“If it’s not safe for me, it’s not safe for the public,” said Coun. Randy Roppel, during Kincardine council’s Sept. 7 meeting.
Roppel brought forward a motion calling for the public walkway on Lake Street North to be brought up to public safety standards immediately.
According to Roppel, the current condition of the path poses a risk of injury from falling.
He said, following complaints, municipal staff did attempt to fix the situation, but he said he’s “not impressed” with the outcome.
Coun. Bill Stewart noted the path is the only public access to the beach from Bruce County Road 15.
“This is a major, major beach access,” he said. “It’s a liability.”
Coun. Laura Haight questioned why staff didn’t immediately close access the same way they would after a washout.
“If it’s a safety issue now, then staff should take the steps to close it right away,” she said.
Stewart agreed that the issue shouldn’t have come to council first, but said staff isn’t addressing it.
Haight cautioned her fellow council members on discussing issues regarding staff during a public meeting.
“We are treading perilously close in our discussion of staff performance,” she said.
Haight said she would like a report from staff on the work required, as well as the cost.
Coun. Dave Cuyler disagreed.
“We don’t need to sit here and wait for a report,” said Cuyler. “Do it or close the damn thing.”
On Sept. 15, acting chief administrative officer Roxane Baumann confirmed staff plans to deposit stone dust on the pathway within the next 10 days. Read More
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