June 3 2020 – Ian MacDougall

Subject:  Wildflower Park 

IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING ANY ROAD WILL TAKE YOU THERE: 

You cannot expect a superior outcome from an inferior process. I attended one meeting where EDSA made a presentation to the City Council and at best I would describe the decision making process as ‘the art of muddling through’ It was impossible to differentiate between a ‘decision’ versus a ‘suggestion’ versus a ‘random comment’. It only took about 15 minutes for me to want to tear my hair out. At the outset the city should have given EDSA two things – a set of criteria (deterministic versus constraint) and a budget. From that point there could only be three possible outcomes: 

1. A design that meets the criteria and the budget 

2.A design that meets the budget but not the criteria 

3. A design that meets the criteria but not the budget 

Given these three scenarios – I have no idea where we are. 

I also have some concerns around how EDSA is being compensated for their work. It they’re on a fixed price contract then they are fools and if they’re on a monthly retainer then we are fools. 

Ian MacDougall