Affected property owners and others in the city will soon get their say on a potential local improvement charge (LIC) for work being eyed for a portion of Alexander Street and part of Third Avenue.

Council passed first reading Monday night on an LIC bylaw.

That prompted the next step in the process, which will see the city send out response forms to the owners of 22 properties that would be impacted.

The next step also involves the scheduling of a public hearing on Oct. 10 where anyone can speak to the proposed LIC.

Affected property owners will have until Nov. 2 to fill out response forms and vote on the initiative.

A vote of at least 50 per cent plus one in favour is required for the city to go ahead with the charge to property owners.

If the vote is negative, the city typically chooses not to proceed with the project.

That happened with the proposed rebuilding of streets in Hillcrest earlier this year.

The Alexander and Third plans, estimated to cost $3.2 million, would include:

• replacement of water and sewer mains to meet current infrastructure standards and increase capacity;

• installation of water recirculating services to replace services that bleed in order to meet current frost protection standards and to improve distribution efficiency;

• enhanced street lighting and landscaping;

• new sidewalks and angled parking on both sides of the road;

• frost-susceptible soils removed, with new asphalt for the roadway; and

• curb and gutter construction to improve drainage.

Approximately $475,000 would be collected through the LIC.

Individual property owners would pay between $2,159.67 and $44,954 over a 15-year period, depending on their property.

The exact charge per property owner is based on the amount of frontage and what type of property it is.

The charge for residential and not-for-profits would be $633.33 per metre of frontage.

Commercial property owners would pay $1,266.67 per metre of frontage, and finally, governments would pay $1,900 per metre.

“Replacing aging water and sewer infrastructure on Alexander Street will contribute to meeting sustainability goals by reducing the amount of water wasted by services that bleed for frost protection,” it was highlighted in a report to council.

It goes on to note the potential reductions in energy use and costs of the water circulation system should the project proceed.

The report reads: “Additional benefits include upsizing the capacity of infrastructure to meet a growing population density in downtown and the increase in service needs.

“Achieving universal accessibility in surface works is an important goal for the city.

“Alexander Street consists of a combination of paved and gravel surfacing, on which potholes, ponding and dusty conditions are common occurrences.

“The proposed work includes concrete sidewalks, curbs, gutters and new asphalt paving which will significantly improve accessibility and pedestrian safety.”

The Oct. 10 public hearing will give all residents a chance to address council on the proposal.

Affected property owners will have until Nov. 2 to send back their responses to the city.

On Nov. 6, council will be presented with a report on the feedback before voting on second and third readings at its Nov. 14 meeting.

Coun. Samson Hartland was absent from Monday’s meeting.