Latest news with #CityAdministration
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Revamping snow clearing, sidewalk repair on the docket for Edmonton city committee
The City of Edmonton's community and public services committee is set to make recommendations to council on how to potentially update snowing clearing and sidewalk repair policies to improve accessibility. City administration will present options to the committee, detailed in a public report, including proactively repairing sidewalks and getting more snow plows on the road. If committee receives the report for information — which is Administration's recommended action — Administration will continue with option one, which it says will reprioritize resources without impacting the budget. Option one would aim to clear "high social vulnerability areas" earlier. Other options could include adding various numbers of equipment, sidewalk repair and staff. The total budget for snow and ice control is $67 million each year. As Edmonton has grown, so too has the total length of public sidewalks, with a increase of eight per cent over the past 10 years. In 2022, a high priority sidewalk index was created for each sidewalk block in Edmonton and looks at various factors. These include pedestrian volume, proximity to places like schools, senior centres, high frequency bus stops, as well as the social vulnerability index, which looks at how various populations in Edmonton rely on sidewalk access. Those factors are part of the process in making recommendations to committee, administration said. Both sidewalk maintenance and enforcement services would retain their existing model under option one, which administration would pursue if the committee recommends it. The city manages close to 5,776 kilometres of public sidewalks with a $5.9 million annual operating budget dedicated to sidewalk maintenance, while minor and major capital renewals are funded separately. The report, and other options, will be presented to the community and public services committee on Aug. 11 where councillors will vote on whether to recommend changes to all of city council.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
2 Dead After Vehicle Is Swept Away by Intense Flash Flooding in New Jersey
The city of Plainfield in New Jersey reported that two people died when their vehicle was swept away during the height of the storm on July 14 The North Plainfield Police Department said a house exploded overnight due to a possible gas leak Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency for 21 counties due to the flash flooding and stormsAt least two people died in New Jersey in flash flooding following the intense storms that hit the Tri-State area, according to officials. In a news release, the city of Plainfield announced the two fatalities that happened on Monday, July 14. 'According to preliminary reports, a vehicle was swept into Cedar Brook during the height of the storm,' the city said. 'Emergency personnel responded quickly, but tragically, both individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene.' "The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of their families," officials added. "The City Administration extends its heartfelt condolences to those affected by this loss." The city's statement also noted that Monday's deaths came nearly two weeks after a severe storm hit Plainfield on July 3, which also killed two people. Meanwhile, in North Plainfield, authorities responded to a report of a house explosion in the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 15, the North Plainfield Police Department stated in a news release shared with PEOPLE. "On arrival police officers found the home fully engulfed in flames. The explosion appears to have been the result of a gas leak," the police said. "Luckily the home appears to have been empty and no victims were located. The residents apparently had already evacuated before the explosion happened, according to ABC affiliate WABC. The heavy rains made battling the blaze difficult as firefighters had to wade through ankle-deep water with their hoses, according to CBS affiliate WCBS. Northfield Police also said that 40 people were rescued from the floodwaters in the borough, that have also destroyed numerous homes and vehicles. Parts of New Jersey experienced about 6 inches of rain from Monday's storms that disrupted traffic and left vehicles abandoned, Fox affiliate WNYW reported. The flash flooding and severe storms prompted New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy to declare a state of emergency across 21 counties that went into effect Monday evening. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'I urge New Jerseyans to exercise caution, follow all safety protocols, and remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary,' Murphy said in a press statement. Due to the storm damage, the city of Plainfield said that its city pools and parks are closed on Tuesday for inspection and safety assessment, while services at the Plainfield Senior Center are halted. Monday's storms also hit New York City, where video showed water flooding the entrance and platform at the 23rd Street station on the No. 1 line, WABC reported. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New 10-year strategy aims to get Glaswegians more active
New Physical Activity and Sport Strategy for Glasgow 2025-2035 unveiled (Image: Glasgow Life) A new strategy is aiming to make sport and physical activity a core part of everyday life. Active Glasgow: A Physical Activity and Sport Strategy for Glasgow 2025-2035, developed by Glasgow Life and sector partners, aspires to enhance the lives of Glaswegians through activity and sport. Advertisement The plan, approved by the City Administration Committee, seeks to integrate sport and physical activity into the daily routines of Glaswegians. (Image: Glasgow Life) Read more: MSP praises Glasgow initiative making equipment accessible to everyone It targets health inequalities and promotes diversity, equality, and inclusion, with success measured by a positive increase in activity levels. Changes in environments, practices, and policies will be monitored in addition to evidence-based shifts in activity levels within targeted communities. Various partners, including sports clubs, health services, educational services, and public health organisations, will collaborate on the strategy's implementation. Advertisement The strategy has been deemed essential in light of figures revealed around the state of physical wellbeing in