Lakeshore Advance, 2013-11-06, Page 76 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Contracting by-law report comes to council this week
Lynda Hillman-Rapley
Members of the public have
asked l.arnbton Shores council to
look into how by-law enforcement
is contracted out for
the municipality.
There had been a request from
the community that Council con-
sider retendering by-law enforce-
ment duties. Clerk Carol McKenzie
states in a report going to council
this week that council directs that a
request for proposals (RFP) be
drafted, "It is important that any
RFP be well written and covers all
the aspects and duties that the offic-
ers currently undertake, as by-law
enforcement plays a key role in the
quality of life of residents.
McKenzie detailed that with a
summary stating that, "Staff is
pleased with the level of service
provided by the current officers,
and would be satisfied if the com-
mitments were extended for 2014,
with an increase based on the cost
of inflation."
In her report, McKenzie says if
council is desirous of circulating an
RFP for By-law Enforcement, it will
be necessary to extend the current
commitment of the officers until
the new contracts are signed.
Background
McKenzie explains that each
year, the enforcement needs in the
community are presented and dis-
cussed during the budget delibera-
tions, at which time, the funds to be
allocated for by-law enforcement is
determined. "Allocations do not
allow for 24 hour a day, seven day a
week service, therefore officers'
schedule their time and manpower
to be as strategic and as effective as
possible within the dollars allocated
to these duties. In addition to the
budget allocations for by-law
enforcement, the municipality con-
tributes annually to the County
Wide Provincial Police service.
history
Each of the former municipalities
had different levels of by-law
enforcement - 'l'hedford and
Arkona (1i(1 not have an enforce-
ment officer, Grand Bend and For-
est contracted individuals to under-
take enforcement duties, and the
Bosanquet Building Official under-
took most of the enforcement role,
with part time assistance. At the
time of amalgamation, an RFP was
let for by-law enforcement, and
since that time, the process has
been for a report to be presented
annually during the budget delib-
erations, outlining the current
issues and any recommended
amendments to the scope of work
to address the concerns. Council
makes the determination at that
time how to address the issues.
McKenzie explains that examples
of changes in scope to address
issues that arose would be the
amendments to the North Area
contract to include dedicated beach
patrols, additional patrols for
Main Street, inspections of "multi
residential dwellings" and addi-
tional patrols of Plan 24. In the
South Area contract, a change was
the addition of "grease trap"
inspections.
"It is important to note,"she says,
"that the scope of work and expec-
tations covers not only the duties on
the "street", but also responding to
correspondence and calls from resi-
dents, providing advise on policy
and/or by-law changes, and the
investigative work and documenta-
tion necessary for charges, as well
as Court attendance when charges
are being prosecuted."
Impact of By-law Enforcement
on the community
In her report McKenzie states
that community standards,
Tel
The Municipality of Lamhton Shores
LIVING IN LAMBTON SHORES...
A weakly Update on the Municipal Cvents in your Community
Administration Uupartnwnt 188.1 Amlelecom Paikway. Forest, Ontario NOWA)
10
1 877 788 2335 518 786 23.35 Fax 1119 788 2135 110411 admetaeahonolamblonsho.ea ca Visa our MR) !1 I , al www I,rinirl.Ml,.lWMnr. ra
INTENTION TO DISPOSE OF SURPLUS LANDS:
Ue Advised that at the meeting held the 17," of October, 2013, the Council of
the Corporation of the Municipality of Lambinn Shoros declared the following
parcel of land -Surplus to the Needs of !ha Municipality" Plan 1, North Wrist
Part of lot 14 115 Main Street, Thndford, Ontario • (Former -Medford 1 lbrnry)
Sealed bkis, clearly marked as to cgntent, and on the prescribed form,
together with a certified cheque In the amount of 20% of the bid price, will tin
accepted until 11,00 a.m, on November W2013 at
Lambton Shoros Forest Office
7083 Amlelocom Parkway
Forest, Ontario NON 1,10
Bid forms and an information package on the proposed land to bo d sposod is
available by contacting the Forest Municipal Office nt b18.788•233!,. by
omailing . t;Jtlrks(tttlanlbtonshJLOSilt or un our municipal wobsito nt
http•l7www.lambtonshoros.caAlvIngnocalgovornrnont/capualpr0Jocta tundorsun
drips htrn
FINAL TAX DUE DATE
The final Municipal tax Inatellmant is due Frirlsy,
November 791h, 2013.
Payment', may tin nadir by mail, tnlernol or telephone
h,lnwm11 u1
lall14011 at any of the 3 01hoes nt by Put
Aulhr,nmd w Hidrnwnl form+ are available nt the Municipal
()Hwy!, or Un ant webis,1u wWW IArnblonahorns CU
rti
Ple,uo check our website at www.Iambtonsho.es.ci
for Public Skating tinges or call
one of our Municipal offices.
