Minutes - Public Works Committee - 04/15/2003

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Case #3: Summary for 2002-2003 Snow Removal Season Public Works Supervisor Reimer stated that this case was meant to be a brief review of the 2002- 2003 snow removal season. The snow removal season consisted of three major plowing events and 12 minor events. Major events consist of calling in a full crew, plus part time staff. Minor events normally consist of sanding intersections, plowing/sanding main routes, drift control, etc. Our first full scale plowing operation was on February 3, 2003. Our equipment held up well, with the only problem coming from our new truck. We had a problem with the computer that is used in calibrating the ground speed spreader control. T hat problem h as been fixed and w as covered under warranty. Overall our snow removal fleet is in good shape. The average age of our plow fleet is about 10 years old. One concern is unit 604, which is a 1972 WABCO motor grader. It is running fine at the moment and is only used for snow removal. The concern is if it breaks down parts may be hard to find because of its age. Possible options if it breaks, and is not repairable, would be to replace the unit with the purchase of another plow truck. Replacement cost would be approximately $100,000. Another option would be to consolidate that particular plow route in with the others. This would lengthen the overall operation time by 1 - 2 hours on a normal snowfall of 2-4 inches. Right now it takes about 8 hours for the larger equipment to complete their routes, with the smaller trucks, doing cul-de-sacs, taking about 9-10 hrs to complete their routes. The following table represents some general statistics regarding our plowing operation: 1998- 1999- 2000- 2001- 2002- Avera 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 ge Full scale operation 10 N/A 11 11 3 Minor operations N/A N/A 17 29 12 Salt amounts 154 290 480 510 200 327 Salt/Sand amounts 1400 1200 1500 1350 300 1150 Complaints- total 67 N/A 137 87 7 Sod damage 18 N/A 37 38 4 Mailbox damage 7 N/A 10 7 1 Misc. 42 N/A 90 42 12 This year saw several changes to our snowplowing operation. We completed our salt shed, which gives us the ability to store about 200 tons of salt on site. With salt storage on site, we will be able to shorten our response time to changing road conditions. Our newest plow truck is equipped with several features that allow the driver to focus their attention on the road and less on truck's plow/sander controls. With the addition of several new roads and cul-de-sacs, t he plow routes needed t o b e redesigned, s o w e could stay within o ur 8 -hour time frame. Other changes came in the area of trail and sidewalk snow removal. With the school district's policy change regarding busing, students within a two mile radius of Ramsey Elementary School are required to find an alternate means of transportation to get to school. The Public Works Department purchased a V-plow for our skid steer machine to help plow off trails and sidewalks within the school walking zone. Public Works Committee/April 15, 2003 Page 5 of 12