After a lengthy back and forth between councillors and CAO Kathryn Ironmonger, Erin is one step closer to signing an agreement for bylaw enforcement with neighbouring Guelph-Eramosa Township.
Councillors had the opportunity to publicly ask questions at the Feb. 16 council meeting for first time since the issue was discussed in October.
Mayor Allan Alls previously confirmed the issue was discussed during a Jan. 19 closed meeting, which is now the topic of an investigation by closed meeting investigator John Maddox (two complaints, one from the Advertiser, were recently filed about the meeting).
The new position would be a 50/50 split position with Guelph-Eramosa, but would not be a proactive position, as that would entail more court and legal cost ramifications, explained Ironmonger.
She added, “The work doesn’t justify a full-time bylaw officer.”
Ironmonger also explained in her report the town would appear to have full-time bylaw enforcement coverage, because current part-time bylaw officer Harold Knox would be available to “funnel questions and perhaps gather information to assist the contracted person in fulfilling the obligation.”
Knox would be moving into the building department, therefore his costs would be covered under that position, with the $38,000 currently spent on bylaw enforcement redirected to the new position.
However this was a point of confusion for some councillors.
“Right now costing of our bylaw enforcement officer is in the budget, it’s $38,000, it’s what we’re currently having to cover associated with the bylaw enforcement officer and the revenues relating to that are already identified in your budget,” said Ironmonger.
Councillor Matt Sammut responded, “But it could be on this report; if we are approving a position, it’d be nice to know the specific cost of that position and what you anticipate the revenues to be and what are the duties.”
Councillor Rob Smith said he wanted to know how available Knox would be once taking a more proactive role in the building department.
“I have kind of one concern and that’s for Harold and what he does as far as building inspection …” Smith began.
“Ah, you have to be careful, personal privacy, careful what you put with your comments,” Ironmonger interjected.
“I’m just thinking down the road, he may actually be inundated to do more of the building code stuff than the bylaw stuff,” continued Smith.
Ironmonger said if there was enough workload the town could give notice to the other party in order to pursue a full-time bylaw officer.
Sammut wanted to know more about the specific duties attached to the role.
“It’s not clear among council or our CAO, I think we have to be very clear here … Give me 30 seconds if you can on what this person is going to be doing,” he asked.
The CAO, who appeared to be aggravated, said, “You passed numerous bylaws, the bylaw enforcement officer’s responsibility is to enforce the bylaws [if] there is someone who has complained to council about something or the municipality about something.”
Sammut said, “This just gives the council a perspective of if the position is needed or not, that’s all I’m asking, I’m not trying to be difficult, I’m just trying to understand.”
Council agreed to receive the report with the knowledge that Ironmonger has the authority to sign the agreement.
“I know what your comments are and it will be reflected in the agreement,” she said.
