ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Residents of St. John’s shouldn’t be surprised if snowclearing and garbage collection in their area are a little slower than usual in the coming weeks.
Due to the lower staffing numbers and extra protocols put in place as a result of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the St. John’s metro area and Alert Level 5 being imposed, it’s expected there will be unavoidable delays in some city services.
“We have our equipment and our staff ready, but people may see plows not being there as quick as it was last time. There might be a low response,” Mayor Danny Breen told The Telegram Monday.
Effective Monday February 15, 2021 the City of St. John’s will be cancelling recycling collection for two weeks.
— City of St. John's (@CityofStJohns) February 14, 2021
The Residential Drop Off will be open.
For the latest information on services and programs impacted by the pandemic, please visit: https://t.co/rEZizGTW4N pic.twitter.com/ONgVJv8igo
The city has two confirmed cases of COVID-19 at city hall and the municipal depot. As a result, 50 city employees and their close workplace contacts are self-isolating, Breen said.
It has posed some staffing challenges.
Effective Monday, the city cancelled recycling collection at least for the next few weeks, after which the decision will be re-evaluated.
Breen said recycling truck drivers have been redeployed to other divisions to ensure essential service, such as snowclearing and garbage collection, continue.
“Things aren’t cancelled. We’re maintaining our services. Services just may be delayed a little,” said Breen, who noted equipment will have to be cleaned and sanitized before shifts.
The recent spread of COVID-19 has also affected several other city operations.
Monday’s city council virtual meeting had to be postponed, since the staff member responsible for live-streaming the meeting online was not available because they are self-isolating.
“There are only a certain number of employees who can do that,” Breen said.
“It’s important for us that meetings be available to the public.”
All agenda items that were scheduled for Monday will be included in the next regular meeting agenda on Monday, Feb. 22, when alternative measures will be put in place.
The mayor has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday to answer further questions related to the impact of COVID-19 on city services.
Councillor-at-large Sandy Hickman, lead on the public works department, said the city has priorities, such as water services and snowclearing, which will be maintained, and the changes will be with staff deployment.
“The good thing is a lot of the staff have a flexible skill set that they can undertake other jobs,” he said. “So, even with 50 people off, we can easily handle the snowclearing. It might be a little delayed.”
He said heavy ice buildup has hampered the clearing of sidewalks, but that is also progressing.
We are having some trouble with our AVL system, however crews are active in all areas. Residents should prepare for winter conditions and allow extra time in the morning for their commute. stjohns.ca/snow
Posted by City of St. John's on Thursday, February 11, 2021
Hickman said the city is experiencing much the same issues with staffing as other sectors in the city are as a result of the public health measures.
“The only message I have for people is that the city will continue to do the essential services as quickly as we can, but we are somewhat compromised in some areas,” he said.
“So, these are normal things people would expect, so we ask people’s patience and goodwill.”
Meanwhile, the city has shut down most of its activities and public recreation services.
All city playgrounds and The Loop were closed late last week. Outdoor washrooms in municipal parks may not be open for public use. The duck pond at Bowring Park is open.
Prior to that, all swimming pools and recreational facilities were closed. Several recreation programs, including programs for children and families, have been cancelled.
Walking and socially distanced activities are still permitted in municipal parks.
The city’s animal care and adoption centre is closed. Humane services has resumed the low-cost cat neuter program and will offer contactless animal adoptions.
Due to current health guidelines, the winter activity centre at the North Bank Lodge is closed, meaning free ski and snowshoe activity for ChillFest on Friday, Feb. 19, is cancelled. Pippy Park trails continue to be groomed and are open for public use.
The Access St. John’s citizen service centre is closed for drop-in service.
For those who want to get rid of recycling, the residential dropoff is open and recyclables can be brought to Robin Hood Bay.
