Ahh Spring....

The city has a general email account that people use from time to time to send notes myself or council. As we get in to spring I expect this won't be the last one I receive that is concerned about the roads.

I try to respond to any email that has a working return address and a name. Here's the resident's note (with their name removed) and my response:


Comments: 
I know your the new mayor of Grande Prairie, but you might want to start doing something and get the roads fixed because they are shitty, that's the only way to describe it. You might want to start considering the citizens of Grande Prairie because if your doing nothing to fix the roads, are you gonna pay for all the vehicle damages? 


Thanks,
 - Name Removed - 


My response....


Hi - Name Removed -, thanks for the note. 


You'll notice that we've had a spring with lots of melting, then re-freezing. This is really rough on the roads, it creates lots of potholes that weren't there last fall because the run-off water gets in to tiny cracks in the pavement and then freezes over night. When it freezes it expands and breaks apart the pavement just like a bottle that's left in the freezer too long. 

We will be going after these potholes very aggressively but there's not too much we can do until more of the snow melts and the temperatures get warmer. We have already had some crews out addressing the worst cases but that work doesn't last because it's still too wet can cold for the repairs to hold. 

This summer we plan to spend about $20 million on road repair, construction and overlays as well as sidewalk construction. So this area is a major priority for me, Council and our staff.... and we're spending a significant amount of your tax dollars on it. 

I hope you'll notice the improvement but understand that our weather here make this an ongoing battle and that every spring will bring new potholes no matter what we do. 

Thank you again for taking the time to write.

Bill Given, 
Mayor, City of Grande Prairie 

115th Street Closed for 2 Weeks

Starting Monday a major intersection to the Westpointe neighbourhood will be closed for two weeks while the city does work to facilitate the twinning of 84th Avenue. The section of road is 115th Street marked below in the yellow circle. The city media release below covers the details but residents in the area will have to use alternate points, like 113th street to the East, to get into and out of the neighbourhood.




Media Release
May 11, 2010

Notice of Road Closure

Motorists are advised that 115 St. between 83 and 84 Avenues will be closed for two weeks beginning on Monday, May 17.

Excavation work on 115 St. is required for the twinning project in the 84 Ave.-116-108 St. area.

Commuters are asked to use alternative routes.

“We appreciate motorists’ patience during this inconvenience,” says Traffic Engineer, Dan Zeggelaar. “This work will assist in the completion of an important project that is going to contribute to improved traffic flow in Grande Prairie.”

Enquiries may be directed to:
Dan Zeggelaar
Traffic Engineer
(780)830-7448
dzeggelaar@cityofgp.com

Thoughts on Traffic Circles

It looks like traffic circles might be coming to Grande Prairie. Last week a reposrt was presented at the Public Works committee showing the plan for the east & west couplet projects.


The intent of the couplet is to move westbound traffic off off 100 Ave and up to 101 Ave. The idea is that this should create a better flow for traffic going through downtown to the west side f the city and at the same time allow 100 Ave to have two way traffic which would improve access to downtown stores. One of the challenges had been how to handle the transitions ... so the suggestion of traffic circles came up.

After the report was released there was of course some initial feedback including a letter to the editor which was dead set against traffic circles (you can read it here). But there have also started to be some positive coments like this email that was sent to council:

Dear City Aldermen

I read on Wednesday’s edition in the DHT that the city is considering adding traffic circles in the downtown area. Congratulation! That is a great step towards solving the traffic problems with in the city. I only hope that other parts of the city would also be considered for the traffic circles as well. For example, I think that the corner of Resources Road and 84th Avenue would work, and the corner of 68th Avenue and Poplar Drive would also be a great fit.

I recently spent 3 weeks in Great Britain and found that roundabouts were a perfect way of sorting traffic without the hassle of dealing with traffic lights. A true traffic circle doesn’t have lights and I hope that is the type that is being considered.

As well as freeing up the traffic they are friendlier on the environment, no stopping and starting, and no idling waiting for the lights to change. Not to mention the saving on the power and upkeep which goes to the traffic lights. You will also find that there will be no traffic running the lights before they change like they currently do, cutting down on the number of accidents in town thus cutting down on the number of responses by Police and Fire Departments, a further savings.

I lived in Peace River for 10 years and they had a five way intersection that no one liked, a couple of years ago Alberta Transportation changed the 5 way intersection to a traffic circle and friends of mine that still live there have said it has sped up traffic. I also phoned Town of Peace River and they told me they never received a single complaint about the change over.
I have lived here in Grande Prairie for over 50 years and this is the one thing that has me enthused enough to write to the council to voice my whole hearted approval.

