PERIOD REPORT
DATE: September 23, 2024 Report No. CSS-24-003
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Joel Clary, Director of Engineering & Public Works
SUBJECT:TITLECommunity Safety Services Department - 2024 Second Period Report
Body
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Community Safety Services Department from May 1, 2024 to August 31, 2024. The Director of Community Safety Services position remains vacant due to the unplanned extended absence 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).
I. DIVISION ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. Emergency Management
• Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP)
o Continue to post on social media to promote readiness at home.
o Working with Ballantrae Strata for preparing their strata for emergencies.
• Emergency Support Services
o Volunteers participated in Oh Deer Part Two, an EOC exercise, and provided knowledge about Reception Centres to EOC staff in the role of Operations Section ESS Branch.
o Continued learning of updated ERA tool.
o Attended Regional Training in Meet and Greet and Group Lodging.
o Summertime hiatus for the team.
• Emergency Radio Communications
o Onboarded and completed basic training for two new radio volunteers.
o Activated one emergency radio "Go-Kit" in Saxe Point Park, and tested batteries and portable antennas.
o Replaced 9-year-old deep cycle batteries near end of life in the main audio Room.
o Constructed and tested portable HF dipole antenna.
o Changed sponsor of the Esquimalt amateur radio license certificate to VE7EA from VA7WAE, a procedure required by Industry Canada.
o Maintained weekly activation of Radio Room during slow summer period where many teams in other municipalities take a break.
• Administration
o EOC Exercise for staff, Oh Deer Part Two, was attended by over 25 staff members, including staff members from three regional Emergency Programs (View Royal, Colwood and CRD). The objectives for the exercise were met, making the exercise a success.
o Emergency Program Staff have been active participants for the planning working group for the November exercise for Nuclear Response on CFB Esquimalt.
o Staff have been active in the working group for Indigenous Engagement Funding provided by the province to support relationship building with Nations whose traditional lands we reside upon. The focus needs to be within the context of Emergency Management.
o Six Managers (including Emergency Program Manager) took part in a region wide EOC exercise organized by REMP and supported by the province for a Tsunami hazard.
o Emergency Program staff continue to participate in both LGEPAC and REMP Committees as well as chair the ESSD committee for the CRD Region.
o Creation of virtual EOC using MS Teams was shared with all staff who have taken EOC training. This process is still under development but if needed would be the primary method of operating an EOC by staff, either virtually or in-person.
2. Bylaw Enforcement
• Bylaw Offence Notice Disputes
In this period, 17 BONs were referred to the screening officer level. Of those, 10 were cancelled and 7 were upheld for payment. No matters were referred for adjudication.
Bylaw Contraventions and Complaints, BONs and Animal Management Report [Attachment #1]
• Dog Licensing
During the first period, 125 licenses were sold: 40 from Municipal Hall, 59 from vendors and 26 online through MyEsquimalt.
Dog licenses can be renewed in several ways:
o Purchase at the Municipal Hall in person
o By mail
o Online through MyEsquimalt
o Purchase through Victoria Animal Control Services
o Purchase at Castle Building Centre in Victoria West and Shoppers Drug Mart in Esquimalt
• Deer Study
The cameras continue to sample deer relative abundance and fawn occurrence across the Township and DND lands. The project teams has successfully constructed density models to estimate black-tailed deer abundance in Esquimalt for the years sampled to date. Once the images from 2024 have been processed, they will be added to the model and the team will start constructing deer population projects.
A Master of Science student is working on fawning rate estimates before and after immunocontraception treatment. Between September 11 and October 31, 2024, the project team will be administering booster vaccinations to female deer in Esquimalt.
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.
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. The project is expected to be complete in late 2025.
3. Building Inspections/Permits
• The second period of 2024 resulted in a decrease in demand for permits but an increase in construction value compared with the second period of 2023. The total value of construction in the second period of 2024 was $87.1 million compared with $44.6 million in the second period of 2023. Similar to construction values, the permit fees are showing significant increases, with $658,000 in the first period of 2024 compared to $400,000 for the second period of 2023.
• Attachments
Building Permits Chart [Attachment #2]
4. Policing
• The next phase of Council’s exploration of a new policing model is underway. Consultant Ray Bernoties was engaged to support the CAO in development of transition plans for an Esquimalt Police Department supported with services provided by a larger police department. The intent is to provide these potential transition plans for feasibility assessment and decision making by Council in 2025.
5. Public Safety Building
• The construction phase of the Public Safety Building began in June 2024. As of mid-September 2024, the construction phase is proceeding on schedule and on-budget. No further issues or concerns to report.
II. COMMITTEES
• No Community Safety Services Staff currently sit on any Council appointed committees; however, the Emergency Program Manager represents 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.