Staff Report: Departmental Update (Building, Bylaw and Fire Departments)

Background

This report provides committee with a comprehensive update on the current activities of the building, bylaw and fire departments.

Building Department

• Currently still engaged with the BSSB to pursue the implementation of Jurisdictional Site specific code regulations to allow 12 storey EMTC to be built to prescriptive language of the code. We have completed the check list of conditions to verify our interest in this type of build and are awaiting the next step in the process to be confirmed by them. The declared timeline to date is – draft of language to be presented to the minister by early fall – with hopeful adoption by fall/winter of this year. DB Services has indicated their scheduling to start excavation and prep by Nov. this year. These are the proposed timelines to date.
• We are on track to implement electronic permit submission and plan review to issuance for this year –tentative training period for staff prior to going live is Septemberish
• Maintain normal inspections / plan reviews and permit issuance in all area types of construction. As per Aprils Stats when compared are more in line with 2017 ,as 2018 was an exceptional and almost an anomaly for stats – we are still consistent with numerous multifamily projects awaiting issuance in the coming months- budget projections are on track
• Staffing levels remain- holiday time is approaching for staff – we still retain two relief contract persons to maintain service to our development, business and resident community.

Bylaw Department

• We are revisiting our combination of the Bylaw Enforcement schedule and our contracted security schedule to maximize watchful coverage within the community and especially at night. The enhanced “eyes on the street” will add to community safety on many levels.
• We’ve identified our successful candidates for our two summer bike patrol positions and intend to start them on May 21st – initial steps will be job specific training.
• Warmer weather is back and people once again have their windows open at night as evidenced by a recent complaint made to one of our Bylaw Enforcement Officers about loud and amorous sounds coming from the bedroom of one residence which has been disturbing the occupants next door. We’ve started writing that book….

Current Departmental Priorities

• Training of summer Bike Patrol Officers for their deployment as soon as possible.
• High attendance and patrols by our Officers at Parks and other areas around Belmont School to deal with smoking/vaping, litter and vandalism (including graffiti and setting of fires).
• Maintain our best levels of response to always abundant parking complaints.

Langford Fire Rescue

• Westshore Alert (www.westshorealert.ca) is now active. Residents from Highlands, Langford, View Royal and Colwood can sign up to receive messages in the case of a significant event or disaster notifying them of potential threats to their safety and well-being.
• Emergency Preparedness Fair – Langford Fire and ESS attended the annual event down at JDF on May 5. Our Mobile Command Center and ESS vehicle were on display as well as we helped residents sign up to Westshore Alert.
• Langford received a grant from UBCM to conduct a Community Wildfire Protection Plan which is currently out for RFP. This is the first step of many to reduce the wildfire risk and mitigate interface fires using FireSmart principles.
• MD Boot Drive May 24-25 – This weekend is our annual MD Boot Drive where typically Langford raises approximately $10,000 for MD Canada. Volunteers and career staff will be at various business locations throughout the weekend collecting money.
• There are three competitions going concurrently for both the new firefighters and replacement Shift Officer and a replacement Dispatcher and we hope to have everyone hired and starting by August.
• Summer forecast – This summer is projected to be warmer and dryer than average on top of an already dry winter which could lead to a more active wildfire season. Discussions with area fire departments are ongoing to ensure a quick response to fires as well as potential deployments to the interior so that adequate resources remain locally.

Recommendation

That Committee receives the report for information.

Respectfully submitted,

Submitted by:
Braden Hutchins, Director of Corporate Services

Concurrence:
Chris Aubrey, Fire Chief

Concurrence:
Lorne Fletcher, Manager of Community Safety and Municipal Enforcement

Concurrence:
Jerry Worobec, Manager of Building Inspection

Concurrence:
Darren Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer