Concerns over summertime parking in Sicamous have district council seeking a related bylaw update that would respect the needs of tourists while encouraging the same in return.
The topic of parking was brought back to council at its may May 24 regular meeting after some expressed a desire for stricter enforcement. This time around, district building inspector and bylaw officer Dale Reid was present for the discussion.
District operations manager Joe McCulloch got things rolling by explaining the district’s current approach to vehicles parked where they shouldn’t be. First, the driver receives a polite written warning to move their vehicle. If that doesn’t work, they will receive a ticket. The next step is towing, unless the vehicle is parked by a fire hydrant or where parking is strictly prohibited, in which case the vehicle is automatically towed.
Regarding fines, McCulloch said they are difficult to enforce when it comes to vehicles/drivers from out of province. McCulloch then asked for direction from council.
Coun. Jeff Mallmes asked what the current fine is. Reid explained it varies from $50 to $150 depending on the offence, adding a fine can be reduced if paid within 24 hours. However, it is not clear in the bylaw what the reduced rate should be.
Mallmes pointed out how there are issues with both daytime and overnight parking spots, and how some people park in the overnight spots and then disappear on the lake for a week – something that wouldn’t be tolerated elsewhere.
For out-of-province vehicles, Reid said the district has no way of identifying the owners, and that “most out of province people know this and they just actually throw the ticket away.”
Mallmes argued in favour of a tougher approach, and that compliance will follow.
“We need to do something that says we’re not a hick little town. We are a tourist town, yes, but we’re not a hick tourist town,” said Mallmes.
Coun. Colleen Anderson also supported a tougher stand on parking violations.
“I think it’s cheaper to get a ticket in this town that it is to pay for parking, and we have businesses in Sicamous that make a living with parking,” said Anderson. “So I think we should support them, and our out of town guests need to support Sicamous as well.”
Reid mentioned he and staff met with Sicamous RCMP Sgt. Murray McNeil and discussed officers being able to issue municipal tickets.
“They have the ability to locate names,” said Reid. “If we have a vehicle that has an out-of-province plate, and we don’t want to tow them, let’s say, we want to ticket. We have that ability then to call upon the RCMP and they can write the ticket. It’s not something we would do a lot because of course they have their own thing. I just want to put that out there.”
Mayor Terry Rysz said he likes the current system with the polite warning, but agreed “we probably need to send a message.”
“We need to reconstruct this bylaw and we need to bring this back to council,” said Rysz.
District town manager Evan Parliament said all of this was good discussion, but in the wrong venue, stating the matter should be discussed at the committee of the whole.
“Regular (council meetings) is when staff are asking for a council recommendation based on a staff report with your options and your background information, none of which you have here tonight,” said Parliament.
Council then took Parliament’s advice to table the matter and have staff come back with the necessary information and a recommendation at council’s July 14 meeting.