BLOCK PARTY INFORMATION
A report introducing a 'Block Party Toolkit' intended to encourage neighborhood connections and streamline event permitting.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL Finance & Administration Report
TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: November 4, 2019 FROM: E. Bolster, Deputy Corporate Officer MEETING DATE: November 12, 2019
BLOCK PARTY INFORMATION
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the Block Party Toolkit be made available both at Town Hall and on the Town’s website.
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS:
I concur with the recommendation.
DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING’S COMMENTS:
I concur with the recommendation.
PURPOSE OF REPORT:
To provide the Committee with the draft Block Party Toolkit.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
In early 2018, Council considered a recommendation from the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) and subsequently referred the issue of block parties to staff. At that time, the intent was that the creation of a block party policy may be beneficial given the awareness that communities are strengthened by its neighbourhood connections.
Since that time and through the development of the Streets Bylaw No. 980, staff realized that a block party intersected with the Town on two fronts: the event permitting and the promotional side. With the Streets Bylaw No. 980 moving through the bylaw readings process, the permitting for block parties is addressed. That is, the “Street Use Permit” is the tool through which a neighbourhood organizer can approach the Engineering Department with a request to temporarily close a street to facilitate a block party. There is no fee associated with the permit for a block party event. A deposit will be required for the use of Town barricades, signage and pylons required to block off the street for a block party event. Upon the return of the signage and equipment in good condition, the deposit will be returned.
On the promotional front, staff have now developed a “tool kit” based generally on the comments from CDAC. The tool kit can be distributed both at the front counter and on the Town’s website (see Attachment “A”). The availability of the tool kit and the online information will be promoted in various ways, including the Town’s social media, the reader board at the Public Safety Building, the monthly e-newsletter and in the upcoming spring newsletter.
The Town looks forward to providing the Block Party Toolkit as it serves to help neighbourhoods create events that draw people together in celebration, making for even more enjoyable communities.
TIME CRITICAL:
This item is not time critical though it will be useful to have the information available in the spring months at the latest so that spring/summer/fall block parties may be encouraged.
BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:
There will be no financial impact.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the Block Party Toolkit be made available both at Town Hall and on the Town’s website.
SUBMITTED BY: E. Bolster, Deputy Corporate Officer
REVIEWED BY: S. Jones, Director of Corporate Administration
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