Another nod to snow-clearing changes

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This article was published 09/10/2013 (4717 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ANOTHER city councillor says it’s time to consider changing street snowplowing practices.

Coun. Jeff Browaty said the opportunity to save money and improve service is worth the debate. “I’m not ready to say I want to go to this new process… But I think we should have an open discussion on it,” Browaty (North Kildonan) said.

Changing snowplowing practices was one of several recommendations contained in a consultant’s review on the public works department operations that could save taxpayer dollars.

The KPMG report, which will be considered at this morning’s executive police committee meeting, said its recommendations could save the city $3.5 million to $5 million annually.

The biggest cost-saving item was street snow-clearing: specifically, to narrow the amount of roadway plowed, resulting in possibly $2 million to $3 million in annual savings.

However, Browaty said the change would not be for all city streets, only the lowest-priority residential streets without schools or bus routes.

Browaty said instead of plowing those streets clear to the pavement from curb to curb, the city would consider sending a truck plow after a snowfall to ensure the street is passable.

Browaty said the city normally only plows those residential streets once a winter. “It could result in an improvement in service.”

Browaty, chairman of the property and development committee, is the third member of Mayor Sam Katz’s executive policy committee to support considering the KPMG proposals, joining finance chairman Russ Wyatt and public works chairman Dan Vandal.

Among the other recommendations in the KPMG review: cut back on the amount of maintenance for flowers and flower beds, outdoor bowling greens and green space; end the graffiti-cleaning program on private property; reduce overtime and schedule summer weekend shifts.

The first stage of the KPMG report cost $287,500. The second stage will involve a plan on how to implement the recommendations.

Vandal and Browaty said they would not support a new surcharge on tax bills specifically to finance snow-clearing.

Vandal said the KPMG report revealed taxpayers are getting good value from the public works department.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca