TAMRMS#: B06
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Oakmont Trail
Notice given by: Councillor MacKay
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BUDGET POSTPONED MOTION:
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That the first phase of the Recr-045 Oakmont Trail Phase 2 Development move from unfunded to funded in 2021.
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Administration’s Understanding of the Intent of the Motion:
Administration understands that the motion intends to fund the first phase of the Oakmont Trail project in 2021.
This Phase includes public engagement, environmental and geotechnical assessments, route options (if required) and detailed design (if the project is feasible) for the proposed trail construction phases. The first phase does not include any construction.
Operational or Organizational Impacts if Motion is Approved:
This is a complex project which requires comprehensive public engagement. With the large number of priorities for capital investment in 2021, including the acceleration of projects for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) grant, advancing this project will require realignment of staff priorities and workloads within Recreation and Parks. Completing this project may require deprioritizing other planned 2021 projects (e.g. Parks Bylaw).
Financial Implications of Motion:
$298,400 would be needed in 2021 from a capital funding source. Funding for this charter in 2021 will reduce the amount of capital dollars available in the future. Rec-045 falls relatively lower on the current prioritization Matrix. If there is not general commitment to move this above other higher prioritized projects for the construction portion of this charter, the $298,400 that would be allocated for this project could become a sunk cost. That being said, some of the work in this phase of the project could be shelved for a date in the future however some re-work would likely be required depending how long the construction is deferred.
Stakeholder Consultations:
Public and stakeholder engagement will be required should this motion pass. This project is well aligned to both the current Municipal Development Plan and Active Transportation Strategy; however, Administration is aware that adjacent landowners hold strong positions, both for and against, that will need to be carefully considered.
Phase 1 of the trail may also be directly impacted by the proposed Riverbank Landing development and continued engagement with Boudreau Developments will be required.
Background:
This project was added to the 10-year capital plan in 2015 to address known gaps in the Red Willow trail system on the north side of the Sturgeon River, along the Oakmont neighbourhood and east to an existing dead-end trail behind the Botanica development.
The project is aligned to both CityPlan (2007), Flourish (draft, 2020) and the Active Transportation Strategy, providing off street connectivity for active modes of transportation and providing improved connectivity between the Oakmont neighbourhood along the river and south across the Oakmont pedestrian bridge.
The proposed trail alignment has several potential constraints, including environmental sensitivity of the floodplain area, soil stability and erosion concerns, limited space for trail construction and existing outfall structures that need to be assessed before construction can be considered.
Administration has also been in contact with Boudreau Developments to discuss potential for altering the trail route north across the Riverbank Landing area, mitigating environmental concerns near the river in that segment and better addressing crossing of the outfall structure. Those discussions are on hold pending further decisions on that development and funding of this project.
Alongside the environmental and site complexities, since 2015 there have been sporadic resident inquiries related to the proposal. The needs of adjacent landowners will have to be carefully considered and a robust public engagement process will be required to understand and address concerns wherever possible.
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Report Date: December 1, 2020
Author: Manda Wilde
Department: Recreation & Parks
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble
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