PERIOD REPORT
DATE: May 27, 2024 Report No. CSS-24-002
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Joel Clary, Director of Engineering & Public Works
SUBJECT:TITLECommunity Safety Services Department - 2024 First Period Report
Body
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Community Safety Services Department from January 1, 2024 to April 30, 2024. The Director of Community Safety Services position remains vacant due to the unplanned absence (due to medical issues) and subsequent retirement of the incumbent. The responsibilities of this role remain shared between the Director of Engineering and Public Works (bylaw and building inspections), the Manager of Economic Development (business licencing) and the Chief Administrative Officer (Public Safety Building, policing and emergency management). A competition to fill the Director position is currently underway.
I. DIVISION ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. Emergency Management
• Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP)
o Developed social media posts for the whole year on various aspects of emergency preparedness.
o Attended Family Day festivities and set up a table at the Rec Centre; handed out preparedness information.
o Participated in the Recruitment Fair.
• Emergency Support Services
o Conducted Reception Centre training for staff members at Municipal Hall and recreation staff at Archie Browning.
o Responded to a Level One event at 1007 Esquimalt Rd, supported three residents.
o Responded to a Level two event at 656 Garrett Street where 20 residents were supported.
o Level One training session with Oak Bay volunteers where Esquimalt volunteers provided mentorship to Oak Bay volunteers.
o Attended Regional Workshop that was co-organized by Esquimalt Emergency Program.
• Emergency Radio Communications
o Began training with two new Radio Volunteers.
o Arranged for Industry Canada to transfer VE7EEP and VE7EEM club call sign certification to team leader Larry Gagnon as part of succession planning.
o Outdated laptop replaced.
o Checked status of radio equipment at both Municipal Hall and secondary location at Public Works Yard.
o Participated in Reception Centre training for staff highlighting the roll of the radio team in a reception centre.
o Also attended the Recruitment Fair.
• Administration
o Received grant for collaboration and consultation with Nation Communities who have historical territory in current boundaries of Esquimalt. Strategy to spend the funding is being developed regionally and directly with the Nations.
o Continued planning for Oh Deer exercise Part Two which is scheduled for May 14, 2024.
o Co-organized ESS workshop with Saanich and Oak Bay to host 50 volunteers from around the region.
o Posted invitation to quote for a consultant to do Community Risk Assessment.
o Applied and received funding for four ESS workshops in the region, this will be developed and led by the Esquimalt Emergency Program.
o Part of the planning committee for a Federal exercise for Nuclear Safety Plan with DND, one of only two municipalities asked to be on committee with View Royal.
o Desalination unit was tested, and water tested was potable.
o Trained 15 members of Parks and Public Works in Rapid Damage Assessment.
o Participated in regional forums: Regional Emergency Management Partnership (REMP) and the Local Government Emergency Program Advisory Commission (LGEPAC). Continued as Chair of the Emergency Support Services Directors group for the Greater Victoria region.
2. Bylaw Enforcement
• Bylaw Offence Notice Disputes
In this period, 10 BON’s were referred to the screening officer level. Of those, 7 were cancelled and 3 were upheld for payment. No matters were referred for adjudication.
Bylaw Contraventions and Complaints, BON’s and Animal Management Report [Attachment #1]
• Dog Licensing
During the first period, 1439 licenses were sold: 561 from Municipal Hall, 332 from vendors and 546 online through MyEsquimalt.
Dog licenses can be renewed in several ways:
o Purchase at the Municipal Hall in person
o By mail
o Through MyEsquimalt online
o Through Victoria Animal Control Services
o At Castle Building Centre in Victoria West and Shoppers Drug Mart in Esquimalt
• Deer Study
Dr. Fisher, in consultation and collaboration with the Township, has secured additional federal grant funding from NSERC which will allow the Deer Study to continue until March 31, 2025.
The cameras continue to sample deer relative abundance and fawn occurrence across the Township and DND lands. Dr. Fisher is close to having completed density estimates for the years sampled to date. A Master of Science student is working on fawning rate estimates before and after immunocontraception treatment. The project team is working with Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society to link together Oak Bay’s Deer project results with Esquimalt’s, to look for similarities or differences in responses. The project is on track to provide early conclusions by end 2024.
3. Building Inspections/Permits
• The first period of 2024 resulted in a decrease in demand for permits but an increase in construction value compared with the first period of 2023. The total value of construction in the first period of 2024 was approximately $17.2 million compared with $14.3 million in the first period of 2023. Similar to construction values, the permit fees are showing slight increases, with $165,000 in the first period of 2024 compared to $142,000 for the first period of 2023.
• Attachments
Building Permits Chart [Attachment #2]
4. Policing
• The options analysis work for policing models in Esquimalt conducted by perivale+taylor was presented to Council in February 2024. Council eliminated consideration of some potential models and directed staff to initiate a new project that continues the exploration of an Esquimalt Police Department (supported by a larger police force) as a model for police services delivery in Esquimalt.
5. Public Safety Building
• The design phase of the Public Safety Building was completed in this period, with a successful invitation to tender process and a construction contract awarded to Knappett Projects Inc. The construction phase of the project is set to begin end May 2024.
II. COMMITTEES
• No Community Safety Services Staff currently sit on any Council appointed committees; however, the Director and the Emergency Program Manager represent the Township on the Capital Regional District Local Government Emergency Program Advisory Commission, the Regional Emergency Planning Advisory Commission, and the Regional Emergency Management Partnership with the Province, as well as on several regional and provincial working groups.
• The Emergency Program Manager chairs the Esquimalt Emergency Planning Committee.