Yours Truly
Randy Montgomery

Randy mentions Peace River and actually the experience there offers some tips on what to do as we move forward - things like "pamphlets explaining how to use the roundabout, a portable billboard on the subject and public meetings". Ultimately even after PR's circle was opened there was still some uneasiness from residents.

But, seeming to back up Randy's comments is this letter to the editor in the Peace River Record Gazette that says the traffic circle there is a great improvement over the old five-way intersection they used to have.

I wonder what the impression is from folks in PR is today - is the roundabout working? Have people become accustomed to it?

For more information on exactly what modern roundabouts are like check out the Province of Alberta information page on Roundabouts here

Let me know what you think of the plan.

Responding to a Concern About Snow Removal

I received a note on Facebook yesterday, my friend wanted to bring to my attention a discussion that was going on in a group called "Better Snow Removal for Grande Prairie".

I didn't jump into the conversation on the group but I did choose to contact one of the people directly. After getting some more details from her about what area of the city she lived in I sent along this response. I think it might answer questions other people in the city might be asking so I thought I'd share it here:

Thanks for the info!

I'll pass on the concern about the slippery intersection to see if we can get a little extra ice control there.

Just so you know when we talk about bus routes we're talking about the streets that city transit buses go on. We make these streets our second highest priority.

The first priority after a snow fall are the "Major Arterial" roads like 100 St, 84 Ave, 68 Ave, Resources Rd, Hwy 40 - Wapiti Road, etc. These are obviously the streets that have to carry the most traffic in the city.

After all the streets that fall in to the group above are done we move on to Priority 2 streets. This is where the city Transit Bus Routes are and also includes "Major Collector" Roadways that may or may not be part of a bus route; Crystal Lake Drive, Mission Heights Drive, Poplar Drive, Royal Oaks Drive, etc.

The idea is that if we can get the #1 & #2 streets cleaned quickly the majority of traffic can move pretty well through the city and important for emergency services like the police, fire and ambulances can get where they need to go.

After all that has been taken care of we move on to the residential roads as our #3 priority. This would include your street. Here, the City provides dedicated Snow and Ice Control on local roads & lanes in residential areas. Weekday mornings in North side Neighbourhoods (North of 100 Ave) and weekday afternoons in Southside Neighbourhoods (South of 100 Ave.)

Over all, our budget for snow removal is just over $4 million dollars per year ($4.035m in '09 to be exact and slightly more in '10). If we don't spend all the money in one year we put it in the bank and save it to help out in years where there is excessive snow and the budgeted amount won't cover the added costs.

You can find more information about what neighbourhoods the city crews are working on each day here:

http://www.cityofgp.com/citygov/dept/trans/worknotices/default.htm

(Check out the "Getting to Your Street" part)

Also, I had a chance to read the post on the group wall and you said "I would really like to see snow removal be paid for out of the City's pcket, not mine..."

It's important to remember that property taxes, like the ones you pay on your home, are how the city gets the majority of it's budget and it pays for much more than the bus you see in front of your house and the garbage collection.

Whenever council chooses to improve a service or build something new it will be reflected in your taxes. We try to be as efficient as we can when we spend your dollars but every police officer we add, or extra snow removal crew
we put on duty, or new recreation program we offer has to be paid for.

Our challenge is trying to balance having affordable taxes with providing the services that people want in our community. It's not always easy.

If you have any other thoughts or questions feel free to give me a call (780-814-0518, my cell) or send me a note here on Facebook.

Council Agenda for November 2nd, 2009

Tonight's council meeting will be the last city meeting of the week for me. I'm heading to Calgary tonight for the AUMA convention and I'll be back late Thursday, just in time for Friday morning's arrival of the Olympic Torch! It's actually going to be a very busy week - stay tuned, I'll be posting from Calgary to keep you up to date on what's happening at the convention and what sessions I'm taking in.

Below is the agenda for tonight's council meeting I've made some comments on a few items of interest - you can see them in yellow like this.

1. CALL TO ORDER
2. NATIONAL ANTHEM
3. ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
3.1 The minutes of the City Council meeting held October 19, 2009 be adopted.
3.2 The minutes of the City Council Organizational meeting held October 19, 2009 be adopted.

4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Council adopt the agenda as presented.

