The sign kind of said it all at this abandoned picket site outside the Neil Windsor Public Works Depot in Mount Pearl on Wednesday. The City of Mount Pearl’s striking unionized workers voted to give up their labour action later that day after agreeing to accept a nine per cent wage increase over four years, a reduction in sick leave from 21 days to 18, the addition of two personal leave days, a higher meal allowance, and a committment from the City to add two positions, for a total of six, for weekend maintenance and snowclearing during the winter season. The workers, members of CUPE Local 2099, had been on the picket line for 12 weeks. “This collective agreement is the result of months of hard work and dedication toward reaching a contract that is fair and balanced to all parties involved,” said Mayor Dave Aker. “Council would like to thank our residents and community groups for their patience as we worked to deliver an agreement that focused on the sustainability of our services.”

A new name for St. John's South - Mount Pearl riding

By Mark Squibb/September 23, 2022

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission has proposed that the riding of St. John’s South—Mount Pearl be renamed Cape Spear, after the historic landmark that boasts the easternmost point of North America.

“Recognizing that there are several significant municipalities in the riding apart from St. John’s and Mount Pearl, all of which cannot be named explicitly in the riding name, the Commission has opted to continue its emphasis on the geographic naming principle,” reads the official proposal. “A major geographic feature of this district is its distinction as the most easterly point in North America. Accordingly, a new name of Cape Spear is proposed. It meets the objectives of simplicity, recognizability and history.”

The riding recorded a small population decrease from the 2011 census, and thus the Commission did not recommend any significant changes. They did, however, recommend two small boundary tweaks.

One proposed change would address an oddity that sees some residents in Conception Bay South voting in the St. John’s South— Mount Pearl riding.

Currently, a portion of the Foxtrap Access Road near Gull Pond lies within St. John’s South— Mount Pearl. The Commission has proposed moving the boundary line so as to follow the highway, thus bringing the entirety of the Foxtrap Access Road into the Avalon riding.

A second proposal would move the St. Johns South— Mount Pearl boarder slightly so as to include Harbour Drive and Southside Road alongside St. John’s Harbour in St. John’s East district.

The changes would see the district’s population, estimated at 81,544 in 2021, drop to 81,173.

The changes, if approved, would be effect for the next federal election.

Council hopes urban forest plan will see Mount Pearl made in the shade

By Craig Westcott/September 23, 2022

If Mount Pearl council gets its way, the city will be one of the greenest metropolitan places on earth in the coming years.

Councillor Isabel Fry gave a hint of those plans at Wednesday's public council meeting, which happened to coincide with National Tree Day.

"National Tree Day is an opportunity to celebrate some of the many benefits that trees provide such as clean air, cooler cities, wildlife habitat and connection with nature," Fry pointed out. "This week is also National Forest Week and the theme this year is 'Canada's Forests: Solutions for a Changing Climate.'"

Fry noted the City is working on an urban forestry plan. "It's called Setting Roots and Growing Forward," she said. "We have it drafted and it’s coming through the process. The vision of the plan is to create a sustainable and accessible urban forest that is properly managed and cared for benefitting our residents and businesses with improved social, economic and environmental wellbeing while enabling council and staff to provide cost-effective implementation management and maintenance. So, the goal of the plan is to strive to increase the city's tree canopy coverage by planting a minimum of 1,000 trees of varied species by 2035."

Residents and business operators will be encouraged to contribute towards the goal, Fry said. The City has earmarked some $150,000 for tree planting.

Perhaps there's no bigger supporter of the plan than councillor Jim Locke.

"I'm delighted to see councillor Fry bring this in," Locke said. "I'm glad Mount Pearl is progressive on this front in adopting an urban forestry plan and we now realize that our trees and our vegetation are certainly a part of our green infrastructure. And we all know the benefits of trees for water retention, for example, during storm conditions."

Locke said he recently heard a news story that reported that doctors in British Columbia can now prescribe their patients to spend time in nature. Doing so, he noted, can help with a person's mental health and even physical ailments by reducing blood pressure.

