Sidewalk snow removal on agenda

Committee meeting at City Hall on Monday night

A three-year pilot project to step up snow removal in the city may soon be made permanent.

For the last three winters, the city has increased its snow removal on sidewalks, at transit stops and at crosswalks – and a new city staff report states that the result has been far fewer complaints.

The report recommends making the changes permanent by converting a dozen seasonal positions into six full-time jobs.

It would cost $54,774 to do so in 2019.

Alcohol Licence:

Black’s Distillery on Hunter St. E. may soon be getting a special license to allow visitors to sample their liquor – including gin, vodka and whiskey – by the glass.

Owner Robert Black has applied for a special license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to hold tastings.

Although AGCO grants the licence, the distiller needs a municipal resolution to show local community support.

A new city staff report recommends councillors vote to offer that support.

Accessibility Plan:

A new five-year plan to improve accessibility in Peterborough for people with disabilities could be adopted soon.

The new Accessibility Plan covers 2018 to 2022.

It includes projects such as adding accessible parking outside the Peterborough Public Library and upgrading transit stops with concrete pads linked with sidewalks.

Economic Development:

Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) will present its 2018 second-quarter update to councillors on Monday.

PKED is progressing well toward all its 2018 goals, the report states, with some goals already completed.

As of July 31, they’d supported 41 business startups for the year (the total goal for 2018 is 75).

The committee meeting is scheduled for Monday at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.