Coun. Belli 'disappointed' with street sweeping services

Ward 8 Coun. Fabio Belli said he's “really disappointed” with the street sweeping services this year and said some streets may need to be redone.

Belli brought up his concerns at the May 18 Greater Sudbury policy committee meeting.

“I honestly believe my two or three year old could do a better job than the services that we're getting from this company right now,” he said. “I'm very disappointed.”

Street sweeping in Greater Sudbury is primarily contracted out, and city crews assist with the cleaning as well. In 2011, a new contractor was awarded the bid to clean the streets, explained Greg Clausen, general manager of infrastructure with the city.

“To say the least it's been a very large challenge and we are working diligently to resolve,” he said.

Clausen explained that the new contractor was brought in a week later than expected due to weather related conditions. He said after the contractor arrived the city experienced a “major snow storm” and following that “major rain storms which further delayed the contractors ability to clean the streets.”

“The contractor (has) brought in extra pieces of equipment and manpower, and he's hired other contractors from the area to assist him in his efforts to complete his contract,” Clausen said. “We are also taking over some of his duties and responsibilities at his request to meet the acquired timeline in order to complete this contract.”

Belli asked if a follow up would be done as he said some streets will likely have to be redone. Belli also said he's had numerous phone calls from residents complaining about dust.

“They're asking us for maybe compensating them for cleaning of their windows or their area,” he said. “There's been some issues and I'm hoping we'll resolve those issues.”

The topic of dust as a result of street sweeping came up by Ward 1 Coun. Joe Cimino during the May 11 city council meeting. Coun. Cimino said he had also been receiving complaints from residents, and said at one point when he and his wife were driving on Regent Street they “had to pull over...because the visibility was zero” as a result of dust from the street sweeping.

According to the minutes of the Greater Sudbury tender opening committee from the Feb. 1 meeting, the tender for street and road sweeping was “estimated at a total contract price of $360,000. Four bids were received, ranging from between $189,320.78 to $423,856.00.

Ward 2 Coun. Jacques Barbeau said the city is paying less for the street sweeping contractor this year compared to last year and there are “problems with our (the city's) purchasing bylaw.”

“If the guy last year couldn't afford to do it, why would we think for a second that this fellow could do it for less money?” he asked. “I'm just baffled by that.”

Clausen said all applicants are pre-screened and need to meet certain criteria to bid. He said he's still confident the street sweeping will be complete by the end of May, which is about a week and a half later than originally anticipated.

“It has been a challenge,” he said. “We believe it's under control.”