Just a quick note to let everyone know that the much anticipated Velodrome business plan is slated to be presented to council on January 30th, not the 23rd as I had previously noted. A deadline extension was given and we should have the report in our hands before that so council members AND the public can review the details before a decision is made.
As many are aware, I have supported moving forward with looking at this proposal from the beginning. I think its an opportunity for Milton to showcase itself as a tourist attraction and a great location for a world class facility like this. The goal is to ensure that this facility can be multi purposed before construction starts so it can be used by all Miltonians after the games are done.
I have also stated that the costs of the facility are important to look after so that we dont have a major impact on our tax base. The numbers are coming and are encouraging from what I have heard to date so stay tuned. If this project ends up costing Milton taxpayers too much, I wont be supporting it going forward.
If you want to know more about the velodrome, what it is, what it can be and anything else click on my Velodrome FAQ page for more details. This information is courtesy of www.milton.ca
I also wanted to thank everyone who has sent me emails, phoned me, tweets etc on this issue as your opinion is important to me and will help me with my decision to move forward. Over the years I have done my best to ensure your input is heard and I do listen to everyone’s point of view on issues like this. So keep them coming, ask your friends to send feedback to myself and other members of council. Our job is to listen to you, so please let your views be known.
As always mike@mikecluett.ca and I look forward to your comments.
It used to be “I was supportive of the project with the caveat that the impact on Milton taxpayers be MINIMAL TO ZERO (with no impact being my goal) from day one.”
Now its “If this project ends up costing Milton taxpayers TOO MUCH, I wont be supporting it going forward.”
There is already $95k for a consultant and an in-kind donation from Milton Hydro. How much is “too much” for you? At what risk to taxpayers?
Thanks for the comment Garlis. Of course my main concern is the impact on the taxpayer. The funds for the consultants report came from reserves provided by the slot revenues and that total is being take into consideration as impact to taxpayers. Although not directly taken from the tax bills, its still taxpayers money.
Those who know me, know full well that I’m on the taxpayers side and will work to ensure that this facility will have a minimal impact on the residents tax bills.
Mike, your last statement indicates either that your mind is made up in favour of it or that you will vote against it in vane. The best way to protect taxpayers is to say NO to the project.
I’ve been supportive of looking at the velodrome and I do see a benefit both long and short term to approving the project.
As with everything I do I always remain cautious to the impact on taxpayers as well. I have not supported the last 2 budgets because of the rate of increase being higher than inflation.
I think the project will be good for the town in the long run but I need to see the numbers and those numbers will be released in the business plan scheduled for tommorrow.
This is also why myself along with Colin Best will be having an open house at 7pm Milton Sports Centre Room # 3 so we can have those reports available and answer any questions we can and take any questions we can’t to staff for clarification. The decision will come before council on the 30th where there will be another opportunity for the public to have another say before council votes.
I’m trying to get as much opportunity to hear from Miltonians and get information out there so we can be informed. Its a promise I made during the election and that’s why I’m doing this now.
I hope to see you tomorrow.
Mike, for the Jan 26 open house, is there any kind of an agenda/schedule, i.e. is there any presentation planned or is it more of a drop-in event ?
Hi Bruce, its more of a drop in event for residents. We will have maps outlinging where everything is proposed, future plans for development to give people an idea of what’s coming to the area and copies of the business plan (as many as we can print off) to name a few things. Its more of an information session/input gathering meeting. I assure that all comments will be collected and I will give all councillors and staff copies of everthing so that they will get an idea of what input we received.
If there are questions we can’t answer I will make sure we get the answers back to everyone as quickly as possible.