Minutes - Public Works Committee - 04/15/2008

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Councilmember Elvig asked if the new machine for the trails was working well. He stated that this was the first year where the City removed snow from all the trails. Public Works Supervisor Reimer stated that the trails fall toward the end of the priority list for snow removal, so it takes a few days to get to them all. Public Works Director Olson stated that it is usually 3 or 4 days' after the snow fall when all the trails have been plowed. He stated that if you have minor snow events a few days apart, the schedule gets changed and if people see the snow there a week later, they think it is poor service. He stated that they have to take care of roads, sidewalks and ice rinks also. Councilmember Dehen suggested that the public be educated as to what the priorities are for snow removal. Public Works Director Olson stated that when he gets complaints, he has a standard e-mail response that he sends outlining the priority list. Councilmember Dehen stated that he feels the City should get ahead of things and perhaps put something in the Ramsey Resident listing our priorities. Public Works Supervisor Reimer stated that he believes the priority list is also listed on the City's website. Chair Elvig asked what the threshold is for a "minor" snow event. Public Works Supervisor Reimer stated that 2 inches is the point where they bring everybody in, but noted that for the snow events last week, they ran down the middle of the road, and didn't remove all the snow, because the snow would be gone the next day. Chair Elvig asked how the budget turned out. Public Works Director Olson stated that he believes the City ran over a bit on salt and diesel fuel. Public Works Supervisor Reimer stated that he had to order salt for next year last week, so he based that on what the City used this year. Case #2: Review 2007-2008 Winter Maintenance Season Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that for the skating rinks, their goal is to have the ice skateable by Christmas vacation. He stated that staff volunteers to work in shifts to layer and flood the rinks. He reviewed the hours of operation. He stated that, typically, the ice is ready from about the 3rd week in December through mid-February. He stated that this year there was an increase. in users and noted that 30-40% of the skaters are female. He stated that the rink attendees logged 2,968 visitors at Central Park and 4,572 at the Ramsey Elementary. Councilmember Dehen asked how the attendants logged attendance. Public Works Committee / April 15, 2008 Page 3 of 11