While it wasn’t the classic snow job, it might be loosely described as a lightning-fast response.

On Monday evening – mere hours after the season’s first lasting snowfall snarled morning commuter traffic – city council approved a revised ice and snow control policy.

Termed an attempt to “consolidate and simplify” the vital service while reducing its cost, the updated approach gives on-the-streets equipment operators more flexibility in determining the most urgent tasks.

The changes were partially triggered by greater snowfall amounts and the dawn of the sprawling Whistle Bend subdivision, which will continue to grow significantly in the coming years.

Under the previous policy, streets had to be cleared on a strictly ordered basis, in numbered priorities.

Now, though major arteries and bus routes will continue to top the list during and after a snowfall, equipment operators can use their discretion to a greater extent.

An example would be a grader driver immediately smoothing over some potentially dangerous snow and ice ruts he or she sees while passing a given street – leeway that wasn’t possible under the old policy.

At a briefing held Tuesday afternoon at city hall, Tracy Allen, the city’s operations director, shared the results of a What We Heard public engagement exercise the city conducted after successive above-average snow seasons. The survey was based on activities under the previous snow and ice control policy.

The feedback involved 1,884 participants/viewers and 914 responses from all areas of the city. It’s the highest level of that type of public engagement the city has ever seen, Allen said.

Top issues included increasing the snow removal budget and improving communication with the public, such as providing faster notice of when a given neighbourhood will be cleared.

The survey found less than 10 per cent of the respondents are satisfied or very satisfied with the level of service on residential roadways. Forty-six per cent are very dissatisfied, and 29 per cent are dissatisfied.

However, 68 per cent are satisfied or very satisfied with the level of service on major and arterial roads, known as priorities one and two under the old policy.

Less than 20 per cent of respondents are satisfied or very satisfied with the standard of snow and ice control on active transportation routes.

Concerns for respondents include the length of time windrows remain in the centre of streets before they’re taken away and the consequent reduced visibility for motorists and pedestrians.

Other issues are better traction control, clearing bus stops, quicker response times by crews and the enforcement of the sidewalk clearing bylaw.

“There was a lot of feedback and frustration” about sidewalks not being cleared in front of people’s homes, Allen told the briefing.

In removing snow, home owners must keep it on their properties or have it hauled away – it cannot be snowblown or shovelled onto streets and sidewalks. Ice and snow must be cleared down to the surface of the public sidewalk within 48 hours of a snowfall.

Businesses, meanwhile, must have the sidewalk in front of their establishments, sidewalk para-ramps, lane crossings and parking spots for motorists with disabilities cleared by 11 a.m. the day after a snowfall.

Bylaw Services has added a dedicated snow and ice constable.

“Our goal this year is to get voluntary compliance and early engagement with residents and snow removal contractors,” Kyle Morrison, the city’s acting manager of Bylaw Services, told Tuesday’s briefing.

Allen was asked about the snow disposal difficulties faced by residents with small lots and driveways. City councillor Ted Laking has cited those concerns in the Whistle Bend area, with its narrow streets, for instance.

“We would encourage residents to reach out to the Transportation Department to assess options,” Allen said. “I had to have snow hauled away (from her property). That is one option.”

In terms of the importance of communication, said Morrison, “It’s important for residents to know how to report concerns if they see a violation.”

Residents can call the Bylaw Services trouble line (667-2111) to report a lack of snow clearing. The Bylaw Services office can be reached at 668-8317.

Other issues for respondents included boosting the frequency of snow removal operations; adjusting schedules, such as doing more clearing at night; and giving bike lanes and paths more attention.

Eighty-two per cent of the respondents favour ticketing and towing vehicles illegally parked in snow removal zones.

It can be time-consuming for equipment operators to have to stop their work and knock on doors to find a vehicle owner, Allen said.

Where there are numerous vehicles blocking operations, in the efficiency of time, crews may simply pull out of an area with plans to return later.

“They take great pride in their work and they are looking to get the roads and trails cleared,” Allen said.

Vehicle owners who park in a snow removal zone can now be fined $75.

“We are looking at a standing contract for tow truck operators,” Allen said. “We will re-evaluate and look at tweaks we may need.”

Survey respondents said areas for improvement include consistency in clearing trails and residential streets; noise and disruptions caused by heavy equipment; and the effectiveness of the city’s public communication methods.

Last winter saw the city budget $4.4 million for snow and ice clearing activities, including money spent on equipment. Due to the high snowfall levels, council authorized adding another $450,000 to that amount.

In 2021, the city spent $4,523,693 on snow removal, while the budget for 2022 is $4,982,793.

Staffing levels mirror those of last winter, though that could change at council’s discretion.

For the first time in years, the revised policy raises the fees charged to truckers depositing snow at the Robert Service Way snow dump.

The policy update approved by council to better align the city’s approach with its residents’ and business owners’ needs “is the first step of many,” Allen told Tuesday’s briefing.

“This is going to be an ongoing process.”

A public communication campaign is underway.

Future operations strategies could include the use of GPS technology to aid in snow clearing, and adding such attachments as snowblowing apparatus to loaders as pilot projects.