After six long weeks, the City of Whitehorse has finally resolved its ongoing snow and ice control policy – after a fashion.

Coun. Ted Laking introduced a motion Monday evening during the last regular council meeting of the year that put the matter to rest – at least temporarily.

Laking’s motion replaced one by his colleague Michelle Friesen, that has been on the books for some time, dating back to October, when the controversy first arose with council.

Friesen withdrew her motion in favour of Laking’s, which proved to be popular amongst virtually all of the councillors, with the exception of Kirk Cameron.

Laking’s motion called for the city to move $220,000 to the provisional budget to begin paying for increased maintenance on accessible parking spots and associated ramps and curb cuts.

The motion also earmarked an additional $30,000 to study the issue further, and report back in May 2024.

The motion, which drew praise from his colleagues for its simplicity after weeks of debate, also didn’t generate the usual amount of discussion that previous meetings had seen.

Coun. Dan Boyd said he was looking forward to supporting the motion.

For some years, he said, the city has been “having difficulty” in maintaining its accessible parking spots.

“It got particularly bad a few years ago when we got the extra snowfall.”

It’s continued to be a problem since, Boyd said.

The city need to treat the problem holistically, he added, rather than a series of individual challenges.

Coun. Joecelyn Curteanu said she was also looking forward to supporting the motion.

She said the city “needs action” now so the issue can be dealt with immediately.

Friesen asked when the work on the accessible spots would begin.

City manager Jeff O’Farrell said it would take at least two weeks for staff to prepare a plan on how to “apply” the $220,000.

He suggested the changes would likely begin in early January.

“That would be the city moving at lightning speed.”

When she withdrew her motion in favour of Laking’s, Friesen said, “It’s a way forward for action now.”

“It’s not fair that we keep putting people in this position. It’s been years. The policy as it’s written is failing our community.”

The text of the motion reads as follows:

“BE IT RESOLVED that council direct that the provisional 2024 operating budget be amended by allocating an additional $220K to provide additional resources to address accessibility concerns with respect to snow and ice removal and enforcement in respect of parking stalls, crosswalks, para-ramps, curbs, and bus stops, and sidewalks; and

 THAT council direct that the 2023 capital budget be amended to include a new project titled ‘Snow and Ice Control Accessibility Review’ for the purposes of completing a review of the Snow and Ice Control Policy, the Maintenance Bylaw, and the motion titled ‘Snow and Ice Control Policy Accessible Stalls’ using an accessibility lens, in the amount of $30,000, funded from the general reserve; and

 THAT administration be directed to return to council with the results and recommendations of this review by the end of May 2024.”

Boyd successfully proposed an amendment to the motion adding in sidewalks.

Ramesh Ferris, a leading advocate for proper snow and ice clearing on accessible spots, particularly downtown, wasn’t too impressed with the decision.

It’s only a start, he told the Star Tuesday.

Ferris said he’s concerned the money is guaranteed only for 2024, adding he considers the $30,000 to study the issue basically a waste of money.

Since the city has shown it’s capable of swiftly clearing active transport routes and trails around the city quickly and efficiently, he said, it’s shown it has the resources to do the same thing with accessible parking spots.

There’s nothing in Laking’s motion that prioritizes when those spots and associated ramps and curb cuts will be cleared, Ferris said.

He was also critical of how the money could be spent. He’s worried a considerable chunk could go to city bylaw officials and their campaigns to educate business owners on their responsibilities for clearing their properties.

“It falls short” of addressing the systemic issues facing people with disabilities, Ferris said.

He appeared before council as a delegate once again Monday, where he has spent several weeks trying to lobby the city to improve its clearing policies.

Ferris said the city is treating accessibility issues like a buffet – picking and choosing when disabled people can access various locations around the downtown core in particular.