WINNIPEG — When the snow flies this winter, don’t expect the city to clear windrows in back lanes.
A report to the Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works committee recommends against extending snow clearing to private access in back lanes.
RELATED: Snowplows can’t clear back lane windrows: city
A lack of place to put the snow during cleaning is the main reason for the decision. The city administration said the difference with clearing front driveways is snow can be kept on boulevards.
The city suggests people use the Snow Angels program which is a volunteer service to help people who have limited mobility clear the snow.
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The committee will vote on the report next week, and it isn’t the only report dealing with snow.
The city also released a review of snow clearing and ice removal.
Over the past three years, it found a higher portion of complaints about damaged infrastructure come from areas maintained by private contractors.
Data collected over three years from 311 shows there were 707 complaints made about contracted snow removal damage compared to 398 made regarding city snow clearing.
Of all complaints, the city said there were very few claims that made the appearance of malicious intent by crews.
Contracted work accounts for the cleaning of 3,700 lane kilometers in the city.
Over the past three years, the report said there were six instances when the city had to fine private contractors a total of $123,394.15 because of what it calls “non-performance”.
The city’s budget for snow clearing and ice control is $29.5 million. According to the report, when there is a snow event it costs $2.055 million for the city crews to clean and $1.991 million for the contracted work.
The report found there is “a competitive balance between the delivery of service via major snow contracts versus city lead forces” and changing the balance would result in increased costs.
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