This is an unprecedented year for snow and temperature and that’s causing trouble for city snow-removal crews, Kevin Goldfuss, director of municipal services, told city council last Tuesday night.
As proof, the city has already spent just over half of its $377,000 removal budget.
“We have not seen this amount of snow and these conditions in 20 years,” Goldfuss said.
The priority of keeping major roads open has been challenged by sustained snowfall that’s prevented crews from moving quickly into residential areas.
“We can’t even begin to clean up when we get snowfall after snowfall,” said Brian Carruthers, city chief administrative officer.
Once crews move to clean up residential streets they follow garbage routes.
Snow removal is being made more difficult by residents who park on the street.
“We’ve found we’re doing a lot more door knocking.”
“We encourage and educate people that when they see staff we’re there to do a job,” Goldfuss said.
When vehicles are street parked staff have to either get property owners to move them or return a second time to disperse the snow that has accumulated.
Goldfuss’s report to council was for information purposes; however, council indicated to improve snow removal it might consider taking action to discourage residents from parking on the street.
There is a bylaw currently in place that prohibits a vehicle from being on the street for more than 48 hours.
“I look forward to dealing with this at a later meeting to discuss possible bylaw issues and concerns,” said Mayor Kerry Cook.
