Minutes - Public Works Committee - 10/16/2012

Home

5. COMMITTEE BUSINESS 5.01: Review Bids for Snow Removal at Parking Ramp and Municipal Center Public Works Superintendent Riemer reviewed the staff report. He reported that in September 2012, staff sent out a request for quotes for contracted snow removal services for the parking ramp and the municipal campus. Staff contacted 33 contractors on our bidder list to make them aware of the bid. Of those 33 contractors, seven picked up bid information; however, only two actually submitted quotes. The successful bidder would be responsible for all snow removal for the ramp, the municipal campus surface lots, and all sidewalks in the adjacent areas. The sidewalks included the segments leading into the rail station as well. The contractor would be responsible for application of de-icing materials for those areas. Mr. Riemer continued that the contract required a yearly lump sum for these services, with separate bids for the ramp and municipal center. The contract would run from November 2 through April 15, with a one-half inch snowfall to be the trigger point for service. He noted that if the snow event happened during business hours, staff would provide minimal service until the close of business. Mr. Riemer informed the Committee that the quotes received were as follows: On Call Sweeping Inc. bid $29,000 for the parking ramp and $20,000 for the Municipal Center for a total of $49,000. Complete Grounds Maintenance bid $32,700 for the parking ramp plus $16,850 for the Municipal Center for a total of $49,500. He presented some statistics regarding snowfall/snow removal beginning with 1998. From 1998 through the 2011-2012 seasons, there were 93 full- scale plowing events. The lowest snowfall was the 2002 2003 season with three events. The highest snowfall was 2010 2011 with 16 events. Using 1998 to present, the yearly average was eight events. Mr. Riemer also presented statistics related to minor plowing events (sanding, minor snow falls, etc.). The lowest was six events in 2011-2012 and the highest was 29 for the 2001 2002 season. The average was 17 minor plowing events. Mr. Riemer estimated that the staff costs for snow removal at $3,696.07 per event. The case cover sheet and attachments detailed how Mr. Riemer arrived at that amount. He suggested that with the building of the apartment complex, snow drifting into the parking structure should be minimal. He expressed However, if the two could be split - we could use the most help for the Municipal Campus versus the ramp. would help significantly to have staff relieved of that snow removal duty and he was in support of what Mr. Riemer is saying. Councilmember McGlone stated he has always been most critical of any snow removal that City staff does. He feels it is never up to standard and added he feels he is an expert on snow removal as he has done it every year since he was 17 years old. He recommended trying out a contractor, at least for the municipal piece. He continued that some issues came up last week about perception contact 33 contractors ourselves and put it in the newspaper twice and we only have two contractors bid on it. He reported that his contractors tell him they do not like bidding a project in Ramsey because it seems only certain contrac intention of awarding the bid anyway. Councilmember McGlone stated that he contacted the Public Works Committee / October 16, 2012 Page 2 of 10