The City of Timmins could have as many as three new bylaw enforcement officers in the coming months.
Supervisor of Enforcement Services James Lefebvre was on hand to answer council questions on Monday evening at city hall, regarding a report from city administrators.
A recommendation from the city was for council to approve the hiring of an additional municipal bylaw enforcement officer on a full-time basis. Additionally, two full-time 'enforcement positions' on two-year contracts based on the recommendation.
One of the hot topic bylaws in particular is residents placing snow from their yards and driveways onto city streets and sidewalks.
Ongoing efforts to control countless bylaws and safety matters such as fire routes and accessible parking have made staffing issues abundantly clear.
Among the other bylaws and issues the city would like to crack down on are:
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Noise complaints
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Smoking complaints
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Animal Control Support
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Enforcement of backyard fire pits
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Enforcement on sea containers violations
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Proactive property maintenance
"There's all kinds of things we could be doing out there proactively," said Lefebvre.
A full-time Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Officer would cost the city additional $49,000 annually, with $10,000 of that being benefits.
However, Enforcement Services estimates that the position would generate between $67,000 and $70,000 per year, which would be a boost to city coffers.
"By hiring a full time person, plus the two contract employees, we'd be able to increase the amount of hours that we cover in a day. We could do an afternoon shift, which would give us an opportunity to enforce the garbage bylaw. Making sure that proper materials are placed in the blue bins. "said James Lefebvre
Councillor Andre Grzela feels that additional manpower in the department would benefit the city as a whole.
"Its great to have bylaws, but what are they worth if you can't enforce them?" he said Councillor Andre Grzela.
Grzela said that when bylaws are proactively enforced, residents adapt, and it leads to a more pleasant city for everyone.
"Whether its through having less sea containers along our main thoroughfare, or a having a safer and more abided by fire pit law" he said, citing knowledge of pits less than 10 feet from dwellings in certain areas.
He also hoped bylaws could be enforced in the downtown area, especially regarding the tossing of cigarette butts by careless citizens.
Councillor Mike Doody said that bylaw officers have an often unpleasant job, but they are a necessary part of a community.
Councillor Noella Rinaldo says she is all for reinforcements, citing concerns raised over the past several years about a lack of manpower.
Councillor Pat Bamford says that property standards violations take a great deal of time to deal with, and often end up in court.
"If we want to beautify our city, we have to deal with these few handful of people who are making a mess of their properties, and bothering their neighbours" he said.
"What I've heard as much as anything in this community as a Councillor is that 'you don't enforce your bylaws'" said Bamford.
Lefebvre acknowledged that 'a little dent' could be put into the city's snow removal budget, by cracking down on those residents who continue to pile their snow on city property.
Mayor Steve Black says a resolution will be back on a council agenda in the near future. Based on the receptiveness of council on Monday, the reinforcements are very likely to be approved.
