It took a little longer than usual for snow to fall this season, but, when it did, the City of Meadow Lake was ready for it. “As for the staff response to snow removal in general, I believe they have done an excellent job, and that is not just specific to the downtown sidewalks,” stated city manager Diana Burton when contacted by Northern Pride.

“Successful and effective snow removal is a two-way street: residents need to know what to expect and have an idea of when to expect it, and the city crews need the assistance of residents to be successful in their efforts.” In 2023, city council amended its snow removal bylaw to require all Meadow Lake property owners remove snow from the sidewalks adjacent to their homes and businesses with the exception of those located in the downtown core. The downtown sidewalks and back alleys became the city’s responsibility, and the original plan was for the city to hire a contractor to do the work this winter as part of a one-year pilot program. As it turns out, however, no one came forward with a bid following a request for proposals, leaving the city to take on the responsibility until an alternative solution could be found.

“For the downtown sidewalks specifically, even with the minimal snow we have received this season, we were not able to meet the service standard set by our policy, but we were close to meeting it,” Burton continued. “I have not received any comments, positive or negative, from businesses in the downtown. There was one enquiry from councillor Mauri Young at the Jan. 8 council meeting regarding some possible sidewalks that were missed.” In spite of this, however, Burton is satisfied with the efforts made by city staff. “I can say without hesitation I am proud to work with and lead the staff we have here at the city,” she said. “They work hard with the resources they are given and all the while under intense public scrutiny and criticism. A little thanks and good will goes a long way.”

This was echoed by mayor Merlin Seymour. “Although there hasn’t been a whole lot of snow, I have not heard any positive or negative comments,” Seymour said. Meanwhile, during Monday’s (Jan. 22) meeting of Meadow Lake city council, efforts by city workers to clear snow from downtown sidewalks were also praised by councillor Marty Bishop. However, this doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. “I had a businessperson from the downtown contact me about snow removal,” Bishop said. “She asked me about a lot of procedural things. She also spoke with someone from the public works department about her concerns, adding she was treated very well and is very happy as far as that goes. But, she does have a few more questions and is in need of help. I’m wondering if it would be OK for her to call public works again to arrange a meeting with our public works foreman?” Bishop believes it would be best for the business owner and public works manager Mike Morrant to meet directly rather than have him or another member of council act as a go-between.

“She’s not really upset, just concerned about a few things,” Bishop said. “Would it be OK for me to tell her to call and ask Mike to meet with her?” Burton said this would be allowed, while also offering another option. “Yes, you can offer up Mike or myself to meet with her,” Burton said. Meanwhile, another downtown business owner – Geoff Barton of The Medicine Shoppe – said he is content with how the city has been handling downtown snow removal thus far. “My few feet of storefront have been good this winter,” Barton said. “The season has been so mild with respect to snowfall, it hasn’t accumulated in enough quantity to be a problem. Should the city decide to just continue with what they’re doing now, I would be happy. Maybe call on a contractor in the case of a major snow event, but I feel the city has responded quite well.”