Item - 2018.PW30.8

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee: 

1.  Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services to report back to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee:

a.  on the response to April 2018's extreme winter weather emergency, lessons learned and recommendations to improve the City's response to extreme weather events in the future;

b. on historical climatic trends, review existing snow clearing contracts and service thresholds, and any recommended changes.

c. in consultation with the Office of Emergency Management, and with Strategic Communications, on a review of the public communications approach to extreme snow events and any recommended changes.

City Council on April 24, 25, 26 and 27, 2018 referred Motion MM39.15 to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.

On April 14, 15 and 16, 2018, the City of Toronto experienced an extreme weather event with strong winds, ice pellets, snow, freezing rain and flooding rain. Residents across the City expressed their frustration and concerns with the City's response to this unseasonal ice storm.

Transportation Services is responsible for managing and implementing the clean-up efforts following storms and other weather events. Due to the time of year, there are fewer snow clearing resources available than at the height of the winter season. While Transportation Services staff were able to retroactively mobilize additional clearing machines, the City must be prepared to respond to all weather events.  

For this reason, this Motion requests that the General Manager of Transportation Services report on lessons learned and recommendations to improve the City's response to extreme weather events in the future.

This Motion is urgent to ensure that staff have adequate time to prepare well in advance of next year's winter season.