Opening Portage & Main – How Councillors Receive Information to Make Decisions

City Councillors have been provided with only 7 business days to review multiple reports on the Opening of Portage and Main, a multi-million $$$ initiative:
- Winnipeg City Council will vote on this report in 7 business days on Wed., October 25, 2017
- The timeframe and total cost of the project is NOT known; however, just the removal of the barricades is estimated at $6+ Million
- I’ve not received any briefings, and no briefings are scheduled to answer Councillors’ questions
- Wish me luck on having the City’s Chief Administrative Officer or Public Works Director answer questions which I or other Councillors may have between now and October 25
Here’s the timeline at City Hall on how we received information on October 13 about Opening Portage and Main:
12:42 pm Receive Media Advisory from Mayor’s Office that Mayor is holding a press conference at 1:30 p.m. on “Opening Portage and Main” at the Portage & Main Concourse
1:02 pm Councillors receive email from City Clerk that the Executive Policy Committee’s October 18th agenda and the Portage and Main Report is posted for the public
1:03 pm Councillors receive News Release from City Communications Director that Portage and Main Report is published
1:04 pm Media and the public receive News Release from City Media Department that Portage and Main Report is published
1:12 pm Media and Councillors receive email from Mayor’s Office stating Clerks forgot to post a Traffic Study AND that today’s Media Conference is delayed until 1:45 p.m
Councillors have 7 days to:
- Review multiple reports; and
- Clarify any questions with the City’s CAO or Public Works Director; and
- Consult and gather feedback from the constituents we represent ……. before we vote on this multi-million $$$ project.
After 20 years of operating under the City’s current governance model, I believe it’s time we update how we receive information and make decisions.
For more details on Opening Portage and Main, see the City of Winnipeg’s website:
- Executive Policy Agenda Oct. 18, 2017 – Portage and Main Intersection – Implementation of a Phased-Approach to Below and At-Grade Improvements
- Opening Portage and Main – Appendix A Capital Budget
- Opening Portage and Main – Appendix B Funding Sources
- Traffic Study and Supporting Documents
Twitter: https://janicelukes.ca/?p=10329