Many municipalities in Canada have a public works committee (PWC) with which residents can engage the staff. The PWC minutes and required actions are posted on the municipal website. This website is regularly updated to provide information on the progress of implementing the action items.
Oak Bay desperately needs a PWC. The present governing model does not provide any vehicle for interaction between the public and the engineering and public works staff. This failure has created much frustration in the community. Recently, it even led to verbal outbursts at the advisory planning commission.
Next, there is pressure from the B.C. government to add more housing in Oak Bay. The council presently has at least three major developer construction projects before it. Not surprisingly, three neighbour groups have popped up to demand a level playing field. This situation is tailor-made for a PWC.
Finally, there are at least two cases where the engineering and public works staff's inaction put the community's safety at risk. Might Oak Bay face a lawsuit if these are not addressed?
Mike Wilmut
Oak Bay
