The Town of Innisfil has been dealing with an ever-changing COVID-19 landscape – adjusting to changing provincial orders, a staged reopening, and the need to make “health and safety the number one priority.”
That has been especially the case in the reopening of Innisfil’s beaches.
The town has taken a number of steps to discourage crowds and out-of-town visitors during the ongoing pandemic, from designating parking spaces as “Resident Permit Parking” only, to last week introducing “Beaches in Motion” at Innisfil Beach Park - banning beach umbrellas, tents and sunbathing on the sand.
The new rules also banned barbecues at the park, and painted white circles on the grass to encourage physical distancing.
In a special meeting on Wednesday night, Innisfil Council reviewed the actions taken so far, and went one step farther – moving to double the set fines to a whopping $150 for parking infractions during the pandemic, and introducing new $750 fines for anyone who disobeys a closure order, and for operators of AirBnB rentals who permit large gatherings.
Operations Manager Jason Inwood noted that the issues of parking, garbage, signage, use of the boat launches, overcrowding and enforcement were all under consideration by the Innisfil Beach Park Ad Hoc Committee, even before COVID-19.
COVID-19 has forced the town into “uncharted waters,” he said, with new questions and solutions under consideration, as the town tries various options.
Ad Hoc committee members Tanya Kampherm-Martin and James Roncone talked about the successful projects to date – the resident permit parking initiative, resident-only use of the public boat launch with a requirement to book online, additional security on weekends, and the upcoming ‘Dog Days of Summer’ that are “implemented, and working well,” said Roncone.
However, issues of overcrowding on the beaches forced the closure of Innisfil Beach Park on both June 28 and July 1 for a period of time, noted Nicole Bowman, Operations Business Manager with the town.
“This issue of safety is on everyone’s mind,” Bowman said, leading to the town “striving for a plan to keep our users safe.”
The Beaches in Motion policy introduced last weekend has had “very positive outcomes,” she noted. “Everyone loves being on the sand… Now they need to enjoy it while in motion.”
The new rules restricting beach use to activities and access to the water, and the social distancing circles drawn on the grass, have reduced congestion. “As a result, our parks did not close due to overcrowding” last weekend, Bowman noted.
As part of the effort to reduce crowding, maximum capacities will be set for some beaches, and new educational signage – explaining the rules, banning barbecues, warning of ticketing and possible towing - are being posted.
Bowman was asked if the Beaches in Motion policy would be extended to the 9th and 10th Lines, and other smaller beaches.
“Beaches in Motion works well when there is a sand beach with a generous grassed area… At the 9th and 10th Line beaches there is not a lot of that space,” Bowman responded. Instead, the town will be setting ‘Maximum Capacity’ numbers.
Coun. Kevin Eisses wanted to know if the focus on controlling crowds at Innisfil Beach Park was drawing resources from other parks, and whether the town had sufficient staff.
He was advised that the municipality has been flexible, redeploying staff to cover the changing needs. “I think we’re resource-okay right now,” said Inwood, although he acknowledged there have been some service level disruptions.
Coun. Alex Waters also questioned whether there were enough by-law officers to provide effective monitoring of other locations, including Leonard’s Beach.
Chief of Building and By-law, Barrie Vickers acknowledged that the situation was constantly changing. “We’re playing whack-a-mole to a degree,” Vickers said, agreeing, “We don’t have the consistent staff at those other locations.”
Right now, park ambassadors and firefighters have been stepping in to fill the gaps. “There are times it’s insufficient. We are continuing to do our best,” he said.
Council also heard three public delegations, bringing forward additional concerns and questions -including concerns over signage.
Carol Griffith asked for better signage, both on the roads and at park entries. “The signage has been vague. The message has been missing the target.”
It was a concern repeated by presenter Bonny Barth and by Lisa Anne O’Neill, who also called for more clarity and information to be readily available on the town website, to give “a solid, clear message.”
O’Neill asked when all of the “Resident Permit Parking” signs and "No Parking" signs promised but not yet installed would be in place. “Are we looking at days? Are we looking at weeks? Are we looking at months?”
Inwood replied, "At this time, We have a backlog of over.. 300 signs to be installed." Since each installation requires a utilities 'locate,' he admitted, "It's going to take months for all those signs to be erected."
Council also discussed proposed broader towing options for vehicles illegally parked, at least through the month of July, establishing tow zones within 1 km of Innisfil Beach Park, as well as areas near the shoreline that are posted as 'No Parking.'
Vickers noted that the idea was not to be punitive, but to give by-law another tool, for “community safety,”
Coun. Bill Van Berkel asked for exemptions and permits for construction crews and contractors, perhaps issuing temporary passes along with building permits.
Vickers agreed, “We’ll certainly have a discussion among staff.”
The biggest item on the agenda was the move to bump up the set fine for parking infractions from the current $50-$90, to $150 – reduced to $120 if paid voluntarily within a certain time.
The proposed fine is higher than the $100 currently under consideration by the City of Barrie, and the Township of Wainfleet.
It’s also higher than the $100 maximum for parking infractions, in the town’s own Administrative Monetary Penalty policy.
But a staff report suggested that the higher amounts were “reasonable, considering the goals to be accomplished, namely preventing overcrowding and encouraging physical distancing at the Town’s beaches.”
The municipality will approach the Attorney General for permission to introduce the hefty hike.
Asked how long the approvals process could take, Vickers responded, “Could take six weeks, could take three days,” depending on whether or not the province expedites the process.
The $750 fines – for disobeying the closure of a beach, park or dock; and for short term rental properties that ignore pandemic limitations – will also need approval.
The $750 fine to enforce “pandemic requirements for Short Term Rental Properties” will be levied against the owner of a property used for the rental or AirBnB, and not the guests.
“Enforcing against transient renters can be challenging,” Vickers pointed out. “It’s like nailing Jello to the wall.” Police and by-law officers can charge individuals, under noise by-laws and other regulations - but the new fine is designed to encourage property owners to take greater responsibility.
“The goal is having the owner be motivated to have the renters comply with provincial orders,” said Reynar.
Coun. Orsatti suggested that the best way to get the message out, on the tow zones and new parking penalties, will be to post signs. “Signage is the key, with the full amount,” she said.
“We need to get people to actually read the signs,” said Mayor Lynn Dollin.
The issue of making the parks “Resident Only” also came up during the debate.
“It just wasn’t possible,” said Innisfil Beach Park Ad Hoc Committee member Tanya Kampherm Martin, not only because of the increased costs of enforcement, the risk of puttng staff in a confrontational situation, or the need to close off exits.
“It didn’t seem like the right thing to do,” said Kampherm Martin. “It didn’t seem like it was in line with Innisfil as a welcoming community.” There is also the fact that Innisfil residents are free to attend public beaches and parks in other communities.
Legal opinion, presented by Clerk Lee Parkin, was that there are also “a number of real legal risks” under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, in attempting to ban non-residents from local parks.
Councillors repeatedly thanked town staff and by-law enforcement for their efforts over the past weeks.
“All of the staff have been doing extra, extra double-time to get us through this pandemic,” said Mayor Dollin. “They’ve given 110 percent.”
