Drayton Valley town council voted 6-1 on Wednesday, in favour of resuming municipal sidewalk snow clearing along 50 Avenue, west, and 50 Street, north and south.
The town notes, although the Community Standards Bylaw outlines sidewalk clearing as a property owner or occupant’s responsibility, certain areas along 50 Avenue and 50 Street have posed particular challenges. Council requested options to address this issue, including having the town absorb the responsibility, as it already maintains areas along this route.
Officials note, the cost of taking on sidewalk clearing in this area is currently an estimate, as the actual cost will be dependent on snowfall in a given season. Generally, administration says each snow removal operation should require two operators and two sweepers working for about two hours each. Officials currently estimate about 20 operations per winter season, depending on snowfall accumulation and amounts.
The estimated cost, which does not include potential overtime hours, breaks down as follows:
- Operator wages:
Two operators × $33.63/hr = $67.26/hr - Sweeper operating costs:
Two sweepers × $51.50/hr = $103.00/hr - Total hourly cost (operators + equipment):
$170.26/hr - Cost per snow removal event:
$170.26/hr × two hours = $340.52 - Estimated seasonal cost:
$340.52 × 20 events = $6,810.40 per winter season
Councillor Fayrell Wheeler voted in opposition to the change, stating that, from her experience, clearing issues are worse in residential areas.
“I think we should be enforcing. I think it’s important so everyone has walkable access to the community,” she said. “That’s where I’d rather see the focus, than on the town just picking it up and doing it.”
The changes will go into effect for the 2026-2027 winter season this fall, following council approval of the amended Snow Removal Policy.
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