Winter Maintenance

Scarborough Area

The Scarborough Community Council recommends that City Council direct the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to ensure that schools on interior roads in the Scarborough community be given higher priority for snow removal.

The Scarborough Community Council reports having established a Task Force, co-chaired by Councillors Balkissoon and Moeser, and any other members of Scarborough Community Council who wish to participate, to meet with Works and Emergency Department staff to review the snow clearing operations in the Scarborough area, and having forwarded for consideration of the Task Force, the following motions:

Councillor Balkissoon:

That the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be requested:

(1)to investigate a positive reporting system and report every two months to the Scarborough Community Council on the progress of the implementation of such a system; and

(2)to revisit the policy whereby subdivision collector roads were given snow clearing priority over internal residential streets and report thereon to the Scarborough Community Council meeting scheduled to be held on February 17, 1999.

Councillor Cho:

That the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be requested:

(1)to provide an alternative emergency telephone number to seniors, disabled persons and schools;

(2)to request the Parking Authority to ticket vehicles left on the street for more than twelve hours, and such vehicles be towed after twelve hours;

(3)to report to Scarborough Community Council prior to transferring snow removal equipment, providing reasons for such deployment; and

(4)to report to Community Council providing a definition of what constitutes a "major arterial road" with regard to snow removal.

Councillor Shaw:

That the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be requested to consider written policies on customer service which can be provided to contractors.

The Scarborough Community Council further reports having directed that the Chair convey to the Vice President and staff of Clearnet, Scarborough Community Council's appreciation for volunteering their equipment and expertise to assist in the snow emergency.

The Scarborough Community Council submits, for the information of City Council, the following report (January 18, 1999) from the Director, Transportation Services, District 4:

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to respond to the Community Council request for a brief report regarding the snow clearing operations of the January 2/3, 1999 snow storm in the Scarborough area.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not applicable.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that this report be received for the information of Scarborough Community Council.

Council Reference/background/History:

At a de-briefing session held on January 5, 1999, several members of Scarborough Community Council requested a brief report be submitted to the January 20, 1999 Scarborough Community Council meeting regarding the snow clearing operations of the January 2/3, 1999 snow storm.

The snow storm which started on January 2 dumped approximately 39 centimetres of snow on the ground. The storm was officially classified as a blizzard and was reported to be one of five worst snow storms to occur in Toronto since 1840.

Initial ploughing of the roads was done within 36 hours after the storm stopped at approximately noon January 3, 1999. Further clean-up of roads, sidewalks and driveways was done on the succeeding days.

The budgeted level of service for ploughing subdivisions after the moderate snow storm is 24 hours. City crews were not able to complete all the ploughing within 24 hours for the following reasons:

(1)the amount of snow fallen was approximately 39 centimetres, far in excess of a normal storm of 10 to 20 centimetres for which the former City of Scarborough has equipment;

(2)the contracted equipment hired by the City had numerous breakdowns and operator no-shows;

(3)the Department's communication system did not operate properly and consequently there was a lack of communication between City staff and contractor operators.

As a result of this storm, and a review of our operations, the following changes have been made:

(1)A new cellular telephone communication was implemented on January 8, 1999. This system, supplied by Clearnet, allows vastly improved communication capabilities between the City and contractors and also between contractors. The system was used in the subsequent 4 snow storms and it has worked extremely well and met all our expectations.

(2)A meeting was held with the contractors to explain our expectations and their contract obligations. One sidewalk clearing contractor was terminated and a new contractor hired.

(3)Additional staff have been temporarily re-assigned to answer telephones, coordinate operations, and review contractor performance during a snow storm.

Contact Name:

Gary H. Welsh

Director, Transportation Services, District 4

Telephone:396-7842

Fax:396-5681