A proposed snow angel program that emerged out of last spring's controversy over residents using snow plows mounted on ATVs to clear sidewalks will not come to fruition, at least not this year.
At a council meeting last April, Coun. Cathy Heron served a notice of motion in which she proposed exploring a snow angel program that would allow some residential plowing by residents with ATVs and plows, but only after special permits were issued after some training. There would also have been strict guidelines on when and where such snow angels could plow.
Heron said Tuesday that idea likely won't work out.
“Administration, as they explained it last year, was worried about people damaging infrastructure like sidewalks or fire hydrants,” Heron said. “As much as I think it's doable, administration was not loving the idea.”
The idea was the result of last year's controversy over whether or not to allow residents to plow neighbourhood sidewalks after a significant dump of snow late in the winter saw several ATV operators in the city clearing sidewalks. In one case, a local chiropractor was issued a ticket after using his ATV to clear snow.
Council mused about changing bylaws that outlaw ATV use within the city to allow for such a practice during times of heavy snowfall, but backed down after administration pointed out the potential for damage to city infrastructure. Heron proposed her snow angel idea as a compromise.
But Heron found there were other challenges.
“As soon as you call it a program, you need someone to administer it. It also comes with dollars and liabilities.”
The next best thing, Heron said, would be for residents to simply break out their snow shovels and help out their neighbours, particularly seniors who might not be able to clear their sidewalks or driveways. She cited the case of Sir George Simpson school, which bought a load of shovels and get their students out shovelling, and wondered if getting local minor hockey teams involved could be another option.
But she's also heard from the St. Albert Senior Citizens' Club that there really isn't a need.
“I asked them what the need was and last year there really wasn't a lot of need or a lot of seniors asking for help.”
That means all the usual bylaws apply, said Mayor Nolan Crouse, who had hoped to see a program put together.
“I think we should have something. I think it absolutely makes sense,” he said.
It is an offence under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act to use off-highway vehicles on city streets and sidewalks unless a city bylaw grants permission.
