The Town of Oliver is considering boosting its bylaw enforcement budget by $11,000 this year to address the many issues that plagued the community last summer. Shown here are RCMP officers and a bylaw officer trying to resolve the parking congestion in Lion’s Park.
It’s budget time, and the Town of Oliver is considering an increase of $11,000 for bylaw enforcement services in 2016.
Last week staff sought support for additional monies to boost bylaw enforcement work in the community. There was also a recommendation to hire South Okanagan Security (SOS) as the new bylaw enforcement provider in Oliver.
In her report, Corporate Officer Diane Vaykovich acknowledged the tensions between residents and migrating farm workers every summer.
“There are abuses of alcohol, drugs, and dogs at large in the parks, however, it is important to note that Oliver RCMP advise that these abuses are also from the local transient population.”
Vaykovich said the Lion’s Park Action Committee (established by Oliver Parks and Recreation) has identified a number of possible solutions to ebb some of the negative impacts on the parks this year.
These include: Improved signage (that includes icons, French/English language, hours of operation, and park rules); coordinate St. Jean Baptiste Day event on June 23; identify ways to improve access to power; install gate at Lion’s Park; establish an off-leash dog area at Lion’s Park; provide transportation to Loose Bay campground; improve space to wash dishes, and access to showers.
Vaykovich said there was a gap in bylaw enforcement services last summer, but SOS officers were able to positively mitigate concerns once hired later in the summer of 2015.
Enforcement services were primarily provided based on complaints, with much less time on general patrolling or proactive enforcement, she pointed out.
Vaykovich noted that RCMP officers and SOS staff understand that these farm workers are looking for a place to meet and socialize, connect with Wi-Fi, and have access to water for showers and washing dishes.
Vaykovich indicated there were 113 complaints lodged in 2015, compared to 145 in 2013.
To proactively address these issues, Vaykovich said improved public education is required to provide information on bylaws and the rationale for their existence. This could include the development of brochures, posters or display tables at public information sessions.
Vaykovich said the preferred contractor is SOS because they were ready to start January 1, and will sign a one-year contract with the Town.
“SOS will utilize an experienced, local individual who will be able to respond promptly and has local knowledge of the area,” she stated.
She noted that the BC Commissionaires offered a slightly lower rate of $33.25 per hour, but they are not able to provide services until February 1 and will require time to train staff.
The 2016 budget for bylaw enforcement is $52,150, an increase of $11,380 over last year.
Council will look at reducing bylaw enforcement hours (in the slower months) in order to make the budget increase easier to swallow. It was reported that 320 hours were used for bylaw enforcement last year.
“SOS says a reduction in hours won’t impact their ability to enforce the bylaws,” Vaykovich said.
She did note the Town hired SOS to conduct security patrols in the community, but the company didn’t observe any crimes. “They said it was very quiet.”
But Councillor Jack Bennest said he’d like to hear more details about the patrols considering the number of break-ins and thefts that have occurred in the Oliver area.
Council will discuss the issue further during upcoming budget deliberations to determine the actual increase and enforcement hours.
Chief Financial Officer Dave Svetlichny noted that a one per cent increase in property tax rates represents a revenue increase of $13,300.
By Lyonel Doherty
