Problems with residents’ recycling and/or garbage collection practices won’t be generating fines until at least 2012.
At its June 27 meeting, Salmon Arm council voted to extend the waiving of fines from July through to December of this year.
Recently council also relaxed the requirement of putting out bags and containers for collection only in the morning, meaning containers can now be placed ready for pick-up after 8 p.m. the night before.
In addition, a provision was included to require placement of bags and containers after 5:30 a.m. on designated collection days if scavenging by wildlife becomes an issue.
Regarding fines, a motion from Coun. Ken Jamieson to lower fines was changed, after discussion, to an extension of the initial six-month waiving of fines.
Jamieson’s issue with the new program was, “the heavy hammer people suggested we were using,” he said, referring to the $150 fine for an offence.
He suggested a first fine of $10, then $50 for a second infraction and possibly $150 for a third.
“Fines aren’t meant to be money-making... I think the lower the better.”
Mayor Marty Bootsma said council had already eliminated the heavy hammer by waiving fines for the first six months.
“Ten dollars is hardly worth the paperwork,” Bootsma said. “I would rather see eliminate all fines until the new year. I think we’re getting into micro-managing.”
City engineer Rob Niewenhuizen said most problems have been cleared up via discussions with residents.