Proposed plan for city cleanup of properties gains traction

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This article was published 12/09/2023 (725 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Calls are growing for municipal action on debris-filled properties, amid one councillor’s request the City of Winnipeg set aside millions of dollars for the effort.

On Tuesday, council’s community services committee debated a staff report that found the city has the power to clean up such sites where debris has lingered, then charge property owners for the work.

The report also notes taking over demolition cleanups could cost the city more money than it can recoup, even when it seizes a property with overdue tax bills.

Multiple councillors stressed action is needed.

“(We) definitely have to look at how we’re going to pay for this, but that should not be a barrier to getting it done. We can’t tell Winnipeggers that it’s too costly and that our city can continue to degrade by having piles of debris everywhere. That’s just not an option,” said committee chairman Coun. Evan Duncan.

“We can’t tell Winnipeggers that it’s too costly and that our city can continue to degrade by having piles of debris everywhere. That’s just not an option.”

Community services members opted to refer the report to council’s property and development committee.

Duncan, who is a member of both committees, said he will try to get the matter on the Wednesday property and development meeting agenda, instead of waiting until next month.

He stressed urgent action is required to address a growing number of rubble-blighted properties, though he did not propose a specific motion Tuesday.

Some highly visible examples of the problem have attracted attention to the issue, including the property at 694 Sherbrook St. It remains covered in debris, long after fire destroyed a three-storey apartment block in February 2022.

The committee also approved a motion from Coun. Russ Wyatt, which calls on the city to create a burned-out buildings task force that ensures “immediate proactive enforcement” to demolish and fully remediate such sites (including debris removal).

He echoed the call for costs to be charged to the lot owners’ property tax bills and suggested council’s executive policy committee be tasked with finding the financial resources to get it done. Wyatt said the situation demands immediate action.

“This poses a public health and safety threat, not to mention the demoralizing effect it has on the existing neighbourhood,” he said.

“This poses a public health and safety threat, not to mention the demoralizing effect it has on the existing neighbourhood.”

Coun. Cindy Gilroy has long urged her colleagues to have the city clean up such sites when owners don’t take action and add the bill to owners’ property taxes.

On Tuesday, she told the committee the city should create a $3-million reserve to help fund the effort.

“I understand that… quite frankly, all of (these buildings) in the inner city are probably going to cost more (to clean up) than the property is worth… but that doesn’t (negate) the fact that the city has to act on this,” said Gilroy.

She believes the city should also consider allowing smaller annual charges to let owners gradually repay the cost of municipal cleanups, when needed, and waive landfill tipping fees for property owners when they are cleaning up the debris.

Duncan said Gilroy’s ideas warrant further consideration.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga