaugural meeting between representatives of a ‘task force’ that is gathering bi-monthly for a six-month period to tackle ongoing problems surrounding downtown safety.
During these meetings the task force will provide recommended strategies to reduce impacts of homelessness, mental health, addiction and poverty within the community.
Public services managing director Joseph Hutter says two action items came from the task force’s inaugural meeting March 11, including an environmental scan of its participants, who range from government officials, police officers, health-care professionals and representatives from several social support groups.
“So we asked each member in attendance to provide us with some information on the work that their group has done, and then it’s our responsibility to take that information and summarize it,” explained Hutter. “Try to identify any gaps that we feel like the task force can address and then bring it back to the next meeting.”
Additionally the task force developed an application process to select two members of the public to sit on the board. As of noon Monday the city has received nine applications.
Applications will be accepted online until noon March 26. A link to the application page can be found by visiting the city’s website and navigating to the “Committees, Commissions and Boards” tab under the “Government & City Hall” section.
City staff say those applications will be brought to the next task force meeting April 1, and members will vote on the two members of the public who will sit at future meetings.
Sea-cans
The city says it has received 14 applications for proposals to repurpose one or more of the eight sea-cans previously located downtown at Towne Square.
The sea-cans were initially approved for removal by council last year after citing problems of vandalism, loitering and illegal activities.
According to city staff, five applications were successful in obtaining at least one sea-can, after proposals were evaluated using a 10-criteria scoring rubric for their use.
“There were some really interesting applications,” said Hutter. “Some were almost too good, where it didn’t seem like they’re quite viable, but the innovation involved was really impressive. It was really fun to see some of the applications.”
The organizations awarded the sea-cans are now working with the city’s planning development department to acquire permits. The sea-cans will have to be removed from the city’s storage yard along Kipling Drive.
Mustard Seed
The Mustard Seed will soon tour the locations of a future 24-hour shelter space after the non-profit was provided eight possible locations by the city’s land and real estate department.
The non-profit is expected to tour one or two of these locations within the next few days, says the city’s public services head.
“I would say they vary significantly in viability, but nonetheless, there were eight locations,” says Hutter.
The Mustard Seed was ordered to halt operation in January after falsities were discovered in permits.
