The city is considering creating a litter clean-up crew.
In April, city council asked staff to provide a report on the cost and logistics of having a crew dedicated to litter clean-up.
In the report, presented at Monday’s council committee meeting, staff suggested a pilot project be brought to 2022 budget discussions for council’s consideration.
That project would cost about $44,000 “to accommodate the 16 parks seasonal staff starting earlier in the season,” staff wrote in the report. Some seasonal winter-control staff would also be involved, with them being retained for an additional four weeks to help out in spring. There would not be an additional cost for their services as their salaries are already included in the budget.
If the city were to use contracted workers rather than staff, it would cost tens of thousands of dollars more for a four-week clean-up blitz.
If council were to approve the request during budget talks, staff would report back on the progress of the clean-up and the overall efficiency of the program.
“A review of problematic commercial and industrial areas will occur prior to the deployment of the pilot to understand the types of litter accumulation and will be forwarded to the city’s manager of legislative services,” the report stated. “(Bylaw enforcement officers) would then be deployed to investigate/enforce Chapter 658 in associated commerce areas.”
Coun. Tim Lauer said including “more aggressive bylaw enforcement” is the most important part of the report.
While he supported the motion Monday, Coun. Mason Ainsworth said it was “unfortunate that we do have to have these discussions, that we have to spend taxpayers’ money on this issue.”
The message is simple, he said: “Don’t be a litterbug.”
Also, while it might be awkward or uncomfortable to approach people and ask them to pick up their litter, he said the issue is “a community responsibility,” not just that of city staff.
Mayor Steve Clarke echoed those comments, calling intentional littering “absolutely disgusting.”
“Often it is just absolute negligence,” he said.
