Bylaw enforcement continues to be on council’s radar, but don’t expect to see someone patrolling the streets in 2017.
During Centre Wellington’s operating budget discussions on Jan. 24, councillor Mary Lloyd asked why the item was no longer in the package.
CAO Andy Goldie stated that in pre-budget discussions, council had wanted to take a look at all the bylaws and which ones required enforcement. The intent is that as part of the strategic plan staff would analyze township needs and possibly revisit existing bylaws.
In addition, the township will discuss with other municipalities their experience of sharing a bylaw enforcement officer.
Councillor Stephen Kitras said he was also under the belief the township was considering a bylaw officer.
Kitras suggested the municipality look into the fence sitter program utilizing a community-based resolution of difficulties.
“I think this approach would build community support and build new neighbourhoods and at the same time reduce budgetary (requirements) yet increase resolution of problems. It is something we should investigate,” said Kitras.
He pointed out the strategic plan outlines pride of place and small-town feeling, opining that, “Once you have a bylaw officer, your small-town feeling is dead … it’s over.”
He did not preclude the need for officers to enforce some bylaws “but I think we should look for an alternative.”
Mayor Kelly Linton asked for more explanation.
Kitras said communities used to have people who volunteered to help negotiate difficulties between neighbours – “It’s basically just conflict resolution.”
Councillor Fred Morris said he appreciated the remarks by Kitras but, “To me, I think we are past that point. We are rapidly approaching the size now where everybody doesn’t know everybody in the community.
“When I first moved to Fergus in 1988, the sign said 7,000 people … Now … I see a sign that says 19,500,” said Morris.
“As we go forward those numbers are going to go up … (and) this concept of small-town feel is going to morph into something different than what it was 20 or 30 years ago.”
Morris said he was disappointed council was not talking about a bylaw enforcement officer and asked, “Is this a position which could generate revenue?”
Goldie replied, “It is our experience that in smaller municipalities this is a cost expenditure which is not fully funded by revenues for bylaw enforcement.”
For example, he noted Centre Wellington would not collect fines from parking infractions; those fines are included under the POA (Provincial Offences Act) and would go to the county.
Councillor Mary Lloyd said bylaw enforcement is not strictly limited to parking.
“We have a lot of bylaws being violated all the time with property standards,” she said, adding, “We have to decide which bylaws we want to enforce.”
Lloyd asked, “Is it not time to bring someone in to help us deal with this quickly – rather than forcing that review onto a building department which is already busy?”
Councillor Don Fisher agreed. He said he too had expected bylaw enforcement to be a budget item, adding people expect bylaws to be enforced.
Kitras said the township has “a duty to involve citizens in the process of how this is rolled out.”
Lloyd said she did like the idea of neighbours helping neighbours “but we cannot force it to happen.”
She believed one of the roles of a bylaw enforcement officer would be to encourage community conversations. However she did not see existing staff having the time to initiate neighbourhood groups.
Linton said there remain a number of outstanding issues to be resolved in order to take a holistic approach.
