Mayor’s Remarks:
1. Public transportation stations often serve as the initial point of contact for many travelers in Tainan, essentially providing visitors with a first impression of the city. It is imperative that we enhance the cleanliness and optimize the environment of public transportation hubs, including the high-speed rail station, train stations, the airport, long-distance bus stations, and transfer stations. These improvements should be prioritized among concerned departments to avoid negatively impacting the perceptions of both residents and visitors.
2. Given the recent prevalence of torrential rain, I urge all departments to oversee the regular clearing of standing water containers, weeds, and litter within their respective operational areas. This approach ensures that we simultaneously address epidemic prevention, hygiene, and the maintenance of the overall cityscape.
3. In instances where the budget increments for various departmental construction projects exceed 30% or 40%, the Research, Development, and Evaluation Commission should include construction projects within its evaluations.
Announcements
1. The Public Works Bureau’s report on the sidewalk establishment and optimization program
Decision: approved for reference filing
Mayor’s Remarks:
(1) Between 2019 and 2022, the municipal government successfully added approximately 41 kilometers of new sidewalks. This year, we are set to extend this by an additional eight kilometers. I ask the Public Works Bureau to compile and quantify data on how many kilometers of sidewalks have been optimized and refurbished, and how many utility boxes and obstacles were removed to make way for pedestrians. It's crucial that this information is disseminated through press releases and websites, allowing our citizens to stay well-informed and the media to stay updated on these developments.
(2) The Land Administration Bureau should proactively integrate sidewalk planning into our urban rezoning endeavors. By doing so, we can effectively reduce the need for post-reorganization road excavations. This principle should apply to both government-driven and privately undertaken urban rezoning projects.
(3) The installation of sidewalks demands continuous maintenance to ensure their longevity. With this in mind, we must choose durable materials that will withstand the test of time and prevent deterioration within a mere 3 to 5 years, consequently averting hindrances to pedestrian traffic. Utilizing materials with heightened resilience is of paramount importance.
(4) The central government has introduced a comprehensive 4-year sidewalk renovation plan with NTD $40 billion in funding, aimed at augmenting sidewalk coverage. I ask concerned departments to actively pursue funding from the central government to support these endeavors.
(5) Given the multitude of construction and infrastructure projects that our city has undertaken in recent years, it's vital that we prioritize the establishment of temporary passages. This will alleviate inconveniences caused to pedestrians by factors such as material storage and road excavations during these undertakings. I strongly urge district offices and construction units to exercise heightened vigilance, ensuring the safety of pedestrians amid public construction projects.
2. The Cultural Affairs Bureau’s report on 2023 Bring the Art to Your Community (refer to written sources for details) he Cultural Affairs Bureau has submitted a report on the "2023 Art in the District" initiative.
Decision: approved for reference filing
Mayor’s Remarks:
(1) Bring the Art to Your Community boasts a 13-year legacy, and A Breath of Fresh Art has also been held for the third year now. These artistic feasts have facilitated the engagement of art with diverse communities. While Tainan has established cultural centers such as Tainan Municipal Cultural Center Hsin-Ying District, Tainan Cultural Center, Guiren Cultural Center, and Yong Kang District Social Education Center, each serve a different purpose. In addition to stationary indoor exhibitions, cultural activities encompass dynamic performances. Tainan International Music Festival, for instance, not only features international luminaries but also offers inclusive programs accessible to all. Our commitment to cultural activities is comprehensive and multi-faceted.
(2) I wish to extend my appreciation to the diligent efforts of our colleagues at the Cultural Affairs Bureau, who have orchestrated a diverse array of events throughout the year, providing the community with a rich tapestry of cultural experiences. Looking ahead, our city will host the “Tainan 400” series next year, which promises even more abundant and diverse cultural offerings. We eagerly anticipate robust citizen participation and kindly request the collaboration of concerned departments in disseminating information pertaining to these cultural endeavors.