Glasgow. Figures have shown that 34% of adults and 31% of children in Glasgow do not meet the NHS's weekly physical activity guidelines. Bailie Annette Christie, chair of Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council convenor for culture, sport, and international relations, said: "Physical activity and sport have the power to boost mental and physical wellbeing, unite communities, and transform lives. "This strategy focuses on addressing the issues that prevent people from getting involved in physical activity by offering solutions to help more Glaswegians and visitors to our city get active and experience the benefits of an active lifestyle." Advertisement The strategy aims to make Glasgow a leader in creating an encouraging environment for physical activity. It proposes a single referral point for people who need support to be active and plans to develop the Live Active Exercise Referral Scheme and the Live Well Community Referral Programme. Dr Emilia Crighton, director of public health at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: "The health benefits of physical activity and active living are well-known. "Physical exercise is often branded a 'miracle cure', due to the critical role it plays in improving physical and mental wellbeing and helping to address a range of illnesses and health conditions. Advertisement "Creating an environment where physical activity becomes the easy option for people is central to health and wellbeing, and it is at the heart of this strategy. 'The focus on accessibility, availability, existing community assets, and greenspace, together with building confidence and skills for people of all ages, are critical to enabling this city to become an Active Glasgow – and therefore a healthier Glasgow.' The plan also includes widening access to green spaces, recreational, and sports spaces, and ensuring they are safe and welcoming for all. (Image: Glasgow Life) Read more: Glaswegians urged to 'light up the longest day' and help feed hungry children Paul Johnston, chief executive of Public Health Scotland, said: "Implementation of this strategy will transform environments, infrastructure, and services across Glasgow, making it easier for individuals to incorporate movement into their daily lives. Advertisement "Being physically active is hugely beneficial to improving our physical and mental health and contributes towards the prevention of illness and diseases. "We hope this will be the first of many local strategies which will drive the necessary changes to create a healthier, more active Scotland." The Active Glasgow strategy can be read in full on the Glasgow Life website.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Florissant St. Patrick's parade canceled after storm damage
The City of Florissant has canceled their St. Patrick's Parade and Festival after strong storms brought devastating damage to the region Friday night. Officials say that there are homes destroyed in the area and parks that have been devastated. Many residents in the community remain without power. The Duchesne Home Association fairgrounds and the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine roof sustained damage. Officials with the committee consulted with the City Administration and determined that they have no other option but to cancel the celebration this year. Instead, they ask that their community goes out this weekend and helps neighbors in this time of need, instead of celebrating. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
21-02-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Oakland city auditor finds payroll system problem; unauthorized overtime payments
Oakland spent nearly $1.7 million on unauthorized overtime in two departments during a period of several years due to a payroll system problem, according to a recent city auditor's report. From at least January 2018 to May 2024, Oakland overpaid 158 employees in the city's Department of Transportation and 368 employees in Public Works because its payroll system was using "a method for calculating overtime that differs from what the Fair Labor Standards Act requires," according to City Auditor Michael Houston. The Fair Labor Standards Act sets federal requirements for minimum wage, overtime pay, record keeping and child labor standards in both the public and private sectors. Cities can pay more than what the federal rules require, but Houston said he found no evidence that Oakland ever authorized such payments. "This issue of excessive overtime pay warrants the city's immediate attention because taxpayers have essentially been incurring significant costs that were never approved," Houston said. "I implore the City Administration to ensure that city employees are paid no more and no less than authoritative regulations and agreements require. I will watch closely how the City Administration works to rectify this issue." Spokespeople for City Administrator Jestin Johnson and Interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. The Oakland Finance Department oversees the city's Payroll Division, which is responsible for payroll processing, but officials in those offices were unable to explain the overpayments or pinpoint exactly how long they've been happening, according to the report. Officials in the city's Human Resources Management Department and the City Attorney's Office were similarly baffled. Houston said the overpayments are particularly troubling in light of the city's ongoing and massive budget shortfalls -- estimated at $280 million over the next two years -- which have prompted city leaders to look "under couch cushions for spare coins," institute large-scale layoffs and significantly cut services. He also noted that the problem might be much larger and more expensive than he was able to identify since he only examined overtime spending in two departments. In his report, Houston makes a number of recommendations, including that city officials conduct a review of overtime formulas for all employees, adopt overtime formulas that don't exceed federal guidelines and make those formulas publicly available, consult with the City Attorney's Office to identify how to address past payments and discuss the report's findings at a public meeting. Houston said his office was alerted to the payroll problem because someone used the auditor's anonymous whistleblower hotline to report their suspicions in July of 2023. "Without the tip, we may not have become aware of this issue that is significantly costing the city," Houston said. People can read the full report at .
