Protective Services Cost Recovery Bylaw passes at Monday’s Council meeting

A new Bylaw in the City of North Battleford will take effect on January 1, 2024. The Protective Services Cost Recovery Bylaw, Bylaw No. 2144, passed its third reading during Monday’s Regular City Council Meeting.

The Bylaw, which was met with significant feedback, was presented to City Council by Administration through the Protective Services Department. During the first and second readings, the City’s Director of Protective Services, Chief Lindsay Holm, advised that some properties were receiving upwards of 30 visits per year from emergency services personnel (police, Community Safety Officers, and the Fire Department). Some visits were a direct result of the use of two existing City Bylaws, the Nuisance and Abatement Bylaw, and the Fire Safety Bylaw.

In response to feedback received from the public, City Manager Randy Patrick advised that procedures for the Bylaw are being created to provide additional structure and clarity for property owners. Procedures will include a minimum number of six calls for service before use of this new Bylaw is considered; and the exclusion of calls for service related to interpersonal or domestic violence, response to crime at businesses, child protection matters, and medical calls. A full procedure related to this Bylaw will be presented to Planning Committee at the January 15, 2024 Planning Committee Meeting.

Prior to any action under the Bylaw, property owners will receive a letter from the City of North Battleford advising that their property is subject to action under the Bylaw, allowing them 30 days to rectify the issue. Should the property owner take action to rectify the issue, the property will continued to be monitored for three months. If improvements continue after three months, the property will revert to its original status without continuous monitoring.

Any property owners with questions about how this Bylaw will impact them or their properties may contact the City Clerk at cityclerk@cityofnb.ca.

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For more information:
Candace Toma, Public & Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator
306-441-0713 | publicrelations@cityofnb.ca