Belleville Councillor Jack Miller speaks to council, July 10, 2017 ({Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Belleville is planning to tighten up the rules for cyclists and others using city trails, and the city centre.
Concerns about the “inappropriate use of city trails” by e-bike riders, speeding on the trails, and skateboarding in the downtown, has led city council to give first readings to a new Active Transportation bylaw.
It prohibits e-bikes on the trails, with a review in the years ahead as e-bike technology changes, but allows them on the roads and in cycling lanes.
Councillor Egerton Boyce called for extensive public input on the issue.
Councillor Jack Miller noted the importance of having enforcement in place through bylaw officers.
Councillor Mike Graham said a decision will have to be made about enforcement or it will be “ridiculous”.
Council has opened up the plan for a few months of public consultation, before it could eventually be implemented.
The bylaw is based on a review of similar rules in place in towns across the province including Peterborough.
Questioning the $2 million expenditure
Belleville city council released the second half of the payment to the contractor working on the Yardmen Arena renovation and expansion project last night, but there were some questions about $2 million not in the work plan.
Director of Recreation Mark Fluhrer told council that there were some extensive mechanical requirements and the two million was needed to achieve this.
Fluhrer says this leaves $240,000 in the contingency fund, with the time frame to complete the project this fall.
In March, council approved giving a maximum of $8.5 million to Ball Construction to start the work, until a guaranteed maximum cost of the project was known.
Council approved another $8.5 million, for a total of $17 million, on a recorded vote of seven to one with Councillor Kelly McCaw voting against, and Councillor Mitch Panciuk absent.
Cedar Street – Henry Street work goes ahead
Belleville has awarded the contract for a major watermain and road reconstruction project to remediate water quality issues.
The Cedar Street-Henry Street watermain and road reconstruction project covers the portion of Cedar Street between Catharine and Moira Street West, and Henry Street between Everett and Cedar.
The project involves the replacement of existing services on Cedar that have been in place nearly 100 years, since 1920.
There will be a new storm sewer system and new sanitary sewer system.
Both streets will be rebuilt with new sidewalks, and new road surfaces.
The contract goes to Len Corcoran Excavating Limited at $2.2 million plus tax.
