HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS 54-08
REPORT TO
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Report Number: CS 54-08
Date: December 8, 2008
1 57
From:
Gillis A. Paterson
Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer
Subject:
Fees By-law Amendment
- Sidewalk Snow Clearing Charges
- File: F-1 000-001-08
Recommendation:
1. That Report CS 54-08 of the Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer be
received.
2. That the recommended amendments to the Fees By-law be adopted.
3. That snow removal required in relation to the enforcement of the Sidewalk Snow
Clearing By-law be provided by a contractor arranged by the City.
Executive Summary: The City of Pickering Sidewalk Snow Clearing By-law
requires property owners to clear the ice and snow from the municipal sidewalk
adjacent to their properties within 24 hours after the snow fall. If a property owner fails
to do so, Municipal Law Enforcement Services staff provide the property owner with a
notice requiring the sidewalk be cleared of ice and snow within 24 hours of issuance of
the notice. If the sidewalk has not been cleared upon a follow up inspection, Municipal
Operations staff have been requested to provide this service and the property owner
receives a charge of $75.00 on their property tax bill.
It is recommended that the fees be increased and amended to incorporate different
charges for larger sidewalks, and that the snow and ice removal required in relation to
enforcement be provided by the City's contractor who currently provides services in
relation to other enforcement matters. The fee will also include a 25% administrative
charge, payable to the City, as all other services provided through enforcement are
subject to.
Fees recommended:
Sidewalks less than 50 feet:
Sidewalks greater than 50 feet or corner lots:
$85.00 + $21.25 (admin) = $106.25
$125.00 +$31.25 (admin) = $156.25
Report CS 54-08
December 8,2008
Su~est8 Sidewalk Snow Clearing Charges
Page 2
Financial Implications: The City cleared approximately 70 sidewalks in 2008 in
relation to sidewalk snow clearing enforcement. Charges associated would total
$5,250.00
Estimating that of the 70, approximately 25 would have sidewalks on corner lots or
greater than 50 feet, the same enforcement would result in charges of $8,687.50 based
on the recommended fees. Subtracting the cost of the contractor, the City would
receive $1,737.50 to cover enforcement costs.
Sustainability Implications: Ensuring municipal sidewalks are maintained free of ice
and snow facilitates pedestrian use allowing those who utilize public transit or walk to
their destination to do so safely.
Background: During periods of heavy snowfall, City Operations staff are busy
with municipal requirements and cannot provide sidewalk snow clearing related to
enforcement of the Sidewalk Snow Clearing by-law. Upon review, the fees charged
often did not cover the costs of City staff to provide the service, or incorporate the costs
of several visits by Municipal Law Enforcement Officers related to the enforcement of
the by-law. On several occasions property owners simply preferred to pay the City to
clear the sidewalk.
The purpose of the Sidewalk Snow Clearing By-law is to compel property owners to
make arrangements to clear the snow and ice from municipal sidewalks adjacent to
their properties. As responsible property owners comply with the requirements to clear
snow and ice, it is unfair to subsidize the cost of clearing the ice and snow from a
sidewalk where property owners do not comply. The charges to the property owner
should reflect not only the costs to provide the service, but administrative fees which
acknowledge the costs associated with the owner's failure to comply with the City's by-
law requirements.
Municipal Law Enforcement Services is recommending the contractor who presently
provides services for Clean & Clear enforcement, be utilized to provide sidewalk snow
clearing enforcement. The use of a contractor will ensure the public is aware that City
staff are not providing this service, and will remove the perception that the City is
charging for a service that many property owners express the City should be providing.
Also, concerns have been expressed by the public, that no matter what the size of the
sidewalk cleared, or the time required to do it, the fee remained the same.
Upon review of other municipalities charges for enforcement of sidewalk snow clearing,
it was learned the City of Kitchener charges $300 for a single sidewalk, $500 for a
double, plus administrative fees.
CORP0227-07/01 revised
Report CS 54-08
December 8, 2008
Subject: Sidewalk Snow Clearing Charges
Page 3
'159
Municipal Law Enforcement Services has been advised the contractor will clear the first
50 feet of sidewalk for a charge of $85.00. Additional lengths of sidewalk or corner lots
will be charged $125.00. The 25% administrative fee will be added on to each of these
fees.
The recommendations in this report will increase the fees for the services provided to
cover the costs paid by the City for not only the clearing of the ice and snow, but the
costs associated with the enforcement process.
Attachments:
1. Not applicable
Prepared By:
Approved/Endorsed By:
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im T omps , MLEO, CPSO, CMM I
Manager, By-law Enforcement Services
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Debi Wilcox, CMO, CMMIII
City Clerk
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Gillis Paterson
Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer
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Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City oun' 1'-
CORP0227-07/01 revised