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City adds teeth to bylaw enforcement policy
The City of Fernie Jan. 25 added teeth to its Bylaw Enforcement & Response to Citizen Complaints Policy.
Council Monday night approved a resolution brought forward from the Jan. 25 Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting that includes a provision for immediate ticketing of such things as dogs-at-large.
“At Monday’s regular meeting of council it was determined to direct the bylaw officer to ticket immediately instead of giving warning tickets for infractions,” reported Mayor Mary Giuliano.
“In an effort to be considerate to all residents the city has had a policy of education and warning first when it comes to ticket infractions. Unfortunately, people don’t pay attention; so now ticketing will be done immediately with warnings no longer being the norm. In 2015, 148 tickets were issued in a six-month period, with many more being warning tickets. For parking, snow removal and for dogs it will be immediate ticketing for infractions,” Giuliano explained in a Facebook message.
Michelle Martineau, city Director of Corporate Administration Services, provided some background in a report to council.
“The City of Fernie does not have the resources to determine whether or not all of its various bylaws are being complied with at all times. As a result, the city relies largely on citizen complaints as a means of enforcing its bylaws, although Bylaw Services undertakes regular patrols to encourage compliance with a focus on seasonal issues such as unsightly properties, graffiti, unleashed dogs, bear aware/garbage, camping in parks, winter parking regulations, etc.
“To provide a formal process by which to govern the management of bylaw enforcement and to encourage only valid complaints and reduce the opportunity for intimidation and neighbourhood conflict, staff developed the Bylaw Enforcement & Response to Citizen Concerns Policy. To compliment this policy staff also developed the Seasonal Bylaw Enforcement Priorities and the Bylaw Education & Enforcement Implementation Plan,” Martineau reported.
“This report is provided for council’s consideration of adoption of Bylaw Enforcement and Response to Citizen Concerns Policy to formalize the city’s process for the handling and management of complaints received by citizens of Fernie and proactive enforcement by Bylaw Services of municipal bylaws on a seasonal basis,” she explained.
Additionally, city council directed staff to bring forward the option of a term Animal Control Officer for discussion at the next budget meeting.
The option city council selected from the report is the best route, Martineau reported.
“It provides both staff and the public with a clear direction of how municipal bylaw infractions shall be enforced which is open and transparent,” she noted, adding, “Bylaw Services will be issuing warning notices to individuals for non-compliance and then municipal tickets after that week.”
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