BDIA Wants New Street Lights!

The Belleville Downtown Improvement Area is asking city council to consider funding new street lights for the city core.

Council received an update Monday from James O'Brien, chairman of the Belleville Downtown Improvement Area (BDIA).

The BDIA is a council committee comprised of downtown business owners. O'Brien said the more than 200 members are spread across 60 to 70 properties.

His report included details of the group's approved budget, set at its Dec. 14 annual meeting.

The $260,000 budget remains unchanged from 2010.

However, said O'Brien, members committed $50,000 in special infrastructure funding toward new street lighting.

O'Brien said the current downtown lights are "many decades old" and prone to failure. They also require supports for baskets, banners, etc. to be strapped to them as needed.

"Lighting is (now) much more energy efficient and therefore there is a cost savings available to council," said O'Brien, reading from a letter to council.

He added better lighting would also help ensure the downtown security cameras -- set for installation this March -- would capture accurate colours.

O'Brien said the BDIA has pledged up to $50,000 for each of the next four years for a total of $250,000 -- or one-third of the the cost of new light standards within its boundary.

"These funds will be in addition to our annual expenditures in excess of $60,000 toward ongoing infrastructure improvements and security cameras in the BDIA area," he said.

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O'Brien gave council a copy of the BDIA's infrastructure committee report, which outlines its four-year plan for downtown improvement.

"Although it may seem premature, we understand it is essential that this information be available to you as you undertake your strategic planning for the next four years," said O'Brien. "These are figures we would like you to think about."

Strategic planning sessions will be held Thursday and Friday.

Councillors had little to say about the issue, referring it to budget talks. Capital budget discussions will be held in early February, while the operating budget will be covered in mid-March.

It was a relatively quiet council meeting, with councillors hearing several deputations.

* Council declared January to be Alzheimer's Awareness Month. The Alzheimer Society of Belleville-Hastings-Quinte is conducting an awareness campaign and supporters are now gathering pledges for the Jan. 30 Walk for Memories annual fundraiser at the Bay View Mall. Volunteer Roy Reed and staff member Kristel Nicholas encouraged council and the public to learn more about Alzheimer's and take steps to avoid developing it. Details are online at www.alzheimer.ca

* Kim Charlebois, executive director of the Belleville-based Sexual Assault Centre for Quinte and District, told council the agency is now stepping up its campaign to raise $1 million for its proposed residential healing centre.

Designed as a retreat for sexual assault victims of both genders, it would be home to the agency's week-long healing program. Charlebois noted the program, which is unique in Ontario, was a 2010 recipient of a victim services award from Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General.

Campaign organizers are now seeking leaders to spearhead smaller campaigns to raise $10,000 each. Donations of any size are also welcome, Charlebois said. It's hoped the $1 million goal will be reached by August.

* Council amended a zoning bylaw allowing space in a business complex to be used by the new Belleville and Quinte West Community Health Centre. The site is at 161 Bridge St. W. at Sidney Street and also houses several discount stores, including Giant Tiger.

The amendment adds a medical clinic -- but not a drug rehabilitation centre -- to the list of the property's permitted uses.

The centre is to rent a second-floor unit and Devco's Moe Zadeh said an elevator will soon be installed.

There is a hold on development there until a condition of the original site plan is met. Interim chief administrative officer Rick Kester said it involves a survey of the property's eastern boundary, something that's required prior to future roadwork in the area.

* The speed limit on Hoskin Road through Plainfield has been lowered to 50 km/h from 60 km/h. Acting on a recommendation from Brad Wilson, the city's director of environmental and operational services, council denied a resident's request to lower it to 40 km/h because there is no school zone there.

However, it approved that resident's request for the placement of signs noting there are "children at play" on the quiet residential road.

The next council meeting is Jan. 24 at 4 p.m. at city hall.

By LUKE HENDRY, THE INTELLIGENCER