Council asks for report on downtown problems

By Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tillsonburg council passed a motion to ask for staff input on how to tackle the problem with loitering and drug use in the downtown.

Initially, Coun. Kelly Spencer introduced a motion, that was seconded by Deputy Mayor Dave Beres, to suspend the rules that require councillor motions to be introduced at one meeting through a notice of motion and then debated at the next meeting.

When she received the two-third approval of council for that procedural measure, she introduced a motion for staff to report back to council with recommendations of a plan to address the loitering, smoking and non-smoking areas int the downtown, and a description of protocols for reporting violations. The motion also directed staff to look at potential loitering-related enforcement considerations.

“In the last couple of weeks, I received three phone calls and e-mails from different businesses regarding encampments, drug use, smoking and a couple of other things,” she said, explaining she thinks a staff report looking into these matters and providing direction on when business owners should call 9-1-1 and when to phone bylaw would be helpful.

Council endorsed the motion.