WATCH ABOVE: Halifax’s winter snow clearing report was released Friday. The report suggests that the city was not prepared to recover from major snow events. Global’s David Squires reports.
HALIFAX – A independent report conducted by Grant Thornton has criticized the city of Halifax’s response to major snowstorms this past winter.
After record snowfalls this winter, the report suggests the city was not prepared at times. It says city didn’t meet the level of standard during six of 62 snow events and was significantly over budget.
The city overspent it’s snow clearing budget by $14 million. That included $2.5 million over budget for overtime, $8 million over budget on contract fees and $2 million over budget on salt and sand usage.
Although the report does find the city meets and exceeds municipal winter operational standards compared to other cities, it failed to meet those standards during and after the major storm events this year.
The report makes numerous recommendations including:
– A new 311 call center technology, to allow agents to have the ability to work from home in case of extreme weather.
– More training for plow operators.
– Installing automatic vehicle location technology in plows.
– More bylaw enforcement officers to issue tickets during overnight parking bans, and possibility higher fines.
Also recommended is the creation of a “Winter Control Plan” that would update equipment and staff needs yearly.
A higher level of standard for sidewalk clearing after heavy snowstorms was also highlighted, with a recommendation that they should be cleared faster.
Mayor Mike Savage says the the city now faces higher expectations and demands from residents after major snow storms and he is looking forward to reviewing and implementing some of the recommendations.
“We need to do better,” said Savage.”The people of Halifax deserve a high standard but we have to live up to it and provide the kind of service people expect.”
The report will be tabled at Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting at city hall.
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