COUNCIL APPROVES 20 RECOMMENDATIONS

The Public Safety Inspection Program review contains three main
sections and 20 recommendations which were adopted by council and
will be phased in over the next few months.

The three components are moving forward with public safety
inspections, past practices, and notices on title.

The review poses many questions and work is still needed, said
Mission's deputy chief administrative officer, Paul Gipps, who
authored the document after gathering input from community members,
legal counsel, and other municipalities.

One of the changes council needs to explore is whether or not a
full-time team is still required. With fewer properties being flagged
based on high hydro consumption, it is recommended the program use a
part-time team with in-house resources, and employ specialists when necessary.

Council members also have to decide whether to continue with a
financially self-supporting program, or provide it as a
taxation-funded service, said Gipps.

A part-time crew would incur less costs, and would reduce the current
$5,200 fee to homeowners whose properties contain evidence of a
marijuana grow operation. The new charge will be looked at as part of
the review.

The report also states the district has to communicate better with
the public about the program, and the owner and resident of the
property up for inspection.

There is a perception the district is looking for grow ops, but
examiners are probing for safety issues, said Gipps. The charge is
only levied against homes being used for controlled substances
because of the associated safety and health issues. The municipality
has hired a public relations company to help bring the message to the
community.

Team members also need to do a better job of contacting someone in
the house instead of posting a notice on the front door for the whole
neighbourhood to see.

A review process is also proposed in the report.

"It's something we haven't done before," said Gipps, noting if the
property inspection and outcome are not satisfactory, homeowners can
ask for an administrative review, not performed by the inspectors.

A assessment into the controversial program began Jan. 24 when
council deferred all PSIT-led home inspections.

The report was released last Friday and the district wants public
input before April 11 when staff will begin preparing the next steps
for council's consideration.

A full copy of the review is available on the district's website at
www.mission.ca .