A new snow removal bylaw has been passed by council ahead of the winter season. (File photo/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Elliott Knopp

Snow Removal

City of Meadow Lake passes new snow removal bylaw

Oct 1, 2021 | 6:19 PM

The City of Meadow Lake has agreed to several changes in the City’s snow removal bylaw.

Following several discussions at council meetings and feedback sessions with the Bylaw Department, the city has agreed to adopt a few modifications that are believed to improve upon the former policy.

Mayor Merlin Seymour stated the new policy will provide clarity to residents and city snow removal crews while streamlining the current process.

“We’re looking for ways to make snow removal more effective, efficient and just outline what and where can be done on time constraints that are put forward by public works,” he said.

Among some of the notable differences from the previous version, the amendment has taken away the city’s ability to fine or bill residents for cleanups where sidewalks have not had snow removed.

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However, the city retains the ability to bill for the cost of removal if an area that hasn’t been cleared presents a safety hazard to the public.

The city also made revisions to the enforcement section of the bylaw so it would reflect the practices of the Bylaw Department.

More clarity is detailed in the bylaw as to how snow removal workers will address roads and sidewalks based on their priority level and crew availability.

As a result of these changes, the 2007 bylaw was repealed and replaced by the one passed by council.

In a previous council meeting, Coun. Richard Levesque mentioned a concern as to whether the walking path through Elks Park had been prioritized correctly. City manager Diana Burton explained the path is being prioritized as every other city-owned area.

Coun. Conrad Read highlighted a concern with the road priorities. He pointed out Highway 4 had not been included on the priority map.

Burton elaborated on the topic, stating the city is not responsible for clearing the road as the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways is contractually obligated to clear it.

A copy of the new bylaw can be found on page 27 of the Sept. 27 city council agenda.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp