The forecast for today is sunny, but protestors will be packing their umbrellas.
Before St. John’s City council prepares to make a final vote on whether to increase its sidewalk snowclearing budget this afternoon, a rally for accessible sidewalks is scheduled for Victoria Park at noon.
From there, advocates for safer winter sidewalks will march to City Hall with their umbrellas.
MONDAY 28 SEPTEMBER: March begins at NOON (NDT) meeting at VICTORIA PARK and taking over the streets with our umbrellas marching to ST. JOHN'S CITY HALL. Rally begins at NOON THIRTY (NDT) at CITY HALL (10 New Gower Street) and speeches end at 1:00 PM.
— Social Justice Co-op NL (@SJCNL709) September 27, 2020
- https://t.co/tgLxL2CxvJ pic.twitter.com/Lyq9femsO1
They say the umbrellas symbolize their need for some of the city’s rainy day $22-million surplus funds to be spent now on making sidewalks more accessible in the winter months.
During a city committee of the whole meeting Sept. 16, Coun. Ian Froude motioned to increase the budget for sidewalk snowclearing by up to $1.35-million.
Most of council disagreed with allocating those funds immediately because the city is forecasting a deficit this year of between $18 million to $20 million.
“Despite the fact that staff, Council and the public have a clear interest in improving winter walkability in the City of St. John’s, staff are unable to recommend further investment in this service at this time." — Staff recommendation to St. John's City Council
While the surplus funds held in reserve from previous years will help to cover some of this year’s deficit, Mayor Danny Breen said the city can’t deplete the entire surplus.
“These are extremely difficult and challenging times. I cannot overemphasize the challenges that not only ourselves but the province are facing as we move forward," he said during the meeting.
He said when sidewalk snowclearing is discussed amid other budgetary items in the coming months, it may wind up that the amounts suggested do indeed get spent on sidewalks, but right now, it’s too early to commit to that spending without having a better understanding of the overall finances.
The Sept. 16 vote was preliminary. Items discussed during committee meetings eventually go to a regular meeting of council for a final decision, and that final vote on increasing sidewalk snowclearing services this winter will happen today.
City staff recommends no increase to the budget.
“Despite the fact that staff, Council and the public have a clear interest in improving winter walkability in the City of St. John’s, staff are unable to recommend further investment in this service at this time, given the serious financial situation the City finds itself in at the end of the 2020 fiscal year,” reads the recommendation to council.
The recommendation says the minimal cost option to produce a noticeable difference to residents is $700,000 per year, which is not budgeted.
“Given anticipated budget challenges going into 2021, enhancing the level of service for sidewalks is not recommended. Instead, staff recommend that Council commit to maintain the status quo for the 2020-21 winter season and consider future investments as part of the 2021 budget development process.”
Twitter: @juanitamercer_
