Some residents of Home Street in Steinbach presented a petition to city council Tuesday night asking for improvements to a drainage swale about one-third of a block north of Loewen Boulevard. Spokesperson Curt Bueckert told council the drain is not working properly which causes problems in both summer and winter.

"Water backs up and vehicles and pedestrians must cross through the water. Numerous vehicles have lost parts in the dip of the road. Pedestrians must jump over water or walk through the water. Ice build-up makes it treacherous for pedestrians to walk. This ice build-up also makes it more difficult for vehicles to maintain their traction. Some vehicles have had to be assisted to make it up the slope due to the ice build-up.

Bueckert says they want the street changed so drainage goes under the road instead of over the road.

Councillor Cari Penner made a motion that the city investigate further.

"In fairness to the neighbourhood, it would be a good idea for the city to explore different options to look at this issue more comprehensively and to actually know what it would cost to either alleviate the problem or to fix the problem so that we actually have some numbers to go by. And then we can make a decision on what we can do to help the neighbourhood."

Council was unanimous in approving the motion. The report is to be prepared in time for the summer study session.

In response to a question, Chief Administrative Officer Troy Warkentin told council the city had studied this issued in the 1990's and it was determined the elevation of the road and area properties would have to be raised by three feet in order to put drainage under the street.

Deputy Mayor John Fehr says, for the time being, city staff will do their best to get rid of the ice there.

"If it happens to snow, I think usually they try to be there early to take care of it because it gets messy if you don't. In speaking with the city manager, he assures me that they are there as quickly as possible to mitigate that."