5. DELEGATIONS
5.1 Government Technology Exhibition and Conference Award (GTEC) Presentation
We won this national award for our cutting edge fire pre-planning system. It's another example of the great ways in which the city is using technology.
5.2 Mr. N.Dyck, re: Bill 50

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.1 Bylaw C-1100-148, to Amend the Land Use Bylaw
Bylaw C-1100-148, to amend the Land Use Bylaw to clarify the provisions for commencement of development, setback for decks, screening fences, and accessory buildings in front yards.
Council give Bylaw C-1100-148, to Amend the Land Use Bylaw, second reading.
Council give Bylaw C-1100-148, to Amend the Land Use Bylaw, third reading.

6.2 Bylaw C-1100-149, to Amend the Land Use Bylaw
Bylaw C-1100-149, to amend the Land Use Bylaw to rezone a 1.46ha site on the west side of 108 Street (Wapiti Road), from “IG – General Industrial” to “IB – Industrial Business”.
Council give Bylaw C-1100-149, to Amend the Land Use Bylaw, second reading.
Council give Bylaw C-1100-149, to Amend the Land Use Bylaw, third reading.
Click here for a map.

6.3 Bylaw C-1100-150, to Amend the Land Use Bylaw
Bylaw C-1100-150, to amend the Land Use Bylaw to rezone an undeveloped 35ha site which makes up a portion of SE 1⁄4 of 28-71-6-W6M, from “UR – Urban Reserve” to a combination of “IG – “General Industrial, IB – Industrial Business, CA - Commercial Arterial, and PS – Public Service”.
Council give Bylaw C-1100-150, to Amend the Land Use Bylaw, second reading.
Council give Bylaw C-1100-150, to Amend the Land Use Bylaw, third reading.
Click here for a map.

7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
8. REPORTS

8.1 Bylaw C-1100-152, To Amend the Land Use Bylaw Bylaw C-1100-152, to amend the Land Use Bylaw to rezone the north half of SW 1⁄4 33-71-6-6 from “CR-5 – Country Residential and AG – Agricultural” to “UR – Urban Reserve”.
Council give Bylaw C-1100-152, to Amend the Land Use Bylaw first reading.
Council establish Monday, November 30, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers as the date, time and location for Public Hearing purposes for Bylaw C-1100-152.
Click here for a map.

8.2 Bylaw C-1237, To Adopt the Municipal Development Plan Bylaw C-1237, to adopt the Municipal Development Plan.
Council give Bylaw C-1237, to Adopt the Municipal Development Plan, first reading.
Council establish Monday, November 30, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers as the date, time and location for Public Hearing purposes for Bylaw C-1237.
We've been working on the MDP for quite a while - it's a very important document for the city and all in all I'm pretty happy with how it's turned out. More on this when it comes back on Nov 30th.

9. COMMITTEE BUSINESS
9.1 Council Committee of the Whole – October 5, 14 and 19, 2009
Council receive the minutes of the Council Committee of the Whole meetings held October 5, 14 and 19, 2009.

9.2 Pursuit of Excellence Committee – October 14, 2009
Council receive the minutes of the Pursuit of Excellence Committee meeting held October 14, 2009.

9.3 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Event Committee – October 15, and October 22, 2009
Council receive the minutes of the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Event Committee meetings held October 15 and 22, 2009.

9.4 Public Works Committee – October 20, 2009
Council receive the minutes of the Public Works Committee meeting held October 20, 2009.

9.4.1 Q99 Stuff-A-Bus Charter
Council approve to provide a transit bus, free of charge, to Q99 for 2009 and each subsequent year, for the Stuff-A-Bus promotion.

9.4.2 Purchase of Four D40LFR New Flyer Transit Buses
Council approve the purchase of four 2009 D40LFR Transit Buses from New Flyer, at a cost of $416,000/unit, to be delivered in 2010, and further, amend the 2009 Capital Plan accordingly.
Two of these busses are replacements for units that are set to be retired from service and two of them will help us expand service as recommended in the new Transit Master Plan.

9.4.3 Tender T-39-546-07, Bulk Highway Salt
Council award Tender T-39-546-07, for the City’s 2009/2010 Bulk Highway Salt requirements to LaPrairie Group Contractors (Alberta) Ltd. in the amount of $263,339.70 excluding GST, as the most qualified tender meeting specifications.
Yep, just over a 1/4 million dollars for salt to keep the winter ice on city streets in check.

9.4.4 Tender T-37-546-08, Ice Control Materials -10mm Sand
Council award Tender T-37-546-08, for the City’s 2009/2010 -10mm Ice Control material to Wapiti Gravel Suppliers a Division of NPA Ltd. in the amount of $162,300.00 excluding GST, as the most qualified tender meeting specifications.

