Armstrong council is one reading away from adopting a new municipal ticketing infraction (MTI) bylaw which comes with a reward for early payment of parking tickets.
Council gave three readings at its monthly July regular meeting Monday to the proposed bylaw that would see $100 parking ticket fines reduced by 50 per cent to $50 if paid within 30 days of the infraction.
“By taking advantage of this provision with a 50 per cent reduction, there could be more of an incentive to pay the fine and negate attendance at a court hearing,” wrote Armstrong chief financial officer Terry Martens.
In 2012, there were a total of 24 MTIs issued, 22 for parking violations, the majority of which came at the annual Interior Provincial Exhibition (there was MTI for a dog issue and one for an illegal sign).
An alleged offender who receives a ticket currently has 14 days to dispute the fine in accordance with provincial legislation.
The dispute process involves a provincial court hearing in Vernon with Armstrong’s bylaw enforcement officer acting as the prosecuting lawyer. Historically, the city takes part in one-to-two disputes a year.
Reducing the fine if payment is made within 30 days is a possible solution for ticket disputes.
No other violation in the MTI bylaw is currently subject to a fine reduction.
The proposed new bylaw contains two other amendments.
There would be an addition of two fines under the water and sewer regulation establishment bylaw for $150 each for removing, tampering and/or bypassing a water meter and a backflow prevention device.
A fine of $150 would be levied under the fire prevention bylaw for impeding or hindering a fire official.
n Council also gave three readings to amend its unsightly premises bylaw, and to a bylaw that would allow the city annual revenue anticipation borrowing.
The amendment to the unsightly premises bylaw adds a section that guides council in making a decision to exempt a property that has grass greater than the maximum allowable height of eight inches and/or has vegetation that could be considered overgrown.
“Some people have beautiful, natural landscape grass that is more than eight inches,” explained Coun. Kelly Rowe. “This recommendation allows the city to make exemptions when it’s part of a natural landscape.”
In a report to council, Martens explained that many small communities are required to temporarily borrow funds to pay for lawful expenditures, especially during periods immediately prior to the annual property tax season when cash flows are not adequate to pay for daily operating expenses.
To legally borrow money, the city must adopt a revenue anticipation bylaw.
Armstrong has not had to do this since 2003 because its cash flows have been more than adequate during the months prior to tax time.
“With this bylaw being adopted annually, there would be a higher level of comfort in having the legal ability to dip into the line of credit if that were ever necessary,” said Martens.
