Growth-fee court challenge at least 2 weeks away

The pending court challenge of Winnipeg's new growth fees likely won't be filed until mid-November.

The Manitoba Home Builders Association, which has pledged to challenge the City of Winnipeg's authority to impose growth fees, plans to wait until a bylaw related to those fees receives its final approval by council, a formality likely to take place at the Nov. 16 meeting of city council.

"Our assumption is that it will receive third reading at November council meeting and be passed immediately," association executive director Mike Moore said Thursday in a statement. "Noting that there were three amendments introduced at October's meeting, one never knows if something else might come forward this month."

• Winnipeg's growth fees will 'probably end up at the Supreme Court'

Council voted on Oct. 26 to begin charging fees of about $500 for every 100 square feet of new residential space in selected areas of the city on May 1. This will generate revenue of $7 million to $10 million next year.

Council finance committee chair Scott Gillingham (St. James-Brooklands) said Wednesday the money will flow into a reserve that will appear in 2017 budget documents. No expenditures from the reserve are planned, he added.

Council's finance committee voted Thursday to direct city staff to issue a quarterly report that shows where the growth fees were collected and how the revenue was spent.

The city maintains it has the authority to levy the fee, citing a section of the city charter governing regulatory fees. Moore said his legal counsel has a contrary opinion.

Fire pits pose a burning question

Winnipeg may rethink its rules regulating backyard open-air fire pits.

Recreational fire pits are allowed right now on residential property in Winnipeg without a permit, provided they are covered with a grill and are enclosed on all sides with walls no shorter than 15 centimetres off the ground.

Fire-paramedics request more overtime funds

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service wants the city to set its firefighter overtime budget at a level consistent with expected spending.

Fire Paramedic Chief John Lane said Thursday his department has requested $4.5 million be set aside for firefighter overtime next year, up from the $2.1-million budgeted in 2016. 

Last month, Lane said the city would have to hire 36 more firefighters to eliminate overtime altogether, but it would be cheaper for the city to simply budget for the overtime that actually is worked.

• Winnipeg fire chief says more firefighters needed to reduce OT costs

Lane said Thursday the city always finds a way fund firefighter overtime, but it would still be prudent to set the budget at a realistic level.

The 2017 budget will be tabled on Nov. 22.