A brand new Python Pothole Patcher is being ordered by the Timmins public works department.
City council has approved buying the $563,000.00 machine that can be operated by one worker, not an entire crew. It should be delivered in six months.
In other council news:
- The rubber stamp was out at Tuesday’s meeting, approving the previously discussed plan to increase parking fines to 16 dollars if paid within five days of being ticketed, and 20 bucks after that.
- The stamp also came down on the bylaw allowing snowmobiles on most city streets, provided they’re just being ridden to or from the trail system.
- Animal control is being split into two parts. The humane society will still operate the pound, but PADS K9 Protection Service will enforce the bylaws. The head of the bylaw department, Steph Palmateer, says separating the two functions will save $31,000 in the first year.
- In the spring, no one knew that we’d still be dealing with COVID-19 heading into the end of the year. So Timmins council only suspended rent payments from groups renting city-owned spaces until the end of June. Tuesday night, it was extended until the end of this past September. Beyond that, the lessees will likely be eligible for federal money under a recently unveiled program. If not, there’s provision that they can go back to city hall to work out an alternative.
- And the city is asking both senior levels of government to toughen rules for bail and prison release. It cites among other reasons a huge increase in crimes committed by people who are out while awaiting court dates.