COMPOST SITE
Closing for the Winter
1141 1 .unhtun Shuur. (;rnnlxlst F,1u will Iw ol, ng
, aIg(dv, NQY.niket 30th. 20t2 at 200 p m lar the
1.08,01 and Will re pian Sprlrpl 01 ?014
1 ho rc1tu is krc8hnl 411 7650 Brush Nuarl e118wn1 lo 1110
f ornsl Wnntownler 1 r0nlrn0111 l'Ianl
I00y1'a 111x1 Ixurh mNpnnl will her nrceptict Mush
And wood must be bundled and 1w IOnger Ihan 4 Ieet
in lonplh nntnpnynrA (no businesses) of the
Municipality u1 1 einlbkal Shoos tan pick up compost
and wood chips when available
DID YOU KNOW...
LEAF PICKUP PROGRAM
- Fall Program 2013
Lembton Sores' Residents: I'lense be advised 1181
11•1‘$s rnkod unto the street 0r piles In 8w 1111.101 01 ditch
will not be (.011eC.tec1 1 his pores a danger to pedestrians.
bicycles and motorists and can tauali drnumge
reptilians 1 eaves Caen he batmen lot pickup by the
Community Services Department (hla program 1s in
effect September 3011 - November 22nd, and is as
follows
1 All luevnr. marl 1111 hawed in (41181 I'181,110 bipp.
?. iach bag must be tagged with K a garbage sticker
3. Only leaves *111 bo pickod up, not garbage or brush please
4. All Misr. must be placed 1,1 111u club 101 pickup
5. Leaven will be picked up sometrrle during the week ns time and qusnt.ly dlclate
Facility Rentals
Planning A party but you are not sure where to hold 11? Contact the Community Services Department and our stall will be happy 10
harp you find the perfect Icicallon I nom wedding receptions 10 birthday panlea, Lambkin 3110108 has a facility for your Avert ICA Is
also Available to rent at both the Shoraa Recreation Contra in Forest And the Legacy Recreation Centre In Thedlorcl Call f18•743•
1400 of email e.vg ltitvLgillitiStt1flt11tlofl.Gia to chuck availability or for more information.
expressed through municipal by-
laws, and the enforcement of those
standards, have a major impact on
the quality of life of the residents
and on the desire on visitors to
return to our community. "With an
area that is both a residential com-
munity, and is also considered u
major tourist destination, there are
different needs in the community,
which result in different viewpoints
of enforcement. If Officers issue
tickets for offences, they are seen to
be too aggressive, and there
are complaints from visitors and the
commercial sector; If Officers try to
work with the community to change
behaviour, they are seen as too leni-
ent, and this results in complaints
from residents. if Officers extend a
courtesy and issue a warning to a
guest, they are seen as ineffective."
Going Forward
"As noted," says McKenzie, "the
practice has been for staff to review
the performance of the offic-
ers annually, and submit informa-
tion on the community needs and
recommendations to address the
needs to Council for consideration
during the budget session." Cur-
rently, says staff, the officers are
complying with the directions pro-
vided by Council, and staff are
satisfied that the rules have been
applied in a fair and equitable man-
ner, the officers have perform their
duties satisfactorily and have bal-
anced the various communi-
ty's needs, and have provided the
necessary service in 0 cost effective
and efficient manner. If there are
additional duties, or areas of con-
cern that Council would
like addressed, these could be dis-
cussed with the officers.
Financial Impact
Retaining the status quo for
enforcement would result in an
increase of approximately 2% over
2013 to maintain the same level of
service. It is not possible to deter-
mine at this time if there will be a
positive or negative impact result-
ing from the issuance of an RFP for
by-law enforcement services.
McKenzie states that RFP's could
be issued during the month of
November, with the closing date of
the end of December, and the con-
tract award by the middle of Janu-
ary. As the commitment from the
current officers is year-to-year, run-
ning from January 1 to December
31, it would be necessary to extend
the current commitments until
the process has been completed,
and new contracts in place.
Education curbing
by-law issues
Lynda Hillman-Rapley
In an information power point,
I,ambton Shores clerk Carol McKen-
zie will present background informa-
tion, responsibilities and activities of
the by-law officers for the 2013
season.
"Municipal by-laws generally Ileal
with non life threatening situations,
such as property matters - standards
of maintenance, fencing, site altera-
tion, zoning etc, or the health and
safety of residents, such as parking
restrictions, dog control, open air
burning, streets by-laws, sewage dis-
charge, etc.," McKenzie explained.
The by-laws affect both residents
and visitors to the community. "The
Officers understand the impacts of
enforcement and use common sense
and discretion, with compliance
being the prune goal, as opposed to
prosecution. Compliance is
often challenging, particularly if there
is a need to change behaviors or
actions," says McKenzie's report.
"It is important to be aware lillll
the officer's authority is limited, not
only by the municipal by-laws, but
also by provincial legislation. For
example, the officers (10 not have
the sante power of entry that Peace
Officers have, nor the right to compel
a person to provide identification.
Often times, there is tt process man-
dated by the Province that must be
followed when dealing with issues,
such as Property Standards platters,
which impacts the time needed to
address issues."
McKenzie explains that education
related to the community expecta-
tions that are expressed through
municipal by-laws is a very important
aspect of enforcement, as is the fair
and consistent application of the rules
to ensure accountability and equity.
"Officers understand that their role
is not only enforcement, but to be
ambassadors for the Municipality,
811(1 assist residents and visitors when
possible. For example, officers are
CONTINUED > PAGE 11
J