"When you consider that we have 60 kms of trails in 16 square kilometres of our city's footprint here we are very fortunate to have that," Locke said. 

Planting trees, Locke argued, is a responsible thing for the City to do.

"We do have some areas for further development up in Northlands, for example, that will require the removal of some trees, but we are cognizant of the fact that with that there will be the replanting of trees," he said. "So, it's all about increasing our tree canopy. We know the benefits for fresh air and shading and urban heat islands. But this is new for your mental health, and I do know in the Japanese school system they have forest bathing where they go outside and spend time in the forest as part of their school day. It also enhances and increases their learning capability and academic achievement."

Locke said society finally seems to be getting it right in realizing that "we're not above nature, we're one with nature and if we want to continue to have successful, healthy lives, we do have to incorporate and protect our natural environment. So, I'm delighted that we're recognizing National Tree Day and I'm especially delighted that we're moving forward with our urban forestry plan."

Inflation drives up pavement costs on Park Avenue and Commonwealth

By Mark Squibb/September 16, 2022

New asphalt along Park Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue will end up costing the City a little more than anticipated.

“Whenever we have to do a job like this, there are some adjustments in quantities and cost, and in this particular case there is a contractor change order, and there are different parts to this one, so we’ll do them separately,” explained councillor Isabelle Fry during last week’s meeting.

The first part of the change order included a clause for liquid asphalt cost adjustment, resulting from an increase in liquid asphalt pricing from the time of the award of the contract. The adjustment resulted in an additional charge totaling $24,706, HST Included.

The second part of the change order was to correct a cross connection of storm sewer leading into a sanitary manhole, at a cost of $7,569, including HST.

The third and final part was for materials testing, such as compaction and asphalt testing, at a cost of $3,345, including HST.

Council approved the change order at a total cost of $35,602, HST included.

The cost of the original contract with Modern Pavement was $548,446.

St. David's smart tech accessible playground taking shape

By Mark Squibb/September 16, 2022

As completion of the St. David’s accessible playground grows nearer, members of Mount Pearl council say they are pleased with the progress.

“So, the topsoil, grading, and concrete walkways are complete, and playground structures are being assembled on site,” said councilor Isabelle Fry during her capital project status report at last week’s public meeting. “The rubberized surface is to be installed probably the first week in September. So that one is coming together and that’s one that we’re all really proud of.”

The upgrades, which include smart technology, improved lighting, and the addition of two new gender-neutral washrooms, were announced in August, 2021, and were funded by the federal and provincial governments.

Both governments chipped in about $150,000 each, while the City covered the lion’s share – over $661,000.

“I’m very excited about the St. David’s smart, accessible playground,” said councillor Mark Rice. “I drove up there and had a look and it’s a lot bigger than I realized it was going to be. It’s phenomenal work, a phenomenal job done, both the engineering and the design. Hats off to our engineering department and … if you want to see how an accessible playground should be done, visit our playground up by St. David’s field. It’s a phenomenal job.”

Since work began, the City has approved a number of change orders related to the project, including creation of a green belt connection between St. David’s Park and the smart accessible playground location ($8,515), addition of an adult change table ($39,417), enhancement of the small play structure to be fully wheelchair accessible ($28,955), addition of three independent ground-based activity panels ($17,666) and the relocation of a storm sewer and catch basin to accommodate the new playground at a price of $40,990, with calculated adjustments at a cost of roughly $20,940, for a total of $61,880, amongst others.

City hires "owner's advisor" to oversee construction of new civic centre

By Mark Squibb/September 16, 2022

The City of Mount Pearl has taken steps towards the construction of a new community centre.

The City issued a limited call for proposals on June 7 for companies interested in overseeing the project. That closed on July 15, and attracted three bids.

Last week, council unanimously voted to award the contract to Wood Environmental and Infrastructure Solutions to develop a design-build Request for Proposals for construction of a new civic centre, splash pad, ice rink and site upgrades at a bid price of $552,895 (HST Included).

Wood Environmental will act as the “owner’s advisor” and will work with the City to review the concept and finalize the scope of work, draft an RFP for design-build proposals, manage construction and contract administration for payment, certification, and progress updates.

