Prince George City Council will not be making any changes to the City’s Snow Removal Policy.
City Council was presented a report with information on three potential cost saving measures in the city’s Snow and Ice Control Policy.
These included:
- Ceasing to clear residential driveways as defined in the existing Snow and Ice Control Policy,
- Increase snow clearing service levels minimum metrics by 2.5 cm,
- Reduction of snow clearing service on statutory holidays.
According to a staff report, these changes combined could possibly result in annual savings of up to $1,275,004. (In 2024 rates)
City Council was against the changes, saying they have been hearing concerns from the community regarding the changes.
Councillor Brian Skakun cited an example of a previous time when ceasing to clear driveway openings was considered.
“The stress that it caused people in the community, it is no different today,” Skakun said.
“I’ve had a couple of calls from seniors that were just terrified, that they, living alone, would have to get someone to come over to open up their driveway for them. It is absolutely not worth it. Our snow removal program needs a little tweaking here and there, but we need to leave those driveways alone, be it access for people to get in and out of their driveways, the first responders, you don’t want someone carrying a stretcher over a windrow.”
“I’m glad we did this, the reason why, and I know it’s been talked about before, about driveways, but it was never costed before,” said Councillor Ron Polillo.
“I think this is a valuable experience for staff, and for us to find out exactly what it would cost, and we have it in front of us here. Now that I look at it, and read the report, and had the weekend to think about it, $225,000 on a $10.3 million budget is miniscule, that is not, to me, a cost savings that would make a substantial difference.”
Polillo said for the same for increasing the snow event threshold.
“I think at this point, we’ve heard from the community,” said Councillor Tim Bennett, who was serving as acting Mayor in the absence of Mayor Simon Yu.
“I think about a presentation we had from Northern Health early in our mandate where they talked about the increased number of heart attacks we see in the region as a result of snow removal.”
“Demographically, Prince George isn’t getting younger, we’re getting older,” said Councillor Garth Frizzell.
“It’s time for us to look at these services, make sure that they’re in place, because there’s more and more of us who are becoming seniors, even as the night goes on.”
Councillor Trudy Klassen said she was interested in reducing clearing on stat holidays.
“If you look around in any parking lot or driving through town, almost every vehicle these days is an all-wheel drive,” Klassen said.
“I think that’s a very different circumstance than it was roughly 15 years ago when this policy was created, maybe we can save some money by doing it a little less frequently.”
Council ultimately received the report for information, with no changes made to the policy.
Other items discussed tonight included several recommendations from the City’s Bear Awareness Committee, and a report on upgrades for Carrie Jane Gray Park.
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