Major’s Remarks:
1. The Taiwan Lantern Festival commenced successfully on February 24th, with esteemed guests including President Tsai, Vice President Lai, Premier Chen, and various central government officials gracing the event with their presence, driving a surge in visitors to the Anping Lantern Zone. Since the illumination of the lanterns on February 3rd, visitor numbers have surpassed 7 million, marking a significant achievement. The festival's content has garnered widespread praise from attendees. Given the large influx of visitors, it is imperative for the relevant bureaus and departments to prioritize monitoring traffic conditions and ensuring high-quality services, with rolling reviews to be conducted as needed. Additionally, from February 24th to March 10th, we will feature double lantern zones, which will result in an increased workload for our colleagues. Their dedication and hard work during this period are greatly appreciated. I kindly request the Social Affairs Bureau and the Public Health Bureau to arrange education and training sessions for the festival volunteers. It is crucial to implement the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for emergencies to prevent any potential conflicts with tourists or surrounding residents.
2. After the Lunar New Year, the influenza epidemic remains prevalent, and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate. Tainan City boasts a remarkably high influenza vaccination rate, and its COVID-19 vaccination rate ranks first in the nation. Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement in increasing COVID-19 vaccine coverage. We urge relevant bureaus and departments to intensify promotional efforts to encourage the public to get vaccinated. Additionally, we call upon citizens and residents to prioritize wearing masks and to enhance hand hygiene practices when attending large gatherings or in enclosed spaces.
3. The Public Works Bureau is tasked with expediting the completion of the "Annei Sugar Factory Film and Television Base Development Access Road Improvement Project." Additionally, the Bureau is urged to address promptly any outstanding issues related to the "20M Road Development Project of Zhongxiao Road" in Yongkang District, Tainan City, to ensure the smooth progression of the project.
Reports
1. The Transportation Bureau presented a report titled "Outcomes, Ongoing Construction, and Future Planning of Multi-Story Garage Projects in Tainan City" (refer to written sources for details).
Resolution: Approved for reference filing.
Mayor’s Comments:
(1) As an ancient capital, Tainan City faces challenges in acquiring land for parking lots. As the city develops, the demand for parking space from both citizens and tourists has surged. Despite adding approximately 10,000 parking spaces in parking lots annually, the supply remains insufficient. Therefore, to optimize land utilization efficiency and address the growing demand, the establishment of multi-story garages is necessary.
(2) Aligned with the forward-looking infrastructure development program, two multi-story garages have been completed, and nine are currently under construction, thanks to cost-sharing between the central and local governments and the dedicated efforts of the city government team. In the planning of these multi-story garages, diverse needs, such as libraries, activity centers, and cultural exhibition spaces, are integrated for multi-purpose use. Throughout the year 2024, several sites will be completed sequentially and opened to the public. The Tainan City government remains committed to ongoing efforts for the future.
(3) As the forward-looking infrastructure development program nears its conclusion this year, we anticipate ongoing support from the central government for the city's public infrastructure projects. We urge the relevant bureaus and departments to draft proposals and plans proactively, providing the central government with a foundation for expeditious approval and implementation of local government initiatives.
2. The Sports Bureau presented a report titled "Progress Update on the 2024 Tainan Ancient Capital International Half Marathon Preparation Project" (refer to written sources for details).
Resolution: Approved for reference filing.
Mayor’s Comments:
(1) The number of applicants has reached a new high this year, signaling an increase in workload for our colleagues. In light of this, the relevant bureaus and departments are urged to be proactive and address route optimization and traffic control tasks in advance, as well as enhance the quality of the service provided to contestants.
(2) Hosting the Tainan Half Marathon presents a unique opportunity for city marketing and cultural promotion, especially since it coincides with the Lantern Festival. We urge the Sports Bureau and Tourism and Travel Bureau to rethink their strategies for enticing athletes to explore the Anping Lantern Zone and other attractions while they are in town.