“I think this is a great initiative for the City of Mount Pearl,” said councillor Mark Rice. “I think going out to RFP and getting a consultant and a design-build is really good, because you hit all the key points.”

He noted that a lot of buildings, such as Park Place and the Gloria Pearson Centre, are aging and not up to snuff.

Director of Public Works Gerry Antle said that through the design-build process, the City will be able to  consider efficient design, energy efficiency, climate change measures, and other features.

Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley said going the route of hiring an “owner advisor” was an example of ‘measuring twice, cutting once.’

“We’re going in with eyes wide open,” said Kieley. “And I think that it’s important for any large facility or endeavour that we are taking on that we have our eyes wide open, and I do appreciate and support the consultation process that needs to follow.”

Council estimates the design-build RFP will be issued in November and awarded in April of 2023. The design will be finalized in November 2023, and construction will begin in June 2023 and carry through until December 2024. The facility is expected to be completed between January 2025 and January 2026.

“This is not going to happen overnight, but we have started,” said councillor Isabelle Fry.

Councilor Bill Antle also threw his support behind the project, adding he is looking forward to seeing the end results, while councillor Chelsea Lane said families are excited, in particular, about the new splash pad and ice rink.

“As a young mother here in the community, I know I’m looking forward to it, and I’m sure that our residents are truly going to be so excited to have this addition to the City,” said Lane.

CUPE 2099 president defends decision to picket councillor's homes

By Mark Squibb/September 9, 2022

CUPE 2099 local President Ken Turner has defended picketers’ decision to picket councillors’ homes saying that if councillors won’t come cross the picket line at City Hall, than picketers will bring the picket line to them.

“We did have picketers at councillors’ residences because the councillors were not at work, they chose to do their council meetings at home and not at the City Hall,” said Turner. “So, if they are going to work from home, and not come to City Hall, where the picketers are, then we’ll go to where they’re doing their work, which is at their home.”

Turner said the picketing outside councillors’ homes has been effective.

“It’s got councillors talking to their managers again, and hopefully we’ll see some movement and we’ll get back to the table,” said Turner.

When asked if the tactic might intimidate or antagonize neighbouring residents, Turner said he didn’t believe that to be the case — though he allowed it might be a nuisance.

“We’re not around the other residents, we’re not in front of other people’s homes,” said Turner. “But yes, I could see that it would be irritating, but if the councillors are not going to go to work, and leave us with no other alternative, then we’ll legally picket, because it is a legal, secondary picket, and yes, residents are going to be disturbed, and I would think if they’re neighbours, they’re going to ask their councillors to go back to work, because that’s where they belong.”

Turner acknowledged that yes, it was the picketers themselves who chose not to show up to work some ten weeks ago, and instead hit the picket lines.

“Our concern is getting our workers back to work, and if council won’t come to us at the worksite, then I guess we’ll go to their worksite— which in this case is their homes,” concluded Turner.

Strikers target councillors in their homes, upsetting families, neighbours

By Mark Squibb/September 9, 2022

During this week’s council meeting, which was held virtually, online, picketers could be heard shouting outside councillor Isabelle Fry’s home.

“That is so disrespectful,” said Mayor Dave Aker. “Our union is out there during this proclamation blaring out of a microphone at somebody’s house. That is terrible.”

At the time, Fry was trying to speak to a proclamation recognizing September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. The proclamation was in coordination with Women of Hope, an ovarian cancer support group formed by Susan Glynn, who died in July, 2021 following a courageous six-year battle with ovarian cancer. Glynn was a familiar face in the council chamber, and a close friend of Fry.

The picketing by the City’s striking municipal workers seemed to die down after the proclamation.

During the round table discussion at the end of the meeting, council returned to the matter of folks picketing outside councillor’s homes.

“We all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity,” said Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, adding both sides need to acknowledge each other as human beings first and foremost. “I’ve been picketed at my own home, and I’m hearing today of colleagues being picketed, and that can be very difficult, especially if you’ve got neighbours who are senior citizens, or are individuals who have children. Please, be mindful that these are places where people are living. Everyone deserves respect during this time.”

