Fines now steeper for some Cold Lake municipal infractions

Cold Lake residents who are dinged for certain municipal infractions will be facing increased fines.

At last Tuesday’s city council meeting, council passed second and third readings to increase a variety of municipal fines.

The idea to review these penalties came from the 2022 Budget discussions last November where council indicated they wished city administration would research fines from comparable municipalities and see if changes were needed to keep in line with other towns and cities.

The review, which came to the Municipal Planning Commission in mid-March, showed council was on the low-end of fine penalties.

“Some of the fines were pretty low in comparison for the incident that was happening. And so we raised the fine, straight across on quite a few,” said Mayor Craig Copeland on The Morning After. “We just have readjusted, we’re still on the low end.” 

The bylaws that were amended related to parking, water and sewer, public nuisance, business licenses, off-highway vehicles, smoking, animal control, and parks.

Fines amended 

Vehicle and Pedestrian Traffic Bylaw

• Parking Violation – increase from $50 to $75  
• Park in Marked Disability Parking Zone – increase from $200 to $250  
• Depositing materials on highways/sidewalks/boulevards – increase from $100 to $200  Transporting Unsecured waste – increase from $100 to $200  
• Exceeding axle weight – increase from $200 to $250

Amend Water and Sewer Bylaw

• Non-compliance with water shortage restrictions – increase from $150 to $250   
• Relocate, change, alter metering facilities without approval – increase from $250 to $500  
• Interfere or tamper with water meter or remote reading device – increase from $150 to $500 

Noise and Public Nuisance Bylaw

• Damaging/vandalizing public property – increase from $300 to $350 

Business License Bylaw

• Carry on business without licence – increase from $500 to $550 

Off-Highway Vehicles Bylaw

• OHV in prohibited area – increase from $200 to $550

Smoking Bylaw  

• Specified Fine for an offense committed pursuant to the Bylaw – increase from $250 to $300 

Animal Care and Control Bylaw

• Allow Animal to run at large (first offence) – increase from $100 to $200  
• Allow Animal to run at large (second offence) – increase from $200 to $250  
• Allow Animal to run at large (third offence) – increase from $300 to $350  
• Allow animal to bark at person (first offence) – increase from $100 to $150  
• Allow animal to bark at person (second offence) – increase from $200 to $250  
• Allow animal to bark at person (third offence) – increase from $300 to $350 
• Allow animal to cause damage to person/animal/property (first offence) increase from $200 to $500  
• Allow animal to cause damage to person/animal/property (second offence) increase from $400 to $750  
• Allow animal to cause damage to person/animal/property (third offence) increase from $600 to $1,000  
• Animal bite/attack person (second offence) increase from $1,500 to $2,000  
• Animal bite/attack person (third offence) increase from $2,000 to $5,000 
• Animal causing death to a person (first offence) – increase from $1,500 to $7,500  
• Animal causing death to a person (second offence) – increase from $2,500 to $10,000  
• Animal causing death to a person (third offence) – increase from $3,500 to $10,000

Community Standards Bylaw

• Failure to mow grass/weeds – increase from $200 to $250  
• Failure to clear sidewalk from snow – increase from $150 to $200 
• Propel snow/ice onto another person’s property without consent – increase from 0 to $200 

Parks and Public Facilities 

• Obstruct use of facility – increase from $100 to $250  
• Enter closed facility – increase from $100 to $250  
• Panhandling – increase from $100 to $200  
• Prohibited behavior – increase from $100 to $250  
• Operate motor vehicle where prohibited – increase from $100 to $250  
• Camping without permission – increase from $100 to $200  
• Disobey signage – increase from $100 to $250