NORTH BATTLEFORD - Monday marked the first reading of the proposed Late Evening Alley Access Bylaw in North Battleford.
The bylaw, which had first been discussed a week earlier at Planning Committee, would restrict all residents from accessing alleyways between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. each night, but with multiple exceptions provided for those residents, business owners or employees whose properties are on the alleyway.
Fines could run to a maximum of $2,500 under the bylaw, but actual fines for first offences would run much lower at $250, and it was noted that in other communities that the preference was to give out warnings as opposed to tickets.
Council unanimously voted in favour of first reading Monday. The recommendation from administration was for second and third readings to happen at the council meetings in October.
The reason for spreading out the votes, according to City Manager Randy Patrick, was because the bylaw "impacts a lot of people, potentially, so we want to make sure it's widely known."
In particular, they want people to have lots of time to know about the impact and prepare for it, and be able to provide their own feedback to council. The plan is for the city to run an ad in the Sept. 28 News-Optimist about the bylaw.
It would also provide time for the city to seek further feedback from the other communities that have implemented the change.
The word from administration is they have not been able to contact Prince Albert as of yet, but the town of Nipawin responded that “the Bylaw provides law enforcement another tool in their toolbox to investigate individuals roaming in alleys and that the Bylaw cut down of foot traffic in residential areas almost immediately,” according to a city memo. It was also seen as assisting in crime reduction.
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