The hiring of summer students is back on the drawing board in the City of Sarnia.
Council considers a new COVID strategy Monday that outlines a return to seasonal hiring after most of it was scrapped in 2020 in anticipation of significant pandemic-related revenue losses and additional costs.
Mayor Mike Bradley said lifeguards would be hired at the start of the season this year, as would students who help take care of parks, sports fields and flower gardens.
"Our parks, and all the facilities that can be opened, will look their best and be properly staffed," said Bradley. "That's only because, last April, we took some very dramatic action and cut $2 million dollars in costs. This year because of the things that we've done, we believe that we're in a position to keep the city at a higher level of service as we go though this."
Bradley said continued assistance for the small business sector, including rent relief, will also be considered.
"We're trying to be fair to the small business sector, allowing the licences to go all the way through to the end of next year without more fees, no late fees. For charities, for example, we'd reduce the lottery licence fees to zero for the remainder of this year."
Bradley said the city wants to help people and give them some optimism and hope that the city is sensitive to what they're going through.
Council considers the actions during its regular meeting, held virtually, Monday at 10am.
