City council has approved updates to two bylaws that focus on impounding the vehicles of residents who have outstanding parking tickets and increasing landfill fees for certain wastes.
Council gave three unanimous readings to each bylaw during its Feb. 12 regular meeting. The updates go into effect immediately since there was no opposition to them.
Impounding vehicles
City hall confirmed in September 2022 that there was more than $1 million in uncollected parking fines, stretching back to 2011; the Moose Jaw Express reported this in March 2021. However, the city said it was then unable to acquire fines because it was still developing a collection program.
Council later authorized administration on Dec. 7, 2022, to implement a towing and impounding strategy — actions that The Cities Act permits municipalities to do — which included enacting a bylaw to permit such measures. Furthermore, the municipality has the power to register liens on vehicles with outstanding parking fees.
“The city does not plan on using that (liens) as a collection method at the current time. However, should that become a desirable collection method, a bylaw amendment will not be necessary,” the document stated.
The updated bylaw says owners who provide proof of ownership and pay all outstanding fines, expenses, late payment charges and impounding charges may redeem their vehicle. Owners can also authorize someone else — in writing — to pick up the vehicle at any time before its potential sale.
If owners fail to redeem their vehicle in good time, the city and towing company can sell the vehicle and apply the proceeds to any overdue impounding charges, costs, fines and late charges, the bylaw said. If the sale amount exceeds the overdue charges, the city will notify the vehicle owner and arrange to transfer the funds.
Waste management fees
At a budget meeting in December, city administration presented a report about increasing landfill fees, with fees for specially handled waste included in the document but overlooked and not included in the motion, a report said.
During a regular meeting in January, administration presented an updated report with the fees for specially handled waste. The non-resident flat fee will increase to $400 per load and $100 per tonne, while the resident flat fee will increase to $350 per load and $90 per tonne, with both rates being retroactive to Jan. 1.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Feb. 26.
