The efforts of staffers at City Hall to clean up the city April 9 were hailed by their city manager Monday.
"It was a great team-building exercise for us," Jim Puffalt said to reporters following the council meeting.
"More importantly, it was a good opportunity to show some leadership in the community, make sure our areas are cleaned up as best as possible."
Puffalt adds the city want others in the community to follow their lead.
The city "wanted to encourage the rest of the community, businesses, and citizens, if you're not doing that already, to certainly take part," said Puffalt. "Litter is everybody's responsibility, not just the City's. We encourage people to participate."
The clean-up effort last week saw 55 city staffers from City Hall, Public Works Department, Parks and Recreation, Fire and Municipal Enforcement take part on a blustery Wednesday.
Local residents noticed the staffers braving the wind and blowing dust while out in the community that day, picking up garbage with trash sticks and placing the litter in bags. Staffers ventured into the fields and ditches to clean some of the litter.
According to the City, about 375 bags of garbage and a total of 7,500 pounds of litter were collected. The extra effort was much needed, said Puffalt.
"Generally it is our parks crews that are trying to look after all the city, and you know, it's really tough when the snow first melts to get everything picked up in a timely fashion," said Puffalt.
Had the parks crews been left to do the entire cleanup, it would have taken much longer, he noted.
The effort by staff was well received, and Puffalt said the City will do a clean-up day on an annual basis from now on.
Residents are also encouraged to once again take part in the annual United Way Spring Cleanup Saturday, May 10, an effort the City continues to lend its support to.
"The appearance of the community is absolutely critical. It's how people view North Battleford," said Puffalt.
