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By Jordan Parker

Council passes snow removal, windrow plan to start Dec. 1

Nov 17, 2017 | 8:48 AM

Council has begun budget deliberations today with a discussion of snow removal.

Infrastructure & Protective Services is suggesting a “manoeuvre” to open a path and create a pilot project to deal with windrows.

Director of the department, Horacio Galanti, says the work for 8,000 driveways would cost a maximum of $350,000.

“We also have the windrow removal program for those who can’t do it due to physical condition. That number sits at 1,219,” said Galanti.

He said the 8,000 driveways takes into account those already on a program, and is representative of a snow removal plan spoken about Thursday.

It woud see three passes instead of five in residential areas, with any additional passes over three being funded by the municipal reserve for snow removal.

However, Galanti says these measures to fix windrows will not come without issues.

“We receive a number of complaints per year to replace concrete and fix things,” he said. He expects this number to go up as Bobcats go on private property to remove windrows.

Councillors Chris Thiessen, Dylan Bressey and Eunice Friesen and Clyde Blackburn all asked questions and engaged Galanti about the program. 

Councillor Wade Pilat had a few questions about the proposal.

“I think this is a really interesting strategy … A couple things that jump out at me … It’s a lot of Bobcat hours we have to staff,” said Councillor Wade Pilat.

Galanti said one Bobcat would be used in tandem with larger equipment.

Pilat figured out that the program would make up 0.2 per cent of the budget, and estimated the cost for taxpayers at just $8.

“For $8 it feels like great value … From a community safety outlook, we’re listening to the public if we do this. I’m in support of it,” he said.

Jackie Clayton tabled a motion to support the snow removal project, which would start on December 1.

“This is a step administration has taken to find a solution,” said Clayton, who was pleased with the report.

The pilot project, worth $350,000, would be funded by the Winter Stabilization Reserve. Councillor Dylan Bressey exercised some hesitation.

“This year we’re funding it from reserves, but it will require a tax increase or a service cut in another area later on … I’m going in cautiously,” said Bressey.

The motion was unanimous in favour to support the pilot project and snow removal plan.

 

 

by Jordan Parker