After the recent dump of snow that has been blanketing the region, City council approved the purchase of a used 2005 plow truck for $47,000.
Staff found the used truck during the recent snowstorms while looking at rental options. It has low kilometres and low hours of use, with a new unit running up to $190-$210,000.
The city currently runs four plow/spreader trucks, three of which are models released between 1993-1997. According to a city staff report, the trucks have a shorter useful lifespan because of corrosion from salting roads during the winter.
A new truck is scheduled for delivery in March, while the city has a second multi-use plow truck in the 2017 budget.
“It has 65,000 km of mileage, multiple functions such as sander unit and rotating plow unit,” according to the report. “…This purchase would allow increased capacity and an added level of service in activities such as snow plowing, road maintenance and other purposes.”
In addition to the purchase of the used truck, council also approved $150,000 for the 2017 budget for civic emergencies arising from the record-breaking snowfall.
City staff are concerned about the possibilities of collapsing roofs and spring flooding, which is where the funding will be directed to if needed.
A staff report specifically identifies flooding around Elizabeth Lake and other parts of the Cranbrook community in 2014. The city had set aside $150,000 that year to deal with it, while costs eventually came in at $230,000.
During that year, staff was able to secure funding from the province’s Disaster Financial Assistance program and the Provincial Emergency Program and is prepared to pursue those opportunities again, if needed.