City debating to take on more rural roads

To maintain or not to maintain?  It’s a question city council is wrestling with in regards to rural road upkeep.

Councillors, Rick Dubeau and Walter Wawrzaszek are lobbying for the city to provide an equal amount of services to tax payers living on smaller rural roads. Mainly Charland Rd, and Bertand Rd off Municpal Rd. Both say nearby dirt roads receive double or triple the amount of the services they receive for their tax dollars, something Dubeau says just isn’t fair.

“You can understand the frustration when we’re plowing a nearby road just for fishermen.”

Wawrzaszek says there are roads is far worse shape in town but was quickly rebuffed by Mayor Steve Black.  Black said the argument before council tonight in the maintenance of rural roads and not urban roads.

With the Connecting Link contract also approved Monday night, Public Works recommended staying the course and not pick up the costs of extra road maintenance.  Director, Luc Duval says the city cannot simply afford it.

“We are taking care of too many Class 6 roads.  The report for the 30 km (of rural unassumed roads) we identified , we’ve already got a number pegged at $9 million dollars.  Now that i have a request for four-times that amount we’re talking the tune of $35 million.  It’s a burden that would be placed on the corporation long term.”

The city currently oversees 1, 000 lane kilometers of roads ( asphalt, paving stones, surface treatment and gravel).  A further 27km of un-assumed roads were in the report.

Councillors Mike Doody, Noella Rinaldo, Pat Bamford and Mayor Black agreed the city can barely afford to maintain the roads directly in the city, something public works echoed.

“You’ve seen the report,” said Duval. “We’re short $4-5 million a year on asphalt, right now.  Our asphalt quality index in 2007 was 54.  That’s not good. 100 would be perfect but we’re down to 43. We have huge challenges on the urbanized and semi-urban area and those are realities.  I’m not sure to take on more, as a municipality would could do that.”

To have a rural road or Class 6 road receive maintenance by the city, the property owner had to get the road of to a certain standard before the city assume responsibility for it.  A 2016 amendment now says you have to present the idea for upgrades to council first before work can begin.

Councillor Dubeau says some of these roads are very close to meeting the city’s standards so why not plow the snow or grade the gravel.  Public works manager, Ken Krcel says the equipment they use and that of the contractors is too big for the delicate job. And to contract out the work is an even bigger cost.  Dubeau then asked if the Charland Rd and Bertrand road could be widened, which is a cheaper option. Krcel and Duval said this would still cost at least $300,000.

The report finished with a grim reminder of the dire situation the city is in when it comes to roads.  It shows an annual shortfall of $25 million for all of  existing assets funded by the general tax levy.

Councillor Wawrzaszek then went on the accuse the city of miss-handling asphalt and simply throwing it away in the back lot.  Krcel says the city still owns that asphalt and can recycle it.

Council also learned of certain roads who were grandfathered into the old policy from 1979 which wouldn’t meet today’s standards.  Councillor Bamford says the logic doesn’t adds up.

“If were upset over  roads grandfathered in and we’re wanting to plow roads that today aren’t up to standard.  What I understand is this road is close to being up to standard and maybe work out a deal.”

CAO, Joe Torlone chimed in and said there are too many accusations being thrown around and finds it hard for staff to answer questions from years ago.  He says he’d prefer to deal with the present.  He and Wawrzaszek then went back a forth on council process and very little was settled.

The report and a resolution is expected to comeback to council soon.