WOODLANDS COUNTY-Woodlands County councillors know many of their roads are to be kind, not in the best condition.
The problem is that there isn't enough money in the budget to do them all and how do you prioritize which roads to repair first.
To help clarify the issue councillors during their June 24 meeting conducted via YouTube video conference unanimously instructed the administration to prepare a report listing road deficiencies across the municipality, including the estimated cost of repair and an approximate timeline for work to begin. The report is expected to be ready for the council's July 21 meeting.
Later in the meeting, councillors defeated a motion by Whitecourt Central Coun. Ron Govenlock to reallocate $1 million in the 2020 budget for road repair. The motion was defeated 6-1, with Govenlock casting the only vote in favour.
The consensus was best summed up by Whitecourt East Coun. Jim Rennie, noting $1 million was only a "drop in the bucket" and that it would be better to delay any motion until they read the report.
He said although he agreed with the sentiment behind the motion, an extra $1 million was like putting a "band-aid on an amputation."
Rennie added that the cost to survey and correct the drainage problem on Horner Road near Whitecourt would be more than $255,000.
"Once we see the list and the recommendations from the administration we can look at different funding models to see how we can best fix the deficiencies," he said.
Fort Assiniboine/Timeu Coun. Dale Kluin agreed.
"We are looking at millions of dollars to fix everything, and we are going to have to prioritize them. Some of them need to be done right away because if they are not we risk the total collapse of roads and some can be put off for a while," he said. "Then we have to find where on God's green earth' are we going to find the money ... let's not waste our time. We need to see the list before we can make an informed decision."
Motion confusion
It should be noted that there was some confusion between Govenlock and the rest of council and administration regarding the necessity of him making a motion to reallocate the $1 million because he believed it should already be on the table as he put forward the motion June 2.
He said the motion had been tabled for further discussion until after councillors went on the road tour.
Govenlock said now that the road tour was complete, he wanted to resume discussion on the motion.
Councillors could not recall such a motion being made and chief administrative officer Gordon Frank confirmed although councillors did discuss the reallocation, no official motion was made.
"To suggest, the motion wasn't put forward and for administration to suggest otherwise is irresponsible," he said.
Frank noted earlier in the meeting councillors unanimously approved the minutes from the June 2 meeting and they did not include a record of the motion.
Mayor John Burrows suggested since there was no record of the motion that Govenlock restate it.
Govenlock eventually did remake the motion but said Mr. Frank "was playing a game" by saying there was no motion.
Burrows interjected, saying Govenlock's characterization was unfair and that everyone, council and administration, were doing their utmost to serve the municipality.
Road condition discussion
Discussion about the condition of the roads began at the June 2 council meeting when Rennie put forward a motion to apply dust control to Range Road 120 — a road that serves as access to several Whitecourt area subdivisions. The motion was defeated. After a lengthy debate councillors decided to table further discussion until the administration could come up with a plan to fix the roads as well as complete councillors annual road tour.
Infrastructure services director Andre Bachand suggested that if council decided to reallocate funds to the road maintenance budget priority should be given to coming up with a drainage plan for the previously mentioned Horner Road area. Govenlock agreed but said several other roads in his opinion also need immediate attention, referring to three roads in his division, East Mountain Road, Range Road 121 as well as the road to Hard Luck Cannon among others.
"I would like to see a list compiled of all the roads and projected expenses along with a timeline," he said, reiterating the need to reallocating funds from the 2020 budget to ensure several of the repairs could start this calendar year. "Road maintenance and repair should be the top priority for this council."
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
