CAO announces review of Revelstoke snow removal operations

The City of Revelstoke’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Evan Parliament, announces he will conduct a thorough review of the city’s snow removal operations following snow removal delays earlier this week.

City media releases say the delay in snow removal operations is due to work shift interruption because of the Christmas statutory holidays.

In a media release issued in the afternoon on Dec. 27, city staff announced the acceleration of snow removal efforts following the significant snow event. In the release, the city also apologized for the lack of communication with residents.

Snow removal file photo. Photo: Revelstoke Mountaineer Staff

“Now that the Christmas statutory holidays are over, the City of Revelstoke has returned to regular work shifts as well as contracting our snow removal services to clear the roads as soon as possible,” reads the city’s media release. “We apologize for the inconvenience the lack of communication during this snow event has caused.”

The city acknowledges that Revelstoke’s snow removal standard is normally exceptional but says the unprecedented snow event over the holidays exasperated the situation.

“The City of Revelstoke is committed to improving outer communications with residents, and this is a reminder we can do better. Our failure was not informing our residents with timely communiques and daily updates,” adds city staff.

In a subsequent media release on Dec. 28, the city updated residents on snow removal progress. The release includes information for residents who are unable to move their vehicles due to snow and urges them to contact Public Works for assistance.

The city’s media release this morning, Dec. 29, states CAO Parliament will conduct a thorough review of the city’s snow removal operations to prevent future delays from occurring.

“Based on multiple inquiries from residents, Council, and staff members, Chief Administrative Officer, Evan Parliament has announced a thorough review of snow removal operations to ensure future delays do not occur or that unplanned service level reductions are communicated to our residents efficiently and effectively,” reads this morning’s release.

City staff say the review will not be directed at the city’s CUPE staff who respond to every snow event, but rather “focus on internal processes that may have inhibited the City’s response times this past week.”

“Revelstoke prides itself on first class and timely snow removal – we wish to continue to meet these high expectations when and where possible,” says city staff in the Dec. 29 media release. “As such, Mr. Parliament will conduct a full review of policies, operational procedures and protocols related to snow removal.”

For more information on snow removal, visit the City of Revelstoke’s website.