Sidewalk snow-clearing for all divides Hamilton council ahead of budget talks
The city couldn't start universal sidewalk snowplowing this winter even if the political will were there.
That's what public works staff told councillors Wednesday in a debate likely to be repeated during upcoming budget talks.
In terms of timing, this item was not approved as part of this year's budget," said Edward Soldo, transportation operations director.
Issuing a request for proposals to hire a contractor to provide the personnel and equipment for an enhanced sidewalk-clearing program would take six to nine months, he said.
As it stands, the city only plows residential sidewalks in Ancaster, while in the rest of the city, people must clear sections in front of their properties within 24 hours of the last flakes falling.
In February, council told staff to study the pros and cons of the status quo, an expansion to transit routes, and a universal program for the entire city.
In a report discussed Wednesday, staff estimate the transit route option would cost $1.48 million to $1.78 million more for a total price tag of roughly $3 million to $3.4 million. That would tack $8 onto the average household tax bill.
Clearing all sidewalks would cost $3.53 million to $3.78 million more, resulting in a total price tag of $5.11 million to $5.36 million, and $16 more for an average tax bill.
Of 1,987 completed surveys on the topic, 73.1 per cent said the city should offer more consistent" sidewalk plowing; 74.6 per cent noted Hamilton should be more walkable in winter.
And 81.6 per cent said they'd definitely support" a hike of $10 or less to achieve that, while 67 per cent favoured an increase of $10 to $25.
Advocates - including those for disability rights and older adults - have pushed for citywide sidewalk plowing for some time, and again in February, urged councillors to deliver it.
Ahead of Wednesday's meeting, Kojo Damptey, executive director of the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion, said in an online broadcast that such a program couldn't wait another winter.
It's crucial. It's part of an inclusive city. It's part of a city that appreciates everyone."
Mayor Fred Eisenberger told councillors the public works survey was absolutely useful" but not scientific.
I think we have to be fair about how this is translating," he said, adding the options should be discussed in the context of budget talks.
For Coun. Jason Farr, those responses, with the results of a larger Our City Survey, which sought feedback on a range of services, sent a clear message.
They want us to invest in this resource. This is stuff we didn't have last year, or in all of the other years debating this."
Farr also asked whether staff could report back on ways to offset" the cost of an enhanced program through adjustments to other public works services.
The very least" council should consider, Coun. Nrinder Nann said, was clearing sidewalks along transit routes, given the city's commitment to improving residents' mobility and quality of life.
Elected officials voted 10-3 in favour of discussing the options during budget deliberations early next year.
Coun. Judi Partridge - one of the three dissenters, along with Chad Collins and Lloyd Ferguson - predicted disastrous issues" with the enhancements.
A proposed threshold of five centimetres before plows are deployed could leave people pushing baby carriages and walkers in the lurch, she said.
It will also send our tax increase in the wrong direction," she added. This is going be a difficult year and so is next year."
Teviah Moro is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: tmoro@thespec.com