Belleville city hall (File photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Belleville has a new bylaw outlining the rules for its citizens on a number of conveyances, including bicycles, skateboards E-bikes and in-line skates.
Monday night, city council passed the transportation bylaw regulating the conveyances propelled or driven by any kind of muscular power.
Cycling proponent Councillor Egerton Boyce said he has worked for many years on the issue and the public had lots of opportunity for input.
Following the council meeting, Boyce told Quinte News he was pleased it prohibits vehicles from being on the sidewalks, for the safety of pedestrians.
He said there had been a lot of issues in the downtown area in particular with bicycles.
The bylaw includes set fines beginning at $65 and the rules will be enforced by Belleville City Police.
Was “lobbying” involved?
Belleville Councillor Jack Miller (File photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Belleville city council has delayed a decision regarding an electrical contract for various city locations.
Monday night, city council had before it a staff recommendation for the submission from Horwood Electrical Services .
There were questions about the process regarding the various companies submitting proposals, and Councillor Jack Miller called the whole thing “murky”.
Miller said people had been approached Monday through an email dealing with a submission. He called the proposed submission “significantly higher than others, $20 an hour above others”.
Councillor Mike Graham called the email “lobbying”, which is illegal.
Boyce had put forward a tabling motion to obtain a legal opinion, and council agreed.
Following the meeting, Councillor Egerton Boyce would not tell Quinte News which of the bidders sent the email to councillors.
New police station update
Development of Belleville’s new $21 million police station is expected to move ahead with a major step early in July.
A recommendation is expected to be before city council on July 9 for a company to develop the police station at Sidney and College streets.
A report to city council Monday night indicated the tender for the new facility was posted on May 18 and nine companies qualified.
The closing date is Wednesday of this week.
Meanwhile officials are meeting with police services forensic lab experts and IT systems and communication experts over the next few weeks.
Completion date for the police station – the fall of 2019.
