2) BOULEVARD
AND PARKS GREENSPACE MAINTENANCE (COUNCILLOR MAGLIOCCA)
My
office has received numerous complaints that The City is not maintaining the
green spaces on its properties in accordance with its own Bylaws. Last week,
I attended a children’s soccer game, and the grass on the field was so high that
the ball could not be seen. What can The City do to ensure that grass and
weeds on City owned property is properly maintained?
General
Manager, Transportation, Mac Logan responded by stating that this time of
year is the highest growth rate for cool climate grasses. The Roads
Department and the Parks Department have been working together to find a
balance between appearance and expenditure. One of the measures they have
decided to implement is the use of contractors for boulevard maintenance.
This has resulted in a substantial cost reduction of approximately $750,000.
The current standard is to cut the grass four times a year, averaging every
six weeks, which is a reduction from previous years, but not in breach of the
bylaw. Further, native grass species are being incorporated onto the
boulevards. Some may interpret these grasses as appearing overgrown and
unkempt, but they are intentionally being integrated into the green spaces.
In terms of dandelions, The City will incorporate spraying if they are
particularly bad, but this was something that Council has debated and we have
cut that back substantially.
General
Manager, Community Services, Kurt Hansen, commented that there are set
service standards for both park spaces and fields. For park space,
maintenance occurs every 10 to 14 days. Sports fields typically receive
maintenance once a week as a matter of safety. The Department is also trying
to balance appearance and cost reduction and as such, to an extent, have
outsourced to contractors. At the same time, toxicity issues have to be taken
into consideration. This year, the conditions have been ideal to support the
growth of dandelions. Last year, the Department received additional funds to
support an increase in mowing to try and contain dandelions. Based on this
experience, it was determined that the timing of the mowing would be more
effective and relevant in controlling the spread of this weed then adding
additional cuttings during the season. An updated report is coming to the
2017 June 26 Regular Meeting of Council.
Acting
GM, Utilities and Environment, Christopher Collier, further elaborated by
stating that there have been conversations about making use of different,
native grass types in different areas. Although there is room from
improvement, The City is on the right track to make a difference going
forward.
|