Safety and Facilities Services Committee

Minutes

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Council Chamber
Present:
  • Councillor Nicholson
  • Councillor Lee
  • Councillor Marks
  • Councillor McConkey
  • Mayor Carter
Absent:
  • Councillor Kerr
Also Present:
  • T. Adams, Chief Administrative Officer
  • K. Alexander, Director, Facilities Management
  • P. Lyon, Director, Mun. Law Enforcement & Licensing Services
  • J. Lane, Council-Committee Coordinator
  • F. Bianchet, Council-Committee Coordinator
  • R. Rossetti, Council-Committee Coordinator
  • D. Clark, Fire Chief
  • S. Barkwell, Deputy Fire Chief
  • K. Man, Manager, Policy, Licensing & Business Services
  • D. Livesey, Senior Policy Advisor

Public Meeting

 

Councillor Nicholson called the meeting to order and stated that all members of the Committee were participating from the Chamber except Councillor Kerr who was absent.

Public Consent Agenda

 

See Matters Excluded from Consent Agenda

Public Discussion Agenda

 

Matters Excluded from Consent Agenda

 

SF-23-24 - Safety and Facilities Services Committee Outstanding Items Status Report - Second Quarter 2023 (All Wards)

This item has attachments. 
1.REPORT_SF-23-24.pdf
  • Moved byCouncillor McConkey

    That the Safety and Facilities Services Committee recommend to City Council:

    That Report SF-23-24, dated June 7, 2023 being the Safety and Facilities Services Committee's Outstanding Items Status Report for the second quarter of 2023 be received for information.

    Motion Carried

Items Introduced by Council Members

 

Councillor Lee assumed the Chair. 

SF-23-25 - Accessible Wheel Chair Swings (All Wards)

 
  • Moved byCouncillor Nicholson

    That staff investigate the inclusion of Wheel Chair Accessible Swings similar to that provided by the City of Burlington to Lakeview Park and all new community level parks within the City of Oshawa. 

    Motion Carried

SF-23-26 - Lot Maintenance By-law Violation Fees (All Wards)

 
  • Moved byCouncillor Nicholson

    Whereas long grass and weeds can contribute to health issues and impacts on community image; and,

    Whereas the City of Oshawa’s (“the City”) Lot Maintenance By-law 127-2007 and, as amended regulates every property owner to maintain their land; and,

    Whereas the current standard for long grass or weeds is not to exceed a height of 20 centimetres (8 inches); and

    Whereas in response to numerous complaints received from the public; and,

    Whereas staff have been undertaking an education-focused enforcement approach by issuing warnings or revisiting properties in hopes that the combination of warning, education, communication, and A.M.P.s, where necessary, would promote compliance; and,

    Whereas there is a concern that the continued education and issuance of warnings related to the long grass and weeds is not efficient as it adds costs to the City and, in some cases, may not deter repeat offenders; and

    Whereas it is now essential to transition from the education-focused enforcement approach to a penalties-based enforcement process by issuing A.M.P.s on the first contravention instead of warning A.M.P.s for the 2023 summer season; and,

    Therefore be it resolved:

    1. That staff be directed to discontinue the education-focused enforcement approach and instead adopt a penalties-based enforcement approach for property owners in violation of Sections 4.1(c) and or 4.6 (b) of the Lot Maintenance By-law 127-2007 as amended; and,
    2. That property owners in violation of the Lot Maintenance  By-law will continue to be responsible for all other applicable fees and charges, as established by General Fees and Charges By-law 13-2003, as amended; and,
    3. That staff be directed to continue the robust annual communications and advertising strategy with a focus on educating property owners about their responsibilities and applicable penalties.
  • Moved byCouncillor Marks

    That the motion concerning the Lot Maintenance By-law Violation Fees be referred to staff for a report.

    Affirmative (4)Mayor Carter, Councillor Marks, Councillor McConkey, and Councillor Lee
    Negative (1)Councillor Nicholson
    Absent (1)Councillor Kerr
    Motion Carried (4 to 1)

SF-23-27 - Reduction in Peddler Licence Fees (All Wards)

 
  • Moved byCouncillor Nicholson

    Whereas the Business Licensing By-law 120-2005, as amended (“Licensing By-law”) is a by-law to license, regulate and govern certain businesses operating in the City of Oshawa (“City”); and,

    Whereas Schedule “H” of the Licensing By-law requires that any person operating as a Peddler to be licensed; and,

    Whereas the Licensing By-law defines Peddlers in three (3) classes, generally pertaining to the business operations of persons who vend goods, wares and/or merchandise on a temporary or transitory basis, which includes but is not limited to  outdoor vendors, organizers of special events, flea market operators, and seasonal sale vendors; and,

    Whereas the General Fees and Charges By-law 13-2003, as amended (General Fees and Charges By-law) prescribes Peddler licensing fees, which range from $175 to $475; and,

    Whereas local business operators and individuals that require a Peddler Licence have raised concerns related to costs associated with attaining a Peddler Licence for the purposes of hosting and participating in special events; and,

    Whereas pursuant to Council’s February 27, 2023 direction, staff are presently conducting a modernization review of the Licensing By-law and reporting back to Safety and Facilities Service Committee with potential by-law amendments to update the Licensing By-law; and, 

    Whereas promoting and encouraging community special events is aligned with Oshawa Strategic Plan 2020 – 2023 and specifically its strategic goal 4.4 Cultural Vitality; and, 

    Whereas Council considers it appropriate to reduce the licence fee for the three (3) classes of Peddler Licence in the General Fees and Charges By-law to $25 (not including the $75 business licence application fee) for persons who require a Peddler Licence as an interim measure pending the completion of the modernization review of the Licensing By-law; 

     Therefore be it resolved:

    1. That Council pass a by-law in a final form and content acceptable to Legal Services and the Chief Administrative Officer to amend the General Fees and Charges By-law 13-2003, as amended to reduce the licence fee for each of the three (3) classes of Peddler Licence to $25; and,
    2. That the requirements of Notice By-law 147-2007 regarding notice to the public for amendments to the General Fees and Charges By-law 13-2003 be waived.

     

    Motion Carried

    Councillor Nicholson resumed the Chair.


Items Pulled from the Information Package

 

Closed Consent Agenda

 

None

Closed Discussion Agenda

 

Matters Tabled

 

None

Adjournment

 
  • Moved byCouncillor Marks

    That the meeting adjourn at 2:09 p.m.

    Motion Carried
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