Local

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Report recommends increased snow budget

City Hall Roundup

By: Jen Skerritt and Bartley Kives

Posted: 09/13/2011 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

THE City of Winnipeg wants to beef up plowing this winter by clearing snow from active transportation routes and more back lanes.

A new report recommends Winnipeg spend an additional $250,000 in its 2012 operating budget and subsequent winters to clear snow from active transportation corridors. The report also calls for an additional $50,000 to enhance snow clearing in back lanes and remove windrows where homeowners do not have front street access.

If adequate money is available, the report suggests clearing community and neighbourhood park paths.

The report said the move is in response to the "dramatic increase" in active transportation trails that have been constructed in the past few years.

The report said it also aims to address concerns raised about high snow piles.

Council's public works committee will consider the plan at a meeting Tuesday morning.

Winnipeg's use of salt and sand is also currently under review by city administration.

CentrePort deal moves ahead

The City of Winnipeg is one step closer to extending water and sewer pipes into the RM of Rosser to allow the CentrePort trade hub to proceed.

This morning, council's public works committee will be asked to approve the construction of an $11-million sewer extension and $6-million water-main extension into the RM of Rosser. The city and province will split the tab, as Mayor Sam Katz and Premier Greg Selinger announced back in July.

The plan calls for the city to recoup its $8.5-million contribution through new taxes flowing from developments at the CentrePort site. The city is also working out a deal to sell Rosser water and sewer services at a premium.

The spending is contigent upon the city and Rosser reaching a service-sharing agreement, which has the potential to set a precedent for future service-sharing deals with other municipalities.

Hot air at city hall? Who knew?

City hall may heat up next year, but not for any political reason.

The city hall complex at 510 Main St. could be without air conditioning by 2012 unless the city spends $1.8 million to replace its cooling plant, according to a report made public Monday.

In 2010, one of two cooled chiller units suffered a "catastrophic failure" and it has been out of service since.

A report said the city has spent a "significant amount of time, money and energy" to date to keep the remaining chiller operational.

The remaining cooler is still running, but the report said it is unreliable and deteriorating.

Both the administration and council buildings may be without air conditioning next year unless the plant is replaced, according to the report.

"A loss of mechanical cooling would have an adverse impact on elected officials, members of the public and the public service," the report said.

Council's property and development committee will review the plan on Tuesday.

jen.skerritt@freepress.mb.ca bartley.kives@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 13, 2011 B2

(You must be logged in to post your reaction)

Your reaction?

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.