Fifty thousand dollars of White Rock’s 2010 general surplus will help fund a crosswalk at North Bluff Road and Foster Street.
Council last week endorsed the recommendation, which was put forth by the city’s finance and audit committee. Committee members voted earlier this month to suggest the allocation, following a recommendation by Coun. Doug McLean that $100,000 be dedicated to the task.
“There’s a public-safety aspect here,” McLean reasoned.
McLean, along with Mayor Catherine Ferguson, did not support a committee motion that reduced the allocation to $50,000. The amendment was put forth by Coun. Lynne Sinclair, who argued the City of Surrey should share the tab for the crosswalk.
Ferguson offered to connect with Surrey officials on the matter.
McLean, in explaining his lack of support for the funding reduction, said the issue is too important to wait, as foot traffic across North Bluff has increased since Shoppers Drug Mart crossed the street to South Surrey.
“I’d like to get their safety protected and get the crosswalk in for sure this year,” McLean said.