9.5 Combative Sports Commission – October 20, 2009
Council receive the minutes of the Combative Sports Commission meeting held October 20, 2009.

9.6 General Government Services Committee – October 21, 2009
Council receive the minutes of the General Government Services Committee meeting held October 21, 2009.

9.6.1 Request for Real Estate Commission Payable
Council direct Administration to pay the sum of $4,646.25 to Mr. P. Biegel, Top Realty.
This is the fee for the (non)sale of Germain park. It's essentially half the commission that would have been due had the property sold at the full value that we had it listed for.

9.6.2 Contract Approval – Pecuniary Interest
Council approve the agreement with Ms. S. Hally for the use of the Montrose Cultural Centre (Teresa Sargent Hall), as Alderman B. Given has a pecuniary interest.
This is me! My fiancé and I are going to have our wedding reception in the hall and any contract where a council member (or family member) has a financial interest has to go through a special procedure. We are paying the full rental rate, just like anyone else, this is just a formality. I'll declare a conflict of interest when this comes up, I'll leave the room and won't vote on it.

9.6.3 Economic Development Strategic Plan
Council approve the Economic Development Strategic Plan.

9.6.4 Priority Setting Process
Council adopt the Priority Setting Process to review Council priorities.

9.7 Arts Development Committee – October 23, 2009
Council receive the minutes of the Arts Development Committee meeting held October 23, 2009.

9.7.1Terms of Reference Amendment and Public Art Report
Council: 1. approve the proposed amendments to the Arts Development Committee Terms of Reference,
2. approve the creation of a Public Art reserve fund from any unallocated funds from the Arts Development and Festival fund each year and that this reserve be administered by the Arts Development Committee, and,
3. direct Administration include a Public Art policy as one of the components of the City’s proposed updated Cultural Plan for early 2010.
It's great to see this come forward finally! Some communities have passed 1% for Public Art bylaws any in time I'd like to see us get there but this is a step in the right direction.

9.8 Protective Services Committee – October 27, 2009
Council receive the minutes of the Protective Services Committee meeting held October 27, 2009.

9.8.1
Fire Dispatch Agreement – MD of Northern Lights No. 22
Council approve a contract with the Municipal District of Northern Lights No. 22 to provide emergency fire dispatch services for a five year period in accordance with the fee schedule attached as “Appendix A”.

9.9 Community Development Committee – October 27, 2009 RECOMMENDA TION
Council receive the minutes of the Community Development Committee meeting held October 27, 2009.

9.9.1 Muskoseepi Park Master Plan Presentation
Council approve the Muskoseepi Park Master Plan as presented.

9.9.2 Draft Resolution on the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination to be Presented to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Council support the Draft Resolution on the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination and further, that the City of Grande Prairie submit the resolution to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Conference.

10. CORRESPONDENCE
11. DELEGATION BUSINESS
12. NOTICES OF MOTION
13. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS

Ice and Snow

Well, it's -35C this morning so what better time to sit down with a coffee and do a little electronic (web) surfing.

Clicking through my Regular Reading (which can be found on the right hand side of the blog, down near the bottom) I popped in to Leslie Ayer-Jaschke's blog to see if she's resumed posting after the holidays, turns out she has and her first post back is on sidewalk snow removal in Peace River.

Of course with winter comes snow and ice all across the north so the kinds of problems Leslie describes are pretty common. For quite some time in Grande Prairie we've had a bylaw (You'll find the relevant section under Part 4, about mid way down the page) in place requiring residents and businesses to clear any sidewalks that bound their property, or risk facing a $100 fine or the possibility of the city cleaning it and then sending a bill to the property owner. That would only happen in some pretty extreme circumstances but many people aren't aware of it so this year we decided to to a little promotion of the bylaw and the fact that enforcement services is looking for people to comply.

Wouldn't you know it though, just a few weeks after this hit the media I had an email from a resident with a complaint. They live on a fairly major route through the city and they work hard to keep the sidewalk in front of their house clear. The problem is that some of our city trucks are equipped with "belly-blades" so they can also throw snow off the streets as they drive around doing regular loads. Seems like a good idea right? Might as well have every city vehicle that is on the roads working to help clear the streets right?

Well, these guys move faster and have less control of where the snow goes in comparison to a grader. (it just gets sent to the outside of the road) so what happens? They throw snow on to the sidewalk this poor resident just cleared. I've raised the issue with the public works director but isn't it funny how one good idea can sometimes have unintended side effects?