ST. PAUL - A number of enforcement issues were highlighted in County of St. Paul CAO Sheila Kitz’s monthly report during the July 14 regular council meeting.
Complaints have been received about the boat launch at Floating Stone Lake, although the boat launch is not located in the municipal park.
One complainant asked for a parking area to be located near the boat launch and there have been “many complaints” regarding people parking vehicles along the road in the area, said Kitz. She recommended council consider putting it into next year's plan to develop a parking lot.
Part of the issue is that the water at the lake has come up so much. During discussions it was also noted that a number of boat launches in the municipality are needing work.
Dog Control
The municipality’s bylaw officer has recommended strengthening the county’s Dog Control Bylaw by requiring pet owners to have dogs on a leash when they are not on their own property, especially in more urban and residential settings.
There have also been complaints regarding residents having more than the allowed number of dogs.
“We additionally have had complaints regarding dogs defecating off the owner’s property and not cleaning it up,” said Kitz. That issue is not currently included in the bylaw.
Golf carts
After reviewing the issue with legal counsel, the County found it cannot amend any bylaws to allow the use of golf carts in lake subdivision.
“They are illegal as per the Traffic Safety Act. The only places where they are legally allowed to be operated are on a golf course or in a gated community where the internal roads are privately owned,” said Kitz, in her report. Golf carts cannot be used on any municipally owned roads.
"It's just not allowed."
Enforcement of the illegal use of golf carts would have to be done by RCMP or a CPO, not a bylaw officer. The county does not have any CPOs.
“It is a $310 fine to operate an unregistered vehicle,” and golf carts cannot be registered, explained Kitz.
"We have had a lot of complaints," said Kitz.
Coun. Darrell Younghans said the issue is that they're on the road. He said he spoke to local RCMP about the issue.
"All we can do is send a letter out," said Reeve Steve Upham, noting that RCMP do sometimes patrol the lake subdivisions and people could get a fine.
The bylaw officer is also looking for guidance on enforcing rules around ATV use in lake subdivisions, specifically use on environmental reserves. Education will be done on both issues.
Grass Cutting
The county’s grass cutting crew will not have the capacity to cut all lots that have received a notice to cut grass this season, said Kitz. She recommended council allow administration to look at hiring a contractor to do the work for the municipality.
"Our crew is busy, and our list is long," said Kitz.
"Once some of these guys start getting billed for us cutting the grass, in the future it's not going to be so bad because they're going to get someone to do it," said Coun. Dale Hedrick.
"If there's someone in the community who is willing to do the work, give it to them," said Upham, in response to the idea of finding contractors to do the work.
Fireworks
The bylaw officer has also received complaints lately regarding noise around fireworks. The county does not currently have a fireworks bylaw.
