It was a snow day on city council, with two motions springing hearty debate on the future of the city’s snow and ice removal program.
While the debate initially centred upon Ald. Diane Colley-Urquhart’s motion looking into required snow tires on Calgary vehicles, and Ald. Ric McIver’s catch-all of snow and ice removal solutions — the end product was agreement on a value-for-money audit on the entire operation.
“If anything cries out for having a value-for-money audit, and looking at our entire program, it is snow and ice control,” said Ward 11 alderman and chair of the audit committee Brian Pincott.
“This has been an ongoing issue for council and it’s been an ongoing issue for the public … so I think it’s time and it’s due that we actually have a look at the program and make sure that we’re delivering what we think and we say that we’re delivering.”
In the interim, council will continue to allow additional spending on an as-needed basis for snow and ice control on affected city streets, with the money coming from the fiscal sustainability reserve.
Council also agreed to look into Ald. Colley Urquhart’s motion on snow tires, as it pertains to effectiveness for the city fleet.
