By Mark Squibb/December 9, 2022
For the first time in the city’s history, Mount Pearl council has tendered snow clearing to an outside contractor so that it’s unionized crews don’t have to work as much overtime.
“As our residents know, snow clearing in Mount Pearl is second to none in our region, and something we take great pride in,” Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley said at last week’s council meeting. “We have a great level of service for our residents and really, truly work hard to maintain that level of service.”
She then noted a number of extreme circumstances the City faced over the last number of years, including adverse weather, such as the Snowmageddon of 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Then, we have to look at responding to staff in amongst these very difficult, demanding issues, who seek additional work-life balance and to opt out of overtime,” said Kiely. “This is a time we know that strain, mental health, and work-life balance has become more of a priority over the years — as it should be.”
The City also, of course, suffered through a labor strike this summer.
Kieley said that as a result of the latest collective agreement, the City will rely less on overtime by staff to better support employees’ work-life balance.
“So, for the first time in our city’s history, we’re doing things a little different and we’re opting to issue a tender for snow clearing services,” said Kieley. “While this has been done in all sorts of municipalities it is designed today to support our existing services and mitigate against the risk of decreased service levels caused by any of the concerns I’ve just mentioned. This is us creating a safety net to ensure our services are at the utmost but is also reflective of the realities in which we are living.”
Mayor Dave Aker noted the tender approval “amounts to a contingency, not quite an insurance policy.”
Director of Public Works Glen Dollimount said that prior to the start of the contract, staff will meet with the winning bidder, Farrell’s Excavating, to review service documents, staff expectations, and snow routes.
The contract is valued at $531,875, HST included, per year.
“There is going to be a learning curve here for sure,” said Dollimount. “But based on the past number of years I think that it is a very important part of a contingency plan in the event that we require extra equipment for our snow clearing.”
Both councillors Isaballe Fry and Jim Locke asked how the tender would work in relation to the work done by City staff, and Dollimount clarified that, essentially, the tender was budgeted as a contingency plan in case staff becomes overwhelmed with either COVID-19 or massive snowfall amounts, or do not wish to work overtime hours. Dollimount said the tender is based on yearly averages, and that the City may not spend the full amount.
Meanwhile, councillor Chelsea Lane reminded folks the winter parking ban would be soon coming into effect.
“It’s that time of year again,” said Lane. “As a reminder to the public, snow clearing regulations will come into effect starting December 1 through to March 31, 2023. An unattended vehicle is not permitted to be parked on any street or City- owned land within the City between the hours of 1:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. For further information including fine amounts, visit the City website. And so obviously, the weather is beginning to pick up out there, and snow will be coming and it’s very important that we abide by these regulations. Nobody wants to get a ticket this winter, so make sure you park in your driveway.”
On the heels of Lane’s reminder, Mayor Dave Aker noted that the good news at least, is that Santa Claus is coming to town, as Lane’s next item was a reminder of the upcoming Breakfast with Santa at the Reid Centre on Sunday, December 18th from 9 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Tickets will be $5 each, and can be purchased online beginning Wednesday, December 7 . Children under 2 are free, though no no meal or seat is provided.
“This is an event that is always very well attended and often sells out, so I remind residents, that if they are interested in going to see the big guy with their children, to make sure that they log on Wednesday to get their tickets because they will absolutely sell out,” said Lane.
