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City weighs snow removal options and costs ahead of budget meetings

Snow removal will be a key item being discussed at upcoming 2023 budget deliberations starting this week
shoveling AdobeStock 2
Budget deliberation meetings are scheduled for Feb. 16 and 21.

As part of the upcoming council budget deliberations later this month, it's been estimated that clearing all 680 kilometres of the city’s sidewalks would come at a baseline cost of $1.2 million.

Currently, city staff are responsible for the maintenance of 152 kilometres, or approximately 22 per cent of sidewalks. The remaining 528 kilometres is the responsibility of the adjacent property owners.

It’s being recommended that council approve an option for adding a snow lift crew to the current curb-face sidewalk maintenance program and that council direct staff to include the associated costs and resources in the 2023 budget. 

Five seasonal roads employees would need to be converted to full-time and one additional seasonal employee would also be needed to complete the work. All equipment required already exists within the city's current fleet, meaning total costs would come in at approximately $390,000.

As the budget meetings loom on Feb. 9, 16 and 21, three options are also being considered for residents who need assistant with snow removal through the Winter Sidewalk Community Support Program.

Option A would see the current program remain the same.

The city would continue to fund Community Support Connections at a rate of $10,000 to source individuals that will clear sidewalks at a rate of $25 per hour at the expense of the homeowner.

Given inflation, an additional $5,000 would be required to maintain the current level of service for a total investment of $15,000.

Option B sees an estimated 40 to 50 residents receive snow removal services through the city contracting work to an outside provider. The CSC would instead be responsible for determining eligible residents.

The cost for this option is estimated at $90,000 based on 40 visits per winter season, $75,000 for contracted services and $15,000 to CSC to determine eligibility.

Option C would have city staff deliver snow removal services to eligible residents. Six seasonal staff would need to be converted to full-time. This option is approximated to cost $182,000.

The CSC would received $15,000 for sourcing eligible residents and $75,000 would be needed for city staff to perform the work.

Other services that would be performed in-between snow removal such as garbage and litter pick up, shrub bed maintenance, trail trimming and walkway trimming would come at a cost of $92,000.

An additional one-time expense of $5,000 is included for hand tools and small blowers.

It’s being recommended that council support the increased level of service to extend winter sidewalk maintenance support to residents and that council direct staff to include the associated costs and staffing for Option C into the 2023 budget.