Agenda - Planning Commission - 08/05/2004

Home

Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Strommen, Pearson, Cook, Elvig, Kurak, and Zimrnerman. Voting No: None. Case #5: Report from Public Works Councihnember Zimmennan reported the Public Works %mmittee discussed the following case: Case #1) Summary for 2003-2004 Snow Removal Season Councilmember Zimmerman explained the Street Supervisor presented a brief review of the snow removal season which consisted of 11 major plowing events and 14 minor events. The first call for snow and ice control was on November 4, 2003 for minor sanding. The first full scale plowing operation was on November 26, 2003 compared to February 3rd of the previous year. Overall the snow removal fleet is in good shape. The 1992 plow truck was replaced with a 2004 model. A new piece of equipment for the sidewalk/trail maintenance fleet was added which includes a broom and snow blower attachments. Also purchased was a large snow blow. er-that attaches to the front end loader. This will mainly be used for the snow removal operation in Ramsey Town Center where the' snow will have to be loaded in trucks and haUled away, rather than plowed to the side of the road. It is estimated that a goal of an 8-hour completion time for main routes and 9-10 hours on cul-de-sac routes will be met. He explained continued development and growth in the City will place more demand on staff and equipment. Sidewalk maintenance is another area that is expanding quickly. Staff currently plows the school walking area on the same priority as the City streets, with the rest of the sidewalks done one to two days after the streets are cleared. Demand is starting to increase to accomplish system wide clearing of sidewalks as soon as possible. Public demand that the skating rinks be cleared the day of the ston~ is also increasing. With the City's population growing and the increased use of the park facilities this request for service will continue to rise. Councilmember Zimmen~nan reported the consensus of the Public Works Committee was to make a list of issues/ideas for snow removal in Town Center. Staff should also contact other cities, one being Maple Grove with regard to Arbor Lakes, to find out their policies, ideas and issues with regard to snow removal and bring that information back. An entire Public Works Committee meeting should be dedicated to this discussion. It was determined that a plan needs to be in place prior to the Town Center being built, and it Was asked that the Police Chief.also be included in this discussion. Assistant Public Work Director Olson indicated it is anticipated this will be on the agenda of the July Public Works Committee meeting. Mayor Gamec asked if the committee reviewed the part close to the rinks and the pump house. He noted there are a few complaints this year. Councihnember Cook commented the number of complaints was drastically reduced compared to other years with similar snowfalls. Public Works has been doing a good job of getting the snow removed. City Council/June 8, 2004 Page 11 of 22 P57