Operations manager Jim Hall recently presented a report breaking down statistics, data, as well as staff reviews and comments regarding snow removal efforts from the past winter.
“I want to draw your attention to a couple of items,” said Hall during council’s May 14 meeting.
“One being the amount of events that we had.”
Throughout the winter, there was an overall accumulation of about 5.2 metres, or 17 feet, he said.
“If nothing melted, that’s what we would have had. In 2016, I believe we had nine feet, for comparison,” he said, adding there was about six metres, or 20 feet, in 2013.
Throughout the 2017-18 winter season, there were about 32-35 snowfalls that amounted to roughly five-centimetre buildups, or two inches, that required clearing the roundabouts, resulting in roughly 99 hours of overtime, he said.
Additionally, clearing sidewalks and trails along with some street assistance was contracted out for a little more than $34,000 from November 2017 to March 2018. Meanwhile, from January to March, 362 hours were accumulated in-house on the new wheel loader. The equivalent work in the past would have cost almost $58,000 through contracted service, his report states.
In light of the amount of overtime hours accrued, Coun. Cheri Funke asked whether Hall felt hiring a third road operator would be worth exploring, or if during a relatively normal snow year the existing two operators plus a contractor are sufficient.
“We try to keep that level of service up for council — we haven’t been requested to reduce that,” said Hall.
“And with the developments that are coming forward, and more demands on our roads and systems as we go forward with these new capital projects and new subdivisions and development, we’re going to be increasing that level of service. So at that point in time we will probably have to discuss the future of staffing arrangements.”
The operations manager said existing staff, with help from a contractor on sidewalks, largely handled the workload well this past winter.
Coun. Rob Wolfe also wanted to know if negotiations with Alberta Transportation would take place to establish a cost-sharing agreement regarding the roundabouts.
Chief administrative officer Linda Nelson said the municipality would be entering into negotiations with Alberta Transportation.
“That will come forward to council at a later date,” she said.
Hall said the statistics compiled by staff would be used to make a case for funding during negotiations with the provincial department responsible for highways.
The operations manager’s full report is available in council’s agenda package for the May 14 meeting, which can be found on the municipality’s website, www.sundre.com, in the “Council Meeting Agendas & Minutes” section under the “Government” tab.
Coun. Richard Warnock’s motion to accept the report as information carried.
