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Councillor Johnston - Notice of
Motion - Rainbow Crosswalks
Councillor Johnston provided Council
with Notice of Motion:
“WHEREAS walking and safe pedestrian travel
has long been a valued aspect of life by all Burnaby citizens, often
identified as the favourite recreational activity; and
WHEREAS Burnaby has a strong extensive
tradition of ensuring safe intersections with a clear focus on safety,
through safety features such as crosswalks, lighting and other technologies;
and
WHEREAS in 2017, a study undertaken by the Canadian
Community Health Survey and the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
estimated that the LGBTQ population in our neighbouring City of Vancouver to
be up to 40,000+ in an environment where not everyone is willing or able to
declare; and
WHEREAS proportionally comparable
populations of LGBTQ are believed to exists in neighbouring metro
communities; and
WHEREAS the City of Burnaby is expected to
celebrate its second annual Pride celebration during the 2019; and
WHEREAS the City painted a rainbow
crosswalk on Jubilee Avenue in 2018, a street slated to eventually close, as
an interim measure to commemorate the City’s first Pride event; and
WHEREAS for over 25 years the City of
Burnaby has allocated casino revenues to one-time projects such as safety and
the environment requiring no operating costs, saving taxpayers on their tax
bills; and
WHEREAS both the concepts of ensuring
pedestrian safety and citizen inclusion are consistent with the City’s
Strategic Plan and its core values of Community, Integrity, Respect,
Innovation and Passion;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Burnaby Council request
that staff identify four high profile intersections, one per quadrant,
for the eventual painting of rainbow crosswalks in each Burnaby town centre;
and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff strive to identify and paint
the first of the four crosswalks prior to the 2019 Pride celebration in
August; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff, in consultation with the
Financial Management Committee, consider allocating casino funding to this
project in order to avoid an impact on the Burnaby taxpayers.”
With Notice given, the motion will
be brought forward for consideration of Council at the next Regular Council
meeting.
Councillor Jordan - Building BC
Funds
Councillor Jordan referred to Item
(C) of the Council Correspondence Package received up 2019 May 9 from the
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding Building BC Funds.
Councillor Jordan expressed concerns the funding programs do not apply to two
Burnaby projects – the Thind Project (on Sussex in Metrotown) and the
Fairhaven Project (on Rumble/McKay) – as they were approved before these
programs were initiated. The high level of rent in these two projects is
unaffordable to many seniors, and the City will continue to pursue an
additional funding from the Provincial and Federal Government.
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