James Bay Neighbourhood Association

An on-going Beacon feature on land use & planning - to alert, inform, and prompt community action - and to celebrate success!

The relaxed atmosphere of the February 2009 meeting of the James Bay Neighbourhood Association (JBNA) was a notable change from the general fare of development proposals each month. Instead, members had an opportunity to consider presentations on two topics of community concern: the Needle Exchange Program and the criteria for Public Art in Victoria.

Needle Exchange

The presentation on Needle Distribution and Recovery by Katrina Jensen from AIDS Vancouver Island reiterated much of what is now known about the high direct ($200,000) and higher in-direct (up to $1mil) medical costs per injection drug user in the region. The Needle Exchange program, with a proven record of reducing rates of infection, while assisting addicts into treatment programs, continues to struggle for program space and funding. Jensen reports that, while other organizations have accepted increased responsibility for services previously supplied by the Needle Exchange, they do so at greater cost in health care dollars, and with increased cost to the health of people trying to access needed services. Further discussion focused on the problematic relationship between dealer and addict: if drugs were legal, addiction could more easily be treated. As long as senior levels of government decline to take action on this critical health issue, local government can provide only makeshift solutions to the problem.

This presentation has resulted from intense public discussion regarding two recent high-profile public art installations in Victoria: “Memory” by Maury Baden at the Save on Food Memorial Arena and “Commerce Canoe” by Illarion Gallant in Bastion Square.

You are invited to view the works and join in the discussion at www.PublicArt.ca.

While there is concern regarding public art being forced upon the community, the issue of “donations” of artworks, with even less process, has not been raised.

What if you had to vote in a municipal election in order to have a voice in a public art process?

Liaison

A warm welcome was extended to re-elected City Councillor, Pam Madoff, who has been re-appointed liaison between the City and the JBNA.

Committee Reports

Executive

The Board reported on a recent strategic planning exercise, which provided an opportunity for members to examine strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the organization. A recruitment drive for new & younger members, positive actions or projects to raise the JBNA profile, and renewed connections with the other community organizations are part of the action plan. More effective meeting protocols are to be implemented for monthly meetings, with time limits for both presenters and individual questioners. New policies (for use in conjunction with the constitution) are to be finalized and posted at www.jbna.org/.

QoL

The inaugural meeting of people interested in forming a Quality of Life and Environment Committee (QoL) was held in February, following membership endorsement of this initiative at the January’09 regular meeting. A draft Terms of Reference document, which was reviewed and critiqued by meeting participants, will be amended and altered for presentation to the March QoL meeting.

The Workplan will focus on:

1. A plan to obtain direct input from residents into priority quality of life issues.
2. Consolidation of existing information, both qualitative and quantitative.
3. Identification of information gaps and effective methods for closing gaps.
4. Pursuit of those strategies that would be most effective in leading to environmental improvements and mitigation of adverse quality of life impacts.

The Terms of Reference and the Workplan Format for the Quality of Life and Environment Committee must be approved by the JBNA Executive prior to presentation to the JBNA.

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for the first week of March. Anyone interested in participating in the QoL initiative should contact Brian Scarfe at brianscarfe@shaw.ca or 250-360-0300.

Parks Committee

The Urban Forest:

Over 165 residents attended two Urban Forest Management Plan public workshops, held Jan. 20 and 24 at City Hall. Over 200 surveys were completed through the workshops and the city’s website; survey results will be available at www.victoria.ca/urbanforest. When a draft Urban Forest Management Plan has been completed, more workshops will be scheduled..

According to a neighbourhood tree cover map displayed at the public meetings, James Bay had a tree cover of 19.1% in 2005. Fairfield’s tree cover was 21.3%. The lowest neighbourhood tree cover percentage in the city was Downtown at 3.4%. Rockland had the highest percentage at 33.8%. Of 200,000 trees in Victoria, about 40,000 belong to the City.

Damaged Tree – Douglas and Superior:

A boulevard tree at Douglas/Superior, which had been fenced off to protect it during construction, has been seriously damaged. The City is expected to levy a significant penalty to the developer using a new costing formula which includes social and community values. Costs of $25,000 were recently assessed for tree damage at Vancouver and View.

Close to 135 residents attended a February Open House at New Horizons to review five concept designs, developed to reflect input gathered from James Bay residents in the fall. Several of the designs feature a natural area and creek which might, in the distant future, welcome salmon back to James Bay.

Lewis Park (Lewis at Luxton):

A public meeting was held in February to discuss the mid-block pocket park on Lewis St. with a thru walkway from Luxton and aging play equipment. The Parks Department scheduled the meeting to learn how the park is currently being used, and to solicit suggestions for improvement to the area from near-by residents. A second open house will be announced to review concepts developed for the park. Interested residents should contact Deborah Bate at 250-360-0607.

Next Month:

Join us on March 11th at 7pm at New Horizons for presentations on: - the proposed Victoria International Marina by a representative from the VicWest Community Association, and - programs and plans for the future of the James Bay Community Project. http://www.jbna.org/