Saskatoon to Complete Winter Road Maintenance Performance Review
Saskatoon's winter road maintenance contractors are set to receive formal report cards on their performance following a city council motion that aims to overhaul how the city manages snow removal operations. The move comes after Ward 5 Coun. Randy Donauer raised significant concerns about the current contracting system during a council meeting this week.
Councillor Criticizes Current Snow Removal Contracting
During Wednesday's council session, Donauer delivered pointed criticism of how Saskatoon currently handles snow removal contracts. "Some of us, but specifically me, have experienced significant problems with the quality of the work being done and the timeliness of the work being done," Donauer stated, referencing complaints from his Ward 5 constituents in areas including Lawson Heights, North Industrial and Silverwood Heights.
The councillor characterized the existing tender process as "quite unsophisticated," explaining that "We just put out the work, and whoever gets the low bid gets the work." This approach, according to Donauer, fails to account for contractors' past performance and track records within the city.
Motion Calls for Performance-Based Procurement
Triggered by Donauer's motion, city administrators have now been directed to report back with options for:
- How the city should monitor contractor performance
- How to adjust contractors' assigned areas based on performance
- How to factor past performance into future procurement processes
"When we do procurement, we're asking people for references on the work they've done in the past. I'm suggesting we use the city as a reference," Donauer explained, emphasizing that his motion calls for considering contractors' track records during procurement, whether positive or negative.
Accessibility Concerns Highlighted by Bus Riders
The discussion about winter road maintenance took on additional urgency when Robert Clipperton, spokesperson for Bus Riders of Saskatoon, addressed council regarding accessibility issues on Lorne Avenue. Clipperton described how riders have been forced to climb over large snow windrows to board and exit buses, creating significant safety hazards.
"A tragic accident could happen in the future if there is no work done to remove the windrows," Clipperton warned, noting particular risks for people with mobility concerns. The concerns gained widespread attention when Clipperton posted about the issue on the Bus Riders of Saskatoon Facebook page, receiving more than 50,000 views and numerous comments describing similar problems in other neighborhoods.
City Response to Snow Removal Challenges
Roadways manager Cam LeClaire addressed the postponement of snow removal on Lorne Avenue in an email on Wednesday, explaining that "Extreme cold temperatures can put staff at risk and put equipment in greater risk of breakdown, so scheduled work during the cold snap last week was rescheduled for a later date."
LeClaire noted that signs are posted at least 36 hours in advance when work is rescheduled and added that snow removal on priority streets is expected to be complete by the end of February, barring any unforeseen circumstances. He urged residents with concerns about priority snow removal to contact the city's customer care department directly.
First Step Toward Improved System
Donauer emphasized that the passing of his motion represents just the initial phase of creating a more effective winter road maintenance system. "None of this is asking for better or improved service in Ward 5," he clarified. "It's asking that we monitor our contracts better, that we document that monitoring and then we use that for the purposes of procurement moving forward."
The performance review initiative marks a significant shift in how Saskatoon approaches winter road maintenance, moving from a purely cost-based contracting system to one that prioritizes documented performance and accountability. As the city administration develops its recommendations, residents and contractors alike will be watching to see how these changes might improve snow removal operations in future winter seasons.
