Concerns about roads and walkways, mainly in the city's north end and along Territorial Drive, were among the main topics discussed at Monday's city council meeting in North Battleford.
Two councillors raised issues about Territorial Drive. Councillor Cathy Richardson expressed concern about people trying to cross the road to the east of the intersection of 100th Street and Territorial.
People were attempting to jaywalk across Territorial rather than head to the crosswalks at the corner. Richardson wondered what it would cost to put up a pathway to direct people to the corner instead.
Director of operations and maintenance Stewart Schafer pledged to look into the issue.
The other end of Territorial Drive to the east was the concern of Councillor Greg Lightfoot. He noted there was no paved trail from 13th Avenue to 8th Avenue.
"Are people to use the alleyway?" asked Lightfoot. When he got back a "yes" answer, Lightfoot said the alley becomes a "mudhole" when it rains.
"Maybe we need to pave a stretch beside the alleyway," said Lightfoot, noting that it was a common complaint raised. Administration will look into that as well.
Councillor Don Buglas asked about the possibility of a second exit road from the Killdeer neighbourhood, which is seeing stepped-up development.
He said folks in Killdeer are asking "if there are future plans for another roadway." If there are he'd like to see that information available to the public.
Buglas also wanted to see temporary plans given out to folks in the area, noting the situation that had arisen a few years ago when the massive grassfire threatened the Killdeer neighbourhood and created a blockage to the road in and out.
Right now the main road into the neighbourhood is Kildeer Drive off of Territorial. There is also Sandpiper Drive to the north but Buglas noted the "chunk of land it runs through is privately owned."
"People are wanting some answers or want to know that it is in the plan and something's going to happen in the near future," said Buglas.
City Planner Tim LaFreniere said it was their hope to bring something forward for the next council meeting.
Another issue, raised by Councillor Kelli Hawtin (formerly Saemann), was the situation at Henderson Drive in the city's north end.
She said the road there was in really rough shape, and Mayor Ian Hamilton noted he had the same concern.
The issue had been brought to Hamilton's attention a week and a half ago, he said. "It's a real mess," he said of the pavement issue there. The mayor added there were drainage issues there as well in the back alleys.
City Manager Jim Puffalt responded they were aware and looking to resolve the issue. As well, LaFreniere confirmed a report was coming and the issue would be dealt with.
