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Public Engagement Sought Following Public Hearing
Public Engagement Sought Following Public Hearing
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
A public hearing was held in the County of Minburn council chambers on Jan. 23. The hearing was in respect to the proposed Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw with two presenters in attendance.
County residents Dwayne Kisilevich and Chad Bown went before council with their questions and concerns.
Kisilevich raised questions in relation to powers, duties, investigating complaints, issuing tickets, enforcement of provincial statutes, cost of training, safety gear and equipment. Bown said Kisilevich summed up most of the issues related to the bylaw, but he wanted to know if derelict properties or public safety was direction council wanted to go? “I think like most people, I assumed it was a traffic enforcement officer.”
The first point Kisilevich addressed was the CAO and/or designate assuming the duties of the bylaw officer if they are off duty, absent, etc. He asked, “Does the CAO or their designate have the experience or training to perform these duties?”
He also posed questions about patrolling, issuing of tickets, servicing of summons; and what specifically that would entail. As well, he asked if there was a study done in relation to the bylaw.
Quoting section 4.1 of the proposed bylaw, “Council may by resolution enforce selection of provincial statutes to be enforced. What statutes? I have great concern for this point because at any time that council, now and in the future, may make a resolution and therefore institute any and all provincial statues.
I believe these are all very vague in description and will require greater investigation of the thought process. Furthermore, county council has indicated that the bylaw enforcement officer will not be traffic enforcement. Why would you have this particular statement within this statute?
The county advertised this bylaw within the local paper which is not included in our mail anymore. I found this notice after a neighbour indicated I should look at…Perhaps the county needs to advertise this within the local radio stations or perhaps mail outs to the taxpayers. Perhaps the county should have done some town hall meetings or public engagement to inform the public about the proposed bylaw. Therefore, I believe that Bylaw 1359-024 should not be imposed in its present form at this time.”
Following the public hearing second reading of the bylaw passed. Div. 1 Councillor Joey Nafizger suggested a town hall meeting, and the remainder of council voting in favour of the idea. Two open houses are slated for late February in Innisfree and Minburn.
It was also recommended that administration investigate alternate forms of advertisement, in addition to the County of Minburn website and social media, which are its primary methods of notification.
