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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: \}\t----/ im T omps , MLEO, CPSO, CMM I Manager, By-law Enforcement Services b' ~ b _db t:1 u)C'C>L. Debi Wilcox, CMO, CMMIII City Clerk _:--'2:;;;ti;iff;;;~'~ Gillis Paterson Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer :kt Copy: Chief Administrative Officer Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City oun' 1'- CORP0227-07/01 revised