Councillor Bill Antle added his thoughts.

“I certainly respect our strikers and our employees,” said Antle. “They certainly have the right to strike, and they certainly have the right to picket. But last Friday, around 10 o’clock in the morning, I had picketers show up at my house. And they were there for about an hour and a half, and they had bullhorns, they had loudspeakers, they had boomboxes, the cars were blowing horns, they were generally making a nuisance in the neighbourhood for an hour-and-a-half.”

Antle said his wife, who he reminded folks is not an elected member of council and has no say in City affairs, was home at the time, and was quite upset by the incident.

Antle said the protesters showed up again Tuesday morning, 10:30 a.m. sharp — this time while he and his wife were watching their grandchildren, aged five, four, and three.

“My grandson was here this morning and he was scared,” said Antle. “He was scared because the picketers were on my street, yelling, ‘Come out!’ And I’m not trying to get upset, but he was saying, ‘How come these people on the street are calling for you to come out?’ He was scared, so we put him in the back bedroom so he couldn’t see.”

He estimates there was about 25 to 30 strikers on his street – which he said is populated mostly with senior citizens— calling for him to come out.

Antle said the tragedy in Saskatchewan this past weekend, in which police hunted for the culprit of a stabbing rampage that left 10 people dead and 18 wounded, was upsetting enough for senior citizens in his area, without the added confusion caused by protesters.

“All they could hear was someone on a loudspeaker saying, ‘Come out, you’re going to be safe, come out,’” said Antle. ‘If you want to picket City Hall that’s your right… but the seniors didn’t do this.”

Councillor Mark Rice agreed with Antle, noting that strikers picketed his home as well.

“I was on strike twice with NAPE,” said Rice. “I was a NAPE union member for 22 years and I was on the negotiating team with NAPE, so I know what it’s all about, sitting at the table looking at management and sitting on the other side looking at workers. And I think right is right and wrong is wrong, and the longer this dispute goes on, it’ll get more complicated. I think it’s time to get back, and sit down and have a sensible conversation (instead of) being radical and being disrespectful. My neighbours came over to me Friday morning and they said, ‘How could you ever put up with stuff like that?’ And I said that they had the right, and the street was public City property, but it bothers a lot of people, and it bothered me as well. The longer this goes on, the worse it’s going to get.”

Mayor Dave Aker also shared a story about strikers protesting outside his home.

“Last Friday, my wife was home alone and we had to call the RNC and the Municipal Enforcement over, basically so she could get out of her house to go to work,” said Aker. “I think there’s some innocent people getting caught up in this. Like Councillor Antle, I do respect people’s right to picket but I think people should just think, for a second, about what they’re doing.”

He encouraged citizens to ignore the protesters as best as possible, and to not engage with them.

“My neighbours reported today that engaging with them is very difficult, and I want to say to people, please, don’t engage, try and ignore as best as possible,” said Aker. “It’s very, I won’t say dangerous, but it can be very concerning from a physical and mental point of view if you engage with some of the protesters.”

The mayor thanked the RNC and Municipal Enforcement officers for their work trying to keep the peace, and noted the City has made the union a “very reasonable” offer.

He encouraged folks on both sides to “just get along a little better.”

“I don’t mean that we have to be very loving with each other, I’m not trying to say that, I just want to make sure that we remain safe and respectful.”

As the strike in Mount Pearl drags on with nary an end in sight, the City has to date spent almost $70,000 on video and security services related to the dispute.

The Pearl previously reported that during an August 9 council meeting, council approved payment of two invoices, one priced at $24,880 and one priced at $19,029, for a total of $43,909, payable to Provincial Investigative Services for video and security services.

Deputy Mayor Nicole Kielly, during that August meeting, explained the costs were reflective of video surveillance costs associated with the labor disruption, and that the services were “instrumental in ensuring the safety of our workers crossing picket lines and performing the work of our City during this time.”

During this week’s meeting, council approved an additional invoice of $25,836 for video surveillance, made payable to Provincial Investigative Services.