Public Safety Report for Nov/Dec 2018 & Jan/Feb 2019

As a result of the new Building Code and the recent Building Act, the Town’s Building Bylaw is under review, using the MIABC template as a guide. It can be expected to be brought forward soon.

Construction activity in the area is relative to the region. A slight slow-down appears to be in effect as happens from time to time in the building industry. Expectations are that activity should pick up again at some point this year.

Improvements to office time, file management and customer service have been explored and many items are being implemented to help make View Royal a great place to do business.

November/December 2018 Permit Summary

January/February 2019 Permit Summary

Permit Revenue Comparison Chart

Gary Faykes, Building Inspector

Bylaw Division:

In response to several complaints, the Bylaw Department attended an area on View Royal Avenue near the 4 Mile Pub on numerous occasions to conduct parking enforcement. People attending various holiday functions at the Pub were observed parking along View Royal Avenue, creating a risk to public safety for both pedestrians and motorists. Over forty warnings were issued during the month of December as a result of these complaints.

2018 Summary

During 2018, the Bylaw Division underwent some changes, including the hiring of a new Bylaw Officer in February and a part-time Bylaw Clerk in September. The Division developed several systems to manage and resolve over 400 complaints. Some of these changes have yielded significant results. For instance, a review of the data revealed that 77% of actionable complaints were concluded within 2.4 days.

Since February 2018, there were 414 complaints received and only sox of these investigations are expected to remain open into the New Year. There were over 500 parking warnings issued, ten vehicles towed and eighteen MTIs issued. Of the six files being carried over into 2019, three were existing issues prior to 2018 and three are new issues. The Bylaw Enforcement Officer has been proactive in mitigating some of the more problem parking areas as indicated in the following illustration:

Areas of Significant Traffic Violations

Another project undertaken in October 2018 was the proactive enforcement of the Sign Bylaw. Both through education/liaison and enforcement, 100% compliance in the placement of illegal signs on the boulevards has been obtained. This proactive enforcement strategy will continue into the New Year.

The Division met with Finance & Information Technology staff in November to discuss the potential use of iCity’s ticketing module for MTIs.

Several joint initiatives included working with various stakeholders such as the RCMP to clean up a major ‘unsightly premises’. Although a long-term project, it was dismantled within four months and is now no longer problematic for the community.

Due to numerous complaints received in 2018 from one of the development sites in the community, the Division initiated contact with the developer to outline expectations for compliance. The developer subsequently established a dedicated liaison to deal with all complaints associated with the building activity. As a result, there has been a marked improvement and a significant reduction in calls/complaints to the Bylaw Division.

A submission was developed for an amendment to the current Parks Bylaw in an effort to mitigate the effects of any future long-term homeless occupations. A bylaw amendment could align the Town of View Royal with neighbouring communities who have already been negatively impacted by this activity. In the meantime, in an effort to gain compliance and balance competing priorities, the Bylaw Enforcement Officer is providing a client with a homeless shelter communiqué, encouraging them to seek appropriate safe shelter.

Bylaw Enforcement/Bylaw Impacted YTD

2019 Projection

The Bylaw Enforcement Division will be reviewing and enhancing the ticketing (MTI) process in 2019. The Bylaw Clerk will be liaising with various stakeholders to establish a best practice to ensure all clients issued with tickets pay the required monetary penalty in a timely fashion.

January/February

There was an increase in calls for service regarding the 40 Days for Life protest taking place near a local medical clinic. Communication with the stakeholders has ensured continued compliance by the demonstrators. They continue to legally demonstrate within the established “bubble zone”. This activity will continue to be monitored by the Division when necessary.

The newly established ticketing process developed by the Division is currently underway. As a result, the Division has one payment hearing set for April to recover monetary penalties issued to a client who has yet to pay the assigned fines during a lengthy investigation.

As described in the “2018 Summary” section above, the Division has now liaised with legal counsel to develop an amendment to the Parks Bylaw. The impetus for this is as a direct result of the impact homeless encampments have had on neighbouring communities. Changes as a result of recent Supreme Court decisions will now require communities to adjust their Bylaws, ensuring respectful, appropriate and timely enforcement. The process is now at a point where discussions with other departments will take place to ensure the recommendations will both align and meet with Council expectations.

Another project will be initiated in the spring of 2019 to educate tree pruning/cutting companies who provide service within View Royal. The impetus for this approach is as a direct result of having to issue some significant high value tickets in both 2018 and early 2019. The overall objective will be to ensure all home owners and companies recognize the merits of both the Tree Protection Bylaw and the legal requirement to obtain permits when conducting certain types of pruning and cutting activities.

Bylaw Enforcement/Bylaw Impacted 2019 YTD

Mark Groulx, Bylaw Enforcement Officer

Chief’s Comments:

2018 was an exceptional year for all departments within the Protective Services Division. Although calls for service specific to the changes in medical response saw a reduction, several high profile and complex events challenged the firefighters this past year. In early January, BCEHS is going to be rolling out modifications to their response logic which will realize a slight upward bump in calls. Probably short of historic numbers, nevertheless additional response criteria will be re-employed to offer better customer service to the residents of View Royal.

The 2018 wildfire season materialized as expected and drew resources from the entire province for several months. I am proud that View Royal firefighters participated and supported some of BC’s most significant firefighting events.

2018 also realized the transition of dispatch services from Saanich to Surrey. Feedback from staff and members has revealed a positive first six months. Obvious changes have improved response tracking and timestamping to emergencies as well as a significant improvement in turnaround times for enquiries to the centre. Computer aided dispatch (CAD) will go live in 2019 in front line apparatus.

The Fire Department currently has eight volunteer firefighter vacancies. A recent recruit intake of nine members will bring the department back up to strength; however, these recruits are approximately one year away from being able to respond to calls. Extensive training and new legislation mandates training minimums. That said, five 2017 recruits have realized success in their training and are now considered active, interior operations firefighters.

High level meetings with Westshore fire partners have been successful in aligning response logics to better support each other in emergencies. Several joint initiatives are nearing implementation, which include tri party agreements for Chief Officer’s responses, combined specialty teams, enhanced automatic and mutual aid to targeted high risk occupancies and a combined Westshore fire investigation team.

We have received tremendous support from the new RCMP OIC, Todd Preston, as we combine resources and open our facility to joint training initiatives.

Much work is being accomplished in Bylaw Enforcement. Bylaw issues can be complex or simple. That said, with an average file conclusion to complaints occurring in just over two days, it can be concluded that with new systems in place and anticipated changes in 2019, things are on track to maximize efficiencies.

2019 will bring challenges to the department with respect to retention of volunteers. Increased training and call volumes put additional stress on the system. As we complete our 70th year of proud volunteer service, it is important to recognize the support from the CAO, the View Royal senior management team and Mayor and Council. The success of this organization is realized because of mutual respect and a willingness to ensure a safe community.

My personal thanks to CAO Anema and our Mayor and Council for your support this past year. It is recognized not only by my office, but from the many volunteers and staff that make up all our departments. Looking forward to another successful year in 2019.

SUBMITTED BY:

Paul Hurst, Fire Chief/Director of Protective Services

REVIEWED BY:

Kim Anema, Chief Administrative Officer