Executive committee hears community concerns on snow removal, accessible taxi availability
Several topics were discussed at Regina’s executive committee Wednesday including snow removal policies for city sidewalks and accessible taxi availability.
This was the final executive meeting before next month’s budget deliberations on Dec. 13th.
WINTER ROAD MAINTENANCE
Administration continued their work on its winter road and sidewalk maintenance plan by bringing a supplementary report before committee.
Part of the report suggested additional walkway snow clearing.
Current bylaw requires residents to clear all snow from sidewalks adjacent to their property within 48 hours of a snowfall.
The policy discussed would be for other walkways in a hope to support “increased pedestrian accessibility” according to the city.
“There’s a high likelihood these areas would also be adjacent to private businesses and property owners,” said City Manager of Roadways and Transportation Chris Warren.
Three options were presented:
• Clear snow from sidewalks in the downtown neighbourhood
• Clear snow from sidewalks adjacent to all transit routes
• Clear snow from sidewalks in higher pedestrian traffic locations
The costs associated with either option have not been added to the 2024 proposed budget.
Residents who spoke to executive committee believe clearing snow near all transit routes should be the minimum.
“It’s very dangerous for people,” said Beverley McDougald.
McDougald told multiple stories of seeing other residents struggling to walk on sidewalks around bus stops in her area.
Including one where a friend of hers, slipped off a ridge and underneath a parked bus.
“She couldn’t make it [over the ridge],” McDougald explained.
Warren says crews usually clear ridges, but it may have been missed in that case.
“They’re doing their best to ensure sidewalks are cleared from curb to curb,” he told executive.
Ward 6 Coun. Andrew Stevens motioned to adopt the third option.
“Ideally, I would like to see a gold-plated standard where the city takes on this responsibility,” he said. “I think residents deserve it.”
The city already clears about 280 kilometers of sidewalks around the city adjacent to parks, city facilities, transit stops; but not frontage locations. This option would add 80 kilometers to that area.
Administration estimated the cost to be $276,000 annually.
“Seems quite expensive,” said Ward 4 Coun. Lori Bresciani.
Steven’s motion was voted down 6 – 2.
The other two options will be debated fully during budget deliberations on Dec. 13th.
The winter road maintenance report also brings forward options for the reserve fund and clearing of snow ridges. Those also will debated during budget.
ACCESSIBILE TAXIS
Another item of note at executive surrounded paratransit and accessible taxi availability.
“It’s important for people with disabilities to have another option than paratransit,” said resident Jamie McKenzie. “But [paratransit] can’t use [taxis] at certain hours.”
During peek times, paratransit says they cannot meet the demand needed by its users. So it contracts trip to taxicabs.
However, just 8 of the 18 accessible licenses have been issued by the city.
Administration’s recommendations for amendments to the Accessible Taxicab Program included the creation of a central dispatch run by the city; added training for operators; and the raising of an accessible rideshare fee of 25 cents, among several other ideas.
Councillors got most hung up about the rideshare fee.
“We’re in tough times,” said Ward 2 Coun. Bob Hawkins. “Does this increase penalize those [who use taxis]?”
“This approach meets what we’re headed towards,” said Director of Community Standards Eric de Waal.
Hawkins motioned to have the fee dropped to 10 cents per trip.
The motion did not make it to a vote due to further questions from committee.
Mayor Sandra Masters felt administration brought a lack of alternative options.
“The problem we need to solve is having more accessible taxis on the road,” Masters said after the meeting.
She felt the need to hire more city staff to work the dispatch was not a viable solution and other options, like an app-based dispatch, could be.
Masters voted to table the recommendations to allow administration to bring back more options to executive committee.
It passed.
City administration will bring back their report in March 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Washington mum on Canada's fresh allegations against India, expulsion of diplomats
American officials did not condemn India's response to explosive accusations that its government has been involved in an escalating number of violent crimes in Canada.
Man sentenced, ordered deported for killing woman, injuring 2 others in Surrey, B.C.
A Metro Vancouver man will spend up to four years in prison before he is deported after pleading guilty to a triple stabbing that left his sister-in-law dead and two others, including a two-year-old girl, seriously injured.
Thousands of cleaning supplies may contain substances linked to health problems
When you go through the chore of cleaning your home, you hope the end result is a safer, healthier environment for you and your loved ones. But some of the products you are using might put your health at risk.
Liberal MP endorses 'robust caucus discussion' about whether Trudeau should still lead the party
Amid mounting pressure from within the Liberal caucus for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to consider stepping down as party leader, Liberal MP Anthony Housefather says there should be 'robust' conversations on the topic.
Canadian soldier dies while off-duty in Latvia
Latvian State Police are investigating the death of Capt. Aaron Wideman, a Canadian soldier in the capital city of Riga.
Canada and U.S. list Samidoun as terrorist group, U.S. adds Canadian to terror list
Canada is listing the pro-Palestinian group Samidoun as a terrorist group, while the U.S. has added a Canadian citizen affiliated with the organization to its counter-terrorism list.
Jake E. Lee, former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist, expected to ‘fully recover’ after being shot ‘multiple times’
Rock guitarist Jake E. Lee, who’s played with heavy metal heavyweight Ozzy Osbourne, was hospitalized early Tuesday morning after he was shot “multiple times” in Las Vegas, a representative for the musician told CNN in a statement.
Food prices continue to outpace inflation in Canada
For the second straight month, grocery prices in Canada rose faster than the inflation rate, and beef in particular is significantly pricier than it was last year.
OPINION King Charles shrieked at shrink wrap and other things we didn't know about him
From his shrink wrap shock to his obsession with luxury, King Charles III's personal life seems to be filled with surprises, that’s according to a new book by biographer Tom Bower.