to some residents because Katz has been critiqued for his approach to the environment and sustainability. Economy In 2005, Katz cut the business tax by 20%. Katz created a Special Events Marketing Fund for conferences and special events. Efficiency at City Hall First, the Mayor's Red Tape Commission recommended 30 recommendations to cut red tape. One of the recommendations of the commission was to implement 311. It was operational by January 2009. Expenditures have been posted on Winnipeg.ca since 2007. In 2009, Katz unveiled Plan Winnipeg, a 25-year blueprint for the future. Environment In 2008, Katz committed to a 20% reduction in corporate municipal greenhouse gases. In April 2009 a Mayor’s Symposium – A Sustainable Winnipeg was held and kicked off www.speakupwinnipeg.com, a collaborative approach to city planning that is socially, environmentally and financially sustainable. Infrastructure The Province of Manitoba and The City of Winnipeg negotiated a new infrastructure agreement with the Federal Government and the Provincial Government that included an increase of $50 million over two years (2006–08). Katz endorses the use of P3s (Public, Private Partnership) to fund roads, bridges and paths. This method is reported to have ensured the Charleswood Bridge project (completed in 1995 during Mayor Susan Thompson's term) was built on time and on budget. (Katz had nothing to do with the Charleswood Bridge project, which long preceded his involvement in City Hall.) Property taxes In 2009, Katz pledged to keep property taxes in Winnipeg frozen for the 12th straight year. The policy was applauded by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, but has been criticized by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, which, in their 2010 Alternative Budget, said "the semblance of a property tax freeze is only made possible with less transparent tax increases to pick up the slack of fiscal irresponsibility." Recreation Katz supported an indoor soccer facility in The City of Winnipeg. Although controversial, he also championed having a waterpark in Winnipeg. Safety Katz welcomed a bylaw enacted in 2005 to restrict aggressive panhandling. He also committed to alternative options for at-risk youth including participation in sports and activities in community centres as a preventative measure. In 2007, Katz appointed Winnipeg Chief of Police Keith McCaskill. Katz increased the Winnipeg Police Department budget from $140 million to $160 million, which is 20% of the Operating Budget. Operation Clean Sweep became a permanent entity, which is supported by the established permanent Street Crime Unit.