WL Council gives 3 Readings to Adjudication Bylaw

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

Williams Lake City Council gave three readings to Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2196 at its regular meeting Tuesday evening. The bylaw will replace the old method of disputing municipal tickets with a new adjudication process, saving both the person involved with a ticket and the municipality time and money.

The goal of the new adjudication model is to create simple, fair, and cost-effective systems for dealing
with minor bylaw infractions. The new system is intended to streamline the court procedures associated with hearing bylaw ticket disputes and assigning the appropriate fine. A City Screening Officer will review a ticket and determine whether to uphold a ticket or cancel it. If it is upheld, an independent adjudicator will determine whether a bylaw infraction did or did not occur. If a contravention has occurred, a full penalty will be applied as well as an adjudication fee of $25 to offset the cost of the process. If no bylaw violation has occurred, no fine will be applied. The dispute process is laid out following this media release.

The bylaws to be enforced under the adjudication process include noise, business license, zoning, animal control and licensing, and water conservation. The new system is scheduled to come into effect Jan. 1, 2014. Council will consider final adoption of the bylaw at a meeting in December.

There are numerous benefits to the system: minimizing Provincial Court time, resolving disputes with a minimum of process, and eliminating the need to wait for and attend a court hearing for the disputant, City staff, legal counsel, and witnesses.

“The City is always looking for ways to improve efficiency, use our resources more effectively, and provide better service,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “This new adjudication system accomplishes all three, and benefits the individual involved with a ticket with a simpler, more direct dispute resolution process.”

The adjudication process is used by 60 municipalities in the province. Williams Lake is one of four B.C. municipalities to consider a recent switch to an adjudication process, offered through the Ministry of Justice. For more information, contact Senior Bylaw Grant Martin at 250-392-2331.

                                                              Bylaw Adjudication Process

Those wishing to dispute their ticket may do so by first contacting the City of Williams Lake within 14 days of issuance. At that point, the adjudication is a three step process:

1. The individual disputing their ticket (disputant) will have the opportunity to speak with a Screening
Officer. The Screening Officer will review the ticket and cancel it if appropriate. If this officer does
not cancel the ticket, it will be forwarded to the adjudicator, or paid, which ever the client chooses.

2. If going forward to adjudication, the disputant will advise the Screening Officer which method of
service they prefer - mail, fax, phone, email or in person. At that time, the adjudication office will
notify the disputant of what to do, and on which date and time. The City will always present its
case in writing to the adjudicator.

3. The disputant applies in writing for an adjudicator to hear the case. A date for adjudication will be
provided. Options include providing a representation in writing, by phone, or in person. The
adjudication fee is collected only if the ticket is upheld.