An open letter to council of the Corporation of the City of Grand Forks
At the March 9 meeting of Grand Forks City Council, a motion was passed for council to direct staff to enforce the deer-feeding bylaw.
In the March 25, issue of the Grand Forks Gazette, this motion was reinforced with a public awareness announcement and an article by Della Mallette: “Feed deer, get a fine.”
City council appears unaware that, in the absence of explicit commencement dates, bylaws come into force (i.e., have legal force and effect) when adopted by council. The power to enforce such bylaws commences forthwith.
A subsequent motion by council to enforce the bylaw is not necessary.
City council is sending the message that, in the absence of a “motion to enforce,” bylaws can be disregarded by city residents. This could explain why so many bylaws and other legal instruments in Grand Forks are often ignored: for example, Unsightly Premises Bylaw No. 1962, Noise Control Bylaw No. 1963, Water Sprinkling Regulations 2013.
It is time to get down to business. Put the bylaw enforcement officer to work enforcing ALL bylaws.
If his building inspection responsibilities preclude him from effectively carrying out his bylaw enforcement duties, then the City of Grand Forks should look to “trim the fat” in other areas and hire a full-time bylaw enforcement officer.
The most effective way to improve compliance with bylaws is to enforce them and make such action public, in a similar manner as is done by the Gazette in its Police Briefs section.
Chris Palmer, Grand Forks
