TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT MEMORANDUM
MEETING DATE: May 26, 2025 Report No. CSS-25-003
TO: Council
FROM: Joel Clary, Director of Engineering & Public Works
SUBJECT: Bylaw Enforcement Review
INFORMATION:
The purpose of this memo is to present Council with the attached Bylaw Enforcement Level of Service Review, conducted in 2024 by Innova Strategy Group and to outline subsequent actions taken by staff.
At the October 30, 2023, Council meeting, Council provided the following direction:
That Council direct staff to prepare background materials and facilitate a Council discussion exploring options to enhance evening and weekend bylaw enforcement, particularly focusing on parking issues.
To support this directive and inform Council's discussion, a comprehensive Level of Service Review was initiated. The results of this review are in Attachment 1 and summarized in the presentation in Attachment 2.
The consultant's main recommendations include:
1. Establish a collections contract for unpaid fines;
2. Modernize bylaw management software to improve service efficiency;
3. Implement after hours enforcement through a contracted-out parking enforcement agency or by hiring auxiliary staff; and
4. Reassess the Residential Parking Only policy and reconsider the introduction of a Permit Parking Program.
Staff support the first three recommendations, which align with Council direction and have been initiated as follows:
1. Collections Contract: A collections contract is now in place to support improved compliance and recovery of outstanding fines. Staff are working with the collections contractor on outstanding fines dating back to 2019.
2. Software Modernization: Council approved $40,000 in the 2025 budget for bylaw management software. Staff are currently evaluating options; implementation will require involvement from the future Director of Strategic Initiatives.
3. After hours Enforcement: Council approved $50,000 in the 2025 budget for after hours bylaw enforcemen...
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