The City of Guelph will be reopening some city services in the near future.
In the Managing the Impacts of COVID -19 report heading to the June 17 meeting of city council, a number of city services will begin resuming some services in the near future, although no definitive dates are given.
They include:
- The city will reopen public yard waste drop-off for residents in early July.
- Staff are making plans to reopen Market Square splash pad and considering places for picnic tables around city hall. In order to meet the guidelines for capacity, the City will install temporary fencing around the perimeter for the 2020 season and give users time-limited access to ensure as many people as possible can use the facility.
- Plans are also underway to reopen Lyon Pool. Admission fees for the pool will be waived for 2020 and time-limited access will be in effect.
- Work is happening to reopen washrooms in Market Square and many of Guelph’s parks. Hours will be limited to allow for frequent and thorough cleaning.
- To help businesses, staff is recommending waiving fees for mobile sign permits from June 17 to Aug. 31.
- Staff are making several changes to city facilities, including installing plexiglass, floor decals to direct one-way foot traffic and touchless water fountains for when the buildings reopen.
- The city will work with Public Health and Guelph General Hospital to relocate the COVID-19 Assessment Clinic to another location other than Victoria Road Recreation Centre so that work can begin to prepare the eventual reopening of the facility.
- The city will work with Public Health to identify cooling centres for the summer.
The report said that the estimated financial cost to the city of COVID-19 will be $11.85 million this year with an operating deficit of somewhere between $4 million to $8 million.
“The City’s forecasted 2020 operating deficit continues to be in the range of $4 to $8 million (inclusive of tax and non-tax supported businesses). Efforts to reduce these impacts continue; staff recognize the duration of the pandemic, along with its impacts, are not fully known.”
The report says the city has undertaken cost-cutting measures and is now asking local boards to do the same.
The report recognizes that some city projects may be affected by the pandemic. A more detailed report on that will be brought before council at its July 17 meeting.
“Not included in this analysis and reporting will be capital and construction projects already prioritized by the Capital and Construction Table or operating losses, such as the loss of parking permit fees or subdivision construction administration fees, which will be reported through traditional operating variance reporting processes,” says the report to council.
