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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWD-034-21Clarington Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: November 29, 2021 Report Number: PWD-034-21 Submitted By: Stephen Brake, Director of Public Works Reviewed By: File Number: Andrew C. Allison, CAO Resolution#: GG-520-21 By-law Number: Report Subject: Sidewalk Snow Clearing on Concession 3 from Scugog St. to Liberty St. Recommendations: 1. That Report PWD-034-21 and any related communication items, be received; 2. That Council provide direction to Staff regarding the provision of snow clearing service along additional sections of sidewalk, as identified in the report; and 3. That all interested parties listed in Report PWD-034-21 and any delegations be advised of Council's decision. Municipality of Clarington Report PWD-034-21 Report Overview Page 2 This report discusses the recent deletions of sidewalk snow clearing service by the Municipality at various residential, institutional and commercial properties. As per Council Resolution GG-482-21 that was passed on November 8, 2021, this matter was referred to Staff to report back. Staff have conducted a secondary review and have included their findings in this report. 1. Background 1.1 In order to provide a consistent and equitable level of service to all property owners, the newly awarded sidewalk snow clearing contract prompted a review of all locations being maintained by the municipality. During the review, Staff referred to By-law 93-144, being a by-law to regulate the clearing away and removal of snow and ice from the roof of buildings and from sidewalks within the Municipality of Clarington, and ensured it was adhered to. The current conditions of the by-law dictate that land owners are responsible for providing winter maintenance on the sidewalk fronting, adjacent to or behind their property. This review resulted in the elimination of Municipal sidewalk snow clearing service at a total of 330 commercial, institutional, and residential properties. The implemented service level changes resulted in contracted cost reductions of approximately $70,000, annually. 1.2 At the General Government Committee meeting held on November 8, 2021, a delegation from Maureen Campbell expressed concerns with continued access to the sidewalk adjacent to her property and her recently assigned responsibility to provide winter maintenance on the sidewalk. As outlined above, this section of sidewalk was removed from the contracted municipal snow clearing service in accordance with By-law 93-144. 1.3 As a result of Ms. Campbell's delegation, Staff were directed to report back on sidewalk snow clearing along Concession Road 3. It is important to note that Staff also received feedback and comments from approximately 40 other property owners across Clarington who have expressed similar concerns with the service level changes. 2. Secondary Review 2.1 Staff conducted a secondary review of the locations that were recently removed. Based on the findings, several common elements were identified and considered: 0 Sidewalk location — front, side or rear of property; Continuation of existing plow route — safe access points for snow plow, continuation of snow plow path, school locations, other economic factors such as core pedestrian paths; Municipality of Clarington Page 3 Report PWD-034-21 • Snow storage — boulevard width, guiderail, bridge, winter road maintenance along a regional road beyond our control; and • Eligibility for the Snow Clearing program for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities 2.2 Using the list of recently removed locations and feedback received from some of the concerned property owners, Staff have identified 49 locations, as included in Attachment 1, where one or more of the above conditions apply. The identified locations, if added back into the existing contract, would provide a more consistent and safer operation of the sidewalk snow clearing equipment, while also providing an increased level of sidewalk maintenance in core areas. 2.3 Based on the terms of the new contract, it is estimated that the annual cost to provide snow clearing service to the additional 49 locations that have been identified in Attachment 1 would be $24,000. The level of service provided by the contractor would include snow clearing and the application of a sand/salt mix, similar to other municipally maintained sidewalks, during each storm call -out. 2.4 The review of past and current municipal sidewalk snow clearing practices and the associated criteria has shown that there is a potential need in the future for amendments to By-law 93-144. Some of the items that could be considered in the future include the provision of a consistent level of service by the Municipality for sidewalks on main streets or corridors, school travel paths and in economic areas. Staff will report back on these future By-law amendment considerations at a later date. 3. Concurrence Not Applicable. 4. Conclusion It is respectfully requested that Council provide direction to Staff regarding the possible addition of 49 sidewalk locations to the current sidewalk snow clearing contract. Staff Contact: Slav Potrykus, Traffic Engineering Supervisor, 905-623-3379 extension 2315 or spotrykus@clarington.net. Attachments: Attachment 1 - Secondary Review Sidewalk Locations Interested Parties: The following interested parties will be notified of Council's decision: Maureen Campbell Attachment 1 to Report PWD-034-21 Bowmanville b�4 • CUi ession iwiHig ■ � � 1� • 01, � 11 � ■irk Secondary Review Sidewalk Locations r Newtonville Hill Street H� o0 Re9-ona\ 22 o U) O o Courtice CD r► a tr et CD Q. as i 1pacal CD Regional Highway 2 1$16 rive Bloor Street N �V Claringu►n Newcastle h r 4-0 -0 King Avenue armer ive m d a d tre t LIE ---46f H i hwa "— Tomato Street I c� Metcalf Street