City committee lays over discussion on hiking fines for street bylaw infractions
Winnipeg City Council’s Public Works Committee has asked for a fuller report, including information on what happens in other jurisdictions, before deciding on a recommendation to increase the fines for people or companies that are placing materials, improperly parking or blocking street lanes without permits.
The administration recommended to Public Works that fines for infractions rise steeply, and that deep discounts on fines paid promptly be eliminated. Click here to read the administration report.
The Committee was told on January 9 more than 200 infractions happen annually, and that five companies are responsible for 17% of infractions.
Coun. Janice Lukes, Committee Chair, asked the report be laid over for further consideration, pending the administration returning with information about what other jurisdictions charge for fines and enforcement. It was noted there are just four bylaw enforcement officers, and increased enforcement might require additional resources.
The Committee also asked the administration to prepare information on how increased fines would impact revenues and the potential cost of increasing enforcement.
MHCA President & CEO Chris Lorenc said the problem doesn’t just relate to the construction industry but to broader use of the streets.
Lorenc noted the price of fines does little to deter complying with street bylaws, especially as there is a cut rate for early payment. Enforcement requires attention to this, he said.
However, the heavy construction industry needs timely issuance of permits for street use and lane occupancy because industry cannot afford to delay construction, which has timelines for completion laid out in contracts.
