Kamloops city council approves $2 million for 2019 snow removal budget

Kamloops streets and environment service manager Glen Farrow recommended council approve a $400,000 increase to the 2019 snow removal budget, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018. (SHELBY THEVENOT / iNFOnews.ca)

November 20, 2018 - 4:23 PM

KAMLOOPS - All but one Kamloops city council member voted in favour increasing the 2019 snow removal budget by $400,000.

Streets and environment service manager Glen Farrow stood before council today, Nov. 20, to make the recommendation that council approve the inclusion of the additional snow clearing funds into the 2019 provisional budget.

He said the extra money would be used to hire three full-time employees to operate the specialized equipment needed for snow removal, as well as buy two more pieces of equipment meant to meet residents' need for timely and effective snow removal — especially in the city's 402 cul-de-sacs.

Farrow said he would also like to see two sidewalk sweepers available any time there is heavy snowfall. In previous years there were times when they only had one available when an operator was needed elsewhere.

Coun. Denis Walsh was the only dissenting vote, noting that while he agreed with raising the snow removal budget he was dissatisfied with how it was being handled. His primary concern being that he did not see a need to hire staff year round for a seasonal position, and posed the possibility of contracting out the work as is done in Kelowna.

Farrow said that the full-time positions would be required year round as there is lots of work to be done, and a full-time worker would become more familiar with city streets than a contractor or part-time worker.

Mayor Ken Christian questioned the rational behind comparing Kamloops's needs to Kelowna's saying the report should have been called Street Maintenance to encompass the city's year-round needs.

The breakdown for the 2019 snow and ice removal budget. Image Credit: SUBMITTED/City of Kamloops

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