That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Neighbourhood, Children and Fire Services, the Acting Managing Director, Housing, Social Services and Dearness Home, and the Managing Director, Parks and Recreation, the following actions be taken with respect to the staff report dated February 9, 2021 related to the London Community Recovery Network and ideas for action by Municipal Council:
a) the following actions be taken with respect to the ideas for action submitted by the London Community Recovery Network and received by Municipal Council, as contained within the above-noted staff report:
i) the implementation plans for the following ideas for action BE APPROVED:
- 1.1 Christmas (Holiday) Market;
- 2.4 Create a regional holiday destination in downtown;
- 3.2 Self-employment exploration training for unemployed;
- 4.1 Increase focus on addressing food insecurity;
- 4.4 Public toilets and sanitation;
- 4.7 Support for National Child Care Framework;
- 5.2 Outdoor concerts;
- 5.3 Interactive distanced festivals and events;
- 5.4 City of Lights: Public Art Projection Program;
- 5.5 London Mural and Art Walk;
- 5.6 Mural façade grant; and,
- 5.8 Develop an app with augmented reality for scavenger hunts;
ii) the implementation plan for item #2.3 Downtown Recovery – free transit to the downtown, as it relates to transit initiatives to the downtown, BE REFERRED back to the Civic Administration to continue working with the London Transit Commission on this matter, with a report back to a future meeting of the Community and Protective Services Committee (CPSC) when additional details are available; and,
iii) implementation plan for item #2.3 Downtown Recovery – free transit to the downtown, as it relates to parking initiatives in the downtown BE REFERRED back to the Civic Administration with a report back to a future meeting of the CPSC when additional details are available;
b) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to execute the implementation plans for the above-noted approved ideas for action in support of London’s community recovery from COVID-19;
c) the Federal Government BE REQUESTED, in partnership with the provinces, to develop and implement a National Child Care Framework to focus on accessibility, affordability, and equity for all families, recognizing that licensed quality child care and qualified Early Childhood Educators are essential to COVID-19 economic and social recovery;
d) $1,980,000 BE APPROVED to implement the above-noted approved ideas as set out in the business cases included in Appendix A of the above-noted staff report; it being noted that Municipal Council previously authorized $5 million to be contributed to the Economic Development Reserve Fund to support social and economic recovery measures; and,
e) the above-noted staff report BE RECEIVED. (2021-R08/S08)