As the winter weather continues to warm and transitions into the spring, the city is preparing for how its response to the coronavirus may carry over into the spring and summer months.
Senior Administrative Officer Sheila Bassi-Kellett provided an update on the status of city operations during Monday's government priorities committee and the first since she reported to council on the COVID-19 pandemic on March 23.
The presentation was the most thorough overview of city operations during the pandemic since the GNWT announced a public health emergency last month.
NNSL file photo
"Our role is to continue to deliver in this new context and be as responsive as we can as things are things are changing," Bassi-Kellett told council.
"We are seeking to focus on what is important. We want to really to maintain and protect those critical business functions recognizing that we could be in this a couple of months. So we have to make sure those delivering the services are able to to it and that they don't burn out, can focus on what is important and deliver seamlessly for Yellowknifers."
Garbage pickup
Among some of the bigger items discussed was how the city is adjusting to changes in garbage pickup. Last Friday a news release was issued stating that the amount of household garbage has increased in recent weeks due to people being home.
The city announced an "interim" and temporary suspension of its compost pickup program at the solid waste facility. The issue attracted much attention from council.
"We have made some changes while seeking to maintaining the level of service we are moving to the black cart-only pickup during the pandemic time," Bassi-Kellett told council.
"This is a temporary measure to ease pressures that many households are feeling. We are looking to getting back to program of a more robust composting program when we get through the pandemic itself. "
Bassi-Kellett said that the city is working closely with Ecology North on how to work around the suspension of the service at the solid waste facility, including the promotion of backyard composting. Details are still developing.
The SAO said announcements will be communicated on a dump amnesty date, which typically falls on Victoria Day weekend and Christmas.
In the meantime, residents will still be expected to sort items for recycling. Mayor Rebecca Alty was asked about recycling this week in light of Yellowknifer's revelation last year that recycled items dropped off at blue bins were being dumped into the garbage.
Alty said she was hoping to get updated on this issue at press time.
Financial outlook and economy
Other issues Bassi-Kellettt focused on included the outlook of the city's finances leading into 2020.
The SAO stated there there are significant infrastructure capital projects planned -particularly involving water, sewage and paving - as construction season begins. She said the city is working with contractors to "be as flexible as possible" with timelines and to work out what the needs of proponents might be.
Bassi-Kellett told councillors that the cash flow in the coming year is positive, however there remain some challenges in ensuring that next year's budget is balanced as is legally required by territorial legislation.
The city is also aiming to help ease concerns of residents trying to reassess their financial situations by providing free public transit and waiving parking metre fees and forgiving late fees, include those applied to property taxes.
Bassi-Kellett said there are concerns about revenue coming in so that the city can pay for services the city offers.
"We are in a good cash flow position right now but we are very, very aware that our revenues are going to be less than budgeted and less than we anticipated when we did the budget together," she said.
"In some areas expenditures will be lower but we are seeing other areas where it is a big priority for us that money where we did not anticipate."
Some other highlights discussed
Transportation
- Free parking and transit has been made available to Yellowknifers. Among the reasons cited is the need to assist essential workers getting to and from their places of employment as well as easing some of the financial stress that residents may be facing, Bassi-Kellett said.
- Bassi-Kellett said it is important in the coming weeks as the snow melts that public works employees are able to provide snow removal services with operational vehicles.
Procurement and local business support
- As small businesses struggle locally, the city is doing what it can to support local business through procurement as well as working with the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce on a #ShopYK local buying program.
City facilities
- The city's facilities, including the Fieldhouse, Multiplex, Ruth Inch Memorial Pool, arena and curling club, city hall, and library remain closed to the public. However, work continues with city staff.
- Some seasonal work is being done earlier than usual as the city is taking water out of the pool and considering contracting planned tiling work early.
- Ice has not been taken out of the arenas as of yet as there have been difficulties with contractor Simco getting into the territory to date.
- Local parks remain closed across the city, but Bassi-Kellett said it is possible that families can use empty space within the parks for recreation. Only the playground equipment is off limits.
- The sliding hill on 51 A was closed for the season as of Tuesday, but not because of coronavirus.
Homelessness
- Bassi-Kellett announced that the city received an additional $500,000 for homelessness initiatives last week from the federal government's Reaching Home program. The city's community advisory board is to review how the money will be spent and what can be expected from the funding.
- The city is also participating in a new committee for vulnerable persons in the city under the Department of Health and Social Services. The committee will address concern that the public has regarding vulnerable populations gathering in groups despite the Chief Public Health Officer advising for people to maintain social distancing.