Water and Sewer Bylaw Amendments –

The Water Regulation Amendment and the Sewer Use Regulation and Charges Amendment bylaws were given first three readings at Tuesday’s city council meeting, following months of work by city staff to find ways meet the concerns of Fort St. John residents.

The amendment bylaw decreases the sewer rate during the summer months by ten percent, following residents concerns about being charged sewer rates for water used to water lawns and gardens.

The new water and sewer rates outlined in the amendment bylaws will come into effect on January 1, 2024. In addition to the ten percent sewer rate decrease from May through August, the rates for both water and sewer are to increase slightly, reflecting the pace of inflation.

Water rates will increase by ten cents to $1.95 per cubic metre; the rural water station domestic user rate will increase by $2 to $5 per cubic metre; the rural water station non-domestic user rate will increase by $1.50 to $10.00 per cubic metre; and the rate for users of city water for residential domestic use who live outside the city limits will increase by $2 to $5 per cubic metre.

The new sewer rate for January to April, and September to December will be $2.02 per cubic metre, up from $1.97 in 2022, while the rate for May to August will be $1.82 per cubic metre.

A newsletter will be inserted in the monthly invoices of account holders for December and January, informing everyone of the change. Notices will also be posted at the bulk stations on Northern Lights Drive and in Charlie Lake.

Animal Control Bylaw Amendments –

Reduced administrative workload and improved options for dog owners in Fort St. John are the main drivers behind the city’s decision to move to the DocuPet online pet licensing system, as outlined in the amended Animal Control Bylaw No. 2584, 2023.

This move is part of a plan designed to improve the compliance, effectiveness, and accessibility of the dog licensing process. A report from city staff to council says that there are several issues with the current licensing structure, including the fact that there is only one method of purchasing licenses, different fees for licensing altered (spayed/neutered) and unaltered dogs, and the burden on staff that comes with all license renewals being due at once.

Currently, licenses are only available in person at City Hall or the BC SPCA North Branch. This creates problems for dog owners who have accessibility or other issues which make applying in person difficult.

The higher fee for unaltered dogs discourages pet owners from purchasing licenses, says the report, and research has shown that offering a discounted rate for spayed or neutered pets has little influence on this choice. Eliminating the higher fee for unaltered dogs would simplify the process for everyone.

Implementation of the system will cost the city a one-time fee of $2,499, plus a monthly fee of $133. The licensing fee for all non-aggressive dogs would be $20.

The current in-person licensing system will continue as the city transitions to the new online system in 2024.

Unsafe Premises –

F ort St. John City Council has directed staff to investigate the possibility of expanding one of the City’s bylaws to deal with Unsafe Premises in the municipality.

The matter was brought forward by Councillor Trevor Bolin following concerns from many residents regarding the recent shooting incident on 112^th Avenue, in the area known as Triangle Park. Police have been called to the residence in question numerous times in the past year, and the most recent incident led to shots being fired into a neighbouring home while the family slept. The residents woke to find head-height bullet holes in their kitchen.

As a result, many who live in the area have asked the city to step in.

“I think this is very timely and is being responsible by listening to our residents, as to what’s important,” said Mayor Lilia Hansen.

City staff will be looking into all the possibilities, including the development of a new bylaw, if neither of the two existing bylaws – the Property Standards Bylaw and the Nuisance Abatement-Cost Recovery Bylaw – which deal with problem properties in the municipality, can be expanded to fit the issue.