When more than 35 centimetres of snow fell over two days last week, it was a challenge for city crews to deal with it but Mayor Lyn Hall said staff were ready.
"I think the snow removal went well," Hall said. "We have a policy in place and the crews did a great job of getting out there, given the circumstances."
As of Friday, Hall said the city was into its sixth day of snow removal.
"And we'll probably be finished up tomorrow (Saturday)," he said. "Our policy talks about a five-day turnaround and we had some extenuating circumstances in the very beginning around the accumulation, around the rain, so that created a different set of circumstances for us, as it did for us in February of 2018."
The city was ready with sand and salt stock piled and equipment was ready to go, he added.
"Once again we get hit with not just snow," Hall said. "We get hit with heavy snow, we get hit with rain, moisture, a fluctuation in temperature which adds to the things we have to do to get the roads cleared. Those additional things are big factors for us, and under the circumstances we did very well."
Hall said after every major snowfall, staff is diligent about taking a look what could have been done differently and fine-tune things. Hall mentioned the February snowfall because he said the circumstances paralleled the recent situation.
"We don't hold off," he said.
"We continue to look at how we can better do things. We had a tremendous amount of people who contacted us. Some were thanking us for the job that was being done and some were very concerned their neighbourhood hadn't been done. Some wanted explanations as to how our system works, some wanted explanations as to why we went into certain areas at certain times and staff members were diligent in getting back to them. I know I got back to a number of people as well and I'm sure members of council did the same."
There's an important takeway for the mayor, Hall noted.
"I and all of us learn from each snowfall experience," he said. "And as I look out the window now, here it comes again and we're anticipating more. The difference in climate and weather patterns - and I do watch the weather diligently - this freeze, snow, rain, freezing rain cycle - that has a drastic impact on how we clear streets and staff are quick to adjust to that but it does take some time."
Hall said he'd like to thank residents for their patience and city crews for their hard work.
"Staff did a great job under the circumstances in the weather change," Hall said.
"And I think it's important for the readers to know that we fine-tune things as we go along and their feedback - whether they're not happy or people that are - I appreciate getting that feedback because it's all a part of us being able to look at our policy and look at what we do."
Coun. Garth Frizzell said there is a great percentage of people who get their news on Facebook and the general consensus on that social media platform saw a lot of exasperation over the snow removal in Prince George and he's got a lot of sympathy for them.
"I heard great stories of people who had experienced excellent snow clearing but of course a number of different ones on Facebook where people were very exasperated by what they'd seen," said Frizzell, who is waiting for the report that comes next week to council about what worked and what didn't.
"I want to hear the stats because if there are spots where we need to improve then we'll do it," Frizzell said. "The thing that's always on my mind is the budget. We've already got an enhancement coming forward for February because we kept the snow budget at a fixed level for a couple of years and when we have to increase it that means an increase in taxes, which is what we also try to avoid. So it's that trade off. Yes, of course, we're not going to say the budget is over because that calendar year is over."
"We're always going to provide that service but the problem is when you have to spend extra money for snow clearing you have to find ways to make up that shortfall, either by reducing services in a different area or by increasing taxes and neither of those are ones you want to do," Frizzel added.
Frizzell said providing the services everyone in the Prince George needs is what the city does and he's looking forward to receiving the report next week so they can take a look at how better to provide those services to all residents.
Coun.Terri McConnachie said she acknowledges those people who are openly frustrated at the level of snow removal service the city has provided after this major snowfall.
"Earlier this week people were reaching out stating they were snowed in their own homes for several days," she said. "We're going to be receiving a brief this week, is my understanding, regarding this first snow event of the season and then we'll have an opportunity to compare it to the last couple of years and I think the most important thing that I would want folks to know is that I feel the city crews and contracted operators who are out there are going flat out and when the city is stressed and crews are stretched they hear it and they feel it and those snow removal crews are given direction and the buck stops with mayor and council. So I look forward to participating in those discussions next week just to have an opportunity to unpack it and see just what was up with the delay during the first snow event of the year and then we'll move forward."
