COUNCIL SEEKS PUBLIC APPROVAL OF NEW DRUG BYLAW

The city expects to be at the forefront when it comes to using its
bylaws to fight the drug trade.

Next month they will be holding a public information meeting
concerning a new bylaw aimed at regulating businesses that sell
hydroponic and other equipment that can be used by drug producers.

They will be holding the meeting during the evening of Feb. 6 to hear
input from the public about the new regulations.

The bylaw, if adopted, would cover all tools, apparatus or devices
such as lights, trays and pumps associated with hydroponic grow-ops.

"The city doesn't have the authority to outright ban these items,"
city clerk Rob Carnegie told council.

The bylaw would require business selling these products to obtain a
$1,000-per-year licence in addition to a regular business licence,
and a maintain a register of the sale of the items, which can be made
available to police. A business that does not comply could have its
licence revoked.

"There's not even an attempt by some of these businesses to disguise
what they're doing," Mayor Clint Hames responded.

Carnegie then told the mayor and council the new bylaw will work
similarly to the city's recent pawn shop licensing regulations,
though will focus on materials used to produce drugs rather than stop
the flow of stolen goods.

"It's intended to reduce the sale of hydroponic equipment," he said.

Carnegie also outlined the legal recourse available to the city for
those guilty of infractions. They have the new bylaw adjudication
system or small fines. They could also pursue larger penalties in the
court system, though this approach is not likely to be the first
step. "It's very lengthy. It's very costly," Carnegie added.

While the hearing is set for Feb. 6, council is also getting input
about the new bylaw from business organizations such as the Downtown
Chilliwack Business Improvement Association, the Chilliwack Chamber
of Commerce and the Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation.

During Monday's meeting, Coun. Pat Clark asked as well for
information from other municipalities about what actions they were
taking. However, Mayor Clint Hames responded that the city was really
setting a precedent with this bylaw.

"We're leading the way on this one. There aren't many communities
that are taking this step."

Hames added that he hoped operations selling items used as drug
paraphernalia would realize their actions were affecting their own
business costs because the drug trade was forcing the city to come up
with more tax money to pay for police costs.