County council will send yet another antifortification bylaw to the seven lower tier municipalities for approval.
Councillor Lynda White, the recently elected Police Services Board chairman, told council Jan. 28 that the municipalities “can do with it what they wish to do.”
But, she added, “I hope every mayor and councillor realize that the importance and safety this bylaw will bring to your communities.”
The bylaw is basically aimed at preventing outlaw motorcycle clubs from creating fortified clubhouses to keep out police in case of a search warrant. The county has been working on it for several years, with several municipalities rejecting it at the request of their building inspectors, who are reluctant to have to enforce it.
Councillor Mike Broomhead asked that the recommendation be separated from the rest of the Police Service Board minutes when it comes to a vote.
He said, “Our council has said no. Our employees, as a group, are still opposed.”
Broomhead said that from what he has read, the county just needs one person to enforce the bylaw. “Get one person … and Wellington North will have it. We will not pass this. I’m starting to feel this is getting shoved down our throats.”
Councillor David Anderson said there had been some discussion with his staff, about the board deciding to order an inspection of a property.
White said that clause has been removed from the bylaw.
Chief Administrative Officer Scott Wilson said that all the concerns were addressed, and five of the seven municipalities responded favourably to the bylaw, and to the deletion of that clause.
“It had the Police Services Board being responsible if a building or structure was in violation of the bylaw,” Wilson said. “Even an officer couldn’t act without permission of the Police Services Board. We need to send this back to the CBOs [Chief Building Officials].”
Wilson added, “It’s not my position to jam this down anybody’s throat. This bylaw is actually seen as weaker than anyone’s in Ontario. It’s up to the individual municipalities.”
White told council that if a strong bylaw is in place, those undesirables who might want fortified buildings will see it is there and likely move to a locale where no such restrictions exist.
“If they see this place has one, they will think twice about moving into our county,” she said. “I hope our municipalities take a good look at this.
“If a motorcycle club moves in [because there is no bylaw] I would be unhappy,” she concluded.
Councillor Lou Maieron said the bylaw can be considered “a preventative tool” and asked if all municipalities need to agree.
Ross-Zuj said the bylaw will be a local one.
Broomhead said the problem can be easily solved if the county can find a single person to enforce it.
“It doesn’t happen [a call for inspection] very often. It’s been used three times [in Ontario] over several years. Just find one person to do it.”
When council voted to circulate the bylaw and it carried, with Broomhead opposed.
