Minutes - Council - 05/26/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Strommen commented that the amount of support in this room is remarkable and stated that there is always a large showing of support from the department when they have something of this nature on the agenda, which she believed is an excellent example of the great comradery within the department. 2.02: Update from Public Works Department Public Works Superintendent Riemer provided an update on activities of the Public Works Department. He reviewed the winter maintenance schedule beginning with the areas where snow is cleared, the number of personnel used for snow removal, snow removal routes, and comparison information for the number of plowing events during this past year and the year prior. He reviewed comparison information regarding the temperature information for the season, use of de-icing materials, number and type of service calls, cost of a single citywide plowing event, and budget impacts. He noted that during 2013/2014 the City was over budget while this season the City is currently under budget. He provided an example of the route completion maps used by staff to track roadways as they are cleared. He reviewed the proposed changes for the next winter season including improved weather forecasting, a review and update of the winter maintenance policy, addition of AVL equipment to small vehicles and to develop GIS mapping for cul-de-sacs and trails, and to bring the parking ramp snow removal back in- house. Councilmember Kuzma questioned the cost of the new software. Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated that the cost would be $300 per month, noting that the service would run during the winter months on a trial basis to determine if better information is gained. Mayor Strommen agreed that additional public education efforts could assist greatly in explaining the process followed for snow removal, which could reduce the number of calls generated by large storms. She acknowledged the difficulty of budgeting for the winter season. Public Works Superintendent Riemer agreed that it is difficult to budget from year to year as the snow amount can differ so greatly. 2.03: Presentation Proclaiming American Cancer Bark for Life Day in the City of Ramsey Mayor Strommen read in full and presented a Proclamation declaring Bark for Life Day in the City of Ramsey on June 6, 2015, to Kim Gust of the American Cancer Society. She stated that she attended the event the previous year and thought it was well run and attended. Ms. Gust commented the registration is going strong and the organization has already raised $4,300. She stated that the registration begins at 9:00 a.m. the day of the event, and can also be done online. She stated that opening ceremonies will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 6th City Council/May 26,2015 Page 3 of 13