Monday, November 15, 2010

2nd Public Consultation Meeting on Graffiti Bylaw on Thursday

From the City of Williams Lake:

City residents are invited to have their say on a new proposed bylaw that would give the City of Williams Lake more control in combating graffiti.


“Graffiti is a serious and growing problem in the City and we need to have an appropriate tool to remove it when it occurs,” says General Manager of Planning and Operations Geoff Goodall, who has responsibility for City bylaws. “We’d like to get the public’s input on our proposed bylaw as we work to put that tool in place.”


A 2nd public consultation meeting will be held Thursday, November 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 450 Mart Street. The public is invited to come to share questions, concerns, and ideas to City staff as they prepare the bylaw.


The proposed bylaw would give the city the ability to enter onto property to remove graffiti if a property owner fails to remove it within 14 days of being notified. While some communities such as Kelowna, Kamloops, and Abbotsford charge property owners for the cost of removing graffiti, the Williams Lake bylaw would not. However, the City will not colour-match paint when covering over graffiti on property.


“This bylaw ensures we all take responsibility for fighting this problem,” says senior bylaw officer Brad McRae. “By leaving graffiti unattended, we send a message that our community accepts it.”


“This bylaw is one more step in taking back our community,” says Mayor Kerry Cook, also Chair of the Policing Portfolio. “We can no longer ignore the disrespect that graffiti symbolizes. I encourage everyone to come to the public consultation meeting and be part of the solution.”

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