MoD Drenova – an example of successful local self-government (II)
The meeting of representatives of the cities of Osijek, Pula, Šibenik and Rijeka on the topic of local self-government was a great opportunity to exchange experiences with others and to promote the results in the development of local self-government in the City of Rijeka and provide all the necessary information to colleagues from other cities. Particularly interesting are the experiences from Osijek where MO has a significantly greater role in the field of planning, selection of contractors and final control and approval of payment of utility works, which has significantly increased the efficiency of the use of funds and the quality of performed works. Hopefully, these concepts, which have been proven in practice, will soon be introduced into our local committees in Rijeka.
Councillors of VMO Drenova continue to operate until May 2010
In order to optimise the costs of electing councillors for the Local Committee Councils, the mayor, Mr Obersnel, has taken the initiative to try to arrange a joint term for the elections. For historical reasons (MOs were formed at different times) elections are held in 3 terms, which is a problem for all participants not only from the point of view of the costs of the city, but also from the point of view of the problems they create for political parties (organization of campaigns, etc.). The mayor's proposal was in fact simple – given that the largest MO group has elections sitting in May, the idea is that the local committees (9) whose term of office has expired "extend" their work until May, and the councillors of a smaller number of committees (4) should "shorten" their term of office. VMO Drenova supports this initiative so that the councillors will continue to work until May next year, which we hope will contribute to the general austerity that awaits us next year.
Security, competences, opinions, traffic lights ... (Part II)
After the inscriptions in the previous issue, a meeting was held with representatives of Rijeka Traffic where possible solutions for traffic lightization of problematic intersections (partial, using older equipment to reduce costs, etc.) were considered, and it was concluded that the only correct variant that will give the desired level of safety for our children is complete traffic lightization with new traffic lights. Unfortunately, since the price of the solution is very high – almost at the level of complete MO assets (HRK 905 403.00 – including VAT) the implementation will be in phases – so the preparation of project documentation and obtaining permits is planned for next year, and the rest in 2011 and 2012. Frankly, we are not thrilled with the deadlines, but there is simply no money, and this is how this project will practically "eat" most of the budget MO in these years.
Public presentation of UPU Gornja Drenova proposal held again
In a surprisingly positive atmosphere, a re-presentation of UPU Gornja Drenova was held, which we have been waiting for two years. The presentation was led by mr. Eda Rumora, Director of the Directorate for Development, Urbanism and Ecology, with the participation of the plan developer – the Urban Planning Institute from Zagreb. The reasons for the delay were the change of legal regulations, personnel changes and finally a large number of citizens' comments aimed at meeting them. However, it is possible that the wait paid off because we received a quality document that will correctly determine the spatial concept of the development of the area of Gornja Drenova. We can confirm that most of the comments of Councillor MO as well as the citizens themselves were adopted and the necessary compromises were made. Of course there will always be dissatisfaction, but there are now truly isolated cases. Generally in this version traffic is solved more correctly and with minor remarks certainly (at least conceptually) solves this problem. There were also comments regarding the location of the gas reduction station, which is located too close to residential buildings, which will be considered.
As for the degree of construction and the size of the plots, smaller corrections were also made in order to meet the citizens and it was determined that it is necessary to create DPU of certain zones in order to more precisely determine the solutions in the space. A possible and greatest "challenge" is the provision that all buildings with more than 3 apartments must be connected to the sewerage network, which practically means that there is no construction of multi-apartment buildings until the sewerage is built, and when this will be unclear. The hope that it will not be necessary to wait too long is the need to connect the Viškovo sewage system with Rijeka, which could result in the planned sewage system seeing the light of day in due course.
Some important facilities remained outside the scope of the plan - a turnaround on the edge of the settlement towards Benčani and of course a new hall that, as we have already written, is planned to work in the area between Donja Drenova and Škurinje, but this will be resolved in the next period.
But of course there is still a long way from the idea to the realization of the presented concepts, but we can be satisfied that we finally have clear guidelines for the spatial development of Drenova without fear that we will experience the devastation that occurred in our neighboring settlements. The plan is expected to be adopted in February 2010.
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