Necessary housekeeping and updating to meet the city's present needs have prompted Elliot Lake staff to get involved in revamping policy and closing loopholes on a number of fronts including what constitutes a nuisance.
Tuesday afternoon members of Elliot Lake's Bylaw and Planning Committee took a look at suggestions to amend property standards bylaws, consider a new nuisance bylaw and examine proposed changes to the garbage bylaw.
The meeting was held virtually via video conference.
In her written report Natalie Bray, city clerk, made a number of recommendations aimed at updating the Property Standards Bylaw passed in 2003.
One addition is inclusion to the list of noxious weeds, another is illumination of common areas in multi-dwelling units.
Fines would be increased from $55 to $75 for violators.
In response to a question about public education from Coun. Sandy Finamore, Bray replied, "We are definitely going to make use of the new Facebook page and also the newsletter. I think those are definitely the best bang for our buck."
"We're looking at a fine of $75 to have a structurally unsound building. I wonder if we could ask the bylaw enforcement staff take another look at this and perhaps come up with a graded system of fines," said Coun. Chris Patrie.
Ms. Bray also produced a number of proposals to regulate public nuisances in the city.
Suggested prohibitions include bodily emissions, dumping on public property, public intoxication, lewd acts, mischief, discharging smoke dust and particulate matter, noxious odours, crossing barriers on private property, defacing signs, dumping on private property, trespassing, camping on city property, and so on.
Fines range from $55 to $305.
"I don't know who that was who parked an RV next to the Civic Centre near the Esso for a week just because they thought they could. Let's make it fair and equitable for everybody," said Finamore.
Bray replied, "This one does focus on parks, trails, beachfront areas and boat launches. We did have a number of issues last summer with people setting up tents down on our beach properties behind our water treatment in the bush.
"There were issues with dirty needles being left so we're just trying to focus on those types of things."
Elliot Lake's Director of Public Works Daryl Halloch introduced a report recommending changes to the garbage bylaw which was last updated in 2005.
Proposed changes include size and weight of garbage containers, types of garbage permitted, penalties for improper disposal, disposal fees, fines for excess curbside garbage and illegal dumping.
A two-bag weekly limit would mean residents would have to purchase tags for each extra bag at $2 each.
Noting the plan is to start issuing bag tags in 2022, Mayor Dan Marchisella said we need to decide what size constitutes a medium size garbage bag.
Due to the number of bears in her neighbourhood, Finamore said composting is out of the question where she lives and the size and weight of individual bags is a concern for seniors who can only lift bags under a certain weight limit.
"I don't want to see anyone penalized. I do not ever want us to do what the City of Sudbury does. They've gone to garbage every other week, which is horrific," she said.
Mayor Marchisella wrapped up the committee debate, "I think we're going to have a larger conversation with Mr. Halyk for the new model of our landfill site and the operations of the landfill site."
The bylaws are expected to be referred to council at its next meeting on April 12.